Milan - Manchester Utd (post game comment)

Truly amazing game... most of u have said whats to be said already.. its quite a relief too me that we are through and its the best pre birthday present i could ask for.. its awfull that arsenal play tommorow on my bday i need to be preety pissed to take it if they lose

Cafu well he's the kinda guy i woudnt like him if he played for anyone else but Milan. he's soo cheeky i love him to bits.. hahah the way he grinned at ronaldo was millian dollars.. would have liked to see rooney get heated up its always fun.. the only thing that comes out his mouth seems to be "**** u "


U guys, i havent been on this forum for ages... just cant find the time.. i wanno come back.. guess what before the 1st leg i met the milan team at old trafford the most amazing day of my lifeee..

Well, first of all congrats to all fellow Milanisti. Today our team simply showed how far away are ManU from the class of Milan. Apart from Giggs' post, due to lack of concentration in our otherwise impeccable defence, ManU were simply non-existant tonight and were probably dreaming of Turin - we told them they were playing in Milan but they still prefered to call it Turin and I guess this is where they left their football skils.
On the pitch tonight I saw one team playing and giving a lecture while the other one was carefully taking notes as if they were affraid they would miss part of the lesson. Milan was one class above ManU in pacience and maturity, two classes above them as far as football skills go, and three on top of ManU in terms of tactical discipline and awareness.
Our defence was impeccable except for that post hit by Giggs and the mdfield was very very alert for most of the game. The offence was also very disciplined and carried out the game as Carlo had envisioned it - kill them off, take them out of the game and make the most of what we could get up front. MOM for me was without any doubt Japp "The Rock" Stam - simply immense .... I am just out of words that could properly describe that man's performance tonight. Gattuso was also a class act in midfield, while Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Rui, and Kaka made me wonder if RvN, Rooney, and Keane were actually on the pitch. These three were absolutely outplayed by our guys and at some point I started to think that RvN is soon to come in as a substitute when I saw him being eaten alive yet again. The only reason why I didn't mentioned Ronaldo among the "forgotten" is that, from time to time, he was trying to score vs Dida with some PATHETIC shots from 30-40 meters. The best players for ManU were, IMO, Giggs, who had to leave due to injury, and Scholes - they were the only players who tried to do something different up fron for ManU. Heinze was also very good but his efforts were simply lost out there in the sea of Milan class-acts.
Forza Hernan and FORZA MILAN. For the next round I don't think I have any preferences for all teams, even Lyon, will be very very well prepared. Anyway, if there is one team I would like to avoid that is the rejuvenated Bayern M. Would love to get Chelsea - and that would be some game - for to be the best we have to beat the best.
Cheers to all fellow Milanisti.

first of all happy birthday shilpa and congrats on the win

second of all ... next!!!

Originally Posted by lana

Well atleast Barca are out. They were the team I thought were going to be the hardest to beat. Still, tough competition awaits.

If Barca are out then a better team than the Catalan giants is still in the CL. I never really had any doubts who will go through between Chelsea and Barca, especially after seeing the 1st game - Barca never had a chance vs the Londoners until Drogba was sent off.
Lyon, Chelsea, and ManU are the teams that could make life difficult for Milan if we are not fully concentrated, that is. Of course, I am not trying to underestimate the rest, just think that they will be our most difficult opponents out there - Chelsea for their organization and discipline all over the field, Lyon for their abilities on the ball and discipline, and Bayern for combining the best from Chelsea and Lyon.

