Milan vs Palermo (ALL comments)

Originally Posted by Laudrup

Criticism is fine especially when backed up by matter-of-factness. In this case the numbers of goals scored against us as well as the excellent results of this season don't go well together with what you describe as a fact.

whatever. accept the fact that Juve deserved to win this season because they weren't overconfident when they played the smaller teams, were more consistent and didn't think the game was over after 60 mins or so, when Milan stopped playing. i agree that Milan played some great games this year but the Scudetto rewards teams that are consistent. The CL rewards teams that can beat the big teams.

there was a severe case of overconfidence in the team. this was very noticeable in the way milan played in front of goal when they were in the lead. for instance, there was no passing, seedorf taking long range wild shots etc. however this only started happening close to the end of the season.

fitness is also a key issue. playing fiorentina, PSV and Juve in 9-10 days is ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Nadir

whatever. accept the fact that Juve deserved to win this season because they weren't overconfident when they played the smaller teams, were more consistent and didn't think the game was over after 60 mins or so, when Milan stopped playing. i agree that Milan played some great games this year but the Scudetto rewards teams that are consistent. The CL rewards teams that can beat the big teams.

there was a severe case of overconfidence in the team. this was very noticeable in the way milan played in front of goal when they were in the lead. for instance, there was no passing, seedorf taking long range wild shots etc. however this only started happening close to the end of the season.

fitness is also a key issue. playing fiorentina, PSV and Juve in 9-10 days is ridiculous..

Now you change the subject.

Understandably.

I'll repeat Maldini's words of a few days ago: "Milan have the best defence in the world as a tradition". This season certainly has confirmed that point of view

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carlo Ancelotti and his men are already looking ahead to the Champions’ League Final and analysing how to approach Liverpool.

The 3-3 draw at the San Siro this evening handed Juventus the Scudetto, though the Coach was livid after a debatable penalty let the Sicilians back into the game.


“We deserved to win tonight. That penalty didn’t exist and it changed the whole face of the game. The team played well, especially in the first half, but that spot-kick was frankly laughable. Seeing the replay, I have to stifle a giggle.”


Lamberto Zauli let himself fall under the slightest contact from Christian Abbiati and Luca Toni converted the resulting penalty. Nonetheless, Milan were fielding an experimental squad.


“I thought this the most logical solution with the Champions’ League Final just days away,” said Ancelotti. “Everyone wants to play and win, though only 11 will start and others can give their contribution in different ways.”


Their attention was already focused on Liverpool and the Milan boss analysed what he believes Rafa Benitez will unveil in Istanbul.


“I think Liverpool will play with one upfront, though I’m not sure if it’ll be Milan Baros or Djibril Cisse, and repeat the tactics they imposed on Juventus and Chelsea. That is what they do best. They’ll leave the initiative to us and we must have patience in breaking them down, doing what in part we managed in the first half tonight.”


Hernan Crespo had a message for the Bianconeri, though he was not happy with the refereeing in the 3-3 draw with Palermo.


“Juventus deserve praise for winning the Scudetto and we really lost out with that direct confrontation,” said the Argentine. “As for tonight’s game, I’d really like to see that penalty incident again and the one that wasn’t awarded in my favour earlier on.”


The fact that Crespo played for most of this encounter does suggest that it will be Pippo Inzaghi who partners Andriy Shevchenko in Istanbul on Wednesday.


“That is not a question for me,” shrugged the Argentine. “All I know is that I feel good and I want to reap what we’ve all sowed so far this season. Everyone wants to play a Champions’ League Final and we’ll see what the Coach decides.”


For the first time, the Serie A trophy will be presented to Juventus on the field in the Premiership style and will be handed over by Lega Calcio President – and Milan Vice-President – Adriano Galliani.


Vikash Dhorasoo was given a rare start and impressed in midfield, but thought the experimental nature of the side damaged them in the end.


“We played very well in the first half, but those of us who aren’t used to this spotlight tried to do a bit too much and paid the price for that with tiredness towards the end,” said the ex-Lyon star.


Palermo qualify for the UEFA Cup with this surprise result and Coach Francesco Guidolin concedes it was a fortunate late comeback.


“I think that Palermo have been struggling to find their quality for some time. This is partly due to tiredness and seeing the finish line in sight is taking something away from our focus. After the first half I was afraid of being really hammered. We were unable to control Rui Costa and Dhorasoo in the first half, but reshuffled our tactics and balanced out the situation.”

Originally Posted by Laudrup

Now you change the subject.

Understandably.

