Crimson Wall: The Last Defender

December 14, 2003 — Stadio Ennio Tardini, Matchday 13

The team bus pulled into Parma beneath a bleak sky. Flakes of snow clung to the windows. The landscape was coated in grey and white, the colors of December.

Luca Bellini sat by the window, headphones off, staring silently as they passed local cafés, shuttered shops, and wool-clad fans in navy and yellow scarves. He tapped his fingers against the window frame in rhythm with the turns of the wheels.

The night before, he had stayed up late writing. Not tactics — not this time. He'd started sketching out thoughts about the season. About pressure. About Sofía.

She had kissed his cheek when he left the apartment that morning.

No words. Just the kiss.

It stayed with him.

—

Parma were 6th in the table — a young, dynamic team with ambition. And they had their fortress. The Tardini wasn't large, but it was loud and loyal.

Ancelotti had warned them the day before:

"They'll come with fire. Adriano is explosive. Marchionni is clever. Keep shape. Control the middle."

—

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

Unchanged.

Dida in goal. Maldini, Luca, Nesta, Cafu across the back. Pirlo at the base, flanked by Gattuso and Seedorf. Kaká just behind Shevchenko and Inzaghi, who returned to the lineup.

Parma countered with a 4-3-3:

Frey in goal. Bonera, Ferrari, Cannavaro, and Junior forming the defense. Bolano, Barone, and Bresciano in midfield. Marchionni and Adriano on the wings, with Gilardino in the center.

Luca had studied Adriano's sprints and Gilardino's timing. His notes were clear:

— Gilardino delays last run

— Adriano switches wings

— Marchionni stays wide early, cuts in late

He repeated them silently as he pulled on his gloves.

—

Kickoff.

The pitch was heavy, damp. Parma pressed aggressively. The first ten minutes were all yellow and blue.

In the 6th, Barone snapped a pass to Adriano. The Brazilian turned Maldini and fired — saved by Dida.

Two minutes later, Marchionni skipped past Seedorf and lofted a cross. Gilardino leaped — header — over.

Luca looked at Nesta. "We have to squeeze the space."

Nesta nodded. "Now."

They pushed the back line up five meters. Pressed tighter. Passed more quickly.

In the 13th minute, Milan broke. Gattuso intercepted, fed Pirlo, who looped a ball to Shevchenko.

Sheva cut inside Cannavaro — shot blocked. Rebound fell to Kaká, who poked it low.

1–0 Milan.

It was the Brazilian's fifth of the season. He didn't celebrate wildly — just looked skyward again.

—

Parma didn't fold. In the 19th, Bolano rocketed a shot from distance. Dida parried it, and Luca cleared under pressure.

But the storm grew.

In the 27th, Junior skipped past Cafu and swung in a deep cross. Adriano rose above Maldini and headed across goal.

Gilardino beat Luca to the ball by a split second — tapped it in.

1–1.

Luca punched the grass. Not in rage — in frustration at himself.

"Too slow," he muttered.

But he reset. Always reset.

—

The next twenty minutes were brutal. Parma played with fury. Dida made two key saves. Luca and Nesta took turns marking Adriano.

In the 44th, a lifeline.

Kaká slipped past Barone and released Inzaghi. Pippo darted past Ferrari and slid it across goal.

Shevchenko finished.

2–1 Milan.

Halftime came just in time.

—

In the locker room:

Ancelotti: "Match's not over. They'll push harder. Control the tempo. Luca — forget that tap-in. Focus forward."

Luca nodded. "I'm fine."

Gattuso tossed a towel at him. "You better be. Adriano's warming up with a scowl."

Everyone laughed.

—

Second half.

Snow began falling again.

In the 51st, Cafu whipped in a cross. Inzaghi volleyed — saved by Frey.

Parma broke quickly. Marchionni down the right. Nesta couldn't cover in time. The cross reached Adriano — powerful header.

Dida saved. Rebound came loose.

Luca launched himself — sliding block. Cleared.

Commentator: "Bellini with a last-ditch tackle! He refuses to break!"

In the 59th minute, Pirlo delivered a corner. Luca ran near post — flicked it on. Maldini arrived late — volleyed.

Goal.

3–1.

The captain pointed to Luca. "Perfect flick."

—

But Parma were relentless.

In the 64th, Adriano shrugged off Nesta and shot from outside the box — post!

In the 71st, Barone drove into the box. Luca stuck out a foot — clean tackle.

In the 76th, Kaká broke forward, danced past three, and hit the bar.

Then, in the 82nd minute, Gilardino was fouled near the box. Adriano stepped up.

Free kick.

Luca stood in the wall. Dida shouted directions.

Adriano struck it hard and low. The ball skidded under the wall.

Goal.

3–2.

Parma believed again.

Ancelotti brought on Ambrosini for Seedorf. Serginho for Maldini. Rui Costa for Kaká.

Final ten minutes: all defense.

Luca made three clearances. Two blocks. One interception.

Then, in the 90th minute, Parma had one last chance. A looping cross. Gilardino jumped.

Luca jumped higher.

Cleared.

Whistle.

Full time.

Milan 3 – Parma 2.

A narrow escape.

—

In the tunnel, soaked in sweat, Luca leaned against the wall.

Maldini grinned. "You're becoming a magnet. Every ball finds you."

Luca exhaled. "Or I find them."

Kaká tossed him a water bottle. "Your notebook better be full tonight."

It was.

Notebook:

December 14 — Milan 3, Parma 2

Minutes: 90

Tackles: 6

Blocks: 5

Clearances: 7

Interceptions: 3

Header won: 4

Assist flick: 1

Error: minor — recovered

Sofía: kissed me before I left. Maybe she knew I needed it.