UCL Final - Milan vs. Liverpool... Athens, May 23rd

Originally Posted by Debs

Jamie, my boy, are you with us or against us??

I would like Milan to win this one to make it one win each.

6 days and half Left.


I hope Milan Fans support with all they got to the team, this time we needed, i watched yesterday again my tape of Istanbul and i have right Liverpool fans shouted until the goal by Gerrard, and maybe in the half time, but befores that they were dissapeared xD, it's logical bec. they were 3-0 down. but to say they were all game singing is a big lie. and also they were 3 times more than tifosis WTF. Come on guys Milan needs you, this time is our chance Vendetta or not i only wanna see paolo lift the 7th, and i wanna see a pippo goal xD

[b]forza Magico Grande Milan!!!

Originally Posted by Giovanni

On a tactical note, i think Benitez is preparing, as i said in the first post, a catenaccio style game. They have no world class players, except Gerrard. Therefore, they will focus on teamwork and tactical accuracy, trying to frustrate our game with Sacchi style pressing.

I think this can be an advantadge, if you think about it: this is a style of game we cope with week in week out. When we face the middle table (no disrespect meant to Liverpool ) teams, they usually close every space left.

That's why we'll have to win the game on the flanks. I think Kakà will have to do a superwork, starting from the flanks and getting to the center. If quality players will cause trouble on the wings, they will widen the defensive lock and we'll have more space to hit with other players, like Pippo or, for ex, with Seedorf or Ambro's headers.
The secret is to have a quick flow with the ball and sudden game diversions, from one side to another.

Another key will be to slower the tempo, with ball possession, and therefore to avoid their pressing.

Excellent analysis Gio! (As usual)...I agree with your thoughts 100%...I should also mention that Liverpool will tend to the long ball, especially after we score, so Dida will have to be at his best in estimating his positioning on the crosses/high long balls to Crouch...while our DMs, RB and LB will have to work hard to limit the amount of crosses we allow into the box.

If Crouch plays, then I would rather Kala play over Maldini, as he is better than il capitano in the air...

The key for me, will be who scores first, and how early in the game the first goal is scored.

If we manage to score first, the game will open up, and they will be forced to attack, either through long balls to Crouch, or via runs down either flank with Riise and Pennant/Zenden...or somesuch...this will allow us space on the counter, and it will be over if we convert all, or the majority of our chances.

If they score first, then we will have it all to do. They will withdraw into a defensive shell, and we will have to take some risks to unlock their defense, and this is where Pirlo will need to have his "A-Class" game..to slice them open with incisive passing...then Gila/Pippo, Seedorf, and Kaka will have to convert these chances.

Set pieces will also factor, and the side that concededes the least (at the risk of being obvious) will stand a better chance, especially with Pirlo on the dead ball, and Crouch, Gerrard, et al on the crosses to the far post...a "traditional" weak spot for the Carlo coached Milan.

My palms are sweaty, I am quite nervous, and I have 6 more days to go before the actual game...sheesh...my poor heart!

And Jim_UK: very politically correct reply to Debs there old chap!

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

I would like Milan to win this one to make it one win each.

Nice one jim ... thanks mate ... legend you are !! Forza Milan

I think Gattuso has responded in a very dignified manner to Gerrard's cheap shots:

from soccernet:
Gattuso relishing chance for Liverpool revenge

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is not letting the memories of the most harrowing defeat of his football career bother him days before his chance for revenge.


The former Rangers man makes no secret of the pain the penalty shoot-out defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League two years ago has caused him.


However, next Wednesday, he and his Milan team-mates have the chance for revenge in Athens.

Despite all the media attention on a game touted as a revenge mission for the Italians, Gattuso is just taking it all in his stride.

'I am sleeping fine,' he said. 'I cannot deny there is tension, but I cannot wait for the day of the game.

'This club takes defeat with a different class. The players always remain relaxed.'

The 29-year-old admits he has not summoned up 'the strength and courage' to watch the full 2005 Champions League final again.

'I refuse to watch that type of game,' he added, while admitting that 'Liverpool won it on the field, so they deserved it'.

He added: 'They are a team who make you play really hard - they press you and close the gaps and we will have to make sure those gaps remain open and keep the ball moving quickly.'

Although sleep deprivation is not yet an issue, Gattuso did divulge what has been occupying his thoughts regularly.

'(Jerzy) Dudek has been our recurring nightmare for two years,' he joked. 'What on earth can I say to him other than congratulations?'

'Actually, I think both teams ought to be congratulated on the way they have reached the final again two years on.'

He also had praise for the man he is set to come face to face with in midfield, England international Steven Gerrard, who in his own autobiography likened Gattuso to a kitten.

'I don't think I am, and if I was, I would be a really ugly one with a beard like this,' joked `Rino'.

'I don't want to respond to provocation.

'Gerrard is a great player and a champion, and he is showing it this year.

'I am one who gives it all, gets involved and never gives up.

'It is difficult to forget that evening, but it could give us the hand to give that little bit more.'


This one shows what Gattuso's take on the claim that "Milan were celebrating at half-time" is:

Gattuso slams Liverpool liars Wednesday 16 May, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gennaro Gattuso responded to Steven Gerrard’s description of him as “a kitten” and lambasted Liverpool for their “lies” and “irritating” style of play.

The midfielder was part of the side that was leading Liverpool 3-0 in 2005 before capitulating on penalties and will face the Reds again in Athens on May 23.


“I hope that those memories will give us the right boost to beat them. It’s not easy to forget that night, but it can give us all something extra to win it,” he said.


