AC Milan Vs. Bari: 0-1 Halftme, Galletti Lead After A Dire First 45 Minutes

The first 45 minutes of the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan and Bari have been truly poor. Bari have set up defensively and it’s obvious that a clean sheet is their priority today at the San Siro. They have shown minimal ambition going forward, and that’s unlikely to change. However, somehow, they have a 1-0 lead at halftime, thanks to a set piece. Though Milan have been poor, they’ve certainly outplayed Bari thus far and don’t deserve to be trailing. If you thought the Galletti were defensive before, their lead should only make their lack of ambition more extreme.

AC Milan’s best chance of the game came off of a direct free kick about 20 out from goal. On the 27th minute, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit an absolute screamer over the wall and towards the goal, but Bari goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet made a fantastic save to deny Ibrahimovic.

Bari’s goal came in the 39th minute, thanks to a cheeky set piece. Sergio Almiron hit a low through ball into the box from a dead ball, about 30 yards from goal, which no one saw coming. Gergely Rudolf, who was unmarked, ran onto the ball and did well to finish past Christian Abbiati at his far post.

As stunning as this lead is, it would be even more stunning to see Milan fail to equalize early, then eventually take a lead of their own. Milan have seriously lacked creativity and Robinho has almost certainly been the most poor of the three forwards, so Antonio Cassano could enter for him sooner rather than later.