Champions League Final: AC Milan vs Liverpool (ALL-match comments)

Originally Posted by Black Jack

Oh no.......sounds a lot like Dudek. I remember from what I saw of him, he seemed very steady in his box and was not prone to blunders. A confident keeper.

Dun worry about the re-logging in. I think we agree that Benitez will try to make the game faster paced and whilst everyone thinks Liverpool is not quality enough for that, just look at what we did to Juve in the 1st half at Anfield.

I think Carlo Ancelotti will play more a of a patient game and try to play possession football with Pirlo aiming to get Sheva with one of those long passes. I expect Cafu and Maldini playing hard on the flanks too.

Player for Player, Milan outclasses us but so did many other teams and this has also been their downfall.

Ya, but Iguess there is also a difference betwen CL final and all the rests of the CL matches. Typically you have 2 CL matches when you play against another team. In final, it's obviously different. Whoever can step up will win.

While Liverpool has been solid this season (in CL), it's also thanks to the stupidity of their opponents (i.e. chelsea and Juventus). You can tell that both teams (Chelsea and Juventus) thought that they can settle the business in the second league. (oh my, isn't that why Juventus play like s*it and thought it's ok to lose 2-1 in the first league, with the last 15 minutes Juventus is not at all trying? That's what i call stupidity and it suits Juventus players and manager)

Bu in Final, it's entirely different story. It's a one-shot game. While you can be very conservative (e.g.Milan vs Juve 2 years ago), it can also be full of goals. Of course, given the way Milan and Liverpool play, I think it'll probably end up in 1-0 or 1-1. (And thanks god there is no away goal otherwise this would be unfair to both teams like the way PSV got punished).

In the end, all I can remember Milan failed a big, must-win match was just a week ago when they lost to Juventus (Thanks Zambrotta), other than that Milan has been pretty much up to it. Characteristically (or uncharacteristically in those who don't know Milan's football), Milan doesn't know what to do whenever they are leading by >=2 goals, unless playing against an Italian opponent. Last year vs. Depo. and this year vs. PSV. Milan, to be frank, suc* whenever they were leading by quite a margin (at least 2 goals), especially when they play against a 'weaker' team or non-Italian team (i.e. vs. Inter, there is never a problem of motivation).

Having said all this, and given taht CL final is a one-shot game, I don't expect to see Milan crumble in front of Liverpool. Hope you understand and appreicate my argument

Jeff