The CL draw

[Giorgos]

As i said yesterday i would prefer either 1. Roma, 2. Valencia and 3. MUTD.

I dont want 1) Bayern, 2) Liverpool


Make your choise in two categories :grinser:

[MOOD]

i want Valenica, would be first time that some interfans will support us :D
but i realy dont want roma. they are playing very well...

[Milan_Mad]

would not mind any of the 3 english teams

[mrki]

Bayern and PSV for me. Manchester is playing really well, Liverpool I want in the final!!

[Pireloke]

This I'd like :

PSV in the quarter finals, we know them and they know us and I have a discount on heart medication. No joking though I think we can beat PSV easier this time, last two confrontations they had all the luck in the world, so their luck should be up.

Valencia in the semis, just to show Inter Milan how to do it.

Liverpool in the final, to crush them and put Istanbul behind us.

That's what I dream of, but in reality I'm very worried we won't go that far, despite Berlusconi's and Galliani's bla bla bla in the media about us being the best team in Europe, the only one that qualified five years in a row, ect ect, reality is we are amongst the weakest left, especialy in attack...

If we meet either Chelsea, Man Utd or Roma, we're dead... especialy Roma they master the football we can't counter...

So to sum up in way of preference :

1) PSV
2) Valencia
3) Bayern
4) Man Utd
5) Liverpool
6) Chelsea
7) Roma

[rossoneri]

i don't want : Liverpool and Man Utd

[Jeff]

Liverpool or Cheslea will be sweet. Man U will be the team to avoid. No PSV or Roma please. Bayern or Valencia are, of course, fine.

[Acmir^]

i would like us to face Bayern the most we have a great record against them and i think we could easily beat them, then PSV or Valencia.

I wouldn't like to meet Roma they play really fast football which we can't cope with, Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea maybe in the later stages would be better to meet them especially Liverpool in the final.

[humanTORCH]

give us any english teams. I would love to meet Liverfool :devil:

[Xudong]

i want Valenica, would be first time that some interfans will support us :D

Don't be so sure. Valencia will become Inter Milan's "daddy of the month" if they play us. :rolleyes:

My opinion:
1) Bayern
2) PSV
-------------
3) Valencia
-----------------
4) Man U
5) Liverpool
-------------------
6) Chelski
7) Roma

If we could, we can kill PSV and have Valencia at the semi and I want Liverpool for the final. They are much stronger compared to two years ago, but we can win them as long as we want to. :devil:

[hitmannq8]

One thing i know for sure, all the teams DONT want to play us next round :)

I dont want PSV or Roma because we will struggle against easy opponents as usual. Chelsea is the most dangerous team because they have the best players, but their form is the main question. Man Utd are playing solid for a long time now, but really they always struggle in Europe. We will dominate if we play them. Liverpool is the tie i want the most. It will be extremely satisfying to thrash them. I still did not get over Istanbul. Bayern are playing OK, but dont forget they only played Inter and Real, 2 very average teams. Im sure Kahn is praying every second that he doesn't want to play Milan because of his fear from PIPPO :)

[Bosniaco]

Bayern definitly, they suck and we can beat them easy...

[goose]

If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

But just give me Liverpoop so we can finally get that night in Istanbul out of our hair.

[Milan_Hunk]

Would anyone know what time the draw is going to be held??

[zlatanov]

Would anyone know what time the draw is going to be held??
the ceremony starts at 12.00pm CET or 6.00am EST or 3.00am PST

[zlatanov]

Here are some links for the CL draw tomorrow:
http://myp2p.eu/Matches/Match1.htm

[Milan_Hunk]

wats the time now in Athens? is it 04:47 am?? im in sydney so im not to sure wen it will b on here.

[zlatanov]

yeah, in Athens now it's 5.05am (friday) ... For you in Sydney the draw should start at 10.00pm (friday evening) ... right now in Sydney it should be 2.05pm or so.

[Milan_Hunk]

yeah, in Athens now it's 5.05am (friday) ... For you in Sydney the draw should start at 10.00pm (friday evening) ... right now in Sydney it should be 2.05pm or so.

Yea thats right, Awesome cant wait hopefully we either draw psv or bayern we should have no problems beating those sides,but then again i dont really care who we get because to win it you got to beat the best, so bring em on!!!!! I have a good feeling about this years competition... FORZA AC MILAN

By the way thanx alot zlatanov

[Rando]

i want to avoid roma.
FORZA MILAN!!! i have good feeling for milan in this season's CL too!

