Celtic - AC Milan (Pre-game comments)

Last match of the group stage. Though we are already qualified, we don't have the first position secured. Now, whether being first or not is a benefit remains to be seen, because our chances to get a tough opposition in the second round are the same regardless whether we are first or second in our group. Besides, it doesn't matter who we get in the second round, we can take care of anyone ....anyway, a win or a draw will be enough to secure first spot...even by losing we can be first if Barca doesn't win against Shakthar. We are probably going to see something like this:


---------------- Abiatti ---------------

Pancaro - San Billy - Colocinni - Kaladze

Dhorasoo ----- Ambro ------- Serginho

---------------- Rui -----------------

-------- Crespo ---- JDT ------------


FORZA MILAN!!!

This match is of little significance now that qualification for the last 16 is secured. If we finished first in the group, there is a likelihood of playing Bayern, Real Madrid, Man U or even Arsenal in the last 16, but if we wanna be champions of Europe again we have to beat every team thrown in our way!

This is the most likely team Ancelotti will play:

------------------------Abbiati--------------------------

----Pancaro-----Coloccini-----Costacurta------Kaladze----

------------Brocchi-----Ambrosini------Dhorasoo---------

------------------Rui Costa------Serginho---------------

------------------------Tomasson----------------------

Still pretty impressive to me!

You guys are both wrong, because JDT hasn't been called up! Neither has Kaladze.

From acmilan.com:

PORTIERI: Abbiati, Dida, Fiori

DIFENSORI: Cafu, Coloccini, Costacurta, Maldini, Nesta, Pancaro

CENTROCAMPISTI: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Dhorasoo, Gattuso, Kakà, Pirlo, Rui Costa, Seedorf, Serginho

ATTACCANTI: Crespo, Shevchenko

ok, my bad .....how about this:

-------------- Abbiati ---------------

Pancaro - San Billy - Coloccini - Serginho

---- Brocchi - Ambrosini - Dhorasoo ----

---------- Rui ------ Seedorf ----------

--------------- Crespo ----------------



Doesn't really matter what lineup we use, we can still beat Celtic

looking forward to game, hopefully we will win group and celtic will get 3rd place and the uefa cup. i think it will be a draw. if our 2nd choice 11 can win it would be a big boost for squad morale. hope McGeady plays for Celtic. he is 18, 2 caps for Ireland. i would like to see how he gets on against the milan players.

wonder will all the celtic fans who were around before the first game come back?

I will star that match with this formation:
-----------Abbiati-------------------
Pancaro----Colloccini--Costacurta-Kaladze
---------Ambro----------------------
---Brocchi---Dhorasso-------Serginho----
-----------Rui----------------------------
------------Crespo-----------------------

Lookin at yer psots and squad lineups I can not decide whether Serginho is defender or attacking midfield

This game should be a perfect opportunity to rest some of our key payers, Nesta, Sheva, Kaka, Seedorf, Maldini and Pirlo, while allowing peripheral players such as Coloccini, Brocci and Dhorasso much needed game time.

Kaka Kaladze should also be given the nod, and even with the so-called "second-string" on the pitch, we should be able to get a result from the clash with the Scots.

Celtic will be looking to win, not only for purposes of morale, but to ensure that they get a place in the UEFA Cup, so dont expect a walkover, worse, the club will be playing in front of thier passionate fans...not an easy win for us at all.

There no longer seems to be a benefit to be derived from coming first in the group, and with some 2nd place group winners looking like Arsenal, and Madrid, it seems to not matter wether we qualify first or second, though I would prefer to meet Madrid than to meet Arsenal at this point.

That said, Milan must be able to beat whomever we face in the next round, and will have 2 opportunities to do so, with the home and away legs.

I am quietly confident that we will get the result we need from Glasgow, but if we dont, I wont lose sleep over it either.

Milan 3, Celtic 2

well, Warro just said everything I was about to. Not sure about what the result will be, but lets hope some players are given a key rest.

FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almilan (btw what is your real name?) is this match particularly felt in Ireland, due to the loads of Irish who support Celtic?

from celticfc.net :
... Speaking at this afternoon´s UEFA Champions League press conference the Celtic manager expressed several injury concerns for tomorrow night, with winger Didier Agathe and midfielder Stan Petrov among the biggest worries...
"Didier trained this morning but is pretty doubtful"...
"Stephen Pearson didn´t train at all, neither did Stilian Petrov. We will wait until the very last moment with Stilian and I think Stephen would be pretty doubtful for this one".

FORZA MILAN

Originally Posted by rae

Lookin at yer psots and squad lineups I can not decide whether Serginho is defender or attacking midfield

he can play in both positions, although midfield suits him better

Originally Posted by mirza salihovic

I will star that match with this formation:
-----------Abbiati-------------------
Pancaro----Colloccini--Costacurta-Kaladze
---------Ambro----------------------
---Brocchi---Dhorasso-------Serginho----
-----------Rui----------------------------
------------Crespo-----------------------

that one looks good to me, apart from kaladze.

This is my formation:

-------------Dida
-Costacurta-Nesta-Maldini--Pancaro

Brocchi----Ambrosini---Dhorasoo

----Rui Costa/Kakà--Serginho
---------Shevchenko

hi guys! i think we must win this match at all costs! My line up for the game:
Abbiati
Costacurta-Coloccini-Maldini(c)-Pancaro
Brocchi-Ambrosini-Dhorasso
Rui Costa-Serginho
Crespo