ACMilan- Arsenal Champions League 07/08

I can't say I'm particularly saddened by tonight's result, as Arsenal deserve to go through and simply outplayed us overall.

That said there's one thing that really hurts, and that's Maldini won't reach Moscow and end his career the way he deserved. That said, he's won a lot, achieved more than most players would consider too great to dream and can bring his hunger for success to the club in other ways.

The first half started evenly and up until about halfway I'd say it's arguable we were dominant. However, after that the team suddenly lost all focus and structure, and this lead to the ball being given away time and again. If there's no direction and the opponents press like Arsenal, then it's inevitable you're going to struggle. It's been the story all season, we lack direction and ideas going forward. The only difference today was Arsenal pressed us more than other opponents and so created a lot for themselves.

The second half started the same way the first ended, with Senderos and Eboue's chances. However, we came back into it and the match became a fairly even affair, with us slowing regaining composure and control. However, Fabregas, who was for me the man of the match, had a moment of magic when it didn't seem possible and caught Kalac unprepared. That was a key problem for us though, we afforded far too much space to some of their midfielders at times, with Fabregas given the chance to run the show. Adebayor scored late on, but that's normal as we pushed up and got caught.

Players:

Kalac - Solid, maybe slow to react on the first goal
Oddo - Solid defensively, offered nothing going forward other than useless long balls
Nesta - Solid but struggled against Adebayor. Didn't seem 100%.
Kaladze - Solid
Maldini - Good performance, defensively very good bar one mistake and tried to help the attacking play
Gattuso - Not Ringhio unfortunately, but still not a bad display. His performance rose and dropped simultaneously with our dominance or lack of.
Pirlo - Poor performance, never really seemed to get in the match (even when not pressured).
Ambro - Decent game, he was a massive factor in the second half as he pressed Arsenal high up.
Kaka - A few good runs, but really didn't look match sharp, and distribution wasn't best (other than the Pato chance).
Pippo - Never really in the game.
Pato - Did ok but did show immaturity today with his chance in the first half. Tried to be too cute with the finish when he should have been more direct.
Gila - little impact

I don't feel we were awful, and in periods did well, but we lacked the clinical edge (a factor that's been huge in our success over the Ancelotti era) and couldn't maintain any momentum we built up.

Arsenal must be given credit. It's difficult to come to the San Siro and play like that and they showed incredible character and ability today. Wenger played the game almost perfectly, using Adebayor as the target man to take Nesta out of position and Fabregas to play balls early to catch our defence out. Walcott was a fantastic sub as at that point we'd taken control and they played the counter, with Walcott up against Maldini (who can't match the pace), as well as him defending against Kaka's pace. Arsenal also play the game in a great way, technical and attacking, with fair play.

Today we looked worn out, like a team that's physically drained. The Maldini era for me is almost all but over now (I don't really think he can add much in the league), and I wouldn't be shocked if the Ancelotti era ends too (if it's for Lippi, then I'd accept it, for pretty much anyone else and I'd stick with Carlo). Time to get that fourth spot and start rebuilding our squad in the summer. If Adebayor is actually available come the summer, then he is definitely worth a look, as he could be the big man we're missing up front (something we lacked today too).

On a final note, we may be out but I think we can hold our heads high.

FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!