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00:00 [Music]
00:18 Hello Rossoneri, this is Esa Millan Talk. We are ready for a new weekly episode with all the goings on of our February team,
00:25 our Rossoneri team, with all the news both on and off the pitch. But first of all, welcome to Adriano Del Monte. Hi Adriano.
00:32 Hi Licia, great to see you as always.
00:34 How are you?
00:35 I'm doing very well of course. Sad to not have Sheridan with us here today, but he will be joining us.
00:39 The same question, how are you Sheridan? Very welcome.
00:42 Hi everyone, nice to see you. Sorry I can't be with you in the studio, but I'm well enough and I'm looking forward to today's show.
00:53 So let's start with our men's first team with a lot of news, plenty of talking points. So let's start with Stefano Pioli's side.
01:04 [Music]
01:07 Hey, how are you talking?
01:08 [Laughter]
01:10 It was a real battle at the Stadio Olimpico with the final minutes of the match filled with real drama for the late winner from Nouakouf,
01:23 who scored his fifth goal in Rossoneri and who in this way secured victory for the Rossoneri, Adriano.
01:30 Incredible match, Licia. I was there. I haven't seen too many matches like this in my entire time covering Serie A.
01:36 A battle, you mentioned a battle, it was and it went on and on and it was a slow start to this match,
01:42 but then as the teams found their groove in the second half, it was a really tightly battled contest,
01:49 but in the end you can see there the 0-1 result, a crucial three points and deserved three points to me on the run of play.
01:57 Obviously Lazio in the end had three players sent off, finished with eight on the pitch.
02:02 It was a very, very entertaining match in Stadio Olimpico, which had a great atmosphere and a great energy as always,
02:08 but a really crucial three points and of course you can see in the standings now just one point there behind second place Juventus
02:15 and look certainly back in the mix now of battling for that top two and yes, some winnable matches to come.
02:21 So it was an important match against another team who of course have European aspirations
02:26 and yeah, very satisfying result given the drama and the battle on the night.
02:30 Sheridan, three crucial points for AC Milan because they show once again that they never give up until the end of the match.
02:39 It was a real demonstration of spirit. I mean, the first half it wasn't the greatest performance by Milan.
02:47 You know, it was hard work, but they kept their heads and as Adriano pointed out in the second half it turned into wrestling, you know,
02:56 but Milan got it over the line and it was a, there were some good moments, particularly from Rafa Leal,
03:03 but it's the fact that Noah Oka five, not Oka four because this is fifth goal, Noah Oka five, sealed the points
03:12 and it was such a dramatic match at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, the eternal city, the city of drama, the gladiators,
03:19 while Milan really fought to the end in the right way, obviously,
03:23 and these are three points at the end of the season might be very, very important.
03:28 So a great show at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night and Mr. Pioli shared his post-match reactions with Milan TV cameras
03:40 showing all his enthusiasm for his Rossoneri performance. Let's listen.
03:47 I think we're in a good moment, we're in a good moment mentally, we're in a good moment because we're on the pitch.
03:53 Then, well, there was the step-by-step of Monza, but in short, it's been two or three months that we've been playing at a good level
04:02 and tonight we met a strong opponent, very motivated, who needed points, so it created difficulties for us,
04:08 but we gave up little without creating a lot in the first half, but then we did very well.
04:13 Of course, a coach can't be happy with how the players who don't start the game perform,
04:19 but we have certain initial characteristics, then they can change.
04:22 I'm happy for Noah, who always gets everything ready, because it's not easy to make the alternative to Leo,
04:29 because Rafa is a great player, so it's also difficult to take him off the pitch every now and then,
04:36 but Noah always works well and he deserves this goal, this stage and this evening.
04:44 A good result also, considering that it's never an easy fixture and one against a star-worst team.
04:51 But now Oko for the particular protagonist on Friday night, Adriano.
