The Europa League in the sights. Milan beat Catania and, thanks to the defeats of Lazio, Verona and Atalanta and the draw of Parma, he is considerably close to sixth place. An objective that certainly does not exalt the crowds, but which a couple of weeks ago seemed absolutely unattainable.
Then came 13 points in 5 games and the Rossoneri's standings returned to being at least acceptable. Never in the season had the team won four games in a row and it doesn't matter if the game is still to be reviewed. At this point of the season the only thing that matters is the result and Milan really seem to have understood that. “Every now and then there is a lack of tranquility in the games, we make the wrong choices – he explained Seedorf at the press conference. – This is an aspect to improve, but the basis is the spirit. And now we are all fighting together to get the results”. Despite the rumors the day before, the Dutchman chooses Poli and not Birsa to replace the injured Honda.
The move takes away something offensively but adds substance and tactical intelligence to the team, in full Seedorf metamorphosis. The approach is not the best and in the first quarter of an hour it is Catania to make himself more dangerous. Barrientos scare Milan twice and in the 13th minute Abbiati he has to overcome himself to remove his poison left from the intersection. But the quality of the Rossoneri is clearly superior, also because they are up front three tightrope walkers like Taarabt, Kakà and Balotelli who constantly exchange positions, sending the Sicilian defense into a crisis. However, it is not one of the aforementioned players who unlocks the match, but the man you do not expect.
Riccardo Montolivo he sees a hole from 32 meters and decides to give it a try: his right foot surprises Andujar and Milan take the lead almost effortlessly (23'). It seems like the prelude to an evening of entertainment, but it's not like that. The Rossoneri focus more on hard work than fun and decide to manage the result, without giving up on counterattacks. Shots on goal are counted with a dropper and emotions are diluted in a second half without ideas. Mexes tries the super goal with a spectacular bicycle kick, Balotelli does the same from a free kick. Catania relied above all on Lodi's foot, who frightened Abbiati from a set piece in the 76th minute, but had to definitively raise the white flag in the 78th minute, when Rinaudo was kicked off the pitch for a second yellow card. De Marco's final whistle sanctions Milan's victory, which is worth a decidedly interesting ranking. “The game wasn't good, but it happens – thought Seedorf. – We played as a team, we risk much less than in the past. I don't look at the standings that much, I will only do it at the end of the season". And perhaps that day, continuing like this, you will even be able to smile.
