Schalke vs AC Milan (PRE MATCH COMMENTS)

[Nadir]

Group stage - 28 September 2005 20:45 (CET) - Arena Aufschalke - Gelsenkirchen

Discuss away ;)

[Warro Bantan]

Nadir, I applaud you for opening this thread, but on the back of the ridiculous result over the weekend, I am loath to try to be objective at this stage of my recovery.

With that result foremost in my thoughts, my thinking is so negative right now, that I cant begin to try to type anything positive at this point.

Let me just say that I hope we have learned (and yet, after Istanbul, Eindhoven, and the Riazor, are we too dunce to?) from the weekend, and that the players lift their heads, and get a result...and I mean 3 points...anything else, IMO is a failure.

(there..u see...I am definately not in the right frame of mind to be posting positively at the moment) :dontkn:

[hitmannq8]

There are 2 games in Serie A before Schalke game. This thread shouldnt have been opened too soon. We need 2 win both games against Lazio and @Treviso before talking about this game.

[Warro Bantan]

:v408: There are 2 games in Serie A before Schalke game. This thread shouldnt have been opened too soon. We need 2 win both games against Lazio and @Treviso before talking about this game. :v408: hitmannq8..so sorry your highness...we will not post any more until you say so oh mighty King! :pr115:

[Giovanni]

let's rip them off for Devil's sake!!!!!

[Dr Milano]

schlake are a tough team but milan should win

[Milanium]

Milan will start totally dominating and will keep it throughout the whole game, with Seedorf and Gattusso cuting and passing like hell, Pirlo will recover all his grace setting up two goals for Gila and one Sheva... Everything from then on Paris 06 will look pretty promising... BUT THEN... we will get over confident, let our guard down sluggishing for the next game... and then our confidence will be shaken again when we'll get beaten down... ALL OF THIS TOLD me my Tarot teller... Don't blame me ... This wasn't my opinion, I'm just replying her... 'cause I'm not trusting me anymore...

[Warro Bantan]

:hihihi: :hihihi: Milan will start totally dominating and will keep it throughout the whole game, with Seedorf and Gattusso cuting and passing like hell, Pirlo will recover all his grace setting up two goals for Gila and one Sheva... Everything from then on Paris 06 will look pretty promising... BUT THEN... we will get over confident, let our guard down sluggishing for the next game... and then our confidence will be shaken again when we'll get beaten down... ALL OF THIS TOLD me my Tarot teller... Don't blame me ... This wasn't my opinion, I'm just replying her... 'cause I'm not trusting me anymore... :haha::D :D

Wow, can I get her phone number? :delol:

[Milanium]

Warro Bantan

:firedev: I don't think she'd like THE DEVIL :delol: calling her...LOL :firedev:

Anyway... I'll keep on posting her predictions, though. :greed:

[Dr Milano]

Warro Bantan

:firedev: I don't think she'd like THE DEVIL :delol: calling her...LOL :firedev:

Anyway... I'll keep on posting her predictions, though. :greed:
lol :de3: :de3: :de3:

[Warro Bantan]

Ok, just went through gol.tv and ESPN´s schedules, and guess what...neither are showing the Schalke-Milan match...but I guess with Liverpool vs Chelsea, and the HUMUNGOUS clash between Serie A GIANTS Udinese and Barcelona will get more viewership than lill ol Milan and German minnows Schalke...the two runners-up domestically in Italy and Germany last term!

While I am not really surprised in truth, I am disapppointed. Anyone know if the game can be watched via the net?

Back to the game itself however.

Schalke´s record in the Bundesliga so far this season reads:
Club Pts Pld Wins Draws Loses
Schalke 13 7 3 4 0

At a quick glance, they have won a few games (most if not all low scoring) while drawing (again with blank scoresheets or low scoring stalemates), indicating that they are better defensively than in attack.

Against Milan, at home, it is my guess that they will indeed be pressured by their fans into an attacking game, though in all honesty, they do seek to maintain posession at home...

From uefa.com:

Schalke ended a barren run of five games without a win with victory over Hannover on Saturday. The home side dominated the encounter but were forced to wait until just before the hour mark to make the breakthrough, Brazilian playmaker Lincoln rising highest to power in Mladen Krstajić's pin-point cross. Lincoln missed from the penalty spot three minutes later but Kevin Kuranyi soon sealed victory with another header on 66 minutes.

