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.

Originally Posted by Milancelotti

What son and father making bloopers in 2 CL finals? What a site!

when it comes to bloopers, given the present Milan keeper's abilities, i wouldn't get too far ahead of myself, mate!

He didn't exactly excel in Istanbul.

And he had a nightmare at Old Trafford.

Originally Posted by rome1977

when it comes to bloopers, given the present Milan keeper's abilities, i wouldn't get too far ahead of myself, mate!

He didn't exactly excel in Istanbul.

And he had a nightmare at Old Trafford.

Let us worry about Dida and hope that Seedorf and Kaka don't make Reina Pepe his pants

Originally Posted by zlatanov

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.

Garcia is the little magician that we have been missing for months....not domestically so much as in europe. I'd feel a lot more confident if he was in the team. But he's out for the season.

Gonzalez isn't ready yet....he needed this first season to settle, and he has had injuries.

But Pennant is one to watch. He is a SUPERB crosser of the ball. He has laid on many great crosses for goals this season. And he can beat his man with ease. Tho I have to say that Crouch and Kuyt are very slow, by modern day attacking standards.....esp Crouch.

In midfield the battle will be won or lost. I'd imagine Muscherano and Alonso will be in the middle. Gerrard may start right, but essentially have a free role, to go help out and forward. Pennant may be moved over to the left, or else Zenden will be in there. I think it is too late for Kewell to recover sufficient fitness to make the final. (and play on that left side)

Originally Posted by drucurl

Let us worry about Dida and hope that Seedorf and Kaka don't make Reina Pepe his pants

if reina doesn't pepe his pants, Dida will probably dodo in his.

Originally Posted by rome1977

when it comes to bloopers, given the present Milan keeper's abilities, i wouldn't get too far ahead of myself, mate!

He didn't exactly excel in Istanbul.

And he had a nightmare at Old Trafford.

Who you calling a mate? I aint no thieving little scouser who lives in a council estate MATE!!!

Did Dida cost us the final? Ask reinas dad if he cost A.Madrid the final

Originally Posted by rome1977

if reina doesn't pepe his pants, Dida will probably dodo in his.

that's a possibility...but we're hoping Ancelotti would have Kaka-ed all over Benitez by then

Dru is right about Pennant, he may not be be as fast or tricky as Ronaldo but he is still a capable player, and if he gets a yard of space he is one of the best crossers in English football. Often the problem for Liverpool isnt getting the cross right to Crouch, it is Crouch not putting away easy headers

I wouldnt really say Crouch is a dirty player though, he has actually spent most of his career being slammed for being too nice! and not using his height advantage as he probably could in the way guys like Shearer and Duncan Ferguson did (both of whom were shorter than Crouch but far more of a threat aerially)

Originally Posted by drucurl

that's a possibility...but we're hoping Ancelotti would have Kaka-ed all over Benitez by then

Dude LMAO stop it right there, your killing him.

Originally Posted by Milancelotti

Who you calling a mate? I aint no thieving little scouser who lives in a council estate MATE!!!

jeepers, you've got a lot of pent-up hatred.

I think, that in being nice to you, I'm only annoying you all the more.

Originally Posted by rome1977

In midfield the battle will be won or lost. I'd imagine Muscherano and Alonso will be in the middle. Gerrard may start right, but essentially have a free role, to go help out and forward. Pennant may be moved over to the left, or else Zenden will be in there. I think it is too late for Kewell to recover sufficient fitness to make the final. (and play on that left side)

if there is a winger in pool that I am worried about, that is Zenden ... he has lost of his fame from 7-8 years ago but is a very experienced player and still has some explosive runs left in him ... being that short allows him to be very maneuverable with the ball in his feet.

As for Pennant, I do think janku or oddo will take good care of him and will manage to close him down on the flanks. He is a good, young and talented player but too inexperienced, I think, and more suited to EPL style of play and I think will take more to overrun either one of Milan's full backs, especially when they are supported by either gattuso or Ambro.

Crouch may be slow but is a real threat in the air while kuyt, I don't see him as slow but a very mature and hard-working forward who could be very helpful in the build-up and is very strong in the air and has a nice shot too.

Originally Posted by drucurl

that's a possibility...but we're hoping Ancelotti would have Kaka-ed all over Benitez by then

we will not Risse to the bait. Monster (our argentinian lad) will have kaka in his back pocket.

Originally Posted by zlatanov

if there is a winger in pool that I am worried about, that is Zenden ... he has lost of his fame from 7-8 years ago but is a very experienced player and still has some explosive runs left in him ... being that short allows him to be very maneuverable with the ball in his feet.

As for Pennant, I do think janku or oddo will take good care of him and will manage to close him down on the flanks. He is a good, young and talented player but too inexperienced, I think, and more suited to EPL style of play and I think will take more to overrun either one of Milan's full backs, especially when they are supported by either gattuso or Ambro.

Crouch may be slow but is a real threat in the air while kuyt, I don't see him as slow but a very mature and hard-working forward who could be very helpful in the build-up and is very strong in the air and has a nice shot too.

all valid points.

the one that most Liverpool fans would disagree with you on, is Zenden. he is a great lad....superb professional. But he has had a very poor season. And fans could not believe it when he started against chelsea in the first leg of the semi....and were aghast when he started the second leg.

But, given that he has played so little this season, he will have very fresh legs. I sort of see his role as similar to that of Smicer in the 2005 final. He can make a significant impact. But I doubt whetehr he will beat too many down the wing to get a cross in. Dangerous crosses will come from Pennant, if he is on the pitch. Zenden will offer danger if he cuts inside.

Bit off topic but youll appreciate this:

Roma 5 - 2 Inter 80`

Originally Posted by rome1977

we will not Risse to the bait. Monster (our argentinian lad) will have kaka in his back pocket.

huh? That wasn't even clever. Mascherano is a monster huh? (Pointing to Gattuso) let me
show you my little friend