04:56 Absolutely. Oko 5, as Sheridan said, and it was another time, a goal for him.
05:00 We spoke about him a few weeks ago, when he gets his opportunities, he's really delivered in some key moments
05:06 and again a goal that will do wonders for his confidence and for his form now going forward.
05:11 He was certainly the star on the pitch, was the man of the match, but for me, as we see some other goals for Oko 4 in the campaign,
05:19 again, right place, right time, but has delivered with limited minutes on occasion.
05:23 You can see their goals from the bench, Oko 4 with 4 Jovic as well.
05:26 This is what we know needs to continue to improve to get back amongst the top clubs in Italy and in Europe as well.
05:33 You need that depth, you need that quality and they need to have the quantity and we're now seeing that.
05:38 So many options, not just layout there, as Mr Piolli said.
05:42 But as we watch some of these highlights, some of these goals from Oko 4 from the course of the campaign,
05:47 the stars of the show for me at the Olimpico were the Milan fans, the travelling fans.
05:52 There were 5,700 fans that made the trip to the capital and they make moments like this that Oko 4 has had over the course of the season all the more special
06:02 because I can tell you, being inside the stadium, at times the Milan fans were louder than the Lazio fans,
06:08 who are normally very loud and very enthusiastic.
06:10 So the Milan fans willing their players on, bringing out the best out of their players
06:16 and that's why in the end Oko 4 gets that goal very late on.
06:19 Milan never give in and come away with the crucial three points.
06:22 Sheridan, this is a very important set, a very important table, considering that the goals scored by the players who took over are now 13.
06:34 Yeah, you need goals, you need goals from all angles.
06:40 If Olivier Giroud or Raphael Ayala can't find the net, you need someone else to come onto the pitch and make an impact.
06:47 Sometimes they're known as game changers or someone who can come on super sub and turn things around.
06:55 To have so many goals, four from Jovic and four from Noah Oko 4 there from the bench,
07:01 it's so helpful if you're battling to finish in the top places and you're still believing in battling for software,
07:07 excuse me, not software, and important things.
07:11 Now let's change topic because after our away trip in Syria against the Bianco Celestis,
07:17 it's time for a new European challenge.
07:21 Our turn for the Europa League, a round of 16.
07:26 The appointment is on Thursday night because we are waiting for the Slavia Praga at San Siro.
07:33 Another night of European football at San Siro.
07:36 Yes, on a Thursday night but against a credible opponent in the history of European football.
07:43 It will be a massive opportunity, the start of a massive journey now.
07:47 I'm very, very confident that this can be the start of a deep run in European football as we saw last season in the Champions League.
07:55 Slavia Praga, a team that come in in good form domestically.
07:58 Last couple of games have been against Sparta Praga who are also in this competition as well.
08:02 They take on Liverpool but Slavia Praga haven't been at their best in these last two matches coming in.
08:07 A 0-0 against Sparta Praga in the Czech League at the weekend.
08:11 As Mr Pjoli said earlier, this is a team now, his team are starting to play with great confidence
08:16 and at a high level of form that we have seen earlier in the campaign.
08:21 The stats there for Slavia Praga, the opponent do look good.
08:24 Of course, with respect to their domestic competition, this is a step up.
08:27 However, as I did explain last week, this Slavia Praga team did play Roma earlier in the campaign.
08:33 In fact, they did lose in Rome.
08:35 So I think this Milan team can certainly take confidence from the fact that a few months back they did have a trip to Italy.
08:41 They were defeated.
08:42 I think, look, Milan come in as favourites and especially off the back of that very impressive hard-fought win at Lazio,
08:49 which is not easy because Lazio have been very strong at home.
08:52 I think confident display by Pjoli's men Thursday night.
08:56 In 2019, Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Chick won together the Europa League with Chelsea.
09:03 And now maybe they can light the right journey also to their team-mates, Sheridan.
09:09 It would be fabulous if they could bring that expertise to San Siro, to Milan.
