Lyon VS Milan

@hitmannq8 : i don't agree they outplayed us, they put us in troubles in the second half but at the end WHO HAD THE BEST CHANCES? all in all a fair result

agree with Warren --> Obviously the return leg in San Siro will be a different game, our stadium is big and scary, they won't be used to it. I saw a frail psychological approach in the first 20 minutes, as they were scared. In San Siro this will be even more evident. I will give my contribution, of course, with all my energies.

But that will be a thriller, prepare yourself to a night of emotions

why i'm positive for the return leg:

1) we play at home, in front of the magnificent crowd of san siro which can be scary, esp for young players like Lyon's

2) we avoided our biggest danger: release the tension for the return leg. We are still on the edge , so we'll prepare the game at our best.

3)Pippo is warming up. although i'm a big fan of Gila, i think Alberto may suffer the pressure of such a big game, while Pippo is already preparing his killer weapons

4) Tiago misses next match. Dangerous player out.

WORRIES

1) Juninho's freekick, but Dida seems confident like in the past.

2) Lyon can draw with goals and get through (but this is also positive in some ways, we'll be more concentrated than ever)

Originally Posted by Giovanni

why i'm positive for the return leg:

1) we play at home, in front of the magnificent crowd of san siro which can be scary, esp for young players like Lyon's


WORRIES

1) Juninho's freekick, but Dida seems confident like in the past.

2) Lyon can draw with goals and get through (but this is also positive in some ways, we'll be more concentrated than ever)

No doubt at your analysis Gio. It could be full of drama as in our QuarterFinal home leg versus Ajax back in 2003! That was a close one we just eked through by our very own Pippo.

it'll be a thriller , i know.
everytime juninho will kick a free kick ...

This is what football is about...I dont know if I would want it any other way, especially with the Deportive debacle in mind...scoring a plethora of goals in the first leg is no guarantee of winning the tie overall.

I am much more confident in Milan at home, and we seem to play our best there...what I am glad for is that we wont have to go to Highbury to play on Arsenal´s scrimmage pitch.....since we wont meet them until the final, if the manage to overcome Juve and Inter...

Milan have shown that they are capable of taking the game to Lyon, and were a few feet from scoring a cruical away goal. Only fatigue allowed Lyon back into the game in the second half.

We can, and will beat these guys.

I believe.

From: Channel4.com/footballitalia.com:

Houllier hails Rossoneri

Lyon Coach Gerard Houllier was impressed with Milan's performance at the Stade Gerland, so much that the French side was in awe for the opening 20 minutes.

"It was a game of two halves, as Milan had the best chances in the first half and we had the better of the second," he said after their 0-0 draw in France.


"Two things happened: We managed to up the tempo of the game and stopped watching Milan, as we gave them too much respect and sat back. Once we started playing, it emerged that we are very alike, although perhaps they are better offensively."


Although Lyon had a lot of possession in the second period, they failed to really trouble Dida apart from a Benoit Pedretti free kick and dipping Tiago strike from distance.


"The Rossoneri proved a lot of their worth in the first half. They're always a threat when they get the ball. I don't think we were threatening enough in terms of offensive play."


Brazilian star Juninho Pernambucano was suspended for the first leg, but will return for the decider at San Siro next week.


"He can score goals and create them, so he is definitely a great asset for us and we really missed him tonight," admitted the former Liverpool tactician.


Lyon remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season thanks to seven wins and two draws, but this is the first time they have failed to hit the back of the net, having scored 18 goals in the previous eight games.


Milan are also a very attacking side with 17 goals in the same period.

Now I dont think Houllier is as good a tactician as Carlo, all the more reason why I think we will learn from the first game, and use that knowledge to crush them in the devils den!

And let me head off any anti Gila sentiments early, with this juicy quote from Carlo that can be seen in the article here:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/mar29l.html

“Gilardino is important as a presence in the area and to hold up the ball for the midfielders to come forward. It’s true he didn’t have any chances, but he worked for the team and gave his contribution,” insisted Ancelotti.

Thanks Carlo, for helping in the continuing education of our fans here at MM.

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

From: Channel4.com/footballitalia.com:



Now I dont think Houllier is as good a tactician as Carlo, all the more reason why I think we will learn from the first game, and use that knowledge to crush them in the devils den!

Houllier has never impressed me even a bit.

Originally Posted by zlatanov

Pretty disappointed with Cris' perfomance. Not that he was that awful or anything but I really expected much more from him and he looked a bit scared whenever he faced Kaka or Sheva. Excellent game by Diarra and Abidal, and a very good one for Malouda. these three players, especially the first two, deserve extra attention and effort by Milan. Wiltord also had a pretty good game, too bad he is over 30 now (32-33 I think ?)

Wiltord is 32 in may. Im glad someone else noticed just how good a player Abidal is. I just saw on skysports.com that Lyon have received interest from 38 clubs Maybe Galliani can sneak in and snatch Reveillere

So we'd be happy with Abidal (left-back), Reveillere (right-back), Diarra (midfield), Juninho (midfield) and possibly Malouda (winger) to chuck on and stretch teams ??

We played well and I was disapointed Milan didn't score espacialy
Sheva losing 3-4 easy chance. Hope we win next Tuesday and qulify for smifinal

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

And let me head off any anti Gila sentiments early, with this juicy quote from Carlo that can be seen in the article here:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/mar29l.html



Thanks Carlo, for helping in the continuing education of our fans here at MM.

you all know i'm one of the biggest Gila fans on MM. But i think next match Inzaghi should start. These are HIS nights, and i think Lyon's defenders will feel more pressure knowing Pippo is there like a snake in the darkness, ready to profit of the smallest mistake.

I agree Giovanni, this match is made for Pippo. Totally different to Sheva and for some reason defenders seem to forget about Pippo and leave him alone around the box.

I have a feeling we will be seeing him on the score sheet. He is a player for the big nights as he has proven in Europe countless times and he is after all lethal when close to goal.

even i agree that pippo should start, i love gila, but he has disspointed me alot

Everyone seems to be very disappointed in Gila. We keep giving him chances in CL, I dont think he's worth it because he really cant handle the pressure. I'd rather see Pippo and Rui Costa sub in later, not Gila. He just doesnt have the correct mentality and aggressiveness in him just yet. We cannot take this risk and play him from the start guys, im sure most of u agree with me.

Gila will become a world-class striker in a year. He still hasn't shown us what he used to do at Parma unfortunately. I believe all his 16 goals in Serie A have been achieved when he is not on his best form, just imagine how much will score when he's in the sort of form he was in Parma!!! I dont want to guess, but i hope it'll be somestime soon..

Seems like we will be reverting to our old defence of Cafu Nesta Stam Maldini. Many ppl do not like Stam in CB for some reason. I also agree that Nesta - Maldini/Kaladze partnerships were more solid. But I also agree that Stam is a very important player that must start ahead of Kaladze. Serginho also has been so vital. Shiit guys, now I know how hard it must be for Carlo as a coach.