AC Milan - Shakthar (all comments)

Originally Posted by Bayman

Dhorasoo again top class, Rui great in assisting play.
Why these players barely play??

Very simple. Because Dhorasoo, in YOUR view, is top class, but he only plays for 10 minutes, and it's NOT against BIG team.

I have nothing to say about Rui though. IF you want to know why, go back to the year when we won the champion league, the year when we didn't have Kaka`. Take a look at the Serie A and you'll know why. And this is why Milan bought Kaka` too. Ok?

Boy... don't take things for granted. I am not saying Dhorasoo is a bad player. Far from it, but your manipulation against Pirlo is way too much and it's getting really sick.

Be aware. I"ll be watching your post closely. Until you have SOLID evidence, I'm going to eat you up.

And one more thing. Milan scored twice when Pirlo was playing. Not Dhorasso.

JL

p.s.: Dhorasso is a great player. I'm not denying that.

Ahhh, another Heineken anyone?

I can only second what has already been said, great result and awesome to see Crespo and Kaka' finally getting some goals. Nice boost for the immediate future!! Forza Milan!!

Originally Posted by Josh

Well, Milan fans, this is more like it should be...

Crespo scoring twice and regaining confidence.

I cannot say for the whole match as i saw just goals, but these 2 were just a simple tap-ins, therefore not regaining my confidence in him. I hope he gets better...

Originally Posted by mange

Ahhh, another Heineken anyone?

Yes please, I think we all deserve one after a hard nights work
My only regret is that I only saw the first half which was awfull (Incredibles opened here today and I just had to take my daughter )

Originally Posted by peters

I cannot say for the whole match as i saw just goals, but these 2 were just a simple tap-ins, therefore not regaining my confidence in him. I hope he gets better...

Well the 2nd goal was a tap in but the first goal he got around the keeper nicely and finished it and he also had a nice bicycle kick saved by the goalie.

Originally Posted by BG1

Well the 2nd goal was a tap in but the first goal he got around the keeper nicely and finished it and he also had a nice bicycle kick saved by the goalie.

And dont' forget. Why Inzaghi is so famous (kind of) is exactly he knows WHERE to appear to tap in.

Not many strikers know that.

anybody has the highlights of the game???

Originally Posted by Jeff

And dont' forget. Why Inzaghi is so famous (kind of) is exactly he knows WHERE to appear to tap in.

Not many strikers know that.

totally agree. imo inzaghi sucks at dribblin the ball but he is the best at tappin it in and gettin to positions to score goals. inzaghi is the type of player u hate wen he is on another team but love wen he is on ur team. i think crespo is more skilled then inzaghi n todai wuz jus a sign of wuts to come

post-game comments from channel4.com:

Milan 4 - 0 S Donetsk
Kaka 52, 92 (M), Crespo 53, 84 (M)
San Siro

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

Hernan Crespo has truly broken through his bad patch with a brace as the Rossoneri beat Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 to reach the next round.

Injuries to Andriy Shevchenko, Jon Dahl Tomasson and the long-term troubles of Pippo Inzaghi meant that Carlo Ancelotti had little choice but to field a 4-3-2-1 system with Hernan Crespo as their only fully fit striker.

A point would be enough to ensure Milan qualified for the knockout stage, but ex-Inter boss Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar Donetsk were also still in the running. Their last meeting was a 1-0 Rossoneri victory in the Ukraine thanks to Clarence Seedorf's late strike.

Ancelotti warned they would not go for a draw and that became clear after 90 seconds when Crespo held the ball up for Gennaro Gattuso's shot to be closed down. It was a fiery game and within four minutes both sides had a man booked.

Manuel Rui Costa combined beautifully with Crespo on the edge of the box and his fierce shot was palmed over the bar by an acrobatic Lastuvka save.

Soon after the Portuguese star couldn't quite turn in the box, then Kaka nodded Marcos Cafu's cross over the bar from seven yards and the goalkeeper rushed off his line to anticipate the Brazilian as he ran on to Seedorf's long pass.

Kaka was beginning to exert an influence and he combined with a delightful Seedorf backheel only for a perfectly timed and decisive Batista challenge in the box to curtail his run.

Shakhtar had a good chance on the half-hour mark, but Brandao's diving header was wayward, then the ball bounced around the penalty area and Dida did well to smother Duljal's toe-poke from six yards.

The visitors were gaining in confidence and a powerful drive from former Brescia midfielder Francelino Matuzalem was fingertipped round the post with Dida at full stretch.

Long-range efforts from Rui Costa and Kaka failed to really trouble Lastuvka, while Dida comfortably held Agahowa's strike. Rui Costa almost took full advantage of a defensive error on the stroke of half-time, but pulled the finish wide.

Milan were evidently distracted coming out of the break, as within seconds Agahowa was clean through and somehow blasted wide from a central position.

Moments later Dida scrambled across goal to push Matuzalem's snapshot round the post as Shakhtar poured forward with venom after Lucescu's half-time talk.

Donetsk's timid penalty appeals were waved away when Billy Costacurta blocked Agahowa's path, then Milan hit back and Lastuvka was quick to close down Marcos Cafu.

The move continued and Rui Costa's delightful chipped pass found Cafu, he crossed it in for Kaka's brave diving header to give the Rossoneri a precious lead.

Shakhtar fell to pieces after this shock and 60 seconds later Rui Costa threaded through for Crespo to spring the offside trap and waltz round the goalkeeper for 2-0.

