Ascoli-Milan: Post-game comments

[Billy_Montreal]

Please post your comments here regarding Milan's first game of the season

[Kui]

You're the pimp Montreal! Well the weather sure as heck didnt help either teams IMO. I think we did well considering we normally lose to such teams. Very good result for Ascoli if you ask me. Congrats to them. Luckily it is way to early to tell where we are headed. I think we have a strong enough team to wim SOMETHING. I dont think we honed any great tactic as of yet that this team is comfortable with.

[Hitman]

we can agree that 1-1 against Ascoli is not the best result (before the match). But anyone who saw the match, must agree that this was not a football match at all - much more water polo. It should never have been played in the first place. But it did - and in these sort of matches you cannot go out and control play - hell, we could even make a simple pass. Walmania, in the match comments page you wrote why "Have the management and the players not learnt from previous experiences" - did you see the match? How can we learn from a previous match?
In my opinion 1-1 in the end of day, is okay. We got 1 point away from home in impossible circumstances, and that is okay!

[killiegradge]

Poor result but remember thats how we started last season.Games like this are a "Cup Final" for teams like Ascoli and remember bad pitches are a leveller.Similar game last night in Spain when Barcelona drew with Alaves away in the first game of their season.Just a pity that the next game is two weeks away as you always want to make amends quuickly after a dissapointing result.

[walmania]

Hi everyone,

Unfortunatly its the familiar story Milan seam to be forever stuck in. Begining of the season, small team and yet we still manage to lose points that as we saw saw last season can be crucial to winning the scudetto!

I am very angry because as usual we will be fobbed off with the same excuses, its only the begining of the season, the pitch was bad, we were unlucky, blah blah blah! My answer is, didnt we have a pre-season? Did we not prepare for such games? Have the management and the players not learnt from previous experiences? Why do we keep making the same mistakes season after season? It is so annoying and to be honest absolutly rediculas that a team like Milan has to struggle in so many games against lesser oppenents.
Milan, Berlusconi, Ancellotti, the team, sort it out now!!! We wont have another season like last year were we lose it rather than our opponents winning it!

As for those that say we are still stuck in Istanbul, I say I wonder why? Because we still keep producing results such as today! The pitch was awful yes, techn icly gifted players couldnt play to thier potential fine, but did the club not know that the pitch was like this? had they not arrived from yesterday and therefore saw the rain coming down which means there was plenty of time to re-organise things to suite the conditions?

I am not calling for heads to roll or for any early season sacrifices!!!!!! I am just saying that this is only slip up I will let go this season! It's now time to get serious and and have a more proffessional approach to our games, no more excuses! the only excuse I will accept is if the opponent on the day were a better team than us!

Walid Belkhear
President Milan Club UK
www.milanclub.co.uk
__________________

[Kui]

Well we did win a scudetto not to long ago.

[Hasan Rossonero]

Milan were not helped by the weather but they should have a little more grit. Juve win rain or shine, and when they don't the refs jump in :D

[ASHWIN]

Standard result against the small teams. Hope we find our rhythm soon. Anyway this wasn't our full strength squad. I'm just waiting 4 the match against Fernebache. I think Milan will b goin full steam 4 the Champions League.

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

[walmania]

I really think that it is really important to make a big deal out of today so that mistakes can be rectified in order that no more points are "needlessly" lost during the season. We will all calm down and look back hopefully come May when we become champions and wonder why we even got angry at todays result but I can only see that appening if we put things right from now!

Great goal today by Sheva!

[devoted_dm]

The pitch was in terrible condition today. It was pretty much impossible to play football on. The ball stopped in puddles of water, players were slipping and falling, and it DID NOT at ALL favor our style of football. Impossible to pass the ball around, play it into open spaces or anything like that, because the pitch simply did not allow it.
After the first minutes of the match, I was thinking that I'd be happy with a draw today, and I am, because there was not much else we could expect, playing in conditions like that. I think Juve would have struggled too, on a pitch like that.

[triniman]

Hi everyone,

Unfortunatly its the familiar story Milan seam to be forever stuck in. Begining of the season, small team and yet we still manage to lose points that as we saw saw last season can be crucial to winning the scudetto!

I am very angry because as usual we will be fobbed off with the same excuses, its only the begining of the season, the pitch was bad, we were unlucky, blah blah blah! My answer is, didnt we have a pre-season? Did we not prepare for such games? Have the management and the players not learnt from previous experiences? Why do we keep making the same mistakes season after season? It is so annoying and to be honest absolutly rediculas that a team like Milan has to struggle in so many games against lesser oppenents.
Milan, Berlusconi, Ancellotti, the team, sort it out now!!! We wont have another season like last year were we lose it rather than our opponents winning it!

As for those that say we are still stuck in Istanbul, I say I wonder why? Because we still keep producing results such as today! The pitch was awful yes, techn icly gifted players couldnt play to thier potential fine, but did the club not know that the pitch was like this? had they not arrived from yesterday and therefore saw the rain coming down which means there was plenty of time to re-organise things to suite the conditions?

I am not calling for heads to roll or for any early season sacrifices!!!!!! I am just saying that this is only slip up I will let go this season! It's now time to get serious and and have a more proffessional approach to our games, no more excuses! the only excuse I will accept is if the opponent on the day were a better team than us!

Walid Belkhear
President Milan Club UK
www.milanclub.co.uk
__________________


and how do we prepare for such games?????...please enlighten me....becuase from what i have been reading, the pitch would have also been used to host water polo games.....at what point in the pre season do we for-go our football pitch trainings and head to the pool to dive around in. There is no training that can prepare you for such surfaces.....even the san siro , which in now considered one of the worst pitches in top flight would look like plush carpet to what we played on today.

If you claim that our opponents are better than us...then i think you should watch some more games...like i stated before...games like this require strength and presence....with a big slice of luck....our goal poachers like inzaghi and vieri would have done very well in these conditions because they ply their trade in and around the 6 yard box where on this surface anything would happen....a sudden skid....funny bounce...slip from the keeper......and yet without them we still used our technical advantage to create chances in such conditions.....

these are not excuses...these are plain facts...any team would struggle in such contidions...but some of you are so caught up in the "chicken little syndrome" that you don't see a game for what it is.....the famous words of buy , sell and sack are so embedded into us that from the first sign of imperfection they pop out our mouths becuase we can even think.....

seeing we want to blame people like carlo and whoever else :d55: ....why not blame GOD as well for making us play in such conditions...i mean this probably shows that he is not a milan fan right???? :dontkn: :w221:

like i said before....it's time some of you in here start looking at a game and baising your opinions on the game and not the past.....involve all present factors during the game and make intelligent decisions before talking or in this case typing

[triniman]

I really think that it is really important to make a big deal out of today so that mistakes can be rectified in order that no more points are "needlessly" lost during the season. We will all calm down and look back hopefully come May when we become champions and wonder why we even got angry at todays result but I can only see that appening if we put things right from now!

