what happened tonight???? CL FINAL

Oh my, Oh my, the game tonight looked like it was in the bag (won) at half time. Unfortunately Milan, IMO, went to a zone type defense, and didnt attack or mark every player in the area, this is what I think caused our loss. It just seems to me that Milan is bad a holding a lead thru playing a more defensive game, or sitting back and defending. I saw the PSV second game, which I feel like we attempted the same tatic at playing a zone type defense, and not marking in a Man to Man format. Keep in mind this is only my opinion.
For me, living in the US, only seeing a minimal of games each year, this is what I feel like I saw in this game. Milan is a great side, but wehn they play, what I would call a defensive zone type defence, and dont cover Man on Man, we seem to give the holes that provide oppurtunity.
I certainly only mean the as a cirticism. I'm no coach, and not even a great player, but I will remain a great fan of Milan. My first ever live European game was with Milan and Bayern M. in Milan in the CL in 2001. Since then I have only rooted for Milan, and will continue with this commitment. We lose, we win, we play with spirit. I'm proud of all of our players and want them to know that they will continue to have my spirit of support. One year that ends without a trophy is not a catastrophy, we must look forward to next year.
All in all I just wanted to put in my two cents worth.

Forza Milan!!!!

interesting analysis on the zone defence. i never thought of it that way but you could be spot on.

Probably Pirlo should stop right there (before kicking the ball) and deal with the referee that Dudek violated the rule, things could be completely different.

Originally Posted by Xudong

Probably Pirlo should stop right there (before kicking the ball) and deal with the referee that Dudek violated the rule, things could be completely different.

no. don't think for a moment that we lost the game at the penalty shoot out. we lost the game after 3-2. i knew it was a matter of time before they conceded the 3rd goal. their attitude sucked at that point. forget the PKs.

Originally Posted by walmania

can we just forget about tonight and learn from it. Talking about and discussing what happened should be left for a few days IMO. Everyone get a good night sleep if they can and tomorrow is a new season!

This is football, you take the rough with the smooth, 1 day for you and another against you, life goes on and Milan will always be Milan and we will all still be Milan supporters no matter what!

Lets get behind the team for next season so that they can paint a smile on our faces once more!

no... thats what we said after depor but looks like we havent learned.

SIGH ... reliving the past. what coulda been


Maldini, Crespo double put Milan 3-0 up at halftime
Wed May 25, 2005 8:36 PM BST
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ISTANBUL, May 25 (Reuters) - An early goal from captain Paolo Maldini and two by Argentine striker Hernan Crespo gave AC Milan a 3-0 lead over Liverpool at halftime in the Champions League final on Wednesday.

Maldini put the Italians ahead in the first minute with a downward volley from an Andrea Pirlo free kick, which bounced through a crowded area and beat the outstretched arm of Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek.

The defender's goal, his first of the season, was the fastest in a European Cup final since Enrique Mateos for Real Madrid against Stade de Reims in 1959. At 36, the Milan captain also became the oldest player to score in a final.

In an explosive start, Liverpool's Finnish defender Sami Hyypia forced Milan keeper Dida into a save with a firm header and Milan went close to a second when Crespo's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez was forced into a change in the 23rd minute when Australian Harry Kewell, a surprise starter, picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer.

That changed little and Milan's European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko had an effort ruled out for offside in the 29th minute after Kaka took advantage of the vast space left to him in midfield to burst forward.

Six minutes before the break Crespo tapped home a low Shevchenko cross at the back post to put Carlo Ancelotti's side 2-0 up, and Kaka's sublime through ball set up the Argentine for his second a minute before the break.


© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Originally Posted by derekhski

Oh my, Oh my, the game tonight looked like it was in the bag (won) at half time. Unfortunately Milan, IMO, went to a zone type defense, and didnt attack or mark every player in the area, this is what I think caused our loss. It just seems to me that Milan is bad a holding a lead thru playing a more defensive game, or sitting back and defending. I saw the PSV second game, which I feel like we attempted the same tatic at playing a zone type defense, and not marking in a Man to Man format. Keep in mind this is only my opinion.
For me, living in the US, only seeing a minimal of games each year, this is what I feel like I saw in this game. Milan is a great side, but wehn they play, what I would call a defensive zone type defence, and dont cover Man on Man, we seem to give the holes that provide oppurtunity.
I certainly only mean the as a cirticism. I'm no coach, and not even a great player, but I will remain a great fan of Milan. My first ever live European game was with Milan and Bayern M. in Milan in the CL in 2001. Since then I have only rooted for Milan, and will continue with this commitment. We lose, we win, we play with spirit. I'm proud of all of our players and want them to know that they will continue to have my spirit of support. One year that ends without a trophy is not a catastrophy, we must look forward to next year.
All in all I just wanted to put in my two cents worth.

Forza Milan!!!!

I agree on the thing about the defense. The only time I get to watch my Milan is when ESPN decided that they're more important than poker, billiards, and the rodeo. Which is maybe 1 or 2 times a season. Not to mention that Fox Soccer Channel REALLY NEEDS to get a contract with Serie A.

But i regress. i noticed the same thing about the defense. We do play more of a "zone" and that allows teams to put together good runs off the ball together. Still, I didn't think the defense was too bad. Stamm was a beast. Liverpool played with the heart the Rossoneri didn't have in the 2nd half, and got lucky. Dida could have, and should have saved that 2nd goal, and he DID save the PK, but Nesta got a bad jump on the rebound. Those were both very unlucky goals. It should have been 3-1, but luck wasn't on our side. But hey...Champions Lague finals 2 of the last 3 years...we're the only club to be dominating like that Internationally right now. Silvio seems dedicated to making Milan a perrenial winner as we should be, so I'm confident we'll come back even stronger next season.

Also, on ESPN today, they said something about Ancelotti possibly being let go after this season?

ancelotti's job is secure. both galliani and berlusconi confirmed it

Originally Posted by Nadir

ancelotti's job is secure. both galliani and berlusconi confirmed it

More reasons why ESPN is good for nothing other than baseball and sportscenter.

Originally Posted by UBigBobby

More reasons why ESPN is good for nothing other than baseball and sportscenter.

ESPN sucks, the commentators to cameramen biased on Liverpool.... I prefered local channels which the commentators were neutral, fair & square !

Originally Posted by ac_milan_foreva

no... thats what we said after depor but looks like we havent learned.

It *was* happening vs PSV aswell, thankfully Ambrosini came to the rescue.

It even happened on the weekend 3-1 --> 3-3.... Only Milan could of lost that match after being 3-0 up, something about the team,its impossible to explain but the way in which we self destruct has cost us yet again.

I don't blame Ancelotti or 1 single player, we just lost it for 6 or 7 minutes and Liverpool killed us.

Originally Posted by heidi azalea

ESPN sucks, the commentators to cameramen biased on Liverpool.... I prefered local channels which the commentators were neutral, fair & square !

ESPN sucked, same as the match PSV v/s AC Milan they wanted to win PSV.
Still cant believe this

Personally I feel that Milan was good up until that - as Carlo puts it - "six minutes of insanity". During that span of time Milan gave away their greatest weakness. They lacked concentration and focus. Time and time again I see football matches where a slight disruption to the concentration of the game can cost a team the whole match. Unfortunately, this is one of those matches.

i'm so sad... i cant even go to sleep.

This is total Madness! I can't believe it!
BTW can a keeper move like a Monkey during the PK?
i tot Keeper should stand there.