Episode #2: Milan vs. Shakhtar (10-24-2007): Kaka` the savior?

Is our season like last year?

The performance against Empoli was certainly disappointing, but let's not lose hope, yet, nor do we have the time to.

It's against Shakhtar, who has 6 points and sitting on top of the CL group table at the moment, on Wednesday.

Dida, who didn't say a word but apologized for his dishonest action before the game against Empoli, will be absent, so expect Kalac to be between the post.

Winning the golden ball looks like a reality, but life is always more difficult for Kaka`. It looks like the best way to prove his worth is to lift his team up at this stage of difficulty, again. Kaka` has to lift his team again. Will he be able to, as usual, deliver the killer blow?

Forza Milan! Time to prove the doubters wrong!

- J

Jeff, is it official that Dida won't be able to play against Shakhtar? I thought his appeal will be held by UEFA tomorrow.

Shakhtar comfortably won the 2 CL matches, but like us, they lost in their latest league match too. We must win this game. The faster we reach the safe place to qualification the better for us, so we can concentrate to catch up with Inter cs in serie A. I don't care if Kaka score, he'll win the Golden Ball, believe me. Nothing less than a win will satisfy me.

FORZA MILAN!

Originally Posted by Nalx Sijabat

Jeff, is it official that Dida won't be able to play against Shakhtar? I thought his appeal will be held by UEFA tomorrow.

Um... good question. The answer is NO, it's not official, but I think they are going to ban him at least one game.

We'll know by Monday. Regardless, I'll still hope to see Dida between the goal post. If not, let's hope that Kalac is up for it.

Fears over injured Jankulovski
Monday 22 October, 2007
Milan’s Czech international Marek Jankulovski could be facing a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining possible ligament damage against Empoli.

The versatile 30-year-old limped off last weekend and it now appears that his injury is more serious than first suspected.

Tests early on Monday afternoon revealed that the damage to his left knee is extensive and he will be out for at least three weeks.

If the cruciate ligament was damaged, it could lead to a much longer spell on the treatment table.

There are also fears for Kaka ahead of Wednesday’s tie against Shakhtar Donetsk as he is yet to recover from a blow to the knee during Brazil’s game against Ecuador.

Massimo Oddo looks likely to play despite picking up a knock during Sunday’s clash.

channel4

Originally Posted by Tony29.

Fears over injured Jankulovski
Monday 22 October, 2007
Milan’s Czech international Marek Jankulovski could be facing a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining possible ligament damage against Empoli.

The versatile 30-year-old limped off last weekend and it now appears that his injury is more serious than first suspected.

Tests early on Monday afternoon revealed that the damage to his left knee is extensive and he will be out for at least three weeks.

If the cruciate ligament was damaged, it could lead to a much longer spell on the treatment table.

There are also fears for Kaka ahead of Wednesday’s tie against Shakhtar Donetsk as he is yet to recover from a blow to the knee during Brazil’s game against Ecuador.

Massimo Oddo looks likely to play despite picking up a knock during Sunday’s clash.

channel4

Looks like some trouble for milan, but coming of that loss with empoli they are probably hungry for a big win now they should pull it off.

Originally Posted by Tony29.

Fears over injured Jankulovski
Monday 22 October, 2007
Milan’s Czech international Marek Jankulovski could be facing a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining possible ligament damage against Empoli.

The versatile 30-year-old limped off last weekend and it now appears that his injury is more serious than first suspected.

Tests early on Monday afternoon revealed that the damage to his left knee is extensive and he will be out for at least three weeks.

If the cruciate ligament was damaged, it could lead to a much longer spell on the treatment table.

There are also fears for Kaka ahead of Wednesday’s tie against Shakhtar Donetsk as he is yet to recover from a blow to the knee during Brazil’s game against Ecuador.

Massimo Oddo looks likely to play despite picking up a knock during Sunday’s clash.

channel4

Dark times indeed !!! Oh well Forza Milan I don't care what the score is . I don't care if Shaktar hands our a$$es to us.....All I ask is whoever is out there play their hearts out.......

With Kaka rumored to be out as well, I think we can count on dropped points here...I predict either a loss, or a draw.

Regardless: FORZA MIIIIIIIIIILAN!!!

Shoooooot! I forgot, this side has Nery Castillo? We will lose for sure...but this is just my pessimistic side overriding both the pragmatic and opptimistic sides....feel free to ignore this post. As you were then!

I've been reading some Ukrainian papers and the thoughts of Ukrainian football fans.
Ancelotti said that he hopes Shakhtar will not close everything and it looks like that's exactly what they'll do.
Their coach is Mircea Lucescu. This guy was coaching Pisa, Brescia, Reggina and Inter from 1990-2000, for whole 10 years. He knows the Italian football very well, he says he knows Milan and he knows what tactics should be used against Milan at SS.

I'm not sure if Shakhtar can defend for 90 minutes though. As someone else here said, these CL minows are actually the champions of their respective leagues and they aren't used to defending for 90 minutes like Siena or Empoli can.
In an open play Shakhtar has no chances against Milan. But if Lucescu tells his men to use Empoli's system, then you may experience problems in braking their defense and defeating them.

I think we will narrowly win, God willing.

1-0 Milan. Seedorf in the 73rd minute.

Is this another case for your obeah women to handle Warro?

I agree espcially about him scoring at the 73rd min .

Looks like Favalli will start over Janku tomorrow, as the latter has picked up an injury during the Empoli game.

Marek might be gone longer than we can afford it: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/231020...low-milan.html

There isn't a thread about Milan-Roma so i'll say it here

Totti was injured tonight in 35th minute. Looking at the way he walked out of the field, i really doubt he'll play vs Milan on Sunday

Perrotta failed a fitness test this morning and his injured right ancle is making him a doubt for Sunday's match

Aquilani is still out and won't be back for a long time.

Taddei is another one on the injury list

Originally Posted by Tony29.

There isn't a thread about Milan-Roma so i'll say it here

Totti was injured tonight in 35th minute. Looking at the way he walked out of the field, i really doubt he'll play vs Milan on Sunday

Perrotta failed a fitness test this morning and his injured right ancle is making him a doubt for Sunday's match

Aquilani is still out and won't be back for a long time.

Taddei is another one on the injury list

Which just goes to show what shape Milan would be in if they had a real injury crisis like Roma!