Great goal today by Sheva!

LOL....if you think it important to cry over this....then my friend i think we should have the mental word on standby for you this season.....becuase guess what ...at some point in time we ARE going to lose a game.....if not this season, then next....1 game does not decide an entire season...and they way you are acting i think before the season is over you will either have gone mad..or committed suicide...either which way is bad :hammer:

[Beuller]

I'm tired of the exuses. Champions find a way to win these types of matches. Obviously we are champions of nothing, nor does it look like we will be champions of anything any time soon. Very disappointing -- not a good start!

[walmania]

and how do we prepare for such games?????...please enlighten me....becuase from what i have been reading, the pitch would have also been used to host water polo games.....at what point in the pre season do we for-go our football pitch trainings and head to the pool to dive around in. There is no training that can prepare you for such surfaces.....even the san siro , which in now considered one of the worst pitches in top flight would look like plush carpet to what we played on today.

If you claim that our opponents are better than us...then i think you should watch some more games...like i stated before...games like this require strength and presence....with a big slice of luck....our goal poachers like inzaghi and vieri would have done very well in these conditions because they ply their trade in and around the 6 yard box where on this surface anything would happen....a sudden skid....funny bounce...slip from the keeper......and yet without them we still used our technical advantage to create chances in such conditions.....

these are not excuses...these are plain facts...any team would struggle in such contidions...but some of you are so caught up in the "chicken little syndrome" that you don't see a game for what it is.....the famous words of buy , sell and sack are so embedded into us that from the first sign of imperfection they pop out our mouths becuase we can even think.....

seeing we want to blame people like carlo and whoever else :d55: ....why not blame GOD as well for making us play in such conditions...i mean this probably shows that he is not a milan fan right???? :dontkn: :w221:

like i said before....it's time some of you in here start looking at a game and baising your opinions on the game and not the past.....involve all present factors during the game and make intelligent decisions before talking or in this case typing

I take it you like replying to people without actually reading what they said, anyway that is your porogative and I do not want to get into any arguaments with anyone as that is not good for the forum or Milan.

I will just answer your question with regards to how we prepare for the pitch.
I watched the highlights and yes the was waterlogged but I have seen matches played on worst pitches (Perugia V Juve, Collina was referee on the last game of the season and the match played on). I am not making comparisons to teams just to the conditions. You very much over exagerate the state of the pitch and what was it not the same pitch that our oponents played on? So if they could manage it, so should we! When I said we should prepare better, I was refereing to the fact that We had a whole day to adjust tactics to suite the pitch and the conditions, but to also answer the question according to your wrong understanding of my qoutes then yes there should be preperations for all conditions as we are Milan and should be ready for everything just like we were when we played in Moscow in frozen conditions and when we played in America recently in opposite conditions. Preperation for these types of games doesnt have to be in 'swimming pools' as you point out, but by different tactics and ways of approaching the game, spreading on the pitch and getting the ball from defence into attack. I am not a proffessional coach and nor a proffesional player but if I was beong paid £60,000 a week I would not use weather as an excuse for lack of preperation etc...

Plus I never mentioned that anyone should be sacked, sold etc.
In order for me and you not to fall out, I would appreciatte it if you could read my replies before making judgment next time and if you do not like what I say I suggest you ignore me as everyone has the right to express thier oppions and though it might come as a shock to you but sometimes people might disagree with you.

Thank you

[Hasan Rossonero]

I'm tired of the exuses. Champions find a way to win these types of matches. Obviously we are champions of nothing, nor does it look like we will be champions of anything any time soon. Very disappointing -- not a good start!

ok a bit over the top...don't you think????

[walmania]

I'm tired of the exuses. Champions find a way to win these types of matches. Obviously we are champions of nothing, nor does it look like we will be champions of anything any time soon. Very disappointing -- not a good start!


I agreee but be patiant my friend. We need to get things right from now, no more excuses and definatly no more slip ups and God willing we will be Champions of both Italy and Europe this year!

[Beuller]

ok a bit over the top...don't you think????
No. I don't think so, else I wouldn't have written it.

[Billy_Montreal]

I watched the highlights and yes the was waterlogged but I have seen matches played on worst pitches (Perugia V Juve, Collina was referee on the last game of the season and the match played on). I am not making comparisons to teams just to the conditions. You very much over exagerate the state of the pitch and what was it not the same pitch that our oponents played on? So if they could manage it, so should we!

That speaks volumes regarding your criticism of the team...first half belonged to Milan if anyone as Ascoli did little and allowed Pirlo to do what he wanted despite trekking through heavy water. When Ascoli scored even the commentators were stunned stating: this was not really deserved of Ascoli who have been doing little...Milan then tied up the score despite the terrain.

The match you speak of is still spoken about today in that it should NOT have been played. Bad example.
Secondly, Collina is far from the perfect official despite the Serie A p.r. campaign...so his presence did not justify that it should have been played.

Nobody managed the pitch.....nobody 'played' today...timing, positioning and skill all goes out the window because running is a chore in itself. Milan nor Ascoli was given the opportunity to 'play' today..Ascoli did not play more than MIlan and definetely not better. The highlights don't tell the whole story as they only show the 'HIGHLIGHTS" and disregard the 88 other minutes of the ball skidding along water.

[walmania]

LOL....if you think it important to cry over this....then my friend i think we should have the mental word on standby for you this season.....becuase guess what ...at some point in time we ARE going to lose a game.....if not this season, then next....1 game does not decide an entire season...and they way you are acting i think before the season is over you will either have gone mad..or committed suicide...either which way is bad :hammer:

Again a very immature approach to another persons opinion. It must be very easy to become a moderator these days?
The problem you are having is that you are readin the post but not understanding it and to be honest I cant help you with that.

I dont think there would be any purpose or good to come out of any type of dialogue with you.

In order for no one to be offended or get offended, if you are unable to discuss things rationally then please just ignore me as your footballing mind is way to superior to mine and there would be no point of you talking to me.

[walmania]

That speaks volumes regarding your criticism of the team...first half belonged to Milan if anyone as Ascoli did little and allowed Pirlo to do what he wanted despite trekking through heavy water. When Ascoli scored even the commentators were stunned stating: this was not really deserved of Ascoli who have been doing little...Milan then tied up the score despite the terrain.

The match you speak of is still spoken about today in that it should NOT have been played. Bad example.
Secondly, Collina is far from the perfect official despite the Serie A p.r. campaign...so his presence did not justify that it should have been played.

