Il Ritorno
2 May 2007, Milan, Italy
International press were gathered around, crowding the AC Milan team bus as it arrived at San Siro. Almost 2 years after that collision, I would be back on that bus. After being told my football career was over, I came back. After being told I could never return, I returned.
I walked out of the bus and was greeted by an uncountable amount of journalists, piled up in front of the entrance to San Siro. It was a big game for me, my first time back in the starting eleven, but it was without a doubt, a massive game for the club as well. We would line up against Manchester United. Winning this game would mean I could redeem myself and AC Milan could redeem itself too. A win would mean we would face Liverpool FC once again in a Champions League Final, a game which brings backs terrible memories for anyone with a love for this beautiful club.
As I walked out onto the pitch, I was greeted with an immense, almost deafening, welcome back. However, there was no time to be sentimental, there was a massive game about to start and that would require everyone’s full attention.
11 minutes in, I passed a long ball forward, found Seedorf who managed to head the ball back to Káká, who found the back of the net. 1-0, 3-3 over 2 legs, just 11 minutes were needed for us to score that vital goal. After 30 minutes, a Vidic slip would be fatal as Pirlo picked up the loose ball, got a cross in, which couldn’t be cleared further than Seedorf who managed to score a second goal and put us in control of the match.
The second-half was exactly what you’d expect, we were playing with confidence as we were in control, while our opponents were getting more and more frustrated and panicky. Suddenly we were able to get a counter, Ambrosini passed the ball forwards towards me, and I started running, getting closer and closer to Van der Sar, their last line of defence. Brown and Vidic were closing in on me, but couldn’t quite catch me. I approached Van der Sar and managed to get the ball past him, as he was diving the other way. The ball went in, AC Milan 3, Manchester United 0. I was buried under my teammates and some fans as I celebrated such an important goal for me and for my team.
Minutes later I walked off the pitch, as I was substituted for Cafú, with an incredible standing ovation coming from the fans. It was an incredibly emotional moment for me, as I walked off the pitch. I was back.
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Imagine:We are all Reagan Connelly indeed
Scott:Would be an interesting career switch
TheLFCFan and Jack: Reagan>> Luke anyway