09:16 It's a tournament that we respect and it's a tournament that we've mentioned several times at the Rosso Neri have never won.
09:23 And there's no time like the present to change that.
09:27 And as Adriano pointed out, Slavia had a derby at the weekend against Sparta Praga,
09:33 which is their emotional matches physically and mentally.
09:37 You expand a lot of energy or expend a lot of energy.
09:40 So it's a case of they'll have been, they didn't have an easy weekend as same with Milan,
09:47 who didn't have an easy weekend against Lazio.
09:49 So both teams will, you know, it's a big match coming at a difficult time.
09:53 But with all the respect that one should have for Slavia Praga,
09:58 you know, one would hope that Milan's pedigree gives them the slight edge.
10:02 So the place is the same.
10:05 We are talking also about San Siro for the match scheduled for the 28th Syria match day.
10:15 The match day in which AC Milan will face Empoli.
10:20 So what about the period that our next opponents are living in this season, Adriano?
10:25 I'm not looking too far ahead here, but I did say before, this is the start of a softer run
10:31 when we talk about what's to come domestically in Syria,
10:34 starting with an Empoli team who certainly must be respected because this is an Empoli team who,
10:39 if my memory serves me well, had a win at Napoli, drew at Juve,
10:43 had a very strong performance at Fiorentina.
10:46 So a team that have performed very well at times on the road,
10:49 but it was, I believe it was earlier this year, the reverse fixture,
10:53 it was a 3-0 win on the road.
10:55 And look, I think that what we've seen,
10:57 and obviously it will be two matches in the space of three days at San Siro with Slavia Praga and then Empoli.
11:02 I think this team are coming into top gear right now, in top form, with depth, with quality,
11:06 with goals from all avenues.
11:08 This is the start of an important run now.
11:11 And we saw the fixture list, Juventus-Atalanta after this match.
11:15 Three points can get us back into the top two, put that pressure on Juventus going into their big match as well.
11:20 So what should we expect from it, from this AC Milan versus Empoli-Sheridan?
11:25 Well, Empoli desperately need points.
11:29 I mean, the bottom part of the table in Serie A at the moment is incredibly congested.
11:34 There are lots of teams in a small space of points.
11:39 So we would expect them, they're fighting for their lives, they're going for it.
11:43 And they will make it very tough for Milan.
11:47 And if there is any fatigue for the Rossoneri after their exploits in Europe against Slavia Praga,
11:56 Milan will get found out.
11:58 So Milan have to take it very seriously.
12:00 And let's hope they get back from the match, or rather they finish the match against Slavia Praga unscathed.
12:08 So that's all for our Men's First Team.
12:10 Good luck to our Rossoneri for these two next features.
12:13 Now let's move on with our Women's Team.
12:15 The Giallorossi against our Rossoneri.
12:24 Roma won the clash of this Coppa Italia, the Puma House of Football.
12:30 Did you see a balanced match, Adriano?
12:32 Of course it was a balanced match.
12:34 We know against a team that are the defending champions of Italy and also currently in first place.
12:39 So it was always going to be tough and for 83 minutes it was very tight.
12:44 But unfortunately the result finishing 2-0 in favour of the visiting Roma on a very cold and windy afternoon.
12:52 The conditions were not easy for play.
12:54 But we know how strong Roma have been.
12:56 We know even in Europe as well they have represented Italy very, very well.
13:00 A really impressive squad in their development in recent years.
13:04 So to put up that fight, especially for the first 80, it was an impressive display.
13:08 But unfortunately as the first leg now needing to go to Rome and obviously overturn that result against a team that are very difficult to beat.
13:17 It will be tough.
13:18 But I think there were positive signs from at least that first hour of play where it was a balanced match.
13:23 There were some half chances for certainly both teams.
13:26 And obviously keeping Roma without a goal for some time given the quantity that they have scored over the course of the season.
