UCL Final - Milan vs. Liverpool... Athens, May 23rd

Originally Posted by drucurl

Actually they do have a lot of creativity in Pennant, Garcia (injured?), and Kewell. Just because these guys aren't as good as Christiano Roanldo means that they can't be potential match winners on their day... especially when you consider that all these guys have to do is get past ONE marker and Crouchino can do the rest....Which brings me to the subject of Crouch....he is a bit of a dirty player....he scored his goal against Trinidad and Tobago this WC by pulling down our defender by his hair he might be inclined to do something of the sort with Nesta/Maldini/Kaladze

Please don't underestimate Liverpool just because their playing style is as exciting as watching dried paint flake...they also have Kuyt who is a master of positioning and Fowler...he didn't get the nickname "god" for nothing!

It is also quite possible that both managers might be overly fearful of the other's superstar and Kaka AND Gerrard might be marked out of the game alltogether!

Garcia is a good, unorthodox player but he is injured and don't think I have read that there is a chance for him to play again this season ... not sure what his injury is about but haven't seen him for quite a while.
I am not underestimating Pool but do think that playing Gerrard too far up front could be an own goal by benitez as Pool's game is heavily dependent on him and how he pulls the strings in midfield.
Also, I really don't rate pennant and gonzalez that much, while Kewell will probably find it difficult to raise his match fitness to the level of a CL final and I doubt benitez will start him after he's been on the sidelines for so long ...

As for Crouch and Kuyt, they will be a real threat up front but I think the way to deal with them, especially with the former, is to cut their supply as short as possible.
I think Milan has everything to win the midfield battle with Ambro being the main difference from last time around when we desperately needed another ball winner in the middle after going 3-0 up but he was out injured, I think.

Also, I think Milan has much more hunger and are more composed and determined this time around given all the difficulties at the beginning of the season and that proving the doubters wrong is a must for us. The loss of several star players - Sheva, Stam, Rui, Crespo - and some of the shine from 2 years ago seems to have actually made the team spirit much stronger throughout the squad.