Serie A : AC MILAN - Cagliari

[Leffe]

Match before :manutd: :)

I would leave Kaká out of game and let Rui play for 2 reason's : 1ste Man United and most important derby because he's one :yellow: card away from suspension in Serie A and we need Kaká magic in derby :cool: :D

Forza :milan:

[Danny]

I'd go as far as to say Kaka's suffering burnout. The last 2 games he's been *really* poor in.
I agree Rui should take his place. Not sure about the derby. See how the team fares with Rui in his place V Cagliari...

[Yasser]

Kaka isn't poor but no one can play football with the likes of Ambro and Rino.. Even with Pirlo's long passes..

See how Kaka plays with Dhorasoo and Seedorf then judge, even Ronaldinho would suffer at Milan thanks to the awful midfield..

[swissmilan]

We have to change our midfield and I'd suggest doing it like this:

Dhorasoo-Gattuso-Seedorf
Rui
Crespo-Sheva

As Leffe stated, Kaka should be given a rest for different reasons.

What do you think?

IMO it won't help what we think coz Ancelotti always plays Ambro! :(

[Leffe]

He should leave Ambro on the bech for sure why not try Dhorasoo and Seedorf like Yasser said. Will JDT or Pippo be in squad list for saturday's game ?? I hope so, because Crespo pffffffff please I hope he finds his form back when he scored 3 goals because last games it was bad

[GattusoKing]

I can semi-understand Carlo's wish to utilise Max in away fixtures for the sake of solidity, but to use him in preference of Dhorasoo at the San Siro would be criminal. JDT for Crespo would also be rather nice ;)

[Leffe]

Indeed give JDT another chance but is he fit again after his injury with Greece - Danemark ?

[Yasser]

Yes fit..

[ac_champs]

pippo's out again with another injury.... when will it end????

dida
cafu maldini nesta KK
dhorasso rino seedorf
rui
sheva crespo

pirlo come on in the second half and rino, sheva and cafu should not play a full 90 min...

[Leffe]

I would JDT start and bring Sheva in when needed, important games coming up ;)

[Santi]

This is a tricky game for Milan this week. Can't overlook a difficult opponent like Cagliari, that will probably come looking for a draw. But thinking of whats ahead it might be tough.

I'd think about sitting Kaka, Nesta and Gattuso thinking that they are on caution and could miss the derby if they pick up another yellow card...it's taking a bit of a chance...but maybe Rui, Stam and Dhorasoo should get to start.

Dida
Cafu-Stam-Maldini-KK
Dhorasso-Ambro-Seedorf
Rui
Crespo-Sheva


FORZA MILAN!!!

[Yasser]

Agree with Super Rino in his starting 11

:)

[ac_champs]

Serie A: Pirlo returns for Cagliari clash


ROME, Feb 18 (Reuters) - AC Milan's players might be forgiven if they have trouble focusing on the job of beating Cagliari at the San Siro on Saturday with a Champions League match against Manchester United and the city derby against Inter looming.
But having slashed Juventus's lead at the top of Serie A from eight points to two, the Italian champions can ill-afford to let them off the hook.


Last weekend Milan needed a lucky own goal to beat Reggina 1-0 in a match in which they sorely missed the creative spark provided by Andrea Pirlo.

The midfielder, who acts as the pivot for Milan's smooth passing game, had to sit out the fixture after suffering a knee injury in Italy's international friendly with Russia.

The good news for Milan fans is that Pirlo is fit again and expected to return against Cagliari alongside Cristian Brocchi and Vikash Dhorasoo, who are standing in for midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso ahead of Wednesday's match at Old Trafford.

They can also take heart from Cagliari's dire away form. They have picked up just six points in 12 matches this season.

Cagliari are without suspended midfielder Alessandro Budel, though Antonio Langella returns from a ban to form a three-man attack with fellow Italy international Mauro Esposito and Gianfranco Zola.

soccernet.com

[ac_champs]

AC Milan v Cagliari: Preview

PA

MILAN, February 18 (Serie A) - AC Milan go into Saturday's clash with Cagliari looking for a performance that will give Manchester United something to worry about.

Carlo Ancelotti's men travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

But after poor displays against Lazio and Reggina, which netted them six vital if fortuituously garnered points, the defending Serie A champions need to find their swagger once again.

Cagliari are eighth but only on the back of their home form - they have won once on the road all season - giving Milan hope that the visit of the travelling Sardinians can provide a confidence booster.

``We have to be patient because better days will come,'' said AC Milan's 13-goal top scorer Andriy Shevchenko.

``We didn't play well against Lazio or Reggina but the important thing is that we won.

``A very important stage begins now but I am convinced that we will be ready to face these challenges.

``The Champions League is a fascinating competition but for now we must only think about the clash against Cagliari.''

With Juventus holding a slender two-point advantage at the top, Milan's stutters earlier in the year against Bologna and Livorno have not been as costly as they might have been if Juve had not dropped points as well.

The 2003 Champions League winners know that a defeat could prove costly as Juve face a theoretically easier battle on Sicilian soil against Messina.

And unbeaten neighbours Internazionale await them in the city derby the following weekend.

``We must win in order to continue to be in the Scudetto race,'' added a determined Shevchenko.

Promoted club Cagliari travel to the San Siro with their form pointing to anything but an away win.

Had the Rossoblu managed to show the same form away from the Mediterranean island, they would be fighting for the title and not for a UEFA Cup position.

Daniele Arrigoni's men have only conceded six points of a possible 36 in Cagliari but it has been a different story away from home.

But with a UEFA Cup place merely three points away Arrigoni travels in hope, if not expectation.

He said: ``It's not just a difficult game but an extremely difficult encounter.

``We have only won one game on the road, which is disappointing. I am only hoping that Milan will be seriously focusing in the game in Manchester otherwise it's going to be very tough.''

The Rossoblu are hoping to welcome back midfielder Nelson Abeijon from injury with Massimo Brambilla injured and Alesandro Budel serving a one-match ban.

Ancelotti is set to rest centre-back Alessandro Nesta and Brazilian midfield schemer Kaka in view of the clash against Manchester United.

Kaka has played every league game so far for the Rossoneri but will probably be replaced by Manuel Rui Costa while Nesta's place should be filled by former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, although he is not certain to figure on his return to Old Trafford.

soccernet.com

[ac_champs]

Serie A Preview: Milan-Cagliari
2/18/2005 4:47:00 PM
Eighth-placed Cagliari travel to northern Italy this Saturday to play second-placed Milan at the San Siro.
BACKGROUND

As in any league, and especially the Italian Serie A, consistency is the name of the game. Whether you win, draw or lose, you must maintain a certain level of solidity to remain in good standing, or to even survive.

Recently, Milan has begun to recover the form which saw them nearly take over first place from current Serie A leaders Juventus. After the two successive 1-0 defeats at the hands of Livorno and Bologna in late January, one could reasonably say that the Rossoneri are now back on track and ready to make the push toward the title. At the beginning of February, they won 4-1 at Messina, and this impressive win came without the services of Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko. On-loan striker Hernan Crespo opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Playing in place of Shevchenko, Jon Dahl Tomasson doubled the advantage in the 18th. Riccardo Zampagna got one back for Messina a quarter of an hour before halftime, but Crespo scored his second to restore the two goal lead a quarter of an hour on the other side of the break. Tomasson also got a brace with his second goal of the match in the 90th minute. This result was followed by a midweek fixture, a visit from Lazio of Rome. The visitors took the lead in the 56th on a penalty kick in the 56th. Shevchenko then scored on his return to the lineup in the 72nd, and Crespo scored the winner in the 90th minute. Last Sunday’s match was another victory, this time at Reggina, but under different circumstances. While the Rossoneri controlled the run of play most of the match, they could only achieve a 1-0 win, and the lone tally came off of an own goal by Marco Zamboni in the 38th.

Cagliari has steadily moved up the table, but surprisingly, all the good work has been done at home, as they have a paltry away record. A fortnight ago, within the confines of the Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari defeated Lecce 3-1. Massimo Gobbi grabbed the lead for Cagliari in the 11th minute, but Mirko Vucinic leveled in the 38th. However, as they have done most of the season, Cagliari was able to get the win. Mauro Esposito scored in the 74th, and erased all doubt in the 86th. Last weekend’s match also went to form: a trip to Brescia’s Stadio Mario Rigamonti, and another road loss, by a 2-0 score. Davide Zoboli gave Brescia the lead in just the 5th minute, and Andrea Caracciolo finished the match with a goal in second half stoppage time. Cagliari’s home and away form could not be more of polar opposites. At home, they have won eight, drawn three, and lost just once; but on the road they have been the victors once, drawn three times, and lost eight matches.


TEAM NEWS

Milan is really only missing one player from the first team, Filippo Inzaghi, but what’s new? He has been out of action most of the season with several injuries, this time a fractured thumb.

Cagliari will be without the services of Alessandro Budel, who is suspended because of the yellow card he received in their last match.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Massimo Ambrosini (Milan)
In the absence of Andrea Pirlo last weekend versus Reggina, ‘Ambro’ was less than impressive. He must perform more admirably for Milan to achieve the full three points in this match.

Gianfranco Zola (Cagliari)
The ageless wonder needs to get back to scoring goals, his last coming a month ago. He will cause trouble for the Milan defense.


POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafu, Stam, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Kaka; Crespo, Shevchenko

Cagliari (4-3-3):
Iezzo; Lopez, Loria, Maltagliati, Agostini; Abeijon, Conti, Gobbi; Esposito, Zola, Langella


PREDICTION

Both sides need points in this match. Milan must win to keep the pressure on Juventus, and Cagliari is just a few points from a European place next season. This match will mark the Rossoneri’s return to top form.

Milan 3-1 Cagliari

goal.com

[Yasser]

Dhorasoo and not Max should play IMO, would be a crime benching Vikash yet again despite his brilliant form!

[ac_champs]

TEAM TO FACE CAGLIARI
2/18/2005
MILANELLO - Carlo Ancelotti has named a 20-man team to face Cagliari on Saturday evening at the San Siro.

GOALKEEPERS: Abbiati, Dida.

DEFENDERS: Cafu, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Pancaro, Stam.

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

FORWARDS: Crespo, Shevchenko, Tomasson

acmilan.com

it's good to see pirlo back in the squad...

[Leffe]

Il genio back :clap: Thank you, thank you, thank you :D

FORZA MILAN

[GattusoKing]

I dont anticipate Pirlo being called upon during any stage during the game though, at least I hope he isnt in view of the Man Utd fixture.

[Leffe]

According to Gazzetta site :

:milan:

1 Dida N.
2 Cafu M.
31 Stam J.
3 Maldini P.
26 Pancaro G.
32 Brocchi C.
21 Pirlo A.
20 Seedorf C.
10 Rui Costa M.
7 Shevchenko A.
15 Tomasson J.

VS


:cagliari:

Iezzo G. 34
Lopez D. 6
Bega F. 4
Loria S. 15
Agostini A. 31
Abeijon N. 18
Conti D. 5
Gobbi M. 8
Esposito M. 7
Zola G. 10
Langella A. 23

I hope Rui starts instead of Kaká so he'll be sure for derby :)

[Leffe]

15 minutes before time still 0-0 at Messina :):) Please pray it stays this way and we'll be first in a couple of hours :D

[Elchillum]

finished! on milanchannel great athmosphere at san siro! tonight is the night we all have been waiting for! i believe :D

forza milan

cheers :beer:

[Leffe]

0-0 whiiiiiiiiiiiiiii olé olé olé :D

Let the game begin and win so we'll be N°1 of Serie A :clap:

[Leo]

ARIA DI SORPASSOOOOOOOooooo :D:D:D ;);)

[Elchillum]

Let'z shup the critics up! lock em up ... it's our week! becuz juventini are a bunch of wankers!

cheers :beer:

[Bayman]

Now some pressure is off our shoulders.

[Elchillum]

and i even changed my inter merda signature ---> juve merda :D

cheers :beer:

[Grymmannen]

...and no Dhorasoo from start this time either. But for christ sake, win this match.

[Walker]

We must face Man Utd and Inter as Serie A leaders!!!!!!CONFIDENCE!!!!!!!!

FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

Official line-ups;

MILAN: Dida; Cafu, Stam, Maldini, Pancaro; Brocchi, Pirlo, Seedorf ; Rui Costa; Tomasson, Shevchenko.

CAGLIARI: Iezzo; Lopez, Bega, Loria, Agostini; Abeijon, Conti, Gobbi; Esposito, Zola, Langella.


Why on earth play Pirlo so soon after injury with Dhorasoo eager on the bench :rolleyes:


Forza Milan!! :diavolett :kingnew:

[GattusoKing]

Fabulous! Off goes Sheva with a pretty bad bump on his temple.

[GattusoKing]

Crespo replaces him.

[Walker]

Sheva injured!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

I'm sure he'll be okay for Man Utd. It's just a bump and he didnt look too bad when coming off. More precaution than anything else I'd have thought.

[GattusoKing]

Pancaro booked.

[GattusoKing]

Pancaro is a walking red card. With only 26 minutes gone, I'd be inclined to bring on Kala if he's on the bench.

[Yasser]

Kaladze is one card away from suspension too.

I just feel sorry for Vikash Dhorasoo!

[Walker]

Kaladze is one card away from suspension too.

I just feel sorry for Vikash Dhorasoo!

I feel sorry for Sheva!

[GattusoKing]

HT: 0-0. And people wonder why Rui spends so much time sitting on the bench :rolleyes:

It'll take a miracle for us to score in this match.

[Yasser]

You need Serginho + Dhorasoo and then Kaka!

[Yasser]

Ambro will score from a header :D

[Ian]

Watching this game just emphasises the need for Gilardino-without Sheva we really are poor. Crespo and JDT are not really good enough IMO, I don't know if it's lack of matches or not but JDT hasn't done anything at all. We need another forward to partner Sheva who will be able to create his own chances and score them.

[Elchillum]

lol simon :D true pancaro is a bit strange today but so was nesta last week and it ended all right ...

---> from brocchi i expected a bit more ... a good rui ... if i had to choose between rui and kaka, still i prefer kaka becuz rui doesnt score his goals / season ... kaka does ... great to see him shining again though ... t'was bout time ;) ---> for the rest ... no sheva :( ... that's why we didnt score ... you saw his header ... great save from the keeper but hey ... 45 mins to go ... still i say juve merda :D

cheers :beer:

[Ian]

Ambro will score from a header :D

I hope so because our forward pair don't look like they could score in an open goal :p

[GattusoKing]

Pirlo, Rui and Clarence on the field and just the one chance created. Abysmal stuff really.

Re: Dhorasoo's exclusion, I said prior to the game that it'd be criminal if he were benched and after 45 minutes of dross, I stand by that.

[Bayman]

Dhorasoo isn't injured nor exhausted. He simply has no dressing room power and even Ambrosini is preferred to him despite having only 50% of his talent. Apparently some older players *cpugh* Pirlo *cough* have an interest in not giving him playtime to not lose their starting spot.

[Ian]

I reckon we would be better bringing JDT off and replacing him with Kaka.

[Elchillum]

cough cough ... pirlo rulez!

cheers :beer:

[GattusoKing]

Watching this game just emphasises the need for Gilardino-without Sheva we really are poor. Crespo and JDT are not really good enough IMO, I don't know if it's lack of matches or not but JDT hasn't done anything at all. We need another forward to partner Sheva who will be able to create his own chances and score them.Personally, I dont feel that Crespo's first touch is of Serie A standard and his finishing is a pale comparison to what it was. JDT, meanwhile, is a shadow of his national team self, going into his shell as soon as he dons Milan colours.

Gilardino's arrival certainly cant come soon enough.

[GattusoKing]

Much better urgency to the 2nd half ;)

[GattusoKing]

Get Pancaro off for Serginho. Geez.

[GattusoKing]

Serginho on for Brocchi. O.........k

[Walker]

And now Inter scores!****!

[Bayman]

AttractivAttractive, offensive football?
Watching THIS Milan team play is a complete boredom.
Where are the fantastic, creative players? The Donadoni's, Leonardo's and Savicevic's that lit up the San Siro few years ago?

[RossoneriBAKU]

Sheva injury???

Grazie Messina ;-)

[Ian]

Kaka coming on-at last!!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

You're not wrong. The last three games have been tedious, but I also think the negative Italian mentality must shoulder some of the blame.

[Walker]

Better late then ever!Hope he can lit up Milan with some magic!

[RossoneriBAKU]

I read about his injury...(((

Rui Costa plays very bad... forza Kaka!!!

[Ian]

I bet manure are watching this and laughing! :(

[GattusoKing]

Kaka for JDT.

[Ian]

At last JDT for kaka :)

[Walker]

Give me one!!!!!!!Please!!!!!!!

[RossoneriBAKU]

All top clubs play very bud before CL...

Real even lost 0:2 to Bilbao at "Santiago Bernabeu"...

[Walker]

Inter is winning!Man Utd won today!We have to win tonight!It is a must!Come on guys!!!!!

[Ian]

Great-Pancaro off

[GattusoKing]

As I said, a walking red card. Useless bastard and Galliani extends his contract :o

[Walker]

Even the fans on the stadium are not happy!!!!!!My God and we play Man Unt and Inter!!!!!With this form I fear we can.................

[kuba1899]

Just as you predicted ... red

[Leo]

he's done it :rolleyes:

[RossoneriBAKU]

Pancaro sent off (((

[Bayman]

That was more Carlo's fault than Pancaro's. He should have taken him off earlier.

[Walker]

10 minutes left!

[kuba1899]

My question is why was vikash left on the bench?

[Walker]

My question is what the hell is going on with this milan side of late????!!!!????

[kuba1899]

I just want them to snatch one bloody goal... It can be such a lucky shot like Crespo's last performance but just one... please

[RossoneriBAKU]

Rui Costa missed another chance... (((

[kuba1899]

Pirlo please...

[kuba1899]

buuu:(

[Walker]

No ****ing what!!!WHY???!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

Clarence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

Why aren't we given penalties anymore-surely the Facchetti incident has been forgotten? yet again we've been denied a blatant penalty

WE'VE JUST SCORED :D

[Walker]

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

[GattusoKing]

Goals, red cards!! Love it!!

[kuba1899]

jejejejejejejej!!!

[Walker]

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

[GattusoKing]

Actually, it was Serginho ;)

[Yasser]

Sergiooooooooo

[Leo]

incredible...:D

[Walker]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kuba1899]

Was it seedorf or serghinho??

[GattusoKing]

Goal Udinese :D Gets better by the second.

[Walker]

Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!forza Udine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

FT: 1-0. Pathetic, but we got there in the end :clap: :clap:

[Walker]

It was so bad and now it is Freaking GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Simply lovin it!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

Next game can we start the clock at 90 mins :p :o LOL

Well we stole another game and we really need to improve but...........WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[kuba1899]

ok... maybe not an outstanding victory but... WE ARE ON TOP!!!!!!! WELL DONE!! And now two very important ,matches! FORZA

[Walker]

Now we are back at the top!!!!!!

[ac_champs]

NUMERO UNO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rui had a great game, so did seedorf!! its good to see them back in their prime.. i just hope that sheva's injury isn't too bad....

[Bayman]

Once we play with real creativity (no long balls) and only 1 striker we are fuc*ing more dangerous.
4-2-3-1 is god. And that with 10 men.
Forza Serginho!
Forza Rui Costa!
Forza Kaka!

That is the "primera Division" way of playing football. Taking the game into their half. Lots of real creativity and 2 DM's are enough (Seedorf+Pirlo against these teams; Seedorf+gattuso against big teams). And only ONE striker, unless Sheva is there then a 2 striker solution is something to think about.
10men Milan was way better than 11men mess before.

[ac_champs]

pancaro had 2 stupid fouls and maldini could have also been sent off right after suazo came on... but we rule, and juve and inter dropped points!!!!

[ac_champs]

Milan 1 - 0 Cagliari
Serginho 92 (M)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ten-man Milan left it late again as a stoppage-time Serginho strike saw off plucky Cagliari to put them level with Juve at the top of the table.

The Rossoneri were the only Serie A team of the season so far to beat Cagliari in Sardinia, but rested many of their top stars for this San Siro encounter. Not only were they preparing for the midweek Champions' League clash with Manchester United, but they also had six players on yellow cards and therefore in danger of missing next week's Milan derby. Andrea Pirlo returned from a knee injury, while Manuel Rui Costa, Christian Brocchi and Jon Dahl Tomasson were given rare starts.

Cagliari welcomed Antonio Langella back to the side after a ban to complete the trident attack with Mauro Esposito and Gianfranco Zola. Daniele Conti and Simone Loria stepped in for their injured teammates.

The visitors had the first chance after five minutes when Nelson Abeijon rose to nod Zola's free kick past the near post.

Milan took the initiative early on and Andriy Shevchenko ran on to Rui Costa's pass and saw his fierce shot charged down, then Seedorf drilled wide from the edge of the box.

Moments later goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo was called into a fantastic one-handed save on Shevchenko's glancing header from a Marcos Cafu cross. The effort was aiming for the bottom far corner before the Cagliari man got down to push it out.

Shevchenko clashed heads with Simone Loria during that move and was forced off the pitch after just a handful of minutes to make way for Hernan Crespo. It didn't look good for the Ukrainian, who had a large purple bruise on his eyelid and cheekbone and was taken to hospital for tests.

Milan kept on pushing and Iezzo only parried a fierce Seedorf strike before Rui Costa's follow-up was charged down for a corner kick.

Daniele Conti spun wide with the outside of his right foot after some good work from Esposito as Cagliari were concentrating on the counter-attack.

Iezzo was again tested by another powerful Seedorf attempt from distance and Cafu shook the side-netting, but the visitors went close with Langella controlling a searching Zola pass with his heel before being dispossessed by Paolo Maldini.

There was a splendid team move on 40 minutes, as Seedorf controlled Pirlo's pass and fired his cross all the way across the face of goal with Crespo and Tomasson diving in to no avail.

Iezzo took hold of Crespo's effort at full stretch on Giuseppe Pancaro's cross, then the Argentine swung a right-foot shot just over the bar.

Cagliari had a great chance after the restart, as Massimo Gobbi's strike from the edge of the box was accidentally turned off target by teammate Esposito's intervention.

Pirlo's long-range strike skimmed the frame of the goal and Milan introduced Serginho for Christian Brocchi in an attacking move.

Maldini skipped past two opponents on the left and his cross was cleared out to Rui Costa, who could not keep his shot down.

Kaka came on for the final 20 minutes in place of Tomasson, switching to the Christmas tree formation with the Brazilian and Rui Costa supporting lone striker Crespo.

Zola is the most substituted player in Serie A and he was the first Cagliari man to make way for midfielder Loris Del Nevo.

Moments later Milan were left in ten men, as Giuseppe Pancaro hacked down Esposito for a second bookable offence. Serginho backed up to act as a left-back, but it also means Pancaro will be suspended for the Milan derby.

Cagliari tried to take full advantage and threw on Honduras hitman David Suazo, who scored in the midweek tsunami benefit at the Nou Camp.

Iezzo got down to hold Kaka's low strike after good build-up play from fellow Brazilian Cafu, then moments later Rui Costa turned a header wide from two yards on a corner kick.

The Sardinians threatened on the break as it turned into end to end stuff and Dida blocked a Del Nevo shot, then several Milan efforts were charged down by desperate defenders, though there were timid penalty appeals for an Agostini handling offence.

Pirlo's free kick was charged down and another Rui Costa strike held, but in stoppages the San Siro was chaotic.

Cafu took advantage of Pisano's slip to keep the ball in at the byline and hold up a cross which eventually fell to Serginho for a fierce half-volley into the top corner. Cagliari were furious as they felt there was a push on Pisano, which saw Agostini sent off for taking his protests too far.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milan: Dida; Cafu, Stam, Maldini, Pancaro; Brocchi (Serginho 57), Pirlo, Seedorf ; Rui Costa; Tomasson (Kaka 71), Shevchenko (Crespo 14)

Cagliari: Iezzo; Lopez, Bega, Loria, Agostini; Abeijon (Suazo 81), Conti, Gobbi; Esposito, Zola (Del Nevo 75), Langella (Pisano 89)

Ref: Tombolini

Sent off: Pancaro 76 (M), Agostini 92 (C)

channel4.com

[Ian]

Once we play with real creativity (no long balls) and only 1 striker we are fuc*ing more dangerous.
4-2-3-1 is god. And that with 10 men.
Forza Serginho!
Forza Rui Costa!
Forza Kaka!

That is the "primera Division" way of playing football. Taking the game into their half. Lots of real creativity and 2 DM's are enough (Seedorf+Pirlo against these teams; Seedorf+gattuso against big teams). And only ONE striker, unless Sheva is there then a 2 striker solution is something to think about.
10men Milan was way better than 11men mess before.

Let's not forget that Cagliari came to draw with us, and tried to stifle any attacks. And the 4-2-3-1 only works with a decent forward like Sheva-the likes of Crespo and JDT are, unfortunately, not good enough.

[Qasá]

poor game yet again.....

Cafu is great Serginho is a great impact sub...maldini and stam were good

crespo brocchi tomasson were useless

pancaro less than useless...actually so was tomasson...

argh seedorf and rui huffed and puffed but did nothing that was concrete...

Pirlo was good but that was it...he was good at what he was supposed to do, give the team balance and stay back and waft those long balls in etc....no bad passes no nothing....

He is not a bad player, he is a player who does what his manager tells him to do...that was evident today in my opinion, everybody else going crazy but he stayed as the pivot....it is not his fault i believe, but ancelloti's - we have no need for such a player anymore...i think it would prove better to have him player further up the field and play dhorasoo in the midfield too....

WHy did Vikash not play!?!?!?! ARGH!

Poor sheva...we really need him.....gonna be a long night waiting to see if he can play against man u....and if he cant o god....its gonna be a long wednesday night too :(

[Walker]

Now the most imporant things is that Sheva is ok and will travel to England on wendsday!

[RossoneriBAKU]

And finally we did it!!! Grazie Serginio!!!

We are on the top!!!

[Tom]

That was more Carlo's fault than Pancaro's. He should have taken him off earlier.

:frlol: :laff:

But to some degree it is also Pirlo's fault, isn't it Bayman.

[Bayman]

Sheva grave: frattura di zigomo ed orbita occipitale
19 02 2005

Si tratta di frattura dello zigomo e dell'orbita occipitale e dovrà essere operato lunedì per la riduzione del trauma. Il giocatore non sarà disponibile per il match di mercoledì di Champions League contro il Manchester United.

Sheva is out against ManUtd. But that doesn't matter.
But we'll still win, if carlo gets his sh*t right once and for all....

[Ian]

Let's hope Sheva's only bruised and will at least be able to play a part on wednesday(even if it's a sub appearance).

Great result's as well today-We win :D, Juve drew, Merda drew and real lose :D -things don't get any better :D :D :D :D :D

[Ian]

Sheva grave: frattura di zigomo ed orbita occipitale
19 02 2005

Si tratta di frattura dello zigomo e dell'orbita occipitale e dovrà essere operato lunedì per la riduzione del trauma. Il giocatore non sarà disponibile per il match di mercoledì di Champions League contro il Manchester United.

Sheva is out against ManUtd. But that doesn't matter.
But we'll still win, if carlo gets his sh*t right once and for all....

5hit-Crespo's gonna have to pull his socks up and actually play a part then! we must play with only one upfront.

[Bayman]

Sheva out deosn't really matter.
We have:
Seedorf...best CM in the world
Dhorasoo...according to L'Equipe ratings best player in French league last season
Kaka...world class Brazil starter
Serginho...imho still our most naturally gifted play in the team. Classy winger.
Rui Costa...whowas once Serie A's best midfielder and is still good if given confidence and some backing by the coach. Just look how he played for Portugal.

But then...you can have a coach, that despite having such a luxury midfield still fu*ks it all up by playing a wrong lineup. Thanks god Carlo made the right substitutions and we played like Milan in the end....despite 10 men.
So we should do against ManUtd. If we play Tomasson-.Crespo, we are w/o CL football after wednesday.

[Santi]

What a heart stopping game...leaving in until the end like that could give one a heart attack. :D

Great game from Stam I thought, who did an excellent job for Nesta. Seedorf was fantastic I thought, when he plays like today nobody will say anything bad about him.

Hopefully Sheva won't be out for long, if he can't make it for the CL...hopefully he will be ready for the derby. :)


FORZA MILAN!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

Akin to TJ1, I thought both Clarence and Rui put the effort in, but they contributed nothing between them. Rui, especially, was guilty of slowing the game down to a screeching halt far too often, allowing Cagliari all the time in the world to organise their defence. He also bodged a couple of great efforts at goal, typically.

Clarence, IMO, is enduring one of his traditional slumps in form which we see all too often. For a couple of months, he'll be masterful, but then he'll enter this indifferent spell where every pass goes astray and he looks utterly exhausted.

We sure have the luck of the devil of late. 9 points when, realistically, we only merited 3.

[Ian]

Sheva fractures cheekbone Saturday 19 February, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andriy Shevchenko has fractured his cheekbone and will undergo surgery on Monday, so he’ll miss the Manchester United match and probably the derby.

The European Player of the Year clashed heads with Simone Loria during the early stages of tonight’s 1-0 win over Cagliari and was taken to hospital for an x-ray that found a fracture of the cheekbone and the bone surrounding his left eye.


“It is too early to say, as we need to evaluate a few things and wait 24 to 36 hours,” explained Dr Jean Pierre Meersseman. “Generally these injuries need 15 days to recover from, and even then he would play with a protective mask, but it’s not certain whether or not he’ll miss the Milan derby.”


Nonetheless, this is a heavy blow, especially as Shevchenko already has a history of facial injuries with a split lip suffered last year.


“It’s a shame as he was hit hard and we hope to get him back as soon as possible,” noted Carlo Ancelotti. “This can be a stimulus to the other players to do even better and make up for his absence.”


The last-gasp winner caused controversy, as Cagliari believed Marcos Cafu pushed Pisano in the lead-up to Serginho’s goal.


“Cafu might have leaned on him a little, but Pisano was trying to avoid the corner kick and became unbalanced,” insisted Ancelotti.


He got some unusual support from Sardinian boss Daniele Arrigoni, who berated his players for taking their protests too far.


“I don’t think it was a foul and certainly nothing scandalous,” said Arrigoni. “Pisano tried to prevent the corner kick and didn’t see Cafu so close to him.”


Ancelotti conceded there were still problems, as Milan have won their last three games thanks to two stoppage-time strikes and an own goal.


“The team played better than against Reggina and yet ran into the same old problems, as Cagliari set up an excellent defence and were very dangerous on the counter-attack. We tried to play our style and aimed some long-range efforts at goal. We had a good dose of luck here, but also showed great character.”


“At last we are back on top of the table and that’s all that matters. We were certainly lucky over the last few games, but fortune favours the brave and we’ve certainly been that.”


Shevchenko’s injury is set to keep him out of action for at least a week, possibly more, and Pippo Inzaghi is still sidelined with a fractured bone in his hand.


“Shevchenko is very handy when you’re taking on a closed defence, but Crespo and Tomasson made a great pairing when they won 4-1 at Messina a few weeks ago, so there’s no problem of compatibility. Inzaghi is one of the best strikers in the world when it comes to being a goal poacher, so we do miss him.”


Ancelotti hinted at how he would set out Milan tactically for their Champions’ League showdown at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.


“Manchester United are strong on the wings, so it’s important to close them down there and try to slow their tempo by keeping hold of the ball.”

Channel 4

FFS! :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire

Poor Sheva doesn't seem to be having the best of luck injury wise-perhaps he will be lucky enough to score the winner in the CL final ;)

[Bayman]

Knowing Carlo's favourites this is the best lineup I'd expect...

Dida
Cafu - Nesta - Maldini - Kaladze
Gattuso - Pirlo - Seedorf
Rui/Dhorasoo - Kaka
Crespo

[Danny]

I've not read through the rest of the thread, so my apologies because I'm sure I'll repeat what others have said...

We were criminally poor tonight. It seems we're in a rut of poor form which isn't shifting, and the loss of Sheva for Wednesday removes the one shining beacon we have.

I'm utterly concerned that Man Utd are in such a rich vein of form now, and we're going exactly the opposite way. Utd were excellent today against a pretty strong Everton.

Now without a single attacking outfield player in form bar Serginho and apparently Dhorasoo, the best I can honestly hope from Old Trafford is a draw.

Tonight's ratings:

Dida 7 Little to do, one or 2 decent stops, but as authorative and commanding as ever with, as usual, superb distribution

Maldini 7 Got forward well and defended effectively. Got a yellow card for a necessary professional foul

Stam 7 Decent performance actually, got forward pretty well as well. Reasonable at the back.

Pancaro 5.5 Criminally stupid and he put Milan right in it with his 2nd yellow.

Brochi 4.5 Plenty of appetite but absolutely no ability

Pirlo 3 Simply dire. Pushed off the ball too easily and his passing was absolutely terrible.

Seedorf 6 Our best outfielder in the first half, full of running and everything went through him, though he was afforded an astonishing amount of space. Faded in the 2nd.

Rui 5.5 Some good moments but 2 hopeless misses he should be hung for.

Cafu 6 Full of running but his only real contribution was for Serge's goal.

Crespo 3 Garbage

Tomasson 2 Even worse than Crespo

Subs:

Kaka 4 He did come on, right?

Serge 7.5 Gave us a huge lift as he's done every time he's come on, and his finish was wonderful

It's not just Utd to worry about, it's Inter at the weekend too. We're in a bad way right now and as the commentators right pointed out tonight, we have 2 problems:

We have no dynamics; our system is way too shallow and seems incapable of changing when occasion suits it.

We're a one trick pony; if Sheva doesn't play, neither do we.

Worrying times. I hope we get our form back and quickly.

[Leffe]

Bad bad bad game, sad to see but we won and that's what matters ;)

Sheva why why why why why why why ? :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:( He doesn't deserve all these injuries :( Hope he's back soon, we need him because when he's not on the field we have no strikers, just 2 ballet dancers pfffffffff so sad ....

[KONDR]

I didnt think we played that bad. We actually did quite some running even (which we rarely do in these kind of games).
I though that Clarense had a good game. U say that why didnt Carlo put Vikash? Well thats obvious. Seedorf was playing good and there is no point in having them together on the field.
Actually, Brocchi out for Serginho was a very good sub as Serginho caused some real problems on the left apart from scoring the crucial goal.

Still, I am very sad about the Sheva injury. Especially IF he will miss the DERBY!

[Yasser]

**** the derby now, the derby is just a game in Serie A were you got time to win later.. But the CL is now is serious doubt.. Without Sheva + we are in bad form since December.. We couldn't have asked for a worse time..

Is there any chance Sheva would be ready for ManUtd game ???????????

[Yasser]

Knowing Carlo's favourites this is the best lineup I'd expect...

Dida
Cafu - Nesta - Maldini - Kaladze
Gattuso - Pirlo - Seedorf
Rui/Dhorasoo - Kaka
Crespo

Stam will play and not Kaladze!

And I'd use the same formation you showed.. Getting Serginho as a late sub or JDT, depending on how things are going!

[Milko]

Exactly! With such lineup we have a serious chance of getting alive from the OT. I would prefer Dhorasoo to Rui, but anyway would be fine. This way we would be able to dominate the midfield, stay closed at the back and porhaps even create something upfront. Bayman is wright when saying that we could get in real trouble if we play with only four midfielders + Crespo Tomasson. Yasser, there is unfortunately NO chance of Sheva playing aginst Man U and a few per cent chances of seing him in derby. So, as far as CL in concerned, I believe now it's all about holding on in England and setting it up in the best possible way for the return leg.
As somebody said, it will indeed be a long Wednesday night! Good luck to Milan and to all of us!

[alalekay]

Hey guys,

HOld ur heads high...we may have played bad but lets look forward to wednesday with optimism. Sad Sheva may not be there but remember the game against Messina? Crespo can rise and will indeed rise to the occasion on wednesday and with Kaka and Dhorasoo (who I believe was rested for old trafford) behind him, we'll do it!

I think Stam should play - partnering Nesta in the middle and Maldini to the left wiht the way Pancaro played...

Meanwhile, does anyone have a link to the highlights and/or the goal? Pls send it in then.

[Elchillum]

Some of the members at DM ... and i say this with sorrow ... are a bunch of wankers that dont even deserve to support milan ... always complaining and complaining ... it's never okay for some of you, is it? ... I refuse to go down to that kind of level while i keep on supporting our players that give it all, week after week ... and giving us the right results ... if you dont see the little light of my point, then probably you have chosen the wrong team to support!

cheers :beer:

[Ian]

**** the derby now, the derby is just a game in Serie A were you got time to win later.. But the CL is now is serious doubt.. Without Sheva + we are in bad form since December.. We couldn't have asked for a worse time..

Is there any chance Sheva would be ready for ManUtd game ???????????

Sheva is definitely out of the OT game on wednesday and will could be out until easter. He was going to have a titanium plate fitted tomorrow(monday) to reduce the swelling-let's hope he can recover very quickly again.

As for last night's game, I'm surprised no one questioned Carlettos team selection? fair enough he chose to rest some key players-why not rest our most valuable player, especially when he had Crespo on the sidelines. The worst part of it all is that Sheva was right up for wednesday's game, I've seen a lot of interviews with him recently and in everyone you could see the anticipation towards the game. Thanks to yet another chunk of bad luck he will miss the games :(

[Ian]

Some of the members at DM ... and i say this with sorrow ... are a bunch of wankers that dont even deserve to support milan ... always complaining and complaining ... it's never okay for some of you, is it? ... I refuse to go down to that kind of level while i keep on supporting our players that give it all, week after week ... and giving us the right results ... if you dont see the little light of my point, then probably you have chosen the wrong team to support!

cheers :beer:

I agree with you to a point Elchi, but even you must admit we have a few players surpluss to requirements.
I must admit I don't get to watch anywhere near the amount of games you watch, but of all the games I've seen recently we've really struggled and have been very lucky indeed. I know we're top of the league but I still think we're only playing at around 75% of our full potential, and we're over reliant on one player.
Perhaps I too am being too critical, but I feel that some players just aren't fit to wear our shirt and some aren't pulling their weight. If I complain it's because I care so much and want us to win everything, and I'm sure that's why everyone else moans/complains.

[Bayman]

Some of the members at DM ... and i say this with sorrow ... are a bunch of wankers that dont even deserve to support milan ... always complaining and complaining ... it's never okay for some of you, is it? ... I refuse to go down to that kind of level while i keep on supporting our players that give it all, week after week ... and giving us the right results ... if you dont see the little light of my point, then probably you have chosen the wrong team to support!

cheers :beer:

If you are happy with what you've seen in the past weeks...fine.
I for one want the best players to start and every player given a chance to prove himself.
Even Rivaldo didn't get a single minute in his last months. Same as Rui Costa or Redondo. And then people wonder why these guys seemingly only give 50%... When you don't see any perspective anymore everyone starts dropping in desire to perform/desire to do well.
Plz no dressing room hierarchy again like in 2002 when finally Berlusconi had to intervene and Albertini, Rossi [I didn't cry a single tear when they left, no matter what they have done before] had to leave.

[Walker]

Some of the members at DM ... and i say this with sorrow ... are a bunch of wankers that dont even deserve to support milan ... always complaining and complaining ... it's never okay for some of you, is it? ... I refuse to go down to that kind of level while i keep on supporting our players that give it all, week after week ... and giving us the right results ... if you dont see the little light of my point, then probably you have chosen the wrong team to support!

cheers :beer:


I think that You are being unjust my friend. I do not know how about You but I have been supporting Milan since 1988(I was 9 at the time)and have been with them ever since. In good and bad times. When they were toping the table and when they finished 10th and vanished from European stage for 3 years. I love AC Milan!But I love the team, the idea, the passion, the history, the hertiage. In today football You very rarely see players who are devoted to a club(this is why Baresi and Maldini are reckoned the BEST!!!!!!). Money is what counts(vide Real or Chelsea). Furthermore players earn huge amounts of money for doing nothing but running on the pitch after a ball twice a week. And without us supporters they are nothing!!!!So I do think as a supporter I am entitled to pass some critics on them when they complain or do not play at the most of thier abilities. Try to come late to work few times, or slack at work and we will see how long Your boss will tolerate this!!!So please stop with Your preaching my friend. Just becouse I vent my disscontent about a certain display of our playes does not mean I am not a devoted AC Milan FAN!!!!!!And I do think most of people on this forum will agree with me on this statement!!!!!!!

Forza Milan!!!!

[swissmilan]

If you are happy with what you've seen in the past weeks...fine.
I for one want the best players to start and every player given a chance to prove himself.
Even Rivaldo didn't get a single minute in his last months. Same as Rui Costa or Redondo. And then people wonder why these guys seemingly only give 50%... When you don't see any perspective anymore everyone starts dropping in desire to perform/desire to do well.
Plz no dressing room hierarchy again like in 2002 when finally Berlusconi had to intervene and Albertini, Rossi [I didn't cry a single tear when they left, no matter what they have done before] had to leave.

I couldn't agree more, Bayman!

[Bayman]

Very good points Walker.
Apart from Maldini and Sheva, who could have both left to (at this time) better teams and earned more money and still stayed at Milan none of the current players have proven anything called "loyality". Though I'm pretty sure Gattuso and Billy would also act like the two mentioned.


This is like the Inter fans in xtratime after Adriano-Real rumours calling Vieri "so loyal to the club".
If you rake a massive 15m€ king's ransom every year even I'd find it hard rejecting being loyal to them.

[Rubbinio]

Some of the members at DM ... and i say this with sorrow ... are a bunch of wankers that dont even deserve to support milan ... always complaining and complaining ... it's never okay for some of you, is it? ... I refuse to go down to that kind of level while i keep on supporting our players that give it all, week after week ... and giving us the right results ... if you dont see the little light of my point, then probably you have chosen the wrong team to support!

cheers :beer:

I could not agree more with you. Last week people were complaining we suck if Pirlo does not play, now they complain that why is he playing cause he is no good. Well i prefer to see Milan play like this and win 1-0 than be play supper attacking fun football and lose 1-0. Results count more than anything and championships and cups are won by 1-0 results not by supper attacking football. Remember the days of terim when we were playing all out attack and loosing. do you want that again. ?

As for ManU, i am sorry but what they play is not top form. the pitch at Everton was horrible and apart from Ronaldo all the other players we just trying to control the ball. Their keeper is one of the worst, their defence not the most stellar one. The second goal is all about the mistake from Martin and not any piece of skill. Dida would nevere leave in a goal like that and Crespo and Kaka will create millions of problems to nevill and the likes. And to be honest a 1-1 there will be a greate result for us as I can not see ManU winning or even drawing on San Siro.

[Milko]

Bayman, many times I don't agree with you, but this time I believe you are the one, who is right. I believe, hope and want that Milan will win at Old Trafford, but this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that thing aren't the way they should be.

[Elchillum]

I dont like talking bout the past becuz a discussion this way can go on for ages, and the fact i give a reply in here, means that i am still willing to waste my energy for the people in here who understand the word 'Tifo' ... Freedom of speach, no problem, i hear you ... everybody can give critics and say whatever they want ... fine by me ... my problem is that many are whining ...ow ow only 1-0 .. we suck, pirlo sucks, carlo sucks ... pointless discussions ... after winning the champions, than the title ... and now being first in serie A and a nice week coming up (man U and then the derby) ... you should be proud and looking forward to these games in stead of always bringing the same facts over and over again ... For the rest ... i think it's better for my heart not to visit this game section anymore ... it's no more innovative ... it's a repeating thing ... sorry for my sincere feelings but it needed to say it!

cheers :beer:

[Ian]

I dont like talking bout the past becuz a discussion this way can go on for ages, and the fact i give a reply in here, means that i am still willing to waste my energy for the people in here who understand the word 'Tifo' ... Freedom of speach, no problem, i hear you ... everybody can give critics and say whatever they want ... fine by me ... my problem is that many are whining ...ow ow only 1-0 .. we suck, pirlo sucks, carlo sucks ... pointless discussions ... after winning the champions, than the title ... and now being first in serie A and a nice week coming up (man U and then the derby) ... you should be proud and looking forward to these games in stead of always bringing the same facts over and over again ... For the rest ... i think it's better for my heart not to visit this game section anymore ... it's no more innovative ... it's a repeating thing ... sorry for my sincere feelings but it needed to say it!

cheers :beer:


I too am proud after our recent achievements, and would have relished the week coming up but for the injury to Sheva.

Football is all about opinion, we probably wouldn't be here if we didn't express our opinions. I understand what you're saying, but that is someone's opinion-they might be right or wrong, but it's their opinion. You have your opinion and I respect that and I hope you understand my opinion and respect it. We all want the best for Milan and we all have different views on how to achieve this, unfortunately some peoples opinions are going to upset others but you just have to accept that it's only someones opinion.
Don't stop posting on match threads because of what some people say-voice your opinion, after all you get to watch Milan more than any of us. Most of us only get to watch Milan on tv and games on tv don't always show the whole picture(if you know what I mean).

[Elchillum]

well shevvy ... nice reply ... i just got carried away with some pple using their critics ... the way it's said sometimes by some members upsets me ...

In italy milan have been always a hot theme in the press, mostly negative ... milan in italy is a team that's been loved and hated everywhere ... therefore fans stick together ... the real fans are those that go to san siro for about 20 years, fans that were always there in good and bad times, in serie B, etc ... and also follow their team no matter how far they need to go ... they offer all their free time in it, all their money, cuz travelling costs ... many have night jobs just to earn more money so they can be with the squad every single game ... just imagine they have curva meetings on weekdays to discuss what banners they will use ... THOSE are the fans that make milan becuz they have a certain power on the club ... it's a matter of respect from the board towards the fans, and also the other way around, otherwise there is no marriage ... if you think about that, and the players the board brought in, and recent results ... the real fans, in stead of whining, support their team becuz it's just a respect thing ... Noone will put all his money and offer all his free time to boo the players ... but for some members in here, they put on the tv, watch the game, and then come in here to say we suck, some of our players suck, our coach sucks ... pretty easy to say ... but those people dont understand the power of supporting, and in this world where money rules all the way in football, the support and passion are things where you cant put a price on!

I regret fans when they are in a stadium, they sit all the game ... im just a person that stands all the game ... maybe you dont understand it ;) but it feels those two things are related to eachother, from my sense of feelings of course :D

cheers :beer:

[Bayman]

Agree on all this.
But two home matches ago there were clear whistles against Pirlo when constantly delivered long balls to nowhere. Was even talk about this on Controcampo and in Gazzetta afterwards.

[VUGAR]

congratulations with a win guys, but the cost of this win is really big for us. Poor Sheva....one more injury and that is ahead of a derby and CL play-offs!!!!! He is a game decider and we do really need him for these games, but he will be definitely out :(.....

[Elchillum]

Agree on all this.
But two home matches ago there were clear whistles against Pirlo when constantly delivered long balls to nowhere. Was even talk about this on Controcampo and in Gazzetta afterwards.

they also made a big deal of that when crespo was wristled ... i was at san siro ... noone from curva wristled, i even remember chanting for hernan ... --> if im not wrong it was milan-roma ... you see, media always makes a bid deal of stupid things like that ... milan is more hated than you think, i found out myself ... if 200 pple are booing, it means that 60000+- are normal ... i also got mad in a bar at rapallo, a milan club, also calling bad things to some of our players ... i just felt ashamed in their place ...

cheers :beer:

[Grymmannen]

Milan 1-0 Cagliari

1-0: Serginho (http://www.abu-jassim.com/italy/week25/milan.zip)

[Leffe]

Sergio gooooooooaaaaaaaaal I was live on the phone with Elchi when he scored, we both went insane :D

[Ian]

well shevvy ... nice reply ... i just got carried away with some pple using their critics ... the way it's said sometimes by some members upsets me ...

In italy milan have been always a hot theme in the press, mostly negative ... milan in italy is a team that's been loved and hated everywhere ... therefore fans stick together ... the real fans are those that go to san siro for about 20 years, fans that were always there in good and bad times, in serie B, etc ... and also follow their team no matter how far they need to go ... they offer all their free time in it, all their money, cuz travelling costs ... many have night jobs just to earn more money so they can be with the squad every single game ... just imagine they have curva meetings on weekdays to discuss what banners they will use ... THOSE are the fans that make milan becuz they have a certain power on the club ... it's a matter of respect from the board towards the fans, and also the other way around, otherwise there is no marriage ... if you think about that, and the players the board brought in, and recent results ... the real fans, in stead of whining, support their team becuz it's just a respect thing ... Noone will put all his money and offer all his free time to boo the players ... but for some members in here, they put on the tv, watch the game, and then come in here to say we suck, some of our players suck, our coach sucks ... pretty easy to say ... but those people dont understand the power of supporting, and in this world where money rules all the way in football, the support and passion are things where you cant put a price on!

I regret fans when they are in a stadium, they sit all the game ... im just a person that stands all the game ... maybe you dont understand it ;) but it feels those two things are related to eachother, from my sense of feelings of course :D

cheers :beer:

I appreciate what you're saying, and I respect your views.

I think sometimes when Milan hasn't played well some of us tend to pick the easy targets. I'm as guilty as anyone, but I suppose it's easy to sit in my comfy armchair and criticise a player, manager or even a tactic we're using. I do think that constructive criticism is ok though.

I must admit I'm very much like you when watching football at stadiums. When I go and watch my local team(Bristol City), I'm nearly always on my feet-even though they have an all seated stadium :D . I also shout, scream and get over excited when watching Milan on the tv-my neighbours have heard me shouting when we've scored :o :D I even smashed the light bulb when Sheva scored the disallowed goal in the CL final :o :eek: , God knows what i'd be like at the San Siro? :p :D

[GattusoKing]

Ah, a fellow light bulb smasher. Mine met an untimely end after Pirlo's goal against Depor *bows* :p

[Ian]

LoL @ GK :D I just got carried away and jumped up off the floor with my fist in the air and..........smash :o :eek: :D . Just to make matters worse, the goal was disallowed and my missus came down and gave me an ear bashing :o :eek: :p :D

[Ian]

Ah, a fellow light bulb smasher. Mine met an untimely end after Pirlo's goal against Depor *bows* :p

Was that because Pirlo finally scored from a freekick? :eek: :o :D

Sorry, I couldn't resist it :D