Finally Milan! The campaign in Russia leaves behind an important victory, but above all the awareness that this team can still get some satisfaction. It's no small thing, also because there will be the derby on Sunday and such an injection of confidence will certainly do some good. The match in St. Petersburg presented many pitfalls and few on the eve would have bet one euro on a victory for Milan. Among these, however, was certainly Massimiliano Allegri, who after so many criticisms deserves a good dose of applause, because the Rossoneri coach swept the all-Tuscan derby with Spalletti. As? First of all by getting the initial formation right, including the game system, an even more offensive 4-2-3-1 than the one seen last Saturday in Parma. In fact, compared to the Tardini match, the coach focused on Emanuelson on the top right, leaving Antonio Nocerino on the bench. Another substantial change is the inclusion of Montolivo, preferred to Ambrosini. Quality and speed instead of muscles and grit, a courageous way to play for the bench in Petrovski's bedlam. But that soon had to cool the enthusiasm, because the Rossoneri started strong, indeed very strong. First Emanuelson killed Malafeev with a mocking free-kick, which was only achieved thanks to a deflection, then El Shaarawy took the chair.
Pharaoh's goal was a pearl of rare beauty: majestic advance from the frontline, dry dribbling on a couple of opponents and surgical right into the net. What can I say, chapeu! A terrifying one-two, which however had the merit of awakening Zenit and consequently the game. From then on, in fact, Abbiati took the scene, author of spectacular saves in series, which slowed the Russian comeback, at least until the recovery of the first half. In fact, a few seconds from the end, the goalkeeper was unable to oppose the Hulk's torpedo, who emerged victorious from the "bestial" confrontation with Boateng. Heavy goal, which undermined the certainties of the Rossoneri. In fact, immediately after the interval, Zenit found an equalizer with Shirokov, able to exploit Abbiati's only uncertainty with a precise header. But just at that moment, when everyone was expecting Milan on the ropes, Allegri made decisive moves. Off a dull Bojan and a tired Emanuelson, inside Pazzini and Nocerino, from the series: quality is fine, but now it's time for tough players. Milan gradually regained ground and with a quarter of an hour to go they collected the spoils. Cross by Montolivo, movement by Pazzini that frightens Hubocan to such an extent that he deflects the ball into his own goal. New advantage, this time definitive. Yepes (entered in place of Boateng for the final fort) and, above all, Abbiati, author of a terrific save on Anyukov, took care of locking him up. Victory and second place in the group, behind a perfect Malaga so far (but the next round will be a direct match). Very important success also for Allegri, finally out of the tunnel of criticism, at least until the derby. Which now Milan will be able to face with a different spirit, as well as with a team that seems to have finally found its own identity.