Nobody managed the pitch.....nobody 'played' today...timing, positioning and skill all goes out the window because running is a chore in itself. Milan nor Ascoli was given the opportunity to 'play' today..Ascoli did not play more than MIlan and definetely not better. The highlights don't tell the whole story as they only show the 'HIGHLIGHTS" and disregard the 88 other minutes of the ball skidding along water.

AQnother person that is having a problem reading? I mentioned Collina just as a reference to the game in order to jog peoples memory but if you dont think that the best referee in the World is no good that is you opinion and you are welcome to express it. I didnt just watch the highlights but also listed to the game live on radio and I am never said anywere in any place on a ny forum about in any thread that we played bad, did I? If I did please show me? I am refering to the leaking of points against small teams that happens every season. FOR GOD SAKE READ WHAT I SAID BEFORE YOU REPLY

[Milan3869]

why is everyone getting over one game?1?....relax people, we still have 37 more serie A games to be played, plus the CL games....it was terrible out there, but no excuses here....we missed so many good opportunities we could have easily won by two goals or more...but nothing to worry about, i doubt the remaining 37 games will have ****ty fields like this one....forza milan!! :5love:

[walmania]

If all you guys (my 2 moderator friends) is looking for an argument I suggest you go sit down and have a word with yourselves! You are moderators on this site and should treat people with respect to show an example. I feel I have been disrespected today and that I do not forgive. You have been out of order and showed no proffesionalism towards peoples opinions and thoughts. If this forum is going to turn into one one of those "agree with me or else!" forums then I will leave and find somewhere else to express my opinion. I wish to thank you all for having me with you and I wish you and Milan all the luck in the World.

Thank you.

[triniman]

Again a very immature approach to another persons opinion. It must be very easy to become a moderator these days?
The problem you are having is that you are readin the post but not understanding it and to be honest I cant help you with that.

I dont think there would be any purpose or good to come out of any type of dialogue with you.

In order for no one to be offended or get offended, if you are unable to discuss things rationally then please just ignore me as your footballing mind is way to superior to mine and there would be no point of you talking to me.


ok...the kid gloves are off for you.....!!

i understand your post perfectly....i have no problem in reading it...the problem i have is that some people...yourself included are quick to speak and critize...but when someone else challenges you with fact or opinions...you cry wolf....it's not about superiour minds...it's about logic....and if you cannot indulge in a conversation which is based on facts and logic then you have definately come to the wrong place and the wrong person......set backs in a season happen...this is life.....no team is perfect...but perfection can be gained up by accepting setbacks and bouncing back from it...you speak of us having no further setbacks.....but what you ask is if not impossible, then improbably.....

then after all this you come to say that it must be easy being a mod here...yeah it is...you just have to be a fan...becuase guess what....we are all fans here...i just have added technical duties....and if you are an example of your Club...especially being president...then thank the heavens i'm based in the US.....i always thought presidents should be leaders willing to listen and analyse....guess times have changed

[triniman]

If all you guys (my 2 moderator friends) is looking for an argument I suggest you go sit down and have a word with yourselves! You are moderators on this site and should treat people with respect to show an example. I feel I have been disrespected today and that I do not forgive. You have been out of order and showed no proffesionalism towards peoples opinions and thoughts. If this forum is going to turn into one one of those "agree with me or else!" forums then I will leave and find somewhere else to express my opinion. I wish to thank you all for having me with you and I wish you and Milan all the luck in the World.

Thank you.

From what i am reading ..you are the one who is having the problem......becuase we disagree with you and state why , you call us unprofessional...then takes swipes at me being a mod.....becuase i blended logic with scarcasm when replying to you.....you should heed your own words...this is not an agree with me or else site...so why becuase we don;t agree with you we are the ones who have the problem??

a word of advise for you here and in your furure adventures.....if you can Criticize..then learn to take Criticism...simple as that...if you wish to stay in MM here...then fine...just understand that you not everyone will agree with you...if you wish to leave then good luck and god speed in what lies ahead for you

[Hasan Rossonero]

everyone calm down...

these are the facts:

The weather was bad and we had an unlucky start to the next season. It was not beyond us to win so it is disappointing, notwithstanding the weather.

We cannot be overly critical nor can we just easily forget it. I am relatively happy since we could have lost.

Here is my take on it on my website: www.totalsoccer.ca

come on guys we are all friends here :D

[humanTORCH]

the horse has opened his mouth:
from goal.com
________________________________________________________
Ancelotti Blasts Ref De Santis
8/28/2005 6:11:00 PM
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was furious with the game’s referee Massimo De Santis at the end of the 1-1 draw the Rossoneri were held to by Ascoli.
"We asked the game to be interrupted, because the rain had soaked the whole pitch. But De Sanctis demonstrated to us that we could play by throwing the ball ten meters high. I felt made fun of by this attitude," Ancelotti said after the game.

"Clearly it's difficult to say how we played, when it was almost impossible to play as we wanted to," he added.

Two weeks ago Fabio Capello had blasted De Santis for some questionable calls he made during the Super Cup final Juve lost to Inter.
___________________________________________________________

I have one thing to say to ancelotti.
The opponent is playing at the same pitch so it's fair and square. :dontkn:

[Bosniaco]

No. I don't think so, else I wouldn't have written it.
Smart ass did you watch the game ???

[Milan4eva]

Every now and then I just come back and wander around the forum besides the goal videos one and sometimes I wonder why I even bother. Posts like those from Beuller and walmania just remind me why I stopped visiting the forums in the first place.... :yuck:

[asmileneverlies]

Ok, we did not win but it was only the first game of the season.
Too many negative poins have been written here today, did u manage to see the beauty of Sheva's goal?
Stop moaning and lets be positive!
Forza Milan

[Dil dil]

well I just feel bad that we draw against a small team despite rain
this means to me repeating last season mistake by losing to small teams

[Milan3869]

yeah shevas blast was great....but he did also miss a goal in front of goal....this game was bad but sh*t happens, until next week!!

forza milan!!

[Milan3869]

If all you guys (my 2 moderator friends) is looking for an argument I suggest you go sit down and have a word with yourselves! You are moderators on this site and should treat people with respect to show an example. I feel I have been disrespected today and that I do not forgive. You have been out of order and showed no proffesionalism towards peoples opinions and thoughts. If this forum is going to turn into one one of those "agree with me or else!" forums then I will leave and find somewhere else to express my opinion. I wish to thank you all for having me with you and I wish you and Milan all the luck in the World.

Thank you.

dont act like this walmania....we all get into arguments with many different people here, I for one have made enemies in here who wish that i leave, but i wont have it their way....stick around and express your opinion with the rest of MM!!!

anyways Milan all the way!!

