AC Milan vs Manchester United: 17 Feb

[nicktunoa]

Huntelaar, Becks had shockers. Favalli struggled with Valencia. I cringe every time the ball is crossed - Dida could have punched the 2nd Man U goal.

Our best was Silva, theirs Van Der Sar.

With his size & pace I would push Silva into a holding midfield role aka Rijkaart with Bonera & Nesta behind. Antonini & Abate have the pace to look after the flanks. Ambro & Rino just in front of Silva & I rekon you have a formidable two thirds. (Minus the keeper)

Pirlo, Dinho, Dorf, Pato, Borriello, Pipo & Becks can look after things up front - it is just a matter of finding combinations that work the best.

During the 90's we would pressure teams & keep them mentally weak or fragile. Inter do it now domestically & their success at home is starting to give them confidence in the UCL. Yes Barca pulled them apart but Inter are extremely strong & it takes a lot to beat them. We must change our attitude flair & skill only go so far & Leo has to get tough; apart from Sliva - NO ONE EARNED THEIR WAGE TONIGHT. To lose to a better team is ok but for players to go missing for 40 minutes a game is inexcusable. These lads have to "turn up" for 90 mins EVERY GAME. As sonn as this starts happening Success will follow.

We need a new Keeper, a real one, one who will make defenders do their job, one who will have a real presence on the field. If we go shopping for flair & skill in the summer time we will be in the exact same position next season.

For Leo - Harden up on the lads. They are not your mates & you are not one of the boys, make them do their job or piss their lazy asses off to Man City. 90 mins per week NO LESS everyone else does 40 hours or more.

For Galliani - Pull your finger out & get us a decent Keeper & we will soon need a Finisher. Just get them!

FORZA MILAN!!! I love this club.

[Filipéz 182]

Huntelaar, Becks had shockers. Favalli struggled with Valencia. I cringe every time the ball is crossed - Dida could have punched the 2nd Man U goal.

Our best was Silva, theirs Van Der Sar.

With his size & pace I would push Silva into a holding midfield role aka Rijkaart with Bonera & Nesta behind. Antonini & Abate have the pace to look after the flanks. Ambro & Rino just in front of Silva & I rekon you have a formidable two thirds. (Minus the keeper)

Pirlo, Dinho, Dorf, Pato, Borriello, Pipo & Becks can look after things up front - it is just a matter of finding combinations that work the best.

During the 90's we would pressure teams & keep them mentally weak or fragile. Inter do it now domestically & their success at home is starting to give them confidence in the UCL. Yes Barca pulled them apart but Inter are extremely strong & it takes a lot to beat them. We must change our attitude flair & skill only go so far & Leo has to get tough; apart from Sliva - NO ONE EARNED THEIR WAGE TONIGHT. To lose to a better team is ok but for players to go missing for 40 minutes a game is inexcusable. These lads have to "turn up" for 90 mins EVERY GAME. As sonn as this starts happening Success will follow.

We need a new Keeper, a real one, one who will make defenders do their job, one who will have a real presence on the field. If we go shopping for flair & skill in the summer time we will be in the exact same position next season.

For Leo - Harden up on the lads. They are not your mates & you are not one of the boys, make them do their job or piss their lazy asses off to Man City. 90 mins per week NO LESS everyone else does 40 hours or more.

For Galliani - Pull your finger out & get us a decent Keeper & we will soon need a Finisher. Just get them!

FORZA MILAN!!! I love this club.

Huntelaar & Pippo both missed a great chance! Rooney was the difference in the result of this game! We need to have a 'shevchenko' again!!!

[Milan_Kaka]

How do you think I would have said it better? LONG AFTER THAT..?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAH MAN I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING! Awesome retort!!!

[M.O.I.]

its true we were unlucky today but that doesnt mean anything..

once antonini got injured we fell apart,you cannot blame favalli for not being good,you may ask yourself why such a player still plays for us,and if i m not worng i remember our coach(who by the way is one of the best scouts alive!)asking for cissoko for excample..

i couldnt believe my eyes with today's nesta too..i actually didnt know that he can be less than perfect(so less..).the biggets mistake of the game was between 60'-75 when we fell asleep=pathetic

the worst thing that i read was people missing ancelotti,of course leo made mistakes,but ancelotti would have never used the players this way,leo is getting the 99% of these players,thats all they have..carlo would have played a tragetical 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 with ronie in the med and pato lonely sc..

if carlo was in charge of this team we would be out of 4th place in serie a and most propably out of the first round in ch.l.,considerinbg last year's milan,this milan is a miracle without (especcially missing the best player we had).

ps antoninis injury destroyed us attackingly more than defensevely,we lost the pressure on their right back,and moreover favalli could not follow the upcoming valencia..

[Revolver]

Huntelaar, Becks had shockers. Favalli struggled with Valencia. I cringe every time the ball is crossed - Dida could have punched the 2nd Man U goal.

Our best was Silva, theirs Van Der Sar.

With his size & pace I would push Silva into a holding midfield role aka Rijkaart with Bonera & Nesta behind. Antonini & Abate have the pace to look after the flanks. Ambro & Rino just in front of Silva & I rekon you have a formidable two thirds. (Minus the keeper)

Pirlo, Dinho, Dorf, Pato, Borriello, Pipo & Becks can look after things up front - it is just a matter of finding combinations that work the best.

During the 90's we would pressure teams & keep them mentally weak or fragile. Inter do it now domestically & their success at home is starting to give them confidence in the UCL. Yes Barca pulled them apart but Inter are extremely strong & it takes a lot to beat them. We must change our attitude flair & skill only go so far & Leo has to get tough; apart from Sliva - NO ONE EARNED THEIR WAGE TONIGHT. To lose to a better team is ok but for players to go missing for 40 minutes a game is inexcusable. These lads have to "turn up" for 90 mins EVERY GAME. As sonn as this starts happening Success will follow.

We need a new Keeper, a real one, one who will make defenders do their job, one who will have a real presence on the field. If we go shopping for flair & skill in the summer time we will be in the exact same position next season.

For Leo - Harden up on the lads. They are not your mates & you are not one of the boys, make them do their job or piss their lazy asses off to Man City. 90 mins per week NO LESS everyone else does 40 hours or more.

For Galliani - Pull your finger out & get us a decent Keeper & we will soon need a Finisher. Just get them!

FORZA MILAN!!! I love this club.

Great post! You're right, T. Silva does indeed look like Rijkaard, quick, great long balls, great reader of the game, hard shot, just doesn't have that Rijkaard's strength. For me, he seems like Baresi with his runs up through the middle and his coolness in defense. Unfortunately, we lack a decent, consistent, CB to put him in midfield, though it's not a bad idea.

[Baggio10]

It's been a while fella's well im Happy with the effort the team gave this day, we deserve a better result but well we missed a lot of chances, but the cancer is the same of years before DIDA, WTH is Dida doing in the team, and he won about 3-4 millions Gimme a "·$·% break.

Well now all we must have to do is support the team in England WE ARE THE MILAN!!!!!!!!

So we can take the Old Trafford

[Revolver]

LMAO. Tell that coach he doesnt know sht (thats why he is coaching in that league)

Whats next man Dzeko walks on water, parts the sea, etc. We neeed mids and defense first. Now i really want this Dzeko guy to come so he can either shut my mouth or i can bash every last one of you that cant get off his nutz. We out played ManU most of the match. After Antonini got injured things started to tumble. I dont see what Dzeko was going to do diffrent.

Please don't be offensive, because I can be offensive too! And please, there's American talking! lol Do you in fact have a league?

For your information, everything that happened in the second half, this "****ty" coach told it will happen. Everything. Our midfield was overrun, we needed Seedorf to press their playmaker, Ronaldinho was isolated on the left side, he should drift into the middle of the pitch, there was no connection between midfield and attack...

[Jay Crisp]

we need pace fight and stamina in midfield if we play a 3 man midfield how about


Abate.............Pirlo.............Flamini

Instead of Beckham and Ambro this would give us cover and pace in midfield , look I know its not perfect but they won't tire as easily and the both are as good on the ball as AMbro , as for Beckham thanks lad but no thanks he cannot cross unless he loads of space if an opponent is in front of him he has to check back because he can't beat anyone and slows everything down.

[roy_lo81]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAH MAN I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING! Awesome retort!!!

I am thin-skinned whenever we are not winning.

[LebRN]

it's so frustrating because we don't deserve this defeat at all.
i'm not impressed with Manure...they were very lucky
from what i saw tonight, i beleive we can get a win in manchester and we can qualify

I thought Bonera was really good and Beckham was really invisible

[catennacio]

i like this... it will send a message to Brlu and Co.

Their mailboxes are full with these kinds of messages. They can receive no more :D

[Revolver]

we need pace fight and stamina in midfield if we play a 3 man midfield how about


Abate.............Pirlo.............Flamini

Instead of Beckham and Ambro this would give us cover and pace in midfield , look I know its not perfect but they won't tire as easily and the both are as good on the ball as AMbro , as for Beckham thanks lad but no thanks he cannot cross unless he loads of space if an opponent is in front of him he has to check back because he can't beat anyone and slows everything down.

No, mate, no! Flat 3 in midfield doesn't work, there's not connection between midfield and attack that way. Without a player like Seedorf, 4-3-3 system unfortunately doesn't make sense.

For second leg, we need good and rested Pirlo and Ambrosini, because they seemed really tired this evening. We need fully fit Seedorf and ALL three strikers doing some defensive work, by making pressure on their defenders when they have the ball, or their playmaker. No more Bonera on the right, because Pato doesn't have support that way. It would be much better if Flamini played.

[OCmilano]

Please don't be offensive, because I can be offensive too! And please, there's American talking! lol Do you in fact have a league?

For your information, everything that happened in the second half, this "****ty" coach told it will happen. Everything. Our midfield was overrun, we needed Seedorf to press their playmaker, Ronaldinho was isolated on the left side, he should drift into the middle of the pitch, there was no connection between midfield and attack...

Hey Dik Take it whatever way you want to. Is that coach in the epl, la liga, seria a if he isnt i dont give a ****. If he was such a genius we should sign him. be as offensive as you want just make sense. What the hell would you think if the coach of Galaxy says something like if Donavan was on this team they could have scored 2 goals? Pretty stupid thing to say no?

Fu and Fuk your Dzeko. And moderators please dont tell me to calm down or whatever. We have people that talk about the game that was played then we have people that add players and coaches from the past into the squad of today. Im sick of hearing if Carlo was here he would have this, if Kaka was here we would have that. Come on already this is our team this is our squad.

[Jay Crisp]

No, mate, no! Flat 3 in midfield doesn't work, there's not connection between midfield and attack that way. Without a player like Seedorf, 4-3-3 system unfortunately doesn't make sense.

For second leg, we need good and rested Pirlo and Ambrosini, because they seemed really tired this evening. We need fully fit Seedorf and ALL three strikers doing some defensive work, by making pressure on their defenders when they have the ball, or their playmaker. No more Bonera on the right, because Pato doesn't have support that way. It would be much better if Flamini played.

Dude do you even read peoples posts before you give your elitist im always right reply. I said If you see that IF one more time IF we play again with a 3 man midfield which he will nothing we can about it Ambro doesn't have the legs Beckham is a waste of space we will need quick energetic players to win at OT thats what I was saying not that this is the perfect midfield, Im not editing all this a bit harsh sorry Volver im to lazy to type Re I guess .

