GOODBYE ALBERTO
The next Milan-Fiorentina will have a premise, a heartfelt and affectionate prologue: the applause to Alberto Gilardino. He says goodbye, we say goodbye, to a nice person, a great player.
Gila's three years at Milan happened and no one will ever erase them from the Rossoneri's history. Seventeen goals in his first league season, in which Milan earned 88 completely deserved points and finished second, twelve goals in his second season with a fourth place reached one month before the Athens Final, a goal against Manchester United in a perfect match, the decisive goal against Udinese this year. We could go on. But the thanks and good luck wishes to Alberto cannot be forgotten. We cannot forget his face always full of loyalty and sincerity. A good lad, a perfect young man, he had and still has what it takes to be part of a big club like Milan: technique and tricks on the pitch, good manners and kindness outside of it. Even today, on the day of his departure, it's hard to accept that something, perhaps, was nevertheless missing.
But Alberto will remain in Milan's heart, and Milan will remain in Alberto's heart. He leaves to play in a team that, like him, is fresh and ambitious, a proud opponent of Milan at the end of last season for qualification to the Champions League. Gilardino was the first purchase after the Istanbul final. The last act of that Champions League would have truncated and devastated anyone, but not Milan. And the proof of the club's immediate reaction was his purchase. Alberto, the coup of the 2005 Italian transfer season. Everyone wanted him, Milan wanted him. Now we say goodbye, with a strong embrace. The Rossoneri fans will remember the intense and composed applause that Gila dedicated to the fans during the last Milan-Udinese match. Rest assured, Alberto, that all the applause in the next Milan-Fiorentina game will be all for you.