Dida: no rating
Maldini: 6.5 was not tested really, Man U did not reach our 20 yards
Nesta: 8 couldnt give a better performance on the wings. Amazing
Stam:7.5 solid and helped in the attack, never worried viewers
Cafu:8.5 Man of the match along Gattuso
Seedorf: 7.5 excellent defensive display, good passing in our own half and
midfield, innacurate in attack
Rui Costa: 6.5 less pacy than Crespo, good defensive display, poor accuracy
in the last third of the field
Kaka: 6.5 pace and ability to run with the ball frustrated opponents. Needs
shooting practice, poor understanding with Crespo
Pirlo: 6 Did not do the usual orchestration, his passes were more backward
than forward, saw much less of him in the match than usual
Crespo: 7.5 Wonderful goal and another good header that just missed, runs
pretty well at the ball on both ends. other than that, too many times
offside, poor understanding with Kaka, one pace
Gattuso: 8.5 This man is just amazing, amazing, cannot say any more

A quote from goal.com in their match review:
"Sir Alex Ferguson should take note of the names composing the Milan back-line, and understand that to prevail in Europe you need a team with exceptional players in every part of the pitch, a team like Milan."
Agree.

And this is what Fergi had to say after the game:
"Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was left to rue missed chances after watching his team crash out of the Champions League against AC Milan this evening.

Hernan Crespo's second half header gave Milan a 2-0 aggregate victory to ensure the Red Devils failed to reach the quarter-finals for the second successive season.

Ferguson insisted there was nothing between the two teams overall but admitted the Italians had been more clinical in front of goal. The Scot explained: 'If you look at the two games we had six good chances and we didn't take any of them. The margins at this level are very fine and that is what has decided the tie overall.

'Sometimes you can be too critical. I have no complaints about the way my team played or the way they adapted the game - but we just didn't get the goal that could have changed the game.'

Ryan Giggs came closest to breaking the deadlock with a first half effort which crashed back off the post. If the Welshman had scored instead, it would have levelled up the goal Crespo got in the first game at Old Trafford a fortnight ago and presented Milan with a big problem.

But the Serie A side - leaders of their domestic league - escaped and went on to advance at United's expense.

Ferguson continued: 'We didn't get the break we needed when Ryan hit the post. We needed to score the first goal. That was the key to the whole contest, that was the chance - unfortunately we didn't take it.'

Ferguson denied his team had been outplayed even though they were left chasing the ball for long periods.

However, he did confirm some of the younger members of his squad - such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney - will learn a lot from the experience.

'Experience was always going to count tonight,' he said. 'At 19 and 20, Wayne and Cristiano are not the final product.

'The only way they will become what we want them to be is by playing in games like this one. The most important factor in their development is their ability and temperament.

'I have no concerns about that and in two or three years' time we will still be talking about them.'

Ferguson was fulsome in his praise of the Italian side and was particularly impressed by the professional way they approached the tie.

The United manager singled out Brazilian full-back Cafu, who provided the cross for Crespo's winner, and skipper Paolo Maldini for special praise.

He continued: 'Cafu's performance was important tonight - he must have two hearts the way he keeps going. And if Maldini carries on for another four or five years I think I will quit.'

Ferguson had already stated in the pre-match build-up that he believed the winners of this tie could go on to lift the trophy in Istanbul on May 25 - and nothing which happened tonight has dissuaded him from that opinion.

The Scot added: 'Yes, I think they are good enough to win the competition - what they have is something special.

'We play a lot of European teams on their own grounds and have to tolerate a lot of histrionics. We didn't get any of that from Milan. They conducted themselves in an impeccable manner.

'That is what makes them a little bit special. They can definitely win the Champions' League this season.'"

I watched the first half of the game and missed the second (had soccer tryouts ). From what I saw, Milan played superb defense, totally shutting down Ronaldo, Rooney, and Giggs. Ouchies, Giggs' nose must really hurt. Damn that was a lot of blood. *queasy* Anyway, i'm proud of our team as i'm sure everybody is. All I gotta say is keep it up and FORZA MILAN!!!!!

btw...happy bday shil shil!

Thanks for the wishes u guys
I am soo tired i am goin to bed now.. i honestly hope arsenal's gonna play some decent football to make me happy and i am gonna get drunk from 4 pm

Brilliant football from Milan. The best i have seen since 'signing up' to be a full-time Milan fan this year .

Our defence was impeccable, solid, compact. Stam was simply everywhere in the penalty box I still cannot accept the fact that Maldini and Cafu will be retiring in a couple of years time. I cant get enough of them!!!!