[HO-YOUNG]

Their mailboxes are full with these kinds of messages. They can receive no more :D

Check my signature, he can surely deliver a message!!!

[sheva-gila]

Im sure m.united wont go through because thay do not deserve if there is a justice in this world than milan will win at old trafford

[Lebanese]

yeah we need to score 4 - 3 goals, or 2 - 0

and honestly i cant see us maintaining clean sheet or scoring 4. they are manchester not ascoli

[Bosniaco]

Well since noone has mentioned it I will, Nesta is at fault in two goals. First goal Rooney got away from Nesta and scored, second goal Nesta kept him on side.

Now on the good side, team has put a good effort, we missed a lot of chances, also it sucks when your left back get injured and you put in a 38 year old player to cover Nani or Valencia? Come on Leo, even I know better then that.

[devoted_dm]

Can't help but feel that we were unfortunate tonight.

That being said, kudos to Man Utd for being so lethal in front of goal. Their goals seemed to come almost out of nothing tonight, but they have the quality to exploit any error or weakness in the opposing team without necessarily playing well themselves. Reminds me of us five years ago...

But anyway, we did have our fair share of bad luck tonight. We were great in most of the first half, but as someone mentioned, when Antonini became injured, we didn't just immediately concede a goal - we lost a fair portion of our forward momentum too. Favalli is a decent defender who did ok tonight, but he is 38 years old and simply does not have the legs to be constantly running up and down the flanks like Antonini does.

Beckham had a poor game, and honestly I don't think he's been as impressive this time around as he was last season. His age seems to be finally catching up with him. Seedorf was great tonight, but as he is still recovering from an injury, he couldn't start the game.

Our biggest problem in this game was the same as it has been all season: A lack of squad depth. When Antonini became injured, we should have had a better player to replace him with. When Seedorf couldn't start the game, we should have had another attacking midfielder instead. And we desperately need a quality striker. We still haven't replaced Sheva, really.

My personal conclusions about the game are:

1. For the most part we played a little bit better than Man Utd did, but lost because they have slightly better team than us, overall.
2. We can be proud in spite of this defeat. We played better tonight than when we beat Real Madrid earlier this season.
3. We're not going to go through to the quarter finals.
4. We need to invest in two fullbacks, an attacking midfielder and a striker for next season.

I'm just hoping we won't get demolished at Old Trafford, where our defensive frailties could become even more of a handicap. We're not going to win there, not by a long shot. But a draw would be nice, for the sake of our pride :)

[Gabriel489]

Did not see the first half, thus not going to comment.
Only saw the second half. Don't really know why you guys are blaming the midfield for not working, as I thought ManU trio of Flecther, Carrick and esp Park were running every where to press and cover. I said that before the game, those three will be key in this game as individually they might not be as talented as Beck and Pirlo but collectively they all compliment each other very well. It will be interesting to see how Fergie plays in the second leg with Carrick gone. Anderson is the logical choice but guys like O'Shea or Gibson can also fill in.
I think Nesta was not 100% and having to chase Rooney around for 90mins was abit too much for him. T. Silva did great but I thought he was too defensive in the game, as he did not dribble pass the midfield line and take shots like he wanted.
Personally, I don't blame the second goal on Favalli, as DIda should have punch that ball out. Yes, there was another Valencia cross that Rooney should have scored but the speed of Valencia is something that a lot of FB can't deal with. He is alot like Serginho for us a few years back.

Some here say that Seedorf should have came on earlier....but the fact is that Milan was losing grounds in midfield thus suffering quick counters from ManU. To have someone like Seedorf playing earlier it will put more pressure on the defense. I think what this game really showed was the mobility of ManU midfield, as all 4 of them can both attack, pass, dribble, track back and defend. While you can't really say the same about Milan.

I think it will be interesting to see how both teams will play for the next two weeks leading up to the 2nd leg. A lot can happen, such as injuries and forms. IT is not over till the final whistle is blown.

[Jeff]

Nope; we pretty much were hopeless when we drew Bayern at home 2-2; then we scored twice away. Oh well...

Seedorf's goal is actually pretty good and clever. Nobody saw that coming.

[Gabriel489]

The diff was that against Bayern, they were the ones who got outplayed and scored lucky and last minute goals.

[nefremo]

There are many things to say about the game. We can blame the tactics....the coach.....Dida.......the midfield.......and so on and so on.......some blamed Nesta too(don't see how he was at fault for the goals as on the first one he had to cover the center by himself (Silva was pulled out on the left because of Antonini's injury) and on the third Rooney was behind him so in actuality Silva should have gone on him because there was no-one else to mark,,,the second is not even in question as Dida should have gathered that......but anyhow).

But the FACT of the game remains that we had PLENTY PLENTY of scoring opportunities yet we didn't not capitalize. So blaming Leo for example doesn't hold any grounds, because he put out a team that played well for long periods of the game and created so many scoring chances. So what do you want him to do.......go inside and finish the opportunities himself???
These are the type of games that you need to take you chances. Just like Manchester did. They didn't create near as much as we did, but they scored the only ones they created and even their scraps went in as well.

That's the game for you! We can analyze tactics and players and transfers allllll we want. But that's not where we lost the game today. Yes I wish we had someone else to put in instead of Antonini or have a world class this, and a world class that....but the lack of all this is not what lost us the game today. We lost the game ourselves by not scoring so many good chances that we did so well to create. If for example the score was 3-0 in the first half then it would have been United all confused and out of confidence. It would have been a totally different game. Instead they came out with the confidence in the second half and we were the once thinking. These are the types of things that turn a game on its head.

Anyhow, if we found out anything from today....then that's the fact that we can stand tall to this Manchester side. We can create and we can hurt them.
And if this time around we actually take the chances that we create........then I really don't see a reason why we can't beat them by a couple of goals in England. In any other circumstance I would have had close to no hope in my head and the only hope would have been in the heart. But not after what I saw today. This is still wide open and a goal in England will make them as nervous as we were when they scored their 2nd goal today. So let's just wait and see.

[RC212]

This is my first post here and I want to start out saying that I am excited to find a board that supports my favorite team so that I can join in discussion.

That said...

I actually watched today's game along with my best friend who is an avid ManU fan and even he agreed that if Milan can show up at Old Trafford the way they did today the scoreline could easily be reversed.

I believe that Scholes goal was something that is a maybe once in a lifetime fluke that you just can't guard against and it sickens me to think that it was that goal that really made the difference.

But I really felt that the boys really showed up today, Dinho beat Raphael at almost every turn and for most of the game our defence was more solid than I have seen in a while.

What it boiled down to was a great game to watch, one that had me cheering and frothing at the mouth wanting to punch that ref... There is still another 90 minutes of game to play and I have to believe that our boys can still upset the balance.

Forza Milan!

[Filipéz 182]

I hope to never see Dida in our goal again!!!

BTW I'm happy antonini proved to be on CL level.

[Bagzi]

No we didnt play well for 60minutes.Milan played well only the first 15min of the first and second half, this team have strength only for 30 min, disaster!!!!!!!!

[Bagzi]

The horrible thing is i see Seedorf , Ambro , Rino , Kaladze , Zambro and you know the rest . The time for these guy's to go is this summer we need 10 not 3 not 4 10 new players 5 to fit in straight away and 4 or 5 for the bench , please don't say how great we were in the first because we are always good well fit and running in the first half our mids are too slow and tired come 60 minutes.

I totally agree with u, we saw last night a team that have energy only for THE FIRST 15 min for each half.
After the 15 min of the first half and 60 min of the game they got lost, that time Milan played without defense and midfield, DISASTER, and they concide the 3 goals, hey 2 goals in 10min, OMG.
Only new players, the majority of the players are for retirement.

[Nalx]

We cannot afford to make mistake at this knock-out phase. We started brightly and should've scored 2-3 goals in the first half. MU defense made so many wrong simple passes. I've never seen Fergie so furious towards his own player in a match before. The camera shot him saying the f-words a couple times to Evans, he would've eat that lad alive if his assistant didn't hold him back.

And sometimes when you fail to make the best of what you get, the punishment comes. First, Antonini (who played superbly then) was injured. Then the lucky goal from Scholes. But the worst of it all, our mental was noticeably shattered when Rooney scored a brace within 10 minutes.

The game suddenly became more lively when Seedorf scored, but then again we weren't clinical. Max and Nesta's headers didn't find the target, and Pippo's miss topped them all.

On the side notes, I was utterly disappointed with Pato's performance. Favalli might be roasted again and again, but that was expected considering his pace. But Pato seemed to be hesitated sometimes, whether to shoot, dribble or pass the ball. Some of my friends said that Dinho was a cry-baby, but he did what was required of him: a goal and an assist is nowhere near bad.

All in all, I was quite disappointed with our overall performance. But mind you, I'm not discouraged at all. With 3-2 advantage, I expect Fergie will field the same starting players next month, provided no one gets injured; and with the similar approach. If we can fix the finishing thing I still believe we can qualify.

[ASHWIN]

I am a Milan fan. We have players that have experience and those that can win the big games. Nobody should be blamed for this loss. I guess luck took it's hand. It is pretty obvious that we are more or less out of the competition. It is a tall order to win by 2 clear goals and not concede at Old Trafford. I just hope that this loss will open the eyes of our management and not extend the contracts of Favalli, Inzaghi, Dida and most of our old guards. I am deeply disappointed and affected by this loss. Serie A is not dead as many people perceive. Most importantly, MILAN IS NOT DEAD YET!!!

FORZA MILANO!!!

[thresics]

The team not energetic enough.
We need a better GK, defenders.
Beckham performed poorly in the last 2 games, I am not sure why
there are fans still claiming he played good. Players conditions are fluatuating.
And Seedorf is worth to be a starter.
Dino played a great game, Hunter missed a golden opportunities.
Dida played badly. Prilo so so.

Don't give up!
In case we improve the defense, the fight has not ended.
I still believe........

[hitmannq8]

Very sad result....but last night the lads did give it their best and were very unlucky. Milan had about 7 or 8 golden chances to score last night but we paid the price for being not clinical enough. Man Utd scored one of the luckiest goals ever against the run of play, and then Milan slept for 8 minutes and they scored two more.

It's a shame that Milan hasn't won at home in the CL in 5 consecutive games - Man Utd, Zurich, Marseille, Real Madrid and Arsenal. The San Siro used to be called the Lion's Den but right now it's a charity for points...whoever wants some points hopes to play Milan at the San Siro.

One of the things I am disappointed in is that no one here is giving Ronaldinho a round of applause. Whether you like it or not, he was absolutely phenomenal last night. We never expected him to play this good but he was definitely a difference maker. I hope he keeps this up and tries to be more consistent over the 90 minutes.

Huntelaar proves tonight that he is not the player we need. He disappears in those big clashes a la Gilardino. Huntelaar will never have more chances in a game like tonight and he failed to make a difference. Inzaghi immediately had a golden chance after coming on, Pippo must start in Old Trafford. We also must buy Edin Dzeko as our strikers are quite frankly not world class.

Van Der Sar made about 3 amazing saves while Dida did nothing. I don't blame him for the goals but he wasn't the world-class keeper we wanted. 3 goals out of 5 shots is not good enough. We must resort to Abbiati for now.

Pato --- is definitely not the star we were looking for. He is just another good player that is very young, that will take alot of time to mature. He is definitely no Golden Ball winner, not for the next 5 years at least.

The tie is not over. If there is any team in the world that can beat Man Utd 2-0 at OT, It is MILAN. After totally raping them here, it should give us confidence that we are capable of doing it. We just need to be concentrated more - defence, goalkeeper, and the central striker.