[Ghost]

I....Want...CHELSEAAAAAAAAAA

Unfinished Business! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[kastriot]

Bayern vs Milan


I think we got what we wanted...at least me

[kastriot]

Psv vs Liverpool

Roma vs Man UTD

Chelsea vs Valencia

[zlatanov]

if we consider current form, the draw is one of the best we could have asked for ... but Hitzfeld will have another month to improve Bayern's perfomance and I am sure he will, so we may very well be facing a dif Bayern side when the games come.

[zlatanov]

so, if we beat Bayern, we'll play with the winner of Roma/ManU in one of the semis

the other semifinal is naturally - winner of Chelski/Valencia vs winner of PSV/Liverpool

[Vinesh]

wow, this match is going to be a gr8, we have enough time to prepare, i cannot wait.

[Ghost]

Is everybody thinking what im thinking, CL 05 Final All Over Again!

[Giorgos]

The CL draw:

AC Milan - Bayern (1)
PSV Eidhoven - Liverpool (2)
AS Roma - Manutd (3)
Chelsea-Valencia (4)

Semi finals:

(3) - (1) 1.
(2) - (4) 2.

The host team of the final will be from the 2.

:3band: :3band: :rone: :rone: :p283: :5schal: :p286:

[MIRZA]

Now we just have to wait, ManUtd or Roma :D

[zlatanov]

Now we just have to wait, ManUtd or Roma :D
if we approach the game vs Bayern this way, Milan players will be watching Bayern vs Roma/ManU on their HDTVs ;)

[MIRZA]

The easiest is to be pessimistic......;)

[zlatanov]

The easiest is to be pessimistic......;)
this has nothing to do with pessimism, optimism, or realism or whatever ... it's just being respectful to your opponent and taking him seriously because if we don't, the sale of HDTVs in Milan will go up :D

[Rando]

were the 8 teams separated into 2 pots? if yes, how did UEFA decide which team go to which pot?

[MIRZA]

Al teams were in one pot.

@ Zlatanov, I understand that, but our only 'job' is to support our team and to expect that the best things will hapen....

[Rando]

what is the reason of separating teams into 2 pots at this stage since there is no seedings and country protection restriction? why dont all teams be located in one pot and drawn from it?

[amanda]

Can anyone tell me the best place to get tickets for the quarter final?

[Rando]

Mirza, why then were all right hand teams list facing the teams on left hand list? or it was just coincidence?
left hand:
milan
manutd
liverpool
valencia

right hand:
psv
roma
bayern
chelsea

[zlatanov]

Mirza, why then were all right hand teams list facing the teams on left hand list? or it was just coincidence?
left hand:
milan
manutd
liverpool
valencia

right hand:
psv
roma
bayern
chelsea
because the "left-hand" teams were draw first from that pot and their opponents were drawn immediately after that.
Basically, all teams were drawn one after the other from one pot and the places in the quarterfinals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th) were filled up sequentially as the teams were drawn.
For instance:
1) QF1: Milan vs _______ (Milan first team drawn)
2) QF1: Milan vs Bayern (Bayern was 2nd team drawn)
3) QF2: PSV vs _______ (Psv - 3rd team drawn)
4) QF2: PSV vs 'Pool (Poll was 4th team drawn)

and so on ...

[MIRZA]

A I've seen, al temas were in one pot

[zlatanov]

@ Zlatanov, I understand that, but our only 'job' is to support our team and to expect that the best things will hapen....
true, it doesn't matter what we think but how the players and coaches approach this but it won't hurt anyone to keep our feet on the ground a little bit because if we don't eliminate bayern, it will be Galliani this, Galliani that, Ancelotti this and that ... and why, because we fans only assumed that all we have to do in order to play Roma or ManU in the SF is just show up for the bayern games.

I also believe that Milan has every chance to eliminate and if we stay concentrated and determined, we will, but can't say that it will be a walk in the park because it won't be - we will have to be at our best or close to it in order to take them out.

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

bayern will further improve because Hitzfeld will have more time to influence the team he just recently took charge of from magat ... but even in their current form, I think bayern is much stronger team than Celtic ... and we all know how close we were of not making it vs the scotish team despite our obvious superiority to them ... all in all, it's a round ball and anything can happen.

[MIRZA]

true, it doesn't matter what we think but how the players and coaches approach this but it won't hurt anyone to keep our feet on the ground a little bit because if we don't eliminate bayern, it will be Galliani this, Galliani that, Ancelotti this and that ... and why, because we fans only assumed that all we have to do in order to play Roma or ManU in the SF is just show up for the bayern games.