[tardissun]

For me, it's no excuses. Every game Milan plays, I expect Milan to win. With that said, I understand every game can't be won, but I don't like people making excuses for a loss (or a draw in this case). The bottom line is, Milan got 1 point and I expected 3. I would take a terrible played win over a poorly played draw.

Yes, the field was in very poor condition. What happens after we draw the next game? The clouds weren't in perfect alignment? Maybe the moon wasn't in the right position? These are professional football players.

[shevagol_7]

This result of the game is a real disappointment but I can't really fault the team too much as they played well and the conditions really turned Milan into a side of the calibre of Ascoli. What sets us apart is our passing in midfield and playing long passes through Pirlo. When our main modes of attack become removed we are not the team that we usually are. On several occasions on a dry surface Milan would have great chances to score case and point Kaka' rounded a defender and normally would have been able to blow past him with pace and get a shot off instead today the ball barely moved on the surface and this allowed the defenders to catch up to him. I wonder why there were not that many crosses being played? We have the talent on the wings and today would have been a perfect match to move to this tactic considering the wet pitch.

It's still to early for this result to have a real impact on the title race but its a blow not to start the season off on the right foot. But Milan will bounce back and we can expect the team to come back ready as ever to win titles this year.

[Milan3869]

For me, it's no excuses. Every game Milan plays, I expect Milan to win. With that said, I understand every game can't be won, but I don't like people making excuses for a loss (or a draw in this case). The bottom line is, Milan got 1 point and I expected 3. I would take a terrible played win over a poorly played draw.

Yes, the field was in very poor condition. What happens after we draw the next game? The clouds weren't in perfect alignment? Maybe the moon wasn't in the right position? These are professional football players.

so professional football players always have to be perfect?!?....relax, in a better condition milan easily beats ascoli, but when you have poor conditions like puddles of water everywhere anyteam can beat anybody regardless of talent and what not....forza milan!!

[Nadir]

that wasn't a serie A game. it was a game that one sees behind your high school after a rain storm. no comment other than that. as always it's the small teams that cause milan the biggest problems.

[ginoformaggino]

Rain has been a big ally for Ascoli, a team of 11 furious unleashed who has thought to defend firstly,
today that flooded ground has been really decisive.
Anyway, Milan match :wth: hasn't been so good.
imho, on our left side, Foggia ( like a small -Cagliari-Esposito) has made what he wanted, the free kick too, for the Cudini goal.
Kaladze :5horse: left me with a mountain of doubts about him.
Same speech for Stam and Gila.
Sheva goal? Another magnificient pearl, as usual

MILAN :angf:

[Dodsdomd]

The match was painful to watch. Terrible conditions. Extra hard to take after watching Inter play a very solid game earlier in the day. Plus Juve got their 3 points.

[tardissun]

so professional football players always have to be perfect?!?....relax, in a better condition milan easily beats ascoli, but when you have poor conditions like puddles of water everywhere anyteam can beat anybody regardless of talent and what not....forza milan!!

No, that's why I said it's not possible to win every game.

After losing to Juve/Inter, are you still going to say "relax, in XYZ condition, Milan wins." Milan *should* have won. Again, I understand they didn't because of the conditions, but excuses or no, a draw is a draw.

As an example, ManU set a goal to win and keep winning to start the season to hopefully put pressure on Chelsea. Milan should have done the same. I don't want Milan to be racing to catch up to Juve/Inter because we have "acceptable" draws against Ascoli.

But in the end, we both want the same thing :zany: ---- Forza Milan!!

[Nirvana FC]

The game was a real disappointment! Last season that draw in the very first match was much better than this because we played almost 90 minutes with just 10 men. But today I just couldn't believe in what I watched. Ok, in the first half was completely impossible to play football, but I expect from a team like Milan a set of plays to every kind of situation (specially those ones involving dead balls) and it didn't exist all over the match.
But it was only the first match of a very very long season.
By the way, lots of technical difficulties during the TV transmission in the second half. For about 25 minutes we watched Inter here in Brazil... :-(
Not a good way to start a season.

[mrki]

I dont like the way some of people in here are saying that draw " isnt so bad", " we played well...". bla,bla... That is just what ancelotti will say, and that is the main reason why I dont like him! He has no winning mentality! Milan is a team wich needs to win against Ascoly-ALWAYS!!! There was rain and the field was bad... So what??? So you dont play in the middle of the field with low passes, but you play with marek and cafu on the flanks and use more of serginho for CROSSES!!! That is the way strong teams have to play against weaker opponents... We were trying 3-5-2 all summer, and now when we need it, you know where is it?? Carlo is too ****in scared to use it!! Jankulovsky came in in 87th min!!! Come on...!! This is BAD result, and it has to be seen as a bad if we want scudetto. Remember, if we wanna be the no.1 we need to beat clubs like Fiorentina,sampdoria,roma,lazio...away... Ascoli?? Draw in unacceptable!!!! At he half time at 0-0 , what did carlo do?- Nothing. 52nd minute , ascoli is 1-0 up, what did he do?-nothing!! 87th min., there goes Janku.... Really, its either I dont understand, or he is total chicken for brave football!!

[meazza]

I'm in agreement with those that are saying no more excuses.

fact is we drew against ascoli, we're milan and that's a ****ing shocking result.

[triniman]

After losing to Juve/Inter, are you still going to say "relax, in XYZ condition, Milan wins." Milan *should* have won. Again, I understand they didn't because of the conditions, but excuses or no, a draw is a draw.

Am i missing something???....i thought this was the first game of the season.....not knowing that we lost or are going to lose against inter and juve...wow......
guess i should not have missed those Future Forcasting classes in college....i was usually at the bar :5drunk:

[ACMILAN1983]

This thread is quite hilarious tbh :tong:

I'll start off by stating that I didn't see the game, nor have I seen highlights and my judgements are purely based on what I've heard and seen in pics, so I accept if I'm wrong here.

Firstly, it seems the pitch was in unusable conditions. This changes the whole flow of the game. As a team, we are usually on top of of the opposition using our technical abilities and tactical awareness. If the conditions are as bad as I hear and look to be in pics (which considering the pitch was called into question at least twice during play, I would assume it was), then most of our superiority as a side is lost, as the players simply cannot perform in such conditions.

Therefore, the game becomes a question of luck and taking opportunities when they come and credit to Ascoli who did precisely this. However, our faliure was we didn't apparently take more than a single opportunity (I hear Sheva missed a sitter) and therefore we drew the match. Beyond this, I don't blame the players if they didn't totally outclass Ascoli as expected and demolish them.

yes, we should have won the match, but the fact is, to say Ascoli had to play in the same conditions, which balances out the state of play isn't true, for the reasons I said above.

Its like trying to say that a person (who may be the best around) playing a saxophone should be able to play superbly, even if someone has stuck tissue at the end of the instrument.

