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Originally Posted by Haroon
AC Milan
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 6
AC Milan went from the preliminary qualifier to European glory in a matter of 10 months. The team got stronger from that European victory campaign but then crashed out in the most unbelievable manner on a forgettable night for the Rossoneri where RC Deportivo La Coruna proved again for the umpteenth time that they don't have it to go all the way. It is customary for Super Depor to get rid of a favourite and then follow them shortly.
Milan however did win the Scudetto after a gap of five years in record breaking style bringing home a win that was wanted by many. Milan didn't show that league form in the UCL apart from two games (Sparta at home and Depor at home) Now that the Scudetto has been won Milan as always like Real will focus on the Big Kahuna. The current Milan side is well balanced in all areas so much so that it is close to perfection. It may sound good but it is also a dangerous thing as the best team on the field wins not the best team on paper. This competition is unforgiving. It is ruthless. The world's best side could win game after game but then a single goal is enough for elimination from this competition. One mistake and you're out! 
That is why the league form cannot be compared to the UCL form. In the league coming back from 2 goals down to win 4-2 is something brilliant but in the UCL that means the opposition has two PRECIOUS away goals to take back with them which can haunt you big time!
Milan has to be careful. The team is extraordinarily well balanced and strong and there is ample backup for every position not affecting the overall performance but this can only give Milan a favourites tag. Living up to it is another thing entirely.
Offence
-> Shevchenko
-> Tomasson
-> Inzaghi
-> Crespo
Milan was lacking a striker and they got a good deal to get hold of Hernan Crespo on loan. There are rumours that Gilardino might come in January considering the injury situation in this department but Inzaghi resuming training is a positive sign so that rumour might be put in the shelf till next Summer. Milan has good mix of strikers and Shevchenko is once again in hot form carrying it over to this season. In his absence there can be trouble as Inzaghi and Crespo don't have enough mins under their belt. Tomasson is the silent performer who keeps doing his job effectively when called upon.
Big things are expected of Crespo as he has been brought here on special request of Ancelotti. Ancelotti has gained respect of the Milan management as he has won three main trophies in two full seasons in charge. Crespo has a chance to resurrect his sagging career so he will be motivated enough.
Milan's quartet is pretty good. Apart from Inzaghi who is over 30 now the others are all at a good age for a striker so the goals should be there.
Midfield
-> Pirlo
-> Kaka
-> Seedorf
-> Gattuso
-> Rui Costa
-> Ambrosini
-> Dhorasoo
-> Brocchi
-> Serginho
It is a world class midfield that has won the UCL and Scudetto in two seasons. There are replacements / back-ups for every position and the starting midfield is composed of players who are yet to hit their peak considering their age. It is an improving group of players who play very well as a UNIT.
The midfield has goalscorers, visionaries, tacklers and good passers. IMO nobody in the midfield stands out as superior. All of them are very good and that is the reason the absence of one from the group doesn't hurt the side that much as the reliance on any one player does not exist.
I hope Ambrosini and Rui Costa get more minutes in this campaign with good rotation to not tire out the players. That would be the only concern.
Defence
-> Maldini
-> Nesta
-> Stam
-> Cafu
-> Costacurta
-> Pancaro
-> Kaladze
-> Simic
-> Colloccini
It is the best defence in this competition at least on paper. Three of the world's best defenders are lined up at Milan. The difference between Real's defenders and Milan's defenders here is that the players are backed up at every position at Milan whereas they are not at Real. Saying that the left side seems to be stacked with one too many players as my gut feeling suggests that in a big game and if the conditions of the players are optimum then Maldini will play at left back. IF that happens then Kaladze and Pancaro are going to be on the bench. However I also feel that we will see Kaladze playing left midfield in this campaign from time to time.
Cafu and Pancaro's age becomes a concern as they will have to run up and down the flank like crazy. Left side is covered for that and for the right there is not much back up except that Dhorasoo can play there or Stam can shift there to share the games with Cafu. Cafu is an important player for the squad as he gives depth but his services have to be utilized carefully to gain maximum benefit.
Goalkeeper
-> Dida
No problems here.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
---------------------Dida--------------------------
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--Cafu-------Nesta-------Stam-----------Maldini--
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---------------------Pirlo-------------------------
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------Gattuso---------------------Seedorf--------
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---------------------Kaka------------------------
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-----------Tomasson------Shevchenko------------
I would think this would be the line-up that Milan would play in the big game. The big question mark will obviously be whether Maldini sticks to that flank or not. I don't think Maldini will play most games in that position leaving it open for Pancaro / Kaladze depending on the situation but when we can afford to field the ideal line-up the above 11 will walk on to the pitch.
IMO Shev and Tommo work brilliantly together so the season should start with them starting and then slowly Crespo and Inzaghi can make the transition into the 11 and see how it goes from there.
Strong and solid starting 11, backups for every position and class players present on the pitch. Only concern of mine would be rotation in defence. That is not a good idea. Rotation in defence is not good ... it never is. The shape of the defence is changed only when necessary. It isn't like the midfield or attack where it can be changed frequently.