I also believe that Milan has every chance to eliminate and if we stay concentrated and determined, we will, but can't say that it will be a walk in the park because it won't be - we will have to be at our best or close to it in order to take them out.

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

bayern will further improve because Hitzfeld will have more time to influence the team he just recently took charge of from magat ... but even in their current form, I think bayern is much stronger team than Celtic ... and we all know how close we were of not making it vs the scotish team despite our obvious superiority to them ... all in all, it's a round ball and anything can happen.
I agree with you :5ok:

As I've seen, we always play better against big clubs, than against smaller clubs..

[drucurl]

We got Bayern

[Giorgos]

:5ok: because the "left-hand" teams were draw first from that pot and their opponents were drawn immediately after that.
Basically, all teams were drawn one after the other from one pot and the places in the quarterfinals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th) were filled up sequentially as the teams were drawn.
For instance:
1) QF1: Milan vs _______ (Milan first team drawn)
2) QF1: Milan vs Bayern (Bayern was 2nd team drawn)
3) QF2: PSV vs _______ (Psv - 3rd team drawn)
4) QF2: PSV vs 'Pool (Poll was 4th team drawn)

and so on ...

Exaxctly as Zlatanov said, i sawthe draw live on Greek TV, the teams were selected by Thodoris Zagorakis the Captain of Greek national team, MVP of Euro 2004 and captain of the team of his heart, my team PAOK Thessaloniki :grinser: .

[eltomas2]

so is Bayern Munich, I know they had a crisis earlier in the season, their coach got fired or something, but Milan is not really on top of the world either, we had a crisis just like they did, hopefully we'll have Nesta back by then and let's cross fingers and hope no one important gets injured, the pressure is on Milan first since we play them at the San Siro on the first leg and we play Roma the weekend before Bayern but I think we'll manage, everyone should be back by then

[Tony29.]

So many similarities between Milan and Bayern this year.
They're both living their worst seasons in last 3 or 4 years domestically. Milan is still fighting to get the so much wanted 4th CLQ place while Bayern is doing the same in Bundesliga, trying to get the 3rd place ( only 3 German teams play in CL) from Stuttgart, and at the same time trying to win the league ( 1st placed Schalke is only 6 pts ahead).

Both teams have shown weaknesses in attack, with Bayern not managing to score on 1/4 of Bundesliga matches ( the worst result for them in last 20 years) , and Milan not scoring on 8 serie A matches ( out of 26). Also,Milan didn't score on 4 CL matches in a row ( including the 90 minutes against Celtic).

Both teams didn't have problems winning their CL groups and both had problems eliminating their opponents in 1/8 finals, with Bayern going through with an away goal while Milan needed overtime.

And also, both teams have shown an improvement lately. Not that Milan and Bayern now play some spectacular football, but at least Milan is winning it's matches, while Bayern is doing the same in last month under Hitzfeld.

Important for Milan is the suspension of Van Bommel on the first match. He would have been Kaka's guard and, imo, he would have stopped Kaka from doing what he did against Celtic. Demichelis will play instead, and Bayern will have the same situation Inter had when they were forced to replace Vieira with Dacourt.

Milan is imo a small favourite, but it has nothing to do with past results and don't let these results fool you. When Milan won the CL in 2002/03 season Bayern had it's worst season in last 10 years and Milan had a fantastic and inform team.
Last year Milan humiliated Bayern again, but i believe you'll agree that Shevchenko and an inform Inzaghi were the main Milan players, while now neather Sheva is in Milan neather Inzaghi is in goalscoring form.
Plus, past results mustn't neceserally mean Milan is the favourite and Valencia-Inter duel has shown why.Inter was "killing" Valencia all the time but now they were the losers.

At the end, i'd like to show you what teams do both Milan and Bayern have to play against in their league before their duel in CL.

Milan
April 1 ------- Away at Roma
April 3/4 -------- Home vs Bayern
April 8 ------- Home vs Empoli , your direct opponents for the 4th place.
April 10/11 ----- Away at Bayern

Bayern
March 30 ------- Home vs Schalke , league leaders and their rivals for Bundesliga tittle.
April 3/4 -------- Away at Milan
April 7 ---------- Away at Hannover ( relatively easy match)
April 10/11 ----- Home vs Milan

[Kui]

You know in light of this draw, I had said in the prediction thread that Man U was going to win this CL title. Now that they have the potential to play us in the semi-finals, my mind has changed and now I must follow my heart. Call me crazy, but AC Milan will win this years CL. I dont know it... I feel it. Now I'm one who tends to believe knowing produces more results than feeling or emoting things. Yet once in a while it is good to follow one's heart and I do so this time.