Anyway, this is the first week of the season and we have many more weeks to go. Clearly the side are hungry this year and so we should forget today and look ahead to using the next two weeks to prepare for the rest of the season.

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

[Mehdi]

In the past 10 years only ONE team that has failed to win on the opening day of the season has gone on to win the scudetto. I don't care about the conditions, we should NOT be playing catch-up from the first day rather we should send out a message to everyone else and beat teams like this 0-6. We have the best attackers in the World, there are and should not be any excuses.

One quality this team lacks is ruthlessness - look at Ancelotti's response to the Champions League draw.

[Giovanni]

Anyway, this is the first week of the season and we have many more weeks to go.

Yes mate but don't forget how much we've paid for the dropped points with Messina and the other team last season.

[hitmannq8]

How did Gila play? DId he combine well with Sheva? How about Marek? Did he do well? Why did he come in so late in the game?

[Nadir]

I watched the game and there is no way one can comment on how well or how poorly sheva and gila worked together because stringing two passes in this game was an achievement in itself. The pitch was unusable. Ascoli could have won the game had Dida not made that save from the staam backpass which was more dangerous than it really was because of the pitch. Whatever people say here, the pitch DID play a major role in the result. It's not an excuse - it's a fact. It's equivalent to playing with a deflated ball or with blindfolds on and saying "well ascoli had blindfolds on too". Yah but Milan didn't train or prepare for games like this or expect games to played on unplayable surfaces. How can you blame Ancelotti for not being ruthless based on game 1 of the season on a terrible pitch?!??

That being said,
a) Gila missed an open goal with the goalie on the floor. He didn't even hit the target from less than 2 feet away from the goal.
b) Ancelotti's substitutions and reaction to the poor pitch after the first half were strange to say the least. In a game like this, I can understand why Rui Costa was not on the field - his main strength is in passing and dribbling and neither could be done on this pitch, but why was Gattuso not on the pitch? Serginho, for the same reason should have not been on the field because his skills were severely hampered by the pitch.
c) Ambrosini had some ridiculous fouls in this game. He twice grabbed a player and threw him on the pitch - once while waiting for a corner cross (where stam scored but the goal was disallowed cus ambro literally threw a player to his side) and then a few mins before that, he grabbed a player and threw him to the ground in the middle of the pitch. and he was captain?
d) as for your question - how did gila combine with sheva - there was no such thing because carlo ancelotti's plan for this game was to shoot from distance or try to win a free kick near the box or a penalty because there is no way they could have played a passing game in those conditions.

come May 2006, i wonder how many people will remember this game. Will we recall it as "2 dropped points" or will we never look back at it cus we have won the scudetto by 8 points :) I sure hope it's the latter.

[Staci]

What a disappointing open to the season. First the game was not aired live as scheduled, starts 26 min into the match....then a tie to a 6th place Serie B ? WTH ! Although everything should have been in Milan's favour the season has only just begun. We are red and black and let's not forget that. Someone had made a comment comparing the match to a "highschool game". Does that mean we can call a "DO OVER !" ....lmao

[Italianfootball]

è stata una partita condizionata dal terreno, i nostri non hanno giocato, era da sospendere...ma si sà, quando c'è in qualche modo di mezzo la Juve di merda...

[Milan3869]

those of you blaming ancelotti for now being a different type of coach for the loss should just shut up....sheva missed a clear goal and no ones trashing him...i wonder why?!? cause he scored the only goal for us?!?....sh*t its barely the 1st game of the season and most of you are losing confidence in Milan.

lets all chill and eat some pasta...dont worry guys, milan will rebound from this game and play well the rest of the season...forza milan!! :dcool:

[gregorio]

Guys, we lost two points from a team who finished third in seria B last season!

This is unbelievable!!!!

I accept the conditions were terrible, and I don't want to blame the team, but this performance won't be enough to win everything!!!
I am angry and dissappointed now, but I still believe they will bounce back, and they will make us happy a lot in this season.

The only thing, that I am mad about:
EVERYBODY WON!!!!!

INTER WON!!!
JUVE WON!!!!
ROMA??? WON!!!
LAZIO WON!!!
UDINESE WON!!!
SAMPDORIA WON!!!!

And we are already 2 points behind!!! And I really scared, that If Inter and Juve are playing like this (always win)..........

[Rando]

triniman, we know this was the first game of the season, if we drew vs ascoli, it doesnt mean that we will lose vs juve or inter. i agree but that is when we lose the title because every game counts.. what is the point of beating juve or inter 6-0 or more if at the end of the season inter or juve collect more points than us?

i think ancelotti has to go even before this match, we need a coach with a gut like serse cosmi or del neri.

also i think vieri will easily put gilardino on the bench this season. :p286: :rollani:

[Hitman]

This is absolutely ridicolous! This was not because of the quality of the players or Ancelotti... but because of the PITCH!! This is no excuse, it is a fact! No one could pass the ball, make a drible or anything. How do you think Juve or Inter would have coped on such a pitch? It is always easier for a minor team to defend - they could just sit back and throw the ball up the pitch all game long...

[ginoformaggino]

the mvp and the pitch

[tbouks02]

What has happend to this forum? So much negativity :rolleyes: We are becoming like Inter supporters. It also seems like all the people who didn't see the match are complaining the most. I'll put it like this: If the San Antonio Spurs had to play your local amateur basketball team who would win? Of course the Spurs would win by 70-100 points. But how about they play the game on ice? Now who wins? Well, that's exactly how it was for Ascoli/Milan today. It was a completely different sport to what football is supposed to be. There is only one person that Milan supporters should be complaining about, and his name is Massimo De Santis.

[freddydaddy7]

After Reading all the post it just say whats wrong with all of u guys thinking so negative of Milan and Ancoleti its amazing how much trust and love u guys have for Milan, I have been a fan so long that something like this is pretty normal I know we played like of Ascoli, but think again if we played them on Sunny day would they have hold us back would they have ****ty ground to stop us hell no.
First of all I have seen the highlights and the picture I would be a fool to blame the players and the coach for this draw, I knew from the first 20 min this game would end up in draw coz of the state it was in, Milan cant play their type of Football on that kind of Surface coz of the passing and runs teams like English can coz of their long balls.
I know we could have won it but u cant really do much on that kind of Pitch, its good we started off like this sure luck was not on our Side that’s for sure, but it would give them an extra push and motivate them much more.
I am looking forward for the up coming games for me to judge the players and The coach its never easy in one game and in rainy day.
I am sorry I came out hard like this but this is football and this is the Serie A where the small teams aren’t easy baits, and they sure want to impress. Knowing they didn’t deserve to be here so they showing the world they do now. Lets all stay together as Real fans other then cursing every single thing about the coach why didn’t he have him in or that, I haven’t been here for while but been following its shame look at the English fans I have so much respect for them they love and back their team real hard not like us where one draw or lose we pick someone that’s not what Rossoneri fans should be.
So wish everyone the best for the up coming game
Forza Milan
Milan will win and will bring back the Scuddeto and CL that I can tell.
I could be over confident but with team like Milan why should I be. We sure aint inter :P lol

