Bayern Munich vs AC Milan

[fillipo]

:fcb: vs :milan:

tonight: 20:45
location: Munich Allianz arena


As you all know tonight we are up to a heavy task, i know some of you already a kinda don't expect anything from tonight but i still must say i'm very hungry for victory!

In my eyes we have nothing to lose since we have excuses enough and nobody expect us to win, but still nothing to lose but also a lot to prove! we're not done yet!

Tonight we have to face them without the suspended gilardino and the sick Brocchi.

Bayern will play without sagnol, demichelis and probarbly schweinsteiger.

I think both teams are in the same position both are a kinda save for the cl spot in the league and both have a dissapointing season so far with one chance at glory.... The CL titel.

Forza milan!!!!!

Let us beat bayern for the pride of our club!
let us beat bayern for the glorie of our club!
Let us beat bayern for us the supporters since we are hungry for succes!
let us beat bayern for the players since they earn it!
Let pipo score let him become the great bayern slaughter!

Let us beat bayern to prove to the world that we still even when we are wounded are an opposite that cannot be underestemated.

Let us beat bayern because Man utd is the perfect team to prove against the whole world that we are the greatest!

Let us beat bayern because after Man utd we'll finally have our revenge against liverpool!

Let us beat bayern because i just hate those fokking germans!!!


Forza milan :flag: :flag:

[Haroon]

Whoa ... let's not start discussing a probable final with Pool before we even beat Bayern. :d

As for the game itself: Our chances went down a notch last night as Chelsea won away from home. Let's see what happens but I think there is a 20-80 chance of us pulling through now. A minute chance but who knows.

[Dzero]

Who will play for us?
Can someone show me the 11 players that will probably play?

[ilCapitan6]

Who will play for us?
Can someone show me the 11 players that will probably play?

Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kakà, Seedorf, Inzaghi.

[Gurre]

Whoa ... let's not start discussing a probable final with Pool before we even beat Bayern. :d

As for the game itself: Our chances went down a notch last night as Chelsea won away from home. Let's see what happens but I think there is a 20-80 chance of us pulling through now. A minute chance but who knows.

You mean Milan's chances have anything to do with Chelsea winning away? Are you into Tarot cards as well? ;) :D

[castagnola21]

Milan will win 3-1. Kaka on a penalty, Pirlo freekick, and Kaka again with an outstanding long distance strike.

[brickeberg]

As for the game itself: Our chances went down a notch last night as Chelsea won away from home. Let's see what happens but I think there is a 20-80 chance of us pulling through now. A minute chance but who knows.

I'm with Gurre on this one, can't really see what Chelsea has to do with anything.

Hey, even if we have 0.0001% chance of going through I will still stand there with a Milan shirt and a Milan scarf and scream FORZA MILAN! :d

11 Leoni! Pippo come Maradona!

[artan]

no serginho , ****
the problem is , we need to get da goals, and with clarence oh my got , he will give a **** there. we needsergio and his pace to dribble out bayern men, and what the hell can seedorf do. he can only destroy our game when moving forward.and ambrossini ........oh my God, i dont want to get destroyed like Roma yesterday evening.

[GattusoKing]

Official line-ups;

BAYERN (4-4-2): Kahn; Salihamidzic, Lucio, Van Buyten, Lahm; Ottl, Hargreaves, Van Bommel, Lell; Makaay, Podolski.

MILAN (4-3-2-1): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf, Kakà; Inzaghi.

Forza Milan!!!!!!!

[Haroon]

You mean Milan's chances have anything to do with Chelsea winning away? Are you into Tarot cards as well? ;) :D

It is not much about Chelsea but about the away team winning last night. It has to do with pattern matching, statistics, history and trends in the UCL to try to perceive a probable result on a matchday. In my experience this method has helped me to predict correct UCL results more often than not. There are other invisible factors in this as well such as how many goals the away teams scored etc.

It should be a low scoring UCL night today as last night it was goals galore.

P.S. I don't know what Tarot cards are! :x

[Gurre]

It is not much about Chelsea but about the away team winning last night. It has to do with pattern matching, statistics, history and trends in the UCL to try to perceive a probable result on a matchday. In my experience this method has helped me to predict correct UCL results more often than not. There are other invisible factors in this as well such as how many goals the away teams scored etc.

It should be a low scoring UCL night today as last night it was goals galore.

P.S. I don't know what Tarot cards are! :x

I got your point when you wrote about it in another thread, but I just don't buy that statistics from other teams winning away have anything at all to do with what will happen tonight at Allianz arena.

Tarot cards, seeing your future: :D

http://www.paperminis.com/images-1-in-dollhouse/f1is006-tarot-cards-lg.jpg

[Attila]

Come on MILAN !!!!!

[Attila]

great save by Oddo

[Attila]

Good Dida on this scary moment

[Ian]

We are totally poor in the final third.

[Attila]

we only need to be good once if they don;t score :-)

[Ian]

we only need to be good once if they don;t score :-)

Playing like this we won't even get the one opportunity.