[Tony29.]

Clive Tyldesley's predictions.
You won't like what he says about Milan :)


http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9364/part1av6.png
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2396/part2sp3.png

[zlatanov]

Clive Tyldesley's predictions.
You won't like what he says about Milan :)


http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9364/part1av6.png
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2396/part2sp3.png
yeah, with such foolproof arguments like his, supported by an obviously fair opinion, which is lacking any pro-EPL bias ... I say, Milan shouldn't even come out for those encounters :rolleyes:

btw, who the ____ is this pseudo "expert"? Would love the look on his face when Chelski and ManU crash out of the CL ;)

[Tony29.]

yeah, with such foolproof arguments like his, supported by an obviously fair opinion, which is lacking any pro-EPL bias ... I say, Milan shouldn't even come out for those encounters :rolleyes:

btw, who the ____ is this pseudo "expert"? Would love the look on his face when Chelski and ManU crash out of the CL ;)
Lol, he's an Englishman after all. You can't expect him to say smthg else :)
I have no idea who is he, but the guy who gave me this article told me this Clive Tyldesley predicted Milan-Liverpool final in 2005 with Liverpool being the winners and Milan-Juve final in 2006 with Milan winning it.
He was wrong about last year, but the 2005 prediction is impressive, and he did put Italians in the final in last 2 years, so he's not so much anti-ITA !

[Jeff]

yeah, with such foolproof arguments like his, supported by an obviously fair opinion, which is lacking any pro-EPL bias ... I say, Milan shouldn't even come out for those encounters :rolleyes:

btw, who the ____ is this pseudo "expert"? Would love the look on his face when Chelski and ManU crash out of the CL ;)

I mean, if he can't even read the present right, how can he predict? Look:

"Inter Milan are the best team in Italy"...

Well, let alone the grammatical mistake, I stop reading here :D

[Kui]

Clive Tyldesley's predictions.
You won't like what he says about Milan :)


I say to Clive Tyldesley...

ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ !

[Tony29.]

I say to Clive Tyldesley...

ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ !

And Carlo Ancelotti will be our modern day Leonidas :grinser:

[Kui]

And this time we will win the CL.

[Kui]

And Carlo Ancelotti will be our modern day Leonidas :grinser:

Thanks for giving out Leonidas' name. I couldnt remember who said it.

[Tony29.]

Thanks for giving out Leonidas' name. I couldnt remember who said it.
According to the ancient Greek legend, Spartan king Leonidas said this to Persian king Xerxes.
Xerxes had an army of over 500 000 ( Plutarch says over 1 Million) while Leonidas had only 300 warriors. When Xerxes offered to spare their lives, Leonidas replied with " Molon Lave" ( Come and get them) and so the famous Battle of Thermopylae started !

You know, Spartans were kinda crazy. When they went to war it was forbidden for them to step out of the battle field. When the other Greeks heard Persians have an army of over half a million , they all escaped, but the Spartan laws didn't allow Leonidas to escape ( you know that famous quote " With your shield, or on it") so he knew he was outnumbered, he knew he'll certanly die but still he didn't retreat and faught with the Persians.
They all died, of course.
Geez, whenever i read this story i get the shivers all over me ! :)

[Stezagud]

have no idea who is he, but the guy who gave me this article told me this Clive Tyldesley predicted Milan-Liverpool final in 2005 with Liverpool being the winners and Milan-Juve final in 2006 with Milan winning it.


He is just a commentator on ITV, not an ex pro or a pundit :dielaugh:

That said, he may be English and no doubt a little biased (arent we all?) but you'd have to be a fool to not see he does know European football well. I dont see any real reason to condemn his prediction except for 1 tie where he feels Bayern will beat Milan, and considering they put out real and Milan scraped past Celtic in extra time is that really so illogical?

Utd - Roma will be a tough match and with Utds decimated strikeforce Roma could pull it off but they would lose to the winner of Bayern-Milan. Liverpool should be too solid for PSV but would lose to Chelsea-Valencia's winner.