It has been a special week for the former Chelsea star, who scored his first official goal for Milan in Saturday's Coppa Italia tie against Palermo and seems to have broken through his psychological block. He has also entered the history books by becoming the first player to score in the Champions' League with five different clubs: Parma, Lazio, Inter, Chelsea and Milan.

It was obvious his confidence was back, as Crespo's spectacular bicycle-kick on a deflected Rui Costa shot was just pushed out by a stunning reaction save from Lastuvka.

It was turning into a siege and Crespo skipped past a defender to cut back for Seedorf and the Dutchman's strike was again kept out by the talented Shakhtar shot-stopper.

Dida was concentrated on a long-range Vukic strike, but it was all Milan now and substitute Massimo Ambrosini's shot was charged down following another fine Rui Costa assist.

Even Paolo Maldini had a good scoring opportunity when he just failed to get on the end of Seedorf's cross, but Crespo was behind him and couldn't quite complete his turn.

Kaka was one on one with the goalkeeper, but was halted for an incorrect offside decision.

The third goal was always threatened and Kaka skipped past two defenders, Seedorf's header was kept out by a goalline clearance, but Shakhtar could do nothing on Crespo's follow-up.

It still wasn't over, as Vikash Dhorasoo sent Kaka through the centre and the Brazilian did the rest, leaving two defenders standing and placing his finish under the 'keeper's legs for 4-0.

And some more:

Ancelotti silences critics Wednesday 24 November, 2004

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

Carlo Ancelotti and his players are beaming after a confident demolition of Shakhtar, but refuse to take the second round draw for granted.


“We took a long time to get through because Shakhtar held possession well in midfield and we weren’t pressuring them enough,” explained the Coach after a stuttering first half.


“Once we increased that squeeze on them and the goal arrived, the team relaxed and performed brilliantly with pace.”


Milan were under increasing pressure soon after the restart, but Hernan Crespo and Kaka struck twice each for the final 4-0 scoreline despite an injury crisis.


“Everyone gave a fine contribution to this result, especially Crespo and Manuel Rui Costa, so I have a large group of players who can raise the team above the rest.”


Kaka was particularly impressive and bagged a brace to silence those critics who claimed he was a shadow of his former self.


“Those who expect Kaka to do as well as last season are ignoring the hard work he has done so far,” insisted Ancelotti. “We hope these two goals will help quieten a few of those critics.”


The tactician’s faith in former Chelsea man Crespo has also been confirmed with his third goal in two competitive games after he finally broke his duck in the Coppa Italia this week.


“I hope I was right when I said once Crespo starts scoring, he doesn’t stop. Taking that weight off his shoulders will help him find form quickly and you can clearly see his confidence is boosted by the way he moves.”


Milan will be in the unusual position of supporting Inter on Sunday night when they face Serie A leaders Juventus.


“Inter are our cousins and every now and then we must cheer them on!” smiled the Coach. “That is an important game for Milan, but above all for the Nerazzurri and they need to get that victory.”


Kaka also commented on those newspaper and media critics who said he had lost his golden touch this year.


“I am a Trequartista and like to play in a deep role where I can help others to score. If I hit the target then it’s a bonus, but it really isn’t my job to be a hitman. I know I am playing well and the club has faith in me, so I have never been concerned at my poor scoring rate this season.”


The Rossoneri’s first half performance did not raise hopes of a 4-0 rout, but Kaka insists football is more complicated than that.


“In all games you need patience for 90 minutes and today we proved that by scoring four goals after a difficult first half.”


Milan and Barcelona are now through to the knockout round, but Vice-President Adriano Galliani isn’t getting too excited about topping the Group after the Spaniards’ shock home draw with Celtic.


“Considering last season I jumped for joy when I saw we’d drawn Deportivo and the lower half of the table, I will keep incredibly quiet about the draw this time!”


A 4-0 defeat in La Coruna saw the Rossoneri crash out of the competition after a 4-1 victory at the San Siro.

Thank god, this came just when we needed it. For both the fans and the two players.
Forza Milan

FORZA MILAN

This shows that we don't have to rely on Shevchenko for GOALS. We are now a greater chance for Lo Scudetto and Champions League

Great result and just as hoped for and its such a shame I had to miss it to work (although I kept updated). However, I still believe the best Milan is yet to come.

Kaka's and Crespo's confidence must have been bolstered huge amounts in that match.

However, the best thing about this thread was Jeff's sarcastic comments for Bayman that people took seriously

FORZA KAKA!!
FORZA CRESPO!!
FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SECOND ROUND AWAITS

Great result! I am especially satisfied when looking at the scorers ...this time I barely followed the match as I was away from my desk at the office most of the time.....looking forward to the highlights

lets keep the good football coming Hernan and Kaka!!

Rui, San Billy

FORZA MILAN!!!

just caught the highlights on TV.. Crespo's bicycle!! MINT!!
If that had gone in ---> definately would have been one of the best goals this year..

from the highlights crespo finally looks ready to play. maybe that goal against palermo opened the flood gates .. a good couple of touches on the first goal and good positioning on the 2nd. even though it was a tap-in he did have to be there to tap it in. and hey, somebody has to do it, i dont care how the goals come.

kaká finally had the game i've been waiting for . back to his old self terrorizing the back line with his runs and great passing. that 4th goal was just icing on the cake. the commentator out here said something along the lines of: "..and its not even fair, the brazilian has all the moves and slides the ball in..", pretty much sums it up.. definately great for his confidence!

all in all, game looked AWESOME!! FORZA MILAN!!