13:32 It is disappointing that two late goals was the difference.
13:35 But still a second leg to come.
13:37 So still the tie up for grabs.
13:39 Sure.
13:40 In the end for Corotis I had a good performance.
13:43 But it wasn't enough for the Gelores.
13:47 And now the qualification is closer.
13:49 And we need to keep our hopes up also for the second leg of this semi-final.
13:56 Yes, I agree with Adriana saying that up until the 80th minute Milan were doing well.
14:02 And they weren't keeping Roma out completely.
14:05 But they obviously prevented them from scoring.
14:08 However, maybe a bit of fatigue crept in.
14:10 And this goal from outside the area was a tough one to break.
14:14 A tough one to handle.
14:15 And then right in the middle of additional time after the 90th minute they made it 2 with this near post finish.
14:22 It's going to be difficult to go 2-play away to Roma and turn this round.
14:28 But we have to believe the team are capable of doing it.
14:31 They have been improving in recent weeks.
14:33 And maybe you might say it takes a miracle.
14:37 Well, let's believe in miracles in that case.
14:39 So, as we say in Italy, forza ragazza for the second leg against the Gelores.
14:45 And now let's move on with our Under-19s.
14:47 Nothing to do for our batter's side against Fiorentina.
14:57 It was a very unlucky match.
14:59 But now let's remember what happened on the pitch during the 90th minute against Viola with the highlights.
15:05 Let's look.
15:06 Ball cleared by Fiorentina.
15:09 No one picks it up.
15:10 And it now drops to Diego Sia.
15:12 Diego Sia is against three Fiorentina players.
15:15 Diego still going.
15:16 Needs a bit of help.
15:17 But goes past one.
15:19 Going towards the area.
15:20 Into the area.
15:21 Can he get a finish off?
15:22 What a superb goal by Diego Sia.
15:25 That is world class.
15:28 Diego Sia opening the scoring.
15:31 Look at this.
15:32 Skills, speed, determination.
15:34 Past three defenders and then a superb finish.
15:37 1-0 Milan.
15:39 Given away by Diogo dos Oneri.
15:42 Here is Sene.
15:43 Sene is on his own coming towards the area.
15:45 And he puts it high into the net.
15:47 And it's an equaliser for Fiorentina.
15:51 Free kick to Fiorentina.
15:53 In it goes.
15:54 And it's headed into the net.
15:56 And it's the lead for the Tuscan team.
15:59 Baroncelli makes it 2-1.
16:03 Fiorentina looking very calm.
16:05 And that's a strong challenge by Jimenez.
16:08 And he's already being cautioned.
16:09 Second yellow means first red.
16:11 Means game over for Jimenez.
16:14 First time over the top.
16:16 Sene with a clever piece of skill.
16:18 Into the area.
16:19 Goes for it.
16:20 And it is Caprini to make it 3-1.
16:23 Ten man.
16:24 Fiorentina now in trouble.
16:26 Here comes the corner.
16:28 Headed goalwards.
16:29 And it's a fourth.
16:30 And ten man Milan lose 4-1.
16:33 With the focus on our under-19s,
16:36 we come to the end of this episode.
16:38 We will come back on Tuesday also for the next week
16:43 for the comment of AC Milan vs Empoli
16:46 and for the preview of Slavia Praga vs AC Milan
16:49 for the Europa League.
16:50 Let me say thanks to Sheridan Bird.
16:52 Bye bye Sheridan.
16:54 Thank you very much guys.
16:55 Nice to see you.
16:57 And thanks also to Giorno Del Monte.
16:59 Bye bye Giorno.
17:00 See you next week.
17:01 Bye bye Alicia.
17:02 See you soon Sheridan.
17:03 Dear Astoneri, thanks for following us.
17:05 See you again in the next episode of our AC Milan Talk.
17:07 Ciao.
17:08 [Music]
17:26 (whooshing)