[Shomo]

unfortunately i didnt watch the whole match,i only watch the first half and first 10 minutes of second half,but my only complain was the pitch was water logged and game was not enjoyable,and guys just chill its only one game

[ariel]

I`m just one more of those who didn` t get the opportunity to see the game this time so i`m not really competent to say much.However,from what i`ve seen in the pictures and from what i`ve read it seems to me that everyone is overreacting.
I think that players aren`t to be blamed to such an extent because they played in extra difficult conditions,which is something that neither Juve,Inter,Roma,Viola etc etc or any other team that won(apart from us and Ascoli) had to deal with.(Actually,Juve had to deal only with the half empty stadium :D)Now,such a playing ground pretty much put us and Ascoli in the same position.Even if our players are by a mile better that still doesn`t mean that they can do wonders.We`ve got the best strikers,yes,but how can they shoot proprely in such conditions?How can there be any proper passes on such weather?The game should`ve been at least postponed for several hours.But,you don`t cry over spilt milk.
With these facts said,i can`t hide that i am bit disappointed by a draw at the beginning of the season,and i surely do hope that this won`t be one of those games that will cost us A LOT.However,i do believe in my team and i`m looking forward to the following week.The party has only started.
Forza Milan!

[Abyss]

Maybe I am not the right person to write these things and it's strange that I am writing these, but please don't get me wrong. This way of negativity does not help you but your rivals. I prefer AC Milan to Inter, so please stay strong guys. I watched the game last night, not live but a couple of hours later. It's a terrible pitch. Even if it was not, being so negative does not help your team guys. Because the best way to get better is to be with your team and stay strong together. I don't wanna remind you, but do you know why you lost year in İstanbul? Because Liverpool fans never gave up suuporting their team. Their team was not playing good at all, they were losing the game, but they were showing their love to their team which gave the players the strength. Anyhow, I prefer negative supporters on September 13th in San siro, but, well as a sports lover, I must say, you should give this up. Even when the pitch is dry and in a sunny weather, your team can sometimes play bad and lose, but you are the ones who will help them to get better, by your suuport. This negativity helps noone, maybe my team. Thanks for listening to me...

[Billy_Montreal]

If all you guys (my 2 moderator friends) is looking for an argument I suggest you go sit down and have a word with yourselves! You are moderators on this site and should treat people with respect to show an example. I feel I have been disrespected today and that I do not forgive. You have been out of order and showed no proffesionalism towards peoples opinions and thoughts. If this forum is going to turn into one one of those "agree with me or else!" forums then I will leave and find somewhere else to express my opinion. I wish to thank you all for having me with you and I wish you and Milan all the luck in the World.

Thank you.

As moderators Trini and I were not looking for an argument. I think its quite obvious we were trying to 'calm the fires' and put an end to this 'doomsday' scenario and for those who did not WATCH the match offer an insight as to why Milan only walked away with one point.
Not surprisingly, you threw this no-respect accusation at us when you could not back up your comments...seen it before its called playing the victim. You stated an opinion and despite counter arguments insisted "thats the way it is"...at no time did we be-little your personality, take personal shots at you or threaten you with reprimands. I suggest you back up your viewpoints rather than make false accusations to gain support. That is quite pathetic...thats my opinion as BILLY not the moderator.

[Nadir]

sampdoria didn't win gregorio.

I don't think the people who saw the game are the people who are blasting the team right now. Clearly they didn't watch the game so I am gonna excuse them. If they HAD seen the game, they would know that making 1 or 2 passes in this game was impossible.

Basically you guys are saying "Yah, I know we couldn't pass the ball, but we should have won." Football is a team sport. We don't employ magicians at Milan. As good as our players are, they are not one-man shows. In fact, had it not been for the brilliance and flair of Shevchenko, we could have lost this game. Sorry to say but I think the team did their best in the those conditions. I hardly think Inter, Juve, Lazio and Roma would have done any better. In fact, I am just glad we didn't lose this game. To me, it's a point gained, not two points lost.

[Nadir]

I watched the highlights and yes the was waterlogged but I have seen matches played on worst pitches (Perugia V Juve, Collina was referee on the last game of the season and the match played on). I am not making comparisons to teams just to the conditions. You very much over exagerate the state of the pitch and what was it not the same pitch that our oponents played on? So if they could manage it, so should we!

u watched the highlights? Did the highlights show how difficult it was to make an y flowing movement in this game? You're saying that ascoli were able to play on this pitch when you say "So if they could manage it, so should we". Guess what bro? Ascoli couldn't "manage it" either. It wasn't an exaggeration btw. I have watched the game from three different sources and each time the commentators claimed that the game should not even have been played on such a bad pitch.

i respect your comments walmania but they would be more valuable if you were commenting on something you had seen in it's entirety and not just highlights.

[Hitman]

Totally agree with you Nadir..:!!!

[CuoreRossoNero]

I am one of the people that did not watch the game because TLN can't seem to get things right. However I did "watch the highlights" and the field was in terrible condition and yes the field was terrible for both teams. Does the fact that the field is terrible for both teams even out the playing field??? I say Absolutely not. Ascoli prepared all week to defend I think we can all agree on that, so when the field is unplayable and you can't make a pass because the ball stops in puddle dont you think it makes their job 100 times easier and Milans more difficult. Don't get me wrong I am angered by the tie because I was expecting 3 points but when you look at the obastacle that we faced 1 point is not all that bad. In order to win a game like this you need that lucky bounce and it just didn't come our way.

The fact is the field made it easier for Ascoli to break up plays and DEFEND. I'm upset about the tie but to start whining and complaining after game one is a little premature.

[Nadir]

The fact is the field made it easier for Ascoli to break up plays and DEFEND. I'm upset about the tie but to start whining and complaining after game one is a little premature.

and a little immature.

[martin]

i think there is gonna b fierce competition between vieri and gila for a starting spot. Vieri is our hottest striker rite now so i think ancelotti mite start him more often. as far as the game goes, i am dissappointed at the result but u cant blame ancelotti or the guys. if any1 is to blame, it's the dumass(de santis).