The midfield was marshalled superbly by Pirlo & Seedorf which gives no space for the Red Devils to manuvoure at all!! They covered for each other as well as for the defence, great teamwork! Their passing was a delightful sight; such tight space and they are still able to get away with the Manures closing down on them, i really cannot believe my eyes.

Rino was rampant all night long. Simply the best i have seen from him. He even did a superb dribble and a neat 1-2 with Kaka that splitted up United defences, only to be disappointed by the finishing. I was in awe~ It was a right thing to rest Gattuso in the weekend for this match.

Our attack was well fed by the midfield and pressed well , possesed well to keep the 'baby devil' in their own half. Their presence and enthusiasm to keep running for the ball made the Manure back 4 unrest. A fantastic header by Crespo to sum up the whole match.

The only bad point is Dida wasnt tested AT ALL throughout the match to keep him warmed up~!

After Giggs missed, Man U was never in control again. To think we gave them so much respect, disappointing~

Now i wish we will face Chelsea in the QF so that we can 'avenge' for Rijkaard's Barca whom i feel should be worthy of a place in the finals. Ronaldinho was pretty upset losing to a English team and if we could despatch Chelsea, the prospect of Dinho considering a move to Milan can come true~


FORZA MILAN!!~~

PS: Gattuso's "Come on Come on" = "you have to do ALOT better if you want me to join your team!!"

PS2: More English (Chelsea) fans please, can't get enough of Koku and the MAn U Trolls.

i think all the man u trolls left

Ferguson rues missed opportunity

Sir Alex Ferguson
Match report
AC Milan match reaction
Sir Alex Ferguson bemoaned Manchester United's finishing over the course of the two legs of their Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

"If you look at the two games we had six good chances and we didn't take any of them," the manager said after going down 1-0 in Milan and 2-0 on aggregate.

"The margins at this level are very fine and that is what has decided the tie overall.

"I'm disappointed to go out but we've gone out to a very good team."

United, despite a glittering array of attacking talent, failed to hit the target, Ryan Giggs coming closest when he shaved the woodwork.

"We didn't get the break we needed when Ryan hit the post," Ferguson added.

"We needed to score the first goal. That was the key to the whole contest, that was the chance and unfortunately we didn't take it."

"If we had taken the first one it would have been a different game.

"Our decision-making could have been better but you only get that through playing and my players will get better."

Ferguson also reflected on Roy Carroll's mistake in the first leg that gifted AC Milan a priceless away goal.


I think they are good enough to win the competition - what they have is something special
Ferguson on AC Milan

Hernan Crespo pounced on that occasion, as he did in the San Siro heading home Cafu's cross for the the only goal of the game.

"It was a hard game. Losing the goal at Old Trafford was the killer for us," he added.

"We had a great spirit tonight and it took a fantastic header from Crespo to decide it."

Ferguson also believes the Italian league leaders can go on and win the Champions League.

"Cafu's performance was important - he must have two hearts the way he keeps going.

"And if (Paolo) Maldini carries on for another four or five years I think I will quit.

"We play a lot of European teams on their own grounds and have to tolerate a lot of histrionics.

"We didn't get any of that from Milan. They conducted themselves in an impeccable manner.

"That is what makes them a little bit special. They can definitely win the Champions' League this season."

from manutd.com

Crespo Strikes The Killer Blow - Again

Manchester United's European dreams are over for another season, after failing to score in 180 minutes of football against Italian champions AC Milan.

Hernan Crespo reprised his role as United's ruthless assassin, heading in the only goal at the San Siro in the 61st minute.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men faced a resolute Rossoneri side determined to keep possession, soak up pressure and hit United with a killer blow. It worked in the first leg and Milan saw no reason to change their plan. United were just unable to prevent the identical outcome.

The enormity of this tie could be gauged before the match had even started; Milan's fans produced a piercing reception for the Rossoneri. United's 9,000-or-so travelling fans, flags draped on the barriers behind the goal did their best to welcome United into this cauldron of an atmosphere.

