Bologna - AC Milan (07/02/10 at 15:00)

In 2005 when Liverpool won, the English FA had to submit the 4 English representatives for the 2005/2006 season, naturally the ones that ended in the top 4 spots (Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Everton). Even after much pressure from England to push Everton out of the CL and put Liverpool (who were 5th place) instead, they kept to their word and sent the top 4 teams through.... UEFA then came into the picture. They allowed Liverpool to enter the competition on one condition, they had to start from the very first qualifying stages for the CL (ie. they had to play 3 games to qualify for the CL). Everton, Arsenal and Liverpool were all in the qualifying stages but Everton got knocked out by Villareal. And also, Liverpool did not represent England in that competition, they were in the competition as "Cup Winners"...and that was the reason Chelsea and Liverpool played in the same group in the 2005/2006 season....because usually two teams from the same country are not allowed to play in the same group.

I am not sure how the rule is now, but last I remember is that, even if the team wins and ends 5th, they still dont qualify.

Originally Posted by kastriot

Fiorentina eill not be playing CL..thats the rule imposed after 2005 and Liverpool participating even though they didnt qualify but were winner.

Belive gabriel..if fiorentina win it...they would not have much problems with the issue of not participating next year

yeah, that's what i remember too after the Liverpool saga that year...they decided it was going to be the last time they allow a team to participate as holders and not as being eligible by League position because apparently that was a 1st and the rules were not clear enough.

Anyway, I will be all for Fiorentina to win it if we do not reach the final

This rule is now for all competitions I think ...
The winner of the World Cup has to play the group stage to qualify too for the following one, contrarly to the past ...

Anyway, why do you speak about this almost impossible scenario (Fiorentina winning the CL, they have no experience and they have problems with their form, with Mutu ...) ?

All I want for this week-end is to see our Milan winning again !!

probable formation by gazzetta:

abbiati
abate, favalli, t.silva, antonini
pirlo-ambro
seedorf
becks-boriello-r80

basically back to to the same formation against real madrid just with becks in pato's spot, so we should have more balance in midfield... glad to see seedorf and pirlo finally both back in the starting lineup and fit.

Originally Posted by hitmannq8

probable formation by gazzetta:

abbiati
abate, favalli, t.silva, antonini
pirlo-ambro
seedorf
becks-boriello-r80

basically back to to the same formation against real madrid just with becks in pato's spot, so we should have more balance in midfield... glad to see seedorf and pirlo finally both back in the starting lineup and fit.

Actually right now it says Bonera will be playing CB instead of Favalli. I haven't seen Bonera in action for ages, so I dont know what to expect.

Ah, I was expecting to see Mancini right away. Hopefully he will get to play more than 15 minutes. Would've liked Huntelaar from the start too, since Borri hasn't impressed lately. (no one has, for that matter.)

I really don't like the Serie A schedule. Most of the time, ACM matches are on Sunday. The games are more enjoyable on Saturday than Sunday Just don't understand this thing

Bonera is in Gazzetta's formation right now. I'm not overly excited with Beckham and Borriello starting again, I must say. Leonardo is ****ing with order and hierarchy in his team, and that will cost him sooner or latter. Sadly, we will lose our best big-game striker (Inzaghi) as a result. We ****ed 2 games in a row because of Leonardo's persistance to play Borriello and Beckham, I hope that tomorrow will be different.

Originally Posted by Revolver

Bonera is in Gazzetta's formation right now. I'm not overly excited with Beckham and Borriello starting again, I must say. Leonardo is ****ing with order and hierarchy in his team, and that will cost him sooner or latter. Sadly, we will lose our best big-game striker (Inzaghi) as a result. We ****ed 2 games in a row because of Leonardo's persistance to play Borriello and Beckham, I hope that tomorrow will be different.

but Beckham isn't bad player..he is key player at the middle of the pitch now..he have a good tehnique..it is a man who have 33 years and he plays like he has 23..His balls are very precisly..and he is one of the players who could help in milan..and Borriello..he is not bad foward but he isn't half of that what are Pato and some other players his ages all over the world..his game is based on luck and every his goal and tackle are pointed with many lucky..Leonardo really must find more place for Inzaghi who is the best when is the hardest..

P.S. I am sorry because my english which is not very well..and everything I told was with best atention

Called up players for tomorrow's game.

BOLOGNA-MILAN: THE CALLED UP ROSSONERI
2/6/2010

MILAN - Here are the 21 Rossoneri players called up by coach Leonardo for tomorrow's match at Bologna:

Abbiati, Dida, Roma, Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Thiago Silva, Ambrosini, Beckham, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Borriello, Huntelaar, Inzaghi, Mancini, Ronaldinho.

Unavailable players: Nesta, Oddo, Onyewu, Pato, Zambrotta.

MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by coach Leonardo in a press conference ahead of Bologna-Milan:

ON THE MATCH AGAINST BOLOGNA
"Bologna are a team going through a good moment, at home they have always played great matches and I think they will do the same tomorrow against Milan. Colomba's team has players who are in good shape. We'll have to find solutions up front to capitalise on our play. In their latest matches Milan have always been in control, but they didn't manage to be incisive and to hurt teams."

ON MILAN'S MOMENT
"In the match against Livorno we lacked that final anger. We didn't manage to score. In spite of this, however, we had the ball throughout the match, we demonstrated our play, but we didn't manage to score. This week was important from the work point of view, despite some factors which might have bothered us."

ON THE VOICES CONCERNING RONALDINHO DURING THE PAST WEEK
"I am not angry, but I would like to point out that when news like that comes out it should be supported by proof. Personally I did not see any images which could confirm the voices regarding Ronaldinho. I believe in my player, I have a very good relationship with him and I know him well. Here at Milanello he trained well throughout the week and did all he had to do. In the past he made some mistakes, he paid for them, but now he's working seriously. We regularly subject the player to exams, Ronaldinho himself tells me where he goes and what he does. It's too bad that unfounded news has come out.
I hope he continues performing well. The club intervened correctly and talked with Ronaldinho himself."

ON MANCINI
"I consider Mancini a great player who can give a lot to Milan. He comes from our great rivals, Inter, who have already given us players in the past. It was an opportunity for the club during the January transfer market and I think he will give his contribution to the team.
He's a versatile player who can play in different roles. He has lost two kilos since coming here, he did well during training and I saw he was in good shape. Like the other players who are doing well, it's possible that tomorrow he will be used in the match against Bologna."

ON THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS
"Nesta still isn't fit, he has been inactive for a long time.
Pato hasn't been called up because he isn't in a good condition yet and during the week there was the problem of his molar.
Also Zambrotta isn't among the players called up: he's had a small problem to his thigh after healing his calf. We hope to recover all of them for the match against Udinese.
Bonera, meanwhile, is completely available, he has finished his recovery period, he already came on the pitch in the Coppa Italia, he's doing well."

ON THE SITUATION OF THE GOALKEEPERS
"Both Dida and Abbiati have had small problems during the week, but they are both available for tomorrow's match. During the season the hierarchies have changed in every role. I evaluate which of my players are doing better and who is more appropriate for a match and then I make my decisions."

ON ADIYAH
"The player hasn't been with us for long: before he was unable to play and then he was away for the African Cup. He will come on Monday and so we decided not to insert him in the Champions League list."

Still no Nesta or Pato..hopefully they recover soon. Mancini is called up so he'll probably get an appearance tomorrow along with Huntelaar who has been improving lately.

1st - Inter (49 pts) -1
2nd - Milan (41 pts) -1
3rd - Roma (41 pts)
4th - Napoli (38 pts)
5th - Palermo (37 pts) +1
6th - Juventus (35 pts) +1
7th - Sampdoria (33 pts)
8th - Cagliari (32 pts) -1
9th - Bari (32 pts)
10th - Genoa (32 pts)
11th - Fiorentina (31 pts) -1

Saturday - 18:00
Palermo 2-1 Parma (FT)

Saturday - 20:45
Livorno 1-1 Juventus (FT)

Sunday - 15:00
Siena (20th) - Sampdoria (7th)
Genoa (10th) - Chievo (12th)
Udinese (17th) - Napoli (4th)
Bologna (14th) - Milan (2nd)
Inter (1st) - Cagliari (8th)

Sunday - 20:45
Fiorentina (11th) - Roma (3rd)

I watched (tried to watch because it was boring) the second half of Livorno-Juventus ... and it is obvious that this 3-5-2 (looking like a 5-3-2 actually because the side players are Grosso and Caceres who are the FB of this team) doesn't work for them. They have a big hole in the middle of their midfield and they didn't suffer too much from that because of the weakness of Livorno ...

Second draw for Juventus since Ferrara was fired, so there is no direct "Zacch effect" ...

I think Bonera and Thiago will do more then well tomorrow. Let hope for a win, Juve is going down the **** hole at this moment.

It's going to be Bonera-Thiago Silva. Mancini might be in the stands. -Milannews.it

I have no problem playing Bonera, when he is fit he is a very very solid defender. Love his tuckles

Originally Posted by brk

It's going to be Bonera-Thiago Silva. Mancini might be in the stands. -Milannews.it

Mancini is listed as being on the bench by Gazzetta.it, probably instead of Flamini it says.

Leo said he might play, since he has been doing well in training. I hope so.

BOLOGNA-MILAN: LE FORMAZIONI
07/02/2010
BOLOGNA: Colombo; Raggi, Portanova, Moras, Lanna; Buscè, Mudingayi, Guana, Modesto ; Gimenez; Di Vaio.
MILAN: Dida; Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Mancini, Ronaldinho, Borriello.

Looks pretty good, Mancini getting a start. Pretty happy with that tbh.

FORZA MILAN