Crimson Wall: The Last Defender

November 23, 2003 — San Siro, Matchday 10

The marble corridors of San Siro echoed faintly as Luca Bellini walked through them, boots in hand, heart steady. It was Sunday morning and the ritual had begun. A light drizzle swept over the city, making the red seats glisten under the open roof. The pitch was immaculate — green like velvet.

This was home.

He stepped into the changing room. Nesta was already taping his ankles. Maldini sat nearby, sipping espresso and reading La Gazzetta. Cafu jogged in from the hallway, whistling softly.

"Brescia today," said Gattuso. "No slack. They've drawn Juve, remember."

Luca nodded, eyes narrowing.

—

**Formation:** 4-3-1-2

Dida in goal. Cafu on the right, Maldini on the left. Luca and Nesta in central defense — the iron heart of Milan.

Midfield anchored by Pirlo, with Seedorf and Gattuso flanking. Kaká operating in the hole behind Shevchenko and Inzaghi.

Brescia countered with a 3-5-2:

Matteo Sereni in goal. Defensive trio of Petruzzi, Stankevicius, and Bonera. Wide midfielders were Martinez and Dallamano. In the center: Guardiola, Brighi, and Schopp. Up front, a certain Andrea Caracciolo partnered with Roberto Baggio, still elegant even at 36.

—

Before kickoff, Ancelotti gathered them in the locker room.

"They'll try to keep it tight and frustrate us. They'll hope for Baggio's brilliance. Stay disciplined, keep the width, move the ball quickly."

Maldini added, "They'll come hard in the first 20. Don't get drawn into a street fight."

Gattuso smirked. "Too late."

Laughter followed — even Luca grinned.

—

Matchday roar. The stadium rumbled.

Kickoff.

The early minutes were all Milan. Pirlo, orchestrating like a surgeon, clipped diagonal balls toward Cafu. Kaká drifted between lines, drawing markers.

In the 7th minute, a move unfolded.

Cafu burst forward, skipped past Dallamano, and laid it back to Gattuso. Cross floated in. Inzaghi rose — headed just wide.

Luca barked commands from the back, gesturing wide to Maldini, directing the line.

Brescia countered in the 14th. Guardiola pinged a long ball to Caracciolo, who chested it down and slipped Baggio through.

The crowd gasped.

Baggio took one touch inside the box — and Luca swept in.

Tackle. Clean. Ball only.

Applause thundered.

"Bellini! Bellini!" chanted part of the curva.

He didn't celebrate. Just reset.

In the 22nd, Milan struck.

Kaká received deep, turned Guardiola, and threaded a ball through to Shevchenko. The Ukrainian snapped a shot past Sereni.

1–0 Milan.

In the 29th, Baggio again found space, launching a curling shot — but Dida was equal.

The next fifteen minutes were a lesson in control. Luca intercepted twice, blocked a low shot from Brighi, and organized the press when Brescia tried to play out.

In the 41st minute, Cafu broke again, combined with Pirlo, and swung in a ball. Shevchenko met it — off the post.

Rebound to Inzaghi.

2–0 Milan.

Halftime.

The locker room was focused but calm.

Ancelotti: "Excellent movement. Keep switching the play. Let them chase."

Pirlo said to Luca, "You're reading Baggio well."

Luca: "He doesn't like contact anymore."

Maldini: "Neither do I."

Everyone laughed.

—

Second half.

Brescia came out sharper, pressing higher.

In the 51st, Guardiola sent a slick pass to Caracciolo, who laid it off for Baggio. The old magician curled a left-footed shot toward the top corner —

Dida saved it.

Nesta and Luca bumped fists.

In the 58th, Milan responded. Seedorf drove forward, beat one man, then slipped a ball to Kaká, who faked right and cut left — unleashing a low shot past Sereni.

3–0.

Kaká ran to the bench, pointing to the sky.

The match eased. Ancelotti subbed off Inzaghi for Tomasson, Gattuso for Ambrosini.

In the 70th, Brescia mounted a small threat. Brighi floated a cross, and Caracciolo met it — header down — blocked by Luca's thigh. He cleared.

Then, a surprise.

In the 78th, Cafu found Luca in the midfield by accident — a misplaced pass. But Luca didn't panic. He took one touch, saw Tomasson darting, and launched a perfect 35-meter ball down the channel.

Tomasson latched on, cut inside Bonera, and scored.

4–0.

Commentator: "And Bellini adds playmaker to his résumé!"

In the final ten minutes, the tempo dipped. Baggio waved to fans as he was subbed off. The entire stadium applauded.

Luca clapped too.

—

Full time.

Milan 4 – Brescia 0.

Another clean sheet. Another complete performance.

In the locker room, Gattuso flung a towel over Luca's head.

"You want a midfield role next week?"

Kaká grinned. "That pass was obscene."

Ancelotti, walking past, murmured, "I saw it. Don't get ideas."

—

After showering, Luca checked his phone. A message from Sofía.

"You were smiling today. First time in a while."

He replied: "Might be the pass. Might be you."

She didn't reply immediately.

He didn't need her to. Not yet.

He sat on the team bus, opened his notebook.

November 23 — Milan 4, Brescia 0

Minutes: 90

Tackles: 5

Blocks: 3

Interceptions: 4

Aerials won: 6

One assist

Shape: flawless

He paused.

Sofía: replied late. Still made me smile.