Forza Milan, Keep the faith!

[ensar7]

First of all, we need a 50 YEARS younger squad!!! This is the primary target of Milan. Because, yesterday, we all saw it, that we are out in the second half. Pirlo, Ambro, Becks, Favalli, Nesta, Seedorf, Gattuso, Pippo, they all can't resist the whole match. So, when we take this in consideration, the best way to get a result in Old is to PUSH and PLAY the whole 45' and search our 2 goal. And then, in the second half play on experiance and close them down in our half. We can score in Old, we can do it, but we need somebody who can tell Leo how to do this. He has Tassoti on his side, and Tasso is a very good coach and phylosphy teacher, so he could help him to get the best of the team in the first 45'. We have to attack with all we have in the first half. After that, in the half talk, they MUST change the tactic and close the ways to the goal, and play on quick counter with player that can run: Pato, Boriello/Huntelaar, maybe Dinho.
Only in this way, we can win.
Dida is out. I think this should be his last game. Sorry mate, but I can't accept a GK who is watching the shoots and don't react. VnS still has a quick reaction, even when the ball is going out.
The tactic was good, very good. HE outplayed the big Manchester. But, he made a big mistake in the half time. He didn't changed the tactic. So, Mancho took the game. Nesta was down with moral, and after the second goal, everyone was down. Nobody wanted to play. So where was Leonardo in that moment? Sorry mister, but it is your team, and it is you who has to push the moral up. But, like somebody says, how can you boost moral to dead player?
The second and third goal goes to Nesta, because he was lost. He is the capitan in the defence but he was not on the field. second goal, Rooney is HIS man, and how can you with 33 let your man go behind you? Look to Ferdinand, Klaas or Pippo, they both never got free of Rio. He was allways there to close them. Third goal, what was you thinking? I mean, you go away of Rooney, then you turn and watch Rooney allone in the middle of you and Thiago, and you still rest on your place. Now, wou know his position, you know that it is your player, and you see a flat ball coming, and you are still standing on your place but know that Rooney is free behind you. Don't tell me that Ambro should close this or them, that Thiago should close Rooney. NO. Thiago had the left side, and the player coming from left in the box. And from the begining Rooney is Nesta player. And Nesta was lost.
But, it is ok. I still believe in him.
So, Old Traford:
-----------Abbiati
Bonera--Nesta--Thiago--Zambrotta
-------Pirlo
------------------Ambro
-----------Seedorf
Pato-----------------Dinho
-----------Marco

[Revolver]

Dude do you even read peoples posts before you give your elitist im always right reply. I said If you see that IF one more time IF we play again with a 3 man midfield which he will nothing we can about it Ambro doesn't have the legs Beckham is a waste of space we will need quick energetic players to win at OT thats what I was saying not that this is the perfect midfield, Im not editing all this a bit harsh sorry Volver im to lazy to type Re I guess .

Excuse me, but I was a little carried on last night. You'll understand. :)

Well, you got it almost right. Our midfield is slow and can't cover much space. No matter is it flat 3 or 2-1. That's our real problem. Not side-backs, not striker, but midfield. Since Gattuso lost his pace and energy (start of 2007/2008), our midfield is simply slow. First we were overrun by Arsenal's midfield in 2007/2008, then this year same things happen: First Inter defeat was because we were overrun in midfield, we almost exit CL in group phase, because we were overrun by Marseille midfield, second Inter defeat - same thing, last night - same thing.

As we're stuck with Pirlo, who's slow (always was) we need some pace to cover him. We need to get the right balance of speed and power in midfield. In Ancelotti's prime, we also had a three-man midfield with Pirlo, but back then Seedorf was pretty quick and could cover enormous amount of space, Gattuso was quick and could cover even more than Seedorf...
Now Seedorf lost a little bit of everything, but mostly his physical qualities, especially stamina, and Gattuso, though technically still into top 3 defensive midfielders in the world, lost a lot of pace and even more stamina, which is crucial for his chase-every-player game. Now we have Ambrosini, our captain, who's great player I must say, he plays better than ever, but he's slow, always was, and unfortunately he doesn't have energy to cover amount of space needed. Covering current Pirlo and Seedorf would be a tough task even for Gattuso in his prime.
So, what we need is to convert Matthieu Flamini into a stater. He's very talented DM, has pace, has energy, has right mentality to fight and chase players down... In few years he could become one of top 3 DMs in the world. All he need to fix is decision making (experience!) and to use his left foot for something more than standing.
As for Seedorf, though it's more for Banter thread, he must play in every important game until the end of the season. He's crucial for 4-3-3 system. Without him, Ronaldinho is isolated on the left side. Though it's hard to find a younger player of his qualities, his replacement should be a player who can be pretty quick and is strong. Ironically, Gourcuff would be as perfect for that position as no player could be.

[Jay Crisp]

Excuse me, but I was a little carried on last night. You'll understand. :)

Well, you got it almost right. Our midfield is slow and can't cover much space. No matter is it flat 3 or 2-1. That's our real problem. Not side-backs, not striker, but midfield. Since Gattuso lost his pace and energy (start of 2007/2008), our midfield is simply slow. First we were overrun by Arsenal's midfield in 2007/2008, then this year same things happen: First Inter defeat was because we were overrun in midfield, we almost exit CL in group phase, because we were overrun by Marseille midfield, second Inter defeat - same thing, last night - same thing.

As we're stuck with Pirlo, who's slow (always was) we need some pace to cover him. We need to get the right balance of speed and power in midfield. In Ancelotti's prime, we also had a three-man midfield with Pirlo, but back then Seedorf was pretty quick and could cover enormous amount of space, Gattuso was quick and could cover even more than Seedorf...
Now Seedorf lost a little bit of everything, but mostly his physical qualities, especially stamina, and Gattuso, though technically still into top 3 defensive midfielders in the world, lost a lot of pace and even more stamina, which is crucial for his chase-every-player game. Now we have Ambrosini, our captain, who's great player I must say, he plays better than ever, but he's slow, always was, and unfortunately he doesn't have energy to cover amount of space needed. Covering current Pirlo and Seedorf would be a tough task even for Gattuso in his prime.
So, what we need is to convert Matthieu Flamini into a stater. He's very talented DM, has pace, has energy, has right mentality to fight and chase players down... In few years he could become one of top 3 DMs in the world. All he need to fix is decision making (experience!) and to use his left foot for something more than standing.
As for Seedorf, though it's more for Banter thread, he must play in every important game until the end of the season. He's crucial for 4-3-3 system. Without him, Ronaldinho is isolated on the left side. Though it's hard to find a younger player of his qualities, his replacement should be a player who can be pretty quick and is strong. Ironically, Gourcuff would be as perfect for that position as no player could be.

Yeah I agree our midfield has legs for 50 minutes after that bang gone. The flat 3 doesn't work it just doesn't.It shows the state our squad is in because Antonini goes of and our best option is 38 year old Favalli even Janku or Kaladze would of done better I couldn't believe when we signed Favalli but he has played alot of games in his time which is baaaaaad. A 2-0 win at OT is not beyond us but very very hard.
Again it comes back to squad quality we don't have a great squad and need alot of new players to be unltra competitive again , I just pray that this will happen. No names mentioned ofcourse , but our Goalkeeper our Defence and Midfield need to be sorted out first , its amazing how much a commanding and strong goalkeeper can influence a team.

[GeoTav]

There is something that made me smiling yesterday night despite the bad result ...

No, it's not the defeat of Madrid in Lyon as I hope Lyon will be knocked out from the competition (to let Real being humiliated by a stronger side then).

It's what Kaka' said after the game ... if he wanted to piss Real Madrid fans off, he couldn't have done better !!

He commented more our result than the one of Madrid ... :D
The guy feels more concerned about Milan than his own club and that says a lot about how happy he must be in Madrid (ironical, I could have said "how unhappy he must be" ...).

Regarding his season, I think we could ask Madrid to loan him for free next year with an option to buy him whenever we want of about 25-30M. Wouldn't it be a good deal ? :D

[hitmannq8]

Yea Geo I noticed that too, but I don't think we should return to the past. Kaka seems to be a very different player kinda like when Sheva left.

I don't agree with you on one thing though, in the other thread you claim that Pato will make a fool of Evra. Honestly, last night Evra was the one who stopped Pato for most of the time and Pato was inexistent...and when he managed to dribble, he just gave them back the ball with a stupid silly pass. Pato needs to step up his game more than most of the other players because he is our rising star. I hope we have Oddo and Zambrotta back for the return leg, and a fresh Pippo and Seedorf to start.

Someone should open a thread for the next game I'm not going to... I can't handle the responsibility!

[ensar7]

Pato should lern to dribble left. Two times, two times the same thing. Run - dribling- and go right. And every time Evra was ready for that. So, by the second chance, if he just went left, Evra would be out, because Evra was on his left foot to go left (Pato right side) and the only way how he could stop then Pato would be a foul for yellow and penalty.

[GeoTav]

Yea Geo I noticed that too, but I don't think we should return to the past. Kaka seems to be a very different player kinda like when Sheva left.

I don't agree with you on one thing though, in the other thread you claim that Pato will make a fool of Evra. Honestly, last night Evra was the one who stopped Pato for most of the time and Pato was inexistent...and when he managed to dribble, he just gave them back the ball with a stupid silly pass. Pato needs to step up his game more than most of the other players because he is our rising star. I hope we have Oddo and Zambrotta back for the return leg, and a fresh Pippo and Seedorf to start.

Someone should open a thread for the next game I'm not going to... I can't handle the responsibility!

It's because for me, it's not Evra who stopped Pato but Pato who had a bad game and was probably not fit enough to be decisive in this game ...

Anyway, for the return leg, maybe Leo should use the "old" Christmas Tree (not exactly the same as Ronaldinho would go on the left), just for once, with Ronaldinho and Seedorf behind Pato + Borriello and/or Huntelaar ready on the bench to come helping Pato up front if needed (which means if MU score before us or if we lead 1-0/2-1 or if the scoreline is 2/2/3/3/... at 10 minutes of the end of the game).

[Iggy]

First of all, we need a 50 YEARS younger squad!!! This is the primary target of Milan.


fun fact. With the starting lineups our average age was 28,5 and uniteds 28,6 ;)

[soibui]

fun fact. With the starting lineups our average age was 28,5 and uniteds 28,6 ;)

Erm, I dunno where you got that from but Man U's average age of starting lineup was 27.5 and Milan's was 29. We had one player under 25, and they had four, Van der Sar alone pushes up their average coz he's 39.

[honsano]

One positive at least for the game at Old Trafford is that we'll both be at 4 days rest. I think that hurt us especially with the high intensity game that ManU play. Also we had Pato just starting to get back into the rhythm of first team and you could tell he was rusty losing the ball more often than he normally does and not connecting with JKH.

All in all, it'll definately be a tough away but with our boots tied a bit tighter we can put them to rest at home. Funny how teams always seem to come back when the other team doesn't capitalize on their easy chances. That always happens. Arrrgggh!

[Blacktop]

I hope to never see Dida in our goal again!!!

the cancer is the same of years before DIDA, WTH is Dida doing in the team, and he won about 3-4 millions Gimme a "·$·% break.
I'm sick of reading immature crap like this. He wasn't great last night but Nesta screwed up more often than he did, but as we all know it's anathema to criticize him in any manner.

If Abbiatti pulled the exact same s--t last night he'd be getting a free pass.

