++ [ originally posted by swag ] ++
My only thought watching that game was all about goalies: Antonioli versus Abbiati. I don't see Abbiati ever "winning" a game for us. His instincts of position and timing are just not there.
Meanwhile, contrast with Antonioli -- who played a stupendous game today. Milan put on the press from about the 53rd minute on. And although he let a point-blank Gila shot through at top speed (a tough one to stop no matter who the goalie), he was always in the right place at the right time to make brilliant saves on Sheva and Gila and crew whenever the double and triple teaming of the Samp defensive line broke down.
While Samp made some excellent build-ups that wreaked havoc in front of the Milan goal and lead to two quality scores, Antonioli got at least 2 points of that win for them.
Still, it was nice to see Gila break his new duck in Milan. Class act, and as he settles in I am sure we'll see great things from him to come.
A fantastic game to watch -- worthy of Novellino spitting out his chewing gum at the touch line from all the excitement.