Pippo should have finished that, he is definitely not match fit:omg:

[Ian]

I'd be tempted to chuck Oli on as well.

[Attila]

Dida header in the last minute then :-))

[Ian]

Seedorf has been shocking so far, mind you the rest aren't much better8[

[GattusoKing]

CLARENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:flag: :flag:

[Attila]

goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolll

[Ian]

Seedorf has been shocking so far, mind you the rest aren't much better8[

Clarence must have heard me:)

Seedorf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gurre]

<b>Ian</b> Ronaldo must have read our discussion, and now Seedorf heard you even from England. :D

[GattusoKing]

pippo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:flag: :flag:

[Ian]

Pippo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

fabulous finish by Pippo:) Great touch from Clarence as well:)

I'm losing my voice now:) :) :) :) :)

[Attila]

i just recovered from the second scream of goool

[GattusoKing]

Now lets see how we handle what's a fairly substantial lead.

[Attila]

we need the third

[Ian]

we need the third

Concurrence

[Ian]

Dodgy moment there!!!!!

[Attila]

just like the game yesterday we can;t stop

[Attila]

MILAN dangerous again COME ON !!!

[Attila]

KAKA what a chance !!!!

[Ian]

Ricky and Pippo should have made more of that situation then!

Half time and job half done, an early goal in the second half should hopefully kill any hopes Bayern have.

[Ian]

just like the game yesterday we can;t stop

But we do, we should have had the game sewn up in the first leg. Bayern are loking rattled now another early goal for us and its a guaranteed next round IMO.

The most important factor now is that carlo keeps the players on the ground and realise it's only the first half - celebrations are for the final whistle:)

[Gurre]

...and an early goal by Bayern in the second half could start suffocating Milan's hopes of progressing.

[GattusoKing]

What a fabulous last 25 minutes that was. Bayern withered away into nothingness after that first goal and they've looked a timid, dejected force since. Hopefully, we can continue to exploit the gaps as they look for goals.

And lets hope that we deal with Pizarro a little better this time when he, in all probability, emerges for the 2nd half.

With Depor and Istanbul still fresh in the memory, I'm loathe to be too confident. It'll be a huge test of character for the players.

[Filipez]

oeeeeyeaaah! looking good. but this happened before, many times when it looks extremely good we f*ck up!

[Haroon]

I'm really glad that Seedorf has stepped up to the plate tonight. In the first 45 minutes he was the match-winner for Milan.

The game is 90 mins long. We have to continue this momentum. I didn't like how we started to go into a shell after the 2-0 lead with Bayern putting up more pressure. We need to continue this momentum and keep Bayern away from our penalty area. Santa Cruz will come on soon so we must be wary and sharp.

The tough part is done. We need to capitalize and close this one now. Well done to the team so far.

Seedorf you fvcker ... you make me proud. :d Gourcuff is good but he could not have done what Clarence did tonight with all due respect to the young French lad.

[Attila]

yellow for bommel

[Gurre]

I agree <b>Haroon</b>, many called for Gourcuff to step in instead of Seedorf in a game with this dignity. That is in my opinion is ludacris, as you said some time ago, Gourcuff is not yet a player to decide these kind of fights. He has the potential, but it's better to first try with Seedorf who has proven to risen from the dead when big games await, rather than the other way around.

[Attila]

bad start can't play like this

[Tomas]

bad start can't play like this

nope, if we don't start keeping the ball we won't make 70 minutes.

[Attila]

we are really fighting in this one !!! MILAN MILAN MILAN

[Attila]

KICK that salihmadici whatever the spelling just provoking us LOSERS !!

[Attila]

kaka should have been 3 !!! MILAN is MAKING ME PROUD !!!

[Attila]

Sergihno for PIPPO

[Ian]

We are retreating into our shell yet again!

Why oh why can't we carry on when leading a game?

[GattusoKing]

We're inviting far too much pressure on ourselves with our inability to clear our lines.

[Ian]

Serginho great chance but fluffs the pass

[Attila]

another great chance !!! Sergio

[Attila]

all three subs for bayern now

[Gurre]

Good call to bring in blistering speed in form of Serginho in the final minutes IMHO, even if it means a bit more defensive play and less striker punch.

[Attila]

ciuff ciuff getting ready too

[Ian]

Good call to bring in blistering speed in form of Serginho in the final minutes IMHO, even if it means a bit more defensive play and less striker punch.

True but Serginho needed to be a little more greedy then.

Gourcuff about to come on

[GattusoKing]

Grande Clarence!

[Attila]

come on not much time left now !!

[Ian]

Close by Pizarro.

With Yoann, Ricky and Serginho we have a lot of pace upfront, we need to use it though.

BTW nice skills by Gourcuff

[Ian]

Nesta has been my MOM by a mile tonight, almost back to his old self:)

[Ian]

Ray Wilkins said that Yoann looks out of breath already8|

[Attila]

only a few minutes left GREAT SANDRO

[Tomas]

kaka should have been 3 !!! MILAN is MAKING ME PROUD !!!

it would have been if he could be bothered apllying himself. he's strolling around like he doesn't care.!!!

