ACHTUNG! BARCA vs. MILAN

its good that the game is open because that allows for a bigger chance to score. However, milan is not playin as good as they need to be playing. Forzaa!!!!!!!!

we are going close but not as close as eto'o does.

I'd like to see us be a bit more solid at the back and the midfield need to work harder to make space. Attack wise we're ok though, I know we haven't quite found a great oppertunity yet but there have been a few times where it's only been one outstretched barcelona foot stopping us getting clear.

That was the most nerve racking half I have ever watched.

KAKA' is trying to drive us, just need it to fall to SHEVA or PIPPO.

I thought we absorbed the Barca pressure fairly well, two great saves from DIDA.

Just that mistake at the end, that was probably the only real mistake made.

SHEVA needs to break the shackles, and get a chance on goal.

Was the Sheva chance offside, cause he seemed to be onside, but since the other players weren't in the play aren't they passive??

C'MON MILAN, I DREAMED SHEVA SCORED TWICE... MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

ppl we have had 0 shots on goal whereas barca had 4 shots on goal

Originally Posted by rossoneri2005

That was the most nerve racking half I have ever watched.

KAKA' is trying to drive us, just need it to fall to SHEVA or PIPPO.

I thought we absorbed the Barca pressure fairly well, two great saves from DIDA.

Just that mistake at the end, that was probably the only real mistake made.

SHEVA needs to break the shackles, and get a chance on goal.

Was the Sheva chance offside, cause he seemed to be onside, but since the other players weren't in the play aren't they passive??

C'MON MILAN, I DREAMED SHEVA SCORED TWICE... MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

sheva was lightly ahead and other players were passive

Originally Posted by rahul.acm

ppl we have had 0 shots on goal whereas barca had 4 shots on goal

That's nothing to be worried about. They're containing us so far, but sooner or later they will make a defensive mistake.

I think we need to see this in the 2nd half - Billy out (he already has 1 YC and with his lack of speed can only leave us with 10 men) and Cafu in with Stam moving to CD.
Can't say that Seedorf and Pirlo are doing much so they really need to step it up a notch or two. Same goes for Kaka, Sheva and Pippo but to be fair to the strikers, they are kin of isolated out there.
Maybe we could consider playing a X-tree (Rui/Sergio + Kaka) in an attempt to regain control of midfield and close the gap between attack and midfield. Depending on his form, Vogel in for Pirlo or Gattuso could also be an option as he adds both steel and creativity to the midfield.
Forza Miliaaaaaaaan !!!!!!!

Playing Inzaghi is such a risk.

on one hand if the ball is bouncing about the box, he's who I want on the pitch because he always seems to be in the right place. But if nothing is materialising then Gila would be more likely to make something out of a half chance. The type of chances we've had so far it would have been preferable if Gila had started.

Originally Posted by rahul.acm

ppl we have had 0 shots on goal whereas barca had 4 shots on goal

all we need is 2 to be on goal and in the goal. The only statistics that matters here is goals. We do need to change things around for that to happen, though.
Just hope Billy is taken out 'cause he is driving me crazy with his passes at the back and that YC makes things so risky for us for the 2nd half should he stay on.

Very open game both team numerous chances, though I have to say Barca created the better chance. Thier movement and pressure in opposition has being very good, a lot different from the frist leg where they were building up a bit more sloly. This is due to Deco now in attack.

Eto has had the best two chances of the game while Kaka and Sheva have had the best 2 chances for Milan. Kaka on the other hand has been our best attacking player as usual and its great he was able to play this game.

Nesta who didn't make shows with his exclusion our defence is suspect but full credit to Captain Billy who has made some crucial (as always) saves. Stam has enjoyed a lot of freedom on the right wing and has attacked a lot.

Inzaghi has being relatively quiet hasn't had the clear chances but he will keep working you can tell. So will Gattusso who is running everywhere and kept Rony in check as much as he can along with Stam.

I think Barca is still but Milan will fight till the end. Expect this to go the last minute.

Half time...

First off I have to say, like it or not, but Rijkaard has really put together a nice system there at Barca. The players, especially in midfield, all seem to be in the right at the right time when going forward. When retreating they always cut the space down well and deflect away important passes.

Yes, they have created better chances and it seems like we're having to play their game, but all we need is POISE going forward. The open spaces are there for us to exploit, we just need to make crisper runs and even better passes, we're just one precise pass away from putting the ball on net.

I honestly don't know if we'll get through with the current scheme right now. Carlo needs to field the Christmas Tree and drop Pippo in favor of Rui Costa, who is the exact man we need to serve up the killer ball in close quarters.

But it's not over yet, folks. We can do this.

MASSIVE opportunity for Sheva!

Seedorf and Gattuso have exchanged places, I think.
Great chance for Sheva after some nice action by Kaka and Seedorf but the ball went straight into Valdez from Sheva's header.
Forza Milaaaaaaan !!!!!!

billy's gotta come off!