View Full Version : UCL '04-'05: The Quest for Number 7
Preview
Here we go again. Another season, another year and another September has arrived and it brings with it the imminent commencement of the greatest club competition in world football.
What is even more exciting in this season's competition is the star cast present including Europe's greatest clubs all present to have a shot at being Number 1 in Europe.
Personally I feel that this competition will be tougher than it was last season considering the sides present. It doesn't end there as taking a look at the sides we can see their squads and notice that almost all the good players are playing for a known club (No disrespect to the smaller clubs but this is the UCL and it doesn't get bigger or better than this)
Just as an example I would like to put forward the names of Ronaldinho, Rooney, Mexes (court case but still), Alonso, Stam, Cisse, Kezman etc all present in this year's competition and they are all playing for sides who could end up as winners of this competition. Compare it to last season and see where these players were. Just illustrates the task at hand for Europe's top 32 in this year's competition. It NEVER was easy to win this competition but the task has become mammoth! :devil:
I always say that it promises to be a great competition but this season I am looking forward to the challenge that my side has as will fans of other clubs with regards to their respective clubs!
So let's start by previewing the sides one by one and looking at them (my point of view) at what they are capable of. I will try to be objective as always. The previews of the sides will be in this thread. Due to lack of time and my lack of knowledge of certain sides I will not be previewing all the sides.
The thread title does suggest that I will be previewing the sides with respect to us but the previews will also look into what those sides need to do. I mean who doesn't want to win the illustrious UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?! :devil: :)
May the BEST side win this season's competition!
-------
FOR NOW I AM WRITING THE PREVIEWS IN A STANDARD FORMAT. IF I GET THE TIME I WILL ADD ADDITIONAL INFO IN THE TEAM PREVIEWS DISCUSSING THEIR POOLS etc.
Posting it a little late here ... my bad.
Real Madrid CF
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 9
The Spanish Aristocrats are the most successful club in this competition's history! Real started a new era of victories in the UCL when they defeated Italian powerhouse Juventus FC in the 1998 final. They went on to win the trophy again in 2000 and 2002 making a strong claim to resurgence after a drought of 28 years in Europe's top competition. Re-elected president Florentino Perez has assembled a galaxy of stars in the Spanish capital. One would say he lost the plot by being carried away too much in this ONE star per year policy. Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham and now Owen has joined an array of superstars at Real Madrid.
However this season Real Madrid took a step in the right direction by purchasing two defenders in the shape of Walter Adrian Samuel and Jonathan Woodgate from AS Roma and Newcastle United FC. All is not lost even though Real narrowly missed out on Vieira due to some strange actions on their part. Vieira was theirs for the taking but Real's wage offering was not on par with the other Galacticos. Anyways it is all water under the bridge. Real's main worry at this moment would be Samuel (The Real Galactico) getting fit quickly so that he can start contributing to the cause for Real.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Ronaldo
-> Raul
-> Morientes
-> Owen
Real Madrid has the best set of attackers in this season's competition. These four strikers are all brilliant on their day and Real can rightly claim to assembling the best set of strikers with regards to their competition. The scape goat in all this will be Morientes who will see most of the bench due to the other stars having a bigger name. Camacho can benefit from the options at his disposal as all four strikers can be effective in a multitude of scenarios.
Morientes is strong in the air, Raul has vision and cheekyness, Ronaldo is a devastating goalscorer and Owen has pace. It just depends on the coach to give these strikers opportunities at the right time and it could work out fine in this department.
The only concerns would be Raul being out of form and Owen with his groin problems. Other than that this fit quartet is going to be hard to stop for most teams.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star:
-> Zinedine Zidane
-> Luis Figo
-> David Beckham
-> Ivan Helguera
-> Santiago Solari
-> Guti (he can play as a forward as well)
-> Celades
The midfield has players with class and reputation. The starters will be the first four ones mentioned on most occasions. Zidane and Figo's age will be concerns no matter what as the seasons are long and hard nowadays and they are on the wrong side of 30. They are not defenders where 34 is still good to go. They are offensive midfielders and when crunch time approaches in March their stamina and resilience will decide Real's fate. Beckham should get a little more freedom now that his partner in the middle will be Helguera who is quite good.
A positive from Helguera pushing up into midfield will be his knack for scoring goals returns! That will help Real as he is good especially on set pieces (aerial ability)
Beckham cannot afford to have a season like he did in the latter part of the season. He got from bad to worse. It will be interesting to see what Camacho has in mind for Beckham.
There isn't enough depth in the Real midfield once again. It could come back to haunt them with makeshift arrangements in the form of Owen and Guti chipping in while playing out of position.
The starting midfield can be devastating on its day but the big question is can it be devastating for a good part of the season to take Real to the promised land? I think not.
Defence
:star: :star:
-> Salgado
-> Carlos
-> Samuel
-> Woodgate
-> Bravo
-> Pavon
-> Mejia
-> Fernandez
The coach doesn't have much confidence in this area to put in 8 names for his squad. It has been Real's achilles heel for some time but this season two new addition to add strength in the middle whilst the fullbacks take a dive towards fading to black ;)
Samuel on his day will not let the opposition score a goal. His performance in the Bernabeu a couple of seasons ago for Roma was master class. He shut up shop on his own. He ain't called THE WALL for nothing. :cool:
The rest of the Real defence has question marks. Woodgate is injury prone while Pavon, Mejia and Bravo are in a word BRAVO for the opposition :D
Goalkeeper
-> Casillas
The Real number 1 is pretty good so no worries there.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1
---------------------Casillas--------------------------
-
--Salgado----Woodgate----Samuel-----------Carlos--
-
--------------Beckham-----Helguera-----------------
----Figo--------------------------------Zidane------
-
-------------------Raul-----------------------------
------------------------Ronaldo---------------------
There are multiple formations with which Real can play but this would be one of the popular ones I should think. Real will start with that 11 as the preferred starting 11 and then MIGHT change to bring in other starters depending on their performance. Depends on Camacho having the balls to bench the biggest names in football because of poor performance. Queiroz didn't have any. Time will tell whether Camacho has a pair or not.
The team when fresh and fit is match for anyone. But we are talking about a season here and the toughest club competition to win. On top of that Real has matched the other sides (Milan, Ajax, Bayern) of the modern era by winning THREE titles in an era. Only the Great Liverpool side won 4 in an era apart from Di Stefano's Real obviously who won 5 in one go. :cool:
So can Real match Pool and win 4 or will they disappear into the unknown to rise again another day? Personally I think Real has peaked for now and it would be a tough ask for them to win this competition this season. They needed to juice up their midfield (offensive deptt). They bought a striker at a discount price and who was not really needed whereas they could've spent that same money for buying for example Rosicky. Owen is going to start from the bench. Rosicky would've done the same but he would've subbed one of Zidane or Figo to give them the surge in the midfield.
Real doesn't have any backup for Zizou so they lose the central attack in Zidane's absence. It is all flank without Zidane. You can't win the UCL if there is no central attack.
AC Milan
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 6
AC Milan went from the preliminary qualifier to European glory in a matter of 10 months. The team got stronger from that European victory campaign but then crashed out in the most unbelievable manner on a forgettable night for the Rossoneri where RC Deportivo La Coruna proved again for the umpteenth time that they don't have it to go all the way. It is customary for Super Depor to get rid of a favourite and then follow them shortly.
Milan however did win the Scudetto after a gap of five years in record breaking style bringing home a win that was wanted by many. Milan didn't show that league form in the UCL apart from two games (Sparta at home and Depor at home) Now that the Scudetto has been won Milan as always like Real will focus on the Big Kahuna. The current Milan side is well balanced in all areas so much so that it is close to perfection. It may sound good but it is also a dangerous thing as the best team on the field wins not the best team on paper. This competition is unforgiving. It is ruthless. The world's best side could win game after game but then a single goal is enough for elimination from this competition. One mistake and you're out! :skull:
That is why the league form cannot be compared to the UCL form. In the league coming back from 2 goals down to win 4-2 is something brilliant but in the UCL that means the opposition has two PRECIOUS away goals to take back with them which can haunt you big time!
Milan has to be careful. The team is extraordinarily well balanced and strong and there is ample backup for every position not affecting the overall performance but this can only give Milan a favourites tag. Living up to it is another thing entirely.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Shevchenko
-> Tomasson
-> Inzaghi
-> Crespo
Milan was lacking a striker and they got a good deal to get hold of Hernan Crespo on loan. There are rumours that Gilardino might come in January considering the injury situation in this department but Inzaghi resuming training is a positive sign so that rumour might be put in the shelf till next Summer. Milan has good mix of strikers and Shevchenko is once again in hot form carrying it over to this season. In his absence there can be trouble as Inzaghi and Crespo don't have enough mins under their belt. Tomasson is the silent performer who keeps doing his job effectively when called upon.
Big things are expected of Crespo as he has been brought here on special request of Ancelotti. Ancelotti has gained respect of the Milan management as he has won three main trophies in two full seasons in charge. Crespo has a chance to resurrect his sagging career so he will be motivated enough.
Milan's quartet is pretty good. Apart from Inzaghi who is over 30 now the others are all at a good age for a striker so the goals should be there.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Pirlo
-> Kaka
-> Seedorf
-> Gattuso
-> Rui Costa
-> Ambrosini
-> Dhorasoo
-> Brocchi
-> Serginho
It is a world class midfield that has won the UCL and Scudetto in two seasons. There are replacements / back-ups for every position and the starting midfield is composed of players who are yet to hit their peak considering their age. It is an improving group of players who play very well as a UNIT.
The midfield has goalscorers, visionaries, tacklers and good passers. IMO nobody in the midfield stands out as superior. All of them are very good and that is the reason the absence of one from the group doesn't hurt the side that much as the reliance on any one player does not exist.
I hope Ambrosini and Rui Costa get more minutes in this campaign with good rotation to not tire out the players. That would be the only concern.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Maldini
-> Nesta
-> Stam
-> Cafu
-> Costacurta
-> Pancaro
-> Kaladze
-> Simic
-> Colloccini
It is the best defence in this competition at least on paper. Three of the world's best defenders are lined up at Milan. The difference between Real's defenders and Milan's defenders here is that the players are backed up at every position at Milan whereas they are not at Real. Saying that the left side seems to be stacked with one too many players as my gut feeling suggests that in a big game and if the conditions of the players are optimum then Maldini will play at left back. IF that happens then Kaladze and Pancaro are going to be on the bench. However I also feel that we will see Kaladze playing left midfield in this campaign from time to time.
Cafu and Pancaro's age becomes a concern as they will have to run up and down the flank like crazy. Left side is covered for that and for the right there is not much back up except that Dhorasoo can play there or Stam can shift there to share the games with Cafu. Cafu is an important player for the squad as he gives depth but his services have to be utilized carefully to gain maximum benefit.
Goalkeeper
-> Dida
No problems here.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
---------------------Dida--------------------------
-
--Cafu-------Nesta-------Stam-----------Maldini--
-
---------------------Pirlo-------------------------
-
------Gattuso---------------------Seedorf--------
-
---------------------Kaka------------------------
-
-----------Tomasson------Shevchenko------------
I would think this would be the line-up that Milan would play in the big game. The big question mark will obviously be whether Maldini sticks to that flank or not. I don't think Maldini will play most games in that position leaving it open for Pancaro / Kaladze depending on the situation but when we can afford to field the ideal line-up the above 11 will walk on to the pitch.
IMO Shev and Tommo work brilliantly together so the season should start with them starting and then slowly Crespo and Inzaghi can make the transition into the 11 and see how it goes from there.
Strong and solid starting 11, backups for every position and class players present on the pitch. Only concern of mine would be rotation in defence. That is not a good idea. Rotation in defence is not good ... it never is. The shape of the defence is changed only when necessary. It isn't like the midfield or attack where it can be changed frequently.
Other than that the team looks set to make a serious challenge for the UCL title. Bring it on! :devil:
Arsenal FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0 (Semis = 0) :)
I don't know much about Arsenal's history except the fact that they have Never reached the semi-final of this competition and have under-achieved in this competition having strong seasons in the EPL. Arsenal have just enjoyed their greatest season ever going undefeated in style and shattering records in the EPL. 'Bout time they improve on the above figure as well to strike a balance between league and Europe. They have set the EPL on fire and started right where they left off scoring goals for fun. The team is even more rounded this time with very talented and bright youngsters joining the experienced campaigners to add much wanted depth at Arsenal. Arsenal missed out one transfer and that is the right back spot. Trabelsi (if his fuss ever stopped) or Sagnol would've been brilliant additions but it didn't happen so Arsenal will have to do with the most amazing own goal scorer ever in the shape of Lauren :D
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Henry
-> Reyes
-> Bergkamp
-> Van Persie
-> Lupoli
Very good offence with diversity. New signing Van Persie and rising star Reyes take pressure off Henry as they contribute a lot to the side. It is a pacy offence utilizing pace combined with vision to rip apart defences. The downside is that this plan falls flat when a defence is sitting back not allowing the counter attack to take place. Wenger should by now do something to fix this hoodoo of Arsenal flopping in the UCL. If Arsenal doesn't reach the semis in this season's competition then it would be .... a case of choking if not already.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Pires
-> Vieira
-> Ljunberg
-> Fabregas
-> Flamini
-> Edu
-> Gilberto
-> Djourou
This midfield did not lose a game all season long. It is yet to lose a game. But in Europe it was a different case showing the difference in the quality of the UCL where a team has to shift gears to really win things. I consider the UCL tougher to win than any league. Arsenal has improved their showing in the competition by getting away wins under their belt. Now they have to fix the problem of advancing further in the competition which is easier said than done. It is a burden to get rid of this hoodoo. Wenger is the ideal coach for them and the team is in the best shape possible. The group is also a good platform to slowly build the momentum. If this ain't the time to break it then I don't know when it will be.
Arsenal are lucky to still have their FAITHFUL captain. He better raise his game to another level in Europe especially because he is the one who is supposed to be controlling the midfield proceedings. A UCL winning side always has a leader in the middle of the park to control the tempo. Vieira hasn't done diddly squat in the UCL. There is a gulf of difference btw Vieira of the EPL and Vieira of the UCL. I am not going to bother on Henry as my views on him are clear. Reyes and Van Persie should help take off the pressure from Henry so that he can choke less.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Campbell
-> Toure
-> Cole
-> Lauren :D
-> Senderos
-> Clichy
-> Cygan
The Campbell-Toure duo is wicked. Both of them have vision, pace and anticipation and are the reason for Arsenal's improved defence! Cole does a fine job on the left but there are better players than him. He is still one of the best fullbacks out there.
The Arsenal defence is one of the best ones in this competition and it will be hard to crack open. Arsenal as a TEAM looks very strong indeed as well. Good backups who are young and talented. The backups do lack in experience and that can be a cause for concern in an emergency.
Goalkeeper
-> Lehmann
Slight concern over him. He does make a mistake here and there and the UCL doesn't allow you to do that often. He has to be careful.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
---------------------Lehmann--------------------------
-
--Lauren-------Toure-------Campbell-----------Cole--
-
-
--Ljunberg-----Gilberto------Vieira---------Pires------
-
-
----------------Reyes------Henry--------------------
The team is strong just like it was last season. The re-inforcements bring that extra kick with them and provide options for Wenger to play with. That was something missing. Personally I have serious question marks over both Vieira and Henry delivering in crunch time. Let's see what happens with that. I don't think it would hurt Arsenal this time as much because they have able backups to fill in those roles.
Arsenal do tend to slaughter sides but If I was the opposing coach I would field a 4 man flat backline and a 5 man midfield. Tell the defence to not push for the offside trap and then see how Arsenal react. I am not saying that Arsenal will be neutralized. I am saying they will be vapourized ;) Joking aside I think Arsenal's effectiveness can be REDUCED with that ploy.
I don't feel comfortable to bet on Arsenal (because they under-perform -- they have the team and skill but miss the mentality) making the top 4 but who knows ... maybe they will finally take that step forward this season and prove their critics wrong this time (new players hold the key IMO).
Chelsea FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
The new kids on the block are spending cash like there is no tomorrow. Wholesale changes from one Summer to the Next until something is won. Chelsea are surely the worst negotiators in the market as they don't have the concept of bargaining. Then again winning is important to them and the price at which the victory comes is insignificant. New coach arrived in the Summer -> A winner. New players arrived and a new philosophy is introduced at the Bridge now which is to win first and then worry about the other factors. It works in Europe as well. Chelsea are Arsenal's direct rivals this season for the EPL title as well as Europe in a way.
Chelsea did eliminate Arsenal last season but they went out in the very next round themselves while Arsenal rejoiced in their historic record breaking season. This season both London clubs are on a roll and winning their games. The London Derby will be special.
Abramovich wants to spend his hard earned WHITE MONEY ( :D ) but he also wants to be the next Berlusconi in footballing terms with success and also copy Perez' marketing policy to make Chelsea one of the most renowned names around. Chelsea does not have the pulling power YET to attract ambitious world class players (already big names) and that is a bit of a problem for them. They can get a world class player like Carvalho as he is just beginning an adventure but it is hard for them to get Samuel because Chelsea lacks the history and pedigree. Abramovich is trying to change that.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Gudjohnsen
-> Drogba
-> Kezman
-> Mutu
All players are young and good. Apart from Eidur it will be interesting to see how the others perform in Europe. Eidur has been there and done well. Kezman, Drogba are in a new side with a stronger midfield supporting them now. Mutu is more or less fourth choice unless he does great things when given the chance. Drogba can be dangerous as he is talented but I would still like to see him to do what he did in the UEFA Cup in this competition. That was one season. It is better to see out a player for a couple of seasons first.
Kezman has pace and is a prolific goalscorer. He has his chance now to do special things. It is a good offence and Mourinho should stick with a definitive starting partnership rather than shuffling the strikers every other game. Too much rotation is not good.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Lampard
-> Duff
-> Robben
-> Makelele
-> Smertin
-> Parker
-> Tiago
-> Geremi
-> Cole
It is a very good set of midfield players for Mourinho's system. It has options and diversity. However looking at the list there is no one who is a leader in the midfield. Real has Zidane, Milan has Pirlo, Barcelona has Ronaldinhos, Arsenal has Vieira, Juve has Nedved, Bayern has Ballack, Liverpool has Gerrard, Roma has Totti etc. Lampard is good .. make no mistake but he is not a leader in midfield. I have said this before and will repeat that a leader in midfield is required to get your hands on the UCL. Chelsea's midfield SET of players is good as a group but there is not a leader there. That is their weak point at this moment.
Hence the reliance will be on the midfield group as a whole to perform so that they can cover up the missing link that is the midfield maestro how controls the game for them.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Terry
-> Carvalho
-> Gallas
-> Bridge
-> Johnsen
-> Ferreira
-> Babayaro
-> Morais
It is one of the best defences in this tournament. Players for specific positions and good ones at that! The fullbacks are good and the defenders are pacy so won't get caught out. Good in the air and physically strong enough as well. Chelsea was tough to break down but with Mourinho they will have more discipline. They will keep things tight at the back with the midfield also helping them out to shut out shop. Their new scorelines reflect that already.
I wonder if Mourinho would experiment with a 3 man backline with Gallas-Carvalho-Terry. He has plenty of options looking at the squad.
Goalkeeper
-> Cech / Cudicini
Well covered.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
This line-up is not certain as Mourinho will play the players on merit. I have just picked the starting 11 randomly.
-----------------------Cech--------------------------
-
--Ferreira-----Carvalho------Terry---------Bridge-----
-
---------------------Makelele------------------------
-
---------Robben-------------------Duff--------------
-
----------------------Lampard-----------------------
-
--------------Gudjohnsen------Drogba----------------
Multiple options so this cannot be a definitive line-up. I put Robben there so that he can cut in and take a shot as he is good at it. Smertin can play in place of Duff to provide the solidity that Mourinho will require from his team so that it doesn't over indulge in attacking outright. It depends on the situation and game so it will change from time to time. It is a good side and a young side that can improve. There is no leader in midfield in this squad and that should be Chelsea's next signing.
Mourinho has been extremely successful in his short stint as coach. His track record shows that his sides don't lose many games. So he will be a handful for his opponents. One goal let alone one defeat is enough to exit the UCL. Mourinho better make sure that the game his side loses comes at the worst possible time. Chelsea should have a good run in the competition.
Haroon, you are the pride of MilanMania! Great job!
Thats a really excellent piece of work there.:clap:
BRILLIANT Haroon!!!....as usual. Excellent analysis
looking forward to your matches previews :cool:
Stezagud
12-09-2004, 07:00
Excellent reviews mate :respect:
I dont disagree with much at all in there, except that maybe Real's defence is potentially 4 star? Samuel and Woodgate are both proper stoppers ;) If they can keep them fit long enough for them to form a partnership then they could have a very solid defence in time for the knock out stages.
If I was the opposing coach I would field a 4 man flat backline and a 5 man midfield. Tell the defence to not push for the offside trap and then see how Arsenal react. I am not saying that Arsenal will be neutralized. I am saying they will be vapourized Joking aside I think Arsenal's effectiveness can be REDUCED with that ploy.
Exactly. The Eastern European sides that Arsenal have played used this (or 5 - 4 - 1) and manage to neutralise Arsenal well. Arsenal go all out for an early goal and when they get it they can afford to sit back and punish the opposition on the break, the best way to stop them is to not attack them from the start :rolleyes: but to frustrate them :D
...
Exactly. The Eastern European sides that Arsenal have played used this (or 5 - 4 - 1) and manage to neutralise Arsenal well. Arsenal go all out for an early goal and when they get it they can afford to sit back and punish the opposition on the break, the best way to stop them is to not attack them from the start :rolleyes: but to frustrate them :D
Arsenal were always tended to seize ball possession, with such good players in midfield, they were able to do so.
I was interested on Arsenal - Blackburn game, particularly the 1st half. Arsenal were quite frustated because Blackburn tried to play "patient football". But they ain't a strong team to do that and eventually lost.
IMO the best way to fight Arsenal is playing a possession football and controlling the tempo as much as possible. It needs excellent and skillful players in midfield.
Apparently, Milan is the best to do that. ;) We got Pirlo, Rui Costa, Kaka', Gattusso, Seedorf, Ambrosini and Serginho. to do that such thing isn't a big deal for us. :)
The only matter I fear most is about their striker's speed. We all know how quick are Henry, Reyes and Ljungberg. Our full-backs should NOT let 'em out of their sight, even for once.
Can't wait for the game...
FORZA MILAN!!!
Exactly. The Eastern European sides that Arsenal have played used this (or 5 - 4 - 1) and manage to neutralise Arsenal well. Arsenal go all out for an early goal and when they get it they can afford to sit back and punish the opposition on the break, the best way to stop them is to not attack them from the start :rolleyes: but to frustrate them :D
And if Milan plays like this and win; The news headlines for the next day would be:
Italian teams are defensive; again..
Mighty Arsenal was unlucky not to win although having possession
Milan: Anti-football
etc :frustrat: :scream: :fart:
ACMILAN1983
12-09-2004, 11:57
Amazing posts Haroon!!
Pretty much agree with what most have said.
Real are gonna be reasonably tough to beat. Had certain players (Zidane and Figo) been in their prime, then Real would have been fearsome, but teams won't fear them as much with the players getting older. The attackers are definately threatening, with Ronaldo looking like he's getting back to his best and Raul being a major threat in CL, on top of Morientes and Owen who can cause huge problems. Defensively they have gotten much more solid with Samuel who needs no introduction and Woodgate, who many consider as potentially England's best defender were it not for injuries. Also, this mean Helguera can push forward into midfield which should help the balance in the side a lot more. Playing a high pressure game, particularly in the midfield will cause them problems as they are not used to not having time and space. Defensively, playing tight and being well organised is likely to stop them and when attacking them, it is a good idea to really use wide areas well and try to stretch the team.
Arsenal look incredible in the Premiership and are definately a major threat. As pointed out rightly, they are major underachievers in the competition and so are hungrier than ever to do well. Henry can be a player who can make a huge difference in a match, but as many have said, he does have a tendancy to fail in times of need. Reyes is the new boy in town and looks like he's worth every penny they spent on him. Scoring goals for fun in the Premiership and with good teamwork, he is a massive threat to opposition. However, he is relatively unproven at this level so its difficult to say how big a problem he is. The defence looks strong, but there are some weaknesses in wide areas as Cole and Lauren like to push up a lot. Personally, I agree with others in that dominating the midfield and disrupting their game is key to stopping them in the fast, flowing and passing game, which will help isolate the forwards as well. Keeping posession is a great importance as it frustrates the team and using wide areas effectively will cause damage as the wingbacks push forward a lot and the central pairing will be stretched.
As for us, were looking extremely well balanced this year. There are some fears of teams looking to utilise us on the counter attack which can be very effective and on set plays. However, we are looking incredible and the fact were not favourites is beneficial as it means we have less pressure.
If I owned a football team, I would hire Haroon as a highly paid analyst. Congratulations on a professional preview. My hat off to you, young man.
I agree with most of the statements. My personal feeling is that Barcelona with Edu, Giuly, Larrson and Eto'o (newcomers) plus Ronaldinho and Co. are going to be a great competitor this year. At least on paper, they are a match to us, Real Madrid, Artsenal, Manchester United, etc.
Last year was the year of the "smaller teams". No one would bet in September 2003 that we would have a Monaco/Porto final. We may have a few surprises along the line this year as well: there is only one "group stage" , the rest being "elimination" stages. While group stages will benefit the stronger teams (6 chances to make it to the next step), elimination is always tricky: one stubborn team playing total defense, an accidental goal, a key injury, or a bad day, and you are out (remember the disaster at Deportivo).
Milan has clearly the best defense anyone could dream of (6 stars if applicable). The rest will depend on Sheva repeating his last year's form and the Coach going for an open/offensive game. When you have Nesta, Maldini and Stam guarding the gate, you do not have to play "catenaccio" with 8 defenders if you are leading 1-0. Beyond that, I feel Rui Costa can and will contribute more this year. It would be fantastic if Kaka can repeat his brilliant first season, but I am afraid he will be very tightly marked and targeted by the defenders in Italy and Europe.
See what happens.
Again, Haroon, you have my nomination as Milan's analyst and tactical director. :clap:
Stezagud
12-09-2004, 15:56
IMO the best way to fight Arsenal is playing a possession football and controlling the tempo as much as possible. It needs excellent and skillful players in midfield. Apparently, Milan is the best to do that.
The only matter I fear most is about their striker's speed. We all know how quick are Henry, Reyes and Ljungberg. Our full-backs should NOT let 'em out of their sight, even for once.
Its true, on paper Milan are well set up to beat Arsenal as the mix of midfielders at Milan is second to none. The only potential weakness for Milan would be Cafu pushing up to much as he would be facing Arsenals left wing, the strongest part of their team. Henry, Reyes, Pires and Cole all work extremely well together here so denying them space is crucial. I might be tempted to play Stam at Right Back if i were in charge :undecide:
And if Milan plays like this and win; The news headlines for the next day would be:
Italian teams are defensive; again..
Mighty Arsenal was unlucky not to win although having possession
Milan: Anti-football
oh yes, Milan would have to be anti-football to beat "The Invincibles" :rolleyes: ;)
FC Barcelona
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 1
FC Barcelona is back where it truly belongs -- Europe's biggest stage and they are hell bent on making one big splash. The most explosive offence in Europe is making its way into the UCL and one of the greatest football venues in the world (Camp Nou) promises to be the home of fireworks once again! Laporta's new look Barcelona with a purpose is aiming to win a trophy after half a decade of watching their eternal rivals Real Madrid CF dominate Europe and Spain.
The restructuring is done and the team is there ... now comes the hope for the deliverance, the killer punch and the final blow. FC Barcelona had a shaky first part of the season and then went on a whirlwind 15 game win streak that made them come close to making a serious challenge for the league. There are additions to the squad and this revitalized squad will be hot to handle.
Barcelona's worry will be their defence that can be vulnerable but then again when a side has an offence that can rip apart defences the opposition will have to be special to deal with that and attack on their part as well. Not many sides can do that.
Barcelona is one of the great European sides that has not done justice to its reputation and history failing to win continent's most prestigious trophy on more than one occasion and yet they should have more UCL titles under their belt. The only side in Europe to play in European competition every single season has to step up and the Barcelona fans should be optimistic because this side has the ingredients for success and it is only on the verge of starting a cycle.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Eto'o
-> Larsson
Barcelona is a thin in this department as they have two strikers only. Although their strategy is dependent on having a single striker but it is a long season so having two players for that position is a little tricky. Other players in the squad can chip in that position but a third player would've been a better. Larsson brings with him not only experience but a goal scoring prowess and Eto'o has shown his class in previous seasons. He looked a bit too excited vs. Sevilla yesterday overdoing it. He needs to be a little more calm and his time will come. For now he has to keep things simple and get into a rhythm first.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Ronaldinho
-> Deco
-> Giuly
-> Iniesta
-> Xavi
-> Edmilson
-> Gerard
-> Motta (sidelined due to injury for approx six months - twisted knee)
I have no doubt that Barcelona's offence is the most explosive one in this competition. There are one too many match winners present there. :) Deco was leading his Porto side to the winner's podium while Giuly led his Monaco side to the final and Ronaldinho is welll ... wait and see how he lights up the UCL. Iniesta could well be starting games coz he has spark to his game. Xavi is the main man in the midfield who is stringing up the moves and the central guy in the equation. It would be interesting to see how well Edmilson is with him. If he can striker a good partnership with him doing most of the donkey work effectively then Barcelona is a ball of fire. Motta's injury is a bad one for Barcelona as they lose out on a player long term.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Puyol
-> Marquez
-> Belletti
-> Sylvinho
-> Oleguer
-> Van Bronckhorst
-> Gabri
-> Navarro
Good defenders there. What they are missing is a world class act in the middle to partner Puyol. If Barcelona can get hold of a World Class defender then the team will be on another level. I think missing out on Cannavaro was a golden opportunity. Just imagine Cannavaro partnering Puyol in the middle and Barcelona is on another level totally. I am sure Barcelona could have offered somebody of Carini's credentials to Inter knowing that they wanted a third choice goalkeeper for the Italian captain and a world class defender.
However there are good backups and it depends on how well Puyol marshalls his defence. He is a natural leader so he has to lead from the front playing at the back. ;)
Goalkeeper
-> Valdes
He was amazing vs. Real in the Bernabeu. The saves he made that night were fantastic. The kid's got skillz.
Starting Line-Up
4-2-3-1
-----------------------Valdes--------------------------
-
--Belletti-------Puyol----------Marquez-------Sylvinho--
-
----------------Edmilson------Xavi----------------------
-
----------Giuly----------Deco---------Ronaldinho--------
-
------------------------Eto'o---------------------------
Barcelona has options in defence where Oleguer can play in the middle and GVB can play as LB. Edmilson I would think will start as he would provide the balance by winning balls and then passing it on to Xavi or the rest to do their stuff. The offensive trio is well balanced and extremely dangerous. Deco would be the least flashy of the trio but then again he will help the defence the most as well so he has his plus points. Ronaldinho is explosive and vying to take Barcelona to the promised land ... a land where they have been to through a Ronald Koeman screamer in Wembley 12 years ago. It is a great feeling. He still has to do it in the UCL. His name and skills are not enough. He has to do it on the pitch and make his plays do the stuff that will guarantee deliverance. It is tougher than it seems to be. Rivaldo and Figo combined could not do it for Barcelona in Europe. There is huge expectation on this wonder kid's shoulders. He has to boldly go where no man (in the last decade for Barcelona) has gone before (and take his teammates with him)!
Barcelona is in a tight group and they have failed on their promise many times before so the side needs to know EXACTLY how difficult it is to get out of a rut and Barcelona is in ONE when it comes to the UCL. The side has played in many semis and quarters but WINNING is one thing and playing semis is another.
Juventus FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
The Old Lady of Turin returns to Europe's competition with one of Europe's greatest coaches at the helm which is not a comfortable thought for opposition. Stubborn he may be, arrogant he may be but the Don is one hell of a coach who has a winning track record. He has gone on record as saying that the UCL is Juve's top priority this season. The Juve management made a coup by getting Capello from bitter rivals Roma but then made a mess of it by letting go of Maresca and Miccoli. If they had kept hold of those two then the Juve side would be a up a notch or two for sure but their absence will hurt their cause because both players are good at what they do.
Juve is Benfica Part 2 with a long list of failures in the final of the UCL. They have a good record in Europe of reaching the finals otherwise but the conversion rate of finals to wins is piss poor. They will win the next final they get to but only time will tell which year will that be. It might not be this season as Capello's first aim will be to get Juve into the knock-out keeping in mind that he failed to do with it Roma and it has been a while since he tasted the drama of a knock-out tie in Europe's grand competition.
Offence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Trezeguet
-> Ibrahimovic
-> Del Piero
-> Zalayeta
Trezeguet and Zlatan are not likely to create something for themselves and are dependent on the supply considering that they are more of target men. Del Piero is on a constant decline and he can have a brilliant moment. It will be interesting to see if Capello can wave his magic wand and turn DP into something that he WAS. Zalayeta's only famous exploit will be the winner in the Camp Nou a couple of seasons ago. It was important to keep hold of Miccoli and convince him that he was needed even if he wanted to leave.
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Nedved
-> Emerson
-> Tacchinardi
-> Camoranesi
-> Kapo
-> Tudor
-> Olivera
-> Blasi
The midfield doesn't exactly strike fear into the opponents. It is workmanlike with a conventional look. Nedved and Emerson are the guys to control and more so Nedved. It also lacks creative spark and there is a lack of pace in the midfield. Selling Maresca is beyond me. And Capello prides in building strong midfields for his teams. It is hard to believe that he is satisfied with the squad he has.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Thuram
-> Cannavaro
-> Ferrara
-> Zambrotta
-> Birindelli
-> Zebina
-> Legrottaglie
-> Juliano :D
-> Pessotto
The defence is the healthiest in the team. It has world class names present and Capello's sides don't have a habit of leaking too many goals so with the players available in this area his side will be hard to break down if he plays the right players and leaves out clowns like Juliano.
Goalkeeper
-> Buffon
World's Best Goalkeeper.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
Capello should play this line-up as I believe this is the most productive line-up for Juve considering their dire lack of personnel.
-----------------------Buffon--------------------------
-
--Birindelli------Thuram------Cannavaro-----Zambrotta--
-
--Olivera-------Emerson------Tacchinardi----Nedved----
-
-------------------------------Del Piero----------------
----------------Trezeguet------------------------------
This side can be a handful for the opposition but over a season especially in Europe where the match winners a required to lift the team to another level ... will the team suffice?
The positive would be that Capello knows what he is doing and he has seen the team in trainings so he should know what he has to offer with his Juve side. Juve has a reputation of a club that makes good value for money transfers. In years I think this Summer's transfers were far from good for them but the Cannavaro transfer was Juve like!!! :cool: Inter proved once again that they can take it to another level without moving a muscle! :D
Been 10 years since Capello lifted his solitary UCL title. Football has changed and evolved during this time and he has failed to win the European cup with other sides. Been a while since he took reigns of a European powerhouse and the last time he coached an Italian giant he conquered all. Can history repeat itself? It may but this squad does not seem to have it to WIN the European Cup but a serious challenge cannot be discounted. If they get to the final they will win it.
Manchester United FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
The mirror image of Juventus FC in England is Manchester United FC. The major difference is that while Juventus FC understands the concept of a final reaching quite a few Manchester United FC is still under the impression that the first knock-out in the competition is the last game and ever so eloquently bow out of it time and again. Ferguson's team has to have the best record of reaching the RD 16 / QF in this competition and yet has the worst record of making the semi-finals! The conversion rate is ridiculously poor as is Juve's conversion rate in the finals.
Ferguson is busy building another Manchester United dynasty to match his extremely dominant side (EPL only) of the 90's that was a force to reckon with. His good friend Marcello Lippi resigned from his post for fresh ideas to take over while Ferguson has stuck to his guns. Another season like last one and he should take the gentleman's route and resign or else his butt will take the colour of his face when he gets the boot!
Manchester United used to have a class midfield and a good defence when they were on top. But an era has come to an end and a generation has passed on while the old guard is still in the thick of things at Old Trafford. Tough times ahead for the Northern club as the capital has two very strong squads who will have the spotlight for the next few years.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Van Nistelrooy
-> Rooney
-> Saha
-> Smith
-> Bellion
It is a good quartet with RVN having a proven track record of scoring against the best defences of Europe frequently. The other three have some work to do although Smith did make the semis with Leeds. Getting Rooney was an OK move and OK because once again Man U went and spent a bucket load of paper gold on a player. A player with his characteristics is ideally suited to play off RVN especially in Europe. He is a long term investment so while eyebrows might be raised right now he can prove every penny spent on him or take the route of Juan Veron. Saha and Smith are backups and always will be backup material. Rooney showed he can be starting material .. consistency is the key here. If he can do what he CAN then he can be lethal with RVN up front!
Midfield
:star: :star: :star:
-> Keane
-> Giggs
-> Scholes
-> Ronaldo
-> Kleberson
-> Misfortune
-> Djemba-Djemba
-> Fletcher
-> Eagles
Man U won the UCL in 1999. Three of the players who were world class at the time have played on for 5 years and are still starting in the squad. Only 1 addition is there (Ronaldo) to that midfield in half a decade. Living off the past? Manchester United has not prepared for replacements because the success in the EPL was blinding them to look long term and sustain that success. Now they are in a hole with the replacements not ready. They will have to claw way their back to make a challenge for the EPL title and deal with not only Arsenal but Chelsea and Liverpool in the long run. When they fall they fall hard. Ferguson has a job on his hands to stabilize a stuttering team that is having problems balancing itself.
Defence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Ferdinand
-> Heinze
-> Neville
-> Neville Part 2
-> Silvestre
-> O'Shea
-> Brown
Right now the team is tied up due to the injury situation in the squad. An easy pool will help the team to glide into the knock-out where it will need to lift itself up A LOT as the team's record in knock-out ties under Ferguson is poor. Ferdinand and Heinze should start in the middle to give some solidity that either one of Silvestre or Brown could provide.
Goalkeeper
-> Howard
Hmmm. Ok whatever.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
-----------------------Howard--------------------------
-
--Neville------Ferdinand---------Heinze--------Silvestre--
-
--Ronaldo------Keane-----------Scholes---------Giggs----
-
-------------------------------Rooney-------------------
----------------Van Nistelrooy----------------------------
In years nobody is concentrating that much on Manchester United which should help them more than it will harm them. They couldn't handle the pressure of being tagged as favourites every season with Real. They are not favourites and are underdogs this time. Something similar was there in '99 and they defied one and all to conquer Europe. That team however was balanced, fresh and hungry. This team is not as strong, not as balanced and considerably weaker compared to the illustrious opposition present in the competition. Manchester United has the easiest group of the big teams but the question is not whether they can win a knock-out tie this time but whether they can make it out of the group unscathed?
AS Roma
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
This Roma is without three main ingredients in the shape of Capello, Emerson and Samuel as it attempts to make another attempt to make the knock-out of this competition with repeated failures in the past seasons. Roma's squad is filled with talent and promise and they have more or less captured the cream of upcoming talents in defence. The side is young and also responsible for most of Italy's star players in offence in the future. Drawn once again with Real Madrid is their destiny but winning their games against Real won't be easy at all. New coach Prandelli had to resign unfortunately as his wife is suffering from cancer but in my personal opinion the man they have got to replace him could just do the trick that Prandelli might not have done!
The German coming in to coach this youthful squad will bring with him discipline, hard work and mental strength with him and this could work wonders for Roma and shock a few opposition along the road.
Offence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Mido
-> Cassano
-> Totti
-> Delvecchio
-> Montella
There is a gulf of difference btw the forwards and the outright strikers. There is imbalance and Mido having attitude problems in addition to Cassano's outbursts will make it a tough job for Voller. The offence is dependent on what Totti and Cassano are up to.
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2
(If I count Totti and Cassano in this midfield then it becomes 4.0 and offence becomes 1.5)
-> Mancini
-> D'Agostino
-> Dacourt
-> Perrotta
-> Sartor
-> Candela
-> Tommasi
The bright spots in midfield are the presence of Mancini and D'Agostino who have lots of potential and positive energy. Dacourt and Perrotta are more or less ball winners lacking the presence of class central mids who dominate games. Hence the onus shifts on Totti to lead that midfield which looks brittle so to speak.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Panucci
-> Chivu
-> Ferrari
-> Mexes
-> Dellas
-> Cufre
Roma is in possession of the three best prospects in the Serie A when it comes to defence. It would be hard to find teams who would reject either one of Chivu, Mexes and Ferrari. This team was built according to Prandelli so Voller has to utilize its potential with what he has. The team is yound and inexperienced but the potential of the defenders is renowned YET not tested in the UCL where it is DIFFERENT. These three have played in European competition but not in tandem so it will be interesting to see them cope with Europe's finest.
Goalkeeper
-> Pelizzoli
Alright.
Starting Line-Up
Voller can play a 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 as his players can do either. Depends on which formation he finds effective.
-----------------------Pelizzoli--------------------------
-
--Panucci------Ferrari----------Mexes---------Chivu----
-
---------------Dacourt---------Perrotta-----------------
-
------Mancini-----------Totti--------------Cassano-----
-
------------------------Mido---------------------------
A 4-4-2 option could be:
1. Cassano playing off Mido
2. D'Agostino playing on the left while Perrotta or Dacourt hits the bench
OR
1. Totti and Cassano as forwards with D'Agostino on the left and Mido out.
The 3-5-2 option could be:
1. Panucci out
2. D'Agostino on the left in a flat 4 with Mancini on the right and the 2 DM in the middle
3. Totti as fantasista
4. Cassano as forward and Mido as target man
Voller has lots of options that will work plus he can mould his squad into the way he likes. A German and a good young coach coming to Roma is a good thing at this time. The group is very tricky and it won't be easy to get out of the group. Roma will need to really play well to get out of the group which is the first objective for them as that will offer a chance to play a knock-out tie.
The experience from this campaign will be priceless so if Roma can manage to get out of the group and qualify the confidence of the players (young) will start to build up and so will the momentum. It will be difficult but not impossible.
Great stuff as usual, Haroon. Thanks!
ACMILAN1983
13-09-2004, 10:58
again, amazing Haroon
How much time does it take to write it all?
FC Porto
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
FC Porto reached European glory last season in a title that was won through a lot of hard work and dedication to the cause! FC Porto had the best AWAY record in last season's competition proving once again that the side which is comfortable playing away from home will inevitably end up having a good shot at the title. Poor away form is also one of the reasons for failures of Man Utd., Juventus FC and Valencia CF in past campaigns. A Final is like playing an away game and if a team gets the away game jitters then it can freeze up on the big occasion hence away games are important in this competition. Playing away games in the league and playing away games in Europe are two very different things.
FC Porto also utilized the fame they gained and sold their star players for huge sums thereby profiting from their performances. They didn't stop there but went on to add valuable team members in a bid to maintain the strength of the side. Tomorrow the competition proper will start and a slight reflection of the NEW Porto will be visible.
No team has won back to back UCL titles although Milan, Ajax and Juve have all come close reaching the final the following season. Milan was the last side to successfully retain the ECC title and Porto's task will not be easy. I feel that the QF is the dreaded round for a defending champion in this competition so Porto must look out. They are European champions and everybody wants a bite at the cherry but only ONE team will stand proudly on the podium in May 2005 lifting Europe's greatest club trophy.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Derlei
-> Fabiano
-> McCarthy
-> Alberto
-> Postiga
A touch of Samba class is apparent with lots of skill and dangerous players present. The players are tough, young, fast, skillful and dangerous. They might not be high profile when compared to Henry, Ronaldo, Shev, RVN etc but they are all good at the job that is required off them. It is a dangerous and deceptively good offence!
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Maniche
-> Diego
-> Costinha
-> Quaresma
-> Hugo Leal
New names have been added but two players from the UCL winning squad are still there. Carlos Alberto's sprightly steps might be played in offensive midfield to spruce up this area which will strengthen the team's midfield more. Diego has been brought in to fill Deco's shoes so this is his big chance to showboat his skills on the biggest stage when it comes to club competition. Porto has won in Europe for two seasons in a row so the burden and pressure to sustain that level of success is huge and Diego is the man to lead the midfield. Pucker time for the whizz kid.
Defence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Costa
-> Seitaridis
-> Valente
-> Pepe
-> R Costa
-> Emanuel
Porto's best defender is gone now. Carvalho was a rock in the defence. He made look Jorge Costa good. Filling his shoes is no easy task and this area will be the achilles heel for the defending champions. Costinha in def. mid will need to step up to cover for the absence of Carvalho. Ferreira's departure is well covered with the exciting Seiratiridis who seems destined to be a high roller in his position. The central defence will be a worry because not only does Porto lack a defender of Carvalho's class but they cannot surely depend on Jorge Costa to have another brilliant season like the last one.
Goalkeeper
-> Baia
He has a job coming up this season.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-3-1-1
------------------------Baia--------------------------
-
--Seitaridis-------Costa------Emanuel-------Valente---
-
----------------------Costinha------------------------
-
----------Alberto-------Diego--------Maniche----------
-
-----------------Derlei--------------------------------
-----------------------------Fabiano------------------
This team looks pretty dangerous on the offence with slippery customers all over the pitch however defensively it has problems as offensive players are very attack minded campaigners susceptible to leaving gaps at the back. Therefore Maniche has to help out Costinha a little more than he is used to to maintain balance.
Mourinho's Porto was built from the back with a hard solid no nonsense approach in an aim to win first and then deal with other things later. He was also a very big factor in Porto having a brilliant time in both the league and Europe winning a lot in a brief period. The coach with the magic wand has gone to West London. Has he taken the magic along with him?
Porto achieved a phenomenal feat by winning two different trophies in two seasons ... a feat previously achieved by the great Liverpool FC side. Even the most optimistic fan will find it hard to bet on Porto defending their title successfully this time even though they still have the potential to be a fly in the ointment.
FC Bayern Munchen
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 4
Bayern begins this season with not only to reclaim the Bundesliga title from Werder Bremen but also to gain back respect of European rivals in this competition. A little over two seasons ago Bayern's Olimpiastadion was considered to be the Unconquered Fortress with a stupendously unbelievable home record with a little less than a handful of losses in 70+ games!! The fortress has been conquered by La Coruna and Milan in back to back visits leaving it in tatters and pushing up Bayern's work for their new state of the art ALLIANZ ARENA which should be one of the stadia hosting one of the best ever World Cups ever! After all the Kaiser is responsible for it and he hasn't failed at any level so it is hard to believe he will fail at this level.
Bayern has not recovered with the hole left by their mercurial captain Stefan Effenberg who used to combine devastatingly well with Mehmet Scholl. Effenberg's presence was masterclass and Bayern has not been able to produce a commanding midfield general like him. Ballack is a different type of player and Hitzfeld's mistake was trying to mould him into an Effenberg while Ballack is more like a Scholl.
New coach, new signings and a new day begins for Bayern but are they ready for this European odyssey?
Offence
:star: :star:
-> Makaay
-> Santa Cruz
-> Pizarro
-> Zickler
-> Hashemian
Makaay is the only glimmer of hope in that offence that is seriously lacking quality players. Any injuries or off form appearances by Makaay and Bayern is staring at the barrel. The other strikers have spent enough time in Munich without producing the desired results. Bayern's onus thus shifts on their offensive midfield players like Ballack and Deisler to come up with the goals or else it is a mountain climb reminiscent of climbing the most dreaded mountain in the world: Karakoram-2 where chances of staying alive are rare.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Ballack
-> Deisler
-> Hargreaves
-> Frings
-> Salihamidzic
-> Ze Roberto
-> Demichelis
-> Scholl
-> Jeremies
The midfield is dangerous but has question marks over it regarding consistency and purpose. Deisler is the most injury prone player in the world. Ballack is a class act but he needs support from teammates to do his stuff offensively. Frings has been hailed as the missing piece in the puzzle and the rest are all well known. Scholl could be a super sub but he can't offer more than that.
Defence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Lucio
-> Kuffour
-> Sagnol
-> Rau
-> Linke
-> Kovac
Bayern has really gone for break making it a busy Summer for them all to result in an early shock with a humiliating 4-0 drubbing by Leverkusen which was uncharacteristic and unbelievable of Bayern. Magath IMO is not as good as organising a defence compared to Hitzfeld and this defence does not ooze class or confidence. Kuffour is far from the defender who was a part of the world's best defence 3 years ago. Sagnol is the best defender in that lot and Kovac has never impressed for an extended period while Linke has been off colour for long.
Goalkeeper
-> Kahn
Determined, strong, classy, arrogant, bull-headed and not at the same level anymore.
Starting Line-Up
4-2-3-1
-----------------------Kahn--------------------------
-
--Sagnol-------Kuffour-------Lucio------------Rau----
-
----------------Frings-------Hargreaves---------------
-
----------Deisler------Ballack---------Ze Roberto-------
-
----------------------Makaay---------------------------
Hargreaves was calling out to English clubs to get him so much so that was ready to join Tottenham as well. It shows that he lacks confidence in retaining a starting spot at Bayern. Demichelis will be hot on his heels to get that spot.
Magath has options in midfield to twist and turn his players especially knowing that Deisler will do well to hit 40 games this season if his injuries and depression is over. Ballack and Deisler are both prolific goal scoring midfielders so it is imperative for Bayern's cause that they play the most games. The defence looks a pale shadow of what it used to be.
The tie with Juventus will be more a competition of how Bayern's offence copes with Juve's defence and it promises to be not only an exciting tie but a very close one.
Bayern is delicate at the back and in this competition it is very important to have a great defence unless you are Real Madrid who have proved otherwise. ;) Then again Real was an offensive juggernaut ala Brasil with the world's best attackers donning the famous white.
Liverpool FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 4
One of Europe's fallen giants that was about to diminish into obscurity is making strides to get back into recognition and contention this season. A club with a rich history and tradition is walking back into Europe's greatest competition and it is walking alone without its ridiculously disastrous coach Gerard Houllier! That should increase Liverpool's bid by a good 25% if nothing else!
Wholesale changes have taken place at Anfield with a young and successful coach taking the helm. Very outspoken and to the point and also not shying away from giving a reality check to the players makes this an interesting start to an era for Liverpool FC. A league title beckons for long as the period is over a decade now and the club is hungry to get back lost glory. The squad is not complete but on its way there. The club's fans should expect at least a strong showing with positive signs towards a WIN in the future.
Offence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Cisse
-> Baros
-> Pongolle
-> Mellor
Hats off to Baros who after a brilliant Euro campaign announced his firm plans to stick with his club and fight for a place knowing that he would not be first choice as Owen was still present. Players like that are rare and he is a great character to have in a squad. Cisse has always pledged loyalty to the Reds making it absolutely clear that Liverpool is the dream, the fantasy that he HAS to fullfil and now he is a RED! Pongolle can learn from these two even though the former two are relatively inexperienced. It is a youthful attack which at this moment needs time and continuity.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Gerrard
-> Alonso
-> Kewell
-> Garcia
-> Hamann
-> Diao
-> Smicer
-> Nunez
Good balanced and strong midfield especially the starting 4 which is very good and will be a handful for the opposition. Spanish Margherita on the menu and Benitez has brought in Spanish specialists for the job and they have lifted Liverpool in this department from above average to classy. It is a young side throughout which will need time but this crop of players promises to give exciting times to the Anfield faithful.
Defence
:star: :star:
-> Hyypia
-> Henchoz
-> Josemi
-> Riise
-> Finnan
-> Traore
-> Carragher
-> Warnock
Liverpool needs two central defenders as their present ones are not good enough if they want to win. The level is low compared to to other rivals in the league and Europe. The fullback department looks set.
Goalkeeper
-> Dudek
Good.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
-----------------------Dudek--------------------------
-
--Josemi-------Hyypia--------Carragher----------Riise--
-
--------------Gerrard-----------Alonso-----------------
----Garcia-----------------------------------Kewell----
-
-----------------Cisse--------Baros--------------------
Young side that can play together for years however that mess in the central defence has to be sorted out for good things to happen at Anfield. The coach is smart and knows full well how to optimise with what he is given so Benitez can be expected to strengthen that defence even with what he has. That is what exceptional coaches do and he is one. Liverpool still lacks squad depth however and that will hurt their cause in this season's competition. Their group is evenly balanced so it will be very tight.
Valencia CF
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
Valencia CF can boast to be one of the most complete sides in this tournament. While teams like Barcelona, Milan, Arsenal, Real Madrid are going to be getting the attention the team in Orange is going to be one of the toughest sides to break down in this competition. It has the definition of a TEAM and there have been valued additions that will make it even more tough to break down. The side is built from the back and is so well composed in every area. There isn't flashiness or flair compared to other sides but the team knows how to win. Keep your eyes on this side. They are the current Spanish champions and are going to make one hell of a challenge towards winning the UCL.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Mista
-> Aimar
-> Di Vaio
-> Corradi
Aimar stands out as the big name in this offence but Mista showed that he can be a handful and contrary to the popular opinion of Di Vaio being a waste of space I tend to believe that if he is given continuity then he will prove otherwise. His pace will be a problem. Aimar playing off the striker be it Mista or Di Vaio can be lethal.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Baraja
-> Albelda
-> Fiore
-> Vicente
-> Angulo
-> Rufete
-> De Los Santos
That is a brilliant hard working and result oriented midfield that is a match for Europe's best! It is one of Europe's best! Extremely well balanced with young vibrant and class players on the pitch! They can hold on to the ball which is important, win balls and create. All the aspects are there.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Ayala
-> Marchena
-> Torres
-> Aurelio
-> Pellegrino
-> Moretti
-> Navarro
Superb defence and one of the best in the competition. It is very important to have a solid defence. A strong defence alone can save blushes for a team because away goals are precious for opposition and a side that has the ability to shut up shop frequently not only is winning the battle on the field but also a mental battle as the opposition will MORE OFTEN THAN NOT lose concentration and be vulnerable to a goal against the run of play! It is golden to have a world class defence! It is the foundation on which a side is built and Valencia has one hell of a foundation to mount a serious challenge!
Goalkeeper
-> Canizares
No problems here.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-1-1
---------------------Canizares--------------------------
-
--Torres-------Ayala----------Marchena---------Aurelio--
-
--------------Albelda------------Baraja------------------
----Fiore---------------------------------Vicente--------
-
-----------------------------Aimar----------------------
----------------------Mista------------------------------
A Di Vaio-Mista duo could start games as well but for Europe's big showdowns this line-up looks very healthy indeed. The names might not be that big. The reputations might not be that big but this line-up sure does know how to talk on the pitch! Don't underrate them and don't underestimate them. The only worry would be the new coach. Ranieri has to squeeze out the maximum from this class team which is one of the top T E A M S in this competition. The Spanish Armada is coming to Europe to make it third time lucky. Watch out!
Internazionale FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
Former AC Parma captain Sabri Lamouchi on joining Inter announced his joy by claiming that I have joined Inter - The team of dreams! Must have smoked some classy F-4 grade pot directly imported from Colombia :stoned: It was a case of 'another one bites the dust' as he came and went like the wind into the wider unkown valley of darkness. Inter has been blessed with a President with enough money to bring the world's best players to Appiano Gentile but at the same the president has a severe lack of brain matter to judge who to buy and when to buy resulting in a never ending disaster story that dates back for quite some time! Teams have their ups and downs but Inter's bell-shaped curve of form has now changed its shape into a consistent straight line of failure with the expectation line at the start of every season 75 degrees up from that performance line at the end of the season. The ever so familiar statement of This is Inter's year has now become stereotype and is sadly not used that much by Inter's fans. I have had the honour of seeing a couple of Interistas (Italians) smile while saying that during the Summer. :D Where is the confidence? To their credit they are extremely nice and soft spoken people. :)
For that very reason this Summer has seen some moves made that should change Inter's fortune for the better and take them to the promised land rather than being stuck in this quick-sand. :nervous:
Offence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Adriano
-> Cruz
-> Martins
-> Recoba
-> Vieri
Adriano will have to carry the offence and the team on his shoulders. Vieri is a FINISHED case. I said that before the Euro and I still hold that statement. He is a million miles from what he used to be. Recoba is not a 'HAS BEEN' player. He is a 'NEVER WAS' . Millions wasted on him for what?? Does Inter have accountants to calculate the millions spent on Recoba to balance what he has returned??? No big club in this world would've tolerated that level of INCONSISTENCY for such an EXTENDED PERIOD. But this only happens at INTER. Cruz played well and played like a team player when given the chance but what does Inter do? Bench him. Only Inter I tell you. Martins will hardly start due to the preference of Vieri and Recoba over him whereas Martins-Adriano is the future.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Stankovic
-> Emre
-> Van Der Meyde
-> Davids
-> Veron
-> Kily Gonzalez
-> Cambiasso
-> Karagounis
-> Zanetti
Pretty good midfield options but then again when players go to Inter they also pay a visit to the Grim Reaper and get their tombstones prepared in advance. However jokes aside this midfield has pretty good players who can do really really well if they play upto their potential. Davids should give the remaining guys a push to play to their abilities. I have always believed that the mess at Inter is moreso a mental problem and the WILL TO WIN is severely lacking. The standard is just not high enough. The pre-match and post-match comments do not reflect a winning side mentality. Maybe it changes this season but it was not upto standard in the past seasons. The mental approach has to be strong enough and focused enough to translate that energy into positive football. Inter has given me an impression of weaklings playing casually with not much reliance on winning. They have taken that "enjoy the game" factor a bit too seriously to only enjoy and forget about football. I am talking in a broader sense here. Not all players in Inter are like this but most of Cedric the Entertainers are.
Defence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Zanetti
-> Materazzi
-> Burdisso
-> Cordoba
-> Mihajlovic :D
-> Favalli
-> Gamarra
-> Pasquale
What is Mihajlovic doing in Inter? Only Inter I tell you. Mancini came but brought a full brigade of Lazio players with him. Inter's Summer is believed to be a smart one. The only smart buys were Davids, Favalli and Mancini. That is negated by the sale of Cannavaro for free and Mancini bringing in his brigade (Mihajlovic) brings that grand total of a so called Summer to a big fat zero! I know I will be bombarded for saying this but then again I was bombarded for saying that Kily was a $hit purchase.
Goalkeeper
-> Toldo
Pretty good but not worthy enough compared to Carini! Carini is da bomb! He is equivalent to the world class defender and Italian captain. What is Toldo compared to him? The Inter tradition is still alive! Carini should get at least ONE game to warrant his purchase :D
Starting Line-Up
This will be one tough cookie! :nervous:
4-4-2
-----------------------Toldo--------------------------
-
--Zanetti-------Cordoba-----Materazzi---------Favalli--
-
-----------------Veron--------Davids------------------
----Stankovic----------------------------Emre---------
-
----------------Adriano-------Recoba------------------
Since this is Inter we are talking about I will make a special exception and try to name my favoured personal 11. The 11 that Inter should play the most for the season (talking about Europe only) IMO. But knowing this is Inter it ain't gonna happen.
-----------------------Toldo--------------------------
-
--Zanetti-------Cordoba-----Burdisso---------Favalli--
-
-------------Stankovic--------Davids------------------
----Van Der Meyde--------------------Emre------------
-
----------------Adriano-------Martins------------------
I don't know how the Inter management works but it is downright ridiculous holding on to TRASH for years. Don't they know how to recycle? Inter fans with due respect tend to overrate some of their players more than they deserve.
Here is my list of rejects and discards who are GOOD FOR NOTHING:
1. Mihajlovic
2. C Zanetti
3. Recoba
4. Vieri
5. K Gonzalez
6. Materazzi
Veron ... we shall see what he is made of. I think he ain't got the minerals and is a luxury. Mancini can kiss up to him all he likes to build his confidence but Veron never struck me as a match winner or a leader. In France '98 he had a mesmeric Ariel Arnaldo Ortega pulling the strings, In S.S Lazio he had Pavel Nedved and when he got the responsibility for Argentina in the Dirty World Cup he bombed. He bombed in Man U (to his defence he was played out of position .. the same position where he played in France '98 by the way) and did the same at Chelsea when given the responsibility and leadership role. So you can add his name there.
Inter doesn't have a high-up with a real set of BALLS who can call these players to his office and tell them YOU'RE OUT!! I am unconventional and forthright and very straight-forward when I say that if Inter needs to change itself then there is a lot of garbage in the house that needs cleaning up and the fans and mgmt alike should realize this and call a spade a spade instead of putting the players on a golden pedestal of ancient Greek Gods while the straight line continues!
I thought Mancini would turn things around. So far he has done some stupid moves that are beyond reasoning which have created doubts in my mind of his credibility. Cuper was the dullest one to coach them but the smartest one as well. He made them look like a team even though the derby results didn't go his way. Other than that he made them look like a team.
Even after all of this is said and done my hunch is that Inter will have a better European campaign than their Serie A campaign. The group is tight and they have got the worst of the fourth pot teams in the shape of Werder Bremen. Valencia is there and Anderlecht isn't a pushover.
There it is guys ... been exhausting but worth the trouble and they are complete way ahead of the first game :D
Thanx a lot guys ;) :respect:
ACMILAN1983 ... it takes time to write these. As an example my last batch of preview writing started at 22:00 tonight and it is 2:30 now :) Took a 10 min break before the Inter preview.
Are my eyes deceiving me or is this smilie -> :devf: the coolest one around :D I just noticed it!! :cool:
Gotta hit the sack and prepare for the opener :devil:
Excellent Haroon buddy, you ARE the pride of Milanmania!!! :proud:
I'll vote for you for president......... if you can quit those persistant kissings of Schumi's arse. :devf: :nana:
I've got to defend Materazzi. :eek: Yes he's dirty, yes he's out of control, yes he's clumsy, but he's the only defender Inter have who can run a backline, and he actually combined well with Cordoba the year before last. That said, I'm glad Milan aren't stuck with him, and I definitely want him out of the Azzurri. :devf: Mancini's purchases were indeed a surprise and a disappointment.
Haroon, get a job writing for some sports paper or hosting a football show. You know more about this game than most of the bozos I have to watch. Faint praise, I know... :D
I know I will be bombarded for saying this but then again I was bombarded for saying that Kily was a $hit purchase.
And rightly so, he was clearly their best purchase last year and someone who always perform good and work hard.
I must say that you look biased like all other of us, these previews seems to say that we are far better than all other teams which is not true. Now I DO think we have the best team, but the difference is not that big. I will say what I disagree most with.
1. Real Madrid. I would give their defense a bit more, you can't think of their defense with players out injuried. Their starting defense is great, while their subs is not, still samuel with one of their misfits would be good enough.
2. Chelsea. (only comment) I would not say that the problem for the Chelsea midfield is that they lack a leader, I can't come up with why you believe Lampard is less of a leader than Pirlo. Chelsea this far have had the problem of Mourhino being defensive and using way to many middle based players. It should be noted their lack of right sided players, only Geremi have played there in the past. They are very solid, but not particulary spectacular. Let me add that I do not believe that they will play as offensive as you put them in your lineup.
3. Barcelona. first, the question is wether Ronaldinho would be seen as a offensive or midfiel player. Still their offense is their strenght as their whole midfield curtails. I would add a point or half to their offense and take that away from their midfield. Moreso since their midfield lack "hardmen", Motta and Edmilson was supposed to be that and they are both clear stepdowns from Davids. This will leave big holes in their defense, which would be exploited by players like Kaka.
4. Juventus. I am far from agreeing on what you wrote about Juves attack. to being with, they scored more goals than us last year. and that you claim that Zlatan can't create on his own??? Have you even seen him play? He can take on several players on his own and have improved a lot as a target man. Trezeguet is currently known as a better scorer and he can score from practically nothing in a way that is more magical than Inzaghi. ... Actually there is not much I agree with you on when it comes to your Juve review. While their midfield may lack consistant creative sparks I see them no less than Chelsea on that department especially if Oliveira continues like he has began. Then you go on and claim that their "hasbeen" department (also known as defense) is their best teampart. I say that their defense will be saved by having Blasi and Emerson in front of them, more than their own ability. Not to talk about Buffon saving their as time and again. Only Zambrotta is worldclass there at this moment. The rest are all noted among the worst performers last year (except Zebina, who on the other hand was the worst in serie A 2 seasons ago:D).
5. ManU. think you underrate their defense again by the virtue of judging them after the players that is not ready to play. when all is back they will be a very solid unit with a lot of pace and skill.
6. Roma. I will only say that I think it is very hard to judge them ATM. ;)
7. Porto. Their offense, you think they will overperform this year or what? :D Derlei comes from a long injury and have proven nothing. McCarthy is just a average player that can have a occasionally good day. Luis Fabiano is unproven and have a temper that is sure to bring him trouble. Alberto is great to watch, but not much of a scorer. Postiga comes from a complete failure in England. I would never rate them higher than Juventus if we do not talk quantity, not to talk about all other teams that you rate them higher than. I belive that Porto is not much of a contender this year.
8. Agree on Liverpool (long since I saw Bayern play), their offense have a serious lack of depth. Just look what happens if Baros and/or Cisse is out. Mellor isn't really a striker (a left winger) and Pongolle is a young unproven player. Both Baros and Cisse likes to run WITH the ball and are very similar in their style, so they lack both options and depth... when I think about it I may even have rated them lower than you.
9. Valencia. I don't rate their defense as highly, individually they are not close to our defense. It is just that Valencia plays a defensive football and loads their midfield with hardworkers. Ayala is their best defender and he would at best be a sub in Milan.
10. Inter. Now here is another wild card, while their players is known, they are full of new names. First of all, I rate their offense higher than you do. It is clearly better than Porto's for instance. :) While Adriano is a machine I do not count away Vieri that easily. Recoba is not a "never has been", he is a "sometimes is" player, on his day he can take on anyone. and Martins and Cruz are both class to finish up a very strong teampart. I also noticed that you managed to put the failure Van der Meyde in your preffered lineup as you dissed Kily. Hah! I was the one that said that Van der Meyde would fail and that Kily would succed. VDM was never more than a average player that came from a good/great season in Ajax, while Kily is proven internationally for years.
If I owned a football team, I would hire Haroon as a highly paid analyst. Congratulations on a professional preview. My hat off to you, young man.
I hope Haroon take this as only a funny comment and a nice praise. :D Otherwise it shows why you are not an owner of a footall team... but then again, that is just a money issue, RomanA may not be the most prudent user of his money. :D
SonOfBerlusconi
14-09-2004, 04:50
There it is guys ... been exhausting but worth the trouble and they are complete way ahead of the first game
good work haroon!
only a few things came to my mind.
Chelsea:
Ok - I know it is randomly picked but...you will never see that lineup. I think Morinho will switch between 4-3-3 (wingers) and erm..something like 4-1-3-1-1. You will only see Kezman as a starter when Robben is fit and they play 4-3-3. He is a bit like Henry who needs to run at the ball. He can't do much against tight defences like Drogba can - or even Guddi.
Oh, and I tend to agree about Lampard not being the ideal creative leader - I wonder whether he will grow into the role -- or if someone like Joe Cole will. As far as I have seen he is more an imaginative 'ball-passer' than Lampard is.
Valencia:
You could have saved youself the entire preview becuase Ranieri is going to f!ck it all up anyway. :d55: (I HOPE I am wrong!)
Porto:
Quaresma on the bench? Just a question - not a comment.
Juve:
I agree with Kris here. Obviosuly you haven't seen enough of Zlatan because if there's a player who can create chances on his own - it is Zlatan.
Yay - I can't wait for the show to begin! :excited:
ACMILAN1983
14-09-2004, 12:28
I must give you credit Haroon, because I'd be too lazy to stay up 4 and a half hours to write all that.
Pretty much agree with most, although I think you overrate Porto's attack. To say they are comparable to ours (both got 4 stars) seems a bit of a stretch.
Anyway, excellent work
Lombardia
15-09-2004, 16:40
here are the groups after the 1st round(taking into avvount that kiev will be awarded the win)
group a
liverpool 3
deportivo 1
olympiakos 1
monaco 0
group b
leverkusen 3
kiev 3
roma 0
madrid 0
group c
bayern 3
juventus 3
ajax 0
maccabi tel aviv 0
group d
fenerbache 3
lyon 1
man u 1
sparta 0
group e
panathanikos 3
arsenal 3
psv 0
rosenborg 0
group f
barca 3
milan 3
shakter 0
celtic 0
group g
inter 3
valencia 3
anderlecht 0
weder bremen 0
group h
chelsea 2
cska moscow 1
porto 1
psg 0
i would rather join the army than do this haroon... hell, i would rather die!!!
AC_Merda
15-09-2004, 17:46
It was a good read, but how you rate your offense/forwards better than Inter's is a mystery. Adriano is as good as Sheva so they cancel each other out, Crespo failed miserably is England (much like Veron) and remains to be seen what he can conjure up in his return to Serie A. Tomasson is a good player and Inzaghi spends more time on the ground than scoring goals.
If anything both Milan and Inter have equal offenses. One big star striker (Sheva/Re Di Milan), solid 2nd and 3rd choice strikers (Tomasson/Crespo, Martins/Recoba), and fading, once good players (Pippo/Vieri)
It was a good read, but how you rate your offense/forwards better than Inter's is a mystery. Adriano is as good as Sheva so they cancel each other out, Crespo failed miserably is England (much like Veron) and remains to be seen what he can conjure up in his return to Serie A. Tomasson is a good player and Inzaghi spends more time on the ground than scoring goals.
If anything both Milan and Inter have equal offenses. One big star striker (Sheva/Re Di Milan), solid 2nd and 3rd choice strikers (Tomasson/Crespo, Martins/Recoba), and fading, once good players (Pippo/Vieri)
Shevchenko has a scoring history in Europe and a history of scoring in the big European games. Adriano is starting his adventure. Sheva at this time not only has the name but the games to back it. He is slightly ahead.
Crespo didnot fail in England. You need to check his games to goals ratio which is very healthy. He is considered a failure there by the people as he is overshadowed by Henry, RVN etc because they start regularly. Chelsea was a merry go round with player changes taking place left, centre and right. Crespo's goal ratio was good in England.
Recoba is a NEVER WAS. Martins will hardly get a start unless some circumstances change in his favour and he can hardly do anything from the bench except watch Vieri and Recoba squander chance after chance. Vieri is not only a finished product but a damaging liability because his presence in the starting 11 is preventing Martins from playing. It is a double whammy.
And that explains why Milan has 4 stars and Inter 3.
Anyways congratulations on your win. I hope you guys qualify from your group as do Juve and Roma along with us of course. A strong Italian presence in the Rd-16 would be great.
AC_Merda
17-09-2004, 22:50
Shevchenko has a scoring history in Europe and a history of scoring in the big European games. Adriano is starting his adventure. Sheva at this time not only has the name but the games to back it. He is slightly ahead.
I'll give you this one for now but it could be a different story by the end of the year.
Crespo didnot fail in England. You need to check his games to goals ratio which is very healthy. He is considered a failure there by the people as he is overshadowed by Henry, RVN etc because they start regularly. Chelsea was a merry go round with player changes taking place left, centre and right. Crespo's goal ratio was good in England.
Who's fault was it that he didn't start on a consistent basis? Ranieri's or himself? Chelski didn't have the strike force last year that they have this season. Crespo should have no excuses about not being able to rise above the likes of Gudjonhsen and Hasselbaink.
Recoba is a NEVER WAS. Martins will hardly get a start unless some circumstances change in his favour and he can hardly do anything from the bench except watch Vieri and Recoba squander chance after chance. Vieri is not only a finished product but a damaging liability because his presence in the starting 11 is preventing Martins from playing. It is a double whammy.
Recoba is a headache thats for sure, but he's still a good option for a 3rd forward. Agree with everything else said there though. My biggest fear is Inter will not use Oba the way he should be: as Adriano's strike partner. Moratti might as well sell him to you guys if Mancini continues to use Vieri as the season wears on. :moan: Though to be fair Oba is just coming back from injury.
Anyways congratulations on your win. I hope you guys qualify from your group as do Juve and Roma along with us of course. A strong Italian presence in the Rd-16 would be great.
As to you. The more Italian teams the better, that way I can gloat to my EPL loving buddies. ;)
Gio-mania
18-09-2004, 06:50
good work;-
congratulations,-
your ananlysis are awesome! and u must of been there a long time to write all that stuff!
!!!!!!!!!bravo!!!!!!!!!!!
Warro Bantan
27-09-2004, 19:38
AC Milan:
Group Stage UCL 2004-5
With the Shaktar game behind Milan, (a 0-1 victory) and a string of lack lustre games in the league subsequent to that match, only the most devout Milan fan would not face the next UCL game vs. Celtic without some small amount of trepidation.
Though an all-powerful force in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic has yet to impress at this, the highest level of the European game, but they are characterised by a stern defence and defensive mindset to rival even the tightest Italian outfit.
And this indeed, is cause for concern IMO, As was the case in some of our poorer performances last term, Milans build up is rather pedestrian in pace, and though we end up dominating the game, and possession, often, and more so this go-round, we end up giving up a goal or two on a counterattack, or just via a lapse in concentration.
Celtics forward line of Sutton and Hartson may not be the paciest, but they can score with the best of them, if presented with enough time and space.
Milan however has a distinct advantage in the middle, as here we clearly outclass the Scottish outfit. Ambrosinis momentary loss of sanity on Sunday vs. Lazio resulting in his sending off may preclude him from a place in the starting 11, (Carlos punishment rather than a UEFA ban of course)though this humble pundit feels he played well enough to start ahead of Gattuso, whose displays in the attacking 3rd left much to be desired
(Whats new? some may ask
or others may herald his never-say-die defensive attitude, but I have said it before, and will say it again, Gattuso is an attacking liability in much the same way that Cafu is a defensive one). Every now and again he makes a good pass or cross, (eg vs Inter last term)but that is more rare than a :devs: non-smoking Rastafarian. :devs:
Rui Costa may be sacrificed for a rested Pirlo, but were I given the opportunity to select the starting 11, Rui would get the nod over Pirlo, as Andrea certainly was not offensive enough Sunday when presented with an open goal, and the Lazios keeper foundering
1-3 would have been a much better result, and we could have had it had he shot sooner. Rui IMO would have torn a hole in the back of the net
a la Euro 2004
let me hasten to add that Pirlo didnt have a bad game, (overall vs. Lazio) but against certain opponents, I prefer Ruis experience.
Rui is also a better dribbler than Pirlo, and is just as capable as the young Italian of making the long pass to the forwards as he is of a neat one-two or a defence splitting pass
Kaka is a sure start, behind the strikers, with Seedorf, Gattuso and Pirlo (though I prefer Ambro and Rui respectively) behind the Brazilian star. On the topic of strikers, Sheva is a must start, though I hope that Tomasson, Inzahgi and Crespo find form soon, as we will need to rest our Ukrainian talisman eventually. Of the aforementioned 3, I think Tomasson may get the nod, as his physical presence will be needed against Celtics strong back line.
As to our defence, I hope Stam is fit again, as Kaladze and Cafu dont seem to be cutting it as well as I would have hoped, and as previously mentioned, Cafu is letting goals in faster than the law allows with his ineffective tackling (as seen in Messinas second goal) and abysmal marking (Coutos goal for Lazio on Sunday). My concern with Stam is his fitness and pace, more the latter if he is to play RB, and more the former if he is to concentrate for 90 min in the centre.
Carlo and the magicians at Milanello will decide the starting 11 vs Celtic come Wednesday, but I am not completely confident that we will get the result we want (ie 3 points at home) unless the team manages to maintain focus and concentration for the majority of the 90+ minutes of the match, and we put away our chances,
Celtic will not be forgiving of our mistakes, and we need to close them out in the middle third of our half, prevent their crossing game, and attack swiftly, using a combination of the flanks, long, direct balls and short decisive one-two midfield passing. A slow patient build up is fine to get ourselves going, but if we keep up that style of attack, we would be playing right into Celtics hands.
As a team though, Milan seem slightly more cohesive as the young season unfolds, with each game slightly better than the last
I just hope the improvement is seen again against the Scots on Wednesday, and is significant enough to grant us a victory.
The next match-up that I fear is the Barca-Milan home and away games. Barca seem to be going from strength to strength as their domestic and European seasons unfold. They boast an awesome collection of attacking talent, and with Pulyol and Cocu in the back line, they are not particularly wanting there either. The Barca midfield is the envy of most of Spain, and Europe to boot. Ronaldihno, Deco et al are certainly a force to recon with, and cannot be allowed even a yard of space within which to work. Etoo seems to be getting better and better (La Ligas leading goal scorer), and the evergreen Larsson doesnt often spurn opportunities to score.
Against Barca, I would opt for a 5-man midfield, with Gattuso and Ambro as ball-winners, Kaka and Rui as attacking midfielders, with Pirlo in the centre to pull the strings. Sheva would play the lone striker, and thus would be receive the ball where he needs it, in and around the 18-yard box. Seedorf I would bring in for Gattuso or Ambro as the game unfolded, if necessary, or as a replacement for a tiring Pirlo or Rui.
I would hope for the strongest back 4 we could field, which omits Cafu, and includes a fit Coloccini, in whom I have utmost faith with Stam, Maldini and Nesta completing the lineup. Where they fit into the back insofar as to their respective positions, I would leave up to Carlo.
The return leg vs. Shaktar, and away to Celtic hopefully would be just matches of no consequence to Milan, except for pride, for if we defeat all our opponents in the first half of the group stage, and win one of the second round of matches (i.e. garnering 12 points) only a total collapse would prevent us from qualifying for the knockout rounds, or even finishing in 2nd place. For these matches, I would field our 2nd eleven giving opportunities to fringe players, who should work hard to ensure greater playing time: Dohrasso, Simic, Brocci et al should be given a run.
As to the knock out stage, well, you cannot cross a bridge before you get there.
Top Notch stuff Warro! :cool: :star:
I agree with your stuff on Barca. Worth a discussion but for now like you I am a bit tentative and nervous regarding the Celtic game. We have to win this game to start the momentum.
EDIT: Just a thing regarding our probable 11. This is our first home UCL game so ringing in a lot of changes can cause more harm than benefit. Celtic know they have to get something as they lost at home so we will get spaces in this match. It won't be like Messina. ;)
Warro Bantan
28-09-2004, 09:10
Top Notch stuff Warro! :cool: :star:
EDIT: Just a thing regarding our probable 11. This is our first home UCL game so ringing in a lot of changes can cause more harm than benefit. Celtic know they have to get something as they lost at home so we will get spaces in this match. It won't be like Messina. ;)
Thanks Haroon, coming from you, that is appreciated praise indeed!
As to the starting 11, I agree with your assessment re ringing a lot of changes etc, but I think with Colo in for Cafu, we are more solid at the back, and if Pancaro can run up one flank, and Maldini interchanges with Colo to make runs up the left, we should be strong in the back, while still being able to attack up the wings....
Knowing Carlo though, I dont anticipate much in terms of a change in the starting lineup. :wallbang:
Time to kick-start this thread as we have reached halfway point in the Greatest Club Competition in the world.
Reflection of what was
When the draw for this year's competition took place in Nyon we had some interesting pairings to look forward to in the eight groups. England, Italia, & Espaņa all had 4 of their best teams in the league. There were no surprise teams so to speak from these three countries. In Deutschland it was slightly different as Borussia Dortmund missed out on a CL spot giving way to the tricky Werder Bremen side that was the worst POT 4 side in the competition.
Nederland & France had good sides once again to round off the Big 32 in Europe. I personally thought that when the 32 teams entered in the 2002-3 season it was the toughest UCL in History and I mentioned this in September 2002 and not in May 2003 when Maldini lifted the trophy in the Manchester skyline.
Well this year's competition is tougher than that one. This is the toughest UCL ever. Europe's elite clubs, players and even coaches are there this time around. The big names missing are Del Bosque, Hitzfeld and Lippi for one reason or the other.
I can't recall an important or big name who is/was not a part of this great competition in the 2004-5 edition. To make it even grander the big names were playing for popular clubs as well. e.g. United signed Rooney right at the death of the window and instead of playing for Everton (who are doing very well in the EPL), he became a part of this competition and announced himself with a fantastic hat-trick!
The captain who has the HONOUR to lift this GREAT TROPHY in Istanbul come May 2005 can look back proudly of what a great feat his side have achieved in this adventure that began in September 2004.
The Surprises & Upsets
-----------------
---Valencia CF---
-----------------
The biggest shocker will have to be Valencia missing out on the knock-out. They won La Liga and kept hold of their squad with the addition of new names. Change of coach must've hurt them the most. The unfortunate injury to club captain Roberto Fabian Ayala was a shot in the dark for the Spaniard side as they lose purpose after the first matchday. More details to follow once the Ches are reviewed.
----------------------------
---RC Deportivo La Coruņa---
----------------------------
I was glad that Deportivo La Coruņa got knocked out in the group stage for once. When La Coruņa started to take this competition by storm with wins over United, Arsenal, Juventus and Bayern in seasons past it looked like a new challenger had entered the arena with the ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with Europe's big guns. But it was more flash than substance. A recurring pattern that I noticed with La Coruņa was that they would make it a point to take out a Big European outfit each season but not work on that success and instead hit the self-destruct button and go out themselves. I don't like sides to not build on their success. Hence for me personally it was a great satisfaction for La Coruņa to go out because the end story would've been the same with them. Take out a big team and then go out to a lesser side.
---------------
---AS Roma---
---------------
Roma's campaign got off to a wrong start and the ship had barely stabilized when it all went from bad to worse to downright ridiculous. A UCL campaign to forget for the Romans.
------------------
---Dynamo Kyiv---
------------------
Lobanovsky (RIP) would be proud to see the emergence of the great Kyiv side that put in some memorable performances. The problem for them was that they were in a very tight group that included the most successful club side in this competition's history i.e. Real Madrid CF, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma. A tight group indeed. To make matters worse for them, the German outfit under Augenthaler were up for it this time and made a strong opening statement on Matchday 1 with a powerful demolition of Real Madrid.
Kyiv's efforts must be applauded however for their strong showing and brave efforts. It is extremely RARE for a side to go out after scoring 10 points and under normal circumstances that amount is more than enough to qualify. The other two sides were just a tad bit better than them. They can go out with their heads held high and make a strong challenge in the UEFA CUP. Their showing also reflects Ukraine doing well in the WC qualifiers.
We should expect a rampant Dynamo Kyiv to return next season. It is good to see a strong Eastern European challenge in this competition. Eastern Europe has always played a strong role in this competition and it is GREAT for the competition that there is a rising from Eastern Europe. :star:
---------------
---AFC Ajax---
---------------
Ajax got stuck in a difficult group. The toughest one of them all. With the instability lurking at the start of the season with rumours of Koeman quitting and the results not going their way, it was playing with fire. Ajax stabilized but in this unforgiving competition there are no second chances. The other two European giants were in better shape and form and made the best of what they got while Ajax was just not prepared for the competition.
---------------------
---Werder Bremen---
---------------------
The team from POT 4 that is surprising other teams. The team that is responsible for the elimination of Valencia CF. The team that everybody looks down upon is causing a stir. The team that has butt-ugly jerseys (colours) is on the verge of making it a QF! Werder Bremen along with Leverkusen and Bayern has made it a German trio in the knock-out matching Italia and superseding Espaņa! Could this be a little German rennaissance in the making after a horror showing in the past couple of seasons by German outfits?
It would be a smart thing to keep an eye on them because most of the people will have their eyes focused on the Italians, English and Spanish whilst these Germans will pop out of nowhere and voila! 2 in the QF! And yet all three could go out. I do think that a German will make the QF this time but it is tough to pick a single side as all three are involved in tricky ties.
England
England has made a strong showing in this year's competition. The first time that they have 4 sides in the knock-outs. A superb feat! It gets tough now as the ties are extremely tough. England and Deutschland face-off in two ties that are evenly balanced. Time will tell whether Sean Archer wins or will Castor Troy make headlines.
The more level-headed English pundits acknowledge the toughness of the draw but for every level-headed objective journalist there will be a dimunitive clown like ANDY TOWNSEND and TERRY VENABLES who have given all four English sides the green light for the QF!!! :howler: I'll give details on those two CLOWNS later on. It is the $hit of all $hit!! :shades:
Italia
Strong showing by all three Italian outfits so far. Now is the business end of it all. I wasn't expecting all three to top their groups but they did it and the groups were not easy. A new day now and a new phase of the competition where the skill will start to take a back seat gradually as the mental strength kicks in for the thrills and the stars to show what they are made up of. This is not for the weak at heart or mind.
Espaņa
Troubled times for the Spanish. Barcelona is the flag-bearer now as they can go the distance and look the real deal. Two of them are out while Real scraped through and are in a tricky tie with Juventus FC. Espaņa has enjoyed good numbers and domination in recent seasons but that is under threat for this season as only BARCELONA is a match for anybody around Europe. Betting on Real in this state is not the smartest thing to do but Real has the names and the history ... not to forget the art of winning these big competitions.
France
It wasn't a fluke last season. Monaco and Lyon are there doing the business again. And both have an excellent chance of a QF qualification yet again. The problem is that they are goldfish in an ocean where the bigger fish this time will not take them lightly as they know they are shark slayers from last season.
So ... here we are at the turn of the year awaiting the big clashes which to my memory's recollection is the BEST DRAW I have seen and I hope DVD recorders were on many people's shopping lists because they will be very handy in February. ;)
One by one I will take a look back at the teams I previewed and see where we stand with Europe's elite and how our adventure is progressing in the QUEST FOR NUMBER 7 which evidently is also the TOUGHEST UCL IN THE COMPETITION'S HISTORY.
The business end starts now. Strap on your seat belts. :devil:
ACMILAN1983
25-12-2004, 15:19
Cool can't wait for more Haroon, excellent as usual.
Note that both pundits mentioned are from ITV (and the ones your talking about there are argubly ITV's best ones :( ) ;)
Source: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/news/Kind=1/newsId=268747.html
Nice stats. They'll come in handy.
AC Milan (ITA)
Qualified as: Italian champions
Serie A status: Second (P15 W10 D4 L1)
Group stage: Group F winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 5-4 on aggregate to RC Deportivo La Coruņa)
RD-16 opponents: Manchester United FC
Arsenal FC (ENG)
Qualified as: English champions
Premiership status: Third (P17 W10 D5 L2)
Group stage: Group E winners (P6 W2 D4 L0)
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2001, 2004) :kiss:
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 3-2 on aggregate to Chelsea)
RD-16 opponents: FC Bayern München
AS Monaco FC (FRA)
Qualified as: Third place in France
Ligue 1 status: Third (P18 W7 D8 L3)
Group stage: Group A winners (P6 W4 D0 L2)
Best performance: Runners-up (2004)
2003/04 Champions League: Final (lost 3-0 to Porto)
RD-16 opponents: PSV Eindhoven
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
Qualified as: Third place in Germany
Bundesliga status: Eighth (P17 W7 D5 L5)
Group stage: Group B winners (P6 W3 D2 L1)
Best performance: Runners-up (2002)
2003/04 Champions League: Did not qualify
RD-16 opponents: Liverpool FC
Chelsea FC (ENG)
Qualified as: English runners-up
Premiership status: First (P17 W12 D4 L1)
Group stage: Group H winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Semi-finals (2004)
2003/04 Champions League: Semi-finals (lost 5-3 on aggregate to Monaco)
RD-16 opponents: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Qualified as: Spanish runners-up
Primera División status: First (P15 W12 D2 L1)
Group stage: Group F runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1992)
2003/04 Champions League: Did not qualify
RD-16 opponents: Chelsea FC
FC Bayern München (GER)
Qualified as: German runners-up
Bundesliga status: First (P17 W10 D4 L3)
Group stage: Group C runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 2-1 on aggregate to Madrid)
RD-16 opponents: Arsenal FC
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Qualified as: Fourth place in Italy
Serie A status: Fifth (P15 W3 D12 L0)
Group stage: Group G winners (P6 W4 D2 L0)
Best performance: Winners (1964, 1965)
2003/04 Champions League: Group stage
RD-16 opponents: FC Porto
FC Porto (POR)
Qualified as: Holders
SuperLiga status: Second (P13 W7 D4 L2)
Group stage: Group H runners-up (P6 W2 D2 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1987, 2004)
2003/04 Champions League: Winners (beat Monaco 3-0 in the final)
RD-16 opponents: Internazionale FC
Juventus FC (ITA)
Qualified as: Third place in Italy
Serie A status: First (P15 W12 D2 L1)
Group stage: Group C winners (P6 W5 D1 L0)
Best performance: Winners (1985, 1996)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 2-0 on aggregate to Deportivo)
RD-16 opponents: Real Madrid CF
Liverpool FC (ENG)
Qualified as: Fourth place in England
Premiership status: Sixth (P17 W7 D4 L6)
Group stage: Group A runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984)
2003/04 Champions League: Did not qualify
RD-16 opponents:Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Manchester United FC (ENG)
Qualified as: Third place in England
Premiership status: Fourth (P17 W8 D7 L2)
Group stage: Group D runners-up (P6 W3 D2 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1968, 1999)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 3-2 on aggregate to Porto)
RD-16 opponents: AC Milan
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
Qualified as: French champions
Ligue 1 status: First (P18 W10 D8 L0)
Group stage: Group D winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2004)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 4-2 on aggregate to Porto)
RD-16 opponents: Werder Bremen
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Qualified as: Dutch runners-up
Eredivisie status: First (P16 W13 D3 L0)
Group stage: Group E runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1988)
2003/04 Champions League: Group stage
RD-16 opponents: AS Monaco
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
Qualified as: Fourth place in Spain
Primera División status: Fourth (P14 W8 D4 L2)
Group stage: Group B runners-up (P6 W3 D2 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost on away goals to Monaco after 5-5 draw)
RD-16 opponents: Juventus FC
Werder Bremen (GER)
Qualified as: German champions
Bundesliga status: Fifth (P17 W8 D4 L5)
Group stage: Runners-up in Group E (P6 W3 L2 D1)
Best performance: Quarter-finals (1989)
2003/04 Champions League: Did not qualify
RD-16 opponents: Olympique Lyonnais
As always Haroon, a highly detailed and informative post from you ..... most excellent :)
It's good to see you back again, i hope you enjoy the holidays :D
Stezagud
26-12-2004, 07:45
for every level-headed objective journalist there will be a dimunitive clown like ANDY TOWNSEND and TERRY VENABLES who have given all four English sides the green light for the QF!!! I'll give details on those two CLOWNS later on. It is the $hit of all $hit!! :shades:
well surely they are an improvement on Big Wrong Atkinson ;)
I know they've said a lot of dumb stiff in the past but i dont think they did anything particularly bad in suggesting all the English teams could go through. Arsenal and Liverpool are both capable of beating their opponants and if any team is balanced enough to beat Barca then its Chelsea. Of those 3 draws are there any were you see no chance for the English team?
Then of course is the Utd - Milan match which on current form Milan should win, but Utds record against Italian teams in recent years is excellent and the team still has enough quality to beat anyone if all the pieces of the jigsaw come together at the same time (which slowly they are :cool: ) plus, as Ruud is unlikely to be fit they have a ready made excuse :D
well surely they are an improvement on Big Wrong Atkinson ;)
I know they've said a lot of dumb stiff in the past but i dont think they did anything particularly bad in suggesting all the English teams could go through. Arsenal and Liverpool are both capable of beating their opponants and if any team is balanced enough to beat Barca then its Chelsea. Of those 3 draws are there any were you see no chance for the English team?
Then of course is the Utd - Milan match which on current form Milan should win, but Utds record against Italian teams in recent years is excellent and the team still has enough quality to beat anyone if all the pieces of the jigsaw come together at the same time (which slowly they are :cool: ) plus, as Ruud is unlikely to be fit they have a ready made excuse :D
I am not against giving English sides a chance but making it sound like English teams are 'heavy' favourites in all four ties is really stretching it a lot!!! :nunu:
Reading that crap it sounded like both those buffoons were on a PLEASING MISSION to the general public rather than stating the obvious!! All the English people I know believe that it will be tight and these two so called experts are on another planet altogether. ;) That was the irritating bit to read. :)
Townsend has SINNED by saying the stuff against Milan. He is PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER 1 for me from now on!! He shouldn't have messed with Milan. I'll make him famous. :devil:
ACMILAN1983
26-12-2004, 08:56
Townsend has SINNED by saying the stuff against Milan. He is PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER 1 for me from now on!! He shouldn't have messed with Milan. I'll make him famous. :devil:
Whats he say!!!?? :d55: :d55: :nunu: :nunu: :nunu: :nunu: :nunu: :gun: :gun: :gun:
btw, I want to state, I hate ITV CL coverage. Not only are the pundits morons who have little knowledge about the game itself (barring the odd one like Bobby Robson), the commentators are just as bad, if not worse (particularly dislike Jim Beglin). On top of that, the coverage itself is bad, as the scoreline and clock are too big, and when a caption appears to show a players name or something, it takes up half the screen. Also, I'm not sure if its happening a lot this year, but whenever I see the matches, during the match a box appears in the top left of the screen where the pundit is shown and he makes comments. Firstly, its bad enough to have to hear these idiots during the match, but the fact that they make the viewers look at them instead of the match is just ridiculous. BBC have the best coverage (terrestial tv not sky) of football here and really no one looks like they'll challenge them for quality. thankfully, Match of the Day is back and the annoying The Premiership is gone!!! sorry to those who couldn't care less to keep going on about this
Stezagud
26-12-2004, 12:52
Reading that crap it sounded like both those buffoons were on a PLEASING MISSION to the general public rather than stating the obvious!!
Of course they were on a pleasing mission, did you expect them to say "sorry Utd fans, you're gonna get murdered so dont bother watching our coverage" ?? :D
Whats he say!!!??
I cant say i know exactly what he's done wrong either?
Maybe its the general lack of knowledge and over reliance on knowing a few big names, thats something that always pisses me off. They say things like:
"Milan are going to struggle now that they dont have Rivaldo anymore" :dielaugh:
or
"Dida's the weakness after that shot Bowyer scored past him" :rolleyes:
then usually one of them will pretend to have inside knowldge by saying something like "they have a young secret weapon called Kaka who i'm tipping to be a star in a few years"......
Also, I'm not sure if its happening a lot this year, but whenever I see the matches, during the match a box appears in the top left of the screen where the pundit is shown and he makes comments. Firstly, its bad enough to have to hear these idiots during the match, but the fact that they make the viewers look at them instead of the match is just ridiculous.
oh yeah the "now its over to Ally McCoist in the studio for his special opinion" :D i think they stopped doing it, they certainly were less frequent towards the end of the group stages, but you're right, possibly the most annoying thing that could happen in a game is to have the action interupted to show those idiots :googly:
ACMILAN1983
26-12-2004, 17:36
Of course they were on a pleasing mission, did you expect them to say "sorry Utd fans, you're gonna get murdered so dont bother watching our coverage" ?? :D
I cant say i know exactly what he's done wrong either?
Maybe its the general lack of knowledge and over reliance on knowing a few big names, thats something that always pisses me off. They say things like:
"Milan are going to struggle now that they dont have Rivaldo anymore" :dielaugh:
or
"Dida's the weakness after that shot Bowyer scored past him" :rolleyes:
then usually one of them will pretend to have inside knowldge by saying something like "they have a young secret weapon called Kaka who i'm tipping to be a star in a few years"......
oh yeah the "now its over to Ally McCoist in the studio for his special opinion" :D i think they stopped doing it, they certainly were less frequent towards the end of the group stages, but you're right, possibly the most annoying thing that could happen in a game is to have the action interupted to show those idiots :googly:
Yeah, they definately rely on seeing the big names a team has to make a judgement of the side. Like with Real...Any football fans can see that its a completely unbalanced squad thats fortunate to even stay amongst the top sides in Spain, never mind in Europe. However, ITV pundits simply think they are amazing due to Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo and the English trio.
I hope your right about the "special opinion" thing being scrapped
AS Roma
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
This Roma is without three main ingredients in the shape of Capello, Emerson and Samuel as it attempts to make another attempt to make the knock-out of this competition with repeated failures in the past seasons. Roma's squad is filled with talent and promise and they have more or less captured the cream of upcoming talents in defence. The side is young and also responsible for most of Italy's star players in offence in the future. Drawn once again with Real Madrid is their destiny but winning their games against Real won't be easy at all. New coach Prandelli had to resign unfortunately as his wife is suffering from cancer but in my personal opinion the man they have got to replace him could just do the trick that Prandelli might not have done!
The German coming in to coach this youthful squad will bring with him discipline, hard work and mental strength with him and this could work wonders for Roma and shock a few opposition along the road.
Offence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Mido
-> Cassano
-> Totti
-> Delvecchio
-> Montella
There is a gulf of difference btw the forwards and the outright strikers. There is imbalance and Mido having attitude problems in addition to Cassano's outbursts will make it a tough job for Voller. The offence is dependent on what Totti and Cassano are up to.
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2
(If I count Totti and Cassano in this midfield then it becomes 4.0 and offence becomes 1.5)
-> Mancini
-> D'Agostino
-> Dacourt
-> Perrotta
-> Sartor
-> Candela
-> Tommasi
The bright spots in midfield are the presence of Mancini and D'Agostino who have lots of potential and positive energy. Dacourt and Perrotta are more or less ball winners lacking the presence of class central mids who dominate games. Hence the onus shifts on Totti to lead that midfield which looks brittle so to speak.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Panucci
-> Chivu
-> Ferrari
-> Mexes
-> Dellas
-> Cufre
Roma is in possession of the three best prospects in the Serie A when it comes to defence. It would be hard to find teams who would reject either one of Chivu, Mexes and Ferrari. This team was built according to Prandelli so Voller has to utilize its potential with what he has. The team is yound and inexperienced but the potential of the defenders is renowned YET not tested in the UCL where it is DIFFERENT. These three have played in European competition but not in tandem so it will be interesting to see them cope with Europe's finest.
Goalkeeper
-> Pelizzoli
Alright.
Starting Line-Up
Voller can play a 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 as his players can do either. Depends on which formation he finds effective.
-----------------------Pelizzoli--------------------------
-
--Panucci------Ferrari----------Mexes---------Chivu----
-
---------------Dacourt---------Perrotta-----------------
-
------Mancini-----------Totti--------------Cassano-----
-
------------------------Mido---------------------------
A 4-4-2 option could be:
1. Cassano playing off Mido
2. D'Agostino playing on the left while Perrotta or Dacourt hits the bench
OR
1. Totti and Cassano as forwards with D'Agostino on the left and Mido out.
The 3-5-2 option could be:
1. Panucci out
2. D'Agostino on the left in a flat 4 with Mancini on the right and the 2 DM in the middle
3. Totti as fantasista
4. Cassano as forward and Mido as target man
Voller has lots of options that will work plus he can mould his squad into the way he likes. A German and a good young coach coming to Roma is a good thing at this time. The group is very tricky and it won't be easy to get out of the group. Roma will need to really play well to get out of the group which is the first objective for them as that will offer a chance to play a knock-out tie.
The experience from this campaign will be priceless so if Roma can manage to get out of the group and qualify the confidence of the players (young) will start to build up and so will the momentum. It will be difficult but not impossible.
I've quoted my own post for a specific reason. That analysis was for the group stages and till the Winter Break popped in. Now as we are halfway into the competition we can take a look back at where and why did it all go wrong after seeing Roma's performance in six matchdays which was pretty pathetic and ordinary. It will also be convenient for the readers to compare the preview analysis with the half-way analysis. ;)
AS Roma
Review
The absence of Fabio Capello showed how much of a stabilizing job the Don was doing at AS Roma. He made Roma Scudetto winners and challengers. Roma was a sureshot top 3 side in Italia and top 2 during most instances. They had great runs in Serie A and were a tough proposition.
Even during those good times Capello's Roma like the previous Roma sides struggled in Europe bar one season when they lost in the final to Liverpool FC in their own stadium in front of their own fans.
Some sides just don't make that transitional shift to European competition. Both the Roman clubs are in that category. However Roma has a pretty good away record in these past seasons. It is the home record of Roma that is reminiscent of a mediocre club when it come to the UCL. They have often struggled in the home games. Only the Barcelona (3-0 or so) thumping at the Olimpico comes to my mind when Roma was on song in a big European game at home.
This season Roma had to deal with multiple problems that were a distraction. First of all Prandelli had to resign due to personal reasons. The team was bought and built according to his requests. He is a coach who can and has played 4 central defenders in a back 4 formation. Not many coaches would do that. I don't know of any.
German World Cup winner Rudi Völler was brought in and he didn't know what he was getting into. A relatively inexperienced coach compared to Capello couldn't handle the out of control Roma. Roma's defensive problems were massive. The absence of main man Chivu didn't help one bit and a Roma side that was exceptional at defending went from 'one of the best' to 'one of the worst!'
Völler quit as the situation was out of control and made way for yet another new coach in a matter of weeks! :eekani: Luigi Del Neri is at the helm and hasn't done much to warrant a rennaissance.
The harsh reality is that Roma is in danger of going from challengers to pretenders. They are in danger of not making the UCL for next season. Financially they are not in the best shape. Professionally they are not in a strong place. Their good fortune is that the Serie A is pretty tight this season and thus would give them the opportunity to make that 4th place IF they can improve on their showings.
It doesn't end there. Cassano might leave and Totti's last chance of departure will come in the Summer. If he doesn't leave in the Summer then he will stick by his word of being the "Bandiera" that he is.
Offence
:star: 1/2 (old rating: 3 stars)
-> Mido
-> Cassano
-> Totti
-> Delvecchio
-> Montella
The rating for Roma is the review rating as they are eliminated already. Scoring 4 goals could've sufficed had they won two games by a 1-0 margin but it was not to be. Roma's great chance of a win in the Bernabeu was blown to bits by their own self-destruction in addition to Real's brilliance and resurgence in the second half.
Midfield
:star: 1/2 (old rating: 2.5 stars)
(If I count Totti and Cassano in this midfield then it becomes 4.0 and offence becomes 1.5)
-> Mancini
-> D'Agostino
-> Dacourt
-> Perrotta
-> Sartor
-> Candela
-> Tommasi
Apart from the first 45 in Madrid, Roma's midfield looked all over the place with no organization and game plan.
Defence
0 (old rating: 3.5 stars)
-> Panucci
-> Chivu
-> Ferrari
-> Mexes
-> Dellas
-> Cufre
A team that concedes 16 goals in six matchdays is downright pathetic defensively. 5 defeats and 1 draw is not even remembering by any measure. Chivu's presence would've done a world of good.
It is a campaign to forget for Roma. A coach of the class of Capello couldn't take a strong Serie A Roma side to the knock-out round. It will be Mission : Impossible for this AS Roma side to reach the knock-outs in the future. They just don't seem to take that big stride required to step-up for the European games. Roma unfortunately are more like a UEFA Cup side than a UCL side.
Indiscipline is rampant in the team. There is no serenity and no calmness. The players behave like amateurs playing football rather than professionals who take this as a job with fun. It is too casual and unprofessional. Screws need to be tightened or else Roma will not be a part of this competition in the near future.
It takes a brave man to quote his own predictions and analyze them! :D However, I would suggest that you're overrating Capello. Roma have always been a temperamental team. Yes, they were a tough proposition last season, but remember where they ended up the season before that, with substantially the same team and Capello as coach. I agree that the succession of coaches this year worsened an already difficult disciplinary situation. Not even Milan -- or Real Madrid ;) -- would be able to settle down after such an upheaval.
It's interesting that, as you point out, neither Roma nor Lazio have ever done particularly well in the CL, even when they had terrific teams in Serie A. I wonder if it's at least partly a matter of self-belief.
Valencia CF
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
Valencia CF can boast to be one of the most complete sides in this tournament. While teams like Barcelona, Milan, Arsenal, Real Madrid are going to be getting the attention the team in Orange is going to be one of the toughest sides to break down in this competition. It has the definition of a TEAM and there have been valued additions that will make it even more tough to break down. The side is built from the back and is so well composed in every area. There isn't flashiness or flair compared to other sides but the team knows how to win. Keep your eyes on this side. They are the current Spanish champions and are going to make one hell of a challenge towards winning the UCL.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Mista
-> Aimar
-> Di Vaio
-> Corradi
Aimar stands out as the big name in this offence but Mista showed that he can be a handful and contrary to the popular opinion of Di Vaio being a waste of space I tend to believe that if he is given continuity then he will prove otherwise. His pace will be a problem. Aimar playing off the striker be it Mista or Di Vaio can be lethal.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Baraja
-> Albelda
-> Fiore
-> Vicente
-> Angulo
-> Rufete
-> De Los Santos
That is a brilliant hard working and result oriented midfield that is a match for Europe's best! It is one of Europe's best! Extremely well balanced with young vibrant and class players on the pitch! They can hold on to the ball which is important, win balls and create. All the aspects are there.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Ayala
-> Marchena
-> Torres
-> Aurelio
-> Pellegrino
-> Moretti
-> Navarro
Superb defence and one of the best in the competition. It is very important to have a solid defence. A strong defence alone can save blushes for a team because away goals are precious for opposition and a side that has the ability to shut up shop frequently not only is winning the battle on the field but also a mental battle as the opposition will MORE OFTEN THAN NOT lose concentration and be vulnerable to a goal against the run of play! It is golden to have a world class defence! It is the foundation on which a side is built and Valencia has one hell of a foundation to mount a serious challenge!
Goalkeeper
-> Canizares
No problems here.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-1-1
---------------------Canizares--------------------------
-
--Torres-------Ayala----------Marchena---------Aurelio--
-
--------------Albelda------------Baraja------------------
----Fiore---------------------------------Vicente--------
-
-----------------------------Aimar----------------------
----------------------Mista------------------------------
A Di Vaio-Mista duo could start games as well but for Europe's big showdowns this line-up looks very healthy indeed. The names might not be that big. The reputations might not be that big but this line-up sure does know how to talk on the pitch! Don't underrate them and don't underestimate them. The only worry would be the new coach. Ranieri has to squeeze out the maximum from this class team which is one of the top T E A M S in this competition. The Spanish Armada is coming to Europe to make it third time lucky. Watch out!
Time is running out a bit so I will be shorter with the teams that have already gone out.
Valencia CF
Review
Valencia had everything going for them quite smoothly on Matchday 1 when they looked in fine shape and fine form taking Anderlecht for a football lesson with a convincing 2-0 home win. It wasn't known at that time that Anderlecht would indeed have an extremely poor run in the UCL doubled with the fact that Valencia's group was indeed really very tight with Werder Bremen (Budesliga Champions) being the toughest team from POT 4.
Valencia's second game at Bremen was going smoothly till the point that Marchena got sent off wrongly when it was a blatant dive from the Bremen player! Marchena got booked incorrectly for that offence whereas he didn't even touch the player and then later on got booked and sent off!
The campaign took a drastic turn at that point! Valencia was without their captain (Roberto Fabian Ayala) who has been the stabilizing figure in the defence and a leading talisman for them. Add to that they lost their second main central defender and eventually capitulated in that game leaving Miroslav Klose to finish when he was left totally unmarked by the non-existent defence!
Valencia's miseries were not to be finished as Inter put in one of the most powerful away displays in this season's edition! It was actually the most powerful display tearing apart Valencia to shreds but then again Valencia was witout their first choice pairing of Ayala and Marchena!
Inter ran riot with Adriano leading the way. Valencia was looking at the barrel and the exit door was opened for them. Vicente was injured and it was game over!
Valencia's campaign was unlucky through injuries and suspensions but they only have themselves to blame! Marchena proved himself to not being able to control himself under tough situations getting booked and Angulo didn't help himself by getting mad and getting red himself!
It went from bad to worse for Valencia. They just lost the plot and Ranieri should've done more to keep things under check but sometimes the coach can do nothing as the rage of players is out of hands.
Offence
:star: :star: (old rating: 3.5 stars)
-> Mista
-> Aimar
-> Di Vaio
-> Corradi
Ranieri didn't use his offence properly. He hardly utilized the offence he had in the proper way and paid a price for it although it is the defence that took the baddest hits in this campaign.
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 5 stars)
-> Baraja
-> Albelda
-> Fiore
-> Vicente
-> Angulo
-> Rufete
-> De Los Santos
It is mind-boggling to see a midfield that won La Liga becoming an ordinary one over just a Summer. Ranieri needs to take the blame here again for tinkering a bit with it. I don't remember Valencia fielding the starting line-up that I proposed even once. It looked to be a strong and well balanced line-up to me but I didn't see Ranieri field it. Obviously injuries played a part and it was unlucky for Valencia that their key men (Ayala & Vicente) had to miss out most of the campaign adding Aimar, Marchena and Angulo who either missed due to injury or suspension or were out of form. A pretty messed up situation.
Defence
:star: (old rating: 5 stars)
-> Ayala
-> Marchena
-> Torres
-> Aurelio
-> Pellegrino
-> Moretti
-> Navarro
The Valencia back four that I put in the proposed starting line-up is one of the strongest in Europe. However it didn't play together in even one game and the defence was Valencia's worst deptt.
Benitez used to play special attention to the defence and organization at the back. Ranieri doesn't. That difference was also evident as one coach made room for another. It was a poor display where the Valencia defence looked clueless on multiple occasions.
They had a torrid time against Adriano and had no reply to his power, pace and beastly approach!
This campaign is over for Valencia however they are on course to qualify for the UCL next season. The team may or may not lose its star players in the Summer. It doesn't seem like this Valencia side is going to be making a serious challenge in European competition in the near future. Things can change over a season as was witnessed this season for Valencia but there doesn't seem to be a feeling for me that Valencia will pick themselves up and become really serious challengers in the near future. Their prized asset Pablo Cesar Aimar might be departing in the Summer to one of the powerhouses of Europe. That doesn't help matters.
FC Porto
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
FC Porto reached European glory last season in a title that was won through a lot of hard work and dedication to the cause! FC Porto had the best AWAY record in last season's competition proving once again that the side which is comfortable playing away from home will inevitably end up having a good shot at the title. Poor away form is also one of the reasons for failures of Man Utd., Juventus FC and Valencia CF in past campaigns. A Final is like playing an away game and if a team gets the away game jitters then it can freeze up on the big occasion hence away games are important in this competition. Playing away games in the league and playing away games in Europe are two very different things.
FC Porto also utilized the fame they gained and sold their star players for huge sums thereby profiting from their performances. They didn't stop there but went on to add valuable team members in a bid to maintain the strength of the side. Tomorrow the competition proper will start and a slight reflection of the NEW Porto will be visible.
No team has won back to back UCL titles although Milan, Ajax and Juve have all come close reaching the final the following season. Milan was the last side to successfully retain the ECC title and Porto's task will not be easy. I feel that the QF is the dreaded round for a defending champion in this competition so Porto must look out. They are European champions and everybody wants a bite at the cherry but only ONE team will stand proudly on the podium in May 2005 lifting Europe's greatest club trophy.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Derlei
-> Fabiano
-> McCarthy
-> Alberto
-> Postiga
A touch of Samba class is apparent with lots of skill and dangerous players present. The players are tough, young, fast, skillful and dangerous. They might not be high profile when compared to Henry, Ronaldo, Shev, RVN etc but they are all good at the job that is required off them. It is a dangerous and deceptively good offence!
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Maniche
-> Diego
-> Costinha
-> Quaresma
-> Hugo Leal
New names have been added but two players from the UCL winning squad are still there. Carlos Alberto's sprightly steps might be played in offensive midfield to spruce up this area which will strengthen the team's midfield more. Diego has been brought in to fill Deco's shoes so this is his big chance to showboat his skills on the biggest stage when it comes to club competition. Porto has won in Europe for two seasons in a row so the burden and pressure to sustain that level of success is huge and Diego is the man to lead the midfield. Pucker time for the whizz kid.
Defence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Costa
-> Seitaridis
-> Valente
-> Pepe
-> R Costa
-> Emanuel
Porto's best defender is gone now. Carvalho was a rock in the defence. He made look Jorge Costa good. Filling his shoes is no easy task and this area will be the achilles heel for the defending champions. Costinha in def. mid will need to step up to cover for the absence of Carvalho. Ferreira's departure is well covered with the exciting Seiratiridis who seems destined to be a high roller in his position. The central defence will be a worry because not only does Porto lack a defender of Carvalho's class but they cannot surely depend on Jorge Costa to have another brilliant season like the last one.
Goalkeeper
-> Baia
He has a job coming up this season.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-3-1-1
------------------------Baia--------------------------
-
--Seitaridis-------Costa------Emanuel-------Valente---
-
----------------------Costinha------------------------
-
----------Alberto-------Diego--------Maniche----------
-
-----------------Derlei--------------------------------
-----------------------------Fabiano------------------
This team looks pretty dangerous on the offence with slippery customers all over the pitch however defensively it has problems as offensive players are very attack minded campaigners susceptible to leaving gaps at the back. Therefore Maniche has to help out Costinha a little more than he is used to to maintain balance.
Mourinho's Porto was built from the back with a hard solid no nonsense approach in an aim to win first and then deal with other things later. He was also a very big factor in Porto having a brilliant time in both the league and Europe winning a lot in a brief period. The coach with the magic wand has gone to West London. Has he taken the magic along with him?
Porto achieved a phenomenal feat by winning two different trophies in two seasons ... a feat previously achieved by the great Liverpool FC side. Even the most optimistic fan will find it hard to bet on Porto defending their title successfully this time even though they still have the potential to be a fly in the ointment.
FC Porto
Review + Preview
FC Porto took their second European top honour defying all the odds to stand on the famed pedestal for European Champions in Gelsenkirchen, Deutschland last May. It was a fantastic achievement for a side that was the best in the tournament.
In the Summer they lost their most valuable asset and one of the best coaches in world football in the shape of Jose Mourinho. Porto President Pinto da Costa made some good money selling some of his top stars to Europe's top clubs and invented in fresh talents hoping to maintain some momentum of the winning season.
It didn't click. FC Porto was on the verge of becoming the first defending champion to go out in the Group Stage! :eekani: I never thought that they would be defending their title in any case but the EUROPEAN CHAMPION deserves respect to at least be in the preview section if nothing else! It is for that reason their preview had to be done.
Porto must be the luckiest defending champion since the inception of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. It is amazing that a team which had ONLY 2 points AFTER 4 Matchdays managed to qualify!!! :eekani: :eekani: It is a death defying stunt that Evil Knievel would be proud of! It is magic that would take David Copperfield's breath away! Voodoo! :tongue:
4 goals scored and 6 conceded with two 0-0 draws and FC PORTO is still hanging in there by the skin of their teeth! :)
Porto didn't put in a decent performance IMO until their final matchday when they defeated Chelsea! Now, that win means a lot seeing how tough Chelsea has been to beat in any competition. You can count Chelsea's defeats on one hand and Porto is one of the sides to defeat Mourinho's Blues.
Offence
:star: :star: (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Derlei
-> Fabiano
-> McCarthy
-> Alberto
-> Postiga
Porto is still inconsistent and have recently taken a beating in the Portuguese Super Liga. They lie in the third spot and may not win the league although the league is very tight. The coach was sacked recently making it the second sacking after Del Neri in pre-season. Both Del Neri and Fernandez are gone now.
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 3.5 stars)
-> Maniche
-> Diego
-> Costinha
-> Quaresma
-> Hugo Leal
The midfield still has very decent players. A lot depends on the Brasilian playmaker Diego as he is the man to string together the passes for the strikers. It will be tough for Porto's midfield to deal with Inter's midfield that is on a totally different plateau.
Defence
:star: 1/2 (old rating: 2.5 stars)
-> Costa
-> Seitaridis
-> Valente
-> Pepe
-> R Costa
-> Emanuel
The defence has its on and off days. One day it can keep a clean sheet not helped by the offence. Another day it can concede only 1 and then on a dark day the floodgates can open! It is not consistent and this indifferent form won't help against Inter who have a knack of scoring goals!
I N T E R N A Z I O N A L E - Italia
The Round of 16 opponent for the defending champions is Inter FC. Roberto Mancini's outfit is still the only major side in Europe to remain undefeated! :eekani: Inter however has drawn a lot of games and are aiming for some kind of record for the most draws in a single season by a football club. They are well on their way for that. :stoned:
Inter is a very very difficult opponent for Porto. Porto may have used up all their luck in the seaons with that struggling qualification campaign of theirs. The LUCK TANK might well be empty by now and Inter being heavy favourites for the tie should qualify with consummate ease.
Porto can cause a shocker but the chances of that happening are very rare IMO. Inter is just too good on paper and on form right now. Only a fortnight to go and Porto has raise two levels while Inter has to drop two levels to make it an even Steven tie.
FC Bayern Munchen
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 4
Bayern begins this season with not only to reclaim the Bundesliga title from Werder Bremen but also to gain back respect of European rivals in this competition. A little over two seasons ago Bayern's Olimpiastadion was considered to be the Unconquered Fortress with a stupendously unbelievable home record with a little less than a handful of losses in 70+ games!! The fortress has been conquered by La Coruna and Milan in back to back visits leaving it in tatters and pushing up Bayern's work for their new state of the art ALLIANZ ARENA which should be one of the stadia hosting one of the best ever World Cups ever! After all the Kaiser is responsible for it and he hasn't failed at any level so it is hard to believe he will fail at this level.
Bayern has not recovered with the hole left by their mercurial captain Stefan Effenberg who used to combine devastatingly well with Mehmet Scholl. Effenberg's presence was masterclass and Bayern has not been able to produce a commanding midfield general like him. Ballack is a different type of player and Hitzfeld's mistake was trying to mould him into an Effenberg while Ballack is more like a Scholl.
New coach, new signings and a new day begins for Bayern but are they ready for this European odyssey?
Offence
:star: :star:
-> Makaay
-> Santa Cruz
-> Pizarro
-> Zickler
-> Hashemian
Makaay is the only glimmer of hope in that offence that is seriously lacking quality players. Any injuries or off form appearances by Makaay and Bayern is staring at the barrel. The other strikers have spent enough time in Munich without producing the desired results. Bayern's onus thus shifts on their offensive midfield players like Ballack and Deisler to come up with the goals or else it is a mountain climb reminiscent of climbing the most dreaded mountain in the world: Karakoram-2 where chances of staying alive are rare.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Ballack
-> Deisler
-> Hargreaves
-> Frings
-> Salihamidzic
-> Ze Roberto
-> Demichelis
-> Scholl
-> Jeremies
The midfield is dangerous but has question marks over it regarding consistency and purpose. Deisler is the most injury prone player in the world. Ballack is a class act but he needs support from teammates to do his stuff offensively. Frings has been hailed as the missing piece in the puzzle and the rest are all well known. Scholl could be a super sub but he can't offer more than that.
Defence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Lucio
-> Kuffour
-> Sagnol
-> Rau
-> Linke
-> Kovac
Bayern has really gone for break making it a busy Summer for them all to result in an early shock with a humiliating 4-0 drubbing by Leverkusen which was uncharacteristic and unbelievable of Bayern. Magath IMO is not as good as organising a defence compared to Hitzfeld and this defence does not ooze class or confidence. Kuffour is far from the defender who was a part of the world's best defence 3 years ago. Sagnol is the best defender in that lot and Kovac has never impressed for an extended period while Linke has been off colour for long.
Goalkeeper
-> Kahn
Determined, strong, classy, arrogant, bull-headed and not at the same level anymore.
Starting Line-Up
4-2-3-1
-----------------------Kahn--------------------------
-
--Sagnol-------Kuffour-------Lucio------------Rau----
-
----------------Frings-------Hargreaves---------------
-
----------Deisler------Ballack---------Ze Roberto-------
-
----------------------Makaay---------------------------
Hargreaves was calling out to English clubs to get him so much so that was ready to join Tottenham as well. It shows that he lacks confidence in retaining a starting spot at Bayern. Demichelis will be hot on his heels to get that spot.
Magath has options in midfield to twist and turn his players especially knowing that Deisler will do well to hit 40 games this season if his injuries and depression is over. Ballack and Deisler are both prolific goal scoring midfielders so it is imperative for Bayern's cause that they play the most games. The defence looks a pale shadow of what it used to be.
The tie with Juventus will be more a competition of how Bayern's offence copes with Juve's defence and it promises to be not only an exciting tie but a very close one.
Bayern is delicate at the back and in this competition it is very important to have a great defence unless you are Real Madrid who have proved otherwise. ;) Then again Real was an offensive juggernaut ala Brasil with the world's best attackers donning the famous white.
FC Bayern Munchen
FC Bayern München (GER)
Qualified as: German runners-up
Bundesliga status: First (P19 W11 D5 L3)
Group stage: Group C runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 2-1 on aggregate to Madrid)
RD-16 opponents: Arsenal FC
Review + Preview
The silent assassin is at large. Beware! :skull: Bayern was in a very tight group along with the Turin Giants and Dutch powerhouse. They progressed at the cost of Ajax who had a forgettable campaign. Bayern's biggest test came up against the Don's Raging Bull and Magath's side failed on both occasions! Juve did a memorable double over the Germans in their first epic meeting(s) in all these decades of European competition! :eekani:
Bayern really doesn't do anything of notice or extra special in the Group Stage. It is an old habit of theirs. They just start to change gears around Matchday 5. It is a stable progression on their part where they continue to go un-noticed until they make a statement in the 2nd leg of the first knock-out and boom! People start taking notice of Bayern.
Bayern lost both games against the strongest team in their group however they were not trounced or outplayed. They held their own against a Juve side that had to grind out those victories. It is not a sign of how weak Juve is but it is a sign of the improvement of Bayern in this season's edition!
HOME FORM
Bayern has conceded only two goals at home so far. One of them was scored by Juventus captain Del Piero. The other one was scored by rookies Maccabi Tel-Aviv in a 5 goal thumping handed out to them.
Makaay burned Ajax single-handedly and scored the most amazing goal of Matchday 2 by a mile! Amazing striker with superb control and composure! :thmbup: He surely is the Phantom Menace! :smileani: Ajax tasted their worst defeat for years in European competition. Ajax maybe young and inexperienced but Ajax is after all Ajax! The tradition, history and trophies speak for themselves and 4-0 is a big loss for them. They never recovered from that loss.
Bayern has been very strong at home this season. Now they sit on top of the Bundesliga table as is customary to them almost all season at this point so visting the Olimpiastadion and getting something won't be easy.
-> 9 goals in three home games. 2 conceded.
AWAY FORM
Bayern picked up a precious away win on their first trip to Israel which was unchartered territory for them. Maccabi came close but Bayern held on in a nervous game for them.
They lost in a cagey game in the Stadio Delle Alpi to Juve through a Neddy strike in the last quarter of the game. Juve created the better chances and got the win deservingly however Bayern was not outplayed. Just outscored.
Bayern went to one of the most beautiful stadiums on their final matchday and broke Ajax hearts yet again with a 2-2 draw to book their qualification for the knock-out.
-> Scored 3 and conceded 3.
Bayern needs to improve on its away form as they have beaten the weakest side by the smallest of margins, drawn to a good but slightly weaker rival and lost to the strongest rival. They can look back at their home form to cover up for the away form but in the UCL playbook that is a cardinal sin as a team is bound to f*ck up one home game at least in a victorious campaign.
Offence
:star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Makaay
-> Santa Cruz
-> Pizarro
-> Zickler
-> Hashemian
I would've increased the new rating to 2.5 stars but there is sad news. Roque Santa Cruz' brother passed away in a car accident and Felix Magath has given him "compassionate leave" to go back home to Paraguay and support his family due to this tragic episode. R.I.P :(
There is no time limit on Cruz' stay in Paraguay so Magath is not relying on his return. It is Roque's own decision to make.
The main force is still Makaay and he is the key man for the goals. Pizarro will most likely be partnering him as before but there is nobody of considerable strength to come off the bench in case needed. Zickler is not the player he was in '99-'00 and Hashemian is a bit of an unknown variety. Santa Cruz would've been perfect given his height against Arsenal but his return is uncertain.
The danger man remains the coolest striker on the planet. The Phantom Menace. :cool:
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: (old rating: 3.5 stars)
-> Ballack
-> Deisler
-> Hargreaves
-> Frings
-> Salihamidzic
-> Ze Roberto
-> Demichelis
-> Scholl
-> Jeremies
It is a physically and powerful midfield that is improving as time wears on this season. The midfield lacks pace though with Ze Roberto being the fastest midfielder in the side. Magath has had to look back at stalwarts Scholl and Lizarazu (called him back) to inspire his side and it has worked somewhat. The main man however remains Ballack. The burden is on his shoulders. If Bayern is to have a great game then the orchestrator of that win has to be Ballack. Ballack is not on the grand level that he showed once. Bayern's chances lie with his form.
With Deisler being paid to pay visit to cuckoo land far too often there is not creative help for Bayern. I really doubt Deisler's ability after these depression fits of his. He has the talent & skill but he is two notches below On-Ree in the mental deptt.
Defence
:star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: ditto)
-> Lucio
-> Kuffour
-> Sagnol
-> Rau
-> Linke
-> Kovac
-> Lizarazu
Liza has returned to beef up the defence and it has worked a bit. The problem remains that Bayern is still having trouble beating the bigger opponents getting draws or firing blanks. That all comes down to the midfield.
This sort of weak defence will hurt Bayern if they continue to progress because Bayern has problems in winning the away games but they are good enough to draw them. If they fail at home it is good night. Therefore they will have to improve on their travels as the opponents will get tougher and tougher from this point onwards.
A R S E N A L - England
Magath's next opponents are Arsenal from London. Arsenal have had a rough patch since the draw was made. They have really had a dip in form and Alex Ferguson's side has had a major role in that dip not counting Mr. Riley and Fat Sam Allardyce aka The Fly In the Ointment :tongue:
Arsenal are in a precarious position now. They haven't been in this position before. The league is gone for good. And the UCL knock-out is around the corner. Wenger stated in this season that the Premiership was of utmost importance. He didn't respect this competition. :thmbdown: Now when the tables have turned, I await how much his comments and thoughts have changed with respect to the APPROACH to this competition.
Arsenal will have a full go at Bayern knowing that the CL provides some sort of consolation for their terrible season. I am not talking about winning it but making their first semi-final appearance or third QF appearance come what may.
Bayern will not have it easy. Arsenal will be a difficult proposition for the Germans and might nick it. This season has seen a revival of German teams as all three have made the knock-out! All three German clubs (Bayern, Leverkusen and Bremen) have already got big European scalps i.e. Ajax, Real, Valencia.
They are not push-overs this season and doing their job silently but efficiently. It is difficult to point out where Bayern stand as they have only played twice since the Winter Break was over. It will be easier to determine in 10 days time but for now Bayern and Arsenal look neck and neck. I gave the initial edge to Arsenal when the draw was made but Bayern is getting stronger and stronger and that is dangerous for the other teams in this competition.
ACMILAN1983
04-02-2005, 22:33
nice updates Haroon
Liverpool FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 4
One of Europe's fallen giants that was about to diminish into obscurity is making strides to get back into recognition and contention this season. A club with a rich history and tradition is walking back into Europe's greatest competition and it is walking alone without its ridiculously disastrous coach Gerard Houllier! That should increase Liverpool's bid by a good 25% if nothing else!
Wholesale changes have taken place at Anfield with a young and successful coach taking the helm. Very outspoken and to the point and also not shying away from giving a reality check to the players makes this an interesting start to an era for Liverpool FC. A league title beckons for long as the period is over a decade now and the club is hungry to get back lost glory. The squad is not complete but on its way there. The club's fans should expect at least a strong showing with positive signs towards a WIN in the future.
Offence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Cisse
-> Baros
-> Pongolle
-> Mellor
Hats off to Baros who after a brilliant Euro campaign announced his firm plans to stick with his club and fight for a place knowing that he would not be first choice as Owen was still present. Players like that are rare and he is a great character to have in a squad. Cisse has always pledged loyalty to the Reds making it absolutely clear that Liverpool is the dream, the fantasy that he HAS to fullfil and now he is a RED! Pongolle can learn from these two even though the former two are relatively inexperienced. It is a youthful attack which at this moment needs time and continuity.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Gerrard
-> Alonso
-> Kewell
-> Garcia
-> Hamann
-> Diao
-> Smicer
-> Nunez
Good balanced and strong midfield especially the starting 4 which is very good and will be a handful for the opposition. Spanish Margherita on the menu and Benitez has brought in Spanish specialists for the job and they have lifted Liverpool in this department from above average to classy. It is a young side throughout which will need time but this crop of players promises to give exciting times to the Anfield faithful.
Defence
:star: :star:
-> Hyypia
-> Henchoz
-> Josemi
-> Riise
-> Finnan
-> Traore
-> Carragher
-> Warnock
Liverpool needs two central defenders as their present ones are not good enough if they want to win. The level is low compared to to other rivals in the league and Europe. The fullback department looks set.
Goalkeeper
-> Dudek
Good.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
-----------------------Dudek--------------------------
-
--Josemi-------Hyypia--------Carragher----------Riise--
-
--------------Gerrard-----------Alonso-----------------
----Garcia-----------------------------------Kewell----
-
-----------------Cisse--------Baros--------------------
Young side that can play together for years however that mess in the central defence has to be sorted out for good things to happen at Anfield. The coach is smart and knows full well how to optimise with what he is given so Benitez can be expected to strengthen that defence even with what he has. That is what exceptional coaches do and he is one. Liverpool still lacks squad depth however and that will hurt their cause in this season's competition. Their group is evenly balanced so it will be very tight.
[B] Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC (ENG)
Qualified as: Fourth place in England
Premiership status: Fifth (P26 W13 D4 L9)
Group stage: Group A runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984)
2003/04 Champions League: Did not qualify
RD-16 opponents:Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Review + Preview
Liverpool re-ignite the memories of that memorable clash with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 2001-2002 campaign. It was epic and the second leg of that UCL was the best game in that campaign by MILES.
It deserves a small flashback for it was a superb see-saw game. Liverpool won the first leg 1-0 at Anfield and went to the BayArena in Deutschland knowing that even a 0-0 draw would take them through while Leverkusen needed to win by two clear goals to keep their hopes alive in that UCL campaign.
Klaus Toppmöller's side took the lead levelling the tie at 1-1. Liverpool equalled the game at 1-1 and put the tie in their favour at 2-1. Leverkusen took the lead to make it a 2-1 game but the tie was still at 2-2 with Liverpool qualifying on the away goal! Ballack struck to make a 3-1 game for Leverkusen and put the initiative in Leverkusen's favour with a 2-3 lead in the tie! :star: Liverpool was in no mood to give in and they scored yet again to make it a 3-3 tie and 3-2 match!!! :thmbup: :star: Leverkusen had to score to go through while Liverpool had to maintain this score to go through. Ballack again with a phenomenal shot from distance scored to take the score to 4-2 for Leverkusen and a 4-3 tie to Leverkusen!!
-- Fantastic game to watch. The season's best! Edge of your seat thriller! --
This is the first time that all 4 English clubs qualified for the knock-out stage of the UCL but out of all 4 it is Liverpool who struggled the most to qualify. It was Gerrard's superb strike that sealed qualification. The big match player rose to the occasion .... yet again!
Liverpool did well to qualify from this group. It was a tricky group with all teams on virtually the same level more or less so it would've come down to who the better two were in the end. No wonder the top 3 teams all lost two games and the 2nd (Liverpool) and 3rd (Olympiacos) placed sides finished with 10 pts each [2 pts behind group leaders Monaco]
HOME FORM
Rafa Benitez has a simple plan. Win all the home games and draw the away games. Liverpool won their first home game outplaying Monaco to grab a convincing 2-0 home win. Deschamps said in the post match comments that his side was lucky to lose by only two goals.
The second home game didn't go according to plan with a scoreless draw to Deportivo La Coruna but the third one on Matchday Six was where all the excitement took place culminating in a stunning Gerrard strike to make the Kop go delirious with joy.
Home record is pretty good for Liverpool FC.
-> 5 goals scored and 1 conceded in three home games.
AWAY FORM
The away form of Liverpool has to be the concerning part. Rafa's plan didn't work at all with two away defeats albeit narrow ones (1-0) to Monaco and Olympiacos really damaged their campaign somewhat. It was an important win at the Riazor to Deportivo (0-1) that was precious.
This kind of form will hurt a lot in the knock-out stages. A team cannot continue to rely on the home games to get the job done. There will come a time when things don't click in a home game at least once during a champions league [victorious] campaign and it is at that time that the great sides put on the show in alien territory to show who's boss.
-> 1 goal scored and 2 conceded in three away games.
Offence
:star: :star: (old rating: 2.5 stars)
-> Cisse
-> Baros
-> Pongolle
-> Mellor
Liverpool have already lost Cisse with a broken foot but pulled through. They have Morientes now but he is ineligible for European competition as he has represented his former club. However that will give the opportunity to Mellor who has scored a shocker or two to partner Baros up front. Liverpool is depleted up front but the damage is not much in this deptt compared to what they were starting with. They can manage.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Gerrard
-> Alonso
-> Kewell
-> Garcia
-> Hamann
-> Diao
-> Smicer
-> Nunez
Losing Xabi Alonso is a big big blow to Liverpool's chances. It hurts their chances big time. The burden and pressure on Gerrard's shoulders is huge now as if it wasn't before! The others have to raise their game which is a difficult thing to do. Things will have to work inch perfect for Liverpool to deal with this. I'm afraid it is a damaging blow keeping in mind they don't have a rounded squad.
Defence
:star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Hyypia
-> Henchoz
-> Josemi
-> Riise
-> Finnan
-> Traore
-> Carragher
-> Warnock
I was wrong in saying that the full-back position was set because it is not. The right back needs improvement. Rafa Benitez will have to weave some magic and instill some discipline + organization to make Liverpool's defence water-tight because a strong defence (meaning clean sheets) will help Liverpool's progression in this tournament as the midfield is not very strong.
LEVERKUSEN - Deutschland
Next opponent as mentioned is in Germany. Both teams are more or less in the same position in their respective leagues. It seemed that Liverpool had got the easiest of draws amongst the English sides but injuries and form have put doubts in that a bit. Liverpool will have to play a fantastic match in Anfield to seal the tie. A narrow home win can potentially hurt them in the BayArena considering their poor away form.
Arsenal FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0 (Semis = 0) :)
I don't know much about Arsenal's history except the fact that they have Never reached the semi-final of this competition and have under-achieved in this competition having strong seasons in the EPL. Arsenal have just enjoyed their greatest season ever going undefeated in style and shattering records in the EPL. 'Bout time they improve on the above figure as well to strike a balance between league and Europe. They have set the EPL on fire and started right where they left off scoring goals for fun. The team is even more rounded this time with very talented and bright youngsters joining the experienced campaigners to add much wanted depth at Arsenal. Arsenal missed out one transfer and that is the right back spot. Trabelsi (if his fuss ever stopped) or Sagnol would've been brilliant additions but it didn't happen so Arsenal will have to do with the most amazing own goal scorer ever in the shape of Lauren :D
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Henry
-> Reyes
-> Bergkamp
-> Van Persie
-> Lupoli
Very good offence with diversity. New signing Van Persie and rising star Reyes take pressure off Henry as they contribute a lot to the side. It is a pacy offence utilizing pace combined with vision to rip apart defences. The downside is that this plan falls flat when a defence is sitting back not allowing the counter attack to take place. Wenger should by now do something to fix this hoodoo of Arsenal flopping in the UCL. If Arsenal doesn't reach the semis in this season's competition then it would be .... a case of choking if not already.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Pires
-> Vieira
-> Ljunberg
-> Fabregas
-> Flamini
-> Edu
-> Gilberto
-> Djourou
-> Pennant
-> Hoyte
This midfield did not lose a game all season long. It is yet to lose a game. But in Europe it was a different case showing the difference in the quality of the UCL where a team has to shift gears to really win things. I consider the UCL tougher to win than any league. Arsenal has improved their showing in the competition by getting away wins under their belt. Now they have to fix the problem of advancing further in the competition which is easier said than done. It is a burden to get rid of this hoodoo. Wenger is the ideal coach for them and the team is in the best shape possible. The group is also a good platform to slowly build the momentum. If this ain't the time to break it then I don't know when it will be.
Arsenal are lucky to still have their FAITHFUL captain. He better raise his game to another level in Europe especially because he is the one who is supposed to be controlling the midfield proceedings. A UCL winning side always has a leader in the middle of the park to control the tempo. Vieira hasn't done diddly squat in the UCL. There is a gulf of difference btw Vieira of the EPL and Vieira of the UCL. I am not going to bother on Henry as my views on him are clear. Reyes and Van Persie should help take off the pressure from Henry so that he can choke less.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Campbell
-> Toure
-> Cole
-> Lauren :D
-> Senderos
-> Clichy
-> Cygan
The Campbell-Toure duo is wicked. Both of them have vision, pace and anticipation and are the reason for Arsenal's improved defence! Cole does a fine job on the left but there are better players than him. He is still one of the best fullbacks out there.
The Arsenal defence is one of the best ones in this competition and it will be hard to crack open. Arsenal as a TEAM looks very strong indeed as well. Good backups who are young and talented. The backups do lack in experience and that can be a cause for concern in an emergency.
Goalkeeper
-> Lehmann
Slight concern over him. He does make a mistake here and there and the UCL doesn't allow you to do that often. He has to be careful.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
---------------------Lehmann--------------------------
-
--Lauren-------Toure-------Campbell-----------Cole--
-
-
--Ljunberg-----Gilberto------Vieira---------Pires------
-
-
----------------Reyes------Henry--------------------
The team is strong just like it was last season. The re-inforcements bring that extra kick with them and provide options for Wenger to play with. That was something missing. Personally I have serious question marks over both Vieira and Henry delivering in crunch time. Let's see what happens with that. I don't think it would hurt Arsenal this time as much because they have able backups to fill in those roles.
Arsenal do tend to slaughter sides but If I was the opposing coach I would field a 4 man flat backline and a 5 man midfield. Tell the defence to not push for the offside trap and then see how Arsenal react. I am not saying that Arsenal will be neutralized. I am saying they will be vapourized ;) Joking aside I think Arsenal's effectiveness can be REDUCED with that ploy.
I don't feel comfortable to bet on Arsenal (because they under-perform -- they have the team and skill but miss the mentality) making the top 4 but who knows ... maybe they will finally take that step forward this season and prove their critics wrong this time (new players hold the key IMO).
Honourable Mention: Mr. Jern "Annoying Git" Lizardhous :)
Arsenal FC
Arsenal FC (ENG)
Qualified as: English champions
Premiership status: Third (P17 W10 D5 L2)
Group stage: Group E winners (P6 W2 D4 L0)
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2001, 2004) :kiss:
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 3-2 on aggregate to Chelsea)
RD-16 opponents: FC Bayern München
Review + Preview
I don't know how Arsenal manage to make life difficult for themselves. They had an easy group and should've made qualification easier than it eventually was for them. Credit must go to PSV Eindhoven who enjoyed their best UCL campaign since the new format took place and really put on a good show!
Arsenal's problems were multiplied by a Greek presence in the CL this season as both Olympiakos and Panathinaikos had very good campaigns simultaneously. A ripple effect of the great campaign that the Greeks had during the Euro.
Arsenal started off with a narrow 1-0 win against PSV and then played 4 draws and finally thrashing Rosenborg 5-1 to get the job done. Arsenal made life difficult for themselves at a time when they were on cruise control in the league.
Wenger has tried to not lose in the UCL this time around but the cost of that was Arsenal had to get rid of their quick one touch swift counter attacking style to get through the group. Arsenal have struggled as usual but the thing to look at is their undefeated streak. They are not losing away from home and making it tough for the opposition to beat them.
If they can add more clean sheets and the ability to win more games then they can get better but time is not on their sides.
HOME FORM
Started off with a 1-0 home win against a PSV side that improved with time. The second game was an away draw to Pana with Lehmann in no man's land for the Pana goal. The third was a thrashing handed out to Rosenborg when Arsenal predictably killed off the game in the first 30 mins.
Every teams has its star players who have to rise to the occasion to come good. Arsenal's big names are Henry, Vieira, Pires, Campbell, Ljunberg and the first two are the pillars on which The Arsenal stands. The former two are gifted but lack cojones. Mental wussies.
Arsenal has needs a more spread of their goals scored at home. Old problem. They don't score when it matters but when they do, they score a bundle. A more even spread is required.
-> Scored 7 goals and conceded 2
AWAY FORM
The away form is always good when you don't get beat. 3 draws and 3 scoring draws is pretty good going. Had they added a win here then it would've been fantastic viewing results wise. But Arsenal believes more in entertaining rather than getting the job done. :stuckup:
They've scored in every away game while the performances have been dire at times. If a scoring draw can take place in Germany then Arsenal will do very well to start off the knock-out round. Conceding 4 is not that bad and scoring 4 is not that bad. They lack an away win to make it a better looking stat.
-> Scored 4 and conceded 4
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Henry
-> Reyes
-> Bergkamp
-> Van Persie
-> Lupoli
Scoring 11 in the group stage is good going especially when you consider that one of the main creative force in the shape of Bergkamp doesn't travel. However it gets tough now and Arsenal have to look at their main man Henry to carry forward the offence. There is no room for mental breakdown now. It is a simple two leg knock-out where most probably Bergie won't be able to travel leaving the burden on Henry to deliver in the games. Time will tell whether he maintains his amazing consistency to become a lion when it is a normal situation and becomes a mouse when the heat is turned on. Relying on him will cost Arsenal.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Pires
-> Vieira
-> Ljunberg
-> Fabregas
-> Flamini
-> Edu
-> Gilberto
-> Djourou
-> Pennant
-> Hoyte
Arsenal has often looked flat in this department and yet they have not lost a game in the group stage. They've got a lot of draws and this competition is more about not losing. A defeat can hurt a lot from now on. Arsenal will do well to maintain this record and not lose a game. However the midfield must step up a notch or two. Gilberto could well be the missing link. I wonder if Wenger has the courage to field Fabregas and Gilberto together in the middle leaving out the captain. :eekani:
Defence
:star: :star: :star: (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Campbell
-> Toure
-> Cole
-> Lauren :D
-> Senderos
-> Clichy
-> Cygan
Arsenal is shaky at the back if they don't have their starting back 4. A lot depends on the fitness of Lauren-Toure-Campbell-Cole being fit and playing together. They worked well as a unit but since the injuries and absences broke that quartet the settling and adjustment is just lacking. They look lost at the back at times.
It also effects a defence mentally when they know that the responsibility on them is a lot more considering that the goalkeeper is not the last line of defence and could make a mistake! It effects the overall play.
The Arsenal defence needs to be more tighter at the back as even a single goal can be a killer blow at the wrong time.
BAYERN - Deutschland
The reaction of Arsenal fans that I know of wasn't positive when I told them that they drew Bayern. They were not downbeat but worried. And worried they should be. Arsenal being the most fragile team mentally out of the top sides is up against a mentally tough outfit traditionally. The match is always played on the pitch but the mental state of players has so much to do with how comfortable the players are on the pitch.
A lot of changes have happened since the draw took place. Some sides have picked up while some have gone down and now it is looking even more difficult to pick out winners than it was over a month ago.
Arsenal is in a pickle now. I will still give them the slightest of edges to get past Bayern but it won't be easy at all. Arsenal will have to play really well in Deutschland to get the job done because Bayern is getting better. If they don't play a half decent game in Germany then they are in trouble in Highbury. Bayern are capable of beating Arsenal in Highbury but Arsenal is not capable of beating Bayern in the Olimpiastadion. An upset can happen but somebody will need to play the game of his life. They will need to raise their game to defy their doubters. The key game is in Germany which will dictate how the tie goes.
Internazionale FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
Former AC Parma captain Sabri Lamouchi on joining Inter announced his joy by claiming that I have joined Inter - The team of dreams! Must have smoked some classy F-4 grade pot directly imported from Colombia :stoned: It was a case of 'another one bites the dust' as he came and went like the wind into the wider unkown valley of darkness. Inter has been blessed with a President with enough money to bring the world's best players to Appiano Gentile but at the same the president has a severe lack of brain matter to judge who to buy and when to buy resulting in a never ending disaster story that dates back for quite some time! Teams have their ups and downs but Inter's bell-shaped curve of form has now changed its shape into a consistent straight line of failure with the expectation line at the start of every season 75 degrees up from that performance line at the end of the season. The ever so familiar statement of This is Inter's year has now become stereotype and is sadly not used that much by Inter's fans. I have had the honour of seeing a couple of Interistas (Italians) smile while saying that during the Summer. :D Where is the confidence? To their credit they are extremely nice and soft spoken people. :)
For that very reason this Summer has seen some moves made that should change Inter's fortune for the better and take them to the promised land rather than being stuck in this quick-sand. :nervous:
Offence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Adriano
-> Cruz
-> Martins
-> Recoba
-> Vieri
Adriano will have to carry the offence and the team on his shoulders. Vieri is a FINISHED case. I said that before the Euro and I still hold that statement. He is a million miles from what he used to be. Recoba is not a 'HAS BEEN' player. He is a 'NEVER WAS' . Millions wasted on him for what?? Does Inter have accountants to calculate the millions spent on Recoba to balance what he has returned??? No big club in this world would've tolerated that level of INCONSISTENCY for such an EXTENDED PERIOD. But this only happens at INTER. Cruz played well and played like a team player when given the chance but what does Inter do? Bench him. Only Inter I tell you. Martins will hardly start due to the preference of Vieri and Recoba over him whereas Martins-Adriano is the future.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Stankovic
-> Emre
-> Van Der Meyde
-> Davids
-> Veron
-> Kily Gonzalez
-> Cambiasso
-> Karagounis
-> Zanetti
Pretty good midfield options but then again when players go to Inter they also pay a visit to the Grim Reaper and get their tombstones prepared in advance. However jokes aside this midfield has pretty good players who can do really really well if they play upto their potential. Davids should give the remaining guys a push to play to their abilities. I have always believed that the mess at Inter is moreso a mental problem and the WILL TO WIN is severely lacking. The standard is just not high enough. The pre-match and post-match comments do not reflect a winning side mentality. Maybe it changes this season but it was not upto standard in the past seasons. The mental approach has to be strong enough and focused enough to translate that energy into positive football. Inter has given me an impression of weaklings playing casually with not much reliance on winning. They have taken that "enjoy the game" factor a bit too seriously to only enjoy and forget about football. I am talking in a broader sense here. Not all players in Inter are like this but most of Cedric the Entertainers are.
Defence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Zanetti
-> Materazzi
-> Burdisso
-> Cordoba
-> Mihajlovic :D
-> Favalli
-> Gamarra
-> Pasquale
What is Mihajlovic doing in Inter? Only Inter I tell you. Mancini came but brought a full brigade of Lazio players with him. Inter's Summer is believed to be a smart one. The only smart buys were Davids, Favalli and Mancini. That is negated by the sale of Cannavaro for free and Mancini bringing in his brigade (Mihajlovic) brings that grand total of a so called Summer to a big fat zero! I know I will be bombarded for saying this but then again I was bombarded for saying that Kily was a $hit purchase.
Goalkeeper
-> Toldo
Pretty good but not worthy enough compared to Carini! Carini is da bomb! He is equivalent to the world class defender and Italian captain. What is Toldo compared to him? The Inter tradition is still alive! Carini should get at least ONE game to warrant his purchase :D
Starting Line-Up
This will be one tough cookie! :nervous:
4-4-2
-----------------------Toldo--------------------------
-
--Zanetti-------Cordoba-----Materazzi---------Favalli--
-
-----------------Veron--------Davids------------------
----Stankovic----------------------------Emre---------
-
----------------Adriano-------Recoba------------------
Since this is Inter we are talking about I will make a special exception and try to name my favoured personal 11. The 11 that Inter should play the most for the season (talking about Europe only) IMO. But knowing this is Inter it ain't gonna happen.
-----------------------Toldo--------------------------
-
--Zanetti-------Cordoba-----Burdisso---------Favalli--
-
-------------Stankovic--------Davids------------------
----Van Der Meyde--------------------Emre------------
-
----------------Adriano-------Martins------------------
I don't know how the Inter management works but it is downright ridiculous holding on to TRASH for years. Don't they know how to recycle? Inter fans with due respect tend to overrate some of their players more than they deserve.
Here is my list of rejects and discards who are GOOD FOR NOTHING:
1. Mihajlovic
2. C Zanetti
3. Recoba
4. Vieri
5. K Gonzalez
6. Materazzi
Veron ... we shall see what he is made of. I think he ain't got the minerals and is a luxury. Mancini can kiss up to him all he likes to build his confidence but Veron never struck me as a match winner or a leader. In France '98 he had a mesmeric Ariel Arnaldo Ortega pulling the strings, In S.S Lazio he had Pavel Nedved and when he got the responsibility for Argentina in the Dirty World Cup he bombed. He bombed in Man U (to his defence he was played out of position .. the same position where he played in France '98 by the way) and did the same at Chelsea when given the responsibility and leadership role. So you can add his name there.
Inter doesn't have a high-up with a real set of BALLS who can call these players to his office and tell them YOU'RE OUT!! I am unconventional and forthright and very straight-forward when I say that if Inter needs to change itself then there is a lot of garbage in the house that needs cleaning up and the fans and mgmt alike should realize this and call a spade a spade instead of putting the players on a golden pedestal of ancient Greek Gods while the straight line continues!
I thought Mancini would turn things around. So far he has done some stupid moves that are beyond reasoning which have created doubts in my mind of his credibility. Cuper was the dullest one to coach them but the smartest one as well. He made them look like a team even though the derby results didn't go his way. Other than that he made them look like a team.
Even after all of this is said and done my hunch is that Inter will have a better European campaign than their Serie A campaign. The group is tight and they have got the worst of the fourth pot teams in the shape of Werder Bremen. Valencia is there and Anderlecht isn't a pushover.
Internazionale FC
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Qualified as: Fourth place in Italy
Serie A status: Fifth (P15 W3 D12 L0)
Group stage: Group G winners (P6 W4 D2 L0)
Best performance: Winners (1964, 1965)
2003/04 Champions League: Group stage
RD-16 opponents: FC Porto
Review + Preview
Inter put in an extremely strong showing in the first group stage and they had a very tight and tough group to deal with!! They remain undefeated and do so with some measure of authority! And yet the same Inter is having trouble to convert the draws to wins from time to time!
I did think initially that Inter is better built for European competition and they have done very well winning their group and playing a hand at the surprising elimination of Spanish champions Valencia CF! :eekani:
Mancini hasn't got it together in the Serie A as yet but he hasn't put a foot wrong in Europe!
HOME FORM
Inter hasn't conceded a goal at home! The only time they didn't score was against Valencia CF in a do or die game for the Spanish outfit. In the other two games they took care of Werder and Anderlecht with relative ease!
A big factor in this super form was the form of The Brasilian Beast aka Adriano! The only weakness in his game is his weaker foot but does he make up for that loss!! He is a super-human forward and much will depend on his form to carry Inter on his shoulders. Something that he has done and something that he can do!
Opponents have to neutralize him to minimize Inter's threat. If he is let loose then it is troubling for opponents!
-> 5 goals scored and 0 conceded
Away Form
This is where Inter showed its strength. They thrashed Anderlecht 1-3. Anderlecht had a poor campaign and Inter took full advantage of their poor state by toying around with them.
The big headliner was the dismantling of a Valencia side that just didn't have a reply to the Brute Brasilian's raw power, pace and precision. A weakened Valencia met Adriano on a night where he was relentless. The whole Inter side performed well and it happens in football that an individual can raise the level of a side and improve the morale and confidence!
The game against Werder was tricky but still Inter didn't lose or concede too many. A 1-1 draw is not bad at all when you have two convincing away wins under your belt!
The brilliant stat is that of goals scored away from home. It shows that Inter is comfortable away from home and has dealt well with what was thrown their way.
The worrying thing for Inter is the conceding goals on their trips. Even in this hot form they didn't keep a clean sheet. Now that every goal becomes more important it may well happen that Inter concedes at home (something that they haven't done) and therefore they must keep a tight noose on their travels.
This is a testing competition and the team that loses its strongest strength but still pulls through to convert its weakness into a strength goes the complete distance! It does happen during a campaign that things just don't click on a certain day. It is at that time when a champion team digs deep and gets rid of its weakness and converts it into a strength ;)
Inter has to be careful when it comes to letting in away goals because in one of the games they will concede at home and not score many away contrary to what they have been doing. It will hurt their cause if they don't deal with the goals conceded on their travels albeit they are a small amount.
-> 9 goals scored and conceded 3
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: 3 stars)
-> Adriano
-> Cruz
-> Martins
-> Recoba
-> Vieri
Washed up Vieri has joined the scoring ranks since I last wrote this while Adriano's form has gone down a bit. Adriano is imperative for Inter's cause. If he is out of form or has an off-day then it can hurt Inter a lot. The positive thing in his favour is that he has already made quite a huge roar in this edition and therefore the opposition will be wary of him even he is not in best of form.
Vieri is scoring regularly now, however I still think that Adriano and Martins is the better bet against a tight defence due to their pace.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Stankovic
-> Emre
-> Van Der Meyde
-> Davids
-> Veron
-> Kily Gonzalez
-> Cambiasso
-> Karagounis
-> Zanetti
Inter has played the diamond midfield mostly and the key aspect has been to field Cambiasso to guard the defence. It hasn't worked proficiently in the Serie A but has worked well in the UCL. Now that Kily Gonzalez has returned it will work against Inter as he is a good for nothing big game Mr. Freeze. Veron is on again and off again. The midfield as a unit has worked well but Inter IMO lacks a commanding figure/focal point in the midfield. That role has been given to Veron but I have spoken on him in the past and don't consider him to be the role that he is given. As time wears on it will become evident if not already.
Defence
:star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 3 stars)
-> Zanetti
-> Materazzi
-> Burdisso
-> Cordoba
-> Mihajlovic :D
-> Favalli
-> Gamarra
-> Pasquale
Inter's downfall in this competition will potentially be the defence and I don't think many Inter fans will disagree with that. One goal is enough for elimination and this defence is just not prime enough to depend on if Inter has to shut up shop for the last 20 odd mins in a deciding game of a tie. They may do it but not a good bet at all. The problem lies in the heart of the defence with chopping, changing and shuffling. The existing personnel are ok and maybe good at times but there is plenty of room for improvement.
Mancini will do the wrong thing if he doesn't concentrate even more on this area with the thought that the other deptts will bail the defence out.
FC PORTO - Portugal
Inter have got a less arduous task even though the team they are meeting are the defending European Champions! It is Porto who need to raise their game bundles to stand shoulder to shoulder with Inter and not the other way around. Inter will most probably get through with consummate ease as expected. However Inter cannot get too ahead of themselves thinking that they are already there before they are actually there. Two games need to be played and the job is to be done.
Real Madrid CF
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 9
The Spanish Aristocrats are the most successful club in this competition's history! Real started a new era of victories in the UCL when they defeated Italian powerhouse Juventus FC in the 1998 final. They went on to win the trophy again in 2000 and 2002 making a strong claim to resurgence after a drought of 28 years in Europe's top competition. Re-elected president Florentino Perez has assembled a galaxy of stars in the Spanish capital. One would say he lost the plot by being carried away too much in this ONE star per year policy. Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham and now Owen has joined an array of superstars at Real Madrid.
However this season Real Madrid took a step in the right direction by purchasing two defenders in the shape of Walter Adrian Samuel and Jonathan Woodgate from AS Roma and Newcastle United FC. All is not lost even though Real narrowly missed out on Vieira due to some strange actions on their part. Vieira was theirs for the taking but Real's wage offering was not on par with the other Galacticos. Anyways it is all water under the bridge. Real's main worry at this moment would be Samuel (The Real Galactico) getting fit quickly so that he can start contributing to the cause for Real.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Ronaldo
-> Raul
-> Morientes
-> Owen
Real Madrid has the best set of attackers in this season's competition. These four strikers are all brilliant on their day and Real can rightly claim to assembling the best set of strikers with regards to their competition. The scape goat in all this will be Morientes who will see most of the bench due to the other stars having a bigger name. Camacho can benefit from the options at his disposal as all four strikers can be effective in a multitude of scenarios.
Morientes is strong in the air, Raul has vision and cheekyness, Ronaldo is a devastating goalscorer and Owen has pace. It just depends on the coach to give these strikers opportunities at the right time and it could work out fine in this department.
The only concerns would be Raul being out of form and Owen with his groin problems. Other than that this fit quartet is going to be hard to stop for most teams.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star:
-> Zinedine Zidane
-> Luis Figo
-> David Beckham
-> Ivan Helguera
-> Santiago Solari
-> Guti (he can play as a forward as well)
-> Celades
The midfield has players with class and reputation. The starters will be the first four ones mentioned on most occasions. Zidane and Figo's age will be concerns no matter what as the seasons are long and hard nowadays and they are on the wrong side of 30. They are not defenders where 34 is still good to go. They are offensive midfielders and when crunch time approaches in March their stamina and resilience will decide Real's fate. Beckham should get a little more freedom now that his partner in the middle will be Helguera who is quite good.
A positive from Helguera pushing up into midfield will be his knack for scoring goals returns! That will help Real as he is good especially on set pieces (aerial ability)
Beckham cannot afford to have a season like he did in the latter part of the season. He got from bad to worse. It will be interesting to see what Camacho has in mind for Beckham.
There isn't enough depth in the Real midfield once again. It could come back to haunt them with makeshift arrangements in the form of Owen and Guti chipping in while playing out of position.
The starting midfield can be devastating on its day but the big question is can it be devastating for a good part of the season to take Real to the promised land? I think not.
Defence
:star: :star:
-> Salgado
-> Carlos
-> Samuel
-> Woodgate
-> Bravo
-> Pavon
-> Mejia
-> Fernandez
The coach doesn't have much confidence in this area to put in 8 names for his squad. It has been Real's achilles heel for some time but this season two new addition to add strength in the middle whilst the fullbacks take a dive towards fading to black ;)
Samuel on his day will not let the opposition score a goal. His performance in the Bernabeu a couple of seasons ago for Roma was master class. He shut up shop on his own. He ain't called THE WALL for nothing. :cool:
The rest of the Real defence has question marks. Woodgate is injury prone while Pavon, Mejia and Bravo are in a word BRAVO for the opposition :D
Goalkeeper
-> Casillas
The Real number 1 is pretty good so no worries there.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1
---------------------Casillas--------------------------
-
--Salgado----Woodgate----Samuel-----------Carlos--
-
--------------Beckham-----Helguera-----------------
----Figo--------------------------------Zidane------
-
-------------------Raul-----------------------------
------------------------Ronaldo---------------------
There are multiple formations with which Real can play but this would be one of the popular ones I should think. Real will start with that 11 as the preferred starting 11 and then MIGHT change to bring in other starters depending on their performance. Depends on Camacho having the balls to bench the biggest names in football because of poor performance. Queiroz didn't have any. Time will tell whether Camacho has a pair or not.
The team when fresh and fit is match for anyone. But we are talking about a season here and the toughest club competition to win. On top of that Real has matched the other sides (Milan, Ajax, Bayern) of the modern era by winning THREE titles in an era. Only the Great Liverpool side won 4 in an era apart from Di Stefano's Real obviously who won 5 in one go. :cool:
So can Real match Pool and win 4 or will they disappear into the unknown to rise again another day? Personally I think Real has peaked for now and it would be a tough ask for them to win this competition this season. They needed to juice up their midfield (offensive deptt). They bought a striker at a discount price and who was not really needed whereas they could've spent that same money for buying for example Rosicky. Owen is going to start from the bench. Rosicky would've done the same but he would've subbed one of Zidane or Figo to give them the surge in the midfield.
Real doesn't have any backup for Zizou so they lose the central attack in Zidane's absence. It is all flank without Zidane. You can't win the UCL if there is no central attack.
Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
Qualified as: Fourth place in Spain
Primera División status: Fourth (P14 W8 D4 L2)
Group stage: Group B runners-up (P6 W3 D2 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost on away goals to Monaco after 5-5 draw)
RD-16 opponents: Juventus FC
Review + Preview
Well well well ... look what happened to Real. The joke of a midfield needed an anchorman after all ... Gee whizz! Now that a YOUNGER player who is played at HIS POSITION in the CORRECT ROLE has joined does Real look like a team somewhat. The result of Gravesen joining has pushed Beckham into his proper slot while Figo was always the complete winger and he adjusted without a hiccup. Zidane gets into more attacking play and there lies Real's offensive strength through the middle.
When Zidane has a good game Real is on fire and when he is off which is pretty much the whole season Real struggles to get the result even if it is a win!
Vanderlei Luxemburgo was also signed seeing where Real was heading which was definitiely into no man's land! Real looks a bit more stable now and more like a football team as the players are being correctly on the field. However I still don't understand what Owen has to do to get a starting spot. I think 3 hat-tricks would give the kid a start after all.
Real and Juve is a brilliant tie nonetheless with two very big clubs locking horns as they have in recent seasons for quite some time now! It is a tough tie to call but Real has had the slight edge over Juve and while Real needs Zidane to fire on all cylinders, Juve needs Nedved to do the same.
I see these two stars as the deciding factors of this tie even though there are quite a few match-winners on either side's rosters.
HOME FORM
4-2 (Roma), 1-0 (Kyiv) and 1-1 (Leverkusen) was Real's performance. They scraped through on the final matchday and in the end matched Leverkusen's total of 11 points! Only let down by the one to one btw both sides. Real played with fire during the group stage giving plenty of shocks and surprises along the way! Kyiv will feel hard done by to go out even though they scored 10 points! Unlucky for the Ukrainians who really did have a brilliant group stage.
Apart from that Roma self-destruction, Real haven't been scoring as freely as they are accustomed to and that was due to a number of factors ranging from comical defending, clown as a coach, ageing stars, lack of form and unbalanced team.
The coach and the balance of the team has been rectified and that has automatically improved the defence while the lack of form and ageing has still not been fixed. Ageing won't be fixed. It is only one way from here.
-> 6 goals scored and 3 conceded
AWAY FORM
Away form is dilly-dally. They got thumped on the opening matchday and then clawed their way back to a draw in Kyiv while won easily in an empty stadium that was a snooze-fest.
However the away form has been improving game by game for Real and that is a positive thing for them.
-> 5 goals scored and 5 goals conceded
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 5 stars)
-> Ronaldo
-> Raul
-> Morientes (out) - Portillo (in)
-> Owen
It was a brilliant quartet with Mori and Owen as the second string. However the Camacho the chicken and Garcia-Remon the clown didn't utilize their services as they should've. Let's see whether Luxemburgo is all talk or does he really have the balls to bench Raul or Ronaldo IF THEY UNDER-PERFORM.
If he doesn't then Real will rue the day. Portillo or Guti aren't that big a threat so if anything ... Real has lost a goalscorer in the window than gaining one. They've reduced their options but then again they weren't using it in the first place.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 3 stars)
-> Zinedine Zidane
-> Luis Figo
-> David Beckham
-> Ivan Helguera
-> Santiago Solari
-> Guti (he can play as a forward as well)
-> Celades
-> Tomas Gravesen
Biggest addition is Gravesen. If he gets injured or suspended Real is in quicksand as the next in line are the same! It is a brittle midfield with not much able back-up except Solari. In the long haul it will hurt them and now is the time when a rounded squad helps.
Ohh and one more thing. I'm still waiting for Zidane to play his 5 magical games. So far he has reached the hallmark figure of 2 this season. He still has time to make the mark of 5. :shades:
Defence
:star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Salgado
-> Carlos
-> Samuel
-> Woodgate
-> Bravo
-> Pavon
-> Mejia
-> Fernandez
Woodgate hasn't played a single minute so far. Surprise surprise and I was criticized for giving a low rating to the Real defence when they had Woodgate and Samuel in the centre hypothetically.
Salgado and Carlos have lost it big time on the flanks. They were in a world of their own in 2002. How times change. The problem is that Salgado is a decent defender while Carlos sucks big time at defending. They used to make it up through contributing a hell of a lot in the attack keeping the opposition pegged back but it is different now. The opposition goes for Real's jugular nowadays instead of sitting back and taking hit after hit and eventually cracking.
JUVENTUS - Italia
Juve is experiencing a dip in form at the wrongest of times while Real's form has gotten better with the new mgmt and signing. That makes the tie quite even compared to what was when the draw was made. Both coaches are stubborn in the sense that they will play their preferred starting 11 and hardly ever bench their main players.
It will come down to the braver coach who has the guts to ring in the changes when the team needs it instead of waiting till water is under the bridge.
Real is not as potent as they used to be a few years ago and Juve is much more solid defensively at the back. Juve's problem is that they have trouble scoring goals with very narrow margin wins.
One thing about a Capello side is that they can suddenly score plenty of goals and that is what Real have to be careful of. Capello will make dead sure that the Juve goal is guarded better than Fort Knox. In doing that he will lure in Real's team leaving gaps open for the classic Juve counter-attack. Juve is dangerous on that and their strength lies in width provided through wingers. Without that and Nedved, Juve looks toothless and helpless.
If Juve don't score more they will pay a big penalty coz it is not easy to keep clean sheets in every game. They've done that a lot but Murphy's Law strikes once in a while to every team.
Juventus FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
The Old Lady of Turin returns to Europe's competition with one of Europe's greatest coaches at the helm which is not a comfortable thought for opposition. Stubborn he may be, arrogant he may be but the Don is one hell of a coach who has a winning track record. He has gone on record as saying that the UCL is Juve's top priority this season. The Juve management made a coup by getting Capello from bitter rivals Roma but then made a mess of it by letting go of Maresca and Miccoli. If they had kept hold of those two then the Juve side would be a up a notch or two for sure but their absence will hurt their cause because both players are good at what they do.
Juve is Benfica Part 2 with a long list of failures in the final of the UCL. They have a good record in Europe of reaching the finals otherwise but the conversion rate of finals to wins is piss poor. They will win the next final they get to but only time will tell which year will that be. It might not be this season as Capello's first aim will be to get Juve into the knock-out keeping in mind that he failed to do with it Roma and it has been a while since he tasted the drama of a knock-out tie in Europe's grand competition.
Offence
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Trezeguet
-> Ibrahimovic
-> Del Piero
-> Zalayeta
Trezeguet and Zlatan are not likely to create something for themselves and are dependent on the supply considering that they are more of target men. Del Piero is on a constant decline and he can have a brilliant moment. It will be interesting to see if Capello can wave his magic wand and turn DP into something that he WAS. Zalayeta's only famous exploit will be the winner in the Camp Nou a couple of seasons ago. It was important to keep hold of Miccoli and convince him that he was needed even if he wanted to leave.
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2
-> Nedved
-> Emerson
-> Tacchinardi
-> Camoranesi
-> Kapo
-> Tudor
-> Olivera
-> Blasi
The midfield doesn't exactly strike fear into the opponents. It is workmanlike with a conventional look. Nedved and Emerson are the guys to control and more so Nedved. It also lacks creative spark and there is a lack of pace in the midfield. Selling Maresca is beyond me. And Capello prides in building strong midfields for his teams. It is hard to believe that he is satisfied with the squad he has.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Thuram
-> Cannavaro
-> Ferrara
-> Zambrotta
-> Birindelli
-> Zebina
-> Legrottaglie
-> Juliano :D
-> Pessotto
The defence is the healthiest in the team. It has world class names present and Capello's sides don't have a habit of leaking too many goals so with the players available in this area his side will be hard to break down if he plays the right players and leaves out clowns like Juliano.
Goalkeeper
-> Buffon
World's Best Goalkeeper.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
Capello should play this line-up as I believe this is the most productive line-up for Juve considering their dire lack of personnel.
-----------------------Buffon--------------------------
-
--Birindelli------Thuram------Cannavaro-----Zambrotta--
-
--Olivera-------Emerson------Tacchinardi----Nedved----
-
-------------------------------Del Piero----------------
----------------Trezeguet------------------------------
This side can be a handful for the opposition but over a season especially in Europe where the match winners a required to lift the team to another level ... will the team suffice?
The positive would be that Capello knows what he is doing and he has seen the team in trainings so he should know what he has to offer with his Juve side. Juve has a reputation of a club that makes good value for money transfers. In years I think this Summer's transfers were far from good for them but the Cannavaro transfer was Juve like!!! :cool: Inter proved once again that they can take it to another level without moving a muscle! :D
Been 10 years since Capello lifted his solitary UCL title. Football has changed and evolved during this time and he has failed to win the European cup with other sides. Been a while since he took reigns of a European powerhouse and the last time he coached an Italian giant he conquered all. Can history repeat itself? It may but this squad does not seem to have it to WIN the European Cup but a serious challenge cannot be discounted. If they get to the final they will win it.
Juventus FC
Juventus FC (ITA)
Qualified as: Third place in Italy
Serie A status: First (P15 W12 D2 L1)
Group stage: Group C winners (P6 W5 D1 L0)
Best performance: Winners (1985, 1996)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 2-0 on aggregate to Deportivo)
RD-16 opponents: Real Madrid CF
Review + Preview
This Juve side is over-achieving due the coaching of Capello. He has brought in re-inforcements but had it not been for the world class defensive unit, Juve would've surely struggled and yet here we are in February and they are still top of the Serie A and group winners of the UCL. Even though things have gone wrong for Juve but they stand firm and are taking it game by game getting the job done slowly but surely.
That won't help that much now in this competition as Juve will need to find a solution to their low scoring rate as I can't see them keeping clean sheets throughout this competition till the very end.
A part of the problem for that lack of offensive punch has been Zlatan. I don't rate him much to be honest and even though I have been repeating this many a time that maybe he learns and improves but after every viewing the result is the same. He has to be thick-skulled to continue over-doing the dribble. He is not an impact player like Nedved. Nedved does the simple things correctly and therefore has more impact.
The game is played through the basic things. You do the basic things right first and then later on do the magic and tricks etc. ADP in '98 was pure impact. Even Trez on form is impact but Zlatan is a pure non-learner.
Well he has the biggest opportunity now in a Juve shirt to do the right stuff against Real but I wouldn't bet on it. The occasion and the surrounding star cast of world class players will just encourage him to show that he is on their level and do the dribble resulting in one too many. Loads of excitement, talent and work but no brains and no sense of the 'when' and the 'where'.
So much is depending on three main players for Juve offensively. Nedved, Trezeguet and Camoranesi. If they don't have good games from now till the end whenever that may be Juve could well struggle. And that is considering that the defence holds firm as they have done for the first part of the season.
HOME FORM
It is repetitive pattern throughout the group stage. Score 1 goal and maintain that lead. The wins against Bayern and Ajax are not easy but they got it. Problem is the lack of goals winning by miniscule margins.
-> 3 goals scored and 0 conceded.
AWAY FORM
Same pattern except Juve conceded one goal in Israel in a game that didn't matter to them.
-> 3 goals scored and 1 conceded.
Offence
:star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: ditto)
-> Trezeguet
-> Ibrahimovic
-> Del Piero
-> Zalayeta
Same thing except that Trez is back so there is a glimmer of hope for Juve that the goals will come. Del Piero is on a continuous downward spiral and does play that magical game from time to time but they are few and far between. Zlatan and scoring is similar to Chandler Bing and scoring. It all reverts back to Janice somehow. :D
Midfield
:star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: ditto)
-> Nedved
-> Emerson
-> Tacchinardi
-> Camoranesi
-> Kapo
-> Tudor
-> Olivera
-> Blasi
Maresca and Miccoli (forward line) would've come in so handy right now especially Maresca. The pressure on Nedved to deliver is just immense. Emerson is a good player but he doesn't perform in a big game vs. a big opponent. I expect him to have a rough time against Real in both legs now that Real has Gravesen has the bricklayer's job giving freedom to the others more so than in the past. Blasi is there to foul and break-up the momentum and play. Camoranesi needs to push up more and provide impetus to the Juve offence. Olivera in some other language must mean selfish :tongue:
Nedved piece of mastery can do it and Gravesen's sole responsibility will be to stop him if Luxemburgo knows what he must do. If you leave Nedved alone then you need a class defence to keep things in check. Real has a class defence for sure but add "less" to it hence Gravesen needs to be Nedved's shadow.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Thuram
-> Cannavaro
-> Ferrara
-> Zambrotta
-> Birindelli
-> Zebina
-> Pessotto
One of the best defences in Europe. The organisation and movement is superb. The anticipation is there and it is very tough to break down the defence. Real will need some nifty one touch football at the edge of the Juve box to break down the defence. And good finishing as well.
The defence is after all Juve's best line eh Glen? :tongue:
REAL - Espaņa
Big names playing. More than 100 trophies between the two clubs. Juve was the underdog last time around as well when they met. This time Juve were favourites when the draw was made but under the circumstances and change of fortunes of both sides the tide is turning into Real's favour slowly. It will be a mental blow to Real if they don't defeat Juve in Madrid and an even bigger shock if they somehow lose 0-1.
The only surprise could be Juve scoring a few goals in this tie. There are not many other surprises that one can expect. Real goes into this tie with ascendancy. The likelihood of Del Piero starting is perhaps on the cards as Capello said that Del Piero will thank him later for this. I get the feeling that maybe he will start him here which will spur DP on for a good performance. I wouldn't be surprised if DP is put in the hole with Zlatan and Trez up front and a 4 man midfield of Zambro-Ned-Emerson-Camo backed up by a 3 man backline of Canna-Thuram-Zebina! :eekani:
Capello loves the 3-4-1-2 so you can never discount that he will revert to it when he has the players to play that. It will turn the tie on its head and Real will have trouble coping with that formation and players. Otherwise this 4-4-2 is static and heavily reliant on Nedved.
whoah Haroon, you have been bizy. Whens the Milan one coming up though :hmmm:
FC Barcelona
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 1
FC Barcelona is back where it truly belongs -- Europe's biggest stage and they are hell bent on making one big splash. The most explosive offence in Europe is making its way into the UCL and one of the greatest football venues in the world (Camp Nou) promises to be the home of fireworks once again! Laporta's new look Barcelona with a purpose is aiming to win a trophy after half a decade of watching their eternal rivals Real Madrid CF dominate Europe and Spain.
The restructuring is done and the team is there ... now comes the hope for the deliverance, the killer punch and the final blow. FC Barcelona had a shaky first part of the season and then went on a whirlwind 15 game win streak that made them come close to making a serious challenge for the league. There are additions to the squad and this revitalized squad will be hot to handle.
Barcelona's worry will be their defence that can be vulnerable but then again when a side has an offence that can rip apart defences the opposition will have to be special to deal with that and attack on their part as well. Not many sides can do that.
Barcelona is one of the great European sides that has not done justice to its reputation and history failing to win continent's most prestigious trophy on more than one occasion and yet they should have more UCL titles under their belt. The only side in Europe to play in European competition every single season has to step up and the Barcelona fans should be optimistic because this side has the ingredients for success and it is only on the verge of starting a cycle.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Eto'o
-> Larsson
Barcelona is a thin in this department as they have two strikers only. Although their strategy is dependent on having a single striker but it is a long season so having two players for that position is a little tricky. Other players in the squad can chip in that position but a third player would've been a better. Larsson brings with him not only experience but a goal scoring prowess and Eto'o has shown his class in previous seasons. He looked a bit too excited vs. Sevilla yesterday overdoing it. He needs to be a little more calm and his time will come. For now he has to keep things simple and get into a rhythm first.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Ronaldinho
-> Deco
-> Giuly
-> Iniesta
-> Xavi
-> Edmilson
-> Gerard
-> Motta (sidelined due to injury for approx six months - twisted knee)
I have no doubt that Barcelona's offence is the most explosive one in this competition. There are one too many match winners present there. :) Deco was leading his Porto side to the winner's podium while Giuly led his Monaco side to the final and Ronaldinho is welll ... wait and see how he lights up the UCL. Iniesta could well be starting games coz he has spark to his game. Xavi is the main man in the midfield who is stringing up the moves and the central guy in the equation. It would be interesting to see how well Edmilson is with him. If he can striker a good partnership with him doing most of the donkey work effectively then Barcelona is a ball of fire. Motta's injury is a bad one for Barcelona as they lose out on a player long term.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Puyol
-> Marquez
-> Belletti
-> Sylvinho
-> Oleguer
-> Van Bronckhorst
-> Gabri
-> Navarro
Good defenders there. What they are missing is a world class act in the middle to partner Puyol. If Barcelona can get hold of a World Class defender then the team will be on another level. I think missing out on Cannavaro was a golden opportunity. Just imagine Cannavaro partnering Puyol in the middle and Barcelona is on another level totally. I am sure Barcelona could have offered somebody of Carini's credentials to Inter knowing that they wanted a third choice goalkeeper for the Italian captain and a world class defender.
However there are good backups and it depends on how well Puyol marshalls his defence. He is a natural leader so he has to lead from the front playing at the back. ;)
Goalkeeper
-> Valdes
He was amazing vs. Real in the Bernabeu. The saves he made that night were fantastic. The kid's got skillz.
Starting Line-Up
4-2-3-1
-----------------------Valdes--------------------------
-
--Belletti-------Puyol----------Marquez-------Sylvinho--
-
----------------Edmilson------Xavi----------------------
-
----------Giuly----------Deco---------Ronaldinho--------
-
------------------------Eto'o---------------------------
Barcelona has options in defence where Oleguer can play in the middle and GVB can play as LB. Edmilson I would think will start as he would provide the balance by winning balls and then passing it on to Xavi or the rest to do their stuff. The offensive trio is well balanced and extremely dangerous. Deco would be the least flashy of the trio but then again he will help the defence the most as well so he has his plus points. Ronaldinho is explosive and vying to take Barcelona to the promised land ... a land where they have been to through a Ronald Koeman screamer in Wembley 12 years ago. It is a great feeling. He still has to do it in the UCL. His name and skills are not enough. He has to do it on the pitch and make his plays do the stuff that will guarantee deliverance. It is tougher than it seems to be. Rivaldo and Figo combined could not do it for Barcelona in Europe. There is huge expectation on this wonder kid's shoulders. He has to boldly go where no man (in the last decade for Barcelona) has gone before (and take his teammates with him)!
Barcelona is in a tight group and they have failed on their promise many times before so the side needs to know EXACTLY how difficult it is to get out of a rut and Barcelona is in ONE when it comes to the UCL. The side has played in many semis and quarters but WINNING is one thing and playing semis is another.
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Qualified as: Spanish runners-up
Primera División status: First (P15 W12 D2 L1)
Group stage: Group F runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1992)
2003/04 Champions League: Did not qualify
RD-16 opponents: Chelsea FC
Review + Preview
Frank Rijkaard's side enjoyed a great evening today. The pictures posted in the Barcelona forum are worth looking at. :howler: :thumbsup: What a night overall!! First what happened in our game and the Inter game simultaneously and then the pictures in the Barcelona forum ... I can't stop laughing. :D
Back to business and Barcelona are over their little glitch they were experiencing and back in full flight. They are ready, rocking and raring to go in the most difficult tie to predict of all the high-profile ties! The highlight will be Jose Mourinho's return to the Nou Camp having served the club as Robson and Van Gaal's assistant. He has come a long way since then.
Milan's own Frank Rijkaard is seemingly on a path of glory to going a long way. Best of luck to him as long as he doesn't stand in the way of Milan. :thumbsup:
Barcelona still boasts the most explosive midfield in Europe and will be extremely tough to control let alone keep under check. I personally think that the negative point for Barcelona will be the absence of Henrik Larsson as they are really short of the striker with Eto'o being the only man up front.
Other than that Barcelona are pretty set to make it a glorious tie with Chelsea. It was the worst draw for Barcelona to get Chelsea out of all the teams. Not that Barcelona can't manage but this game being a RD-16 tie is pretty high profile! I have no complaints though. This is the best CL draw I have seen in years. :cool:
Mourinho's side is very hard to beat but the timing and build-up to this game is close to ideal for Barcelona. It would be in Barcelona's interest if Chelsea defeat Newcastle tomorrow evening in the FA Cup as that will prolong Chelsea's undefeated streak leaving the groundwork for the big kill in the Nou Camp.
Mourinho is playing a weakened line-up tomorrow resting Lampard, Cech and some other stars as he has clearly stated even today that the UCL is 2nd preference for his side this season behind the EPL title but AHEAD of the FA CUP.
Barcelona is playing with a mentally strong outfit who know their objectives clearly! There is no horsing around with Chelsea. They know their stuff.
HOME FORM
Barcelona have had a pretty decent showing in the home games but they need to look at some of the points. While Barcelona hit cruise control to dismantle Shakhtar with ease in a drubbing they needed a moment of Ronaldinho magic at the death to seal the game against a Milan side that didn't play well at all apart from the first 20 mins. Celtic defended resolutely to get a draw at the Nou Camp as Barcelona didn't look alert enough for the match.
Barcelona are better prepared for this tie due to the fact that they have already come up against a well organised side that is tough to break down in the shape of Milan. They at least have an idea of what to expect against Chelsea as Chelsea also defend with class, composure and organisation.
It is not easy to break down sides like this and Barcelona should know all too well. It took intricate swift one touch passing to unlock Milan's defence for the first goal and magic to seal the game! Barcelona won't get many chances against Chelsea so the few they get will need to be taken or it will cause heart-break.
-> 6 goals scored and 2 conceded.
AWAY FORM
Barcelona's away form started from great and went to poor. The display at Celtic park was applauded the world over but in the latter two games they failed to score! That is not a good sign and worrying point. You need to be able to win away games and also score away goals even if you are going down to maintain in the hunt. Firing blanks away from home is hurtful especially if you lose that game.
As I mentioned previously the test vs. Milan will help both teams immensely as it was a true test of where the sides stand. Barcelona realized in the first encounter that they are not on the experience level of the Milan side who know how to win the tight games. It was a point that was reflected by Deco and Rijkaard that Milan know how to win because they have the experience while we don't and experience is exactly what Barcelona has gained from the double header with Milan.
This away goal stat is not good for Barcelona. It must be improved or some team will punish them for this and the Chelsea test is stiff.
-> 3 goals scored and 4 conceded
Offence
:star: :star: :star: (old rating: 3.5 stars)
-> Eto'o
-> Larsson
Larsson is gone for the season leaving John Rambo against the world. There is pressure on Eto'o not only to keep banging in the goals but to be careful to not get injured or suspended. If he pulls through this season and carries this Barcelona side to the Liga title then he has to be the primary hero in the campaign because while the midfield and defence have people to back them up this humble star has no one to look at when he takes a look around him. He had Larsson and he went a long time ago. The stamina, energy, determination and drive to get through the season in these circumstances with no striker back-up and pressure of the chasing pack deserves plaudits for the African player of the year! What he is doing is special.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Ronaldinho
-> Deco
-> Giuly
-> Iniesta
-> Xavi
-> Edmilson
-> Gerard
-> Motta (sidelined due to injury for approx six months - twisted knee)
This is the strength. This is the fulcrum on which the team is balanced. I've mentioned this before in my previews that every team has an off day when its strongest point doesn't click and at that time the champion teams will dig deep to make the best out of their weak point so much so that it becomes a strong point in that game!
Barcelona better be prepared for an off day with the midfield. Some other department will need to step up and everything points to the defence to raise the game and stand firm on the said night whenever that might come.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: ditto)
-> Puyol
-> Marquez
-> Belletti
-> Sylvinho
-> Oleguer
-> Van Bronckhorst
-> Gabri
-> Navarro
It is reliant on how good Puyol is. I am talking about when the midfield or strikers are not having the best of times. If Puyol is not 100% concentrated then the defence tends to suffer i.e. conceding but not necessarily losing.
Now every goal becomes important. The goals you score and the goals you concede are all important. ONE MISTAKE and it's lights out. Bloody unforgiving competition but It is the demand of high standards that I love in it. :cool: :star:
CHELSEA - England
Mourinho's Blues have an iron clad grip on the EPL title and there is not even a whiff of them blowing cold in that competition. He set out to win one major title this season and gave top preference to the EPL. He is on the verge of making history. :thumbsup: Arrogant he is but who gives a rat's ass? Only haters. The man knows his football.
His second preference is the UCL title. He is giving importance to this tie but at no point will he let his troops get diverted from the target which is the EPL title. That can work in Barcelona's favour but the problem is that they have their own league title to win.
Makes it a smack even contest. Contrasting styles but the Italian style organized Mourinho's Blues will be more comfortable to deal with Barcelona's offensive style than vice-versa.
However in this tie Barcelona is the more experienced side and if you learn from your experiences it can work in your favour. Robben's injury rules him out of this tie but he can be back if Chelsea make the QF.
His absence has resulted in Chelsea going off the boil a bit but they have the momentum and therefore Barcelona needs to defeat Chelsea in the Nou Camp with conviction to make a tie of it. It is only then that Chelsea will be forced to alter their game plan in Stamford Bridge. They are coached by one of the most brilliant footballing brains to start coaching in this decade. :eekani:
I don't see 4 English sides in the QF. I don't see 3 Italian sides in the QF and I don't see 2 Spanish sides in the QF. Take your picks. This tie is extremely tough to call unless there is a definitive line-up of Jose's starting line-up and FORMATION as Robben is not there. He can't persist with Robben and Duff behind Drogba as Drogba is out injured too. Gudjohnsen will start but the game plan is affected. Interesting to see what he has in mind. Seal it at the Nou Camp or your former employee will make you suffer. He is gifted.
whoah Haroon, you have been bizy. Whens the Milan one coming up though :hmmm:
Chelsea, Utd. and then the finale with Milan all coming tomorrow night (Sunday). Then the game preview in the proper thread.
Its a damn shame you are gonna have to include that Sheva wont be playing :cry:
Chelsea FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
The new kids on the block are spending cash like there is no tomorrow. Wholesale changes from one Summer to the Next until something is won. Chelsea are surely the worst negotiators in the market as they don't have the concept of bargaining. Then again winning is important to them and the price at which the victory comes is insignificant. New coach arrived in the Summer -> A winner. New players arrived and a new philosophy is introduced at the Bridge now which is to win first and then worry about the other factors. It works in Europe as well. Chelsea are Arsenal's direct rivals this season for the EPL title as well as Europe in a way.
Chelsea did eliminate Arsenal last season but they went out in the very next round themselves while Arsenal rejoiced in their historic record breaking season. This season both London clubs are on a roll and winning their games. The London Derby will be special.
Abramovich wants to spend his hard earned WHITE MONEY ( :D ) but he also wants to be the next Berlusconi in footballing terms with success and also copy Perez' marketing policy to make Chelsea one of the most renowned names around. Chelsea does not have the pulling power YET to attract ambitious world class players (already big names) and that is a bit of a problem for them. They can get a world class player like Carvalho as he is just beginning an adventure but it is hard for them to get Samuel because Chelsea lacks the history and pedigree. Abramovich is trying to change that.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Gudjohnsen
-> Drogba
-> Kezman
-> Mutu
All players are young and good. Apart from Eidur it will be interesting to see how the others perform in Europe. Eidur has been there and done well. Kezman, Drogba are in a new side with a stronger midfield supporting them now. Mutu is more or less fourth choice unless he does great things when given the chance. Drogba can be dangerous as he is talented but I would still like to see him to do what he did in the UEFA Cup in this competition. That was one season. It is better to see out a player for a couple of seasons first.
Kezman has pace and is a prolific goalscorer. He has his chance now to do special things. It is a good offence and Mourinho should stick with a definitive starting partnership rather than shuffling the strikers every other game. Too much rotation is not good.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Lampard
-> Duff
-> Robben
-> Makelele
-> Smertin
-> Parker
-> Tiago
-> Geremi
-> Cole
It is a very good set of midfield players for Mourinho's system. It has options and diversity. However looking at the list there is no one who is a leader in the midfield. Real has Zidane, Milan has Pirlo, Barcelona has Ronaldinhos, Arsenal has Vieira, Juve has Nedved, Bayern has Ballack, Liverpool has Gerrard, Roma has Totti etc. Lampard is good .. make no mistake but he is not a leader in midfield. I have said this before and will repeat that a leader in midfield is required to get your hands on the UCL. Chelsea's midfield SET of players is good as a group but there is not a leader there. That is their weak point at this moment.
Hence the reliance will be on the midfield group as a whole to perform so that they can cover up the missing link that is the midfield maestro how controls the game for them.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Terry
-> Carvalho
-> Gallas
-> Bridge
-> Johnsen
-> Ferreira
-> Babayaro
-> Morais
It is one of the best defences in this tournament. Players for specific positions and good ones at that! The fullbacks are good and the defenders are pacy so won't get caught out. Good in the air and physically strong enough as well. Chelsea was tough to break down but with Mourinho they will have more discipline. They will keep things tight at the back with the midfield also helping them out to shut out shop. Their new scorelines reflect that already.
I wonder if Mourinho would experiment with a 3 man backline with Gallas-Carvalho-Terry. He has plenty of options looking at the squad.
Goalkeeper
-> Cech / Cudicini
Well covered.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
This line-up is not certain as Mourinho will play the players on merit. I have just picked the starting 11 randomly.
-----------------------Cech--------------------------
-
--Ferreira-----Carvalho------Terry---------Bridge-----
-
---------------------Makelele------------------------
-
---------Robben-------------------Duff--------------
-
----------------------Lampard-----------------------
-
--------------Gudjohnsen------Drogba----------------
Multiple options so this cannot be a definitive line-up. I put Robben there so that he can cut in and take a shot as he is good at it. Smertin can play in place of Duff to provide the solidity that Mourinho will require from his team so that it doesn't over indulge in attacking outright. It depends on the situation and game so it will change from time to time. It is a good side and a young side that can improve. There is no leader in midfield in this squad and that should be Chelsea's next signing.
Mourinho has been extremely successful in his short stint as coach. His track record shows that his sides don't lose many games. So he will be a handful for his opponents. One goal let alone one defeat is enough to exit the UCL. Mourinho better make sure that the game his side loses comes at the worst possible time. Chelsea should have a good run in the competition.
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC (ENG)
Qualified as: English runners-up
Premiership status: First (P17 W12 D4 L1)
Group stage: Group H winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Semi-finals (2004)
2003/04 Champions League: Semi-finals (lost 5-3 on aggregate to Monaco)
RD-16 opponents: FC Barcelona
Review + Preview
The Portuguese maestro has incredible foresight and vision of the game. :thumbsup: I salute him for his thorough knowledge & instinct of the game at the most intricate of levels! Chelsea got eliminated from the FA Cup today by Newcastle and I have been following very closely the comments of the coaches and players involved in the big four glamour ties. Mourinho could see this coming and the inevitable happened when they got knocked out today. It was his third preference competition in any case but he did know that it would be an uphill battle to salvage a result against Newcastle. Now his side will fly directly to Barcelona in a mouth-watering clash with the objective of rustling some feathers in the Nou Camp.
A few months ago Mourinho said " We can be the new AC MILAN" . He didn't say Real, Juve, Inter, Utd., Arsenal or Club X. He said Milan. He knows what Milan's standing in the football world is and he knows what Milan did starting from Sacchi's reign as coach. For him, Milan is the reference point and learning curve with which he measures how his side(s) is/are doing. He wants to coach Milan in the future as his final call in club coaching and then move on to the Portuguese National Side. Simple plan ... 15 years of coaching. 5 at Chelsea, 5 at a big Italian club (his heart wants Milan but the question is whether Milan would want him in 5 years?) and 5 years with the NT.
When Mourinho arrived at Chelsea he didn't like what he saw with regards to mentality of the squad, players, staff and management staff etc. He said "When I arrived at Chelsea the mentality wasn't right. When you walk into a club like MILAN you can see and feel the self-belief of the players and staff. You can feel an air of confidence and a tradition of winning. I tried to change the mentality of the players and give them the self-belief which is very important in football" :proud:
John Terry during that period said that "Sometimes the training sessions don't even involve the kicking of a football or exercise drills. It is just mental preparation" :cool:
Bobby Robson said that when Mourinho was his translator at Barcelona he wanted him to get the intel on what the players were saying behind his back. At the start Guardiola had concerns as to who was this guy with no experience in football? Mourinho would give 20 to 30 page analysis reports on the opposition leaving no stone unturned.
Van Gaal took over and kept him and Mourinho got more involved into the coaching aspect with little more input involved. The start with Figo was rocky but it got better. His repertoire with Rivaldo was the best. Both got along the best.
He has come a long way. He became European Champion with a side that was 140-1 odds in September! :eekani: Now he is on the verge of making history by making Chelsea champions and starting a new era for the Blues so much so that Chelsea is likely to be included in the all powerful G-14 list!
Mourinho says that the English sides suffer in European competition because they play more with EMOTION than with BRAINS. He says the passion for the game supersedes the calmness and composure required to win in Europe. It is true and now with Mourinho making his rivals Ferguson and Wenger re-think their stance and strategies in football will English football move towards the right direction. He is a breath of fresh air in football worldwide.
HOME FORM
It was a powerful performance in Chelsea although they didn't have the most difficult of groups. But it was not the easiest as well. It was an ok group but Chelsea's superiority showed clearly.
A 3-1 win vs. previous club Porto marred by an idiotic fan. A convincing 2-0 win vs. CSKA and a 0-0 draw vs. PSG gave them 7 pts and at no point did Chelsea looked troubled. They did however make a very strong statement that they are by far the BEST SIDE in world football when it comes to set-piece conversions and in John Terry they not only have a fantastic defender and captain but the most prolofic goal-scoring defender in this season's UCL. Stamford Bridge is not an ideal venue for the supporters (viewing wise) or the visiting teams.
--->>> 5 goals scored and 1 conceded
AWAY FORM
The first win was brutally clinical and throughly efficient. They just walked over PSG and never had a sign of away game jitters. Something that Utd. and Arsenal had for years even against weak opposition. Utd. have improved quite a bit in this deptt. but Arsenal are still not there.
The second one was another win in Moscow. The final game of the group stage was in Portugal where Chelsea could afford a defeat but the defending champions needed a win. It turned out to be a win for the defending champions with Diego scoring a fine long range goal! It was a smart thing that Chelsea lost on Matchday 6 and it was a smart thing that Chelsea lost today thereby opening up an opportunity to start a new undefeated streak and killing off the old one.
Long undefeated streaks in football are great but the bad thing about them is that the defeat comes at the most unopportune of times. Chelsea's undefeated streak has come at good times not hurting their cause in the long run.
--->>> 5 goals scored and 2 conceded
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: ditto)
-> Gudjohnsen
-> Drogba
-> Kezman
Mutu's contract was terminated for getting high. :stoned: He is a Juve player now but will play for them next season due to the Serie A regulations. Mourinho persists with a 1 striker formation up front and two forwards/wingers behind the striker. Drogba who would've been his first choice is out injured for the game in Spain but that gives Eidur to step in and do a good job.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: 3.5 stars)
-> Lampard
-> Duff
-> Robben
-> Makelele
-> Smertin
-> Parker
-> Tiago
-> Geremi
-> Cole
Robben could well return in a month's time so Chelsea can relax a bit knowing that if they qualify then the Flying Dutchman could become a key component in the QF. Mourinho refuses to talk about him. He said that there is no room for excuses. We don't have him and I can't waste my time talking about him. It is important for me to train my team and prepare them for the Barcelona game. When Robben is given the green light by the doctors then I will welcome him with open arms.
It is a phenomenal midfield with superb options. There are TWO aspects to look at.
- What will Chelsea do when the pressure reaches extenuating levels?
- How good will Chelsea be in the absence of Robben who gave them the right impetus.
For the first question the answer is that this side is relatively inexperienced at this level having enjoyed a QF tie win which was at the cost of a PREMIERSHIP rival. This is different. This is a European rival and while the game may not be a QF it surely carries a lot of weight to be deemed like one.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Terry
-> Carvalho
-> Gallas
-> Bridge
-> Johnsen
-> Ferreira
-> Babayaro
-> Morais
Bridge got injured today. It is bad for Chelsea. Carvalho was injured some time ago but I don't know whether he will be fit enough to start this game. If Carvalho starts in the middle then Gallas can slip in to the left but if he doesn't then Chelsea will lack strength in that area giving Giuly/Iniesta (sub) to exploit that space. Belletti will be pre-occupied with trying to contain Duff.
Chelsea nonetheless still boast the top defence in Europe with the only factor missing being the experience. It doesn't matter too much for the defence as it is more about organisation and discipline and they have that.
Mourinho made a comment after the Arsenal-Tottenham game (?) that his team would never concede so many. It is like a league match. Against Barcelona his side's resolve will be tested and it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can totally shut down Barcelona in the Nou Camp! Not easy ... definitely not easy ... but doable.
BARCELONA - Espaņa
Terrific tie. Great games in prospect. Chelsea must be wary as the NOU CAMP is synonymous with late goals. It is just how I picture it somehow. Even when Bayern was leading I had a feeling that a late goal would be scored in the Nou Camp and the rest we know is history. Same thing happened when Juve scored the winner and the same thing happened when Ronaldinho's strike pipped Milan recently. It just happens somehow in that stadium.
Barcelona will be under pressure to not only win the game but rip apart Chelsea so that they have an easier second leg. Mourinho knows this all too well and you can bet your bottom dollar that he will have made extensive plans to deal with Barcelona's threats that are all over the pitch.
I just feel that Chelsea do have the edge in this tie even though they are in a patchy period right now. It just depends on how well prepared the players are ... not physically or technically but in the head. The Nou Camp is 98,000 and it takes a big side to go there and deliver. I feel that Mourinho would've prepared his troops well and will try to exploit Barcelona's weaknesses on the set-pieces which would be a worrying point for Rijkaard.
The EPL title is more important for Chelsea this season but this tie is equally important for Mourinho to show how far he has come from being the official translator of the coach almost a decade ago.
Mourinho did add that he feels his side is not on the level of Porto tactically and mentally yet. He said it took three years for him to make Porto complete where they understood everything that he said and even changing systems fluidly. With Chelsea it is only 7 months so far. The team is more talented but still learning. He said his best side would be in the fourth year or thereabout.
I just admire his methodical approach. Mourinho was satisfied that he didnot end up meeting an Italian side and the reason is this:
"In the future only two possibilities remain. Either to coach the Portugal side or to manage one of the top Italian teams. There is NO league more challenging, more difficult and more tactically advanced than Italian football and this is a challenge that every coach should undertake at some stage during his career."
He has given hints that Milan would be his preferred destination when his contract expires with Chelsea but time will tell whether he will have the honour to coach MILAN. He knows the prestige of the club and is building his career and resume to land that dream job some day.
For now .. Barcelona awaits and Chelsea would like to get even for what Barcelona did to them a few seasons ago in an enthralling tie.
Manchester United FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 2
The mirror image of Juventus FC in England is Manchester United FC. The major difference is that while Juventus FC understands the concept of a final reaching quite a few Manchester United FC is still under the impression that the first knock-out in the competition is the last game and ever so eloquently bow out of it time and again. Ferguson's team has to have the best record of reaching the RD 16 / QF in this competition and yet has the worst record of making the semi-finals! The conversion rate is ridiculously poor as is Juve's conversion rate in the finals.
Ferguson is busy building another Manchester United dynasty to match his extremely dominant side (EPL only) of the 90's that was a force to reckon with. His good friend Marcello Lippi resigned from his post for fresh ideas to take over while Ferguson has stuck to his guns. Another season like last one and he should take the gentleman's route and resign or else his butt will take the colour of his face when he gets the boot!
Manchester United used to have a class midfield and a good defence when they were on top. But an era has come to an end and a generation has passed on while the old guard is still in the thick of things at Old Trafford. Tough times ahead for the Northern club as the capital has two very strong squads who will have the spotlight for the next few years.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2
-> Van Nistelrooy
-> Rooney
-> Saha
-> Smith
-> Bellion
It is a good quartet with RVN having a proven track record of scoring against the best defences of Europe frequently. The other three have some work to do although Smith did make the semis with Leeds. Getting Rooney was an OK move and OK because once again Man U went and spent a bucket load of paper gold on a player. A player with his characteristics is ideally suited to play off RVN especially in Europe. He is a long term investment so while eyebrows might be raised right now he can prove every penny spent on him or take the route of Juan Veron. Saha and Smith are backups and always will be backup material. Rooney showed he can be starting material .. consistency is the key here. If he can do what he CAN then he can be lethal with RVN up front!
Midfield
:star: :star: :star:
-> Keane
-> Giggs
-> Scholes
-> Ronaldo
-> Kleberson
-> Misfortune
-> Djemba-Djemba
-> Fletcher
-> Eagles
Man U won the UCL in 1999. Three of the players who were world class at the time have played on for 5 years and are still starting in the squad. Only 1 addition is there (Ronaldo) to that midfield in half a decade. Living off the past? Manchester United has not prepared for replacements because the success in the EPL was blinding them to look long term and sustain that success. Now they are in a hole with the replacements not ready. They will have to claw way their back to make a challenge for the EPL title and deal with not only Arsenal but Chelsea and Liverpool in the long run. When they fall they fall hard. Ferguson has a job on his hands to stabilize a stuttering team that is having problems balancing itself.
Defence
:star: :star: :star:
-> Ferdinand
-> Heinze
-> Neville
-> Neville Part 2
-> Silvestre
-> O'Shea
-> Brown
Right now the team is tied up due to the injury situation in the squad. An easy pool will help the team to glide into the knock-out where it will need to lift itself up A LOT as the team's record in knock-out ties under Ferguson is poor. Ferdinand and Heinze should start in the middle to give some solidity that either one of Silvestre or Brown could provide.
Goalkeeper
-> Howard
Hmmm. Ok whatever.
Starting Line-Up
4-4-2
-----------------------Howard--------------------------
-
--Neville------Ferdinand---------Heinze--------Silvestre--
-
--Ronaldo------Keane-----------Scholes---------Giggs----
-
-------------------------------Rooney-------------------
----------------Van Nistelrooy----------------------------
In years nobody is concentrating that much on Manchester United which should help them more than it will harm them. They couldn't handle the pressure of being tagged as favourites every season with Real. They are not favourites and are underdogs this time. Something similar was there in '99 and they defied one and all to conquer Europe. That team however was balanced, fresh and hungry. This team is not as strong, not as balanced and considerably weaker compared to the illustrious opposition present in the competition. Manchester United has the easiest group of the big teams but the question is not whether they can win a knock-out tie this time but whether they can make it out of the group unscathed?
Manchester United FC
Manchester United FC (ENG)
Qualified as: Third place in England
Premiership status: Fourth (P17 W8 D7 L2)
Group stage: Group D runners-up (P6 W3 D2 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1968, 1999)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 3-2 on aggregate to Porto)
RD-16 opponents: AC Milan
Review + Preview
It was bound to happen some day and it finally did. It is kind of amazing that under Ferguson's reign the only big side Utd. did not meet was AC MILAN. Ferguson's side has virtually played every top notch side but not a single meeting took place btw the Red Devils and The Devil!
NOW it will take place and what a time, what a setting, what a clash btw the two sides! Ferguson's Utd. is on a rampaging run for two months now not looking flustered or moved by the occasion. They've played the best football in the Premiership in the past two months clawing their way back and giving a hiding to Arsenal that will arguably be one of the most memorable games for Utd. under Ferguson's reign. The damage caused by that double hit to Arsenal will leave lasting scars on the mentally weak outfit from North London.
Utd.'s got their groove back. They are chasing Chelsea and hoping for the West Londoners to slip up ... something that won't happen but the big consolation is that they have pushed aside Arsenal and look good enough to get that automatic CL qualification spot come what may.
There's another easier way to get CL qualification. Just lift the trophy. The minor problem is that the team standing in the way of Utd. and Istanbul is one of the storied clubs of world football. A reference point for the measure of a complete football club. United under Alex Ferguson's reign have not met a tougher opponent when you consider the opposition (Milan), form (Milan enjoying a good period since 2002), setting (CL knock-out) and the venue where it all culminates (San Siro). Have no illusions. This is Ferguson's toughest test in his stint as United's head coach. And I know all too well that Utd. has faced Real, Bayern, Juve & Inter in the past. I know what I am talking about. :stuckup:
And Ferguson knows well what is in store. A man like Ferguson is showing Milan respect in his pre-match comments that are a far cry from when he has faced rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the past. He knows that winding up and pre-game trash talk works on certain teams but not the club that has lifted the European Cup in every 10 year period since its inception (1956) bar one. The only club to do it with such consistency. :proud:
Ferguson is however under the illusion that the games against Juve are an indicator of Italian opposition in Europe. He said that it was tougher playing Italian opposition 10 years ago but now it is different. He further said that when we started against Juve we struggled initially but the more we played them the better we got.
