Schalke vs AC Milan (PRE MATCH COMMENTS)

Group stage - 28 September 2005 20:45 (CET) - Arena Aufschalke - Gelsenkirchen

Discuss away

Nadir, I applaud you for opening this thread, but on the back of the ridiculous result over the weekend, I am loath to try to be objective at this stage of my recovery.

With that result foremost in my thoughts, my thinking is so negative right now, that I cant begin to try to type anything positive at this point.

Let me just say that I hope we have learned (and yet, after Istanbul, Eindhoven, and the Riazor, are we too dunce to?) from the weekend, and that the players lift their heads, and get a result...and I mean 3 points...anything else, IMO is a failure.

(there..u see...I am definately not in the right frame of mind to be posting positively at the moment)

There are 2 games in Serie A before Schalke game. This thread shouldnt have been opened too soon. We need 2 win both games against Lazio and @Treviso before talking about this game.

Originally Posted by hitmannq8

There are 2 games in Serie A before Schalke game. This thread shouldnt have been opened too soon. We need 2 win both games against Lazio and @Treviso before talking about this game.

hitmannq8..so sorry your highness...we will not post any more until you say so oh mighty King!

let's rip them off for Devil's sake!!!!!

schlake are a tough team but milan should win

Milan will start totally dominating and will keep it throughout the whole game, with Seedorf and Gattusso cuting and passing like hell, Pirlo will recover all his grace setting up two goals for Gila and one Sheva... Everything from then on Paris 06 will look pretty promising... BUT THEN... we will get over confident, let our guard down sluggishing for the next game... and then our confidence will be shaken again when we'll get beaten down... ALL OF THIS TOLD me my Tarot teller... Don't blame me ... This wasn't my opinion, I'm just replying her... 'cause I'm not trusting me anymore...

Originally Posted by Milanium

Milan will start totally dominating and will keep it throughout the whole game, with Seedorf and Gattusso cuting and passing like hell, Pirlo will recover all his grace setting up two goals for Gila and one Sheva... Everything from then on Paris 06 will look pretty promising... BUT THEN... we will get over confident, let our guard down sluggishing for the next game... and then our confidence will be shaken again when we'll get beaten down... ALL OF THIS TOLD me my Tarot teller... Don't blame me ... This wasn't my opinion, I'm just replying her... 'cause I'm not trusting me anymore...

Wow, can I get her phone number?

Warro Bantan

I don't think she'd like THE DEVIL calling her...LOL

Anyway... I'll keep on posting her predictions, though.

Originally Posted by Milanium

Warro Bantan

I don't think she'd like THE DEVIL calling her...LOL

Anyway... I'll keep on posting her predictions, though.

lol

Ok, just went through gol.tv and ESPN´s schedules, and guess what...neither are showing the Schalke-Milan match...but I guess with Liverpool vs Chelsea, and the HUMUNGOUS clash between Serie A GIANTS Udinese and Barcelona will get more viewership than lill ol Milan and German minnows Schalke...the two runners-up domestically in Italy and Germany last term!

While I am not really surprised in truth, I am disapppointed. Anyone know if the game can be watched via the net?

Back to the game itself however.

Schalke´s record in the Bundesliga so far this season reads:
Club Pts Pld Wins Draws Loses
Schalke 13 7 3 4 0

At a quick glance, they have won a few games (most if not all low scoring) while drawing (again with blank scoresheets or low scoring stalemates), indicating that they are better defensively than in attack.

Against Milan, at home, it is my guess that they will indeed be pressured by their fans into an attacking game, though in all honesty, they do seek to maintain posession at home...

From uefa.com:

Schalke ended a barren run of five games without a win with victory over Hannover on Saturday. The home side dominated the encounter but were forced to wait until just before the hour mark to make the breakthrough, Brazilian playmaker Lincoln rising highest to power in Mladen Krstajić's pin-point cross. Lincoln missed from the penalty spot three minutes later but Kevin Kuranyi soon sealed victory with another header on 66 minutes.

"We haven't been in form in recent weeks but the players gave the right answer on the field today," said Schalke managing director Rudi Assauer. "It was a very good display and made up for disappointing performances in the first few games. We dominated the match throughout and earned a well deserved win."

Søren Larsen was finally handed his first start for the club after scoring three times in just six substitute's appearances, including the equaliser against 1. FC Nürnberg which salvaged a share of the spoils for Schalke in midweek. Coach Ralf Rangnick's hand was forced by a back injury to his other Danish striker, Ebbe Sand, but he could return on Wednesday. Marco van Hoogdalem (hip), Mimoun Azaouagh, Christian Pander, Gerald Asamoah (all knee), Simon Cziommer and Tim Hoogland (both ankle) are all out though.

Lincoln and Kuranyi are their two main threats, and the win on the weekend will definately put the win back into the sails of the german club. Kuranyi is strong in the air, and has good footwork as well, and I hope Ancelotti is aware of this (if he isnt, I need to remember to give him a call). HJaving played on Saturday, they are also benefit of an extra day´s rest, and because they are better advanced in their season, they will be fitter than we are presently.

We will have to have our game faces on, as Germany is not a traditionally happy hunting ground for Milan.

Milan however, are finding thier form, and though this game comes too quickly for my liking, Carlo was prudent in making key changes to the lineup that faced Trevisio, with Ambro, Sheva and Stam all making early exits.

Cafu also played less than a half, though Rui Costa (IMO) should have started for Kaka, if it is that the Brazilian phenom is to play vs the Germans.

Nevertheless, it should prove to be an entertaining match, and as happy as I would be for a win, an away draw to Schalke wouldnt be a failure in my books.

FORZA MILAN!!!!

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

an away draw to Schalke wouldnt be a failure in my books.
FORZA MILAN!!!!

I would be very happy with an away win. Mathematically it gives us some room. I actually expect a draw as the only excusable result.

Victory, is what will satisfy me No draws, no defeats. Only victoru\ies I expect.

Forza Milan

We need to win these kind of games if we wanna win the CL. 0-1 would be enough.

Tough game but we HAVE TO win if we want to secure qualification as soon as possible...I will keep my fingers crossed, FORZA MILAN!!!