Unfortunately for the Flying Donkeys, it just simply wasn’t meant to be.
Only two rounds on from one Chievo’s hallmark giant-killings against the formidable soldiers of Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli at the Stadio Bentegodi, Verona’s proverbial “Davids”, try as they did, couldn’t produce a similar result against AC Milan.
The task was never going to be any less than a monumental undertaking for Eugenio Corini’s men, as they faced the hottest team in Serie A with distractions in the form of potential summer departures abounding over the preceding international break. And so despite falling 1-0 to the rampaging Rossoneri, the Gialloblu can take heart in knowing that they never made life easy for an opponent that hasn’t tasted defeat in league play since December.
On a waterlogged pitch that on the day looked more suited for an Eccellenza encounter than one of the peninsula’s top flight, the Flying Donkeys were in fact quite uncompromising and showed no apprehension in getting their hands dirty, both literally and figuratively.
Organisation and hard tackling were the order of the day, tactics evidenced by Chievo’s accumulation of six yellow cards over the 90 minutes, the last of which ultimately saw the dismissal of Dario Dainelli for receiving his second caution of the day. Seventeen total fouls, many of which occurred in the defensive third, put goalkeeper Christian Puggioni in the line of fire of a barrage of Mario Balotelli free-kicks, one of which ultimately led to Riccardo Montolivo’s winning goal when the midfielder stuffed home a rebound from close range on 25 minutes.
Yet notwithstanding some nervy moments as the Azzurri striker swerved in strikes from dead ball situations throughout the evening, the journeyman netminder, with the help of an attentive back five, was successfully able to cope with the pressure.
On the offensive front Chievo were able to create several opportunities via some intelligent forward runs from Alberto Paloschi and Cyril Thereau, who each appeared lively and engaged amidst widespread speculation surrounding each of their futures in the build-up to the match. All told the Gialloblu’s best chance came in the form of versatile veteran Luciano, however, who would’ve equalised with a vicious left-footed strike from distance on 69 minutes if not for a spectacular flying parry from Christian Abbiati.
Boss Eugenio Corini is sure to be pleased with the effort put forth by his men, even in a losing cause, as the former Flying Donkeys captain is known to value industry and hard work on the pitch above all else. Most indicative of the attitude he has passed on to those under his charge in the clash with Milan was the resilience shown by full-back Boukary Drame, who courageously continued to battle to the final whistle despite playing through tremendous pain after twice dislocating his left shoulder on the day.
This Corini-inspired resilience now becomes the most important factor for Chievo as they must pick up the pieces and finish the campaign strong. Reasonably favorable results elsewhere for the Gialloblu as they were defeated by the Diavolo mean that the Bentegodi outfit sit nine points clear of the drop zone with eight matches to go in Serie A, but the man at the helm will undoubtedly make clear to his players that they can ill afford to take their collective foot off the gas pedal.
Looking at the road ahead, the Flying Donkeys will face a tough test on Sunday away to Udinese in a contest they will be keen to snatch a point in before welcoming Catania to Verona the following week. Chievo were victorious in their last trip to the Stadio Friuli, a 2-1 victory in a Coppa Italia matchup in January 2012, a result which should render a dose of confidence to Corini’s men. They will beware, though, that the Zebrette are undefeated in their friendly confines since a 4-1 loss at the hands of reigning title-holders Juventus on the season’s first match day.
If Chievo can make use of their physicality and documented mental fortitude, however, a positive result could very well be on the cards. As always, they will look to their bald leader on the touchline for a guiding light, one that is sure to signal a message of fearlessness and dedication as the chief ingredients for success.
And so with the stage set for the final overtures of the Serie A campaign, the Gialloblu will once again return to the trenches on Sunday, as always never certain of victory, but sure to fight, to compete, and to give it all for the shirt.
You can follow Ian Capasso on Twitter: @capasso10
