AC Milan:
Group Stage UCL 2004-5
With the Shaktar game behind Milan, (a 0-1 victory) and a string of lack lustre games in the league subsequent to that match, only the most devout Milan fan would not face the next UCL game vs. Celtic without some small amount of trepidation.
Though an all-powerful force in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic has yet to impress at this, the highest level of the European game, but they are characterised by a stern defence and defensive mindset to rival even the tightest Italian outfit.
And this indeed, is cause for concern IMO, As was the case in some of our poorer performances last term, Milan’s build up is rather pedestrian in pace, and though we end up dominating the game, and possession, often, and more so this go-round, we end up giving up a goal or two on a counterattack, or just via a lapse in concentration.
Celtic’s forward line of Sutton and Hartson may not be the paciest, but they can score with the best of them, if presented with enough time and space.
Milan however has a distinct advantage in the middle, as here we clearly outclass the Scottish outfit. Ambrosini’s momentary loss of sanity on Sunday vs. Lazio resulting in his sending off may preclude him from a place in the starting 11, (Carlo’s punishment rather than a UEFA ban of course)though this humble pundit feels he played well enough to start ahead of Gattuso, whose displays in the attacking 3rd left much to be desired…(What’s new? some may ask…or others may herald his never-say-die defensive attitude, but I have said it before, and will say it again, Gattuso is an attacking liability in much the same way that Cafu is a defensive one). Every now and again he makes a good pass or cross, (eg vs Inter last term)but that is more rare than a
non-smoking Rastafarian.
Rui Costa may be sacrificed for a rested Pirlo, but were I given the opportunity to select the starting 11, Rui would get the nod over Pirlo, as Andrea certainly was not offensive enough Sunday when presented with an open goal, and the Lazio’s keeper foundering…1-3 would have been a much better result, and we could have had it had he shot sooner. Rui IMO would have torn a hole in the back of the net…a la Euro 2004…let me hasten to add that Pirlo didn’t have a bad game, (overall vs. Lazio) but against certain opponents, I prefer Rui’s experience.
Rui is also a better dribbler than Pirlo, and is just as capable as the young Italian of making the long pass to the forwards as he is of a neat one-two or a defence splitting pass…Kaka is a sure start, behind the strikers, with Seedorf, Gattuso and Pirlo (though I prefer Ambro and Rui respectively) behind the Brazilian star. On the topic of strikers, Sheva is a must start, though I hope that Tomasson, Inzahgi and Crespo find form soon, as we will need to rest our Ukrainian talisman eventually. Of the aforementioned 3, I think Tomasson may get the nod, as his physical presence will be needed against Celtic’s strong back line.
As to our defence, I hope Stam is fit again, as Kaladze and Cafu don’t seem to be cutting it as well as I would have hoped, and as previously mentioned, Cafu is letting goals in faster than the law allows with his ineffective tackling (as seen in Messina’s second goal) and abysmal marking (Couto’s goal for Lazio on Sunday). My concern with Stam is his fitness and pace, more the latter if he is to play RB, and more the former if he is to concentrate for 90 min in the centre.
Carlo and the magicians at Milanello will decide the starting 11 vs Celtic come Wednesday, but I am not completely confident that we will get the result we want (ie 3 points at home) unless the team manages to maintain focus and concentration for the majority of the 90+ minutes of the match, and we put away our chances,
Celtic will not be forgiving of our mistakes, and we need to close them out in the middle third of our half, prevent their crossing game, and attack swiftly, using a combination of the flanks, long, direct balls and short decisive one-two midfield passing. A slow patient build up is fine to get ourselves going, but if we keep up that style of attack, we would be playing right into Celtic’s hands.
As a team though, Milan seem slightly more cohesive as the young season unfolds, with each game slightly better than the last…I just hope the improvement is seen again against the Scots on Wednesday, and is significant enough to grant us a victory.
The next match-up that I fear is the Barca-Milan home and away games. Barca seem to be going from strength to strength as their domestic and European seasons unfold. They boast an awesome collection of attacking talent, and with Pulyol and Cocu in the back line, they are not particularly wanting there either. The Barca midfield is the envy of most of Spain, and Europe to boot. Ronaldihno, Deco et al are certainly a force to recon with, and cannot be allowed even a yard of space within which to work. Etoo seems to be getting better and better (La Liga’s leading goal scorer), and the evergreen Larsson doesn’t often spurn opportunities to score.
Against Barca, I would opt for a 5-man midfield, with Gattuso and Ambro as ball-winners, Kaka and Rui as attacking midfielders, with Pirlo in the centre to pull the strings. Sheva would play the lone striker, and thus would be receive the ball where he needs it, in and around the 18-yard box. Seedorf I would bring in for Gattuso or Ambro as the game unfolded, if necessary, or as a replacement for a tiring Pirlo or Rui.
I would hope for the strongest back 4 we could field, which omits Cafu, and includes a fit Coloccini, in whom I have utmost faith with Stam, Maldini and Nesta completing the lineup. Where they fit into the back insofar as to their respective positions, I would leave up to Carlo.
The return leg vs. Shaktar, and away to Celtic hopefully would be just matches of no consequence to Milan, except for pride, for if we defeat all our opponents in the first half of the group stage, and win one of the second round of matches (i.e. garnering 12 points) only a total collapse would prevent us from qualifying for the knockout rounds, or even finishing in 2nd place. For these matches, I would field our “2nd eleven” giving opportunities to fringe players, who should work hard to ensure greater playing time: Dohrasso, Simic, Brocci et al should be given a run.
As to the knock out stage, well, you cannot cross a bridge before you get there.