January 25, 2004 — AC Milan vs. Ancona
The spotlight was no longer a gentle glow. It was a blaze.
Following the Roma clash, Luca Bellini was everywhere — newspapers, television panels, even the front cover of *La Gazzetta dello Sport*. The headlines varied, but the message was the same: Milan had discovered their colossus. He wasn't just a defender anymore. He was a name. A symbol.
But fame, Luca learned, had a strange echo.
It followed him when he stepped into cafés. It lingered in the voices of teammates. It painted glances from strangers on the street. And while Kaká reveled in it — smiling for interviews, charming reporters — Luca remained quietly removed.
"It's not that I don't appreciate it," he told Sofia one night. "It's just... I'm afraid it'll pull me away from who I'm supposed to be."
She touched his arm. "Then don't let it."
—
Milanello. The week after Roma was filled with media chaos. Paparazzi outside the gate. Journalists trying to sneak in quotes. Ancelotti had to move training to earlier hours.
But inside the squad, something else had changed.
Respect.
Maldini now gave Luca more tactical space. Nesta discussed subtle angles on body positioning. Even Gattuso, loud and brash, addressed him as an equal.
"You're not just holding your line anymore," Pirlo said during a passing drill. "You're raising it."
Still, Ancelotti warned them in the pre-match talk.
"Ancona is bottom of the table, yes. But this is where champions stumble — when they believe it's already won."
The message was clear.
—
The fixture: AC Milan vs. Ancona, San Siro.
Lineups:
AC Milan deployed their settled 4-3-1-2: Dida in goal; Maldini, Bellini, Nesta, Cafu at the back. Midfield trio of Pirlo, Seedorf, and Gattuso. Kaká behind Shevchenko and Inzaghi.
Ancona arrived in a deep-lying 4-5-1: Scarpi in goal; Esposito, Milanese, Daino, and Poggi in defense. A midfield block of five with Della Morte and Andersson seeking to plug every creative hole. Sosa up top, isolated.
The plan was clear — frustrate.
—
The match opened slowly. Ancona parked deep, two tight blocks.
Minute 7: Cafu overlapped. Cross too long.
Minute 13: Gattuso surged through midfield. Shot — over.
Minute 18: Kaká turned and found Shevchenko. Blocked.
The crowd grew tense.
Minute 24: corner to Milan.
Pirlo jogged over. The stadium leaned forward.
The delivery was fast and flat. Luca charged again — memories of Rome in his stride.
But this time, Milanese tracked him. The two collided in the air. No foul.
Ball bounced loose.
Seedorf struck.
GOAL.
1–0 Milan.
San Siro breathed.
—
But Ancona didn't wilt.
Minute 29: Sosa stole possession, drove at the box. He sidestepped Nesta. Luca swept across. Blocked the shot. Cleared.
Minute 34: free kick Ancona.
Della Morte curved it in. Dangerous. Bellini rose, edged it away.
—
Minute 41: Seedorf to Kaká. Through ball to Inzaghi.
Chipped.
GOAL.
2–0.
Milan settled.
Halftime.
Inside the dressing room, Ancelotti spoke briefly.
"Control the match. No need to chase. Let them tire."
But as the second half began, Ancona surprised.
Minute 49: quick counter. Poggi crossed. Andersson met it.
GOAL.
2–1.
Silence.
Luca barked orders. "Compact. Reset."
Minute 52: Kaká pulled the strings again. Through to Shevchenko. Saved.
Minute 58: corner.
Again, Luca surged forward. Pirlo found him perfectly.
Header — crossbar.
Gasps.
—
Minute 66: Ancelotti made changes. Ambrosini for Gattuso.
Minute 72: Cafu bombed forward. Passed to Kaká. One-two with Pirlo.
Back to Kaká.
GOAL.
3–1.
The match settled.
Minute 80: Luca intercepted a long ball. Turned, dribbled forward.
Shevchenko pointed.
Luca launched a 40-meter pass.
Perfect.
Shevchenko volleyed — just wide.
The crowd applauded the vision.
Commentator: "This young man has the defensive mind of a veteran and the poise of a regista."
—
Final whistle.
3–1 Milan.
—
Post-match interviews. Flash bulbs.
"Bellini, another commanding display. What's your ceiling?"
"I don't look up," he said with a half-smile. "Just forward."
—
That evening, in Sofia's apartment, the television replayed highlights.
"You nearly broke the crossbar," she teased.
"I'll aim lower next time."
They laughed.
"Does it feel real yet?" she asked.
He nodded slowly. "It feels like... the beginning of something that scares me. In a good way."
—
He opened his journal before bed.
January 25 — Ancona.
Tested more than expected. But control isn't about dominance — it's about rhythm.
No goal today. But clarity.
The noise is growing. I must remain still.