Shakhtar Donetsk vs Milan: Il Fenomeno Ritorna

Tuesday 6th November.

Group standings as of now:
Milan 6 points
Shakhthar 6 points
Celtic 3 points
Benfica 3 points

Need a win so we dont make lives difficult for ourselves. We beat them 4-1 at home and totally outplayed them, lets hope for the same in Ukraine. Last time we played there we drew 0-0 (2 years ago I reckon).


Formation I'd go for is the usual one:
Dida
Oddo - Nesta - Maldini - Serginho
Gattuso - Pirlo - Ambrosini
Kaka - Seedorf
Gila

With Ronaldo coming on for Gattuso in case we needed a win, or coming on for Ambrosini in case we have the lead. If we have a huge lead, take off Kaka.

Pretty good formation, although I may put Inzaghi ahead of Gila who may be tired after a few games in a row.

I may even take Seedorf off and substitute Ronaldo to start, if he is fit.

the 22 players called up for the trip to donetsk (courtesy acmilan.com):

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Fiori;
DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic;
MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf;
ATTACKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Kakà

Hitman good formation , Serginho should start this one from the 1st minute as he proved himself in the last 2 games with some great croses and i agree with Jeff if i was Carlo i'd put Ronaldo insted of Seedorf if he is fit of course that would also mean a little rest for Willy Wonka who has been MVP in Milan in last games .

I'd go for this :
----------Dida----------
-Oddo-Nesta-Maldini-Serginho
-Gattuso--Pirlo-Ambrosini----
---------Kaka---------------
----Ronaldo---Gila-----------


Forza Milan & Welcome back Fenomeno

Originally Posted by hitmannq8

Need a win so we dont make lives difficult for ourselves.

But making life difficult for us is one of those things we do best.

Ronnie back is fantastic news (Dru must be swinging off his roof right about now). Though Carlo has mentioned that he wants to try Gila and Ronnie together, I doubt he would start him on his first game back. I predict Shaktar will be a diffferent team at home, and Milan shouldn't let the 4-1 win fool them, so expect Kaka-Seedorf-Rino to end up playing the full 90.

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's silly to take Ronaldo to the Ukraine when he's coming off his injury and is nowhere near 100% fit. Couldn't we save him for next Sunday's match v. Atalanta instead?

Originally Posted by BMWTaylor

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's silly to take Ronaldo to the Ukraine when he's coming off his injury and is nowhere near 100% fit. Couldn't we save him for next Sunday's match v. Atalanta instead?

I actually think he was ready to play against Torino but they opted to rest him so he could be more ready for Shakhtar.

We should take to Ukraine but bench him at least in the first half and push him in the second if we need him or if we have comfortable lead.

I think that Gattuso will play full 90 Mins as he has been rested last match...

I expect Ronaldo-Gila starting up but thats just me hah ?

also Seedorf and Kaka are going to play atleast 70 Mins but I say that Seedorf will make Gourcuff play instead of him and leave Kaka in
the formation I would like to see:

------Dida------
Oddo-----Nesta----Maldini/Kaladze---Serg
---------------Gattuso----------------
--------Pirlo--------------Seedorf------
----------------Kaka--------------
---------Ronaldo----Gila----------

but I think Carlo will play the christmas tree formation atleast for the first half and make Ronaldo play the second half

Gila will start and Score another Brace with his head :P

but yeah anyway Carlo is Carlo and he might give Inzaghi the chance to start who knows... but also Ronaldo was rested for the last match vs torino so he should start with Gila...

we'll just wait and see tomorrow

The main hope of theirs (the moles') is Dida, according to
http://football.ua/footballmagazine.html

I'm so nervous for this match...not because of Milan but if Ronaldo does crap I know a LOT of you are going to slaughter me

I really hope my boy Ronaldo does well but more importantly Milan use the 'up swing' of our see-saw form to get a win this time

I'd be surprised if Ronaldo starts this match ... and sorry to say this dru, but i wouldn't be surprised if he got injured again.

Do you know where can i watch the match online?

Zlat will post a link tomorrow...

Originally Posted by drucurl

I'm so nervous for this match...not because of Milan but if Ronaldo does crap I know a LOT of you are going to slaughter me

I really hope my boy Ronaldo does well but more importantly Milan use the 'up swing' of our see-saw form to get a win this time

R99 wont do any crap...i dont think he will play...
I see us drawing that game...
If we score it will be Kaka...