Other than that the team looks set to make a serious challenge for the UCL title. Bring it on! 
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AC Milan
AC Milan (ITA)
Qualified as: Italian champions
Serie A status: Second (P15 W10 D4 L1)
Group stage: Group F winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 5-4 on aggregate to RC Deportivo La Coruņa)
RD-16 opponents: Manchester United FC
Review + Preview
It was bittersweet last night. Milan reached number 1 position in the Serie A table but lost the number 1 striker in the world when the most important game of the Season is a mere 3 days away!
Hmmmm ... when I started writing the SECOND EDITION(S) of these previews I mentioned that Champion teams at SOME POINT during a UCL winning campaign will have to deal with the eventuality that their strength becomes their weakness and then they have to dig deep and make their weakness into their strength!
I didn't know that Milan would become the first victim of this!
Our biggest strength who is the world's best striker and in untouchable form is out injured unfortunately at the worst of times! We can no further rely on him for scoring the goals for us and must now revert to others who have to step up!! Our weakness has been the lack of contribution of goals from midfield and if we want to make a statement in this edition it is imperative that Milan's midfield contributes amongst the goals and converts this weakness to its strength.
Milan travel to the venue of the last Great European triumph with good memories. Sky commentator Martin Tyler has put Milan as his third favourite behind Barcelona and Chelsea and says that Milan won't be overawed by the occasion as they have won the European Cup in Manchester.
It is a tough proposition nonetheless for Milan. The club is custom built for the big European nights. The re-assuring thing is that Utd. is a big opponent. Most Milan fans will agree that Milan performs better against the bigger sides (historically) compared to the smallers sides. The small sides are a thorn in Milan's side because they always sit back and wait for things to happen. Utd. will not defend with 11 men behind the ball and the game will flow with attacking intent by both sides.
Milan will use possession to frustrate Utd. with fast paced players like Kaka, Cafu & Serginho working to penetrate / unlock the Utd. defence.
Milan's group was not one of the easier ones with a tie of the round with Barcelona and tough trips to Ukraine and Scotland. Milan did well to top the group but the most disappointing game was the one against Barcelona (away) where Ancelotti tried something that just isn't Milan. In hindsight it is a good lesson and will not be used again.
Andy Townsend had these enlightening words to say about Milan after the draw with Utd. was made at the time. I stress
at the time. This is
NOT a jibe at Utd. or its fans by me but it sure as hell is a jibe at that clown Townsend who doesn't know $hit about football let alone one of the great names of club football in the shape of M I L A N.
[[[QUOTE - Andy 'I know $hit' Townsend]]]]
"Milan THINK they invented the way to win this competition. They will bring Kaka, Rui Costa, Shevchenko, Nesta and Stam while United will bring RvN. It won't be easy to stop RvN."
1. Somebody tell this clown that Kaka is not a striker.
2. Somebody tell this clown that Rui has barely started this season for Milan.
3. Nice balancing of equation with 5 Milan players equal to one Utd. player.
4. Finally Townsend ... Milan doesn't think they invented the way to win this competition. We know we invented the way. It is the work of 106 years through hard work, dedication, achievement and RESULTS!
-> The ONLY club to score 4 goals each in three different finals (1969 vs. Ajax -> 4-1, 1989 vs. Steaua -> 4-0, 1994 vs. Barcelona -> 4-0)!
-> One of four clubs to have the honour of wearing the European Star. The other three are Real, Bayern and Ajax.
-> The joint most successful club when it comes to International
trophies alongside Independiente of Argentina.
-> The ONLY club in the history of the UCL to lose a final one year and come back to win it the next year! 1994.
-> The club with the best defensive record in a European Champions Cup campaign conceding only 2 goals in the entire tournament! i.e 1993: One in the group stage and one in the final.
-> Most UCL Final appearances along with Juve i.e. 4
-> The ONLY club to win the European Cup in every 10 year period bar one since its inception in 1956 i.e.
a) 1956 - 1966 -> 1 Cup
b) 1966 - 1976 -> 1 Cup
c) 1976 - 1986 -> 0 Cups
d) 1986 - 1996 -> 3 Cups
e) 1996 - 2005 -> 1 Cup
Townsend ... You're a friggin clown!
If you don't know $hit then it is better to keep your trap shut.
I feel much lighter now. I've got this frustration bottled up for two months now.
HOME FORM
The San Siro has been rockin. The highlight of Milan has been the late goals flowing in. Milan under Ancelotti's reign has been a stronger team in the second half when a pep talk during half time does something to the team and it is possessed. The goals record also reflects that as quite a few of Milan's goals come in the second half.
Milan started at home with a 3-1 win against Celtic. The game was heading towards a seemingly 1-1 draw when Inzaghi's introduction changed the game on its head with two goals in 3 mins or so knocked the wind out of the sails of Celtic! The third one was a rare FK goal scored by Milan. We're pretty bad at set pieces. In fact we have the worst record of all the sides in set-piece conversion. Milan is not a threat on set-pieces so goals conceded in that manner is a shot in the foot by the opposition.
The second one was a cracker vs. Barcelona and the Stealth Bomber stood tall for the game winner. The third game was a good beating of Shakhtar which was comprehensive with a 4-0 scoreline. The home form is pretty good.
--->>> 8 goals scored and 1 conceded
AWAY FORM
Milan's away form has that one bad result vs. Barcelona. Even then Ronnie needed a magical shot to score the winner but performance wise Milan was well below par and didn't play well at all. It was a pretty bad performance on many levels. Milan lost 2-1. Started off with a win in Donetsk through a Seedorf goal. The final game in Glasgow ended goalless when nothing much was up for grabs! Dida made a wonder save. It could've ended 1-1 but didn't. Milan hasn't scored many away from home but at the same time the defence has been very tight as well away from home.
It is the after-effect of the La Coruna fiasco. Ancelotti doesn't want to make those errors that let Milan concede 4 goals all of them due to errors.
--->>> 2 goals scored and 2 conceded
Offence
1/2 (old rating: 4 stars)
-> Shevchenko
-> Tomasson
-> Inzaghi
-> Crespo
It may come as a surprise to many but Milan has the best conversion rate in the competition so far at 61%!! I was surprised at this but it is good to hear that. Sheva is out injured for the first leg but should be available for the 2nd leg hopefully. Inzaghi will be returning in 10 days so he could well be ready for the derby at the weekend. Milan will revert to one striker as Crespo and Tomasson is not working well. Crespo will start the most important game of his career! He better repay the faith Carlo has showed in him!
Midfield
1/2 (old rating: 5 stars)
-> Pirlo
-> Kaka
-> Seedorf
-> Gattuso
-> Rui Costa
-> Ambrosini
-> Dhorasoo
-> Brocchi
-> Serginho
The midfield can control games. What it lacks from time to time is the finishing. It doesn't contribute as much in the goal scoring as it can. However there have been enough glimpses of how this Milan midfield can literally toy around with opposition at will. In the end you don't get points for toying around with the opposition but the goals you scored.
Sheva's injury was unexpected. It will force a change in the whole system as Inzaghi is out injured too. Hence Carlo will have to field one striker (Crespo) while increasing a man in the midfield who will probably be Rui Costa. Kaka and Rui behind Crespo is close to ideal. Since Rui doesn't have the energy levels to last an entire length, he will be subbed by the "Scud" Serginho whose pace will help Milan.
Pirlo said regarding the game that we have to run more in the games referring to Carlo's training regime of more running and sprinting exercises to deal with Utd's fiery sprinters. And this is Pirlo speaking who of all people has been accused of being lazy and laid back. We've been preparing well. That happens when you read the opposition and study them. Even the players have been watching Utd. games. This comes from natural interest and a desire to do well.
Defence
(old rating: ditto)
-> Maldini
-> Nesta
-> Stam
-> Cafu
-> Costacurta
-> Pancaro
-> Kaladze
-> Simic
Stam looked revved up for this game vs. Cagliari. He wanted to prove that he was ready and in all honesty he looked ready with a strong performance vs. Cagliari. I noticed Maldini also sprinting forward with amazing crosses! I don't have doubts that Cafu-Stam-Nesta-Maldini will be the back four. They key man in the back four will be Nesta. The world's best defender against the world's best poacher will be a sight I tell you!!
MAN UTD. - England
How the tables have turned. When the draw was made there was a gulf of difference between the two sides with regards to their performances. Utd. have improved immensely while Milan have slightly improved bringing both the sides at more or less the same level. The same thing has happened in the Chelsea-Barca, Juve-Real and Arsenal-Bayern ties. Amazing stuff!!
Poor old Monaco, PSV, Lyon and Porto. Nobody is even talking about them. :tongue:
The Rossonero jersey of Milan signifies two things. The Red colour signifies THE DEVIL and the black colour is there to striker fear into the hearts of opponents.
Ferguson says that there is no fear but he mentioned it and not Ancelotti.
Any side could well win the tie but there is a slight matter of Devilish instance that besiege us Milanisti. First thing is that Milan is cornered into playing the X-Mas tree formation (4-3-2-1) in an away game (which is pretty good) and secondly ... Observe:
Woe to you Oh Earth and Sea
for the devil sends the beast with wrath
because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding
reckon THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
for it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty six
6
Milan's most successful captain and the best defender in the history of football aka Franco BARESI's retired JERSEY NUMBER. It is the ONLY retired jersey in Milan's history .. so far.
6
Milan is 6 times European Cup Champion!
6
The 2nd leg in the Holy Shrine of World Football that is the Stadio San Siro aka The Devil's Den will be the
6th meeting between these two teams ever! Yesss ... the sixth meeting.
I didn't make up the numbers. They are facts. SupeRNatruaL forces at work.
THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST.
The Devil has set up this tie.