"We haven't been in form in recent weeks but the players gave the right answer on the field today," said Schalke managing director Rudi Assauer. "It was a very good display and made up for disappointing performances in the first few games. We dominated the match throughout and earned a well deserved win."

Søren Larsen was finally handed his first start for the club after scoring three times in just six substitute's appearances, including the equaliser against 1. FC Nürnberg which salvaged a share of the spoils for Schalke in midweek. Coach Ralf Rangnick's hand was forced by a back injury to his other Danish striker, Ebbe Sand, but he could return on Wednesday. Marco van Hoogdalem (hip), Mimoun Azaouagh, Christian Pander, Gerald Asamoah (all knee), Simon Cziommer and Tim Hoogland (both ankle) are all out though.

Lincoln and Kuranyi are their two main threats, and the win on the weekend will definately put the win back into the sails of the german club. Kuranyi is strong in the air, and has good footwork as well, and I hope Ancelotti is aware of this (if he isnt, I need to remember to give him a call). HJaving played on Saturday, they are also benefit of an extra day´s rest, and because they are better advanced in their season, they will be fitter than we are presently.

We will have to have our game faces on, as Germany is not a traditionally happy hunting ground for Milan.

Milan however, are finding thier form, and though this game comes too quickly for my liking, Carlo was prudent in making key changes to the lineup that faced Trevisio, with Ambro, Sheva and Stam all making early exits.

Cafu also played less than a half, though Rui Costa (IMO) should have started for Kaka, if it is that the Brazilian phenom is to play vs the Germans.

Nevertheless, it should prove to be an entertaining match, and as happy as I would be for a win, an away draw to Schalke wouldnt be a failure in my books.

FORZA MILAN!!!! :rone:

[Kui]

an away draw to Schalke wouldnt be a failure in my books.
FORZA MILAN!!!! :rone:

I would be very happy with an away win. :p017: Mathematically it gives us some room. I actually expect a draw as the only excusable result.

[rae]

Victory, is what will satisfy me :stuckup: No draws, no defeats. Only victoru\ies I expect.

Forza Milan

:de3:

[mrki]

We need to win these kind of games if we wanna win the CL. 0-1 would be enough.

[slicknick]

Tough game but we HAVE TO win if we want to secure qualification as soon as possible...I will keep my fingers crossed, FORZA MILAN!!!

[zlatanov]

Schalke is a tough team to play especially when they are at home. On the road they aren't anything that special but at home they are a team to be respected. I would expect them to put us under lots of pressure from the first signal and try to score a quick goal. I think they are well aware that Milan is the much more experienced side and should it come down to being patient and taking your chances, Schalke aren't getting anything out of this game.
As time progresses, I would expect Milan to feel more and more comfortable on the field and close down space in defence and midfield, while up front quick counters will open up lots of opportunities for us to score.
My prediction is 0-3 for us.

[Warro Bantan]

...Schalke aren't getting anything out of this game...My prediction is 0-3 for us.

Lets hope your Crystal ball isnt foggy Zlat! :dielaugh:

[meazza]

I'd take a draw but I think we'll still win, I don't think Schalke really have what it takes.

1-0 to us.

[Bosniaco]

I hop its going to be 1:2 the goal for Schalke sould score Zlatan Bajramovic just because he is Bosnian. Gila and Sheva for Milan.

[zlatanov]

Lets hope your Crystal ball isnt foggy Zlat! :dielaugh:
don't worry, Warro, I have tons of windex :sagrin: :guw: :rone:

[Dil dil]

well since I don't have enough idea about schalke I'll not commint about
the difficuly that Milan may have so I only think we will win 2-1

Forza Milan

[Warro Bantan]

From acmilan.com:

ANCELOTTI: 'Stam and Ambro are uncertainties’
9/27/2005
MILAN – Before departing for Gelsenkirchen, where Milan will face Schalke 04 tomorrow evening, Carlo Ancelotti spoke with the journalists present at Malpensa: ‘We have two uncertainties: Stam and Ambrosini. We will see how the others do this evening during the training in Gelsenkirchen, then we will make the lineup. Schalke is a robust side and they play at a high level. At home they play more aggressively, focusing on the offense. Right now we are trying to put on a good presentation. We want to reach six points in the classifications, but we want to play well.

And this as well from our erstwhile coach:

ANCELOTTI: ‘Have to count on the fact that we are better technically and not just physically’
9/27/2005
MILAN – In view of the Schalke 04 away game, Carlo Ancelotti confided that the team have shown signs of improvement in the last week: ‘Tomorrow’s game will be played at night and there will be a different atmosphere.

