CL: AC Milan Vs Shaktar

[Yasser]

Must win, we need to finish 1st!

Sheva returns. I hope we rest Pirlo :p he needs a rest you know ;)

[ac_champs]

maybe we'll even get another historic day with maybe a second crespo goal.....

[yourmood]

i dont see Milan wining this game + i think we will see 1 or 2 of Milan U-21 this game

[yourmood]

Must win, we need to finish 1st!


must win???why?

you dont know Carlo??????

[ac_champs]

must win if we want to progress...

[Qasá]

Gotta see Dhorasoo play again...if he doesnt, this is a crime!

============ DIDA =============
CAFU === NESTA == MALDINI === POPS
==== SEEDORF = RINO = VIKASH =====
============ KAKÁ =============
====== SHEVA ==== CRESPO =======

(altho ideally id like to push kaka up behind sheva bunk crespo on the bench and play pirlo where kaká is now tee hee)

must win game....make life so much easier especially when we go play celtic...important that we dont underestimate them at home!

[Leffe]

i dont see Milan wining this game + i think we will see 1 or 2 of Milan U-21 this game

:eek: :rolleyes: I don't think so my friend, this is a game we must win !! we need to become 1st in our group, I don't wanna see us must winning in Celtic :nonono2:

FORZA :milan:

Sheva gooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaal for sure ;) extra motivated against a Ukraine team :)

[Call Me 7 Cups]

i see JDT in with Sheva, since they rested with Kakà

Crespo i guess will rest.... ( even if i'd like him to play )

to be ready for next Serie A Match

[GattusoKing]

You know Mau, I'd actually go for Crespo. That Palermo goal will have served as a massive confidence booster and if he manages to bag another against Shaktar, Carlo will have to tie him down to keep him off the pitch.

You can pay me later ;) :p

[Grymmannen]

Shev will probably miss the match due to injury. He will be back against Chievo.

Jon Dahl and Crespo from start then.

[swissmilan]

I hope to see Vikash too, but I seriously doubt it!!!!! We`ll see Gattuso-Pirlo-Seedorf in midfield.....

[yourmood]

thank god Crespo scored :)

i hope Carlo start with him this game and next game against Cheivo, Tom is a 2nd half player so let Crespo start and in the last 20-15 min Tom play

[Elchillum]

i would put the best formation whatsoever becuz in celtic it will be tough ...

cheers :beer:

[yourmood]

Milan to field makeshift attack against Shakhtar

ROME, Nov 23 (Reuters) - AC Milan, who need one point to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase, are set to face Shakhtar Donetsk with a makeshift attack on Wednesday.

A host of injuries have left coach Carlo Ancelotti few options up front.

Striker Andriy Shevchenko, who accounts for half of all the team's goals in Serie A and Europe, is likely to be absent because of a thigh strain. His regular strike partner Jon Dahl Tomasson has not yet recovered from a pulled muscle.


Italy international Filippo Inzaghi is also out after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury.

In their absence, Ancelotti is expected to field an unfamiliar formation with Hernan Crespo as a lone striker, backed up by Rui Costa and Kaka.

Crespo is struggling to find his form after his close-season transfer from Chelsea.

The Argentine finally bagged his first goal of the season in Milan's 2-1 Italian Cup win over Palermo at the weekend.

"It worries me that Inzaghi is injured and that Tomasson is still not 100 percent," Captain Paolo Maldini told Tuesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"There's not much we can do. Crespo needed to score and is coming into form, but we don't have many alternatives."

Maldini says his side want to wrap up qualification with a game to spare.

Milan top Group F with nine points from four matches and a draw at home to Shakhtar would send them through.

"Obviously, our mission against Shakhtar will be to wrap things up as far as the group phase goes," the 36-year-old defender said.

"To leave it all to (the last group game against Celtic in) Glasgow would be madness."

