Champions League 2005/2006

LOL @ Bantan's post!

Originally Posted by Haroon

How many of you think we have a realistic chance of winning this edition of the UCL?

Moi? ..... I'm not that optimistic to be honest. Scudetto is up for grabs. It's between us and our cugini IMO. The barcodes will come in at numero tres me finks.

Honestly, I have to answer with an emphatic "YES!". I mean, what don't we have that our biggest rivals do?

As far as I'm concerned, we matched Chelsea in preseason (I know its not worth much considering its preseason), especially considering they were ahead of us in training and we have shown to have a strong squad (not just a side, but the whole squad).

Our defence is quite frankly underrated (this was the best defence in CL and second best by one goal in Serie A) and yet the defence is questioned for ridiculous reasons.

Our midfield can perhaps improve, but I really don't see a midfield that has the variety and quality available at its disposal when compared to ours. Juve are quite possibly the closest, but comparing the midfielders in our squad to theirs, they may have a stronger defensive unit, but we have a stronger creative unit. At the same time, we probably can say we have greater depth as our bench has greater variety than Juve.

Our attack does not need speaking of, as it is simply amongst the best in the world.

Our squad is quite superb and I question anyone who says there is a superior squad (even Chelsea's or Juve's) as we have the balance, quality and the desire (after last year) to succeed.

People also question Ancelotti, but at the end of the day, he's a very successful coach at Milan, which I really can't argue against.

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

Honestly, I have to answer with an emphatic "YES!". I mean, what don't we have that our biggest rivals do?

A world class defensive unit. If Nesta is not there then we are in the deepest of holes. I hope we don't have to see that situation as that would be the curtain call.

As far as I'm concerned, we matched Chelsea in preseason (I know its not worth much considering its preseason), especially considering they were ahead of us in training and we have shown to have a strong squad (not just a side, but the whole squad).

We have a strong squad. A balanced one that is brimming with offensive options at almost every position. We are lacking in defensive options and have to rely on fitness levels and form to carry the day for us.

The "ahead of training thing" is old. It's not even a reason. All teams were ahead of us in training and we won the UCL 2002-3. It is a non-reason.

Chelsea toyed with us in the first game. In the second game we played really well but didn't defeat them.

Our defence is quite frankly underrated (this was the best defence in CL and second best by one goal in Serie A) and yet the defence is questioned for ridiculous reasons.

4-0 - La Coruna
3-3 - Liverpool
3-1 - PSV

The questions are valid. Not questioning it would be turning a blind eye that can be harmful.

Our midfield can perhaps improve, but I really don't see a midfield that has the variety and quality available at its disposal when compared to ours. Juve are quite possibly the closest, but comparing the midfielders in our squad to theirs, they may have a stronger defensive unit, but we have a stronger creative unit. At the same time, we probably can say we have greater depth as our bench has greater variety than Juve.

In a real world, Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter have better midfields than us with more options. Our midfield is still pretty good and lethal. Offensively we are on par with most of them. Defensively we are inferior to Chelsea's midfield out of that lot but on par with Inter and Barcelona.

Our attack does not need speaking of, as it is simply amongst the best in the world.

It's virtually brand new with Gila and Vieri but on paper it is one of the world's best without doubt.

Our squad is quite superb and I question anyone who says there is a superior squad (even Chelsea's or Juve's) as we have the balance, quality and the desire (after last year) to succeed.

Chelsea have a better squad than us. Barcelona's squad is on par with us IMO. The rest follow behind but are not that far. Inter, Juve and Real are close.

People also question Ancelotti, but at the end of the day, he's a very successful coach at Milan, which I really can't argue against.

True. Last season his rigidity (tiring the team out) in the league cost us the title. The UCL final ... I have no rational explanation for that. It hurts and will hurt forever because no matter how many UCL we win, this one will be always in my head as the one we threw away thereby having possibly +1.

It should be added that Nesta played in all of the defeats quoted:

4-0 - La Coruna
3-3 - Liverpool
3-1 - PSV

But not in the 4-1 win over Depor, so his absence might not be a certain curtain call.

Originally Posted by Haroon

A world class defensive unit. If Nesta is not there then we are in the deepest of holes. I hope we don't have to see that situation as that would be the curtain call.