[Revolver]

I'm sick of reading immature crap like this. He wasn't great last night but Nesta screwed up more often than he did, but as we all know it's anathema to criticize him in any manner.

If Abbiatti pulled the exact same s--t last night he'd be getting a free pass.

Mate, people are frustrated for a good reason. Nesta made mistake at two goals, well Silva and him are guilty for a third because they let Rooney sneak in between them, but at the second goal, Dida should come of his line and punch the ball (did anyone saw Frey tonight?), and at the first goal his reaction was miserable. Nesta wasn't good, yes, but that was his first bad game this season, a everybody has the right for bad day.

But Dida cost us too many times this season, in almost every CL game. I will not mention first match against Real, because we won, but his bad handling cost us two points against Real in second match, his mistake cost as two points against Marseille, too.

The thing is, a keeper like Dida has nothing to do in a team like Milan, even on the bench (Storari is MUCH better, btw.), let alone starting 11.

[ensar7]

fun fact. With the starting lineups our average age was 28,5 and uniteds 28,6 ;)

We have Over30: Abiatti, Dida, Roma; Oddo, Zambro, Nesta, Favalli, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Ambrosini, Ringhio, Pirlo, Seedorf, Beckham, Mancini; Pippo.

Now, who is Under30: GK - 0; defense: Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Oniewu(out for whole season), Thiago; Midfield: Flamini, Dinho; Attack: Pato, Klaas, Marco.
16 : 9
http://www.lega-calcio.it/it/Serie-A-TIM/Squadre/Milan/Squadra.page

Do you still think that we have a young team? Do you now understand what does it mean 50 years younger team?

Thanks.

[Gio-mania]

Just to clear out this average age thing, I thought I'd actually calculate it myself.

Dida - 36
Bonera - 28
Nesta - 33
Thiago - 25
Antonini - 27
Beckham - 34
Pirlo - 30
Ambrosini - 32
Pato - 20
Hunter - 26
Dinho - 29

Milan Average (mean): 29.1
Median: 29


VDS - 39
Rafael - 19
Ferdinand - 31
Evans - 22
Evra - 28
Nani - 23
Carrick - 28
Scholes - 35
Fletcher - 26
Park - 28
Rooney - 24

Manchester Utd Average (mean): 27.5
Median: 28

Which ever way you go about to calculate average, we were the older side. And I think that if we were to count in all of our players, we would be even older.

. . . I calculated based on their age, not on the year of birth. So maybe we just happen to have several players born january and february in comparison to Man Utd. This could theoretically even out the age gap. But the probability of this being the case isn't so elevated.

[Jeff]

29 versus 27.5 is, honestly,hardly a big difference.

[ACMILAN1983]

A very frustrating match. We should have won 4 or 5-0, but obviously things didn't workout as planned. It's not so much the players or the lineup that's at fault, I think our luck really was down, and the difference to a great victory and this loss was marginal.

We played a fantastic first half, we completely dominated right from the start and Dinho's goal, though a little fortunate was due to Utd's inability to handle our attack. We should have been 3-4 up at half time as we simply outplayed them in every department. Instead, we didn't take our chances and Utd scored the luckiest goal imaginable. As people said, it wasn't just the finish that was lucky, but the fact that Antonini's injury stretched us at that point in time badly.

The second half was very much us looking deflated. We didn't look as determined and mentally as strong as we had during the first half and we didn't look as dangerous. We conceded a weak second goal and after that I was really afraid things would go downhill. Obviously it got worse with Rooney's second, but we did improve and could have easily finished the match at 3-3, but again our finishing is what cost us.

Players..

Dida - I think we could have avoided the first two goals had he been more decisive.
Bonera - Solid at RB, a good performance and a good choice by Leo
Nesta - Not at his best, he particularly looked affected mentally when Utd scored and he had his mistakes
Thiago - Excellent, everywhere and was very dangerous going forward
Antonini - Great when he was on, unfortunately got injured
Pirlo - Controlled our game and limited Utd well
Ambro - Continued his form from this season, very well played
Beckham - Not always in the match, but his hard work and effort was useful. I still don't think he was a necessity to start.
Dinho - Unfortunate not to score more than 1, he was a big threat
Pato - Quiet game from him. I think he would benefit more if he had more movement around him as he often doesn't get much support and it's rare to see anyone ever moving to open up spaces for him
Hunter - Should have scored and wasn't always in the match. A little disappointing given we were such a threat
Seedorf - Great goal and worthy input in the side
Favalli - He struggled with Utd's wingers, unfortunately he couldn't take Antonini's place

We need to take our chances in matches like this. Utd had very few chances but they took almost every one. We had enough chances to score 10 goals yet didn't kill off the match when we should have. Also mentally we can't let ourselves drop in these matches. Like against Inter we became overwhelmed when things went badly and it took too long to recover.

I haven't given up on this tie though. We were excellent for much of the match and things simply didn't go our way. We were guilty of mistakes which Utd capitalized on, but we showed we're more than capable of pulling an upset in this tie.

This tie reminds me a lot of the last time we played Utd. They beat us 2-1 in the first leg back then capitalizing on injuries to Rino and Maldini. This time it was an injury to Antonini. However that time, like this time, we showed enough in the first match to believe we could go through. Another similarity is the press seem to have completely written us off again, just like last time, acting as though Utd are far superior than us following this win, despite the match being a very different affair. I believe the conclusion to this tie could be similar to last time too.

[hitmannq8]

Dev, just a slight correction, last time it was a 3-2 win for them not a 2-1..however at that time, it meant 2 away goals for us and a 1-0 result in the return leg at the San Siro would suffice. This time we need to go to OT and win by 2 goals.

I do like the fact that we are completely written off. That's the fuel that this Milan works on. The more they underestimate us, the better for us.

Carrick's red card isn't a huge blow for them, they will simply play Park in midfield and play Nani and Valencia on the wings. They will also have Vidic back (major upgrade on Evans) and Giggs. Hopefully we will have Oddo, Zambrotta, Seedorf and Boriello back too (though I'd rather Inzaghi).

Game is in 3 weeks, let's hope we don't have any injured players by then. I definitely think we can do it. 2 goals against this Man U side isn't impossible, we could have scored 6 or 7 on Tuesday. I dont think they are better than us. If there is any team that can beat United at OT it is Milan (we are the last team to beat them there, I think). All we need to do as fans, is pretend Man U has already won it...that way - you can be certain of a great response by Milan.

[ACMILAN1983]

Dev, just a slight correction, last time it was a 3-2 win for them not a 2-1..however at that time, it meant 2 away goals for us and a 1-0 result in the return leg at the San Siro would suffice. This time we need to go to OT and win by 2 goals.

I do like the fact that we are completely written off. That's the fuel that this Milan works on. The more they underestimate us, the better for us.

Carrick's red card isn't a huge blow for them, they will simply play Park in midfield and play Nani and Valencia on the wings. They will also have Vidic back (major upgrade on Evans) and Giggs. Hopefully we will have Oddo, Zambrotta, Seedorf and Boriello back too (though I'd rather Inzaghi).

Game is in 3 weeks, let's hope we don't have any injured players by then. I definitely think we can do it. 2 goals against this Man U side isn't impossible, we could have scored 6 or 7 on Tuesday. I dont think they are better than us. If there is any team that can beat United at OT it is Milan (we are the last team to beat them there, I think). All we need to do as fans, is pretend Man U has already won it...that way - you can be certain of a great response by Milan.

Sorry my mistake. Yes we have to go away and win this time, but I think we showed we are more than capable of it.

I found these statistics interesting, worth a look...

http://www.xtratime.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25242&d=1266358647

[zak]

players' efforts in the game versus Manchester
http://www.voteplayers.com/Matches/AC-Milan-vs-Manchester-United-02162010-6882.aspx

[mrki]

I had no power to turn on my computer untill otday after that absurd game vs "mighty United"...

That "mighty" United as we all thought is a bunch of cowards that got their pants dirty infirst 35min of San Siro, again!! This invalid Milan side beat themselves with ours class black points like LB, GK and CF!!!!

Vs merda it was Abate and Favalli+Dida, then Dida's goal vs Udinese and 3,4 lost crosses, then this ****! People say "maybe he could saved some..." COuld??? If we had V.D.Saar and they Dida?

Mr. Dida thank you and get the **** out of my club! First goal is hillarious, then the second?? Ball is 3,4 m from goal line and he cant even box it?? Even more, Fletcher had SAME chance minutes before and Dida was AGAIN on the goal line waiting for a miracle!! PAthetic!!!

LB - Antonini was passes, cross, goal no.1... FAvalli got passes like a child, cross, Dida, goal no. 2...

We cant play serious football with 3,4 players that are in class 3 of european football!

CF? If we had old Sheva Milan would score 5 past them! Its a shame we are out of the CL this way!

Bravo Dinho, and do not talk vs PAto coz PAto is a CF and not RIGHT footed right winger!!!

Antonini's and Huntelaar's misses are so pathetic I almost cried.

And United is also a pathetic team that would be humiliated by AC Milan if we only didnt create 2nd rate class out of our club...

So dissapointed...

[Bagzi]

Just to clear out this average age thing, I thought I'd actually calculate it myself.

Dida - 36
Bonera - 28
Nesta - 33
Thiago - 25
Antonini - 27
Beckham - 34
Pirlo - 30
Ambrosini - 32
Pato - 20
Hunter - 26
Dinho - 29

Milan Average (mean): 29.1
Median: 29


VDS - 39
Rafael - 19
Ferdinand - 31
Evans - 22
Evra - 28
Nani - 23
Carrick - 28
Scholes - 35
Fletcher - 26
Park - 28
Rooney - 24

Manchester Utd Average (mean): 27.5
Median: 28

Which ever way you go about to calculate average, we were the older side. And I think that if we were to count in all of our players, we would be even older.

. . . I calculated based on their age, not on the year of birth. So maybe we just happen to have several players born january and february in comparison to Man Utd. This could theoretically even out the age gap. But the probability of this being the case isn't so elevated.

Dont forget Favali, cause Antonini only played for 35min, and then camed in Mr.Favali whos close to 40.

[LebRN]

in 2007 we lost the 1st leg 2-3, we won the 2nd 3-0
in 2010 we lost the 1st leg 2-3, we will win the 2nd 3-0

the 2nd leg is away??? so what??? we have produced our better performances away from San Siro in the CL this season, so all is set :)

Don't anyone dare tell me otherwise...i don't wanna hear it

and yeah, Pato for CF

[OCmilano]

Flamini. Seedorf. Ambro
Mancini. Pato. R80.

For the return leg.

[hitmannq8]

No Pirlo? no way man, Pirlo always shows up for games like this. We also need to win by 2 clear goals so playing 2 DM's is not wise.

And Mancini is cup-tied.

[GeoTav]

No Pirlo? no way man, Pirlo always shows up for games like this. We also need to win by 2 clear goals so playing 2 DM's is not wise.

And Mancini is cup-tied.

Agree.
Pirlo MUST play this kind of game, when on form, he's the real playmaker of our team, and when he isn't of form, we simply don't play well. That means a lot about his importance in our team (and it's like that since years now, but Pirlo was underrated for long time and is probably still underrated, except for his freekicks, a lot of people still think he's an expert because he kicks a perfect or almost one every 20 games :D).