I'll repeat Maldini's words of a few days ago: "Milan have the best defence in the world as a tradition". This season certainly has confirmed that point of view

the subject was the fitness levels. i didn't change the subject. HIstorically, yes Milan have had the best defence but conceding so many goals late in the season does point at something. are you saying we should keep maldini, cafu and stam tiill they are 40? lol

Can't say I'm too surprised about the result even if the first half was very good. I mea to play primavera players shows that this match didn't mean much at all.

As for some of the issues raised, its fair enough to say we have an ageing defence, but it still happens to be rated as the best defence in the world by many. Most of the matches where leads were dropped have been during the most exhaustive period of the year, where the team has had numerous problems, hindering the players performances. Other times when the team has lost a lead (not often beside the time I just mentioned), it has generally been due to lapses in concentration or minor weaknesses in the side. However, it has clearly been displayed that the team has overcome these issues and tbh, all of the problems of late are due to the strains (both mental and physical) placed on the players.

Ok, today we suffered similar problems in letting the lead drop. However, look at the team...

Abbiati; Marzoratti, Simic, Costacurta, Pancaro; Brocchi, Rui Costa, Dhorasoo, Serginho; Crespo, Tomasson

Except JDT and Serginho (to a certain degree), none of those players have played regularly of late. Add to that we're playing with primavera players in crucial areas of the field, the substitutions by Ancelotti (which seemed experimental and for fitness above all) and the fact that there is no natural ball winning midfielder playing against a very good Palermo, and you are just inviting trouble in defensive areas.

The side are clearly focused on Wednesday, as am I. This game was considered insignificant really.

Lets look ahead to Wednesday, where I'm sure we can expect to see a great Milan, as the team will be rested (mentally too) and best prepared to get CL 7!

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

Congratulations to Juve but we'll win next year

The fact that Crespo played for most of this encounter does suggest that it will be Pippo Inzaghi who partners Andriy Shevchenko in Istanbul on Wednesday.


“That is not a question for me,” shrugged the Argentine. “All I know is that I feel good and I want to reap what we’ve all sowed so far this season. Everyone wants to play a Champions’ League Final and we’ll see what the Coach decides.”


from channel4.com



i don't like how pippo will be playing. not enough match fitness i feel.

As usual, I won't congratulate Juventus.

Forza Milan!!!

Originally Posted by Nadir

the subject was the fitness levels. i didn't change the subject. HIstorically, yes Milan have had the best defence but conceding so many goals late in the season does point at something. are you saying we should keep maldini, cafu and stam tiill they are 40? lol

If Cafu and Maldini keep on playing at the level we've seen from them this and the last season, sure the age means little in itself.

As for conceiding goals lately, the team has sometimes lost its balance but that is a problem of organisation much more than of an ageing defence.

THANK YOU DARIO for all you have done for Milan and good luck

SIMIC: 'We showed we were Milan'
5/20/2005
MILAN - Dario Simic left the Milan dressing room for what could be the last time and said: 'I am pleased to have played tonight, central defence is my true role but I am sorry about the final score because we could have closed the day and even made it 4-1. Personally, I am disappointed for all the months I missed out injured. I only came back in February and obviously that was too late to get a place. It could be my last game at the San Siro. I have to say that I have trained with top players such as Maldini and Costacurta. I think therefore if I go to another club then I will be more experienced and it will be easier to play.'

Great season guys, and next year you will win the Scudetto as we will be focusing on Europe.

Good luck against Liverpool on Wednesday. Rip the **** out of them and teach the English how to play football.

Originally Posted by Nadir

there was a severe case of overconfidence in the team. this was very noticeable in the way milan played in front of goal when they were in the lead.

And so we'll overconfident against Liverpool.

Yeah....

Originally Posted by Jeff

And so we'll overconfident against Liverpool.

Yeah....

i have a feeling we will. but milan are the big game team and i think we can pull it off... i hope

Milan's advantage over 'Pool will be their experience, and that always prevails. I dont think they would come to the game underestimating 'Pool

I agree with Laudrup that the issue of conceding last minute goals are more of organisation problem rather than ageing defence. However; you have to admit that Milan's defence aint getting younger and personally I feel that this season you can see some of the weakness in that. While Milan's defence remains as the most fearless in the world, Milan must take some necessary measurements to prepare themselves when the ageing defence's weakness will prevail entirely.

the "organization problem" that you mention is nothing more than poor attitude from the players. how many times have you seen the midfielders try a long range shot or miss a pass when there were so many better alternatives like passing to a forward ahead. really, why is gattuso taking shots at goal, for instance?

i couldnt watch the game,i want 2 know how did Marzoratti played.