We have a strong squad. A balanced one that is brimming with offensive options at almost every position. We are lacking in defensive options and have to rely on fitness levels and form to carry the day for us.

The "ahead of training thing" is old. It's not even a reason. All teams were ahead of us in training and we won the UCL 2002-3. It is a non-reason.

Chelsea toyed with us in the first game. In the second game we played really well but didn't defeat them.

4-0 - La Coruna
3-3 - Liverpool
3-1 - PSV

The questions are valid. Not questioning it would be turning a blind eye that can be harmful.

In a real world, Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter have better midfields than us with more options. Our midfield is still pretty good and lethal. Offensively we are on par with most of them. Defensively we are inferior to Chelsea's midfield out of that lot but on par with Inter and Barcelona.

It's virtually brand new with Gila and Vieri but on paper it is one of the world's best without doubt.

Chelsea have a better squad than us. Barcelona's squad is on par with us IMO. The rest follow behind but are not that far. Inter, Juve and Real are close.

True. Last season his rigidity (tiring the team out) in the league cost us the title. The UCL final ... I have no rational explanation for that. It hurts and will hurt forever because no matter how many UCL we win, this one will be always in my head as the one we threw away thereby having possibly +1.

Personally, I find Maldini to be of more importance due to his leadership and organisational skills. But I see your point, take out the key man and the defence can be weak. However, its the same for most teams, take out specific defenders and they are weakened heavily.

I think any defensive frailties we have usually are attributed to our midfield not covering the holes in front of the defence, usually resulting in players being drawn out of position.

Sorry, but I really don't see who was ahead of us in training in CL 2003. But anyway, as for preseason games, I never take them as an indication of the side, seeing as it rarely shows any truth. In the Chelsea games, my point was simply they were physically fitter and tactically ahead of us in training at the time, whilst we were for the first time trying out new systems etc.

In the matches you mention to show our frailties I think that mental issues were the biggest factor and maybe some tactical issues. However, some questions are valid (and should be asked) whilst others I think are often there to create controversy and serve little purpose.

I don't think our midfield is weaker than the teams you mention, its how our midfield is set up I think results in problems. I think it leaves too many holes and really we should be looking to set it up in other ways. I have already stated before (elsewhere) that I think the midfield shouldn't be a diamond structure but more flatter.

Honestly, I can only say I disagree with you on that squads are better than us, as I believe many are close, but we are on top or equally at the top. I don't want to sound like I'm criticising Carlo, as I rate him highly, but I do think at times our squad isn't utilised properly or is unprepared.

Hello i'm a PSV fan and i'm very bad in English

We have lost many good players like Vogel, Bommel, Lee and Park.
Bouma is was the weakest player in PSV last year.
The new players are

Simons: You can compare him with Vogel.

Väyrynen: A good Midfielder

Afellay: He's not new but he's amazing.
Gomes says he's like Ronaldinho at that age.

Ferreyra: I don't know if he's good enough for PSV

Reiziger: Good Defender

Carrizo: Talent

Kone (One of the best attacker in the Dutch League) and Ball can't play in the first round.

Vogel-Simons= not weaker
Bommel-Väyrynen/Afellay/Carrizo= Weaker
Bouma-Reiziger= Better
Lee-Ferreyra/Lucius=Weaker

The new PSV:

------------------Gomes------------------

----Reiziger---Ooijer---Alex---Lucius-------

---------------Simons---Cocu-------------

------------------Afellay------------------

---Farfán----------VoH---------Beasley----

Or

-----------------gomes-------------------

--Reiziger---Ooijer-----Alex--------Lucius--

-----------Simons-----Cocu---------------

-Afellay---------------------------Beasley-

-----------Farfan-----Robert--------------



Second Round Here we Come!!

PSV no good



[clears throat]


Question about the AC Milan - Fenerbahce game.. Does anybody know what channel is giving this game live, or even better is there gonna be a live stream on internet for free? (don't mention that uefa action crap)

ESPN Intl...will be carrying the game delayed...@ 9pm Eastern

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvl...k=09&sport=all

We have 2 work on our set pieces. Our defence looks shaky as always. Maybe it's because of their age. Whatever the case, i hope Ancelotti rotates the squad 2 ensure that no one gets burned out