AC Milan vs Manchester United: 17 Feb

Originally Posted by Revolver

First, it's clear that we can't play without either of Pirlo and Seedorf. Seedorf is not a real playmaker and with 2 DMs behind him, our game has no organization. On the other hand, without Seedorf, with Pirlo in his position, Pirlo always track back to create play and then he cannot help Ronaldinho up, because obviously he can't be in two positions at the same time. So - Pirlo deep to create play and Seedorf up to help Ronaldinho.

For Abate, I don't agree, I hope Zambrotta and Antonini will be ready, that's crucial for our success in Manchester. We badly need side backs to push up to help wide attackers and also to be good in defense, so our defense could play high up.

Ambrosini behind Pirlo and Seedorf I don't agree, because he's slow and don't have legs to cover all that space alone.

Borriello, no from me, he can't do nothing and that's it. He can't show it at this level.

Christmas tree, again no. It's the most balanced formation for us, but Ronaldinho is in the middle - not good because his static and middle is crowded, and Pato is lone attacker, even worse.

I would not change much from the first game. Abbiati is must in place of Dida. Zambrotta perhaps on RB instead of Bonera. Also, Flamini perhaps instead Ambrosini (almost impossible to happen), and Inzaghi is MUST in attack because he's the only striker who can show it at this level.

---------------------Abbiati------------------------
-----------Nesta----------------Silva---------------
--Zambrotta-----------------------------Antonini---
---------------------------------------------------
--------Ambrosini (Flamini)---------Pirlo-------------
---------------------Seedorf-----------------------
---------------------------------------------------
----Pato----------------------------Ronaldinho-----
---------------------Inzaghi------------------------

For this, we must give Flamini and Inzaghi as much playing time as possible until trip to Manchester. Also, Pirlo and Ambrosini (if plays) will need to rest at least one week before the match.

I agree with what you said (except for Flamini part, which I slightly disagree. Somehow I don't value him that much - must be just me though). I like your formation particularly. I think that would work. Hopefully we could recover all the injured players and have them ready for that do-or-die game.

Originally Posted by Xudong

I agree with what you said (except for Flamini part, which I slightly disagree. Somehow I don't value him that much - must be just me though). I like your formation particularly. I think that would work. Hopefully we could recover all the injured players and have them ready for that do-or-die game.

Well, when I think better, Flamini has one major drawback for the role he plays - he's not strong enough. But he's the fastest player in our current midfield and he has by far most energy and will to chase players down. If we want to attack at Old Trafford, and we have to, because we must score at least twice, we need some fast and energetic player who can recover loose balls, because we cannot play without loose balls.

I truly believe that we can do it. With all players in 100% match fitness and rested, we can. Nobody expect us to win with two goals difference at Old Trafford, and so we can play without pressure, if we don't succeed - it was nearly impossible anyway, and if we proceed to quarters - that would be enormous and we would prove anyone that we are still capable for big things.

Again, Manchester proved vulnerable in the first game, anyone could witness that we could've been easily 3:0 at half time. No matter how good Manchester plays, if we repeat the game we showed in first 35 minutes of first match, with more luck than before, we can win.

Everton just beat Man Utd 3-1.

Goals from Bilyadetinov, Gosling, Rodwell.

Man Ure looked poor, maybe fatigue from travelling midweek. The title race is now wide open for Arsenal

You guys can beat them at OT, maybe 2-0 or 3-1, but I don't think 3-0

Lets hope the defeat is the start of some declining form for them, where as we can get some form going maybe a rooney injury would be nice as well so he misses our game

Originally Posted by cescvanpersie

Everton just beat Man Utd 3-1.

Goals from Bilyadetinov, Gosling, Rodwell.

Man Ure looked poor, maybe fatigue from travelling midweek. The title race is now wide open for Arsenal

You guys can beat them at OT, maybe 2-0 or 3-1, but I don't think 3-0

Thanks for the information ... anyway, CL is CL, I think it will be very hard for us to do it (even if I think we will do it !!).