[freddydaddy7]

Maybe I am not the right person to write these things and it's strange that I am writing these, but please don't get me wrong. This way of negativity does not help you but your rivals. I prefer AC Milan to Inter, so please stay strong guys. I watched the game last night, not live but a couple of hours later. It's a terrible pitch. Even if it was not, being so negative does not help your team guys. Because the best way to get better is to be with your team and stay strong together. I don't wanna remind you, but do you know why you lost year in İstanbul? Because Liverpool fans never gave up suuporting their team. Their team was not playing good at all, they were losing the game, but they were showing their love to their team which gave the players the strength. Anyhow, I prefer negative supporters on September 13th in San siro, but, well as a sports lover, I must say, you should give this up. Even when the pitch is dry and in a sunny weather, your team can sometimes play bad and lose, but you are the ones who will help them to get better, by your suuport. This negativity helps noone, maybe my team. Thanks for listening to me...


Well spoken I believe that the problem with Italian fans and fans of Italian soccer give up so easily and u never see that with
Teams in England coz they give it all
And that’s something very rear I remember when Milan played
Celtic we won I guess 4-1 and they supporters where like out of this world even Didia respected them for the kind of back up
They got.
This is football to be fans of Great Milan we should stick by them not look for someone to kick his butt.

[Franco6]

The game SHOULD have been cancelled no doubt about it. However if it would have been happenned, all anti milan fans would shout that it happenned because Galliani is the lega chief. I'm fed up!!!

We already lost 2 points vs a sh!t club.

[Nadir]

freddydaddy7 is right. the celtic fans supported their team even though they were losing. heck even liverpool fans were supporting them when they were down 3-0 in istanbul. guess what happened after that?

[Warro Bantan]

5 pages late, but better late than never:

I saw the game, delayed, but at least I was able to see the match.

My thoughts:

1. The game should never have been played, and the :skull: ref should ref Serie D matches from now on.
2. Carlo fielded a good team, though I thought Seedorf coming on for Pirlo was an error.
3. We were waaay too static on the free kick from which they scored, and they should a) never have gotten to the ball first, and b) shouldnt have gotten to the rebound from Dida first.
4) Kaka, et al, should have tried to shoot from far out more often
5) Sheva, who brought us back into the match, should have scored the sitter (though in all honesty, I thought it was Gila that wasted that chance)
6) In all, nothing for us to lose sleep over.

Next game, we will win, or should win, simple as that.

And to all those getting their shorts/panties in a bunch..chill out...its game one, and we have one point...so what if we have to play catch up? We are MILAN, and we can do the impossible.

(Plus its really too early to have a coniption/stroke/heart-attack) :D

[Nadir]

2. Carlo fielded a good team, though I thought Seedorf coming on for Pirlo was an error.

actually, pirlo should hav ebeen taken out EARLIER because his game is a passing game and clearly there was no passing going on here. Instead of seedorf, vogel or gattuso should have come on.

5) Sheva, who brought us back into the match, should have scored the sitter (though in all honesty, I thought it was Gila that wasted that chance)


it was gila not sheva.

[tbouks02]

it was gila not sheva.
Nope, it was Sheva.

[Nadir]

Nope, it was Sheva.

are you sure? i watched that game and the replays. it was gila man.

[tbouks02]

are you sure? i watched that game and the replays. it was gila man.
Nope. I had this same arguement with my Dad while watching the match live. He swore it was Gila who blew that sitter. And he was screaming to bring Crespo back the rest of the match. I simply said " I bet you $10 it was Sheva who blew that chance". And after rewinding my DVR I'm now $10 richer ;) I think people just expect Sheva to never miss shots like that so they put the blame elsewhere. But Sheva is human just like all of us(albiet just barely) and he occasionally makes mistakes too.

[Nadir]

Nope. I had this same arguement with my Dad while watching the match live. He swore it was Gila who blew that sitter. And he was screaming to bring Crespo back the rest of the match. I simply said " I bet you $10 it was Sheva who blew that chance". And after rewinding my DVR I'm now $10 richer ;) I think people just expect Sheva to never miss shots like that so they put the blame elsewhere. But Sheva is human just like all of us(albiet just barely) and he occasionally makes mistakes too.

i am sticking by what i saw lol. i am gonna watch it again. maybe we are talking about two different sitters. the one i am talking about is the goal mouth scramble where the goalie was on the floor and the ball fell to the player who smashed it over the bar. that was gila 100% sure. even channel4 says it was shevchenko. let me watch it again and i will get back to you :)

[Milan3869]

sheva missed a clear goal which he blasted over the bar...anyways ancelotti its not to blame, and none of the players also...we all need to stay calm and just wait for the next game.

forza milan!! :w186:

[Nadir]

that was sheva? man. i could have sworn it was gila.

[zlatanov]

Another vote for Sheva - I just watched that moment several times and I have no doubt it was Sheva, who blasted it high - I am referring to the miss 1-2 min after Sheva made the result 1-1. Right after the miss, GoalTV cameras showed Gila holding his head and this might have caused confusion about who actually missed that sitter. However, the player, who missed that chance had number 7 on his back - not even close to Gila's double-digit numero 11.
Eventhough this is still round 1, lot of BS have been poured by certain people but I am not a bit worried - I am sure we will bounce back, we just need to stay calm and concentrated, and make good use of the International break that's coming.
Forza Milan!

[Nadir]

saw the highlights. in fact i saw the single digit thing as well. it was sheva. sorry for the misunderstanding mr. gilardino ;)

[Warro Bantan]

Nadir, I beg to differ on the withdrawal of Pirlo...I think he should have stayed on, for the simple reason that he could still pass long air balls up to Gila...but we seemed to not want to send long bombs downfield, a strategy that, given the conditions, could have worked to our benefit.

If Gila, with his height, or even Kaka, could bring down a long, air ball from Pirlo, then pass to an unrushing Sheva, we could have created more chances than we did.

IMO, Milan didnt try hard enough to adapt to the conditions, ie change up the game plan, shift from short possession retaining passes, which wouldnt work due to the waterlogged pitch, and instead, launch some 30 and 40 yard passes up to Gila, and see what happens...

All in all, our defense let us down....(Again) but its too early to panic, too early to mutter doom and gloom..we are only 2 points off the pack, and there are no Chelsea´s in the Serie A, so I am confident that Juve and Inter will both drop points, maybe even before the end of September...

So...its all good..(inhales deeply)..even if I have to smoke to get over it (exhales a large cloud of purple-grey smoke) :stoned:

[shevagol_7]

Another vote for Sheva - I just watched that moment several times and I have no doubt it was Sheva, who blasted it high - I am referring to the miss 1-2 min after Sheva made the result 1-1. Right after the miss, GoalTV cameras showed Gila holding his head and this might have caused confusion about who actually missed that sitter. However, the player, who missed that chance had number 7 on his back - not even close to Gila's double-digit numero 11.