I said Chelsea would win at the start of the year and still think they will, in fact i imagine Mourinho may well repeat his Porto celebrations and walk off to announce he'll be managing Inter or real next season :tong:

[Kui]

They all died, of course.
Geez, whenever i read this story i get the shivers all over me ! :)

I hope this doesnt happen with Milan. I'm hoping for a different result than Thermopylae. A win and a great story to tell is what I hope.
Isnt a movie coming out about this??? I could have sworn I saw this on the tv some days ago. I hear its historically inaccurate this movie is.

[zlatanov]

Lol, he's an Englishman after all. You can't expect him to say smthg else :)
I have no idea who is he, but the guy who gave me this article told me this Clive Tyldesley predicted Milan-Liverpool final in 2005 with Liverpool being the winners and Milan-Juve final in 2006 with Milan winning it.
He was wrong about last year, but the 2005 prediction is impressive, and he did put Italians in the final in last 2 years, so he's not so much anti-ITA !
prediction before a game is one thing - there are two teams and you pick one (his choice was obvious for even more obvious reasons) - but I wonder what he was thinking at HT when Milan were 3-0 up ... did his "expertise" still made him make those same predictions ... or was he desperately trying to come up with a list with a whole bunch of mhmhmmmms and upppphhhs disgised in the form of a seemingly educated analysis ;)

[Vadim]

We're playing the first leg at home :hangover: Deportivo and Barca flashing before my eyes

[Stezagud]

before the game is one thing zlat, before the tournament is another, surely that was clear from the 2006 prediction? he would hardly have said Milan or Juve would win if he already knew it was a Barca - Arsenal final ;)

[zlatanov]

I hope this doesnt happen with Milan. I'm hoping for a different result than Thermopylae. A win and a great story to tell is what I hope.
Isnt a movie coming out about this??? I could have sworn I saw this on the tv some days ago. I hear its historically inaccurate this movie is.
yeah, the "300" movie is based on this historical moment ... don't know how accurate it is as I haven't seen it or read anything about it's plot, but I hear it's a really impressive movie - lot's of special effects, I am guessing - and people seem to draw parallels between this movie and the Matrix (which btw I didn't like :D)

[zlatanov]

before the game is one thing zlat, before the tournament is another, surely that was clear from the 2006 prediction? he would hardly have said Milan or Juve would win if he already knew it was a Barca - Arsenal final ;)
not sure what you mean as I don't know the story behind those predictions of his - did he predict Milan-Pool before the start of the tournament or what?

my point however was mostly on the outcome of the game - did he, at HT and 3-0 for Milan and Milan killing Pool all over the field, still maintained that Pool will win it?

[zlatanov]

We're playing the first leg at home :hangover: Deportivo and Barca flashing before my eyes
I have always seen these as supposed "advantages"
if we are better and deserve to go thru, this should and will not matter.

in the end of the day, both teams will have a home and away game to play with the same rules being in force for both teams ... if we fail to take advantage of our home game, fail to keep them from scoring an way goal, or we fail to score in Munich, then we simply have no place in the SF and should blame ourselves for that, not the draw or whatnot as blaming those would be simply looking for excuses ... that's how I see it at least.

[Vadim]

I agree with what you said, but look at our history under Carlo.

2003, against Ajax, we win with the 2nd leg at home.

2004, we win in the Round of 16 against Sparta Prague 4-1 with the 2nd leg at home, then the disaster at Deportivo.

2005, Man U once again, 2nd leg at home, against PSV in the semis nearly a disaster.

2006, Bayern and Lyon, 2nd leg at home, Barca, 1st leg at home.

We obviously have more success playing the return leg at the San Siro, Nothing is decided yet, but I would feel more comfortable playing the first leg in Munich.

[Stezagud]

not sure what you mean as I don't know the story behind those predictions of his - did he predict Milan-Pool before the start of the tournament or what?

yeah supposedly, but as Tony said his (wrong) prediction of an all Italian final the year after surely suggests he isnt biased against Italy anyway!

my point however was mostly on the outcome of the game - did he, at HT and 3-0 for Milan and Milan killing Pool all over the field, still maintained that Pool will win it?

tbh i dont remember, its not a game i've watched since seeing it live, for obvious reasons :D

I dont see that that is particularly fair though, i dont think anyone in the world predicted that game as a single event. Liverpool went in with a supposedly rock solid defence only for it to be blown apart, Milan went in the sure winners at half time and ended up losing. The thinking amongst the gambling community generally was a low scoring Milan win iirc.

[hwmook]

I have always seen these as supposed "advantages"
if we are better and deserve to go thru, this should and will not matter.

in the end of the day, both teams will have a home and away game to play with the same rules being in force for both teams ... if we fail to take advantage of our home game, fail to keep them from scoring an way goal, or we fail to score in Munich, then we simply have no place in the SF and should blame ourselves for that, not the draw or whatnot as blaming those would be simply looking for excuses ... that's how I see it at least.

I agree and i think playing away on the 2nd leg has a certain advantage. we just need a 1-0 in the first leg at home and it will put us in a very good position to reach the semis. Their ground is familiar to our players and they should still remember who gave them their first defeat on their ground.

Drawing bayern is just great, their form is not good this season but they are still a big name and Milan players should be more concentrated when playing against big names.

i hope we go pass bayern, meet man u in the next round. i have a good feeling about this CL.

[hitmannq8]

Sigh .. under the Ancelotti era the only game play-off game we won while playing away in the 2nd leg is against PSV and we know how lucky we were.. (also we beat Inter but I wont consider it away).. we also lost to Barca last year..

hmm bayern are really tough.. i think milan will need to be at its best.. its also disappointing to see Roma and Milan both being dealt with away games for the 2nd leg..

[hwmook]

I agree with what you said, but look at our history under Carlo.

2003, against Ajax, we win with the 2nd leg at home.

2004, we win in the Round of 16 against Sparta Prague 4-1 with the 2nd leg at home, then the disaster at Deportivo.

2005, Man U once again, 2nd leg at home, against PSV in the semis nearly a disaster.

2006, Bayern and Lyon, 2nd leg at home, Barca, 1st leg at home.

We obviously have more success playing the return leg at the San Siro, Nothing is decided yet, but I would feel more comfortable playing the first leg in Munich.

other than the disaster at depor, i don't see any reason to fear playing away in the 2nd leg, don't forget barca got lucky with an incorrectly disallowed shevchenko goal last year.

[zlatanov]

I agree with what you said, but look at our history under Carlo.

2003, against Ajax, we win with the 2nd leg at home.

2004, we win in the Round of 16 against Sparta Prague 4-1 with the 2nd leg at home, then the disaster at Deportivo.

2005, Man U once again, 2nd leg at home, against PSV in the semis nearly a disaster.

2006, Bayern and Lyon, 2nd leg at home, Barca, 1st leg at home.

We obviously have more success playing the return leg at the San Siro, Nothing is decided yet, but I would feel more comfortable playing the first leg in Munich.
I see your point but statistics are an elusive "adviser" because they are simply figures and do not consider the utmost important fact that what happens in that second game is directly influenced by what had happened in the first one or other such circumstances, which are unique for that particular moment in time.

For instance, the game at Depor and that 4-0 loss was not the result of Milan playing away, it was the result of Milan having won 4-1 in the first game and having that false sense of security, which deprived the players from being alert, determined and focused i.e. we beat ourselves more than Depor beat us - carlo admitted that he had increased the training load of the players thinking that we had already secured qualification and this is another reason why we looked so tired and unable to score even one single goal, or create clear chances, in Spain.

Similarly that game vs PSV in Eindhoven - the team was going thru a very rough patch in exactly that moment, the players were tired and playing at not more than 70% of their abilities ... and it wasn't just PSv that created problems for us but even some of the smaller teams in Serie A too - we lost in Siena, for instance - and we also lost to Juve at the SS, and in general looked shaky in all our games.
If our players were fresh and in top shape, I honestly doubt that we would have needed Ambro to score that goal in order to secure qualification for us.

Vs Barca - we let them score an away goal and Milan missed 3-4 clear chances at the SS, that's where we lost the game, not at the Nou Camp or at the draw ... and if we looked shaky at the Nou camp by allowing Barca create some good chances (for Etoo mostly) it was also because, having the disadvantage of having conceded an away goal, we had to readjust our tactics and open up at the back ... not to mention that we had to play a 39 yo Billy against one of the most dynamic front lines in Europe comprised of Etoo, Dinho, and Giuly.

As for all the other times when we comfortably, or not as comfortably, advanced when the home game was second, statistic do not account for the more than realistic assumption that we would have qualified even if we had to play the second game away and not at home.

the only advantage that I can think of having the second game at home is that in that second game you will have a chance of making up for any possible mistakes committed in the first one ... and it should be easier, at least on paper, to do so in front of a home crowd.
All in all, however, the one thing to do to make sure we'll go into the SFs is limit the number of those mistakes and take care of our own matters - don't allow away goals at the San Siro and manage to score an away goal or score enough goals at home - where we play that second game is of no particular importance at all.

Actually, I personally prefer to play the final, second game away because away goals count for two in those cases and for that same reason I am more nervous when a strong team comes to the SS than seeing Milan play away. Also, Milan players are experienced enough to stay even more focused in an away game and not let the home crowd get on their nerves.

[Tony29.]

not sure what you mean as I don't know the story behind those predictions of his - did he predict Milan-Pool before the start of the tournament or what?

I guess so !
I never read his past predictions, i was just told that he made those predictions in 2005 and 2006.

But logically, if he's predicting a Bayern-Chelsea final now, when we still have 8 teams , and he's predicting Chelsea to win it, then he probably did the same in last 2 years.
I guess he predicted Milan-Pool final in 2005 before the 1/4's were played and he predicted Milan-Juve final in 2006 also before the 1/4's were played.

Anyway, it's not important at all. He might have had a lucky guess back in 2005. There are 1000's of football experts out there and if you ask each one of them to predict who's gonna win it, or who's gonna play in the final or who's gonna be a semifinalist , i'm sure we'll get many different opinions, but whoever'll guess it right i bet luck will be the main factor for his correct prediction.
It's the Champions League and we have 8 very strong teams.
We can make 8 different predictions on who's gonna win it and all 8 predictions will be logical.
We can make exactly 16 different predictions on who's gonna play in the final, and again all of them will be logical , but only one will be correct.
It's CL - logic, even knowledge, won't help much here !

[zlatanov]

........
Anyway, it's not important at all. He might have had a lucky guess back in 2005. There are 1000's of football experts out there and if you ask each one of them to predict who's gonna win it, or who's gonna play in the final or who's gonna be a semifinalist , i'm sure we'll get many different opinions, but whoever'll guess it right i bet luck will be the main factor for his correct prediction.
It's the Champions League and we have 8 very strong teams.
We can make 8 different predictions on who's gonna win it and all 8 predictions will be logical.
We can make exactly 16 different predictions on who's gonna play in the final, and again all of them will be logical , but only one will be correct.
It's CL - logic, even knowledge, won't help much here !
now that's something I can relate to :5ok:

[rossoneri]

we got bayern like last year , we have destroyed them with 5-2 .

[ginoformaggino]

Clive Tyldesley?

who?

ahhhhh... another sphInter fan, ok ,ok, ok > [Chorus]: > > > :5chore: fanculo, alè! :5ok:

I do believe in the . . . :str: Sun

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2007110370,00.html


forza Milan :diablo:

[Xudong]

If we can manage not to concede a goal at home, then we are pretty much on our way to the semi-finals.

I think it is the best draw that we can get.

FORZA MILAN

[remote2book]

did u guys read on the official website...looks like byren were hoping to get us....wat r they thinking? they al said they wouldnt want chelsea and hopefully get us./..how can they say that when we are 5-2 against then in ten matches played..we will see

[Jim_UK]

Bayern no doubt want us (1) to gain revenge for that beating we gave them and (2) because they can see that we are alot weaker than we were last year so it gives them a great chance to go through.




yeah, the "300" movie is based on this historical moment ... don't know how accurate it is as I haven't seen it or read anything about it's plot, but I hear it's a really impressive movie - lot's of special effects, I am guessing - and people seem to draw parallels between this movie and the Matrix (which btw I didn't like :D)


You're right to an extent Zlat, it is based on the historical battle that took place between the Persians and the Spartans, but the film 300 is a movie version of the graphic novel (of the same name naturally) written by the legendary Frank Millar. You may remember Frank Millar from Sin City, again it was his graphic novel that was adapted to film and will see sequels Sin City2 & Sin City3 released over the next couple of years. Naturally the effects in Sin City have heavily inspired him in 300, hence the amazing visuals this film has. Plus as it is from a graphic novel it contains alot of mythological elements like monsters and such. It will be amazing, though shouldn't be seen as anything to do with the Matrix. Here endeth the lesson on 300. Back to the topic :grinser:

[zlatanov]

did u guys read on the official website...looks like byren were hoping to get us....wat r they thinking? they al said they wouldnt want chelsea and hopefully get us./..how can they say that when we are 5-2 against then in ten matches played..we will see
well, they probably have a bit too many sweet memories from their encounters with Inter earlier in the group stage ... and comparing Inter's and Milan's positions in Serie A, that probably makes them dream.
Anyways, when reality hits them, that will only make the moment even sweeter.

