Crimson Wall: The Last Defender

November 9, 2003 — Stadio Ennio Tardini, Matchday 9

A fine mist clung to the windows of the Milan team bus as it rolled into Parma. The rain had stopped hours earlier, but the damp scent of wet concrete and leaves lingered. It wasn't a stadium known for its noise or majesty, but for Luca Bellini, every away match was sacred — another chance to prove himself.

The Stadio Ennio Tardini was smaller than most, but it felt like a cage. The stands were close, the grass short and fast. Parma weren't giants, but they were fast, technical, and unpredictable. They'd stunned Roma last week with a 2–1 win.

Luca sat near the back of the bus, earphones in, notebook open. He wasn't listening to music. Just silence and rain.

November 9 — Parma (A)

Watch Adriano — speed and power. Bolano likes late runs. Brighi plays narrow — space on flanks.

He turned the page. Another set of notes — this one about spacing on counters. Diagrams. Shading. He wrote "Don't chase. Angle."

Gattuso tapped him on the arm. "We're not going to war, comandante."

Luca smiled. "You've never seen Parma on a wet pitch."

Kaká added, "Let's win. Then you can write about it."

—

Training that week had been sharp. Nesta missed two sessions with a minor strain, so Ancelotti had rotated in Laursen during drills. But come Friday, the captain was back.

Luca had pushed harder in the absence. More leadership. More communication.

During one session, Ancelotti pulled him aside.

"You're seeing things before they happen. That's rare. Keep trusting your instincts."

And then, off the pitch — something small.

Sofía had sent him a photo. Her in her white coat, standing with two other interns outside the hospital.

Caption: "Still standing. Barely."

He smiled. Typed out a reply.

"Remind me to take you to dinner when I can walk again."

She replied seconds later. "You'd better."

That one message — it stayed with him all weekend.

—

Matchday.

San Siro was majestic, but tonight felt different. Raw. The field still slick from morning drizzle. The floodlights hummed.

The Milan lineup:

Dida in goal. Cafu and Maldini wide. Nesta returned to partner Luca.

Midfield: Pirlo, Gattuso, and Seedorf. Kaká ahead of them.

Shevchenko and Tomasson up front — Inzaghi rested.

Parma countered with: Frey in goal. Ferrari, Bonera, and Cannavaro at the back. Marchionni and Junior on the flanks. Brighi and Bolano in the middle. Adriano up front, with Bresciano just behind.

Kickoff.

—

First half:

Parma opened with fire. Adriano pressed hard, muscles rippling, charging at every ball. In the 3rd minute, he turned Nesta and fired — Dida pushed it wide.

Luca immediately adjusted the line. Tighter spacing. Watch for the layoff. They pressed.

In the 9th minute, Milan countered. Kaká skipped past two and fed Tomasson, who flicked it wide to Shevchenko. Cross. Cleared by Cannavaro.

Parma dropped into a low block. Bonera marked Kaká like a shadow.

In the 16th, a set piece nearly broke the game open. Pirlo sent in a curling free kick. Maldini rose — header over the bar.

The crowd was alive now, whistling every Milan touch.

In the 21st minute, disaster nearly struck.

Brighi intercepted a Pirlo pass and sent Adriano racing down the left. Luca sprinted back. One-on-one. He waited. Slid.

Ball out. No contact.

Cheers from the Milan bench.

Commentator's voice: "Luca Bellini once again with nerves of titanium. That's a world-class tackle."

But he didn't celebrate. He just jogged back.

In the 29th minute, Parma struck.

Marchionni overlapped down the right. Maldini caught out. Cross came low — Bresciano ghosted in. Flicked it past Dida.

1–0 Parma.

The home fans exploded. Flags waved. Luca stared at the ball in the net.

Not his fault. But it burned.

Milan responded with discipline. No panic. Pirlo reset the rhythm. Gattuso barked. Kaká found space.

In the 39th minute, it worked.

Kaká danced through the middle and played a quick one-two with Tomasson. Ball popped to Seedorf — first time shot.

1–1.

Game on.

—

Halftime.

Locker room fogged with sweat and steam.

Ancelotti: "Good reaction. Now punish their flanks. Stretch them. Keep Adriano away from goal."

Nesta to Luca: "Stay tighter. Don't let him spin you."

Luca: "He won't."

—

Second half.

Parma opened fast again. In the 48th minute, Bolano cracked a shot from distance — just wide.

Luca adjusted positioning, shifting between Brighi and Bresciano. Reading movements. Watching Adriano's hips.

In the 54th minute, Cafu surged forward and found Kaká. He wriggled free and fired low.

Goal.

2–1 Milan.

Kaká ran to the bench. Arms wide. The players swarmed him.

But Luca didn't break formation.

"Focus," he yelled.

Parma came again.

In the 60th, Adriano broke through. Nesta slipped. Luca closed in.

Adriano powered a shot — but Luca lunged, full body.

Blocked.

Stadium stunned.

He stood slowly. Heart racing.

In the 65th, Ancelotti made changes. Serginho for Seedorf. Ambrosini for Gattuso.

Milan began controlling tempo. Slower passes. More possession.

Luca still watched every run. Every rotation.

In the 72nd, a corner. Pirlo to the far post. Nesta rose. Header — off the bar.

Rebound to Tomasson.

3–1.

Game over.

Final minutes were tight. Parma exhausted. Milan composed.

—

Final whistle.

Milan 3 – Parma 1.

Another away win.

Another test passed.

—

Back in the hotel, Kaká handed Luca a bottle of water.

"You were everywhere tonight."

Luca sipped. "He's strong. Adriano."

"Yeah. And you broke him."

Gattuso walked past. "We're eating. Bring the notebook if you must."

Luca laughed. "Not tonight."

Later, in bed, he wrote:

November 9 — Milan 3, Parma 1

Minutes: 90

Tackles: 4

Blocks: 3

Interceptions: 6

Aerials won: 5

Adriano: contained

Positioning: cleaner

Growing.

He paused.

Then typed: "Dinner with Sofía this week. Tell her."

He didn't delete it this time.