The reason why Gila was shown holding his head is because he tried to volley that ball out of the air. But unfortunatly he didn't hit it cleanly. I think that may have been a factor in Sheva missing I think it surprised him that it got to him.

[Nadir]

Nadir, I beg to differ on the withdrawal of Pirlo...I think he should have stayed on, for the simple reason that he could still pass long air balls up to Gila...but we seemed to not want to send long bombs downfield, a strategy that, given the conditions, could have worked to our benefit.

If Gila, with his height, or even Kaka, could bring down a long, air ball from Pirlo, then pass to an unrushing Sheva, we could have created more chances than we did.

i agree. you are right. pirlo's long balls could have helped. i guess pirlo was getting tired so he needed to be replaced.

a quick note about the other week 1 games -

1) Fontana (chievo) is an awesome goalkeeper. His save against Trezeguet was simply jaw-dropping stuff.

2) Fiorentina has the potential to be killer this year. their team is almost a who's-who of the serie A season 2004/05! Toni, Pancaro, Jorgensen, Ujfalusi, Frey, Bojinov and once-awesome Fiore. Heck, even our Brocchi did well in his first game. This team has the potential to beat the big guns of Serie A. All the best to this team. they look good and i really like their style.



3) Sampdoria need a new coach and stop relying on the fact that since Flacchi was reliable as a striker in Serie B, he is gonna be good for Serie A.
Kutuzov should get more play time as he almost scored twice for them when he came on in the second half. (Which will ultimately be good for us cus he belongs to Milan and if he improves at Samp, he can be our 4th striker).

[Rando]

yes fiorentina and udinese are the great teams, even without overpaid star players like some milan players, they play very well!!! muntari and montolivo seems like a good player.

the pitch in ascoli was certainly unplayable, so why didnt milan refuse to play and asking for the match to be postponed???

[Hasan Rossonero]

i agree. you are right. pirlo's long balls could have helped. i guess pirlo was getting tired so he needed to be replaced.

a quick note about the other week 1 games -

1) Fontana (chievo) is an awesome goalkeeper. His save against Trezeguet was simply jaw-dropping stuff.

2) Fiorentina has the potential to be killer this year. their team is almost a who's-who of the serie A season 2004/05! Toni, Pancaro, Jorgensen, Ujfalusi, Frey, Bojinov and once-awesome Fiore. Heck, even our Brocchi did well in his first game. This team has the potential to beat the big guns of Serie A. All the best to this team. they look good and i really like their style.



3) Sampdoria need a new coach and stop relying on the fact that since Flacchi was reliable as a striker in Serie B, he is gonna be good for Serie A.
Kutuzov should get more play time as he almost scored twice for them when he came on in the second half. (Which will ultimately be good for us cus he belongs to Milan and if he improves at Samp, he can be our 4th striker).

Fiore is still a fantastic player. I remember when he was at Udinese, he was one of the most verastile players in the country. He has a lot to prove this year.

[Nadir]

yes fiorentina and udinese are the great teams, even without overpaid star players like some milan players, they play very well!!! muntari and montolivo seems like a good player.

the pitch in ascoli was certainly unplayable, so why didnt milan refuse to play and asking for the match to be postponed???

they did but the ref threw the ball into the air and it bounced. hence he said it was a playable pitch.

[merlin]

Hello all!

I haven't read the entire thread, so maybe somebody already asked this, but where were our defence when the Ascoli player headed the ball that Dida left a rebound on?

[heidi azalea]

What can I say ?
Crazy !!!!
After 2 snapshots sent by a fan here, I can say it's really crazy to play in that kinda pitch !!!!!!!
The game should be postphoned to another date, but yeah what we can do or say.
As usual, everybody got their opinions, but yeah, give a huge support to beloved team unconditionally, shall we ? :1five:
Congrats Billy to make this thread available for a busy person like me to access latest result regarding Milan....

[Warro Bantan]

Hey merlin...let me magic you an answer:

Doing nothing. Standing around expecting the ball to come to them, rather than attacking the ball.

These sorts of mental lapses are still with us, and it doesnt seem to be improving. Reminded me of a certain 6 minutes which I dont care to elaborate on, but could ultimately prove to be our undoing later on in the season.

Its early doors yet, so I am not too worried, though I expect much better performances as the season matures.

Falling asleep on our feet during set plays was a feature of last season, and cost us dearly. Let us hope we have learned from these mistakes, though on the evidence of Sunday´s game, we havent. :dontkn:

[sehnsucht79]

I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH SAMPDORIA, F*CK. Their first half was disastrous! And Borriello cant finish off the ball if his life depended on it!

there you go.


Regarding Milan's game, tough luck. The pitch was extremely wet (shouldve called the game off imo)... But its just the first game of the season, no worries at all.

Damn. Roma won 3-0. Bah.

[Nadir]

Hey merlin...let me magic you an answer:

Doing nothing. Standing around expecting the ball to come to them, rather than attacking the ball.

give me a break. it happened in a split second. how can one tell which direction the ball is gonna bounce after dida blocked it? the header should have been blocked in the first place by stam or nesta. here is where maldini's height was missed.

[Kui]

here is where maldini's height was missed.

Well Stam is a monster out there. I would say we missed Paolo's positioning knowledge and defense prowess.

[Warro Bantan]

Well Stam is a monster out there. I would say we missed Paolo's positioning knowledge and defense prowess.

Something I have been harping about for the longest time...and :hammer: Nadir...come on, be real...but then, you admitted it yourself...the header should have been blocked in the first place by stam or nesta..we shouldnt have allowed the Ascoli player to get the header, and that is what pissed me off the most..the rebound, well, we still looked flat footed, while the Ascoli players were all running toward the goal... :dconf:

While Maldini isnt the best header of the ball, IMO, he may well have read the incoming ball, and sought to intercept the incoming delivery... :moan:

The initial header, if I remember correctly, was not taken from the crowd in front of the "baby box" but from the outside corner, where a midfielder or attacking Milan player should have been positioned, hence I avoid blaming the CBs for the goal, and Sheva´s response kinda underscores my point:
He was asked:Questions have been raised over the defending at Ascoli’s goal ...:
'We have to defend as a team, not just the defenders because we defend zonally and we need to do it better. Their striker Quagliarella managed to put in a downward header which skidded off the ground and caused Dida problems but the whole team have to pay attention at these situations, not just the defenders.'

"What should attackers do when they are covering at set-pieces?"

'It’s enough just to remember my goal against Inter in the Champions League first leg as Inter also employ zonal marking. When defending this way you have to watch your opponent and not just think only of your position. In this case there can’t be that much space between the defenders as they can’t get close enough to close down the space in front of the attackers. The attackers have to anticipate this. Even when we are defending zonally we need to take a player as a point of reference.' :mex:

[Nadir]

i am done discussing this game. moving on :)