Arsenal-Milan CL Round of 16 Leg 1

Just noticed we don't have a thread for the next round.

We've got a young, technically good & fast team in Arsenal.

Let's not forget though we have beaten better teams in the last few years.

Will R99 be fit? Can Pato be our link for goals? Anyone care to predict an eleven based on tactics, technique, etc?

My eleven -
Dida, Oddo, Nesta, KK, Janku, Pirlo, Ambro, Gattuso, Seedorf, Kaka, Inzaghi.

Subs: Kalac, Maldini, Bonera, Emerson, Serginho, Pato, Gila.

If Pato delivers in short time, i'd consider him for the starting place as well. Only God knows how much we need a bit of speed and unpredictablity upfront. But Pato in means we have to change the whole playing system.

Maybe a 4-3-1-2 ? Will we be able to play Arsenal this way and uncover the midfield ? The last time we played 4-3-1-2 we were playing disgracefully...the midfield wasn't protecting at all

Originally Posted by Giovanni

If Pato delivers in short time, i'd consider him for the starting place as well. Only God knows how much we need a bit of speed and unpredictablity upfront. But Pato in means we have to change the whole playing system.

Maybe a 4-3-1-2 ? Will we be able to play Arsenal this way and uncover the midfield ? The last time we played 4-3-1-2 we were playing disgracefully...the midfield wasn't protecting at all

I tink 4-3-1-2 can be very helpful, a potential solution to our current embarrassing form at home. Milan has been very successful with 4-3-1-2 for the past few seasons with Gila/Inzaghi + Sheva/Ronaldo (e.g., the year when we won Serie A we scored like 8x goals). Hopefully it'll work out.

Key is whether Pato is really what he is portrayed. Let's hope so...

Originally Posted by Jeff

I tink 4-3-1-2 can be very helpful, a potential solution to our current embarrassing form at home. Milan has been very successful with 4-3-1-2 for the past few seasons with Gila/Inzaghi + Sheva/Ronaldo (e.g., the year when we won Serie A we scored like 8x goals). Hopefully it'll work out.

Agreed. I think the only reason we play with 4-3-2-1 is that because we are forced to do so, considering Pippo and Gila is similar in style. With Pato and Ronnie ( if he recovers 100%) we'll have many options up front. The UCL final is within reach, let alone the 4th spot in serie A

it will be a tough, and entertaining match, but i doubt Arsenal will win

the starting 11 i predict,

Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Janku, Pirlo, Gattusso/Ambro, Seedorf, Kaka, Pato, Gila, in a 4-3-1-2 , but it all depends on Jan transfer window, and the injuries

Pato IMO wont play as a single striker...so as Gio indicates, Carlo will change tactics to accommodate him, if he is fit, he or R99 (if he is fit..LOL) should both feature, one or the other partnering Gila up front.

If Carlo does this, then we will play 4-3-1-2....or 4-1-2-1-2as follows

Oddo...Nesta..Kala....Janku
...............Pirlo...............
Rino...................Seedorf
...............Kaka.............
........Pato(R99)..Gila.......

I have big doubts that we can beat Arsenal...they have a wonderful team, with pace and youth, that I believe are currently playing some of the best football in Europe.

To beat them, we will have to contain not only Fabregas, but Hleb, Rosicky, and Van Persie (if fit)....a daunting task for our aging team...

Experience, and tactics, for me will decide this, though luck will also play a role...

Cant say I feel very optimistic about this clash...but lets see what Pato and R99´s possible return can do for us attack wise...as for me, the clincher for us may very well be whether or not we can outscore them.

Oh, and happy new year to all at MM, and their friends and families!!

We can take them on, they should be afraid of us!

Pirlo-rino-Ambro-AKka'-Seedorf-Pato will play and can control every midfield in the world when are fit.

Our problems will be our fullbacks that are underacheaving comparing to the quality Milan needs.

And maybe even Ronaldo will be ready and then, with Il Phenomeno in the team, you know the rest...

Also, Eboue and Toure will be in African cup, right??

Originally Posted by mrki

Also, Eboue and Toure will be in African cup, right??

The African Cup is from January 20 till February 10. I think Milan-Arsenal play later in February while the second leg is in March.

CL 1st knockout round will be play in 19 - 20 February 2008 for the 1st leg and the 2nd leg will be in 4-11 March 2008.so gunners will be full squad (if Eboue,Toure and Song aren't injured ).and for the 1st leg Arsenal will be a host in Emirates Stadium in 20 Ferbuary 2008.

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

Oh, and happy new year to all at MM, and their friends and families!!

Thank you Warren..all the best..look forward to see your posts more.

We shouldn't focus too heavily on one player (ex. Fabregas) because Rosicky or Hleb are equally capable of creating chances for Eduardo or Adebayor.

Until February, many things can happen. Hopefully Pato and the fresh new players (if any) can adapt well with the team. Even if it turns out the opposite I'm still confident that we can qualify to the next stage. When it comes to knock-out stage no team knows it better than Carletto

Well Arsenal will be a tough opponent they overcome their weakness and now Arsenal is the best young team in Europe, don’t forget they have very good manager. Ac Milan have to play well and should score at the Emirates Stadium if they wanna proceed. As in the champion League away goals give you a huge advantage, Milan should go with two striker, the thing they didn’t do so these days because of obvious problems. If you will play pato in knockout round, it will be huge ask and I don’t think young kid could cope the pressure of champions League. 4-4-2 formation will worth with diamond shape midfield.
Dida
Oddo...Nesta..Kala....Janku
...............Pirlo...............
Gattusso..............Seedorf
...............Kaka.............
...Ronaldo… Gila/Inzaghi….
But if Ronaldo not fit they will go to the 4-1-2-1 .

you may be right that Pato may not be able to handle the pressure, but with the rest of the squad filled with experiences, Pato will be in a much better position than anyone else in the world to fit into the system and get ready for the big pressure. We'll see how it goes...

I think that the worst manager ever knows that Milan against arsenal should and will play with three DCM Rinho, AMBRO and Pirlo.... this is the only way to cover their strong midfield with Cesc,Hleb and Roicky.....as i dont think Ebue can create much trouble on the right flank.

On the other hand, the question will be weather to play 1-2 or 2-1 upfront.....i think that 1 -2 will be the best as I see Seedorf usless against the most physical and the youngest team in CL, Kaka and Pato can do harm on the counterattacks cuz I think its hard to have possession against arsenal as they are masters of that.

Kaka, Pato maybe even Sergio(speed,flair) can be key factors in our victory, Arsenal play wide and very attacking....and we are fairly good against these tactics,so I`m bit optimistic in our chances....