The Italian champions struggled against a well-organised Shakhtar side in their first group match before a late goal by Clarence Seedorf gave them a 1-0 win.



http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-championsmilan&prov=reuters&type=lgns

[GattusoKing]

If it is a solitary Crespo up-front, I quite look forward to seeing how well he performs. The CL, after all, was his favoured stamping ground with Inter, so lets hope that run continues ;)

[yourmood]

Ancelotti demands Milan victory

Although a point will be enough for qualification, Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is demanding a victory against Shakhtar Donetsk.

"It is our objective to not only qualify for the knock-out stages but to do so by winning the group," he stated ahead of tomorrow’s Champions’ League game.

"I would like to see us put on a similar performance to the one when we beat Barcelona at the San Siro."

Milan and Barca currently share top spot in Group F after collecting nine points from four games so far.

The Rossoneri have already beaten their Ukrainian opponents 1-0 this term and the Coach is confident they can pick up three more points.

"I don’t think they’ve changed that much since our first meeting," he added. "They are a side who like to play good football.

"We were a little tentative when we travelled to the Ukraine but I think we will be in a better frame of mind tomorrow."

Milan’s goalscoring hopes are set to fall on Hernan Crespo given the fitness problems of Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

"I don’t consider our decision to sign Crespo as a gamble," noted the tactician. "Hernan has great quality and he’s getting over his initial problems."

What about the disappointing form of Kaka? "I think he just needs to continue with what he is doing," defended Ancelotti.

"He isn’t finished as a player even if he is going through some highs and lows at this moment in time. If he plays then I hope he does well."




http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov23f.html

[yourmood]

Maldini makes his point

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov23d.html

[Santi]

Golden chance for Crespo to show if he's really going to take off and perform like he has in the past.
Dhorasoo really should start...maybe move Pirlo up a little bit, and play Kaka as the second striker to support Crespo.

We have the perfect chance to secure a place in the next stage at home...hopefully a win to stay on top of the group. :)


FORZA MAGICO MILAN!!!!!

[Leffe]

18 man for tonight's match vs Shakhtar

GOALKEEPERS: Abbiati, Dida

DEFENDERS: Cafu, Coloccini, Costacurta, Maldini, Nesta, Pancaro

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Dhorasoo, Gattuso, Kaka, Pirlo, Rui Costa, Seedorf, Serginho

FORWARDS: Crespo

Official no Sheva and JDT :eek: :( :( :(

Probably line up :

MILAN: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Costacurta; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka, Rui Costa; Crespo.


FORZA :milan: We must win !!!!

[Call Me 7 Cups]

so Sheva and Jdt are out for injuries...
:S

[yourmood]

Leffe,

why Billy will start? why not Pancaro ?

anyway with billy or with out him i think its a good line-up

[Qasá]

Bollox that Dhorasoo is not starting...total favouritism....retards!

[GattusoKing]

Official line-ups;

MILAN: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Costacurta; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà, Rui Costa; Crespo

SHAKHTAR: Lastuvka; Stoican, Hubschman, Lewandoski, Srna; Joao Batista, Duljaj, Matuzalem, Vukic; Aghahowa, Brandao


I'm disappointed by that too. Oh well, fingers crossed for a prolonged substitute appearance.


Forza Milan :kingnew: :diavolett

[yourmood]

i dont like that Billy will start but its all good we have Pancaro sub

[ac_champs]

where is KK???

[Ian]

Is JDT injured? because i know Sheva is. If JDT is not injured then why is he not on the bench, at least? is Carletto going for a draw? we need 3 points tonight.

Let's hope Crespo can get the crowd behind him tonight.

[ac_champs]

JDT, Sheva and Pippo out injured. and carlo went out public and said that we would go for a win and not a draw...

i also hope that crepso can show us what he's worth...

[ac_champs]

is anyone watching the game live?

[ac_champs]

3' Nesta (Milan) is cautioned by the referee. Referee Frank De Bleeckere makes an early sign of intent as he cautions Alessandro Nesta after the first foul of the game.

uefa.com

[GattusoKing]

Moi. About even so far with Rui producing the best moment of the game.

Nesta has already been booked as has Srna.

[ac_champs]

as of right now, our two biggest threats from last season are out, real and arsenal are in third place with arsenal losing 1-0 right now to PSV...

[GattusoKing]

Great chance for Kaka.

The crowd really do seem to be growing impatient with Seedorf this last few weeks. Disappointing.

[ac_champs]

and crespo, is he being his usual self or is he playing ok for a change?

[GattusoKing]

Working hard enough, but with no supply to speak of.

[ac_champs]

20' Milan are attacking patiently, retaining the ball in midfield before looking to supply the three front men when an opening appears. On this occasion, Clarence Seedorf, whose 84th-minute goal gave Milan a narrow win in the reverse fixture on Matchday 1, lobs a ball towards Kakב though Laštuvka is alert to the danger and collects on the edge of his box.

from uefa.com

[ac_champs]

etoo scores for barca and we're down to second place temporarily...

[Ian]

Great chance for Kaka.

The crowd really do seem to be growing impatient with Seedorf this last few weeks. Disappointing.

Seedorf can be a very frustrating player though, one minute he is a genius(goal against merda) the next he is loosing the ball and putting us under pressure. I would prefer a left footed player on the left-one who wouldn't wander during a game.

[GattusoKing]

Dhorasoo for Pirlo in the 2nd half please.

[ac_champs]

is he playing that bad??

[ac_champs]

how bout bringing rui down to pirlo's spot like in the pre season and serginho in ruis place...

[GattusoKing]

The usual. 'Ineffectual', 'peripheral' and 'grenades' are the three words that immediately spring to mind.

[Ian]

This has to be one of the worst Milan performances i have ever seen. We are being outplayed by the second best team from Ukraine. We can't seem to pass the ball we can't hold the ball and we lack invention. Carletto better have a stern word at half time or we could lose this game :eek:

[ac_champs]

Carletto better have a stern word at half time

:lol:

i seriously doubt it....

[GattusoKing]

HT: 0-0. Poor. Again.

[ac_champs]

i love john hartson(until he plays against us:D:D)!!!! 1-1!!!

[ac_champs]

HT: 0-0. Poor. Again.

we seriously need reinforcements... new blood not old blood...
a strong mid and a good finisher....

[Ian]

What a terrible first half-we are looking absolutely awful. At one point in the game Shaktar had 56% possession and they are the away team :eek: . I seriously think we're going for a draw :(

[Bayman]

Plz. Pirlo out and start playing football.

[Walker]

I just got home!Hoping to see Milan lead by 3 and yet again I am frustrated with what I hear an under performance!Come on guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forza Milan!!!

[Ian]

we seriously need reinforcements... new blood not old blood...
a strong mid and a good finisher....

And a better manager. I've always thought Carletto was a good manager, until now. I think he's been a lucky manager so far and his luck is running out. The team that's playing tonight are lacklustre-any other manager would be rollicking the players from the touchline for such a poor show. Not Carletto though, he's happy enough just sitting on the bench thinking about how great Crespo is, no doubt. He needs to sort this shambles out soon otherwise the season will be over for us and it's not Christmas yet! :eek: :(

[Ian]

BTW some fit women in the crowd tonight :p

[GattusoKing]

Gotta love the half-time camera work, with the odd, elder exception :p

[GattusoKing]

:lol: Both reading from the same script there old boy :p

Great chance for Shakhtar in the first seconds.

[ac_champs]

at least we can comfort ourselves that barca isn't winning YET.....

[yourmood]

1-0 Kaka

[GattusoKing]

Kaka!!!!!!!!! Scrappy, but I'll take it.

[Ian]

Thank God for that! even then it was one of the most scrappy goals i've seen. But they all count ;) .

[GattusoKing]

Crespo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yourmood]

2-0 Crespo

[ac_champs]

KAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and we're in the lead!!!

[Walker]

Kaka~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

Gentlemen, make way for Mau's huge font :p

[ac_champs]

and now CRESPO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thats what we expected when we loaned you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a bit late but better late than never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

Credit to Crespo that was a brilliant finish-now grab yourself another!

[ac_champs]

is it 3-0 yet???:D:D:D:D

[GattusoKing]

Almost! Stunning bicycle kick from Crespo brilliantly saved!

[ac_champs]

now he better stop complaining that the fans are booing him!!!!!

[Ian]

What did the Shaktar keeper have in his tea at haf time? he has made some incredible saves!

[GattusoKing]

We're playing as well now as we were badly in the 1st-half. The ideal time to introduce Dhorasoo ;)

[Grymmannen]

Crespo has found his old self. Rui Costa assisted him, then Crespo dribbled past the goalkeeper and scored.

Minutes later he tried a stunning bicycle-kick which was saved by the Shakhtar keeper.

[GattusoKing]

Marica and Vorobyey on for Batista and Aghahowa.

[ac_champs]

if crespo keeps playing like this, JDT will be back on the bench in no time and that's good cuz he's best when he starts on the bench!!!!

[Qasá]

right...lets not get TOO ahead of ourselves...

he's scored 2 in 2...that doesnt mean crespo of parma is back or anything :) he's just on his way dudes and he still needs time and rest and to be rotated with the others etc too :)

[GattusoKing]

Gattuso booked.

[GattusoKing]

Urghhhhhhhh! Max for Pirlo! Bloody hell Carlo!

[Qasá]

i hate you carlo... u actually have no balls....they have been chewed up by galliani :(

so sad...u are a really nice man...i wish u would play the players u know who need to play tho...oh well forza ambro :)

[ac_champs]

:lol:

[Qasá]

Dhorasooooo!

[GattusoKing]

Thank you sweet baby Jesus! Dhorasoo for Rui.

[Qasá]

look at him on the ball.....ahhhhhhhh :)

[GattusoKing]

Brocchi (with highlights) for Gattuso.

[GattusoKing]

Crespo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yourmood]

3-0 Crespo

[Ian]

Credit to Crespo that was a brilliant finish-now grab yourself another!

And he does :D

[Qasá]

hahahahahahahahah :D

[ac_champs]

CRESPO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this has to be his best game in the last 2 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[omer]

Crespo!!!! The monster has broken the shackles and unleashed himself!!!!!!!!!

[KONDR]

Hmmm, and what did I rtell you about Crespo guys?

[GattusoKing]

Kaka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ac_champs]

i want a hat trick!!!!

[Qasá]

weahh great play dhorasoooo!! HE MUSTY PLAY MORE!!!!!

[ac_champs]

KAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

finally a convincing game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

That was a magnificent goal by Kaka, absolutely brilliant :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Walker]

Go kaka!

[Yasser]

Finally we are delivering good football.

4-0, Crespo and Kaka.. Kaka MOM no doubt. Dhorasoo done nice in his few mins he played again..

Crespo's goals are coming in the best possible time, very nice to see him scoring after terrible times. Kaka's back to his great levels, 2 goals and one world class assist in Crespo's 3rd goal..

[Nicolas]

Hmmm, and what did I rtell you about Crespo guys?

Okay Kondr, Let me be the first til say that Crespo seems to have returned to his old self....He proved me wrong and I am very happy that he did that because I was one of those who really wanted him at the club in the first place, I hoped that he could rejuvinate, he didn´t seem so, but he looks to have done just that and it is just great!

[Ian]

weahh great play dhorasoooo!! HE MUSTY PLAY MORE!!!!!

I agree, he was brilliant. He looks like the sort of player we are missing.