Therefore, there is a possibility that you will see an even better Milan than in Padova. We are in line with what did last year, but we must try to play better. There are things that we must improve upon. On certain fields we play slowly, we must improve the rhythm of our game. We must streamline. It is a problem with the beginning of the season. But, it is better to face problems at the beginning of the season rather than later.

However, we have to play the games counting on the fact that we are better technically and not just physically. Certainly, we must not physically succumb because otherwise it would be difficult to express our quality.’

True inspiration! :D

[Haroon]

If we can manage to win 0-3 as Zlatanov said, then we really do make a strong statement. I think we are well capable of taking them to the cleaners as long as we are in the right frame of mind and I have to say that so far Kaka, Gila, Maldini and Ancelotti have sent positive vibes and clear intent of going there to win the game signalling that we are in the right frame of mind. :devs:

[Warro Bantan]

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2201/match=1100274/Report=PR.html

In the article the link above will take you to, Schalke coach states:

Milan do not scare Schalke
Tuesday, 27 September 2005
by Mark Bennett from Gelsenkirchen

FC Schalke 04 are billing themselves as outsiders for the UEFA Champions League Group E visit of AC Milan - and believe their underdog status will help them against last season's finalists.

Assauer bullish
Schalke began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Milan's 2004/05 semi-final victims PSV Eindhoven, while the Rossoneri produced two late goals to see off Fenerbahçe SK. A second loss would leave Schalke in a prematurely precarious position, but general manager Rudi Assauer is bullish, precisely because of the size of their task.


"Don't get me wrong but I have always said the match against Milan is the easiest one for us," he declared. "We are outsiders despite being at home and therefore the team have absolutely nothing to lose. Form beats class in football and we hope that our form is good enough to beat Milan's class."

Sand return
Assauer's optimism is boosted by Schalke's display in the 2-0 Bundesliga win against Hannover 96 on Saturday. Coach Ralf Rangnick, who will have striker Ebbe Sand available after the Danish international recovered from a back problem, wants his side to continue where they left off.

In form
Rangnick said: "The match against Hannover showed us exactly the way we have to play and I am sure the special Champions League atmosphere will help us raise our game even more. We can give Milan a run for their money if we manage to improve by ten or 20 per cent."

No sitting back
The coach added that he wants his team to take the game to Milan to get the goals needed to win. "I don't think we can afford to sit back and wait as we have done at times this season," he said. "Milan have too much individual class for that. We must take the initiative and keep them busy."

Nice...I like it when clubs think to attack our team, this creates spaces, which we are sure to exploit. What worries me though is Ambro´s potential absence.

Ancelotti calm
Visiting coach Carlo Ancelotti is not afraid of Schalke attacking his side, though. "We are looking forward to an exciting contest, a beautiful stadium and a great atmosphere," he said. "Hopefully we can play the game we are best at and make it a typical away game for AC Milan."

Respect for hosts
Despite Schalke's defeat in the Netherlands, Ancelotti is not making the mistake of underestimating the 2004/05 Bundesliga runners-up. "We have obviously had Schalke watched. They have found their form and they are a very competitive side - I hold them in the highest esteem," said Ancelotti, who could have Massimo Ambrosini back from a muscle injury.

Maldini mark
With the hosts eager to exert pressure on the Rossoneri defence, Serie A appearance record-holder Paolo Maldini and company could have their work cut out. But the Milan captain, who surpassed Dino Zoff's domestic mark at the weekend, said Schalke will do well to score.

Clean sheets
"We haven't conceded a goal in our last two games and would like to keep it that way against Schalke," Maldini said. "We are not prepared to let them create chances. I am optimistic we will do well."

Basics required
So how can Schalke breach that defence? Midfielder Fabian Ernst identified the simple approach. "We are finding our form slowly and must show Milan that we want it more from the word go," the German international said. "We must look to the basics before trying to play fancy football."

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

Somehow, someway, I feel this will be the sternest test in our group, and admittedly, though I stated earlier that I would be happy with a draw, the presumptuous coach of Schalke has me wanting to trounce these German upstarts. :nunu:

[Warro Bantan]

If we can manage to win 0-3 as Zlatanov said, then we really do make a strong statement. I think we are well capable of taking them to the cleaners as long as we are in the right frame of mind and I have to say that so far Kaka, Gila, Maldini and Ancelotti have sent positive vibes and clear intent of going there to win the game signalling that we are in the right frame of mind. :devs:

Have to say Haroon, that this is a far cry :D from your wonderful previews of last season.