“The Final is an important match and my mind keeps drifting towards it. Do you want to know if I sleep? I sleep, but I also feel the tension. I cannot wait for the kick-off to arrive.”


One of the big stories after that comeback from 3-0 down was suggestions that the Rossoneri had been heard celebrating at half-time.


“It’s a shame that such lies were spread about us,” replied Gattuso. “That is the thing that hurt more than anything. A club and a squad like Milan does not do these things. Compliments to Liverpool for winning the trophy, which at half-time was indeed in our Via Turati headquarters, but it’s a real pity they lied about what happened in the break.


“Also, I don’t know how many other sides in the world would have come out from that night and returned to the semi-final and Final in successive seasons. We have to give credit to the club environment for allowing the players to recover and continue to work without excessive pressure.”


Ahead of their midfield duel on the pitch, Gattuso and Gerrard have been battling it out in the newspapers with the Liverpool man calling his rival “as scary as a kitten.”


“I’m certainly as furry as a kitten,” smiled the bearded Italian. “I don’t want to answer this sort of thing, as I am sure that the media blew those comments out of proportion. If Gerrard really does think that, then I don’t know what to do about it.


“I believe he is a great player who always gives 100 per cent. I can also say I don’t feel like a kitten, but rather a man who never gives in.


“Liverpool are a side that make you play badly and pack men behind the ball, so we have to do well not to get too irritated. However it ends, praise has to be given to both Milan and Liverpool for being back in the Final after two years. Back in January Rafa Benitez predicted this, but we never thought we’d be here so soon.”


Milan can be particularly proud to have reached their third Final in five years, as they were originally excluded from the Champions League due to Calciopoli and went through via the preliminary round. Inter midfielder Patrick Vieira accused the club, saying he could not understand why they were in the competition at all.


“After everything we proved in the World Cup about how good Italian football is, what more do they want, for us to fly to the Moon?


“Unfortunately scandals emerge more or less everywhere, as with so much money in the sport there is bound to be someone who wants to be sneaky. Italian football has done some great things on the field in recent years and so enough of doing us down.”


‘Rino’ was a key figure in Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph and disagrees with Francesco Totti, who said before Roma’s Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United that for him this was more important than that night in Berlin.


“I don’t want to cause controversy with Francesco and perhaps he said that because his rapport with Roma is special, being their first quarter-final in a long time… but the Nazionale is another matter entirely.


“You cannot compare it to the Champions League. When I wear the Azzurri shirt and represent my country, it is an indescribable joy.”

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

I would like Milan to win this one to make it one win each.

I prefer Liverpool to win this one to make it 6 European Cups each.

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

[b]I think Gattuso has responded in a very dignified manner to Gerrard's cheap shots:

Hasan, please do not believe the deliberately skewed and sensationalist newspaper headlines.

Gerrard and the entire Liverpool club have total respect for Milan.

Anything you read to the contrary is lies.

On our Liverpool forum, we had the same type of lies today, only this time it was supposedly the Milan manager and Gallattuso slagging Liverpool. It is all media driven deceit. Do not believe it.

Originally Posted by rome1977

Hasan, please do not believe the deliberately skewed and sensationalist newspaper headlines.

Gerrard and the entire Liverpool club have total respect for Milan.

Anything you read to the contrary is lies.

On our Liverpool forum, we had the same type of lies today, only this time it was supposedly the Milan manager and Gallattuso slagging Liverpool. It is all media driven deceit. Do not believe it.

Yeah I know there is a lot of that going on.

But that kitten comment is from Gerrard's autobiography, is it not? How can it be misconstrued if it's there in print?

Both sides are doing plenty of talking and neither are coming out looking very dignified. It would be better if they just concentrated on the final.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

and especially how violent italians are.

I could of given you a killer response there but considering the thread we are in and the current situation I might just allow it.

Originally Posted by rome1977

I prefer Liverpool to win this one to make it 6 European Cups each.

But Milan has class, quality its reached the heights your club can only dream of - plus as won a scudetto a few years back, not 18 loool

Originally Posted by rome1977

Hasan, please do not believe the deliberately skewed and sensationalist newspaper headlines.

Gerrard and the entire Liverpool club have total respect for Milan.

Anything you read to the contrary is lies.

On our Liverpool forum, we had the same type of lies today, only this time it was supposedly the Milan manager and Gallattuso slagging Liverpool. It is all media driven deceit. Do not believe it.

Well, I tend to agree with rome1977 on this point...the media are doing their best to stir up some controversy, and are looking stupid, well, at least for those fans who read carefully.

Milan, and our players always go out of our way to be polite to opponents...and conduct ourselves as true gentlemen.

Hence my disbelief at the "half-time celebrations" that some Liverpool players claimed they heard.

Regardless, this is all semantics, and media driven to generate readership...

The match is a few days hence...and that will be where all concerned will have to put up, or shut up.

The only player who made those claims was Traore. Worst player in the world with CL medal.

If the media talked about the respect between the 2 clubs they wouldn't sell as many papers, so they make stuff up, or twist the words, and take them out of context.

Besides if you read the mirror, sun & star then it's your own fault.

I am feeling a route in the coming match . . . you get the feeling from this that Liverpool know what they are facing, but Milans best players this year also played in that 2005 game, and they seem driven for nothing more then to take the trophy home. We all know what this team can do when driven to succeed (look at this year). I think theat Milan is looking for perfection in this game, and for any oppoenent that has to be a scary thought.