Ferguson needs to brush up his knowledge on Milan a little bit more. I was taken aback by the following comment:
He said that Maldini is 37 or 38 and still doing the business while Cafu at 36 is still running up and down that right flank. :eekani: I don't know what others think but with the first leg coming up on Wednesday, that isn't showing that Ferguson has done thorough research on his opposition. I wouldn't expect this from Mourinho, Capello or Ancelotti. It's a small thing as quoting the wrong age is a non-factor of a comment but it is these small things that build up. You need to know the opposition inside out to be prepared for anything and everything. The attention to detail is imperative :stuckup:
When the draw was made I wasn't happy with Utd.'s state in the league which was wobbly. At that time I was hoping for Utd. to pick up form and blaze through opposition to get into the running and thick of things in the EPL as there was a break for the UCL. My good Utd. friend Stez should acknowledge this. :D I've never wanted Utd. to do well but I had an eye on the future. It is even more brilliant that they come into this tie undefeated for two months or so. All good things must come to an end. :devil: We'll take the opportunity. Thank ya very much.
Utd. look well-oiled and playing as a strong cohesive unit. Things are looking bright and with the return on RvN imminent, there is even more optimism. The news has filtered through that the Stealth Bomber is set to miss the first leg surely. It would've been great for the occasion that both sides fielded their best 11. I always thrive on such a situation that two sides face-off with their best 11's to make it a spectacle!
Unfortunately Shev is out for a possible 20 days but there is hope that he might make the 2nd leg. It is touch and go but it depends on how quickly he recuperates. For now it is a certainty that he won't be starting or participating in the Manchester game. He is set to miss the Milan derby the following weekend as well. :sigh:
HOME FORM
United has been in ominous form at home in the CL. :skull: They destroyed Fenerbahce when Rooney scored that magnificent hat-trick on debut making a loud announcement that he was ready for this stage! It was amazing stuff by the kid. Sparta Praha were dismantled with the same ease in a 4-1 romp. It just goes to show that you give Utd. a sniff of being weak and they will pounce with full brutality.
The toughest game was against Lyon and though it was difficult but Utd. did prevail with a narrow yet effective 2-1 scoreline!! When you win all your home games there is only one word for it and that is "very good". That's two words. :D
The worrying point is that Utd. have not kept a clean sheet at home. It is an age old problem for Utd. that they score freely and concede freely. It works in the group stage when even a 4-3 win gives you 3 pts but 4-3 in the knock-out is enough for elimination. Ask Ronaldo & Co.
--->>> 12 goals scored and 4 conceded
AWAY FORM
While Utd. has been grand at home, there is a problem in the away games. Although their fightback against Lyon from 2 goals down was due to the extreme opportunism of the most prolific goalscorer in world football, there was a dire performance in Prague with a 0-0 draw and an inconsequential loss in Turkey (0-3) in a game that didn't matter at all.
Utd. have improved their travels over the years. They used to have big time trouble travelling but they have improved. This season it has been a bit patchy but the referral point should be the toughest opponent in the group and against them Utd. did score 2 goals. They didn't buckle down and dug deep to get a hard fought draw.
The trip to the San Siro will require Utd. to be in tip top shape as it is a tough venue to get a result.
--->>> 2 goals scored and 5 goals conceded.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: ditto)
-> Van Nistelrooy
-> Rooney
-> Saha
-> Smith
-> Bellion
For the UCL, Ferguson will always look to his main man who is Rvn. His phenomenal rate of scoring which is almost a goal per game is superb. He just guarantees goals. Ferguson said the exact same thing that "RvN is made for this competition. You just know that he is going to score". His record speaks for itself. Goals win games and he has plenty under his belt.
Rooney still has time on his side. Shevchenko did advise Rooney to learn to control his temper because Rooney is a role model for a lot of kids and they look upto him. Sheva being the Great striker and football personality of our time said that it is important to remain calm on and off the pitch!
Rooney does lose it if things don't go his way and it is for this very reason that Ferguson advised Rooney a month ago to attend an ANGER MANAGEMENT clinic. :D
Milan is well aware of this but Rooney did hold his own against Everton which was a tough return to his former club.
With RvN almost sureshot to start the game, some changes in the system will take place indeed. Ferguson will have to revert to the customary 4-4-2 with Rooney playing off RvN which is his best position. Ronaldo and Giggs on the flanks and swapping them from time to time. Scholes and Keane in the middle.
He could play the 4-3-3 as well but that system won't work as effectively with RvN present in the side so that may well be scrapped.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 3 stars)
-> Keane
-> Giggs
-> Scholes
-> Ronaldo
-> Kleberson
-> Misfortune
-> Djemba-Djemba
-> Fletcher
-> Eagles
The midfield started to work quite well due to a change in the system adopted from Mourinho's Chelsea that was adopted from Ancelotti's Milan system in the CL winning season. However the system works well when you have the right players present. With RvN coming in it can be played but the effectiveness of Scholes will be minimized and Giggs won't be that effective as well.
In a 4-4-1-1 the team can play well but it has its drawbacks too. If RvN starts then 4-4-1-1 is the better system and that system is better for Milan to cope with as well. It is a dilemma for Ferguson.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Ferdinand
-> Heinze
-> Neville
-> Neville Part 2
-> Silvestre
-> O'Shea
-> Brown
Heinze plays on the left and not the centre as I thought he would be played when I wrote the first preview. He has really been a revelation. Tough tackling no nonsense left back who improves with every viewing! The problem however lies in Utd.'s difficulty with keeping a clean sheet.
One has to keep in mind that Utd. has picked up form and improved on all fronts. The beauty of the CL is that it brings out the mistakes and weaknesses of teams right in front. In the league things are not visible clearly but the CL is like X-Ray glasses. You see everything. :tongue:
Ferdinand is the one who has to hold it together because he is not surrounded by the best of company starting from the goalkeeper to his other defenders.
MILAN - Italia
A colleague of mine and a Utd. fan told me today that he thinks the game will end 4-2 in Utd.'s favour! :eekani: A penatly by RvN, two goals by Ronaldo and one by Rooney! My consolation was that he didn't know that Sheva was injured, didn't know the Milan probable 11 and didn't know what formation Milan plays.
There is no doubt that Utd. has match-winners in the shape of RvN, Rooney, Ronaldo, Keane and Scholes but Milan has their fair share of match-winners as well. A lot has changed since the draw was made. Utd. was in poor form and they have really picked up very well in the league. Something they are quite capable of doing virtually every season.
The CL is a different competition. I am more comfortable now than I was when the draw was made. That doesn't take away the FACT that it won't be easy for either side to get past the other. One interesting thing to note is that Milan has developed a knack of scoring late goals like Utd. did in '99.
Both teams play with a never-say-die attitude. NOW we have game on! Sheva is injured but WE ARE MILAN. :fero: :devil:
AC Milan
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 6
AC Milan went from the preliminary qualifier to European glory in a matter of 10 months. The team got stronger from that European victory campaign but then crashed out in the most unbelievable manner on a forgettable night for the Rossoneri where RC Deportivo La Coruna proved again for the umpteenth time that they don't have it to go all the way. It is customary for Super Depor to get rid of a favourite and then follow them shortly.
Milan however did win the Scudetto after a gap of five years in record breaking style bringing home a win that was wanted by many. Milan didn't show that league form in the UCL apart from two games (Sparta at home and Depor at home) Now that the Scudetto has been won Milan as always like Real will focus on the Big Kahuna. The current Milan side is well balanced in all areas so much so that it is close to perfection. It may sound good but it is also a dangerous thing as the best team on the field wins not the best team on paper. This competition is unforgiving. It is ruthless. The world's best side could win game after game but then a single goal is enough for elimination from this competition. One mistake and you're out! :skull:
That is why the league form cannot be compared to the UCL form. In the league coming back from 2 goals down to win 4-2 is something brilliant but in the UCL that means the opposition has two PRECIOUS away goals to take back with them which can haunt you big time!
Milan has to be careful. The team is extraordinarily well balanced and strong and there is ample backup for every position not affecting the overall performance but this can only give Milan a favourites tag. Living up to it is another thing entirely.
Offence
:star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Shevchenko
-> Tomasson
-> Inzaghi
-> Crespo
Milan was lacking a striker and they got a good deal to get hold of Hernan Crespo on loan. There are rumours that Gilardino might come in January considering the injury situation in this department but Inzaghi resuming training is a positive sign so that rumour might be put in the shelf till next Summer. Milan has good mix of strikers and Shevchenko is once again in hot form carrying it over to this season. In his absence there can be trouble as Inzaghi and Crespo don't have enough mins under their belt. Tomasson is the silent performer who keeps doing his job effectively when called upon.
Big things are expected of Crespo as he has been brought here on special request of Ancelotti. Ancelotti has gained respect of the Milan management as he has won three main trophies in two full seasons in charge. Crespo has a chance to resurrect his sagging career so he will be motivated enough.
Milan's quartet is pretty good. Apart from Inzaghi who is over 30 now the others are all at a good age for a striker so the goals should be there.
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Pirlo
-> Kaka
-> Seedorf
-> Gattuso
-> Rui Costa
-> Ambrosini
-> Dhorasoo
-> Brocchi
-> Serginho
It is a world class midfield that has won the UCL and Scudetto in two seasons. There are replacements / back-ups for every position and the starting midfield is composed of players who are yet to hit their peak considering their age. It is an improving group of players who play very well as a UNIT.
The midfield has goalscorers, visionaries, tacklers and good passers. IMO nobody in the midfield stands out as superior. All of them are very good and that is the reason the absence of one from the group doesn't hurt the side that much as the reliance on any one player does not exist.
I hope Ambrosini and Rui Costa get more minutes in this campaign with good rotation to not tire out the players. That would be the only concern.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
-> Maldini
-> Nesta
-> Stam
-> Cafu
-> Costacurta
-> Pancaro
-> Kaladze
-> Simic
-> Colloccini
It is the best defence in this competition at least on paper. Three of the world's best defenders are lined up at Milan. The difference between Real's defenders and Milan's defenders here is that the players are backed up at every position at Milan whereas they are not at Real. Saying that the left side seems to be stacked with one too many players as my gut feeling suggests that in a big game and if the conditions of the players are optimum then Maldini will play at left back. IF that happens then Kaladze and Pancaro are going to be on the bench. However I also feel that we will see Kaladze playing left midfield in this campaign from time to time.
Cafu and Pancaro's age becomes a concern as they will have to run up and down the flank like crazy. Left side is covered for that and for the right there is not much back up except that Dhorasoo can play there or Stam can shift there to share the games with Cafu. Cafu is an important player for the squad as he gives depth but his services have to be utilized carefully to gain maximum benefit.
Goalkeeper
-> Dida
No problems here.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
---------------------Dida--------------------------
-
--Cafu-------Nesta-------Stam-----------Maldini--
-
---------------------Pirlo-------------------------
-
------Gattuso---------------------Seedorf--------
-
---------------------Kaka------------------------
-
-----------Tomasson------Shevchenko------------
I would think this would be the line-up that Milan would play in the big game. The big question mark will obviously be whether Maldini sticks to that flank or not. I don't think Maldini will play most games in that position leaving it open for Pancaro / Kaladze depending on the situation but when we can afford to field the ideal line-up the above 11 will walk on to the pitch.
IMO Shev and Tommo work brilliantly together so the season should start with them starting and then slowly Crespo and Inzaghi can make the transition into the 11 and see how it goes from there.
Strong and solid starting 11, backups for every position and class players present on the pitch. Only concern of mine would be rotation in defence. That is not a good idea. Rotation in defence is not good ... it never is. The shape of the defence is changed only when necessary. It isn't like the midfield or attack where it can be changed frequently.
Other than that the team looks set to make a serious challenge for the UCL title. Bring it on! :devil:
AC Milan
AC Milan (ITA)
Qualified as: Italian champions
Serie A status: Second (P15 W10 D4 L1)
Group stage: Group F winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 5-4 on aggregate to RC Deportivo La Coruņa)
RD-16 opponents: Manchester United FC
Review + Preview
It was bittersweet last night. Milan reached number 1 position in the Serie A table but lost the number 1 striker in the world when the most important game of the Season is a mere 3 days away!
Hmmmm ... when I started writing the SECOND EDITION(S) of these previews I mentioned that Champion teams at SOME POINT during a UCL winning campaign will have to deal with the eventuality that their strength becomes their weakness and then they have to dig deep and make their weakness into their strength!
I didn't know that Milan would become the first victim of this! :wallbang: Our biggest strength who is the world's best striker and in untouchable form is out injured unfortunately at the worst of times! We can no further rely on him for scoring the goals for us and must now revert to others who have to step up!! Our weakness has been the lack of contribution of goals from midfield and if we want to make a statement in this edition it is imperative that Milan's midfield contributes amongst the goals and converts this weakness to its strength.
Milan travel to the venue of the last Great European triumph with good memories. Sky commentator Martin Tyler has put Milan as his third favourite behind Barcelona and Chelsea and says that Milan won't be overawed by the occasion as they have won the European Cup in Manchester.
It is a tough proposition nonetheless for Milan. The club is custom built for the big European nights. The re-assuring thing is that Utd. is a big opponent. Most Milan fans will agree that Milan performs better against the bigger sides (historically) compared to the smallers sides. The small sides are a thorn in Milan's side because they always sit back and wait for things to happen. Utd. will not defend with 11 men behind the ball and the game will flow with attacking intent by both sides.
Milan will use possession to frustrate Utd. with fast paced players like Kaka, Cafu & Serginho working to penetrate / unlock the Utd. defence.
Milan's group was not one of the easier ones with a tie of the round with Barcelona and tough trips to Ukraine and Scotland. Milan did well to top the group but the most disappointing game was the one against Barcelona (away) where Ancelotti tried something that just isn't Milan. In hindsight it is a good lesson and will not be used again.
Andy Townsend had these enlightening words to say about Milan after the draw with Utd. was made at the time. I stress at the time. This is NOT a jibe at Utd. or its fans by me but it sure as hell is a jibe at that clown Townsend who doesn't know $hit about football let alone one of the great names of club football in the shape of M I L A N.
[[[QUOTE - Andy 'I know $hit' Townsend]]]]
"Milan THINK they invented the way to win this competition. They will bring Kaka, Rui Costa, Shevchenko, Nesta and Stam while United will bring RvN. It won't be easy to stop RvN."
1. Somebody tell this clown that Kaka is not a striker.
2. Somebody tell this clown that Rui has barely started this season for Milan.
3. Nice balancing of equation with 5 Milan players equal to one Utd. player.
4. Finally Townsend ... Milan doesn't think they invented the way to win this competition. We know we invented the way. It is the work of 106 years through hard work, dedication, achievement and RESULTS!
-> The ONLY club to score 4 goals each in three different finals (1969 vs. Ajax -> 4-1, 1989 vs. Steaua -> 4-0, 1994 vs. Barcelona -> 4-0)! :star:
-> One of four clubs to have the honour of wearing the European Star. The other three are Real, Bayern and Ajax.
-> The joint most successful club when it comes to International
trophies alongside Independiente of Argentina.
-> The ONLY club in the history of the UCL to lose a final one year and come back to win it the next year! 1994.
-> The club with the best defensive record in a European Champions Cup campaign conceding only 2 goals in the entire tournament! i.e 1993: One in the group stage and one in the final.
-> Most UCL Final appearances along with Juve i.e. 4
-> The ONLY club to win the European Cup in every 10 year period bar one since its inception in 1956 i.e.
a) 1956 - 1966 -> 1 Cup
b) 1966 - 1976 -> 1 Cup
c) 1976 - 1986 -> 0 Cups
d) 1986 - 1996 -> 3 Cups
e) 1996 - 2005 -> 1 Cup
Townsend ... You're a friggin clown! :fero: If you don't know $hit then it is better to keep your trap shut.
I feel much lighter now. I've got this frustration bottled up for two months now.
HOME FORM
The San Siro has been rockin. The highlight of Milan has been the late goals flowing in. Milan under Ancelotti's reign has been a stronger team in the second half when a pep talk during half time does something to the team and it is possessed. The goals record also reflects that as quite a few of Milan's goals come in the second half.
Milan started at home with a 3-1 win against Celtic. The game was heading towards a seemingly 1-1 draw when Inzaghi's introduction changed the game on its head with two goals in 3 mins or so knocked the wind out of the sails of Celtic! The third one was a rare FK goal scored by Milan. We're pretty bad at set pieces. In fact we have the worst record of all the sides in set-piece conversion. Milan is not a threat on set-pieces so goals conceded in that manner is a shot in the foot by the opposition.
The second one was a cracker vs. Barcelona and the Stealth Bomber stood tall for the game winner. The third game was a good beating of Shakhtar which was comprehensive with a 4-0 scoreline. The home form is pretty good.
--->>> 8 goals scored and 1 conceded
AWAY FORM
Milan's away form has that one bad result vs. Barcelona. Even then Ronnie needed a magical shot to score the winner but performance wise Milan was well below par and didn't play well at all. It was a pretty bad performance on many levels. Milan lost 2-1. Started off with a win in Donetsk through a Seedorf goal. The final game in Glasgow ended goalless when nothing much was up for grabs! Dida made a wonder save. It could've ended 1-1 but didn't. Milan hasn't scored many away from home but at the same time the defence has been very tight as well away from home.
It is the after-effect of the La Coruna fiasco. Ancelotti doesn't want to make those errors that let Milan concede 4 goals all of them due to errors.
--->>> 2 goals scored and 2 conceded
Offence
:star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Shevchenko
-> Tomasson
-> Inzaghi
-> Crespo
It may come as a surprise to many but Milan has the best conversion rate in the competition so far at 61%!! I was surprised at this but it is good to hear that. Sheva is out injured for the first leg but should be available for the 2nd leg hopefully. Inzaghi will be returning in 10 days so he could well be ready for the derby at the weekend. Milan will revert to one striker as Crespo and Tomasson is not working well. Crespo will start the most important game of his career! He better repay the faith Carlo has showed in him!
Midfield
:star: :star: :star: :star: 1/2 (old rating: 5 stars)
-> Pirlo
-> Kaka
-> Seedorf
-> Gattuso
-> Rui Costa
-> Ambrosini
-> Dhorasoo
-> Brocchi
-> Serginho
The midfield can control games. What it lacks from time to time is the finishing. It doesn't contribute as much in the goal scoring as it can. However there have been enough glimpses of how this Milan midfield can literally toy around with opposition at will. In the end you don't get points for toying around with the opposition but the goals you scored.
Sheva's injury was unexpected. It will force a change in the whole system as Inzaghi is out injured too. Hence Carlo will have to field one striker (Crespo) while increasing a man in the midfield who will probably be Rui Costa. Kaka and Rui behind Crespo is close to ideal. Since Rui doesn't have the energy levels to last an entire length, he will be subbed by the "Scud" Serginho whose pace will help Milan.
Pirlo said regarding the game that we have to run more in the games referring to Carlo's training regime of more running and sprinting exercises to deal with Utd's fiery sprinters. And this is Pirlo speaking who of all people has been accused of being lazy and laid back. We've been preparing well. That happens when you read the opposition and study them. Even the players have been watching Utd. games. This comes from natural interest and a desire to do well.
Defence
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star: (old rating: ditto)
-> Maldini
-> Nesta
-> Stam
-> Cafu
-> Costacurta
-> Pancaro
-> Kaladze
-> Simic
Stam looked revved up for this game vs. Cagliari. He wanted to prove that he was ready and in all honesty he looked ready with a strong performance vs. Cagliari. I noticed Maldini also sprinting forward with amazing crosses! I don't have doubts that Cafu-Stam-Nesta-Maldini will be the back four. They key man in the back four will be Nesta. The world's best defender against the world's best poacher will be a sight I tell you!! :cool:
MAN UTD. - England
How the tables have turned. When the draw was made there was a gulf of difference between the two sides with regards to their performances. Utd. have improved immensely while Milan have slightly improved bringing both the sides at more or less the same level. The same thing has happened in the Chelsea-Barca, Juve-Real and Arsenal-Bayern ties. Amazing stuff!! :lick: Poor old Monaco, PSV, Lyon and Porto. Nobody is even talking about them. :tongue:
The Rossonero jersey of Milan signifies two things. The Red colour signifies THE DEVIL and the black colour is there to striker fear into the hearts of opponents.
Ferguson says that there is no fear but he mentioned it and not Ancelotti. ;) Any side could well win the tie but there is a slight matter of Devilish instance that besiege us Milanisti. First thing is that Milan is cornered into playing the X-Mas tree formation (4-3-2-1) in an away game (which is pretty good) and secondly ... Observe:
Woe to you Oh Earth and Sea
for the devil sends the beast with wrath
because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding
reckon THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
for it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty six
6
Milan's most successful captain and the best defender in the history of football aka Franco BARESI's retired JERSEY NUMBER. It is the ONLY retired jersey in Milan's history .. so far.
6
Milan is 6 times European Cup Champion!
6
The 2nd leg in the Holy Shrine of World Football that is the Stadio San Siro aka The Devil's Den will be the 6th meeting between these two teams ever! Yesss ... the sixth meeting.
:eekani: :eekani: :eekani:
I didn't make up the numbers. They are facts. SupeRNatruaL forces at work. :stuckup: THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST. :devil: The Devil has set up this tie.
cool preview Haroon, ur optimism is always refreshing. Hopefully you are right about carlos's choices :dconf:
Warro Bantan
21-02-2005, 11:06
Haroon, you are simply the best dude!!!!!! What an awsome series of posts!
I especially like the way you did the Milan article...as I will now refer to your posts, as articles are exactly what they are...you should send some to ACMilan.com, to see what they do with it!
With Sheva out, it may prove a blessing in disguise, as Carlo may opt for the Xmas tree formation, fielding both Rui Costa (who didnt have a bad game vs Cagliari IMO) and Kaka, just what we need to defeat Man U...two creative players that can hold the ball, and make the killer pass....
I just hope Crespo has his scoring boots on....
What is the possibility of Pippo making the return leg/Derby?
Stezagud
21-02-2005, 13:34
:respect:
Great previews mate :cool:
As for Andy Townsend, im surprised he didnt list Baggio as one of Milans threats :D
Respect :clap:
For those who are looking for a role model for posting, Haroon is the man.
Thanx a lot guys. The respect is mutual. I don't always post thank you but it is there by default ;)
ACMILAN1983
21-02-2005, 17:38
Good post as always Haroon!
Goalkeepers
No particular order.
Dida - AC Milan
Pretty good & Solid. Amazing reach and reflexes due to his height. Decision on corners will be crucial for him. Very calm and composed character.
Buffon - Juve
Commanding figure of the backline. Great anticipation skills. Very tough to beat one on one.
Casillas - Real
Real's best player by far. Amazingly consistent and for his stature is a phenomenon. Decision making still needs improvement. Slow to react on the long range shooting.
Cech - Chelsea
A tough figure to get past by. Tall, well built and superb reach. Lefty like Casillas and Dida! Something special about them.
Valdes - Barcelona
Short and can make good saves but not amongst the best. He does have lapses in concentration but is still good enough to have good games.
Lehmann/Almunia - Arsenal
I wouldn't be putting two names here if I knew who would start surely. Both of them are now competing for who can make more mistakes. It is a problem for Arsenal. Lehmann had a good first part of the season but it is tense at the back for the Gooners.
Carroll/Howard - United
Same type of problem here but less as compared to Arsenal. Not the best of decision makers. Very shaky if put under pressure. It becomes problematic for the defence if they don't have complete confidence in the goalie.
Toldo - Inter
Lost a bit of his flair and capacity. Still a huge figure to guard the goal. He is not helped by the poor form of the defence that has a habit of leaking goals somehow. He can do better. Seems to decline by the matches.
Dudek - Liverpool
Don't even know whether he will be starting. Lost the edge and plot totally. Had his chance. Didn't make much of it. Kirkland seems to be the Numero Uno.
Kahn - Bayern
Out of all these goalkeepers, the match-winners are Buffon, Dida, Cech & Casillas. They can win a match on their own. They have the capability and the capacity. The rest are not up there. Toldo and Kahn would be a few seasons ago but not now. Not leaking in goals is important and making great saves takes a team a step closer to the championship. These 4 can do great things on their day.
Ancelotti & Ferguson
Both coaches have won the CL. Ferguson took his time to do it. Ancelotti did it in his first full season with Milan. The job is not done for either coach as both want to taste glory in Europe yet again. Ancelotti has outwitted some big rivals during his brief time with Milan. He has defeated Capello, Hitzfeld, Del Bosque, Lippi, Sammer, Rijkaard, Mancini to name some. Capello with Roma took so many hits from Milan that Capello said: Milan is our Black Beast. And it was the strong Serie A contender Roma.
Ferguson has played some of the best European coaches and come out on top in the group stages. In the knock-out stages it hasn't been the same and he has been trying to rectify this problem. IMO he has not grasped the concept of European football. It is poor when a team reaches the knock-out so frequently and so consistently but fails at the first hurdle. And that too after winning the European Cup with a very good and young side. One thing that he is a master at is to make men out of tarts. You won't see ladies in the Utd. team.
Mourinho & Rijkaard
One was a legend as a player and the other one is well on his way to becoming a legend as a coach. Mourinho loves the details and varying aspects of the training and preparation regime. He liked Robson's training but loved Van Gaal's attention to detail in training in his first years with him. Mourinho understands the game at all the levels. Very good football brain. He goes step by step in his progress. He has a set plan for Chelsea during his reign. The big test was always going to be Barcelona in the Nou Camp. I always thought that a full strength Barcelona side would defeat a full-strength Chelsea side in the Nou Camp. The interesting thing now is that Chelsea is going there with a lot of key men injured or not fully fit. Mourinho's big test is now. If he can come out of the Nou Camp then he would have to be very good and if he leaves with 3 pts then he would have to be a genious!
Rijkaard is a very good coach who has done very well to fit all his attacking force and gel them into a single team that plays really good football with authority. His experience is limited and he is learning everyday. For now he is using the skills he honed under the coaching of Sacchi. It is a tough challenge for his side as he is dealing with a tactically efficient side. He has a very good side that can outplay opponents but this is a tough one. He would've surely gained a lot in the game vs. Milan. More than him his side would've gained a lot. Franky spent years in Milan so he knew what was coming. The players didn't but it will make them better prepared.
Capello & Luxemburgo
The veteran coach who has won with every club he has coached is now coaching Juve. Capello has not played in a big European game for quite a while now. His Roma didn't make the knock-out and now he is back in the knock-out in his first season with Juve after topping the group. His side is not easy to beat over two legs. It will be interesting to see if Capello has got the wit to out-think Luxemburgo who is playing his first European game. Capello has been there and done that but the hunger must surely be there to do well in Europe. A stage where he hasn't enjoyed success for 11 years now.
Luxemburgo is a newbie to Real. 7 game winning streak is impressive no matter who you play or how you play. You've still got to do the business on the pitch. That ended with a loss but a loss at a good time. Winning streaks do come to an end and therefore a long undefeated streak starts to become a tense thing. It is a bit early for me to comment on him other than that. At least he is a proper coach who knows about football and unlike Garcia-Remon who was just a makeshift and disaster waiting to happen.
Magath & Wenger
Both coaches are more or less in the same boat. Magath replaced a Bayern legen in the shape of Hitzfeld. Magath is more attacking and creative compared to Hitzfeld who was a very good football brain. Magath's side does however have the knack of blowing hot and cold and can concede goals. With Hitzfeld's side, it was tough to score against them.
Wenger doesn't really know much about European football. Even if he was given Real he would fail. He has changed his thinking and approach to the European game after getting kicked out repeatedly. Learning the hard way he is. I still think that he is not there. Only yesterday did I read that he was advocating entertaining the crowd! A Lion-Trainer would be a good gig. Sigfried & Roy 2 perhaps.
Mancini
Good in the sense that his Inter side is still undefeated. Bad in the sense that he is still unable to fix this problem of lapse in concentration. He is young and still has time but still it has to be pretty concerning to continue making the same mistakes repeatedly. He seems like not having a set plan in his head and not having the contingency plan ready with him.
Benitez
Can do good things with a limited team but needs some decent players. The injury situation is not helping at all. The season is rough enough as it is. The CL could help as advancing to every round gets more money. However a lack of key players can be the undoing.
Amazing job with this thread Haroon, thanx! .....and the quest for number 7 shall continue next season, we can do it and we will do it.. FORZA MILAN!!!
and the quest for number 7 shall continue next season, we can do it and we will do it.. FORZA MILAN!!!
There are 2 number 7s to chase next year.
1) winning the CL for the 7th time :5schal:
2) beating Inter away for the 7th time straight (serie A record) :5inter:
looking forward to both :D
grande milan sono stati ieri
jaja yo tb soy de bolivia pero del WILSTERMAN!!! CARAJO
R9naldo, lastima que Goirre esta desaparecidisimo de aqui...
we can talk Spanish in the "Milanistas Hispanos" thread... sorry to be off topic
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