For the return leg, I would take a maximum risk as if we don't try anything, we will be out of the competition (no calculation needed, just winning):

------------- Abbiati --------------
Abate -- Nesta - T.Silva -- Antonini
------------ Ambrosini -------------
--------- Seedorf - Pirlo -----------
---- Pato - Borriello - Ronaldinho ---

- Abbiati is more solid than Dida in my opinion (I won't bash Dida here, it's pointless, it's just a choice like Leonardo did with Bonera playing instead of Abate in the first leg: just because he was more solid in defence).
- Why Abate and not Bonera again ? Because Abate, even if he's not very lucky on his crosses, runs and moves a lot (in both ways: defence -> attack, attack -> defence). So his direct opponent will have to defend more than in San Siro.
- Why Antonini ? He was just very good against them at home before his injury, even if he missed a big occasion (I didn't see it, but by reading all of you, I think it is a big miss ??). Solid behind, he ran a lot to help Ronaldinho on the left side, something we didn't see from him in the last few games. If he can do it again and isn't injured again during the game, then he could be a real threat for MU (a bit like Abate, his direct opponent will have to defend more than expected).
- The midfield trio with Ambro, Seedorf and Pirlo is because they are experienced players, Ambro deserves his place this year, Pirlo is very important, and Seedorf showed during the 10-15 minutes that Leonardo gave him that he was hungry in CL. So that means that Seedorf will run and when he does, he is a key player.
- Pato is on the right on this formation but I want him to play more in the center, as a CF actually, alongside Borriello. When needed, on counters for example, Pato can go on the right (you know, when Ronaldinho just sends a long ball and, with some miracle, that comes in the feet or on the chest of Pato). He would have to defend when it is needed too !!
- Ronaldinho is "free" on his left side.
- Borriello if fit is also a key player, and the 3 guys up front showed some moments of greatness each time they were associated !!

Here's my expected formation with the reasons (I rarely do it) ... :D

[Mystik]

IMO Seedorf will be more important than Pirlo for the second leg. Pirlo looked like a little boy among men on Tuesday and he could hardly stamp his authority on the game. He was not able to contribute much to the game at all. Seedorf has both the physical AND technical ability necessary to help us control possession in midfield at OT. The odds are against us but I'm hoping for the best.

[ensar7]

I told you, Seedorf and Pirlo must play from min. 1' and they have to run. Seedorf must be exausted in the half time, so that he can be changed. I expecta 0:2 lead in the first half, and this must be our target. Anything else is not accepted.

[GeoTav]

I told you, Seedorf and Pirlo must play from min. 1' and they have to run. Seedorf must be exausted in the half time, so that he can be changed. I expecta 0:2 lead in the first half, and this must be our target. Anything else is not accepted.

I would sign right now for a controlled 1-0 lead at half time and a mad second half thanks to our repetitive occasions to score (and goals of course).

[LebRN]

Agree.
Pirlo MUST play this kind of game, when on form, he's the real playmaker of our team, and when he isn't of form, we simply don't play well. That means a lot about his importance in our team (and it's like that since years now, but Pirlo was underrated for long time and is probably still underrated, except for his freekicks, a lot of people still think he's an expert because he kicks a perfect or almost one every 20 games :D).

For the return leg, I would take a maximum risk as if we don't try anything, we will be out of the competition (no calculation needed, just winning):

------------- Abbiati --------------
Abate -- Nesta - T.Silva -- Antonini
------------ Ambrosini -------------
--------- Seedorf - Pirlo -----------
---- Pato - Borriello - Ronaldinho ---

- Abbiati is more solid than Dida in my opinion (I won't bash Dida here, it's pointless, it's just a choice like Leonardo did with Bonera playing instead of Abate in the first leg: just because he was more solid in defence).
- Why Abate and not Bonera again ? Because Abate, even if he's not very lucky on his crosses, runs and moves a lot (in both ways: defence -> attack, attack -> defence). So his direct opponent will have to defend more than in San Siro.
- Why Antonini ? He was just very good against them at home before his injury, even if he missed a big occasion (I didn't see it, but by reading all of you, I think it is a big miss ??). Solid behind, he ran a lot to help Ronaldinho on the left side, something we didn't see from him in the last few games. If he can do it again and isn't injured again during the game, then he could be a real threat for MU (a bit like Abate, his direct opponent will have to defend more than expected).
- The midfield trio with Ambro, Seedorf and Pirlo is because they are experienced players, Ambro deserves his place this year, Pirlo is very important, and Seedorf showed during the 10-15 minutes that Leonardo gave him that he was hungry in CL. So that means that Seedorf will run and when he does, he is a key player.
- Pato is on the right on this formation but I want him to play more in the center, as a CF actually, alongside Borriello. When needed, on counters for example, Pato can go on the right (you know, when Ronaldinho just sends a long ball and, with some miracle, that comes in the feet or on the chest of Pato). He would have to defend when it is needed too !!
- Ronaldinho is "free" on his left side.
- Borriello if fit is also a key player, and the 3 guys up front showed some moments of greatness each time they were associated !!

Here's my expected formation with the reasons (I rarely do it) ... :D

I agree with all that you said, except that I'd rather have Flamini for Borriello.
I don't think having Flamini instead of Borriello means that we are playing defensive, on the contrary, i think it will bring more balance and therefore better offence because:
1- I can't see Borriello offering anything against ManU (he failed against lesser defenses)
2- If there is one thing we learned from the 1st leg is that we need a hard working midfielder who can cover a lot of ground.
3- Flamini & Ambrosini can both contribute going forward unlike Gattuso.
4- Flamini can cover very well behind Abate.
5- 2 "DM" can allow Abate, Antonini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Dinho, & Pato to concentrate more on the attack....

The shape would be sg like:
--------------Abbiati--------------
Abate---Nesta---Thiago----Antonini
------Flamini----------Ambro-------
----------------Pirlo----------------
-------Seedorf--------Dinho--------
---------------Pato----------------

[GeoTav]

I agree with all that you said, except that I'd rather have Flamini for Borriello.
I don't think having Flamini instead of Borriello means that we are playing defensive, on the contrary, i think it will bring more balance and therefore better offence because:
1- I can't see Borriello offering anything against ManU (he failed against lesser defenses)
2- If there is one thing we learned from the 1st leg is that we need a hard working midfielder who can cover a lot of ground.
3- Flamini & Ambrosini can both contribute going forward unlike Gattuso.
4- Flamini can cover very well behind Abate.
5- 2 "DM" can allow Abate, Antonini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Dinho, & Pato to concentrate more on the attack....

The shape would be sg like:
--------------Abbiati--------------
Abate---Nesta---Thiago----Antonini
------Flamini----------Ambro-------
----------------Pirlo----------------
-------Seedorf--------Dinho--------
---------------Pato----------------

Actually, the formation I put before can only work if all our players are at their top level during this game I think, especially because of the "unbalance" formation.

Your formation is more balanced and looks more like the Christmas Tree formation (I mentionned it in an earlier post but changed my mind by putting a very attacking formation).

About Borriello, I disagree, because even if he doesn't score in all games, the way he moves gives a lot more space to Pato and Ronaldinho than when he isn't there. Borriello often comes to the midfield, does some pressing, plays a lot back from the goal: he is essential, a key player. Of course, it's available only when he is fully fit.

One of the keys will be how fit will be Borriello and Pato, because at 100%, with the current form of Ronaldinho, they can really entertain us, have fun all together and make us win this game !!

[LebRN]

there is a lot that Borriello adds that's for sure, but for me, it is just not enough...he slows play a lot...he holds onto the ball and prtects it for a longer time than needed whereas Klass for example searches directly for the pass...Pato too...or for the dribble....that's what i hold against him...aside from his poor goalscoring record :S

[GeoTav]

there is a lot that Borriello adds that's for sure, but for me, it is just not enough...he slows play a lot...he holds onto the ball and prtects it for a longer time than needed whereas Klass for example searches directly for the pass...Pato too...or for the dribble....that's what i hold against him...aside from his poor goalscoring record :S

But when you see the number of balls lost because of missed passes by Huntelaar and Pato or by missed dribbles of these two ones, it's there that you can be happy that Borriello plays (even without scoring) because he would have been able, for example in this game, to keep the ball instead of doing a bad pass directly to a MU player.

With Borriello (and Seedorf) in a good day, you can add 5% to your possession and in our last game, that would have been welcome in second half.

[ensar7]

Pato is not 100% fit. This should be taken in consideration. He has to come back to his old form, but there are 3 weeks until the match, and injurys allways happen

[Blacktop]

The thing is, a keeper like Dida has nothing to do in a team like Milan, even on the bench (Storari is MUCH better, btw.), let alone starting 11.
Whatever. The "...a team like Milan" argument is pathetic, as if we're The Chosen Ones or something. We're not even the best team in Italy right now, for God's sake. In fact, we haven't been anything to write home about since Athens.

Lastly, Storari much better? That's just downright farcical.

[Xudong]

actually, Dida is better off playing, as I heard that he could hurt himself sitting on the bench. so for his sake, we should play him.

[Warro Bantan]

I think we played well, and suffered because we didn't finish our chances.

The big question for me is: Can we play the same way at Old Trafford? I read that Man U haven't lost a UCL game at home in 52 years, and have never lost by a 2 goal margin....don't know how true it is, and won't try to verify...and while records are made to be broken, I don't see us doing it.

Its quite refreshing to see the "never-say-die" attitude and the optimism on the forum, and I must say my spirits are lifted as a result of reading some posts.

That said, were I to bet, I would put money on United advancing.

FORZA MIIILAN (regardless)

[ensar7]

MAnchester never won at San Siro!
Traditions are there to be broken!
And how is better to do this, when not Milan :5ok:

[GeoTav]

If I'm not wrong, before this year, we never won in Santiago Bernabeu ?

[hitmannq8]

Geo you are right, and Warro, seems like age is catching up with you...we beat them 1-0 at OT in 2005 through a Crespo goal... and we also beat them 3-0 in 2007 at the San Siro so I got no clue where u got those numbers...

[GeoTav]

Geo you are right, and Warro, seems like age is catching up with you...we beat them 1-0 at OT in 2005 through a Crespo goal... and we also beat them 3-0 in 2007 at the San Siro so I got no clue where u got those numbers...

They never lost by 2 goals in Old Trafford (it's the real record I think). Probably only in CL.

But who cares ? We can beat them 3-2 and win the penalties, or beat them 4-3 with an Inzaghi goal (just for fun) at the 94th minute when the referee announced 3 minutes of injury time !! :D

[Nalx]

But who cares ? We can beat them 3-2 and win the penalties, or beat them 4-3 with an Inzaghi goal (just for fun) at the 94th minute when the referee announced 3 minutes of injury time !! :D

Exactly! Dida will fumble and we're going to concede first just like in Bernabeu, before Pato scores a brace, and in injury time Klaas will prove his doubters wrong. In the penalty shot-out Dia will save our arse and then everyone here is happy, even Zeekay and Blacktop :guw:

[Jay Crisp]

Can we close this up , it brings up horrible memories of missed chances and tears.

[mzk57]

Exactly! Dida will fumble and we're going to concede first just like in Bernabeu, before Pato scores a brace, and in injury time Klaas will prove his doubters wrong. In the penalty shot-out Dia will save our arse and then everyone here is happy, even Zeekay and Blacktop :guw:
:haha: I like it

You guys should just relax, because ACM will advance with a comprehensive display of total football at OT. Don't for get we were without Zambro, Flamini, 100 % fit Pato & virtually Antonini + Seedorf against Utd. Plus the fact that we played with 10 mean without a goalkeeper.