[SANT]

April 8 ------- Home vs Empoli , your direct opponents for the 4th place.
April 10/11 ----- Away at Bayern



Good analysis Tony, very true... still I can't overlook how much attention you paid to your own writing to make sure you didn't say "OUR direct opponents" :w221:

[Giorgos]

For the "300: are some true as "Μολών Λαβέ" as someone siad it "come and get it but a lot of other things are just added by directors fantasy. :stupid:

[Giorgos]

As for Bayern as i said yesterday it was the ones that i didn't want because they have a heavy jersey just like us. If we had got Sheva, or attacking of the past i would have been optimistic, now i am pessimistic. About Untd i remind you that i am a supporter of them in Great Britain, i know them well and i believe they would be better for us. Bayern is having 7 souls (i think you got what i mean) and in every condition they seem to be made from iron. There are one of the teams i don't like the most.

[Stezagud]

yeah, although im a Utd fan and we are doing really well in the league i really dont think we'll win the CL, confidence is growing slowly in the players and all it would take is to concede early for it to be shattered. Also tactically we never look right, i hate to doubt Fergie but i really dont see the value in playing Rooney on the left wing. He can do a job there but it would be the same as puttting Kaka on a wing, it justs limits the effect they can have on the game.

Bayern on the other hand will be full of confidence after beating Real, they are gradually getting their squad into place after injuries, poor form etc and they have 1 thing that should never be overlooked, a tremendous core of experience. They are balanced and they know what they have to do because of that they will be very tricky opponents :eek:

[Kui]

So Stez... what did happen to all those anti Glazer guys who caused a schism of base Man U fans? See em around lately at Old Trafford? I wonder because now the club is doing well.

[Stezagud]

to tell the truth i've long been priced out of Old Trafford so i rarely get to games myself ;)

There are 4 reasonably distinct groups of fans, though obviously the lines get blurred at times.

1) Away trippers who are the hardcore, the noisiest and best fans. They are split 50/50 on some who only go to aways as they dont put money in Glazers pocket that way and the rest who would never give up their season tickets.

2) FCUM fans, the away trippers who dont go to OT usually go to FCUM games instead, there are also a lot who broke with the club completely and just support FCUM, though they would return to Utd in the right conditions.

3) Home ST holders, these are split various ways, some are part of LUHG campaigning but wont let Glazer force them away from Old Trafford, others dont care, some were never bothered.

4) Day Trippers, the reason any campaign against Glazer would always struggle. These are the fans who know little about the club but like the idea of being able to say they've seen Utd play :rolleyes: they guarentee the ground is always full and spend their money in the megastore. As long as they continue to turn up Glazer can safely raise ticket prices knowing even if the true fans who've been going for 30/40 years cant afford it their seats will be filled by someone else...short term this is great for him, but long term you end up with a bunch of fickle uncommited fans, i know a few daytrippers and they are just as happy to go watch Chelsea and Arsenal :eek:

[mzk57]

I am sick of these kind of draws. Its awful Milan vs Bayern Munich :mad: ............... Its just like The Fantastic4 vs The A-Team. I wanted Man Utd or specially Liverpool :pp20:
It would be tough 4 me to see Milan beating the hell out of my 2nd favorite team 2 seasons in a row :)
I hope we get Man Utd in the semies and Liverpool in the Final, payback time :5ok:

[Paddy De Nagan]

As for Bayern saying they wanted to draw us, that's just a psyhcological (!?) ploy by managers. And by using that ploy shows a sign of fear.

I think it's a great draw. If they are as good as some people are fearing, we would have to face them in the final if we were to progress. So we might as well be rid of them in quaters.
I had been hoping to draw an English club, tbh, just to enjoy the banter in the pubs here.
And remember how Bayern have a lot of flaws this year, and they will be without Van Bommel.

[killiegradge]

Do we know the dates of the potential semi finals matches?And home/away etc?

[wils6000]

milan are at home in the semi finals in 2nd leg ( assume we go through !!!!) i tihnk date of that game is 3/4/5 may - i cant quite remeber - but def 2nd leg is home leg so cheer them onto athens at san siro !

[milangal]

milan are at home in the semi finals in 2nd leg ( assume we go through !!!!) i tihnk date of that game is 3/4/5 may - i cant quite remeber - but def 2nd leg is home leg so cheer them onto athens at san siro !

04/03/2007 - AC Milan - FC Bayern

04/11/2007 - FC Bayern - AC Milan

Semifinal

04/24/25/2007

05/02/05/2007