Did anyone notice that Carletto changed the midfield and we won convincingly? ;)

[GattusoKing]

Without taking any of the credit away from Crespo, both his goals you would expect any striker to convert. And looking at the bigger picture, he's not going to be here next year, so I still disagree with his transfer.

Overall, a resounding 2nd half display which vitally saw the return of Kaka. Finally ;)


Forza Milan :diavolett :kingnew:

[omer]

.....and with Barca drawing their match Milan need only 1 point against Celtic to guarantee top spot in the group.

[anyal]

Happy!

[Yasser]

Yes it shows that our regular mids are doing bad and our subs are better now.

Easy goals for Crespo but it's good for his confidence.. Yes I don't think he'll stay next year too but we are in for now.. At least someone apart from Sheva can score..

Kaka too :D

Dhorasoo should take the number 21 shirt.. He's doing much better!

Barca suffering from tirdness, their squad is only 12 players now with injuries you know.. One point at Celtic and we are 1st. :)

[GattusoKing]

As TJ1 said, it would be prudent to be guarded with one's praise of Crespo. Two performances does not a rejuvination make and the acid test will be whether he can produce regularly in Serie A, where we need goals the most.

[KONDR]

Should Crespo continue to progress like he did in the last matches, I am sure he will stay.
What would be the reason for us to sell him back? And I am sure Abra would not want him as he would prefer to buy Ronaldo or Ronaldinho.

[Santi]

Great result, and also it seems Milan played great. Most important thing was to secure the QF.

Nice to hear Kaka had a nice game, hopefully he will build on this performance, as will Milan. Good for Crespo...hopefully he will continue like this.

FORZA MILAN!!!!!

[Yasser]

Dont overrate Abramovich, he can't buy Samuel even so forget about Ronaldinho dude.. No matter how much money he offers, there's a word in football called CLASS!

And Mourinho doesn't like Ronaldo likes..

Crespo to stay? He'll be 30 next summer.. Seeing that most of the power strikers like Vieri, Batistuta have faded at the age of 31.. I doubt Crespo will stay. Anyway, stay or not.. We are in THIS season.. Then we see later on!

And true, Crespo for sure needs now to go on this way, 2 matches out of 10 are nothing but he's hopefully on the right track.

[GattusoKing]

I think a more apt question is what reason we'd have to keep Crespo. With Pippo's place in the squad guaranteed, JDT probably remaining and the likely addition of either Gilardino or FT, IMO, Crespo would be superfluous to our needs.

[Call Me 7 Cups]

Without taking any of the credit away from Crespo, both his goals you would expect any striker to convert. And looking at the bigger picture, he's not going to be here next year, so I still disagree with his transfer.


wanna bet that if he continues like this Galliani will show some secret underground deals that says Crespo is 100% ours ?
;)

[Yasser]

Only if Pippo would retire or JDT is sold, as one of Gilardino or Fernando Torres will definitly arrive.

[Ian]

wanna bet that if he continues like this Galliani will show some secret underground deals that says Crespo is 100% ours ?
;)

If Galliani can get him for peanuts then he will be ours :eek: :( :p

[Ian]

Only if Pippo would retire or JDT is sold, as one of Gilardino or Fernando Torres will definitly arrive.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pippo does retire. I think he's 32 and he's been ravaged by injuries for the past two seasons, he's not going to want to continue in that much pain at his age.

[GattusoKing]

Hopefully not Mau :p

I'm pleased for him, but we need to breathe with a little restraint and remember that when everyone's fit, he's, at best, 3rd choice. Come the summer, he'll be 4th/5th at best ;)

[Call Me 7 Cups]

i think Crespo is way better than Inzaghi, in skills, in number of goals, in partnership with Sheva, and even in age ( 2 years less, wouldnt u prefer a 2 years younger inzaghi than the current one ? )

;)

[omer]

Chelsea probably wouldn't want Crespo back as his salary is extremely high (I think its over E4 million). But Crespo would probably be willing to take a salary cut in order to join Milan. So if he keeps playing like in this game its entirely possible for him to stay at Milan. Also Crespo has his favourite coach at Milan so it could work out.

[ac_champs]

just saw the highlights of the game!!!! i loved kaka's second goal!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

The Crespo of yesteryear perhaps was, but he too is approaching the twilight of his career, so he's not the solution IMO. For squad use, I'll take Pippo (a Milan favourite whom, without, we wouldnt have achieved half of our recent successes) any old day, even if he does miss the occasional game.

[Call Me 7 Cups]

we gave Pippo the diver and not score machine our trust ;) we can do it also for Hernan, and if we do, who knows if Crespo can do even better than Inzaghi ?
with all due respect for Pippo who gave us the glory.

:)

[Santi]

Crespo stying...Depends on how much he would cost Milan...since I don't think there is an option to buy...and he would have to reduce his salary.

Still passing up on Gilardino or even Torres???

[Call Me 7 Cups]

Crespo cost is already decided
:)

[Walker]

Just seen highlights on TV. Crespo goals where nothing but decent finishing. Still great to see him score again. The bicyclekick was great though. So keep it up buddy. But what I am happy to see most is Kaka. Both his goals and assist with Crespo second top class. World class!!! He is back ladies and gentelman!!!!Now I can not wait for Yarmood or Sheva Rules to post goals so I can enjoy it over and over again!!!!

Forza Milan!!!!Forza Kaka!!!!

[Call Me 7 Cups]

Crespo also did a good swap with rui in the first half
+ an assist to Kakà ( fake offside ! ) kaka alone in front of the goalie

and so on :)
FORZA HERNAN

[GattusoKing]

The stark reality is that we're fast approaching December and Crespo has contributed zero in Serie A. Nothing. Zip. Again, that is the acid test and until he starts scoring regularly there...............

[Yasser]

True Simon.

And afterall, Shakhtar aren'r Juve. But it's still good to see him scoring, now he have to prove it was no luck :)

[VUGAR]

congratulations with convincing victory. Good display from Dhorasso, Kaka', and Crespo...which is a good sign as a winter break approaches;)

[swissmilan]

Also, very good game of Rui, too. 2 great passes and a nice swap with Crespo in the 1st half when he should have scored........Rui back too? ;)

[Filipez]

Rui is playing a decent seasen, IMO he should be on pirlo's place, and maybe dhorasoo on seedorf's place.

Nice to see Crespo finally scoring!! i hope he is really back now, next year fernando torres!! :D

Kaka's first goal was really nice, great pass from rui and good assist from cafu. amazing!

forza milan
forza hernan

[Call Me 7 Cups]

i wouldnt say just "crespo did what every striker does normally"
because u all know what was crespo 2 weeks ago, and this was kinda impossible for him

from a dead man, scoring 2 goals (3 with palermo), doing an assist to Kakà, passing well with Rui ALL ALONE IN ATTACK in 2 games in 4 days to me is more than just " every striker would h ave scored these 2 - and u also know that this is a bit a fake statement, u also have never seen a bicycle try by Tomasson or Inzaghi -

with a dead Crespo, this is a super performance and NOT in a friendly game ( since in the first game we suffered also as hell vs Shakhtar.

let's not overrate but neither underrate.
otherwise we end here saying every time "yes but...."

1 year and u'll all sing Crespo's name as the Man who saved our lives.
like with Inzaghi
:p

Votes:
Kakà 9
Crespo 8+
Dhorassoo 7 ( even if played a little )

[artan]

congrats . nice display !

[ReDevil]

Good to See Crespo and Milan back .. Thats all i got to say .. I see more from Crespo ..

[Leffe]

Great second half, I happy for Crespo and Kaká they both needed this :):)

I just love it when Kaká runs to the Fossa and others supporters after scoring a goal hiting his fist on his chest :)

Forza :milan: