AC Milan -Manchester United (pre game comments)

[DeMeTrIo]

Both Milan and Inter play first 1st leg away on home on matchday 2.
in the return leg, what's going to happen?
we both share the stadium, playing 2 match in a day? or playing 2 match in 2 days?

[Inferno]

Inter will play a week after, in March 15.

[ginoformaggino]

Inter will play a week after, in March 15.

it is obvious. :delol:
It is the same condition of being an InterTriste that sentences them to play after who plays better. :sagrin:

:ilol: Ubi major, :hihihi: minor cessat :1d31:


MILAN

uh, a question: InterSad, how many years are passed without a scudetto?

[Stefan]

Maybe we could have one half of the pitch and they could have the other. Then we could both play 5-a-side. As long as we get the half near the Curva, I'll be happy!!! :sagrin: :delol:

[ac_milan_foreva]

or maybe we kick inter out and play our game and let them play oustide :D

[Dave]

Hi guys! I think in San Siro we will beat MU 2-1 or 1-0! :dconf: Because Stam will be back and everything goes right for Milan! What do you think about this game??????? :v103:

[Henrik]

Thanks for starting the thread Dave. I changed the title and made it sticky. :)
I'll merge other similar threads with this one.

[nestamania]

i think milan will beat man u 1-0.crespo will be the scorer if sheva is not around.




THE GAME IS NOT YET OVER!

[Goirre]

this might the game where we will see SuperPippo in action again!! :star: ....even if he will most probably play only some minutes it will be great to see him again

2-0 for us, Crespo once and SuperPippo in the dying minutes :firedev:

!!!FORZA MILAN!!!

[niek]

I'll be there, got my ticket confirmation this afternoon :cheers:

[Warro Bantan]

We just have to win this game, as I am uncertain that any team can keep Man U goalless for 180 minutes.

Therefore a goal or two for us would do wonders, negating the impact of the single goal that Man U can and will probably score.

This is not to say that I doubt our defense, but just that Man U have extremely talented individuals in Roony and Van Nistelrooy, who will be sharper for this match, plus, we cant expect Scholes to miss an empty goal in "back to back" games, now can we?

Milan should take the game to Man U, score an early goal, and look to control the game, exploiting the spaces that will be created as Man U inevetably press forward for the goals they need.

Lets trounce these English aristocrats, spank the youngsters, after giving them a sound lecture on how football should be played.

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

[mk18]

i am confident we will go through... i hope we'll see the return of SHEVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[Peachtot]

will pippo play on that match??

[Henrik]

Don't know, but maybe he, D'horasoo and Serginho can come off the bench in the second half and turn up the pace of the game :)

[Peachtot]

how bout stam....
will he play around??

[Franco6]

Only WE CAN LOOSE IT NOW. If we will go on the pitch to defend the 1-0 of Old Trafford we will be committing suicide, united have capabilites to win at the San Siro.

We have to forget the away result, consentrate and try to play our game like we did last week, if that happens we'll go through.

Stam should be availabe vs united but on the right I'll play Cafu. IMO Stam should play only if Maldini or Nesta have a yellow card so not to miss a possible quarter final.
Inzaghi SHOULD i repeat SHOULD be on the bench.

[Stezagud]

Stam should be availabe vs united but on the right I'll play Cafu. IMO Stam should play only if Maldini or Nesta have a yellow card so not to miss a possible quarter final.


If i was Carlo i'd definately play Cafu too, just the threat of him making forward runs will stop Heinze going forward so much and leave Giggs more isolated. If Milan take a lead then Stam might come on to keep things more solid but even then it should depend on how Cafu is coping.

[Warro Bantan]

I dont see why he shouldnt start....this way, mayb Nesta can rest, or Maldini...though I think we should start our best defensive unit..which thankfully is Carlo´s decision to make!

[K77SH C]

Inzaghi SHOULD i repeat SHOULD be on the bench.

Never been a fan of Pippo but I do think he could be the trick up Ancelotti's sleave. Lets hope hes on the bench.

[Dave]

IMO it`s Anchelotti`s work! I know he will do it well! And Milan will be in quarter-finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forza Il Grande MILAN

[redryan]

are the rumours true the game on tuesday could be in doubt due to heavy snow ? cheers RR

[Goirre]

cheers Ryan.....as of now the game is not in doubt, even tomorrow Inter will be playing Lecce at the San Siro

[StretfordEnda]

Flying out tomorrow for the game on tuesday. Looked forward to this game since this draw was made and being my first time in milan and having always wanted to see a game at san siro, i can't wait. Can anyone recommend any good bars to have a drink in? I am staying close to centrale train station.
Hoping to see a great game on tuesday. united were disappointing this weekend, so hopefully we can give you a better game this time. we did ok in the first, but for a home team we were generally disappointing. Thank the lord Shevchenko wasn,t playing! I hear he may not be playing in this leg as well. Any latest news on his condition?

[nestamania]

i hope pippo will play in this match alongside with crespo :cool: .it might be a good combination while waiting for sheva to return. :tsr:

[oskarius]

I'm really looking forward to this game..There is no way we can loose in san siro IMO..We have been pretty lucky last few games, but that's only because our team is great and I'm sure there is no team that have no fear when facing against us..

Although Pippo is near complete recovery, IMO we should put the christmas tree formation with Kaka & Serginho supporting Crespo..it will be very hard fot them to break our defence and we could have plenty of chances in counterattacks..
I would like to see this lineup:

Dida

Cafu-Nesta-Maldini-Stam?

Gattuso-Pirlo-Seedorf

Kaka-Serginho

Crespo

[meazza]

Inzaghi is too luxury for this game, I think he'd make a great second half substitute if he's fully fit though. he'd provide constant worry to the Man U defense as they poured forward.

I predict a very cautius milan, 0-0 at half time is far better than 1-1 so I believe we'll play a lot of keep ball.

[mk18]

i hope we play with men that can control the game, we must do that, if united play their game then we are in a bit of trouble...

[Haroon]

UEFA Champions League

AC Milan Vs. Man. Utd

Stadio San Siro, Milano - ITALIA


---RD-16 - Second Leg ---

--- First Leg --- Man. Utd. V Milan -> 0-1 [Crespo 78']

-> Tuesday (March 8, 2005)

-> Kick-off -> 19:45 (UK Time): ITV 2



PREVIEW
======

And so the time has come. This is where it all starts to unfold now as the pieces are put together. Usually, I consider the 2nd leg of the QF ties as the reference point where heroes start to raise their game to a totally different level and shine as the pressure builds up and the tie reaches nerve-wracking levels! However for this year's edition of the UCL ... pressure point arrives a round earlier due to the magnitude of the RD-16 ties that are as high profile as it can get! It is all about concentration, focus, mental fortitude and the desire to be the hero of the day.

Manchester United for the first time in the 18 year reign of Alex Ferguson travel to the famed Stadio San Siro aka Devil's Den to face the ultimate challenge in Ferguson's career! I said so before the tie that this would be Ferguson and Utd.'s toughest test ever and now Ferguson himself has called it that today. He knows quite well what his side is up against. The opposition, the compact & covered acoustic arena, the 80,000 tifosi and the deafening noise. It is not easy to describe the pressure that both teams will be facing in a game of such magnitude. Both teams have been in these type of situations before. However I can tell you this that when the Utd. players step out on Matchday and set foot on the hallowed turf of the San Siro they will get a spine-tingling sensation of awe. :) It remains to be seen whether it inspires them or affects them.

Ferguson's Red Devil's are on a mission to be the first side since October 2004 to score 2 goals in the Den. Ferguson received Knighthood in '99 for his achievement of that famed treble! His Red Devils come face to face with The Devil on Tuesday night to receive Devilhood. :devil: Milan is not in a mood to give anything more than that. ;)


M I L A N

Late goals and Milan is synonymous nowadays! The current Comeback Kings have developed a knack for stealing the show with late goals! Who better than the Utd. clan to co-relate with! ;) Ancelotti's Grande Milan III just doesn't give up and has got unbelievable late wins that are stupendously unbelievable yet thoroughly entertaining!

Patience, perseverence and application has resulted in this pattern. Plus there is a hint of the SupeRNatural in all this. After all ... The SupeRNaturaL is something that isn't supposed to happen ... but it does happen. :devil:

Milan's clean sheet streak came to an end with Atalanta equalizing to Ambrosini's opener. That is an encouraging sign for Utd. who themselves are in search for goals that the Milan defence is penetrable.

Milan has been strong at home this season in the UCL and most of the goals have arrived in the second half against CL opposition. It is a trend of Ancelotti's side as well that we tend to put in stronger performances in the second half.

The performance at OT was regular as clockwork. Milan lacked the goals as did Utd. but the gameplay was simple based on small triangles of passes with nothing much flashy involved. Not too many ambitious or wasted passes. Simple football. Beautiful football (by both sides).


M A N. U T D

Ferguson will revert to the 4-4-2 that has been traditional with Utd. over the years. He did start to play the 4-5-1 on the away trips to not lose the away encounters after his 4-4-2 suffered on the travels. There are no second chances on offer so he has to play it now. It is more like a 4-4-1-1 with Rooney floating btw the midfield quad and the goal-scorer extraordinaire that is RvN. Ferguson should've started him in OT. That is just my opinion.

The only risk for Utd. will be to not get over-ambitious and get caught out by conceding too many. I personally think that this encounter will have more goals in it than the first leg and both Milan and Utd. are likely to concede and score. RvN not scoring as yet is a good thing for Utd. A player like him will not remain scoreless forever.

Utd.'s senior trio of Keane, Giggs and Scholes didn't perform to par in the first leg and in these kind of games the junior players always look up to their seniors for guidance. Keane was phenomenal in Turin and that helped his side to eliminate Juve that night. An even stronger performance is required IMO if Utd. are to make a match of it.

Ferguson as expected has been bringing back visions of Turin time and again and has said that if his Utd. side eliminate Milan then the performance would be the greatest under his reign toppling the one in Turin. He is right in the achievement bit but comparing the situations is a fatal mistake. In Europe ..... Milan is The Game and I showed why in my first preview. ;)


Probable Starting Line-Up(s)
=====================

---------------
---> Milan <---
---------------

-> 4-3-2-1 formation

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


1. The above team performed very well in the first game. Normally I would've preferred the 4-1-2-1-2 with two strikers (Crespo, Inzaghi) to start placing Rui on the bench since it is a home game. But the situation is different as Milan has a slender lead so controlling the match is very important and we do normally control the games with the X-Mas tree. Inter is the only side who dominated us (in the San Siro) against that formation but the result was the same. :stuckup: Serginho & Inzaghi must be played at some point. Cafu as well if he doesn't start. Milan will harm themselves if the team thinks that they have a 1-0 lead. The thinking should be of 0-0 tie and then build from that to get the result and qualification.

2. Kaladze who is apparently as delicate as a candle got re-injured! Whenever he is playing well this happens. He may or may not start. If he doesn't start then Cafu has to start on the right. Cafu had a decent game in Manchester and his presence will restrict Heinze moving forward frequently. I hope Kaladze can make it as Nesta-Maldini seems to be the first choice pairing for us and for a good reason as well.

3. Stam could well start as Ferguson is aware of Utd.'s threat from the wings. He was due to start in the first leg but pulled out due to a minor injury. Stam's presence brings in more defensive solidity but the punch up front is diminished. I wouldn't prefer Stam & Pancaro as the fullbacks. Stam and Kaladze would be fine though although my preference is the team that lined up in Manchester with the possible change being Inzaghi starting instead of Crespo.

4. Milan has to go into the game with an attitude to win and win clearly. Utd. are not the strongest of rivals on the travels (especially in the knock-out) and they play open style football which is good for our style of play. The opportunity is there to score freely against them whilst the flip-side is that they will come out strong.

Rooney, Scholes and RvN are the ones to watch out for in this game. Ronaldo had a decent game in the first leg. The above three are the most likely avenues for goals. There are others but the most likely ones are the three mentioned IMO. If they are under check then Utd. will struggle.


-------------------
---> Man. Utd <---
-------------------

-> 4-4-1-1 formation

-----------------------Howard ----------------------
--
--Neville------Ferdinand------Brown-------Heinze--
--
--Ronaldo-----Scholes--------Keane-------Giggs-----
--
---------------------------Rooney------------------
--------------------RvN-----------------------------

1. Ferguson axed Carroll for Howard. He is giving Howard a big chance in probably the biggest game of the season for Utd. Howard is not a big step up in improvement over Carroll but that is the choice Ferguson has right now.

2. Brown may start. He has his days and as a rival my reaction to his starting is :) Ferdinand is so important in that backline. Under no circumstances can he have an off-night. If he has an off-night then it is good night.

3. Ancelotti said that he will tell his players to take long range shots so there is a likelihood that the Milan team will practice the long range shots. This is where Keane's importance comes in. He didn't shut down Seedorf's missile and the result was that Carroll handled the ball like Jelly. :D Ferguson was more critical of Seedorf not being closed down rather than a defensive flaw that led to the goal.

4. It is important for Utd. to settle in early. The focus is so much important in games like these. A focused player blanks out the surroundings and is totally into the game itself. Lesser concentration and you can hear the whistles, cries, calls and comments behind you and that effects the performance. Utd. got away with it in Turin when after 18 mins they were losing the game 2-0. They won't get away with it if the same thing happened here.


Tactics
======

---------------------------
--- Ancelotti [M I L A N] ---
---------------------------

Ancelotti made history for his Milan yet again. His side became the first Rossonero side to get a win on English soil against English opposition. :proud: Utd. hasn't defeated Milan on the previous two occasions on Italian soil. They'll hope for a third time lucky thing as it happened for Milan a fortnight ago. Ancelotti himself has distanced himself from comparisons of '99 as he knows true well the difference of the scenario and variables.

He has stated once again that his side will go out to play possession football and try to control the game. It is imperative that Milan gets off to a comfortable first 15 mins or so as that will set the tone for the game. A difficult start for either side can be overcome but it will need a superhuman effort to overcome a wave.


A) Get off to a good start (first 15 mins) and send clear signals of intent at the start instead of playing too cautious.
B) Keep an eye on Rooney as he won't be the lone striker this time. When he has a shot at goal ... he will take it no matter what. Young blood. A dangerous breed ... always.
C) Go for the win. Simple as that. The game has to be played to get a proper and solid win.
D) Good finishing is required and not too many set-pieces to give away near the edge of the box. Small mistakes can be very harmful.



-------------------------------
--- Ferguson [M A N. U T D] ---
-------------------------------

It went all wrong in Manchester for Ferguson even before kick-off. His players were intimidated by the opposition. Keane of all people didn't look calm while his opposite number was smiling and relaxed like the definitive Iceman. These little things are so important in games of this magnitude.

Even though the scoreline was at 0-0 but the reaction of both coaches said it all. Ancelotti wasn't smoking :D Ferguson was chewing his gum faster and talking to Queiroz a lot. :D

A) Utd. has never gone on to win a two leg tie when they have lost the first leg at home. :eekani: Damning statistic! History is against them.
B) Go for the jugular from kick-off. If Milan gets into rhythm then the task will become tougher. Remember that an early goal for either side doesn't change things at all. Very early goals (first 5 mins or so) usually result in an equalizer so they are not the be all and end all.
C) Utd. have to score at least 2 to qualify. Conceding two is not part of the plan. So while attacking should be priority but blunders at the back should be avoided. It comes down to concentration and focus again.
D) Utd. have to do their job with precision and then hope they get the rub of the green.


KEY BATTLES
==========

Seedorf Vs. Giggs

Pirlo Vs. Scholes

Nesta Vs. Rooney

Maldini Vs. RvN

Crespo Vs. Ferdinand

Gattuso Vs. Giggs

Kaka Vs. Keane

Slightly different set-up this time for Utd. If Milan plays a 5 man midfield then Utd. will need to adjust to it with their 4 men in the midfield. It could result in Rooney being forced back or one of the fullbacks (probably Heinze) being more offensive.


KEY MEN
=======

Nesta
------

Incredible game in the first leg. Nesta has come a long way. He was a class act even in his Lazio days but he has learnt so much more playing alongside the talismanic Maldini and Billy 'The Kid' Costacurta. There are many more aspects to defending than just blocking an opponent. He has acquired those skills (mental + physical) from the masters. He is the finished article now. Alexander the Great :star:

We have to turn to him to show who's boss in The Den.


RvN
----

He is the main card Ferguson has to play. The avenue for goals! And goals are what Utd. need. He has not returned to his usual best but now comes the ultimate test! The world's most asphyxiating defence stands in front of him. RvN has never come up against the Four Horsemen in their own Pond. They'll ride him and ride him like no tomorrow. :D


Hero Watch
=========

Milan: Nesta, Pirlo, Gattuso & Seedorf

Utd.: Ronaldo & Ferdinand

Prediction

This was composed by Tony Britten. He was commissioned to write and arrange the music in a Handelian style. It is performed by the internationally acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and sung by the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields Chorus in the three official UEFA languages: English, French and German. The anthem is played at the start of all UEFA Champions League matches to accompany the centre circle ceremony and accompanies the opening and closing sequences of all UEFA Champions League broadcasts.

A little tidbit on the UCL anthem. ;) When it plays on Tuesday night as it is does on every matchday ... you will get goosebumps unless you're an Arsenal fan.

Ferguson wants the best Utd. show during his reign. The papers were subdued today regarding Utd.'s chances so much so that Venables has thrown in the towel for this one. It is not impossible though. Anything can happen in football and the re-assuring thing for us is that our team is focused and fully prepared.

I wasn't surprised at Milan's win in OT as it was up for grabs surely. I tend to believe that we may get a scoring draw in this one with Utd. making Milan sweat but Milan getting the job done. Real visited us after '89 and they were flustered that night. This Utd. team is visiting for the first time. It is not an easy place. It is not an easy team. It is not an easy situation. Saying that nothing is impossible for a rampant Utd. side.

However.... I think Milan will finish the Italian Job we started a fortnight ago in Manchester.


:star: Forza Milan :star:

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. :devil:



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/haroonmalik/SanSiro.jpg

[Ruffian]

Awesome preview, Haroon. I particularly enjoyed the nasty crack about Arsenal. ;) I'm expecting Cafu to play and to spread panic down that wing. I'm not too sure why you aren't, particularly with Kaladze -- delicate indeed :( -- still injured.


Thank the lord Shevchenko wasn,t playing! I hear he may not be playing in this leg as well. Any latest news on his condition?

I believe Lord Shevchenko ;) is still in Marbella recuperating. The Milan Lab doctors say he needs to recover mentally as well as physically. The last time poor Sheva got his face smashed in (during a Ukraine friendly) he cost us a penalty protecting himself in a wall, and should have cost us another.

Oh well, we've been without Inzaghi all year. Now that he's getting coming back, maybe even to play a little against Man U, our first-choice striker is out. :rolleyes: And I don't think Inzaghi and Crespo should play together. Too similar in style: they both park themselves in the box and look for the one-meter goal.

[Stezagud]

the goal-scorer extraordinaire that is RvN. Ferguson should've started him in OT. That is just my opinion.

I take it you didnt see the Palace game then :eek:

Ruud is well short of sharpness at the moment :( Against Palace he had 4 decent chances and failed to take them all. I think Fergie will start him still but its slightly worrying knowing that chances in the San Siro are going to be few and far between and Ruud isnt back to his confident best :stress:

I think Silvestre will start ahead of Brown but i dont trust either of them to concentrate for 90 minutes. Brown did well in the first leg but i think he was helped by Milans tactics to a degree, with Utd chasing the game he wont have the same cover...



I had a vision of Rooney blasting home a 25 yarder :cool: probably just wishful thinking but who knows for sure ;)

[kris]

I will be there, sitting on curva sud with my sister and another Milan faithful. :) We will laugh all the way to ... wathtever place we go to next after ManU has been kicked out.

Forza Milan!

[Jeff]

I had a vision of Rooney blasting home a 25 yarder :cool: probably just wishful thinking but who knows for sure ;)

I had a vision of Seedorf baslting home a 35 yarder :u56:

[jani]

I had a vision of a girl before going to sleep :( :D




Anyways, Haroon, I hope you dont mind but I posted your review in another forum and gave all the credit to you :star:



Will Sheva even be called up for this game?

I hope thats the case cause Im sure even his presence will give Milan confidence.