Here is a fact which will make you all happy. Aston Villa defeated Man Utd this year 2-0 at OT for the first time in something like 20+ years. ACM defeated Madrid first time ever in UCL away. Similarly Madrid scored their first ever goal at the San Siro in 50+ years. So relax, its just another match for ACM and we will win it at the end much to the displeasure of Andy Gray & other Sky pathetic pundits

One more thing is that now days, it doesn't really matter whether you are playing home or away. You just have to score and win regardless :p286: I am optimistic about ACM chances & some thing tells me that KJH will be ACM's saviour at OT:star:

[Blacktop]

actually, Dida is better off playing, as I heard that he could hurt himself sitting on the bench. so for his sake, we should play him.
F*** off.

One more thing is that now days, it doesn't really matter whether you are playing home or away. You just have to score and win regardless
Wow, I don't think anyone knew that. We thank you for your pearls of wisdom, Socrates.

[Kaka1899]

i now think Dida is beyond defendable, the more you defend him the stupider you look, it would be like somebody saying Ricardo Oleveira was the next Sheva for us. the sooner we lose him and his big wages the better, Abbiati is more than capable of taking the job on.

[Blacktop]

i now think Dida is beyond defendable, the more you defend him the stupider you look, it would be like somebody saying Ricardo Oleveira was the next Sheva for us.

If you think I look stupid defending him, that's your opinion, but the same then also applies to the Hunter supporters, considering he's done zip for us. Additionally, you can't even begin to make a comparison like the one above. I've never said that his ManU performance should not be criticized; I'm just tired of him automatically eating all the s**t when something goes wrong.

As for him supposedly being the reason we lost, MilanNews (http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7725/pollw.jpg) seems to think differently.

[Kaka1899]

i think it is fair to say that our failings to score the 3,500 chances we had were just as bad as the grass skimmer ball Dida failed to save that came off of Scholes standing leg, for a GK that should be easy pickings. i dont think he inspires confidence in the defence anymore, for every point blank stunner save like vs Chievo? he then has some real downers that cost us big mostly.

[Xudong]

F*** off.

Watch your mouth, lady.

If you think I look stupid defending him, that's your opinion, but the same then also applies to the Hunter supporters, considering he's done zip for us. Additionally, you can't even begin to make a comparison like the one above. I've never said that his ManU performance should not be criticized; I'm just tired of him automatically eating all the s**t when something goes wrong.

As for him supposedly being the reason we lost, MilanNews (http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7725/pollw.jpg) seems to think differently.

In my opinion, the only s**t was out of your mouth. When he played well, he deserved credit and most of us (true, it may not be everyone) would give that to him. When he cost us the game, he deserved blame and most of us would give that to him. People make mistakes, but Dida simply makes too many. He is a goalkeeper, a special position that should have zero tolerance for errors, and I think he does deserve most of our harsh comments. You might be the only person that is blind. It must be fun for you to do that; or why would you be so naive?

Grow up, or at least, be like a lady.

[Revolver]

First, it's clear that we can't play without either of Pirlo and Seedorf. Seedorf is not a real playmaker and with 2 DMs behind him, our game has no organization. On the other hand, without Seedorf, with Pirlo in his position, Pirlo always track back to create play and then he cannot help Ronaldinho up, because obviously he can't be in two positions at the same time. So - Pirlo deep to create play and Seedorf up to help Ronaldinho.

For Abate, I don't agree, I hope Zambrotta and Antonini will be ready, that's crucial for our success in Manchester. We badly need side backs to push up to help wide attackers and also to be good in defense, so our defense could play high up.

Ambrosini behind Pirlo and Seedorf I don't agree, because he's slow and don't have legs to cover all that space alone.

Borriello, no from me, he can't do nothing and that's it. He can't show it at this level.

Christmas tree, again no. It's the most balanced formation for us, but Ronaldinho is in the middle - not good because his static and middle is crowded, and Pato is lone attacker, even worse.

I would not change much from the first game. Abbiati is must in place of Dida. Zambrotta perhaps on RB instead of Bonera. Also, Flamini perhaps instead Ambrosini (almost impossible to happen), and Inzaghi is MUST in attack because he's the only striker who can show it at this level.

---------------------Abbiati------------------------
-----------Nesta----------------Silva---------------
--Zambrotta-----------------------------Antonini---
---------------------------------------------------
--------Ambrosini (Flamini)---------Pirlo-------------
---------------------Seedorf-----------------------
---------------------------------------------------
----Pato----------------------------Ronaldinho-----
---------------------Inzaghi------------------------

For this, we must give Flamini and Inzaghi as much playing time as possible until trip to Manchester. Also, Pirlo and Ambrosini (if plays) will need to rest at least one week before the match.

[Xudong]

First, it's clear that we can't play without either of Pirlo and Seedorf. Seedorf is not a real playmaker and with 2 DMs behind him, our game has no organization. On the other hand, without Seedorf, with Pirlo in his position, Pirlo always track back to create play and then he cannot help Ronaldinho up, because obviously he can't be in two positions at the same time. So - Pirlo deep to create play and Seedorf up to help Ronaldinho.

For Abate, I don't agree, I hope Zambrotta and Antonini will be ready, that's crucial for our success in Manchester. We badly need side backs to push up to help wide attackers and also to be good in defense, so our defense could play high up.

Ambrosini behind Pirlo and Seedorf I don't agree, because he's slow and don't have legs to cover all that space alone.

Borriello, no from me, he can't do nothing and that's it. He can't show it at this level.

Christmas tree, again no. It's the most balanced formation for us, but Ronaldinho is in the middle - not good because his static and middle is crowded, and Pato is lone attacker, even worse.

I would not change much from the first game. Abbiati is must in place of Dida. Zambrotta perhaps on RB instead of Bonera. Also, Flamini perhaps instead Ambrosini (almost impossible to happen), and Inzaghi is MUST in attack because he's the only striker who can show it at this level.

---------------------Abbiati------------------------
-----------Nesta----------------Silva---------------
--Zambrotta-----------------------------Antonini---
---------------------------------------------------
--------Ambrosini (Flamini)---------Pirlo-------------
---------------------Seedorf-----------------------
---------------------------------------------------
----Pato----------------------------Ronaldinho-----
---------------------Inzaghi------------------------

For this, we must give Flamini and Inzaghi as much playing time as possible until trip to Manchester. Also, Pirlo and Ambrosini (if plays) will need to rest at least one week before the match.

I agree with what you said (except for Flamini part, which I slightly disagree. Somehow I don't value him that much - must be just me though). I like your formation particularly. I think that would work. Hopefully we could recover all the injured players and have them ready for that do-or-die game.

[Revolver]

I agree with what you said (except for Flamini part, which I slightly disagree. Somehow I don't value him that much - must be just me though). I like your formation particularly. I think that would work. Hopefully we could recover all the injured players and have them ready for that do-or-die game.

Well, when I think better, Flamini has one major drawback for the role he plays - he's not strong enough. But he's the fastest player in our current midfield and he has by far most energy and will to chase players down. If we want to attack at Old Trafford, and we have to, because we must score at least twice, we need some fast and energetic player who can recover loose balls, because we cannot play without loose balls.

I truly believe that we can do it. With all players in 100% match fitness and rested, we can. Nobody expect us to win with two goals difference at Old Trafford, and so we can play without pressure, if we don't succeed - it was nearly impossible anyway, and if we proceed to quarters - that would be enormous and we would prove anyone that we are still capable for big things.

Again, Manchester proved vulnerable in the first game, anyone could witness that we could've been easily 3:0 at half time. No matter how good Manchester plays, if we repeat the game we showed in first 35 minutes of first match, with more luck than before, we can win.

[cescvanpersie]

Everton just beat Man Utd 3-1.

Goals from Bilyadetinov, Gosling, Rodwell.

Man Ure looked poor, maybe fatigue from travelling midweek. The title race is now wide open for Arsenal :)

You guys can beat them at OT, maybe 2-0 or 3-1, but I don't think 3-0

[Kaka1899]

Lets hope the defeat is the start of some declining form for them, where as we can get some form going maybe a rooney injury would be nice as well so he misses our game ;)

[GeoTav]

Everton just beat Man Utd 3-1.

Goals from Bilyadetinov, Gosling, Rodwell.

Man Ure looked poor, maybe fatigue from travelling midweek. The title race is now wide open for Arsenal :)

You guys can beat them at OT, maybe 2-0 or 3-1, but I don't think 3-0

Thanks for the information ... anyway, CL is CL, I think it will be very hard for us to do it (even if I think we will do it !!).

A lot of records are broken this year (victory in Santiago Bernabeu, defeat in San Siro against Manchester, ...), why not breaking another one by winning in Old Trafford by 3 or 4 goals ? :D

[Xudong]

Thanks for the information ... anyway, CL is CL, I think it will be very hard for us to do it (even if I think we will do it !!).

A lot of records are broken this year (victory in Santiago Bernabeu, defeat in San Siro against Manchester, ...), why not breaking another one by winning in Old Trafford by 3 or 4 goals ? :D

I agree. Ferguson also admitted that his players couldn't exactly focus on Everton game after "the most exciting" game at San Siro. It would be difficult for us, as Man United will be all concentrated in 3 weeks.

If we could repeat what we did at Bernabeu, then a 3-2 at OT would bring us into OT. sounds exciting. Let's go for it. :pp20:

[Iggy]

Erm, I dunno where you got that from but Man U's average age of starting lineup was 27.5 and Milan's was 29. We had one player under 25, and they had four, Van der Sar alone pushes up their average coz he's 39.

sorry, took that from another forum, didnt do the counting myself :)

[ELiTEE]

We only need to win 2-0

We can do this !!

[Gabriel489]

Why are people so caught up with age all of a sudden. Milan is an old team, esp. in midfield as only Flamini is under 30.

As for winning 2-0 in OT. Well, it is possible. But then again it is still two weeks to go, a lot can happen between then.

[Haydn]

I agree. Ferguson also admitted that his players couldn't exactly focus on Everton game after "the most exciting" game at San Siro. It would be difficult for us, as Man United will be all concentrated in 3 weeks.

If we could repeat what we did at Bernabeu, then a 3-2 at OT would bring us into OT. sounds exciting. Let's go for it. :pp20:

I agree Man U will be focused on the game, but dont forget they also have the League Cup final on sunday vs Villa, and Rooney is likely to play for England the weekend prior to the game. Man U will win or lose depending on how Rooney plays - witness the Everton game where he was poor, and the West Ham game where was was on fire.

If in these high profile games he continues to work very hard, he might just be too tired come the CL 2nd leg........

Our best hope of progression is an out of sorts Rooney and an on fire Roni!

[sash]

I don't rate Rooney that much, sorry... he scored twice against us only cause we let them. I think he is a pretty much an average striker.
In my opinion Milan is a better team than Man Unt in terms of attacking football, and we have much more to offer... but we are easily outplayed in the midfield and can't pressure or possese the ball, and that's a huge problem.
Ronie+Pato 2010 are better than Kaka 2007, but u have to have another players to fill their roles too.

[thresics]

I am worrying how we may beat MU.
Pato seems got an injury.

Today, AC relies on R80 and Pato too much.
Pato breaks through the opponents defense, and Dino takes charge of
Magic Passes and assists.

B22 get uses to waste the chance but MU defense is very tight.

It is almost a mission of impossible to win over MU without Pato.

I am worrying.

[mzk57]

I really hate saying this, but

GAME OVER

Nesta and TS cost us the game
Serie-A, bring it on

[M.O.I.]