A lot of records are broken this year (victory in Santiago Bernabeu, defeat in San Siro against Manchester, ...), why not breaking another one by winning in Old Trafford by 3 or 4 goals ?

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Thanks for the information ... anyway, CL is CL, I think it will be very hard for us to do it (even if I think we will do it !!).

A lot of records are broken this year (victory in Santiago Bernabeu, defeat in San Siro against Manchester, ...), why not breaking another one by winning in Old Trafford by 3 or 4 goals ?

I agree. Ferguson also admitted that his players couldn't exactly focus on Everton game after "the most exciting" game at San Siro. It would be difficult for us, as Man United will be all concentrated in 3 weeks.

If we could repeat what we did at Bernabeu, then a 3-2 at OT would bring us into OT. sounds exciting. Let's go for it.

Originally Posted by soibui

Erm, I dunno where you got that from but Man U's average age of starting lineup was 27.5 and Milan's was 29. We had one player under 25, and they had four, Van der Sar alone pushes up their average coz he's 39.

sorry, took that from another forum, didnt do the counting myself

We only need to win 2-0

We can do this !!

Why are people so caught up with age all of a sudden. Milan is an old team, esp. in midfield as only Flamini is under 30.

As for winning 2-0 in OT. Well, it is possible. But then again it is still two weeks to go, a lot can happen between then.

Originally Posted by Xudong

I agree. Ferguson also admitted that his players couldn't exactly focus on Everton game after "the most exciting" game at San Siro. It would be difficult for us, as Man United will be all concentrated in 3 weeks.

If we could repeat what we did at Bernabeu, then a 3-2 at OT would bring us into OT. sounds exciting. Let's go for it.

I agree Man U will be focused on the game, but dont forget they also have the League Cup final on sunday vs Villa, and Rooney is likely to play for England the weekend prior to the game. Man U will win or lose depending on how Rooney plays - witness the Everton game where he was poor, and the West Ham game where was was on fire.

If in these high profile games he continues to work very hard, he might just be too tired come the CL 2nd leg........

Our best hope of progression is an out of sorts Rooney and an on fire Roni!

I don't rate Rooney that much, sorry... he scored twice against us only cause we let them. I think he is a pretty much an average striker.
In my opinion Milan is a better team than Man Unt in terms of attacking football, and we have much more to offer... but we are easily outplayed in the midfield and can't pressure or possese the ball, and that's a huge problem.
Ronie+Pato 2010 are better than Kaka 2007, but u have to have another players to fill their roles too.

I am worrying how we may beat MU.
Pato seems got an injury.

Today, AC relies on R80 and Pato too much.
Pato breaks through the opponents defense, and Dino takes charge of
Magic Passes and assists.

B22 get uses to waste the chance but MU defense is very tight.

It is almost a mission of impossible to win over MU without Pato.

I am worrying.

I really hate saying this, but

GAME OVER

Nesta and TS cost us the game
Serie-A, bring it on

Originally Posted by mzk57

I really hate saying this, but

GAME OVER

Nesta and TS cost us the game
Serie-A, bring it on

actually beckham was horrible(his worst match in his days here imo),your "favourite obsession" kjh was more than dissapointing,for me he proved leo right that night(for choosing bori all season long),not only for the missed chances,but he did not do anything right at all(in contast to boriello who even if he doesnt score that much,he contributes a lot helping dinho and pato being in touch with the box)..and of course the entrance of favalli changed all leo's tactics.

nesta and ts were no good,but its too easy to blame the cbs when they actually had no real cover form the medfielders and no reliable full backs beside them..

Originally Posted by mzk57

I really hate saying this, but

GAME OVER

Nesta and TS cost us the game
Serie-A, bring it on

I dont know why you guys think were going to lose in OT? If we play at least as good as we did last time and with Abbiati on goal were winning this game. I dont know the score though. Just winning is the part i know.