[meazza]

I take it you didnt see the Palace game then :eek:

Ruud is well short of sharpness at the moment :( Against Palace he had 4 decent chances and failed to take them all. I think Fergie will start him still but its slightly worrying knowing that chances in the San Siro are going to be few and far between and Ruud isnt back to his confident best :stress:


no way in hell am I writing off Ruud, steza. if anything it's more worrying he missed as he'll be possibly even more determined. He's the man Milan have to watch because a pure goal scorer like him dosn't exist anywhere else in europe.

[PirloDaBest]

Ok, Ok, Ok...

Here we go again... Round 2 of being as nervous as hell for 90 minutes. Hopefully it wont turn out to be any more than that... I am confident that we will get through but there is something in the back of my mind saying that it is going to be very close. We need to be at our very best and I just hope Kaka' can find something special.

Will Rui Costa be back?

[Warro Bantan]

Hey Haroon, as always, a great post...but I think u left out Dida, whose contribution will be incalculable, and if he is on form, it will take an exceptional strike, or extreme bad luck (eg a deflection) for anyone on Man U´s team to beat him.

Goalkeepers are usually only in the spotligt when they make errors, or tremendous saves, but Dida´s very presence makes strikers think twice about where to shoot...and this split second of indecision can make it possible for them to be closed down, and the shot blocked, or they are dispossessed.

Here is an actual article from uefa.com that encapsulates all I want to say:

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/fixturesresults/round=1969/match=1081510/Report=SF.html

I look forward to another dominating performance by what must surely be one of the worlds best current goalkeepers, in addition to his defense, that always seems to be there for him.

FORZA MILAN!!!

Lets score 3 unanswered goals against Man U, and help force Sir Alex into retirement!!!!

[Shomo]

3-1 to Milan(Crespo,Seedorf,Pirlo) and one to Ruud
i had a dream kaka unleashing a shot 35 yards outside

[Stezagud]

no way in hell am I writing off Ruud, steza. if anything it's more worrying he missed as he'll be possibly even more determined. He's the man Milan have to watch because a pure goal scorer like him dosn't exist anywhere else in europe.

He looks a bit like he did when he missed his first penalty for Utd, the next one he stepped up to take you could see his body language was wrong and he missed that too :eek: i think he missed 3 in a row before putting it right and starting the next goal avalanche :D

He isnt going to get much time or space against Milan which might just work in his favour as the less he has to think the more instinctive the finish will be. hopefully. ;)

[oskarius]

I'm going to the game tomorrow!!
Wish Milan & me luck!! :devs:

[Rapierist]

the less he has to think the more instinctive the finish will be. hopefully.

He shouldn't try, he should just believe.

[PirloDaBest]

I'm going to the game tomorrow!!
Wish Milan & me luck!! :devs:


Good luck mate. I hope it is a game for you to enjoy just like I enjoyed the 1st leg.

[Dil dil]

FERGUSON: 'It is an early final'
3/7/2005
MILAN - La Gazzetta dello Sport quoted some statements made by
Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson. He said: 'It is always
difficult to come back after a defeat, but to score two goals against
Milan, against such class defenders as [Paolo] Maldini, [Alessandro]
Nesta and [Marcos] Cafu, looks to be almost impossible. That's why, if
Manchester go through, it will be the greatest achievement. This
Milan-Manchester is the real Champions League final. I believe that
whoever comes off better will also win the Cup. There are other strong
rivals, especially Barcelona, but whoever wins at the San Siro will
threaten the rest of Europe.'

[derekhski]

Looking forward to another Milan victory! Unfortunately I will only be able to listen on the web, and watch the ticker on the CL webpage...... Boo hoo Would rather be there in person. Forza Milan!!

[Edmando]

I am praying that Ancelotti should start with Cafu - Nesta - Maldini - Serginho with Ambro, Gattuso, Pirlo help to sort out the midfield. Then put seedorf and kaka supporting behind either Tomasson or Crespo. I think that should be enough for a draw. Stam or Costacurta could be sub for Cafu, but neither of them should start for this game thou.

Let's go Milan...

[PirloDaBest]

On Gazzetta they say the line-up will be...

4-3-2-1:

Dida
Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Maldini
Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf
Kaka, Rui Costa
Crespo

This should be ok. We need to play how we did in the first leg only put more chances away this time around.

[almilan]

On Gazzetta they say the line-up will be...