[Ian]

Cafu about to come on

[Ian]

Cafu for Rino

[Gurre]

Ray Wilkins said that Yoann looks out of breath already8|

Yes, he looks oddly tired.

[Attila]

van bommel you piece of s$%%$

[Ian]

Rino covered 1174metres tonight:)

[Ian]

Yes, he looks oddly tired.

Nerves possibly?

[Ian]

Corner for Milan

[Attila]

just here me shout MILAN MILAN MILAN MILAN MILAN

[GattusoKing]

I must say, Max has been fabulous, IMO.

[Gurre]

Could be, or lack of match fitness. He ran like an idiot against Empoli, that rare 90 minutes could still bother him.

[Ian]

3 mins injury time

[Ian]

I must say, Max has been fabulous, IMO.

Can I quote you on this?:P

[Tomas]

Cafu bombs a 5 on 1....Dida big save!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

Geez, what a great save!! Bravo Dida.

[Ian]

Could be, or lack of match fitness. He ran like an idiot against Empoli, that rare 90 minutes could still bother him.

Possibly lack of match fitness but still he shouldn't be tired after not even ten minutes!!!8| 8| 8|

[Attila]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

[Tomas]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

Ful time and job done:)

[Gurre]

Why can't Dida play like this all the time? He was magnificent tonight, it's a b!tch he can't be consistent.

[Filipez]

yess!!!!! best players were dida, nesta, max, gatusso and offcourse seedorf!

[Ian]

Why can't Dida play like this all the time? He was magnificent tonight, it's a b!tch he can't be consistent.

If he was consistent he would have been the best keeper in the world.

[Haroon]

Composed performance from Milan. The defenders (2 central defenders plus DMs plus GK) did a very good job. Nesta is looking in ominous mood as crunch time in the season comes around.

We are in the SF again and this is the weakest Ancelotti side to get to the SF IMO. On the other hand this side has not had a taxing road to the final like previous seasons where we would get drained out by the time the SF used to arrive due to tough roads to the final.


Make no mistake ... we have a very tough tie against Utd. awaiting us. Let's see what happens in that tie. It's a kind of a surreal feeling I have right now.

Tonight was a good example why we need Seedorf to play the big games. I know this type of performance is few and far between but he is a match-winner if and when he clicks. Seedorf and Pirlo did really well tonight.

A good away win after all. Milan with English roots takes on three other English sides and only Liverpool has the same pedigree to match Milan. It will be an all-English final any way you look at it. ;-)

[Ian]

Bring on Manu:S

[Ian]

Composed performance from Milan. The defenders (2 central defenders plus DMs plus GK) did a very good job. Nesta is looking in ominous mood as crunch time in the season comes around.

We are in the SF again and this is the weakest Ancelotti side to get to the SF IMO. On the other hand this side has not had a taxing road to the final like previous seasons where we would get drained out by the time the SF used to arrive due to tough roads to the final.


Make no mistake ... we have a very tough tie against Utd. awaiting us. Let's see what happens in that tie. It's a kind of a surreal feeling I have right now.

Tonight was a good example why we need Seedorf to play the big games. I know this type of performance is few and far between but he is a match-winner if and when he clicks. Seedorf and Pirlo did really well tonight.

A good away win after all. Milan with English roots takes on three other English sides and only Liverpool has the same pedigree to match Milan. It will be an all-English final any way you look at it. ;-)

We need to try and suffocate Manu, pointless going toe 2 toe with them IMO.

[Danny]

If he was consistent he would have been the best keeper in the world.

imho he was till the flare incident. Tonight was old Dida.

[Danny]

Absolutely overjoyed by tonight. Superb and professional performance. And a nice killer touch when it counted.

Oh, and Oddo was excellent tonight :D

[Nicolas]

great result! very solid performances by Nesta, Rino, Dida and Seedorf! I am overjoyed with going to the SF again! We can be proud of our team!

Forza Milan

[SuperMax]

C. Ronaldo vs. Kakà... what a match! But also Van der Sar vs. Dida... :lol:

[Walker]

What a game by Nesta. When he puts on a show like that he is simply the best defender in the world no question about it. The first goal was his great pressing ability. He seems to cover so much space at ease. Great, great player.

Then Seedorf. He is just a player I love to hate. But he is a game winner and today he scored a beauty and then come up with an even better pass to Pippo. I hope he saved 3 more games like that.

Kaka again was instrumental and he come so close to scoring himself. Dida had a good game. Janku and Oddo did not create much today but looked rather composed in the back. Ambro had a decent game and made Van Bommel pay for each and every run. Same goes for Rino. Pirlo was rather poor IMO. Especially in the first 25 minutes. Bad passing and decisions. He also had some bad loose balls. A well deserced victory.

But we had lots of problems with Van Bommel today. And Hargrevees and Salhiamdic. Man Utd will punish us if we play like this against them. Just look how CR and Giggs made Roma pay last night. Also to be fair this Bayern side was simply so bad tonight. Without any gifts from our defence and from our goalie they were just clueless.