As much as I would love to see more of your analyses, :w200: maybe thats what brought us bad luck last term, so maybe its a good thing you arent giving us your in depth posts... :d6: (jus kidding)....though I confess to missing them.:moan:

[Tobinho]

I think Milan should be able to win. I'd like to see Vieri score aswell.

[slicknick]

I will be in class but my mind will be on Milan. Come on Rossoneri, bring it home!!!
FORZA MILAN!!! :3band: :3band: :3band: :3band: :3band: :3band: :3band: :3band: :clap: :clap: :5ok: :5ok: :5ok: :p017: :p017: :p017: :p017: :dcool: :dcool: :1ole: :1ole:

[Milan3869]

all i know is that schalke has Kuranyi as its top striker....but he's not that good to cause our defence trouble...2-0 is a safe prediction.

[Dil dil]

MALDINI: 'We want to seal the round'
9/27/2005
MILAN - Paolo Maldini talked about Wednesday's match against Schalke
with Gazzetta dello Sport: 'I am doing well enough and will be
available to play. We are going to Schalke's stadium to win, because
in the Champions League you must seal the round as soon as possible.

[Dil dil]

ANCELOTTI: 'Stam and Ambro are uncertainties'
9/27/2005
MILAN – Before departing for Gelsenkirchen, where Milan will face
Schalke 04 tomorrow evening, Carlo Ancelotti spoke with the
journalists present at Malpensa: 'We have two uncertainties: Stam and
Ambrosini. We will see how the others do this evening during the
training in Gelsenkirchen, then we will make the lineup. Schalke is a
robust side and they play at a high level. At home they play more
aggressively, focusing on the offense. Right now we are trying to put
on a good presentation. We want to reach six points in the
classifications, but we want to play well.'
ANCELOTTI: 'Have to count on the fact that we are better technically
and not just physically'

[devoted_dm]

Rino did so well against Treviso this weekend that I'm not really worried about Ambro being absent. I'd prefer to see Gattuso play anyway.

[rae]

I worry about Ambro. He has done so so good for several months, and now Rino plays one good game and he is a starter again. :confused: That's weird. I do not get Carlo at all. I do not like neither his attitude nor his methods. He is exhausting our key players in small games and do not let them to rest. He also deteriorates the morale of our subs by not letting to show their abilities on pitch. That's awful tactics.

[jani]

what small games are you talking about?

[mrki]

People are telling me Im over critical on Milan,well, untill I see what I expect from a team like this I will be.
In this game we need to play a possesion game with pressing in the middle ( as usual...), but we also need some quality crosses from cafu and kaladze ( please kala, do it once!!!). Problem is that gattuso as a RM cant do any running with the ball on the right, he cant pass his player and cross from fight flank, so cafu has to go up-down all the time. seedorf is also doing too little in going wide left to strech opponents defence. if we wanna play through the midle we will need superb pirlo not just sitting down in our half but also going strongly forward ( gattuso covering).
We clearely miss our Zambrotta so I hope MArek will be back soon, he can do just that when he is in form. Sheva-gila-kaka can do wonders they just need a little space and support from wide. Oftenyl this season they were cutten off from pirlo-ambro-seedorf. We need more cohesion and flexibility in the middle.
hoping for a win with clean sheet. 0-1 with some secure play would be great. gila to score ( sheva had enough.... :5inter: or did he??)

[Dr Milano]

People are gonna come online know i noticed this for quiet a few games all u mm members are online im only on sometimes because i really get stuck in the game cant take my eyes of I Love Milan as all u my friends do but its my habit

[Billy_Montreal]

For those in North America the game is being broadcast by Setanta Sports...not available in Canada unless you know of a Sports Bar with a good satellite.
kick off 2:30 local time

[Christopher]

anyone know of links we can view the game over?

[hitmannq8]

For those in North America the game is being broadcast by Setanta Sports...not available in Canada unless you know of a Sports Bar with a good satellite.
kick off 2:30 local time

CHAMPS in St laurent is amazing!

btw guys, everything is pointing that we will play a wonderful, im expecting us to put in the form we had in the season we won the scudetto

[Jonathan Chan]

Is there any live-streams available to watch the game????!!!!!!!!!

thanks in advance