4-3-2-1:

Dida
Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Maldini
Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf
Kaka, Rui Costa
Crespo


that is the team i would pick and inzaghi for the last 20 minutes if i was carlo.

[rae]

Milan v Man Utd preview

Manchester United bid to evoke memories of past Italian glories when they face Milan in what even manager Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledges is an uphill battle.

The 1-0 first leg defeat at Old Trafford, courtesy of Hernan Crespo's winner, has heaped the pressure on United to score twice and their goalless return from the trip to relegation battlers Crystal Palace on Saturday can hardly have boosted confidence.
Ferguson is praying his side produce the sort of performance that they managed against Juventus in 1999, winning an epic encounter 3-2 en route to UEFA Champions League glory, even though many of the faces in this latest team are different.
Wayne Rooney should start just behind Ruud van Nistelrooy to give The Red Devils hope of breaching Milan's miserly defence although Ferguson has favoured shifting the former Everton striker wide in recent weeks and may use this formation with Ryan Giggs or Cristiano Ronaldo the other flanker.
The fact that Paul Scholes and Ronaldo were both left on the bench at the weekend suggests they will start and there might even be the temptation to field the 4-4-2 formation that Ferguson feels has become outdated in Europe if Rooney can retreat deep enough to assist Scholes and Roy Keane in a midfield that could be stretched.
It all represents a game of poker for Ferguson who must get his tactics right after the disappointment in the first leg. If he thinks Milan will sit back, there must be two strikers selected for kick off even though the Scot knows all about the virtues of patience on such occasions.
Gary Neville travelled but has been ruled out by his manager as he still feels the after-effects of a tough challenge by Portsmouth's Matthew Taylor and Louis Saha has added to his seemingly endless list of injuries by picking up a knock that keeps him sidelined.
Tim Howard will expect to start in goal as Roy Carroll could continue to be punished for his error in spilling Clarence Seedorf's shot to allow Crespo to hand Milan the advantage.
Jaap Stam is in contention to feature against the team he won the trophy with in 1999. Brazil international Kaka did not play against Atalanta but is likely to return as the hosts look to kill the tie off.
Star turn Andrei Shevchenko will again be missed, although he is back in training after fracturing his cheekbone.
The defensive pairing of veterans Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta, praised by Ferguson this week, may get broken up by Carlo Ancelotti, who is considering fielding Maldini at left back.
Filippo Inzaghi is in the squad and pushing Crespo for a starting spot and Cafu, only thrust into the side when Stam was injured in the warm-up at Old Trafford, deserves to play based on his outstanding performance a fortnight ago.

Issue: Sky Sports (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=261214&cpid=5&CLID=120&lid=&title=Milan+v+Man+Utd+preview&channel=Champions_League)

[PirloDaBest]

Man, never post things from Sky Sports about anything to do with Serie A.

Did you even read this article? There are so many mistakes.

eg. Im sure I saw Kaka on the pitch against Atalanta on sunday...

[Hitman]

It is good to see that is looks like we will play Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Maldini in the back. That looks comfortable. However, many of you guys in here seems to be a bit too over confident that we will crush Man Utd tonight. That worries me a bit. Because Man U away from home are at least (if not more), dangerous than at Old Trafford... I just have a terrible feeling that United will suprise us tonight and win 2-1. That would be my worst nightmare!! I just hope I am wring.

[Rosso6]

Milan is a far much better team that Manyoo, we proved it at the hallowed Old Trafford. Milan is fully confident and we will win, and I hope we get the Merdas in the quarters and stomp on their hearts again.
Forza Milan.

[Masson]

We can control the match again with our X-mas tree formation,but i'm worry a little bit about the RB of Cafu.Because Cafu always goes to attack especially when we hold the ball.If our attack is blocked,Man U will play his counter attack,i saw that there were no any Milan defenders at our right side in the Fortune attempt in Old Trafford,it's dangerious for us,if we score earlier than them,we will go to quarter final.

[Kui]

The guy that concerns me is Stam. I hope he does well and makes this reunion with Man. U his finest hour!

[mk18]

im not too overconfident but when u look at the way man utd play and the way we do i really cannot find a possible way for them to beat us... they might be good away from home but i dont think theres a team on earth thats better than us in our home

[hitmannq8]

Ancelotti has one extremely-terrible habbit of defending a one-goal-lead against big teams.. He reminds of Trappatoni with Italy.. In the first leg, when I saw him get Pirlo off for Ambro, and then Billy for Cafu, I KNEW he wanted to defend.. and guess what? We dominated all game with possession, as soon as he did that substitution (last 10 mins), ALL the possession went to Man Utd.. It was just terrible

He did the same thing against Barca at Nou Camp, After 1st half he went to defend it and we only invited Barca to score by doing that..He did the same at the San Siro, but luckily they hit the post twice!

I really hope Carlo doesn't think of defensive tactics only if we're 2 goals ahead.

For me, the most important things today:
1- Stam, i hope he has a good game like the one against Barca at San Siro, i really hope he contains RvN
2- Nesta, he's always great on big games, he's gonna save us :)
3- Maldini, i hope he has those amazing runs he used to have on the left..i hope he actually plays as awinger rather than sit back on the left and stop their wingers
4- IT IS HIGHLY important that Pirlo has a good game, cuz if he doesnt, we're doomed.. We really need him, we need his pin-point passes and his possession-keep style of play.. he will be important.. I hope he'll score a deflected free-kick early in 2nd half..
5- Kaka, you all know how good he can be when he's at his best.. i think this might be his chance to shine, as Man Utd will be leaving spaces while pouring forward, it'll be Kaka's only game of the season with a lot of space to actually do what he did last season.. hope he's up to it..
6- Crespo, hope he moves enough and comes back a little to help with build-up play (just like Sheva, damn i miss him)
7- inzaghi HAS HAS HAS to play at exactly the 60th minute, HE WILL BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, his speed and intelligence will absolutely keep Man Utd back a bit, i predict he'll do something really dangerous...
8- important that tomasson shouldn't play
9- Serginho should come on later in 2nd half if Seedorf is playing an off-par game.. Serginho's speed is very important for us, we'll need it for a tired Man United
10- Rui Costa, oowww I wish he was one of his games..
11- And i hope dida will have a good day cuz he has been xtremely outstanding for us recently, i hope he performs one of those incredibly magical saves (remember Ajax game, at the last minute, at San Siro last year?)

[Maradona (10)]

Why cant we start someone like Serginho instead of Rui?

[Maradona (10)]

BTW, remember what happened last time when we were so over-confident? That was against La Coruña last season. Not good memories.

:angf:

[CuoreRossoNero]

BTW, remember what happened last time when we were so over-confident? That was against La Coruña last season. Not good memories.

:angf:

The Deprotivo game is exactly why Milan will not be over confident in this game. They know how easy it is for the tide to turn. We just have to play our game and stay away from the all out defend style. If we score first in this game it is quite possible that we see a 3 or 4 goal victory.

It will worry me if this game stays 0-0 for a long time because I see Ancelotti trying to defend which could lead to a devastating result.

[Red&Black2005]

I have less of a problem with Stam in the middle paired with Nesta as this protects them against the speed of a Ronaldo charging down the flank, where he could be vulnerable. Now, on the other hand, Maldini out there is going to be an interesting match-up. Can he stay with Ronaldo? I suspect that Maldini will give him some room to run but will close him down as he approaches the box.

Again, I think the key here is the midfield. If Pirlo, Gattuso, and Seedorf with Kaka and Rui Costa can control the midfield, Milan are in a very good position. Timmy Howard in goal? How is he going to react in the San Siro in such a big game? I think our boys need to test the lad early.

It’s getting close now boys! Forza Milan!

[Red&Black2005]

Deportivo was a much different situation. First, we were up by what was thought to be, myself included, an insurmountable lead. Second, it was away from the San Siro. We were overconfident and we paid the price. Finally, We only lead United by one goal, which isn't the same as being up by three. And, no offense to Deportivo, but it's not quite the same team as United, whose very name makes you take notice. No overconfidence here...we will be ready

[Gipson]

It's Show Time!!!
Forza Milan!!!

[Red&Black2005]

Crespo with a chance in the 8th minute - Howard saves. Milan looking in control right now

[Nona]

Jesus.......Chelsea - Barca 3:0