The home side conjured the first opening. Scholes' attempted through-pass was blocked and Milan gave the earliest indication of their propensity to counter-attack. Pirlo brought the ball forward and played in Crespo, whose first touch took him wide. Howard saved comfortably but it was an early warning sign for the Reds.

Milan, as they had done at Old Trafford two weeks previously, kept the ball superbly; Rui Costa, Pirlo and Kaka playing the possession football we expect from one of Europe's finest clubs.

United were not without their attacking prowess. Ronaldo threatened with the ball at his feet, and if Ryan Giggs had realised the space and time available to him after Wayne Rooney's glorious cross-field pass, United could have garnered their first opportunity.

As Sir Alex Ferguson's side became more assured in possession, the game became more like a blow-for-blow heavyweight bout.

First United went close through Giggs. Ruud van Nistelrooy's measured pass allowed the Welshman to fire a shot across the goal that left Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper Dida in spectator mode as the ball clipped the post.

It was then the Rossoneri's turn to be denied by the woodwork. Kaka was allowed too much room in United's penalty area but, fortunately for the visitors, his half-volley hit the crossbar and went over.

United responded with an opportunity that perhaps should have produced the opening goal. Rooney headed down Giggs' cross from the right flank right into the path of van Nistelrooy. But the Dutchman, still understandably not at his sharpest, blazed his shot high and wide.

The second half began as the first had, with Milan enjoying the majority of the possession. Crespo, who watched a first-half header drift over the bar, went closer with another headed effort 15 minutes after the break.

United were temporarily down to ten men as Ryan Giggs was forced off with a bloodied nose thanks to a boisterous challenge from Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. The Welsh winger was eventually replaced by Quinton Fortune.

Milan's tactic of soaking up pressure and hitting United on the break - a policy carried out to effect in the first leg - was the source of the Rossoneri's breakthrough at the San Siro.

And as it was in the first leg, Hernan Crespo, on loan from United's Premiership rivals Chelsea, was the scorer. Cafu's cross picked out the Milan frontman, who looped a header past the despairing arms of Tim Howard.

United were not to be deterred, however. They still needed two goals to win. Rooney, lurking on the edge of the box, watched the ball drop from a looped Milan clearance and fired a rasping volley just wide.

Another opening fell to van Nistelrooy, but where the Dutchman is normally clinical he appeared slightly off the pace. Fortune flicked the ball over Cafu to find Ruud at the back post, but he dragged his shot wide.

Milan could have extended their lead with the move of the match, when Gattuso danced past Scholes and Keane, played a one-two with Kaka, and slid the ball narrowly wide.

Ferguson threw Alan Smith on with four minutes remaining. The Yorkshireman's aggression was an aspect lacking in United's play.

Milan's fans began the game with an exhilarating exhibition of vocal and colourful support. But United's travelling Red army proved their class by applauding the opposition players off the pitch. It was painful to admit, but Milan were the better team.

AC Milan: Dida; Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Rui Costa (Dhorasoo, 86), Kaka; Crespo (Ambrosini, 79).
Subs not used: Abbiati (GK), Costacurta, Inzaghi, Tomasson, Ambrosini, Serginho.

United: Howard; Brown (Smith, 86), Ferdinand, Heinze; Ronaldo, Scholes, Keane, Giggs (Fortune, 60); Rooney, van Nistelrooy.
Subs not used: Carroll, P. Neville, Bellion, Smith, Miller, O'Shea.

Report by Ben Hibbs, at San Siro.

(clearly this guy was not watching the game. Costacurta came on as a sub but he is listead as one of the "subs not used")

One more for the history books, and with so many people watching around the world.
Cafu's reaction at Ronaldo is one of those memorable football moments, gotta find a pic or video of that.

FORZA MILAN

wow wow I can't say any thing I'm speachless Milan played in wonderful
way in both 1leg and 2leq. I have to say Thank you crespo. I knew in
some way that we are able to beat Man united in both round and we
prove to all world that Milan is great team and we can beat any team.

Today Milan make my day .I love Milan to death

I have strong feeling that we will won champion league again

Froza Milan
Froza Maldini+ Nesta + crespo + all other milan players