Anyways FORZA MILAN!!!

[Santi]

What a superb performance by Milan...not spectacular, but very sharp.

Dida was inmense, like his old days.
Nesta and Maldini...especially Nesta was a phenom at the back, what a player, when he's in form and at his level...nobody comes close to him. So nice to have him back and healthy.

Why can't Seedorf play like this more often...there would not be one bad thing said about it him...his performance today reminded me of his great game against Deportivo a few years ago. When he wants to, he can be a different type of player. Pirlo, Gattuso, Ambro again all had a good match. Just about everyone had a solid game.
Pippo came through again.

I know it's going to be very tough against ManUtd...but this is a win to enjoy, in a season of many tough moments, we get this sweet victory.


FORZA MAGICO MILAN!!!!!!!

[GrandeMilan]

We were in the quarter finals for the 5th time in a row and now in the semifinals for the third time in a row. Impressive.

:flag:

The guys really made me proud tonight. Nesta, what a classy player. Only Kaka after his great heeltrick should have scored the third goal to save my health:d

[jani]

Haroon was spot on when he said Seedorf will play a vital role tonight. good job ;)

[Leffe]

Congrats guys, once again 1/2 final :clap:

FOOOOOOOOOOOOORZA MILAN :flag:

[Attila]

oh boy I have just recovered OVERJOYED and always ROSSONERO !! what a goal by Seedorf and DIDA played a superb match !!! Semi finals whatever happens we will remain ranked no 1 again !!!! Just goes to prove that when it really matters we are there because MILAN IS MILAN !!!

[Milanman]

Congratulation Boys! The best tactical win in this season for Ancelotti. MU will be tough but we are getting better and better plus we are not Roma!
Forza Milan!!!

[Filipez]

i even think carlo made good subs, he brought in speed with serginho cafu and gourcuff!

[fillipo]

my prayers have been heard!

Thank you clarence i really enjoyed you tonight same goes for pipo and dida actually the whole team made me proud!

I think we also have to thank bayern for their weak performances, we deserved this win so much but they could have gave us more problems but simply never where in the game (maybe 15 minutes in total).

We did it again! a wonderfull evening our oldies discussed negative all over the world we're over the hill etc etc. but yet again in the SF GREAT!!!!

Let's see if we can pull it off again against man utd Forza milan! :D:D:D:D

[Nicolas]

I am very proud of how we conducted the game, we slowed down the game, beat them in the air and the very strong central midfield stopped a lot of their play. IMO it was naive of them to believe that Kaká was our only offense, they put two players on him constantly but that created space for Seedorf:)

[drew]

this is typical Milan, just as we despair, those under fire come good, as sky said, ancelotti "was tactically better" than hitzfeld, lol :D Inzaghi scores from outside the box for the 2nd time in his career :D and seedorf turns up :D i dread to think how smug fillipo is right now :D

Anyhow, not getting carried away, just a we are capablke of greatness, we are capable of total failure, utd willbe tough, but it favours us being away first leg, i fancy us to do utd, as great aas they are, they may have had there moment i this years CL, my fear is for the final, will pool haunt us again, if we play them we MUST win, for the sake of the history of this club, justice must prevail!!

[drew]

we always play good with 2 behind one striker, that was the basis of our succcess in our 2003 CL season. I think currently we must play this way, we dont have 2 on form strikers (not including Ronaldo) this formation gives seedorf more freedom, and with 2 fighters with pirlo, be it ambro, rino, or brocchi, it gives us an imposing midfield.......................IMO

[Haroon]

I am very proud of how we conducted the game, we slowed down the game, beat them in the air and the very strong central midfield stopped a lot of their play. IMO it was naive of them to believe that Kaká was our only offense, they put two players on him constantly but that created space for Seedorf:)

Very true indeed especially the underlined part.

[Haroon]

Anyhow, not getting carried away, just a we are capablke of greatness, we are capable of total failure,


Yes, that is on everybody's mind I reckon. We can be great and we can fail spectacularly as well. Recent years have taught us that.


utd willbe tough, but it favours us being away first leg, i fancy us to do utd, as great aas they are, they may have had there moment i this years CL, my fear is for the final, will pool haunt us again, if we play them we MUST win, for the sake of the history of this club, justice must prevail!!

Utd. will be very tough indeed. Right now I think they will win the home leg as our last two encounters resulted in wins for us. Our record in England is also very poor so maybe we won't get a positive result this time out in Manchester. However I don't expect us to be bundled over badly. It will come down to the game in the Cauldron from Hell.

I am not thinking about the final right now. I believe firmly that we will win it IF we reach the final irrespective of the opposition. Right now it is Man Utd. and OT so let's see what we can do about that game.

I like our last night's line-up. It covers all areas and gives more freedom to Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf which is what we need IMO. Ambro and Rino in the middle gives us coverage to block surging runs. I just hope these guys remain fit now ... our team that is.

[artan]

first of all , i have to take my words and insults back from Seedorf.I was wrong and that dutch cobra :-) proved me ****ty wrong. :-) i am glad it was so. it wasnt only seedorf , did you see Dida , OMG, he looked like a Buffon clone, :-O

my rationgs , all out of 10

dida - i dont remember when he was on fire for the last time - pure 10

Oddo - well done job. was shaky at some moments but excellent overall performance - 9

Nesta - simply the best - nominate him for pallone d'oro - 20

Maldini - great match , played just like a captain, lead the team to a great victory and top of europe. 9.5

Jankulovski - same as oddo , covered well his side, good at defending 9

Pirlo - our engine, our thrust from the depth of the midfield. keep playing like that boy. 9.5

Ambrossini - surprisingly great yesterday.did well his job , made some dangerous tackles but that was asked from him. Great! 9

Gatusso - Bull Dog ! great game , closed well , stoped bayern attacks , elimintaed Hargraves and that ****t Van Pimmel , Grazie Rino - 10

Seedorf - erm , who the **** needs Ronaldinho when we have him , i havent seen him play like that for long long time .
once again i have to apologize abt the insults . 10


Kaka - was marked well again , but yet again he did that what was asked from him . dangerous runs from the depth of our midfield , to the bayern area. maybe , should have passed the ball for 3-0 , but doesnt matter one of the best of the match - 10

Pippo - who says he is finished !? :-) , he was off-side yet he scored,who cares. it was a goal worth 2, wont you agree ?
10

Grazie Milan, see you again Manyoo.

and please to all Milan supporters, fans, STOP BASHING THE TEAM UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON, Yasser incl. :-)
we have to support them , we are on good way to make our third final in the last years.

what makes me worry are manyoos pacy wingers, giggs, c.ronaldo but i believe on the team , WE CAN MAKE IT !

[Nicolas]

I like our last night's line-up. It covers all areas and gives more freedom to Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf which is what we need IMO. Ambro and Rino in the middle gives us coverage to block surging runs. I just hope these guys remain fit now ... our team that is.

Fully agree with you, our midfield is always very solid when we use two ball winners like Rino and Max, the problem is that normally when we play both of them one of our creative players are excluded and that cripples our offense. This way we have avery solid central midfield, and still a creative offensive flow from Kaká, Seedorf and Pirlo, they are even able to float around a bit which makes our offensive movements less easy to predict. If we had R99 on top of that formation it would be very lethal IMO.

[Dzero]

I was in a pub full of germans with my AC Milan shirt hehehe..
PWNED THEM

Next one will be Man U right?

[Gurre]

There is no doubt that Milan look more solid with two defensive midfielders. It also gives more freedom to the creative players to, like Nico says, float around which Milan's play seems to benefit of.

Pirlo for instance doesn't have to be as concerned of staying put when he knows he is better covered, his runnings in depth are more common, smart and at the right time. They annoy the opposition and even if he isn't fast one bit, he is sneaking at the right time from behind giving the opponents more to think about. Their markings have to reshuffle. The goal against Bayern, and his assist to Favalli are two recent examples, I recall a couple from yesterday as well.

Inzaghi is a better option than Gilardino against Man UTD. First of all, despite him having lack of match fitness, he is a winner and can still decide games if he is given the chance (by Carlo and by passes). Gilardino hasn't that mentality, not yet at least, and seems to shiver whenever he <i>has</i> to score an important goal.

Secondly, Inzaghi provides movements which otherwise only Kaká can provide up front. Gilardino is obviously a better target player, but I prefer movement with one striker.

And Like you know, Inzaghi plays with the offside trap a lot which bothers the hell out of the opponent's back four.

Another good reason to play Inzaghi instead of Gilardino is central spine of Man UTD. Since Ferdinand, Vidic (if he recovers) and Brown or what have you in Man UTD's central defence and midfield are rather static, Milan shouldn't fight fire with fire.

Those players are strong, physical with good aerial precense. You don't beat those guys with Gilardino, but with movement, constant running and speed in the like of Inzaghi. Gilardino will IMHO be suffocated.

[brickeberg]

Was it only me that was worried every time Bayern attacked on our left? It seems like Jankulovski and Ambrosini or whoever is on the left side of the midfield don't communicate very well.

Both at San Siro and the Allianz Arena Ambrosini would be in the center leaving the left side open, Jankulovski would push and try to put pressure on the opposition and then a central midfielder would sneak behind him, receive the ball and leave our defense with a problem. In the game yesterday I saw Maldini not knowing what to do; leaving the marking on the attacker and going to the left to take the ball from the central midfielder or staying put.

This is a huge weakness we have and especially against Man Utd with their wingers it could prove costly.

Gurre, but Pippo could as easily be dominated by the physical strength that the Man Utd defense has. I would play Pippo instead of Gila too, just because of the effectivity(sp?) that Pippo has, but IMHO an inform Gila that is given some service could manage the Man Utd defense as well.

[Gurre]

IMO Pippo reacts badly to great man markers e.g. Nesta or Cannavaro, not the big, physical but static type of defenders.

[Haroon]

Was it only me that was worried every time Bayern attacked on our left? It seems like Jankulovski and Ambrosini or whoever is on the left side of the midfield don't communicate very well.

Both at San Siro and the Allianz Arena Ambrosini would be in the center leaving the left side open, Jankulovski would push and try to put pressure on the opposition and then a central midfielder would sneak behind him, receive the ball and leave our defense with a problem. In the game yesterday I saw Maldini not knowing what to do; leaving the marking on the attacker and going to the left to take the ball from the central midfielder or staying put.

This is a huge weakness we have and especially against Man Utd with their wingers it could prove costly.

Gurre, but Pippo could as easily be dominated by the physical strength that the Man Utd defense has. I would play Pippo instead of Gila too, just because of the effectivity(sp?) that Pippo has, but IMHO an inform Gila that is given some service could manage the Man Utd defense as well.

It was the right thing that Ambro was in the middle to help Gattuso defend and block the surge from the centre which has hurt us in the past. Remember that MvB was playing and he was going to be a threat seeing that Bastion was out and Hasan started as RB rather than RM or LM. Bayern's game plan was more or less central attack.

Against Utd. the attack will be from the wings. Their middle is not as strong as Bayern so we can alter our plan a bit for that tie. I think the key would be once again to use Ambro, Rino so that there is room for Pirlo, Seedorf and Kaka to play small triangle passes and keep possession for most of the game. More than anything at this stage .... mental toughness is required IMO. Skill can take a backseat. We were mentally tough in Bayern but we must also remember that really bad situations can take place in a match so the team needs to remain focused and unflustered no matter what!

[drew]

IMO Pippo reacts badly to great man markers e.g. Nesta or Cannavaro, not the big, physical but static type of defenders.

agree with Gurre in fact he would thrive on being bullied, we all know hes the master of "penalty claims". He also has an arrogance that will never allow him to be beaten, a quality gila lacks, i think for the crucial games pippo is the man, he has proved in countless times.

[brickeberg]

It was the right thing that Ambro was in the middle to help Gattuso defend and block the surge from the centre which has hurt us in the past. Remember that MvB was playing and he was going to be a threat seeing that Bastion was out and Hasan started as RB rather than RM or LM. Bayern's game plan was more or less central attack.

Against Utd. the attack will be from the wings. Their middle is not as strong as Bayern so we can alter our plan a bit for that tie. I think the key would be once again to use Ambro, Rino so that there is room for Pirlo, Seedorf and Kaka to play small triangle passes and keep possession for most of the game. More than anything at this stage .... mental toughness is required IMO. Skill can take a backseat. We were mentally tough in Bayern but we must also remember that really bad situations can take place in a match so the team needs to remain focused and unflustered no matter what!

Hmm, maybe that were Ambrosini's directions. Maybe Carlo thought the central defense could manage the air balls. Which they did. But I just couldn't ignore the big red flashing sign that said WARNING every time Jankulovski pushed to high.

I'm certainly hoping that was a tactical thing and not some kind of miscommunication. If it was the latter then it wouldn't be a bad idea playing with Kaladze on the left against Man Utd.

[drew]

i think the full backs will be crucial, oddo vs giggs, and ?? vs ronaldo, i would play maldini, he doesnt have the pace, but thats where we double up, and the experienced maldini wil have the weapons to do it. undoubtedly they will be tougher than munich

[fillipo]

Cronaldo is a joke we must put grimi or favalli on him that will do the job!

no seriously i think whoever will face him, he will have the help of rino who will have a close eye (or feet) on him all game!

just like last year was the case with ronaldinho

[Haroon]

Did any of you notice Umberto Gandini on the bench last night? It was a bit surprising to see him there but a vote of confidence nonetheless. He was as cool as a cucumber IMO. A smart mind like him on the bench ensures that the air remains calm in the most tense situations.

When Gattuso had that minor scuffle with Salihamidzic, Ancelotti ran all the way to him and that is something Ancelotti usually doesn't do.

All we need to do from now until the big game is to conserve the energy of our players and make sure that the starting line-up of last night remains fit. Include Bonera, Serginho and Gila as well in that list. We need these 14 guys to be fit IMO.

and please please please ... maintain this big ball culture rather than the precipitating ball culture. :d

[Haroon]

Milan stars expect Reds repeat

AC Milan are confident they can repeat their 2005 victory over United and reach a second Champions League final in three years.

The Rossoneri are in the last four of the competition for the third year running after Wednesday night's victory over Bayern Munich.

Veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, scorer of the all-important first goal in Munich, feels his side will have a mental edge over United after beating the Reds in both second round ties two seasons ago.

"We are one step closer to Athens," said Seedorf. "There are still two matches to play, but Manchester United should certainly recall Milan from a couple of years ago!"

Team-mate Alessandro Nestra added: "We're not scared of Manchester United. They are a good team, but we have beaten them in the past - why not again?"

Milan director Umberto Gandini was more gushing in his praise of United, however, and is preaching caution over his side's chances of progression.

"We are confident going into the semi-final," he told Sky Sports News. "Man United is one of the best European clubs in history and one of the best playing now.

"The performance against Roma is not only the 7-1 in the second leg, but the one in Rome when they were one man short for 60 minutes. They showed us how strong they are.

"We have a great relationship with the club and the fans and we have strong and special memories of Old Trafford because of the final in 2003. So all the ingredients for a fantastic night are there for us.

"Manchester United are one of the best clubs. They are young and physical and play technically very well and have fantastic players like Ronaldo, Rooney and the never-ending Giggs and Sir Alex on the bench.

"I think it is one of the most fantastic clashes you can have in Europe."

manutd.com

============================

Gandini = Best ambassador for Milan off the pitch IMO.

[alalekay]

i think the full backs will be crucial, oddo vs giggs, and ?? vs ronaldo, i would play maldini, he doesnt have the pace, but thats where we double up, and the experienced maldini wil have the weapons to do it. undoubtedly they will be tougher than munich

Oddo I believe can handle either of their wingers...I think our problem is the left wing. Maldini? I am not sure he is as fast as he used to be before and we dont want Capitano messed up do we? Maybe Janku can handle it with clear orders not to unneccesarily surge ahead better still he will stay there if Serginho has a place ahead too and I really think when we have Ambro and Gatusso 2gether, we have a solid steely midfield. If they could unlock d man utd midfield, Kaka will have a field day. Remember France Vs Brazil? Viera and Makelele did something like that for Zidane to have a field day...I look 4ward to the same...

Forza Milan!

[drew]

i just think maldini will have more of a fear factor against ronaldo, call it respect, i would prefer kaladze thinking about it, i just think marek could be destroyed by ronaldo

[artan]

Dida


Oddo Nesta Maldini Kaladze


Gattuso Pirlo Ambrossini Seedorf


Kaka

F.INzaghi

[Haroon]

i just think maldini will have more of a fear factor against ronaldo, call it respect, i would prefer kaladze thinking about it, i just think marek could be destroyed by ronaldo

I think Marek can hold his own versus Ronaldo. Maldini and Nesta must play and start in the middle as Utd. respects them a lot. Kaladze can play in the second leg. I say that as Kaladze is injury prone so we could need him in the second leg.

Bear in mind the suspensions could rule out some players in the second leg so a small shake-up might be necessary.

For now I think that Janks has the strength and the pace to deal with Ronaldo who will cut in more often than not thereby being in direct confrontation with Ambrosini and then Maldini more so than Janks.

[drew]

hope your right mate, i always liked kaladze at LB the other option although never gonna happen is 352, with kala, maldini and nesta, or even bonera as 3 CBs, then oddo and janku as wing backs, IMO with rooney tending to drop off, it will be ole gunnar or smith up front, on his own, then kala and marek can double up on ronaldo if nescessary.

................dida
......nesta...maldini....kaladze
..oddo....rino.....ambro.....jankulovski
..................pirlo
...........kaka.....pippo

[Haroon]

hope your right mate, i always liked kaladze at LB the other option although never gonna happen is 352, with kala, maldini and nesta, or even bonera as 3 CBs, then oddo and janku as wing backs, IMO with rooney tending to drop off, it will be ole gunnar or smith up front, on his own, then kala and marek can double up on ronaldo if nescessary.

................dida
......nesta...maldini....kaladze
..oddo....rino.....ambro.....jankulovski
..................pirlo
...........kaka.....pippo

Playing a classic 3-5-2 against a typical English side that uses flanks is an invitation for elimination. They use the wings and once they get past the midfield it is a freeway to the flank to send in the cross as there are only 3 defenders.

Arsenal destroyed Zac's 3-5-2 Inter with a mauling the San Siro and did the same to Capello's 3-5-2 Roma in Rome. A classic 4-4-2 flat has a better probability of overcoming a classic 3-5-2 flat.

Ancelotti will never play 3-5-2 in any case.

We just need to play our 4-2-1-2-1 system with 2 DMs and 3 CMs / AMs whatever you want to call them. It can take us to the promised land.

[Qasá]

Whilst we must give them respect and highlight their dangers from their fluid pacy and direct forward line of Rooney Giggs and Ronaldo, we ARE milan guys. So we need to concentrate on our plus points rather than how to stop the other team.

And there is one thing for me which is the big difference between AC MILAN and MANCHESTER UTD

CENTRE OF MIDFIELD

Basically if we played against Man U in the quarters...hey were soo on form, but i think we could have taken them - do u know why?

Fletcher/Carrick vs Pirlo/Gattuso/Ambrosini

Who has the power? Ill tell you this much. Whislt Scholes will be returning (a phenomenal player, one i really have started to respect over time, and he will be dangerous. The sort of player that can score against us because he arrives late in the box) they will still have a 2 man midfield

Scholes/Carrick vs Gattuso/Ambrosini/Pirlo

Basically the way we beat them at Old trafford in the first leg two years ago, was suffocating their midfield with a hell of a lot of triangles and allowing no space in the midfield. So much so, that they could not get the balls out to Ronaldo who was eventually subbed off.

Whilst this time they are better, and ROnaldo will definately be better and get more of the ball...we still need to dominate the centre of midfield and minimize the flow of balls out to the wings in the final third. If they want the ball out to the wings, give it to them by the halfway line, and then show Ronaldo the outside path and double up with Oddo/Gattuso or Marek/Ambro. When he does eventually put a cross in, they will have Smith/Saha and Rooney in the box with Giggs and Scholes late arriving.

thats it...4 at the maximum. They are not a team which is physically big. Infact they are quite lightweight, and we need to show them this. THe way they score, if fluid counter attacking quick passing and shots from in and around the box.

Therefore, stop the midfield. Reduce the Attacks. Man U get frustrated - and we know what happens when inexperienced young talented teams do when they don't get things their own way (if u don't watch Roma v Man U around the 30 min mark when Scholes was sent off :))

That is all x

[drew]

Playing a classic 3-5-2 against a typical English side that uses flanks is an invitation for elimination. They use the wings and once they get past the midfield it is a freeway to the flank to send in the cross as there are only 3 defenders.

Arsenal destroyed Zac's 3-5-2 Inter with a mauling the San Siro and did the same to Capello's 3-5-2 Roma in Rome. A classic 4-4-2 flat has a better probability of overcoming a classic 3-5-2 flat.

Ancelotti will never play 3-5-2 in any case.

We just need to play our 4-2-1-2-1 system with 2 DMs and 3 CMs / AMs whatever you want to call them. It can take us to the promised land.

disagree, thats why you use oddo and marek there, they can defend an attack, utd will most likely play one more advanced striker, against 3 centre backs, rooney dropping off leads him to ambro and rino territory both wing backs will be supported by 2 of the three centre backs, remember utds weak point is there other striker, stop rooney and ronaldo and you stop utd!!

scholes and carrick wont want to mix it up with max and rino, they like to play from midfield, not fight. It is the job of marek and oddo to not allow the wingers that freedom of running past them, if pace catches them out, the CBs come into the equation.

As for arsenal destroying zacs inter, they also destroyed arsenal at highbury 4-1 remember.

[drew]

i agree that frustration wil be a key, rooney, ronaldo, smith and scholes have ll been known to get hot headed,

[Haroon]

disagree, thats why you use oddo and marek there, they can defend an attack, utd will most likely play one more advanced striker, against 3 centre backs, rooney dropping off leads him to ambro and rino territory both wing backs will be supported by 2 of the three centre backs, remember utds weak point is there other striker, stop rooney and ronaldo and you stop utd!!


Roma used to play with Panucci and Cafu as wingbacks as well. This formation is very dangerous against pacy wingers playing a flat 4-4-2. At least that is what I feel.


scholes and carrick wont want to mix it up with max and rino, they like to play from midfield, not fight. It is the job of marek and oddo to not allow the wingers that freedom of running past them, if pace catches them out, the CBs come into the equation.


I've said it before that pure defending is excellent when the GK, Central defenders and the DM or DMs do their job properly. But it happens so that if a team gets caught out then it is usually because some of these guys are out of position or not doing their job properly.


As for arsenal destroying zacs inter, they also destroyed arsenal at highbury 4-1 remember.

I think the formations were different for both at the time as Inter were not coached by Zac at the time. Inter played 4-4-1-1 if I recall correctly.

[drew]

i also think that carrick could struggle, roma went very much his way, we need to exploit his inexperience.

I dont recall the inter formation at highbury if im honest mate, you are most probably right.

I know we will never play 352, but ive always seen it as a formation that could work for us, we have always had an abundance of good CBs and wing backs

[Gurre]

Roma used to play with Panucci and Cafu as wingbacks as well. This formation is very dangerous against pacy wingers playing a flat 4-4-2. At least that is what I feel.

You are correct. Three central defenders, and two wingbacks on each side leave much space behind the wingbacks, and on the two sides of the central defenders. A good playmaker, in this case a decent Carrick, could provide balls on these areas to running Ronaldo, Giggs or even Rooney.

Rooney wouldn't drop to midfield area in 3-5-2, he and Ferguson aren't stupid to try and find space in the Berlin wall with Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini, Ambrosini, Gattuso and Pirlo all being centrally placed. No, he will be searching for space out nearby where the cornerkicks are taken.

That you have good defending wingbacks don't matter, because they will never be able to be wingbacks and at the same time cover the space behind them.

3-5-2 would be suicide IMO. 4-3-2-1 isn't that bad against a flat 4-4-2. 4-4-2-formation leaves space between defence and midfield, plus between attack and midfield. That gives Pirlo room in the deep role, and Kaká and Seedorf room behind United's midfield.

On the other hand, Milan will leave space on the sides of the three-man midfield (left to Ambrosini, right to Gattuso) but that's why it's good to have two DM's there. If that midfield easily can move from the right to left and viceversa depending on where United attack, Milan will have two good fullbacks covered by two good DM's. Being mobile once United start curling the ball from the right to the left, or the other way around, is essential.

Maybe I would even consider Brocchi a better option than Ambrosini for that role. He is aggressive, fast and can run like hell. Milan will have a three-man midfield who will be very mobile from side-to-side.