I really hate saying this, but

GAME OVER

Nesta and TS cost us the game
Serie-A, bring it on

actually beckham was horrible(his worst match in his days here imo),your "favourite obsession" kjh was more than dissapointing,for me he proved leo right that night(for choosing bori all season long),not only for the missed chances,but he did not do anything right at all(in contast to boriello who even if he doesnt score that much,he contributes a lot helping dinho and pato being in touch with the box)..and of course the entrance of favalli changed all leo's tactics.

nesta and ts were no good,but its too easy to blame the cbs when they actually had no real cover form the medfielders and no reliable full backs beside them..

[OCmilano]

I really hate saying this, but

GAME OVER

Nesta and TS cost us the game
Serie-A, bring it on

I dont know why you guys think were going to lose in OT? If we play at least as good as we did last time and with Abbiati on goal were winning this game. I dont know the score though. Just winning is the part i know.

[hitmannq8]

what are the chances of Pato, Seedorf, Zambrotta making it? Who will be our LB, Janku or Antonini?

7 days left until dooms day.

[kastriot]

what are the chances of Pato, Seedorf, Zambrotta making it? Who will be our LB, Janku or Antonini?

7 days left until dooms day.

I saw yesterday on Milan Chanel Antonini playing with the ball..so I`m sure he will be ready in a week. So most probably he will get the nod.

Also Mancini will play against Roma in place of Pato..which mean that if he misses the CL game than most probably we will see Abate/Becks in the flank against Man UTD...as I dont see Leo experimenting with the line up for a very important game.

[mzk57]

I dont know why you guys think were going to lose in OT? If we play at least as good as we did last time and with Abbiati on goal were winning this game. I dont know the score though. Just winning is the part i know.
OCmilano friend, I like your optimism & enthusiasm, but lets just face it. Leo sucks when he picks B22 ahead of H11 & I9. Plus No Zambro, no Seedorf & specially no Pato means ACM is far far away from the best 11. Also I don't have trust in Abate when it comes to defending & LB spot has been a disaster for ACM this season. Also considering the fact that Leo HATES Flamini as much as he hates H11, so without F84 midfield will be weak again. Pirlo is hot & cold. Beckham should really quit football & start modeling on regular basis. Rino is in not-so-good form & Ambro is showing signs of tiredness. All this plus a goal-miss machine B22 is not good enough to over turn this BIG deficit of 3 away goals. The only chance ACM has in the absence of P7 is to play with 2 strikers, i.e H11 + B22 with Ronnie showing his magic. But I am sure that Leo will not include H11 (& Flamini) & just for the sake of pleasing media & English photographers, he will start with Beckham on the right. That will be the end for me even before the kick off.

In simpler words, it really hurts, but ACM is out of UCL 2010 :wallbang:

[mzk57]

your "favourite obsession" kjh was more than dissapointing,for me he proved leo right that night(for choosing bori all season long),not only for the missed chances,but he did not do anything right at all(in contast to boriello who even if he doesnt score that much,he contributes a lot helping dinho and pato being in touch with the box)..and of course the entrance of favalli changed all leo's tactics.
Nobody complained about Flippo Inzaghi for his lack of creative work for all these years. Similarly Crespo didn't do much in creative sense for us, but still no one called him a bad player. So whey KJH is a considered bad or disappointing player? Even KJH haters know that if gets a genuine regular spot in the team, he will score more goals than Borriello for sure. ACM play with 4 creative players excluding Ambro (who is not a bad creative player himself), so why H11 has to create things? His job is to finish things just like Trezeguet, Raul, Crespo, Inzaghi, van Nistelrooy & Morientes in the past

ACM played best when we had $hevchenko + Inzaghi strike partnership with Kaka. Now we have similar kind of player again, so why not go use them in the rite way?

2003-2006

........$hevchenko........Inzaghi............
.....................Kaka/Rui......................
........Seedorf...............Gattuso...........
......................Pirlo............................

Now

.............Pato............Huntelaar............
....................Ronaldinho......................
........Seedorf...............Flamini..............
......................Pirlo.............................

Its not a rocket science imo

[Blacktop]

with Abbiati on goal were winning this game.
Don't be so sure. And even if we do there's no guarantee we'll advance.

[thresics]

Without Pato, Seedorf; let us imagine the fight.

1 Dino will be freezed by 2-3 MU players. He may create the opportunities but
not much. Maybe, around 3 golden magic passes is the limit.
2 Beckham steps in and cross the ball, however, those cross is ineffective since we don't have players like Van Nistelrooy. No matter Hunter, B22 or In , they will hardly to touch the ball and creates little threats.
3 Pirlo steps in as the playmaker, however, the situation does not improve much. The attacks ends in Pirlo's long shootings.

In this situation, Flamini should come to breakthrough the defense of
MU. And Flamini may long shoot too.

The condition is really no good to play as a guest but we still have chance.

[OCmilano]

Guys we had more shots on goal in the first game and we played wonderful football until Antonini had to leave the game.

And they made all 3 chance they got. I would understand all of you being so down and out if manu crushed us and we looked like a seria c team but they made the chance they had and we didnt but we sure did create a ton of chances. Have some ****ing ballz, Go reach down and grab them and say im a man and from this moment on im not going to cry about losing a game that ManU should worrry much more than us about.

We have nothing to lose, we attack if were down 1-0 we attack even harder. manu is the one who has to worry. If we score a first goal quickly again they will consentrate on defense to stop at all cost the other goal to come, you think with all this worry they are going to create anything?

When they came to Milan they did what they wanted to they scored that first goal and after they relaxed more even if it ended 2-1 for us they would have been veryyyyyyyyy happy, so im hoping for that first goal and let those mf's worrry about defending us the rest of the night.


ballz my friends ballz grow them today. (hair not included)

[Xudong]

Actually, I have a strange feeling about Abbiati/Dida.

I am hoping/expecting that Abbiati will start as Dida sucked against Man United in the first leg, so Abbiati should get the nod. However, I don't know whether you would agree with me on this as it might be just me, but it seems that every time Dida fvcked up in a big game, he always redeemed himself perfectly. Take 2007, one horrible game at SS against Bayern, then heavenly performance in the second leg which sailed us through; Another horrible game at OT against ManU, then a decent game (he didn't need to be great for that game, as we overwhelmed ManU, but Dida made NO mistake) that sent us to the final. Then he was horrible again against Liverpool, but we were just lucky enough. :) There seemed to be a pattern, so I had a feeling that if Dida played at OT, he might just redeem himself perfectly and we might have a chance, but we might never be able to find out if he didn't play.

What the hell, I am so confused right now. :D

[vivardo]

^^ Dida did not quite redeem himself after that didaster of epic proportions against Real Merda.

[Jeff]

Vivardo, I think Dida played really well exactly after that episode.

[brk]

Seems like Zambrotta will play at OT. Maybe at Roma too.

-------------Abbiati
--------Nesta----Thiago Silva
Abate------------------------Zambrotta
-----------Pirlo----Ambro
---------------Seedorf
Beckham
---------------------------Ronaldinho
---------------Borriello


That's how I would play at OT. If no Seedorf, then we switch to a 4312 with a mid 3 of Beckham, Pirlo, Ambro with Ronnie as a trequartista behind Huntelaar and Borri.

[Jay Crisp]

Beckham offers nothing now nothing. He is slow bad on the ball he can never beat his man Im not expecting him to sprint past 2 and 3 defenders but he can never EEEEEEVER beat anyone his crosses arn't creating much he always comes back inside when he gets the ball and slows everything down , the game will pass him by I don't know if he is right for us now . Lets be honest even when he was 27 he was alway's overatted as most english players are and now 7 years later the fact he is playing for Milan against Man Utd in 2010 in the Champions League is not good enough. There is no way he would get near the starting team of Madrid ,Barca , Man Utd , Aresnal , Inter he is too slow and too limited at 34 and if he starts it will be the same as the last 9 games he has played in NOTHING. I know some will say he is a great passer he crosses his assist against man utd (which was down to a ridiculous clearence) but the fact is he is slow one dimentional not creative and at 34 is an awful decision to start him on WED.

[Xudong]

Vivardo, I think Dida played really well exactly after that episode.

I think so too. :)

^^ Dida did not quite redeem himself after that didaster of epic proportions against Real Merda.

who first invented that term? damn, so funny. :D

[HO-YOUNG]

HISTORY NEEDS A NEW STORY
winning by two clear goals is not the only option... it is only the minimum amount of goals we can score without conceiving... This we can do... 3:0 at half time is good for us... we can end up winning 4:3 or 5:4... Remember that you saw it here first!!! believe

Some of you in this forum seem to be forgetting the reality of the game called football...
Setting out the players on paper and comparing which team is stronger theoretically does not equate to practicality!!!! many years of experience and supporting Milan have thought me that...

some of you see this match as our dooms day and all that crap about Pato's injury we cant make it... PURE BULL DROPPINGS!!! some of us can hide and protect of feelings about disappointment buy expecting the worst and hope for the miracle win... my word to you all is "you have no cojones"... behaving like conos...

[Revolver]

I'm not optimistic about our chances anymore.

Pato is injured and will surely miss and he's the only one who can score the goals regularly, let's face it, and Inzaghi will not start. Furthermore, Antonini, Zambrotta and Seedorf are all questionable. If Leonardo starts with only Borriello/Huntelaar upfront, that's game over. We need two REAL strikers upfront if we want to score (at least) two goals. I'm not sure whether Beckham should start anyway. It's a fact that we can't use our potential on set pieces without him, but he isn't in good form now. I'm not as half as convinced in 3 man midfield with Beckham because it limits Pirlo's movement upfront and I'm less convinced in Ronaldinho's ability to produce when he gets in the middle. But, it would be even worse to play two DMs beside Pirlo, because we are two goals down. We must start with two midfielders who offer something upfront and Beckham doesn't offer anything upfront except crosses. I don't know, the situation is complicated, it will be very hard for Leonardo to find the right formula. I think that availability of Seedorf, Zambrotta and Antonini will be crucial, and even we all three ready, it will be very hard.

[OCmilano]

Can we just borrow Dzeko for this one game? He can score a hattrick and save us.

We worship you Dzeko.


This would be my dream line-up

Abbiati
Zambro-Nesta-Silva-Antonini
DZEKO

All we have to do is make the defenders kick the ball towards Dzeko, he will do the rest.

[Lebanese]

Pato is declared available for old traford, zambrotta and antonini too

[hitmannq8]

zambro hasnt played since dec 20 and hes been crap all year let alone when hes unfit. Pato has been playing awful but is important tactically. I hope Pato and Anto start, I'm not optimistic about Seedorfschances though. I wish he'd make it as this game has his name written all over it.

I wouldn't playwith two DMs and would play with our only world class striker - pippo inzaghi. We will need pirlo to show up for this one. We definitely will need the original r80 for this one and Pato to play the game of his life.

Our backs are against the wall andit seems that we already lost... If anything, these are the ideal circumstances for us to shine.

Forza Milan
5 days left

[bijon]

I think we need seedorf and inzaghi to put in a vintage performance if we are to stand any chance of progressing.

[Revolver]

zambro hasnt played since dec 20 and hes been crap all year let alone when hes unfit. Pato has been playing awful but is important tactically. I hope Pato and Anto start, I'm not optimistic about Seedorfschances though. I wish he'd make it as this game has his name written all over it.

I wouldn't playwith two DMs and would play with our only world class striker - pippo inzaghi. We will need pirlo to show up for this one. We definitely will need the original r80 for this one and Pato to play the game of his life.

Our backs are against the wall andit seems that we already lost... If anything, these are the ideal circumstances for us to shine.

Forza Milan
5 days left

I was talking about that a day after we lost the first match, but it's obvious that Leonardo doesn't think so. Considering Inzaghi didn't get a chance after the first match, and he will not get his chance against Roma, forget it. Inzaghi is off for this match. Even if he get his chance from the bench, he's not useful, because he's not sharp. He doesn't play at all.

[Revolver]

Can we just borrow Dzeko for this one game? He can score a hattrick and save us.

We worship you Dzeko.


This would be my dream line-up

Abbiati
Zambro-Nesta-Silva-Antonini
DZEKO

All we have to do is make the defenders kick the ball towards Dzeko, he will do the rest.

You're sick, go to some psychiatric hospital and ask for help. ;)

[kastriot]

You're sick, go to some psychiatric hospital and ask for help. ;)

He was being sarcastic,and thats not against any rule(or is it??),regardless, this kind of behavior is not acceptable in here..especially coming from a fine poster like yourself.

I personally like the energy you bring to the whole Dzeko debate in here..cuz I find him perfect for us...but dont be surprised if others feel differently!!

[Revolver]

He was being sarcastic,and thats not against any rule(or is it??),regardless, this kind of behavior is not acceptable in here..especially coming from a fine poster like yourself.

I personally like the energy you bring to the whole Dzeko debate in here..cuz I find him perfect for us...but dont be surprised if others feel differently!!

Excuse me for my behavior mate, but the same poster told me to **** myself in this same thread not so long ago! Is that acceptable here?! I sent message about that to administration and nothing happened.
I really can't understand how somebody has a WILL to write all that crap like in his last post. It has nothing to do with this topic. That was not sarcasm, but provocation.
A post like his deserves an answer like mine, no matter the fact that he owes me.

[OCmilano]

Excuse me for my behavior mate, but the same poster told me to **** myself in this same thread not so long ago! Is that acceptable here?! I sent message about that to administration and nothing happened.
I really can't understand how somebody has a WILL to write all that crap like in his last post. It has nothing to do with this topic. That was not sarcasm, but provocation.
A post like his deserves an answer like mine, no matter the fact that he owes me.

Akuda Matada Revolver...

Any Dzeko fan does not understand me. I have nothing against him, do i mind if he comes not at all. But if a midfilder, defender doesnt come before him than im upset. We have strikers who need to be fed more, more and moreeee. If Dzeko came and he didnt recieve and service and didnt score what would we say? Waste of money, trade him, he sucks, etc.

We all wanted H11 couple of years ago and now he doesnt even start.

I will have fun with all Carlo, Kaka, Dzeko lovers on this site forever. Doesnt mean i dont like these players ( i just dont like Carlo) but they're no longer Milan family so nothing about there soccer career concerns me. I think only about us, now at the moment. Im just sick of hearing if Dzeko was in this game he would have done this, blah blah blah. Enough already he isnt here deal with it and support our team that we have.

Do you smell me Revolver? :v103:

[OCmilano]

You're sick, go to some psychiatric hospital and ask for help. ;)

LMAO. :neww::neww::neww:

[Bosniaco]

Akuda Matada Revolver...

Any Dzeko fan does not understand me. I have nothing against him, do i mind if he comes not at all. But if a midfilder, defender doesnt come before him than im upset. We have strikers who need to be fed more, more and moreeee. If Dzeko came and he didnt recieve and service and didnt score what would we say? Waste of money, trade him, he sucks, etc.

We all wanted H11 couple of years ago and now he doesnt even start.

I will have fun with all Carlo, Kaka, Dzeko lovers on this site forever. Doesnt mean i dont like these players ( i just dont like Carlo) but they're no longer Milan family so nothing about there soccer career concerns me. I think only about us, now at the moment. Im just sick of hearing if Dzeko was in this game he would have done this, blah blah blah. Enough already he isnt here deal with it and support our team that we have.

Do you smell me Revolver? :v103:

I got to tell you this, Dzeko IS ABLE TO CREATE FOR HIM SELF, Boriello, Hunter NOT SO MUCH. That is the diference. Dzeko has pace for a big man, skill to dribble, and he is a target man, kind of like Ibrahimovic just not as skilled :)

[Ryo]

I got to tell you this, Dzeko IS ABLE TO CREATE FOR HIM SELF, Boriello, Hunter NOT SO MUCH. That is the diference. Dzeko has pace for a big man, skill to dribble, and he is a target man, kind of like Ibrahimovic just not as skilled :)

...yet :sun:

[Samaldinho]

There is a very good reason why Leonardo would play 2 DMs against Man Utd. Because our formation is a 4-2-1-3. We play with converted midfielders as our FBs, and that formation looks like one of the those ancient formations in the early days of Association Football (2-3-5 etc)

In short, Leonardo has to try and balance out the absurdity of our formation through steeling the center. Our formation is like those fighter jets that need a computer to constantly make adjustments, otherwise it would not be able to physically fly. Playing a midfield of Flamini--Pirlo--Ambro makes sense when you have to support two strikers and a semi-lazy superstar.

Our formation is attacking as it is, and to concede a goal would be a nail in the coffin, maybe not in aggregate, but certainly in psyche. If we can control the game and get a goal in the first half, we can slowly build forward and maintain a clean sheet while seeking the crucial second goal.

Ronaldinho had a big game against United, and I hope that he can have another one. The crucial question is whether the two other attackers, whoever they will be, finish. That was the problem against United in the first leg, we simply did not finish the chances we made.

Because of that game, and several others, I must question OC your assertion that our strikers aren't getting service. I must say that I respect your opinion, and that of Revolver's, and I am not aware of your little quarrel. That being said, I do not see the lack of service to our strikers. I think Huntelaar is a great striker, and perhaps could do very well for us in the future, but, he has not put away chances like he can. Borriello is especially guilty of this, which is even more annoying considering the ease with which he can score spectacular diving volleys.

While I don't want to raise the Dzeko debate, I think our strikers do need to be taken another look at. They are not playing to their potential, perhaps Borriello is, but Huntelaar certainly is not showing the abilities that he should have. True, he has been limited many times from playing, but, he has also blown hot and cold in dramatic fashion.

[bijon]

Abbiati
Zambro-Nesta-Silva-Antonini
DZEKO

All we have to do is make the defenders kick the ball towards Dzeko, he will do the rest.

:drool:this is perfect formation. you are genius.



I got to tell you this, Dzeko IS ABLE TO CREATE FOR HIM SELF, Boriello, Hunter NOT SO MUCH. That is the diference. Dzeko has pace for a big man, skill to dribble, and he is a target man, kind of like Ibrahimovic just not as skilled :)
...yet :sun:
never:55angel:

[M.O.I.]

I'd like to add a couple of things..Firstly, as carlo said,we need to be literrally perfect so as to qualify..which is nearly impossible.

the most important thing is to have clear goals and strategy for this match,its redicilous to play for a 0-2,for me there is no chance we wont concede a goal at OT,the only way would be to play 11 behind the ball,which means that we wouldnt score 2,not in a 100 years,if any body thinks we will score 2 on counters against a team that knows that they dont have to do a lot to qualify,its naive..we have to play for 3 goals!!

if we play for 3(we already need 2) we must concede 3 to be eliminated,whereas if we score 2 we need clean sheat,it would be stupid its more than obvious imo..

the best 11 for me would be
-----abbiati--------
abate---ts---nesta---antonini/zambrotta
-----pirlo----ambro-------
--------seedorf----------
pato----------------dinho
-------bori/hunter--------

we need ideas and options to create so NO to 2 strikers imo..
and YES to seedorf,we all know waht he is capable of,especially in this kind of matches..
and i d choose bori but i understand both choices..

ps if becks play(especially instead of pato)then forget even that 1% chance that we have

[Bosniaco]

...yet :sun:

Well Dzeko is getting there, Ibra wasnt this skilled when he was 23 years old.

Ibrahimovic father is Bosnian too, its a Bosnian thing to be so skilled :cheers::cheers::cheers:

[Revolver]

Pato is out, isn't he?!

Good news is that both Antonini and Zambrotta could play against Roma, which means they're ready.

Seedorf still isn't in the team, so I doubt he will start against Manchester.

Without Pato, we must play 2 strikers, because either of Borriello or Huntelaar will be closed alone and we will not score one goal, let alone 2 or 3, unless Ronaldinho shows Kaka-esque performance from 3 years ago, and that will not happen. Unfortunately Ronaldinho lost his pace, so he can only create, since he can't beat more than one player with the ball and even that's questionable (1 on 1 against Rio; first match).

I agree with MOI, we most fire with full force to score three, because that's the only thing that can keep us alive. With 2 goals, one conceded and we're out.

It's still early to talk about starting 11, but let's try. For me Beckham should definitely be out of midfield three, because Pirlo remains too deep that way and all creative work is on Ronny's shoulders. I would start Gattuso/Flamini beside Ambro, with Pirlo who has freedom to go further up. Also, playing Gattuso or Flamini on the right means that we can start with an attacking right back instead of Bonera. But, that way, right back must keep all right side alone, and the only one who's at least half capable of doing that is Zambrotta. Flamini also, but that's fantasy football. Beckham could play on Pato's place IF Inzaghi plays lone striker, but we all know that Inzaghi will not start, unless Leonardo has some surprise in his pocket.

So, for now, without things that Leonardo won't do:

----------Abbiati-------------
-------Nesta------TS--------
Zambro--------------Antonini-
-----Rino/Flamini---Ambro-----
------------Pirlo--------------
-----------------------Ronny-
Borriello----------------------
-----------Hunter------------

[M.O.I.]

i thought pato would be available for manchester but not for tonight..god i hope im not wrong!

[OCmilano]

i thought pato would be available for manchester but not for tonight..god i hope im not wrong!

Thats what the news said. No Roma but ManU game was playing.

[ACMILAN1983]

Well Dzeko is getting there, Ibra wasnt this skilled when he was 23 years old.

Ibrahimovic father is Bosnian too, its a Bosnian thing to be so skilled :cheers::cheers::cheers:

With all due respect to Dzeko who is really talented, Ibra was always extremely technically gifted ever since his early Ajax days, and it's not likely Dzeko will ever reach the technical heights Ibra has (that isn't to say Dzeko can't ever be as good)

[GeoTav]

Rooney could be out for the game from what Ferguson said because he was injured before the friendly game of England and he played almost the entire game despite that ...

Not sure it's true, but if it is, then that increases our chances !!

[OCmilano]

Geo can you start the return leg for the CL game thread.

[Blacktop]

^^ Dida did not quite redeem himself after that didaster of epic proportions against Real Merda.

On the contrary. He saved our butts many times after that, notably against Chievo, Napoli (fecking awesome triple save in that match), Parma and Siena.

Then he was horrible again against Liverpool, but we were just lucky enough. :)
Excuse me? He wasn't "horrible" in the slightest, as he was secure all match including saves from Pennant, Crouch and Gerrard. Other than that, I agree with your post.

[Xudong]

Excuse me? He wasn't "horrible" in the slightest, as he was secure all match including saves from Pennant, Crouch and Gerrard. Other than that, I agree with your post.

You are right. It was Jankulovski who was amazingly horrible. I don't know how come my mind shifted and Dida got blamed. Dida was actually great in that game.

I apologize. :embarass: