CL SF (second leg): PSV - AC Milan (ALL-game comments)

Originally Posted by Bram

Have i once said that the goals of Max, Sheva and JDT were lucky ?? I NEVER said that !! Indeed, PSV defended poor in the 90th minute, so that is their own fault, if they conceed that goal. And yes, you are right when you say that PSV should have scored a 3rd one, if they wanted to go through. But the only thing i say is that ON BASE OF PERFORMANCE, Milan didn't deserve to go through. Mark these words : on base of performance ! But if you want to win a competition you need luck. And Milan had that luck against PSV, so i'm glad, so now what's the problem ?

Then we are getting into the whole lot of how you defein 'base of performance' and this is beyond our current argument.

Finally, 'if ou want to win a competition you need luck'. Yes we had it. Didn't PSV had it too since MIlan players were tired, not playing well, not performing up to stadard etc? So in the end, who takes the chance?

In other words, we (including PSV) are always lucky in some situations. But all players who score make the luck happen.

Most likely, PSV is not lucky enough to score in San Siro. But really, who can they blame?

Ok, i can agree with you on that note.
I hope that Milan can prove me wrong and show me Sunday that they are in good shape after all.

Originally Posted by Bram

Ok, i can agree with you on that note.
I hope that Milan can prove me wrong and show me Sunday that they are in good shape after all.

I doubt so. They are not in a good shape I think. And it's true, I'm worried about the game on Sunday.

What's more, the longer the Serie A drags (in temrs of final standing, no matter we win it or not), the longer our players will suffer mentally.

Imagine if you don't even need to think about Serie A now! It would be such a relief (albeit painful if we do lose to uventus).

Berlusconi wanted the 'double', but i seriously doubt if Milan have a group to win both prices. We rarely play with a rotation system, so no wonder that players like Gattuso, Pirlo and Seedorf are tired. Ancelotti barely changes his midfield. Dhorasoo and Serginho for example didn't play a lot this season. maybe Carlo should have rotated more, but then again, i think that the 14th , 15th, 16th, ... player of the Milan-group are not the same quality as the first 13,14 players ... So it's difficult to say.

i watched the game yesterday, and could not believe that was our milan team. what were they playing?? clearly it wasn't their normal game. all of a sudden, players didn't know how to play their positions, were getting tired out fast, and just not communicating. i think PSV well deserved all their goals, and played their as$' off, but we were lucky (once again). thanks ambrossini for the great header.

good luck in the finals! forza milan.

Rewatching the match once again, Milan seemed not to know what to do throuhgout the whole game. Cafu is so slow which is absolutely out of character. Kaladze is not particularly outstanding, and this makes Stam and Nesta look bad. Maldini's early exit was a bad sign of the evening.

Kaka` did really well. Ambro was another player who had heart on the pitch. So did Tomasson who always seemed to fall victim of offside trap. Sheva had a off day. Seedorf, *sigh*... I'm not going to say anything about him.

Pirlo had a ok game, but he had many more touch in the last 15mins then before.

PSV defense was poor, and it was not the first time they showed it in the evening. Before Ambro (headed almost straight at Gomas) and Sheva (header but way off) blew two great chances already.

The third time Ambro didn't make anymore mistake. Good run by Kaka`, also thanks to Kaladze's pass. Other players invovle include Sheva and Tomasson, both of whom attracted the last two defenders and 'set Ambro free' with a glancing header that Gomas perhaps could have done better.

Overall Milan was really slow. I'm not sure if this is physical or mental reason, but I'm glad that we come out of this. Cafu has to get some rest. This is my only piece of advice to Ancelotti.

J

Originally Posted by Bram

come on !! PSV dictated the play at least 70 mins of the game ! Milan played bad, very bad, and PSV deserved a lot more. If u can't see that ... ? I am happy and reliefed that we made it, but that's all, the way Milan played was shameful ...

Yes, PSV dictated the play for most of the time but at least Milan did not let them dictate throughout the whole match, this u should agree IF u have watched the match. This being said, Milan still managed to go through despite their not-up-to-par performances. U've got to put your hat off Milan because not many teams can play so bad and still win.

And Milan did not play shamefully. They did not come to defend for the whole match, they were just pegged behind by the apparently more freshed legs of the PSV players and struggled to settle into the match. But as you watch the match goes on when Milan settled down, PSV hardly crossed their own half. So choose your word properly before u malign Milan for just this once in a blue moon poor performances.

Hope u can think in a bigger picture and we all can when Milan lifts the trophy~

Another point I want to raise is this, and I hope others will think about my contention:

When it's 2-0 down, what are you thinking?

I'm thinking: "No way. Deportivo... 4-1 up and losing 4-0... it's not going to happen again."

Yet it was happening.

Now think about this: Do you think up until 2-0, some of the Milan players were thinking the same thing: "It's happening... it's happening..."

The fear... not just the fear of elimination but the impending fear of a repetition of losing 4-0 last year ...

But Milan held on. After 2-0, Milan obviously played much better (although, let me remark, that the defense esp. Cafu was very shaky). We started to make some passes, while PSV also slowed down a bit.

Then...

Ambro passed to Kaladze, a PSV player failed to intercept the ball.

Kaka` ran up, unmarked.

Kaladze passed to Kaka`.

And so did Ambrosini.

Kaka cut back to right leg...

Sheva started to run up, PSV defender marking him tightly

Tomasson sneaking at the far post, ready to head, but a PSV defender was in front of him.

But Ambrosini was left, unmarked.

Looked up, then pass. So quick, so precise. This is Kaka`.

Boom... a glancing header from the one who was not appreciated by some of the member here.

Then, the stadium was in dead silence.

Sheva holding his hands up high. Tomasson ran to the acting captain, who was already kneeling on the floor, embracing the hero Kaka`. Pirlo joined the celebration.

And the Deportivo fear, is gone.

***********************************************************

What I saw, it's a team with winning mentality that is so precious to our team, that once again proves vital to our campaign.

Originally Posted by Bram

Ancelotti said that 'Milan was very lucky', so and when i say that, it's not true ? I am happy and reliefed that Milan went through, but i can admit, unlike some people here, that we went through with a lot of luck ...

We won 2-0 at home, PSV won 3-1 at home. So what luck are u trying to refer? We scored because we r lucky and PSV scored because they are more superior?? Give me a break on luck man com'on!~

The fact that Milan managed to score an away goal and PSV could not proves that scoring is not easy while playing away but look who did it. And the one who manages goes to the final. I agree that the best team wins and that is MILAN.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Another point I want to raise is this, and I hope others will think about my contention:

When it's 2-0 down, what are you thinking?

I'm thinking: "No way. Deportivo... 4-1 up and losing 4-0... it's not going to happen again."

Yet it was happening.

Now think about this: Do you think up until 2-0, some of the Milan players were thinking the same thing: "It's happening... it's happening..."

The fear... not just the fear of elimination but the impending fear of a repetition of losing 4-0 last year ...

But Milan held on. After 2-0, Milan obviously played much better (although, let me remark, that the defense esp. Cafu was very shaky). We started to make some passes, while PSV also slowed down a bit.

Then...

Ambro passed to Kaladze, a PSV player failed to intercept the ball.

Kaka` ran up, unmarked.

Kaladze passed to Kaka`.

And so did Ambrosini.

Kaka cut back to right leg...

Sheva started to run up, PSV defender marking him tightly

Tomasson sneaking at the far post, ready to head, but a PSV defender was in front of him.

But Ambrosini was left, unmarked.

Looked up, then pass. So quick, so precise. This is Kaka`.

Boom... a glancing header from the one who was not appreciated by some of the member here.

Then, the stadium was in dead silence.

Sheva holding his hands up high. Tomasson ran to the acting captain, who was already kneeling on the floor, embracing the hero Kaka`. Pirlo joined the celebration.

And the Deportivo fear, is gone.

***********************************************************

What I saw, it's a team with winning mentality that is so precious to our team, that once again proves vital to our campaign.

This proves that Milan has managed to come out of the Riazor shadow and apparently, coming out stronger mentally than ever before, underlining the fact that mind over body is the key to success.

FORZA MILAN!!!!

It was a hard day, especially the first part of a game. Before the match I had some considerations about last year. And it made me a bit anxious about following match. By the same token psv played quite impressive in San Siro a week before. Moreover psv has nothing to lose in that game, so in my opinion they were ready to do everything to gain victory on aggregate. Another fact that do not let me relax was Carletto’s defensive tactics. It sucks as usual but he seems to like it and do not intend to change anything. And how we have seen on the match it was true.

That formation 1-4-5-1 is not usually used one, or I should say that it is not used at all. However coward Carletto chose that and proved my worst expectations. Nevertheless I can not say that decision to let Ambro from the start incorrect from the beginning, however that stupid ‘five midfielder’ scheme was almost the main reason why we started so poorly. Personally I was wonderstruck that only Sheva was in front, regarding JDT’s blinding performances in last several games. At least I expected Crespo on starting line up, considering that Carletto likes him.

Although I should tell you I was not that anxious from the start as I was when Cocu scored his first goal. Entire match was quite correct, talking about fouls though I do not understand how referee did not show a card to Venegoor of Hesselink for that piledriver at San Paolo’s head. That was very DANGEROUS play. We were proved later, when San Paolo had to leave the field. [Is that injury a grave one?]. That dangerous kick was almost the main reason of first goal they scored. Stam made a little mistake but Maldini could not retrieve it due to shellshock he had. Park scored and ended Dida’s record of clean sheets on the matches.

However earlier or later we probably have conceded a goal, it seem to imminent. We played very poorly and deserved to be struck. When one of our players talked and stole a ball, we could not create anything because of inaccurate passes.

From the 30 min we regained our self confidence and created something what can be called an opportunity to intimidate psv defenders, but nothing really special.

Second half was even more lamentable than the first one, especially first fifteen minutes. Psv players were doing everything they wanted and we could not resist [super Carletto!]. New sub wasn’t that good it was expected, Kakha made harsh tackles and should be shown a yellow card. I bet Billy could do much better. After a second goal something changed. It should have changed unless we are not a team worth to win anything. Even Carletto made his mind and changed Seedorf [though he was quite good IMO]. JDT showed his class. Sheva got more space, defenders should look at the both from that moment. I felt that a goal is coming. Before each free kick by Pirlo I thought – some one should score by head. Who is the best header striker?! Of course Ambro! I recalled a few games he scored important headers: against Lazio last year, and on this year Coppa Italia match against Udinese in San Siro. My feelings and expectations were reinforced after one missed header by our captain. I said – the one who will score will be Ambro. I was totally dazed when it happened. The real Milan appeared and struck [it was almost 1am in hostel and many were sleeping but I could not resist to scream ]. Everyone was dazed even Milan players, but not psv who settled the ball into our net for the third time [what a shame!]. However it was over. We are through! We are coming, Istambul!

Good scouser – Dead scouser!

Forza Milan

Jeff and Bram, you are proving that ppl have a etndency to interpret the same thing differently. you should accept that and try not to degeneraqte the discussion into being offensive etc.

Jeff i understand you are a bit irritated when hearing this luck argument. i've been hearing it a long time from juve and inter fans, and initially i used to counter-reply. now i just stay quite because i know i'll have the last laugh on wed, 25th may, 2245 circa.

bram is also right because he is adopting the berlusconi mentality: win by playing convincingly. and milan did that only in part last wed. so it is natural to feel disappointed with the team.

what i would like all of you milan fans is to believe in the team now that the players need the most support. the good seasons we've had (this is the third season we've been at the top of both italian and european football) surely cannot be cancelled and forgotten by a small series of poor performances.
and we shouldn't judge players only by their recent performances. i've heard some exaggerated comments on clarence - he has proven his importance over the years, so he should be loved in his good and bad aspects. same for all the players.

Sorry for my Late Post but FORZA MILAN.

Through to the Champions League Final.

Forza Massimo. I think he should be a regular in the starting line up.


FORZA MILAN