AC Milan

[Ismail]

Hard to believe that AC Milan Fans didn't make one
P.S Someone please post the Milan team, I couldn't find it.

==============================

**Inserted by Don Sweey**

2008/09 Squad

1 Dida
12 Christian Abbiati
16 Zeljko Kalac

3 Paolo Maldini
4 Kakha Kaladze
13 Alessandro Nesta
15 Gianluca Zambrotta
18 Marek Jankulovski
19 Giuseppe Favalli
24 Philippe Senderos
25 Daniele Bonera
36 Matteo Darmian
77 Luca Antonini

5 Emerson
8 Gennaro Gattuso
10 Clarence Seedorf
14 Mathías Cardacio
21 Andrea Pirlo
22 Kaká
23 Massimo Ambrosini
84 Mathieu Flamini

7 Alexandre Pato
9 Filippo Inzaghi
11 Marco Borriello
20 Tabare Viudez
76 Andrei Shevchenko
80 Ronaldinho

==============================

[Jonny2J]

we've had a discussion about this before, there simply isn't enough Milan fans to maintain a thread on the might rossinerri, there's only me and Sweey i can think of

[Keyser Soze]

Heres the squad mate:
GOALKEEPERS

1 DIDA 07/10/1973 Brazil
33 Dimitrios ELEFTHEROPOULOS 07/08/1976 Greece
12 Valerio FIORI 27/04/1969 Italy
16 Zeljko KALAC 16/12/1972 Australia

DEFENDERS

Number Name Date of birth Place of birth
3 Paolo MALDINI (Captain) 26/06/1968 Italy
2 CAFU 07/06/1970 Brazil
5 Alessandro COSTACURTA 24/04/1966 Italy
18 Marek JANKULOVSKI 09/05/1977 Czech Republic
4 Kakha KALADZE 27/02/1978 Georgia
13 Alessandro NESTA 19/03/1976 Italy
17 Dario SIMIC 12/11/1975 Italy
31 Jaap STAM 17/07/1972 Netherlands

MIDFIELDERS

Number Name Date of birth Place of birth
23 Massimo AMBROSINI 29/05/1977 Italy
8 Gennaro Ivan GATTUSO 09/01/1978 Italy
22 KAKA’ 22/04/1982 Brazil
21 Andrea PIRLO 19/05/1979 Italy
10 Manuel RUI COSTA 29/03/1972 Portugal
20 Clarence SEEDORF 01/04/1976 Netherlands
27 SERGINHO 27/06/1971 Brazil
14 Johann VOGEL 08/03/1977 Switzerland

FORWARDS

Number Name Date of birth Place of birth
11 Alberto GILARDINO 05/07/1982 Italy
9 Filippo INZAGHI 09/08/1973 Italy
7 Andriy SHEVCHENKO 29/09/1976 Ukraine
32 Christian VIERI 12/07/1973 Italy
TECHNICAL STAFF

Coach Carlo Ancelotti

Assistant Coach MauroTassotti
Technical Assistant Luigi Balestra
Goalkeepers Trainer Villiam Vecchi
Goalkeepers Trainer
(Assiastant) Beniamino Abate
Strenght Conditioning Daniele Tognaccini
Strenght Conditioning
(Assistant) Giovanni Mauri
Team Manager Silvano Ramaccioni
Medical Director Jean Pierre Meersseman
Club Doctor Massimiliano Sala
Chiropractor Johannes Breum
Physioterapist Sebastiano Genovese
Physioterapist Giorgio Puricelli
Physioterapist Tomislav Vrbnjak
Massophysioterapist Roberto Morosi
Athletic Trainer William Tillson
Masseur Roberto Boerci

[Ismail]

1 DIDA 07/10/1973 Brazil
33 Dimitrios ELEFTHEROPOULOS 07/08/1976 Greece
12 Valerio FIORI 27/04/1969 Italy
16 Zeljko KALAC 16/12/1972 Australia
DEFENDERS
Number Name Date of birth Place of birth
3 Paolo MALDINI (Captain) 26/06/1968 Italy
2 CAFU 07/06/1970 Brazil
5 Alessandro COSTACURTA 24/04/1966 Italy
18 Marek JANKULOVSKI 09/05/1977 Czech Republic
4 Kakha KALADZE 27/02/1978 Georgia
13 Alessandro NESTA 19/03/1976 Italy
17 Dario SIMIC 12/11/1975 Italy
31 Jaap STAM 17/07/1972 Netherlands
MIDFIELDERS
Number Name Date of birth Place of birth
23 Massimo AMBROSINI 29/05/1977 Italy
8 Gennaro Ivan GATTUSO 09/01/1978 Italy
22 KAKA’ 22/04/1982 Brazil
21 Andrea PIRLO 19/05/1979 Italy
10 Manuel RUI COSTA 29/03/1972 Portugal
20 Clarence SEEDORF 01/04/1976 Netherlands
27 SERGINHO 27/06/1971 Brazil
14 Johann VOGEL 08/03/1977 Switzerland
FORWARDS
Number Name Date of birth Place of birth
11 Alberto GILARDINO 05/07/1982 Italy
9 Filippo INZAGHI 09/08/1973 Italy
7 Andriy SHEVCHENKO 29/09/1976 Ukraine
32 Christian VIERI 12/07/1973 Italy
TECHNICAL STAFF

Coach Carlo Ancelotti

Assistant Coach MauroTassotti
Technical Assistant Luigi Balestra
Goalkeepers Trainer Villiam Vecchi
Goalkeepers Trainer
(Assiastant) Beniamino Abate
Strenght Conditioning Daniele Tognaccini
Strenght Conditioning
(Assistant) Giovanni Mauri
Team Manager Silvano Ramaccioni
Medical Director Jean Pierre Meersseman
Club Doctor Massimiliano Sala
Chiropractor Johannes Breum
Physioterapist Sebastiano Genovese
Physioterapist Giorgio Puricelli
Physioterapist Tomislav Vrbnjak
Massophysioterapist Roberto Morosi
Athletic Trainer William Tillson
Masseur Roberto Boerci
Thnx mate! Hey Johnny that is so wierd I am so shocked, less than 5 ac milan fans of about 15,000 daaaamn!!

[reece]

http://www.acmilan.com/InfoPage.aspx?id=12633

Theres a link to the official site mate

[Ismail]

I went to the official site, but I couldn't find the team thnx reece and mat

[Keyser Soze]

I went to the official site, but I couldn't find the team thnx reece and mat
No problem mate, looks like it wont come to a use anyway:(
Shame im quite fond of Milan...

[Top Gun]

i dont mind milan so i might post on here.

[reece]

The main reason i like milan is Andriy Shevchenko,he is quality.

[Top Gun]

i prefer kaka myself and dida but shevchenko is class.

[Keyser Soze]

The main reason i like milan is Andriy Shevchenko,he is quality.
Same! I also like Kaka and Cafu though they're quality!

[reece]

Yes,i like kaka and cafu too.

[Ismail]

Kaka is my second fav player, seen him in the addidas ad?

[Don Sweey]

we've had a discussion about this before, there simply isn't enough Milan fans to maintain a thread on the might rossinerri, there's only me and Sweey i can think of

You're a semi-Milanista :eek:

I toyed with the idea of an official AC Milan thread, but can see it regularly dying like the Inter thread used to. Let's see what happens.

Friendly from last night:

AC Milan 3 (Ambrosini 15, Vieri 50, Kaka 80)
Sampdoria 2 (Palombo 58, Borriello 78)

Started out in a 4-5-1, finished in a 3-5-2.

[Ismail]

I guess I will post here from now on and Chelsea thread

[ThierryHenry14]

has anyone got the new home shirt it looks quite nice but prefer last years have there 3rd kit from last year

[Ronaldo_is_fat]

Milan lacked a good natural borne winger for a great period of time

[chapelotti]

milan will prove thier class and triumph in siera a and europe

[Don Sweey]

That remains to be seen. Good players, but how will they gel? Maldini is having fitness problems, Gattuso feels under intense pressure. Tonight's home match against Siena must end with a win for us in order to get things moving in the right direction.

EDIT: (6 hours and 2 minutes later)

AC Milan 3 (Ambrosini 15, Shevchenko 31, Kaka 80)
Siena 1 (Tudor 43)

[nikos24]

I know this is a Milan thread. but i feel Inter can challenge you guys this time. Its gonna be tight this season for sure. Aslong as Juve dont win, and one of the Milan teams do it, ill be fine, even better if it was Inter. :)

[Viperized]

Kaka is my second fav player, seen him in the addidas ad?
Yes. That was a beautiful scissor-kick.

[Don Sweey]

I know this is a Milan thread. but i feel Inter can challenge you guys this time. Its gonna be tight this season for sure. Aslong as Juve dont win, and one of the Milan teams do it, ill be fine, even better if it was Inter. :)

Milan's undoing will be the defence this season. Trust me on that. Juventus or Inter will win the Scudetto, and Milan will be a distant third or fourth. This will see the end of Ancelotti's reign and will herald the era of a new coach who will be either Marco Van Basten, Franco Baresi or Mauro Tassotti.

[Ismail]

has anyone got the new home shirt it looks quite nice but prefer last years have there 3rd kit from last year
Yes it is nice, I like the third kit most the black one its so good i don't how to explain how good it is.

[Don Sweey]

I've got the black one. It's lovely!

[Charlie: 9]

How Milan do against Lazio... 2-0 last I heard... ?

[Don Sweey]

It finished 2-0. Shevchenko after 11 minutes with a brilliant run and shot, Kaka on 14 when Sereni spilled a save straight into the Brazilian's path just yards from the line. Lazio were unlucky not to score and Milan would have had three or more if Sereni hadn't started redeeming himself with good saves from Shevchenko and Vieri.

[ShevaCheva]

SHEVA IS KING. KAKA IS WAY TOO GOOD.

But honestly I don't see milan winning Seria this season but maybe CL.

FORZA MILAN!

[Don Sweey]

Lots of conversation here......

Anyway, a nice enough 2-0 win at Cagliari last night with goals from Gilardino (1) and Shevchenko (27).

Not too sure how we'll do against PSV Eindhoven. Nesta is out with injury so Maldini will play in the centre with Stam most probably, Cafu will be down the right and either Kaladze or Jankulovski down the left. Vieri looks set to start in attack with Shevchenko.

If anyone out there cares ;)

[Figо10]

CL Preview: Milan-PSV Eindhoven (Group E)

After three weeks without any European club action, the all out dog fight that is the Champions League starts back up, and this particular match up could be the pick of the litter.
BACKGROUND

Let’s turn back the clock to last season’s two-legged semifinal clash between these two sides. At the San Siro in Milan, where the current fixture will take place, the Rossoneri stole a 2-0 win to give themselves a huge advantage going into the second leg in Eindhoven. The first goal was scored by Andriy Shevchenko, unsurprisingly, shortly before halftime. The second, however, was a strike by since-departed Jon Dahl Tomasson (to Stuttgart in Germany) in the 90th minute. This ill-fated two-goal loss was undeserved, because the visitors had played very well. Fast-forward one week to PSV’s Philips Stadion. Milan, who supposedly had the memories of the previous season’s failure out of their minds (after winning 4-1 at home versus Deportivo la Coruña of Spain, Milan collapsed in the return leg, losing 4-0 to crash out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals), were at the same time determined to prove that the aforementioned debacle was a mere fluke. PSV came out of the gates at a rapid pace, and their efforts were rewarded in only the 9th minute as Ji-Sung Park put the Dutch-side ahead. It appeared as though the match may have been headed for extra-time when Philip Cocu leveled the aggregate score in the 65th. Seemingly near the end, Milan stunned the crowd. Off of a cross by Kakà, Massimo Ambrosini headed into the far corner of the net. PSV did not hang their heads after this goal, and got a third in the second minute of stoppage time. This was not enough, though, as the away goal sent Milan through to the final. Despite the loss, PSV were given much credit for the inspirational, attacking football they played in the two matches. Milan, on the other hand, were berated with questions of whether the demons of past-failures would overshadow their upcoming battle with Liverpool in the final in Istanbul, Turkey. And, following the hugely-disappointing result (I don’t have to remind you), some argued they did.

We now come to the match at hand. While manager Carlo Ancelotti made an attempt to alter the defensive posture of the side, they have reverted to the usual 4-3-1-2 formation that saw them suffer the historic loss in the final against Liverpool. Few additions were made to the squad, with nearly the same first-choice lineup. Conversely, PSV have had the usual defections of top players to more high-profile clubs. Ji-Sung Park joined Manchester United, and inspirational-midfielder Mark Van Bommel is at Barcelona. One interesting departure is Johann Vogel. He actually joined Milan in the summer, but will probably not feature in this match. While he was not ever one of the stars of the squad, he did give the side a bit of grit in the midfield.


TEAM NEWS

Milan is going to have to do without usual first-choice defender Alessandro Nesta, who injured his left fore finger, and is out for about a month. Filippo Inzaghi and Marek Jankulovski both made their return from long injury-spells at the weekend as substitutes, and either could find some time on the pitch in this match. Another player returning from injury is Massimo Ambrosini, who, as already stated, was a key component in last season’s second leg.

PSV is affected by the injury bug more so than Milan. Defender Michael Reiziger could be fit for this match, and summer-signing Michael Ball is cup-tied after transferring from Rangers of Glasgow. The major blow is that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is suspended after being shown two yellow cards in the first half of their last Champions League match, a 3-0 defeat to Fenerbahçe.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andriy Shevchenko (Milan)
He scored from nearly thirty yards at the weekend against Cagliari. If ever there was one for the big stage, it is this Ukrainian superstar.

DaMarcus Beasley (PSV)
The American has made the left-sided midfield role his own after the departure of Arjen Robben two summers ago. With the loss of Van Bommel and Park, his play and leadership qualities have improved. He can outrun pretty much anyone, and he must provide service for his teammates if PSV are to breach the Milan defense.


POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafù, Stam, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Shevchenko, Gilardino

PSV (4-4-2):
Gomes; Reiziger, Ooijer, Alex, Lamey; Ferreyra, Simons, Cocu, Affelay; Beasley, Farfan


PREDICTION

Without the presence of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to challenge the Milan defense in the air, the speed of Beasley and Farfan will at least keep the Rossoneri backline honest, especially since Nesta is unavailable. PSV are not the same side which almost embarrassed Milan last season, and the loss of Van Bommel will be evident. Andriy Shevchenko and Alberto Gilardino both scored on Sunday, and their partnership is gaining steam by the match. This is clearly going to be a hard-fought tussle, but the class of Milan will show through.

Milan 2-0 PSV
Preview from www.goal.com :)

[Don Sweey]

Preview from www.goal.com :)

I never trust their previews ;)

I don't think we'll find this an easy game in any way at all.

[Figо10]

I never trust their previews ;)

I don't think we'll find this an easy game in any way at all.
Well at least PSV have lost some key men after last season's amazing Champions League run. Weird that the preview may seem, the writers are usually spot-on on their predictions :cool: 2-0 is probably the most likely outcome too, what do you think?

[Don Sweey]

Milan 1 PSV 2 is my prediction

[sztymiak]

have you heard about maldini junior he is the son of paolo and grandson of the other great maldini legend he has just sighned scholboy forms with AC milan hes expected to make his debut soon with the junior teams.check on the ESPN website.another great prospect.

[Don Sweey]

have you heard about maldini junior he is the son of paolo and grandson of the other great maldini legend he has just sighned scholboy forms with AC milan hes expected to make his debut soon with the junior teams.check on the ESPN website.another great prospect.

Yep, he's 9 years old and his name is Christian. Too early to say what level he will play at. I hope people leave him to develop and don't put too much pressure on him.

[Yi-Long]

Wow... last year PSV was better then AC Milan in the San Siro match, but AC Milan won ... and tonight AC Milan was the better team, but PSV stood their ground, and got a point!
Great goalkeeping by our Gomez btw...

Seedorf was shite as usual :D

...and kudos to Hiddink to fielding a kid that's barely 17 years old, and who played pretty damn good considering he was playing against some of the world's most feared players... :)

Looking forward to the rematch in Eindhoven, which AC Milan will probably win IF they play like they did tonight...

[Don Sweey]

Ancelotti described it as our best performance so far this season. Hope we don't regret the two dropped points at the end of the group stage.

[Barry]

Heard Donadoni was also candidate to follow up of Ancelotti, he's now at Livorno and doing a fine job.

[fulgorevinnie]

Why don't you talk about the 0-0 in San Siro versus PSV Eindhoven?

[Don Sweey]

Why don't you talk about the 0-0 in San Siro versus PSV Eindhoven?

We sort of were, just I have no details.

barryvs, Donadoni won't replace Ancelotti. Baresi, Tassotti or Van Basten will. Rijkaard is mentioned, but it won't happen.

[Figо10]

Emerson And Vieira Both Have Weaknesses - Kaka

Milan playmaker Kaka believes there is plenty of room for optimism ahead of this weekend’s crunch clash with Juventus.

The bianconeri have made an unbeaten start to the season and are many people’s favourites for the game, but Kaka thinks they are far from perfect.

"Juve are a really great side especially in defence but the Champions League defeat in Munich proved they are not invincible," he told the Italian press.

"Emerson and Vieira are good players but both have some weaknesses. I will be looking to make space. The game is as balanced as the great Champions League clash, it has a special motivation."

He also had a word for Alberto Gilardino who is now scoring with regularity since his move from Parma.

"As I said about Gilardino once he broke the ice he wouldn’t stop scoring," added the Brazilian. "He’s formidable as well as very relaxed and assured."
Source: http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=96881&idSez=16

To think he's saying that :ohmy:

Wonder what's his purpose.
Serie A Preview: Milan-Juventus

This may only be the tenth match-day of the campaign, but some fans and also those who are impartial see this fixture as a prelude to who will win Lo Scudetto at season’s end. The clubs themselves, however, do not see it this way at all.

BACKGROUND

Memories of the two encounters between these sides during last season immediately come to mind, with both holding a certain amount of significance. The first match, on December 18, 2004 (at Juve’s Stadio Delle Alpi), was a very entertaining scoreless draw, but Milan clearly played better, and came within inches of scoring on several occasions. Then, in the return-fixture in late May at Milan’s Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, or as it is affectionately known, the San Siro (where the current match at hand takes place), it was all still left to play for, with Milan and Juventus level on points at the top of the table. Fresh off their advancement to the Champions League final by defeating PSV Eindhoven (albeit only by the skin of their teeth), Milan carried that very same form into the match against Juve, and were beaten 1-0. The victory came by virtue of a spectacular overhead-kick from Alessandro Del Piero, which caught the Milan defense napping, and was then headed into the net by David Trezeguet in the 27th minute. Milan pushed for an equalizer, but could not get through the Bianconeri rearguard. Subsequently, Juventus went on to win the title a few weeks later, and Milan finished the season empty-handed.

Now, Milan have a new season to put past failures behind them, or so they thought. In the lead-up to this weekend’s match, many questions about the defeat of last season continue to surface. Despite denial from members of both clubs that it has any bearing on what is to occur in the future, the players and coaches have had to address it, even if only briefly. The date May 8, 2005 (when Juve defeated Milan) keeps coming up, and it must remind the Rossoneri somewhat of the feelings they experienced when they could not get away from the constant questioning about their collapse in the Champions League final against Liverpool.

Milan have won their last six Serie A matches, and their form is improving daily. The main question for the Rossoneri in this match is: can they defeat a side like Juventus without a fully-fit squad? Captain Paolo Maldini will return to the lineup, after sitting out the win over Empoli on Wednesday. Another player coming back into the fold is fellow-defender Alessandro Nesta, who sustained an injury to his left fore finger several weeks ago on international duty. Several doubts include Jaap Stam, Massimo Ambrosini, and Andriy Shevchenko. Stam has a thigh injury, and may make the substitutes bench, while Ambrosini will not be available. Shevchenko injured his heel and ankle against PSV Eindhoven ten days ago, and the decision on whether to field him will not be made until further testing.

Juventus are in terrific form, as they have started the season with nine wins on the trot in domestic competition. The lone blemish on their season was the 2-1 loss in Munich, Germany to Bayern in the Champions League. Otherwise, the Bianconeri have basically swept aside any and all challengers. A big reason for this has been the added depth to their attack. Alessandro Del Piero has seen a return to the form of old, and Adrian Mutu has filled in well when needed. Another key addition was that of Patrick Vieira who, after coming to Turin on the cheap from Arsenal, has quickly built a solid central-midfield partnership with the gritty-Brazilian Emerson. Both players are tough-tackling intimidators who have a flare for the attack.

On the other hand, not all agree with the supposed formidability of this central-midfield pairing. Milan attacking-midfielder Kakà recently spoke about these two players, saying: “Juve are a really great side especially in defence but the Champions League defeat in Munich proved they are not invincible," he opined. "Emerson and Vieira are good players but both have some weaknesses. I will be looking to make space.”

An interesting piece of news is that goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will not play in this match, and the reason is two-fold. First of all, he has tonsillitis. Second, and most importantly, he has personal motives which prevent him from playing against Milan (he is currently on-loan to Juventus from Milan).

And so, we can now bask in the glow which radiates from the quality these two squads possess.


TEAM NEWS

Milan will have the returned-services of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, but will definitely be without Jaap Stam and Massimo Ambrosini. Andriy Shevchenko is also very doubtful.

Juventus will get Patrick Vieira back in the lineup, after he had some time out because of an abdominal-injury. There are no other serious injury concerns, besides the long-term exceptions of Gianluigi Buffon and Jonathan Zebina.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kakà (Milan)
After he made the claims of weakness in the Juventus midfield, he had better back it up with his play. He should expect to see (and feel) a lot of late tackles, courtesy of Emerson and Vieira.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
This Swede is not your typical center-forward. While he does have the desired height, his dribbling skills make him a terror for any defense. Against Milan, he may be able to get behind the aging and not completely-healthy backline.


POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafù, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Juventus (4-4-2):
Chimenti; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet


PREDICTION
The players will use the comments of the press and the other side as serious motivation to prove how good they are, worthy of the consideration they receive from many. With the midfield battle likely to be a dogfight, the play on the wings will be instrumental in determining the outcome, specifically the service provided for the strikers. A tight match is on the cards, and one mistake or moment of brilliance shall decide the result.

Milan 1-0 Juventus

[Top Gun]

Should be a great game but cant see it being high scoring.

[Don Sweey]

Should be a brilliant game, but it is a must-win for Milan, even though the season is relatively new. Trailing a powerhouse like Juventus at this stage by five or even as many as eight points is a huge blow. They're not the kind of team that collapse. They tend to get better as the season goes on.

Merged Post:

I'm worried. We're leading Juventus 3-0 at half-time.....if and when we concede, we're going to collapse like we did against Liverpool.

EDIT: It has finished, AC Milan 3 (Seedorf 13, Kaka 26, Pirlo 45) Juventus 1 (Trezeguet 76)

The gap is down to two points :) (until we mess up in our next league match)

[Clyde Frog]

Great win for AC, although I prefer Juve :(

Puts them in touching distance now 2 points behind.

[Figо10]

Nice free kick from Pirlo :D
AC Milan 3-1 Juventus

AC Milan opened up the Serie A championship race with a deserved victory over Juventus, ending their rival's 100% start to the season and reducing the gap between the two sides at the top of the table to two points.

Clarence Seedorf opened the scoring for the home side after 14 minutes and with almost 80,000 fans baying for more, Kaka duly obliged with an acrobatic strike in the 26th minute.

The game was effectively over on the stroke of half-time when another set-piece allowed Andrea Pirlo to put the home side three ahead.

David Trezeguet gave the visitors some hope in the 76th minute but it was to be nothing more than a consolation as the home side held on to claim their seventh success of the campaign.

Filippo Inzaghi was preferred to Christian Vieri in the Milan attack while captain Paolo Maldini was back after injury to oust Alessandro Costacurta in the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira and Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned for Juve while Christian Abbiati, on loan with the Bianconeri this season, was out injured, his place in goal being taken by Antonio Chimenti.

The early exchanges were more in keeping with a basketball match than a football game, with both sides charging upfield but losing possession with alarming regularity.

And it was the home team who were first to make one of their bursts of possession count, with Seedorf's shot deflecting wickedly off Vieira and looping almost in slow motion over Chimenti into the back of the net.

The game was always likely to be decided in midfield and, with the Milan engine room of Gennaro Gattuso, Kaka and Pirlo working overtime, there could be no complaints when Kaka grabbed the second in the 26th minute.

Lilian Thuram picked up a yellow card for his foul on the Brazilian out on the Milan right - but Juve's collective punishment was to be more severe.

Pirlo's free-kick bobbled around dangerously inside the Juve penalty area, with Alberto Gilardino almost benefiting, but the ball finally sat up for Kaka, who acrobatically fired a 10-yard shot beyond Chimenti's reach.

Emerson was the next to be punished for a foul on Kaka, but although he was spared a yellow card for blocking the Brazilian, he was not spared the blame for providing Pirlo with the opportunity to fire a 25-yard free-kick home to make it 3-0.

Chimenti's failure to save the low effort will have been a topic for discussion as the half-time whistle blew shortly afterwards.

Whatever words were exchanged in the Juve dressing room during the break, Chimenti had failed to take note as he almost made another crucial error just 10 minutes into the second half.

Pirlo again asked the question with another low free-kick and it almost yielded the same result, with the Juve goalkeeper scrambling across and fumbling the ball just wide of the post.

Jaap Stam and Ibrahimovic were involved in an altercation that ended with a yellow card each but the clash inside the Milan box was the first sign of fraying tempers as the pressure rose inside the San Siro.

Juventus grabbed a lifeline when Vieira delicately lobbed the ball over the Milan back four to fellow Frenchman Trezeguet, who fired his effort past Dida.

With memories of Milan's Champions League final surrender to Liverpool springing to mind - Carlo Ancelotti's side famously threw away a 3-0 half-time lead to draw 3-3 and eventually lose on penalties - the pressure immediately switched to the home side.

But on this occasion, Milan held on as they prevented Juve from getting another sniff of goal.
Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=187997&cc=4716

[Don Sweey]

Poor defending for the Juventus goal. They were holding a perfectly good line, but Stam got sucked backwards by Ibrahimovic's run allowing Trezeguet to get behind Maldini and Nesta who believed it was going to be offside as the two of them had set the trap perfectly.

[Figо10]

From www.goal.com:
CL Preview: PSV Eindhoven-AC Milan

PSV have arguably given Milan some of their toughest games this year, and the tactical battles between Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti are always absorbing…

BACKGROUND

A fully motivated and confident Milan side take on PSV Eindhoven in the fourth matchday of the Champions League. The Rossoneri travel to Holland safe in the knowledge that they are passing through an excellent moment following their great display against Juventus on Saturday night, which officially re-opened the Scudetto race.

The same confidence and motivation which PSV will probably have, considering their top spot in the Dutch league, but more importantly, their will to avenge last season’s Champions League semi final elimination which occurred in the final minute of the game through an Amborisini goal.

Group E is one of the tightest around, as all teams still have a very good chance of going through to the next round, and much will depend on
the outcomes of Tuesday night’s encounters. A draw could please both
teams, whereas a win for either side would most likely pave the way for
their qualification to the next stage.

While Carlo Ancelotti has called for power and character from his side tonight, as Milan seek their first away win in the group, Guus Hiddink is confident PSV will play better than they did I last year’s CL semi-finals – when they were impressive despite going down unluckily to a resilient Milan.

Ancelotti acknowledges it will not be easy in Holland, and does not expect PSV to play the same way they did at the San Siro. In his pre-match press conference the former Parma coach said: “When Hiddink’s side plays at home he tries to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm of play, we will look to keep the ball and won’t be closed up in defence.”

So far in this year’s Champions League Milan have won once and drawn twice. But they still lead the group by a point from Fenerbahce, and are two points ahead of PSV.

"We are motivated, we are playing well at the moment and the time has come to clinch our first away victory in the Champions League," said Ancelotti.

"Our group is very tight and a victory on the road would be a big bonus."

Of PSV he added: "They are not going to play a defensive game. They know the importance of this game just as we do. PSV will try to have more possession but it will be my team that will control the game."

Hiddink will by hoping to avenge that semi-final defeat land said: "In the semi-finals last season we played a good game and got nothing. Last time our appearance was more defensive and we got a draw.

"Three points on Tuesday will be great, I’m satisfied when we take one point.

"Milan are one of the biggest teams in international football. We saw that in the Juventus game when they won 3-1. I think that AC Milan will go on the attack but in a realistic way."

Hiddink added: “If Capello did not manage to stop them, I don’t know how we will. On Saturday Milan showed that they are stronger than last season and will try to prove it also tomorrow.

“Last year we played well against Milan, on Tuesday we shall play even better and we shall see how many goals we score.”

Meanwhile, Milan defender Jaap Stam has dampened down speculation linking him with a return to PSV in the summer. Stam extended his contract with the Rossoneri through to the 2006-07 campaign earlier this year, and says he has no plans to leave Italy just yet.

However, he has always maintained his wish to finish his career at his first club, PSV. He suffered a slight dip in form earlier this season but showed against Juventusat the weekend that he is still a force to be reckoned with.

"I want to respect the contract I have with Milan and win many trophies here," said Stam. "I have no intention to leave Italy. It’s true that in football anything can happen but I enjoy playing with Milan."


TEAM NEWS

PSV: Hiddink has two doubts for the clash: "Alex has trouble with his knee, he picked it up in last Saturday’s game in Enschede," he explained . "Ibrahim Afellay’s groin is giving him problems but we will look to see if he can play."

Milan: Ancelotti welcomes back Andriy Shevchenko, who has missed the last three games through injury. However, he will wait until the last minute before deciding whether Sheva starts on the pitch or the bench. “We will see how he is in training before I take a decision," said Ancelotti. "I will not make many changes with respect to the team that played against Juve." But Milan will be without Cafu, who picked up a knock in Saturday’s clash, while Massimo Ambrosini is ruled out.


WATCH OUT FOR:

PSV: Phillp Cocu: Bags of experience and still able to cut it the highest level.

Milan: Kaka: Poetry in motion recently, and a potential match-winner whether directly or via assists.


PROBABLE STARTING LINE-UPs:

PSV: (from): Gomes; Reiziger, Alex, Ooijer, Lamey; Afellay, Simons, Cocu; Beasley, Robert, Farfan, Aissati.

Milan: (from): Dida; Stam, Maldini, Kaladze, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf Serginho, Kaka, Shevchenko, Inzaghi, Vieri.


PREDICTION:

A tight, tense but fscinating tactical contest could be in prospect - with another draw the outcome. PSV 1-1 Milan.

[Don Sweey]

Why won't we play Gilardino in Europe??!

[Yi-Long]

Man, can you believe the balls on Hiddink!? For tonight's game, Aisatti, barely 17 years old (17 years and 2 months) will start! Awesome :D
Also, PSV will play with a 3-man defence.

Personally, this can go either very very wrong, or could have an awesome result if Aisatti and 19 year old Afally fullfill their promise... :D

Whatever the result, Hiddink shows he has some major balls, and intends to play football. Even if PSV lose big-time, the 2 rookies will have benefitted big time from the experience, so it will still be a very usefull night.

[Don Sweey]

Gilardino is playing with Vieri in attack from the start.

Latest: PSV 1 (Farfan 12) Milan 0

12 mins: Farfan got clear in the box on the right side and sent a good shot into the far bottom corner to put PSV ahead. Poor Milan defending to leave him with so much space.

21: PSV hit the bar with a header.

29: Gattuso, who has already been cautioned, commits another foul and may get a final warning soon. Milan don't look right at the moment, though it is partly down to PSV being well-drilled by Hiddink once more.

33: Excellent long-range strike from Seedorf which goes just wide. Gomes would have had it covered though. PSV are pressing the Milan players all the time, forcing Milan to surrender possession and play the ball long when they don't want to in order to find an outlet in attack.

38: Potentially scary moment for Gomes as he fails to clearly punch a corner away, but clears it out for another corner before any Milan players can get close. The second corner results in a wayward shot from well outside the area.

42: Gomes makes a sharp save low down to his left when Vieri deflects Seedorf's cross-shot.

45+1: Cocu connects with a cross from the left and sees his shot go just wide.

[Yi-Long]

Wow, great match so far.
PSV started of very well... after their goal AC Milan started getting better though...
Final 3-4 minutes PSV back in attacking form with some nice combinations and a nice volley on goal by Cocu.

Gilardino seems like the typical italian forward, constantly trying to get a free kick or penalty... so hopefully PSV won't make a mistake, or better yet, hopefully Graham Poll wont make a mistake...

Aisatti is having a very good game so far, holding his own against Pirlo. n the last few minutes he even had a very good turn which got rid of Pirlo. He's strong on the ball, and good with his passing so far...

Attractive game to watch so far :)

However, I'm sure Milan will score in the final minute again or something... it seems to be the italian way...

edit: Ow yeah, AC Milan were very lucky to finish the first half with 11 men, cause Gatusso deserved a 2nd booking for his 2nd foul on Beasly.
Mistake by Poll.

[Don Sweey]

Don't judge us quite as being typically Italian. I'm not able to watch the second half as closely as the first yet, so my commentary on major events isn't happening for now.

[Yi-Long]

Wow... 1-0 PSV; Good result!
Hiddink is such an amazing coach, getting such a result from a group of players like this... all very young, the nr1 striker not available, a couple of injured players that couldnt play, fielding a 17 year old kid and a 19 year old kid... just incredible :D

Aisatti played like a guy that's twice his age, always calm on the ball, spreading the ball wisely, and in the final 5 minutes almost scored a great goal after he just dummied Maldini(!) ....

...and he's in the Ramadan period!

[Don Sweey]

Well done to PSV. But my bone of contention lies not with Kaladze for being somewhere other than at the back, but with Dida for ridiculously being too scared of the ball to make a proper attempt at stopping it at the near post. The ball should never have gone in! :realmad:

[fulgorevinnie]

Nice free kick from Pirlo :D

Was that a shoot??? Chimenti is a comic keeper!

[Don Sweey]

Milan are in serious trouble in the CL :(

[Mussav]

Hi Guys, you know I'm AC Milan Fan
So count me in.

[Highway Penguin]

Whoa, Gila just missed an open goal.

Milan 1 - 0 Lecce
25th minute.

Dida
Stam -Nesta -Maldini -Serginho
Pirlo - Gattuso - Seedorf
Rui
Sheva - Gila

So good stuff is going on, Milan are possessing more.

-Sheva just off...

[Top Gun]

Why did Shev come off?

[Highway Penguin]

Blah!

Gila misses again, that's 0 out of 3 goals for him.

Sheva off sides again.

Lecce can play that well.... :tongue:

EDIT/
Top Gun, I ment off sides. :blush:

Yellow to Nesta. Holding, eh, deserved it. :)

[Highway Penguin]

Diamountene, yellow, for bring Gila down.

Pirlo free kick.

Konan yellow card for breaking the wall early.


Pirlo up again, keeper gets it.

*Scored from a freekick earlier.


Rui controls play up, but Lecce break it down.

35th minute.

Bring on Inzaghi for Gila. :cool:

Serginho takes two lecce players out, with fancy dribbling.

Gattuso low hard shot, amazing, just wide.

Rui controls play, taken down infront of the 18.

Pirlo, Serginho, Sheva, and Seedorf on the ball. Sheva takes it....just wide left.

Milan are really dominating.

[Highway Penguin]

Milan breaks down Lecce's once in a life time attack.

Rui passes left to Serginho, who's brought down.

Gattuso fouls...

Whoa, terrible long ball from Lecce, 40th minute.

Uh oh, Seedorf passes to Sheva Sheva takes on a few players, but ends up passing back. Lecce clears...

Rui to Serginho who crosses, beautiful cross, no one got it. Sheva and Gila both missed near post. Silly guys...

Carlo seems to be a bit frustrated.

Dangerous long ball in by Lecce, but no one picks it up. Good passing from Lecce in the last few minutes. Another cross, Dida picks it out.

Milan on the counter. Rui to Serginho on the left, who's taken down. Appears to be injured. He's up and limping though....

Maldini seems to be drifting up into the midfield a bit. Stam seems to be going up the right as well. Long ball in from Nesta. Sheva heads it to Seedorf who's shot is blocked.

Sheva in the area....great tackle from an Lecce defender...


Half time.

[Highway Penguin]

Second half starts...

Lecce free kick, 37m out, after Serginho foul. Dangerous cross, but cleared.

Inzaghi starts to warm up...!! Rui wiht the counter...Sheva to Seedorf to Pirlo to Sheva, poor passes to Serginho. Maldini brillliant defending..

Rui again..blah, poor pass from Pirlo...

Serginho down the left. Ohh....Diamountene stops Serginho like a brick wall.

Lecce on the attack.. 6 milan players vs 2 lecce. Shot, just wide...

They are playing much better than the 1st half.

Stam with some good defending wins a throw in.. Lecce gets the ball and shoots from way out and it goes way wide.


Vieri warming up... Are Sheva and Gila coming off? :tumble:

Gila looses the ball on the left...Lecce on the attack.

Sheva and Gila ..... Sheva does a lot of work and then his pass leaves a lot to be desired.... Too generous.

Pirlo sick through ball over the defense to Sheva, who looses the ball. Great defending fromt he Lecce defenders in their box.

Serginho shot! Deflected wide....should've had that..

Corner. Cleared from the box, cross, Milan clears. On the counter. Seedorf, draws the free kick after loosing the ball.

Just on the outside of the box...left side.

23m out...

Pirlo and Seedorf on the ball.....Pirlo...hits the wall. Poor free kick.

Long ball to Pirlo from Nesta, poor shot. "Thought he was Michel Platini for a second, but realized he wasn't." - Commentator.

Rui to Serginho on the left, who draws a foul...Serginho is down, looks bad.

Bad foul... very poor decision from the ref not to give it to Milan.

14th minute of play.

Serginho on his feet and off the field. Seems to be alright now..

Lecce on the attack. Poor pass, Pirlo picks it up, to Sheva. Foul from Konana.

Lecce attack...long ball to the left, back to the middle, over to the left, cross, blocked by Seedorf. Dida picks up the second cross.

Foul from Nesta infront of the 18. Really poor choice.

Costacurta on for Serginho. Poor lad. :(

18th minute.

[Highway Penguin]

Game just ended...

2-1 Milan.

Brilliant finish from Pippo. :)

[Don Sweey]

Yes, a brilliant finish from Inzaghi and it saved our skins! Can't believe how wasteful we were in the first-half! Thank God we ended up with a victory.

[Highway Penguin]

I agree.

Sheva and Gila had so many oppurtunities. Sheva was also very generous, giving a lot of his chances to Gila. Could have/Should have been a 4-0 game.

What do you think about the whole Cassano thing? I don't think Milan needs him one bit.

[Highway Penguin]

Match report ala FoxSports.com:

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5112948_7_1.jpg

Filippo Inzaghi scored the winner in injury time and AC Milan beat Lecce 2-1 at San Siro stadium on Saturday, barely avoiding a consecutive defeat.

Following a 3-1 upset at Fiorentina last Sunday, AC Milan's home win lifted it within two points of league leader Juventus, which is likely to pocket its 12th win in 13 matches when it hosts underdog Treviso on Sunday.

Inzaghi, a second-half substitute, was quick to deflect in a header by Andrea Pirlo, who had put the Milan side ahead with a free kick after three minutes.

As Alberto Gilardino, Andriy Shevchenko and Manuel Rui Costa squandered clear scoring chances, Lecce evened the score in the 66th when Ivory Coast forward Axel Konan beat goalkeeper Dida following a rebound.

In the closing minutes, Milan went on the attack with Marek Jankulovski and defender Alessandro Nesta nearly scoring before Inzaghi's decisive goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

"We dominated play and should have closed the match much earlier. But this is soccer, always a lot of suffering," said Inzaghi.

Milan has 31 points and Juventus 33. Third-place Fiorentina, which is at AS Roma on Sunday, has 28.

Lecce's 10th defeat of the season left it in next-to-last place in the 20-team table with 7 points.

Shevchenko, who tallied four goals in Milan's 4-0 triumph at Fenerbahce in a Champions League match last Wednesday, was less than impressive and made unusual mistakes close to the net.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani conceded that Milan slowed down after one hour of impressive play.

"We were coming off a tough match in the Champions League and our players are not robots," he said.

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5112940_7_1.jpg

[Don Sweey]

I agree.

Sheva and Gila had so many oppurtunities. Sheva was also very generous, giving a lot of his chances to Gila. Could have/Should have been a 4-0 game.

What do you think about the whole Cassano thing? I don't think Milan needs him one bit.

I don't think he'd fit into our system as our "wide left" player, Seedorf, needs to be able to muscle people off the ball in midfield and Cassano won't be able to do that. I do think we need to get rid of Vieri next season, and we need to think about Inzaghi. He has impressed me with his short performances since coming back from injury, but long-term I'm not too sure.

Shevchenko had a brilliant chance to drive the ball home with his left-foot midway through the second half and I was ridiculously annoyed when instead he tried to play a through ball to Gilardino.

Let's just be happy with the win though. Juventus will thump Treviso later today, so the gap will remain at five points.

[Highway Penguin]

Bobo isn't a terrible 4th striker, but Milan really do need someone a bit younger and in better form.

I can't see Cassano anywhere but Roma. His attitude and style fit them well. :tongue:

Sheva was way to generous yesterday. He could have had a few more chances for himself, but gave them up for others. Hopefully he'll become greedy again. :)

[Don Sweey]

I think they try to help Gilardino to score too much. He's been on-form, ok he was having a bad night, but there was no reason for them to keep trying to play the extra pass last night just to get him in after he'd missed those three great opportunities. It's a shame Treviso couldn't hold on to thier lead at Juventus today...but I suppose nobody is surprised by Juventus winning again, especially at home to Treviso.

[Highway Penguin]

I wanted Vieri or Inzaghi in after he missed his third clear oppurtunity.

He had plenty of chances and trying to feed him goals won't help him improve.

Atleast it was 3 more points.

[Don Sweey]

Feeding him goals definitely won't help, especially when he misses the chances.

I want to see Pirlo's free-kick again as I didn't get a good look at any of the replays they showed.

I was also very confused by the decision to introuce Costacurta for the injured Serginho - why not Jankulovski instead of waiting until later to bring him on??

What do you make of the defenders we're linked with?

Alex (PSV), Cris (Lyon), Felipe (Udinese), Yepes (PSG)

there's one more *has a blank*

My own opinion is that Felipe has ridiculous lapses in concentration which can make him a bit of a liability on occasion. I also don't think Alex would work well in our team but I think Cris would fit in nicely.

[Highway Penguin]

I think Billy did well when asked. Maybe Carlo had decided to bring Jankulovski prior to Serginho being injured, so he didn't want to change his plans much. Never know.

I'd like to see Cris come. He's a good defender and I can see him helping Milan a lot.

Haven't seen much of Yepes or Felipe, so I can't say. I wouldn't mind Alex either, young and I'm sure with Maldini, Nesta, and Stam coaching him he'd evolve into a great defender.
I haven't read anything about the other defender.... is it Kompany? I think he's signed a new contract with Anderchelt (sp).

[Earthworm]

I follow Milan out of any foreign teams, they are great to watch and have quality players for every position.

[Don Sweey]

I haven't read anything about the other defender.... is it Kompany? I think he's signed a new contract with Anderchelt (sp).

Definitely isn't Kompany, whom I wouldn't want anyway. As it turns out, it was Andrea Barzagli of Palermo I'd forgotten, though I've also just found out that Cristiano Zaccardo is also being linked with us.

[Highway Penguin]

Why not? I'm nuetral on the boy.

Anyways, Zaccorda seems to be decent. Gets called up to the NT and is having a good season. Not sure on his age.

What are your thoughts on Billy and Paolo retiring? Rumors are floating around that they'll stay for another season or something...

[Don Sweey]

Costacurta is still meant to be off at the end of this season, but Maldini has said he's retiring at the end of next season. I don't think we need Costacurta and you've just reminded me that Ancelotti had promised to play Simic from the start against Lecce - and then didn't even bring him on as a substitute. I don't think that's a nice way to treat him, particularly after such a good performance against Fenerbahce.

I don't like Kompany too much, and there's something in his game which just makes me think he would be totally unsuited to how we play.

Zaccardo is young - about 23.

[Highway Penguin]

Simic did have quite a good game. I was a little curious on why he doesn't start more. Milan have got a lot of good defenders and it's a shame that they all don't get more playing time.

You are right, Costacurta isn't needed anymore, but from what I've seen he's been a great servant for the club. I wonder if he and Maldini will return as coaches one day....

[Don Sweey]

We should be proud, a Milan player twice in three years.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=106468&progr=2

Disgusted with our defeat against Chievo and tonight we have the crucial game with Schalke. A win will see us through, so will a 0-0, 1-1 or 2-2 draw. 3-3 or above puts us out if PSV win, as does a defeat. I've got a bad feeling about tonight. If we went out it would be the classic end of an era - Ancelotti's era. It is certainly coming and slowly we are showing more and more cracks.

[fulgorevinnie]

Why I can't read about the 3-2 against shalke?
Were are all the milan supporters of this site???
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEY! What are you doing? It seems like you post more in juventus thread than in milan thread....


P.S. Why the HTML is off in this thread?

[Don Sweey]

Why I can't read about the 3-2 against shalke?
Were are all the milan supporters of this site???
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEY! What are you doing? It seems like you post more in juventus thread than in milan thread....


P.S. Why the HTML is off in this thread?

I don't like double-posting ;) need some others to post first.

Match report 1: http://www.acmilan-online.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1133905362, 85433,

Match report 2 from uefa.com:

Two second-half goals from Kaká helped AC Milan squeeze into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds with a hard-earned victory against FC Schalke 04 that secured first place in Group E.

Kaká crucial
The Italian side began the night in top spot, and needing a point - though not a high-scoring draw - to progress, looked on course for the last 16 when Andrea Pirlo curled in a spectacular free-kick shortly before half-time. Christian Poulsen levelled almost immediately, however, but a quick double from Kaká early in the second period put the home team in control, before Lincoln revived Schalke's hopes in the 66th minute and forced Milan to hang on.

Experience wins out
With qualification on the line, the stakes could not have been higher. Fortunately, both coaches could breathe easier knowing key defenders had passed late fitness tests as Milan's Paolo Maldini and Schalke's Marcelo Bordon were available to reinforce their back lines. Milan's 37-year-old captain joined Alessandro Nesta in central defence while Jaap Stam returned from suspension to fill the right-back slot. In attack, experience won over youth, as 32-year-old Filippo Inzaghi started alongside Andriy Shevchenko, in a strike force boasting an intimidating 101 European goals.

Altıntop opportunity
The early play was concentrated in the middle third of the pitch as possession was won and lost at breakneck speed until Schalke right-back Rafinha pushed forward to create the first chance of the evening for Kevin Kuranyi, but the German international's half-volley blazed high over Dida's goal. Intent on reaching the knockout phase for the first time, Schalke stepped up a gear as midfielder Hamit Altıntop robbed Maldini and charged down the right before unleashing a low drive that sailed wide of the far post. In racing back to challenge Altıntop, Maldini was injured and limped off to be replaced by Dario Šimić.

Goal flurry
However, the odds immediately shifted back in the hosts' favour when Kaká was fouled outside the area, giving Pirlo a free-kick opportunity. The Italian international did not disappoint with a masterful right-footed effort that flew into the top corner and left Frank Rost rooted to the spot. No matter. Schalke drew level two minutes later as Lincoln curled in a set-piece of his own for midfielder Poulsen to head past Dida.

Kaká delight
The momentum switched back to Milan after the break, though, thanks mainly to the selfless work of Shevchenko. The 2004 European Footballer of the Year took the ball just inside the Schalke half and absorbed the attention of two defenders before laying off for Kaká on the edge of the box. The Brazilian did well to shake off his marker before thumping a shot past Rost. That effort was the cue for Milan to increase the pressure. Their third goal duly arrived when Kaká collected possession after Shevchenko had been unable to connect with Inzaghi's pass from the right, and poked in to secure a seemingly unassailable advantage.

Lincoln hope
Yet Schalke refused to go down quietly. Lincoln seized on a deflected strike to beat Dida in the 66th minute and resurrect German ambitions. Another goal would not come for the visitors, however, who had to settle for third position and a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

:D

[fulgorevinnie]

I don't like double-posting ;) need some others to post first.

Match report 1: http://www.acmilan-online.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1133905362, 85433,

Match report 2 from uefa.com:



:D
Ah Ah Ah... so I helped you someway.. :D
Perhaps I have to ask it to Ismail but:
Do you know why HTML code is disabled in this thread?

[Don Sweey]

Didn't know that it was to be fair...

[dirda]

how do u guys think Milan will do in UCL?

[Don Sweey]

how do u guys think Milan will do in UCL?

After yesterday's disgraceful match and the recent poor performances, I don't think we'll do too well. We leak too many goals and are far too poor defensively to go much further. Gilardino is too often off form, Shevchenko is going through a tough time and Vieri is absolutely useless.

[Milanista90]

The defense is way too bad.We won´t win anything this year.Ancelotti hast to go

[Don Sweey]

Well, Berlusconi has conceded Lo Scudetto, which he sort of had to really. Eight points was bad enough. There is no written rule that Juventus have to drop more points this season. For all we know, they won't.

[JustMe]

Hi. Made a the AC Milan fantasy home kit.

Enjoy.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2641/acmilan8iz.png (http://imageshack.us)

Cheers

[Don Sweey]

Two lovely wins just before Christmas....

4-0 at home to Messina (Shevchenko 23, 47 pen, Pirlo 85, Gilardino 86)
3-0 at Livorno (Gilardino 27, 60, Shevchenko 71)

Fingers crossed we keep getting good results!

[AgentZero]

well congrats to kaka' for getting married just before Christmas this year.....and shes quite fit aswell...

[Don Sweey]

2/1/06:

I'll pass on your regards ;)

Stam and Cafu are to leave Milan this summer, for PSV and Sao Paulo respectively according to what's going around in the media.

At the moment our prime January transfer target has become Massimo Oddo who has previously said he wants to move to Inter. This could get confusing.

Also, Gattuso has said that he intends to see out his contract which expires in 2009 and then to retire at the age of 34.

EDIT: Latest transfer target is Jonathan Zebina (again), particularly as Oddo seems to favour a move to Inter.

8/1/06:

Hmm, I'm not impressed.

Milan are leading Parma 3-1 at half-time (Cardone 27 og, Gilardino 28, Kaka 36 for Milan, Paolo Cannavaro 24 for Parma) which is all good and well, and obviously makes me happy BUT.....

For Parma's goal, Dida, for the second time in the match, rose as high as he could to catch the ball from a corner. This time however, he dropped the ball slap bang in the middle of the goalmouth about two yards out in the path of Paolo Cannavaro! For how long can we continue with him and his ridiculous mistakes? We're only ahead now because Parma's coach Berretta has refused to address the problems Cannavaro is having on the right side of Parma's defence where every single Milan attack is coming from - and being largely successful.

Merged Post:

:angry: WHY?! We start being complacent because we're leading 3-1 and we let Marchionni walk through to make it 3-2 with twenty minutes left. What is wrong with us? They talk and talk and talk about not losing concentration, coming back from the mistakes against Depor and Liverpool, plus the ones we almost paid for against PSV and Palermo but they do the same thing again and again!

[Gary G]

Bloody hell, 4-3 now.

Parma with a free-kick 30 yards out, Dida holds.

[Don Sweey]

I can't explain how fed up I am with their complacency and the poor goalkeeping of Dida. I'm so glad we won, though I was certain it'd finish 4-4. The entire defence - every single one of them - needs to look at what they're doing (we were without Maldini, Cafu and Stam tonight) and sort it out. We also need to make sure we make one or even two signings in defence THIS MONTH - and try to call Abbiati back from his loan at Juventus if they'll allow us to - or give Kalac a chance. We can't go on like this, it simply isn't good enough.

[Top Gun]

I have heard that Vieri is signing for Monaco tomorrow but I don't have a link for this.

[Don Sweey]

You're right, he is. Milan have pretty much said so themselves. Corradi and Amoroso are the likely replacements (yuck!) while we're denying any interest in Vucinic (who would suit us very well) and some others including Bojinov.

EDIT: Vieri has officially joined Monaco, and Amoroso's agent says he won't, thankfully, be moving to Milan.

[nikos24]

I can't explain how fed up I am with their complacency and the poor goalkeeping of Dida. I'm so glad we won, though I was certain it'd finish 4-4. The entire defence - every single one of them - needs to look at what they're doing (we were without Maldini, Cafu and Stam tonight) and sort it out. We also need to make sure we make one or even two signings in defence THIS MONTH - and try to call Abbiati back from his loan at Juventus if they'll allow us to - or give Kalac a chance. We can't go on like this, it simply isn't good enough.

Did they stop their chase for Amelia because Milan managed to beat him when they played? Or anything like that? Sign Eleftheropoulos, he will do well, :tongue:

[Don Sweey]

We had Eleftheropoulos he's beyond awful :tongue:

We've told Juventus that we want Abbiati back once his loan is over - no surprise really. He'll be our new number one next season if that is the case.

A little confusion surrounding Milan currently.

We are definitely going for a striker to repalce Vieri, but whilst Galliani said we will not make any changes to the defence, Berlusconi has said that we are looking at making a move for a defender. Likely targets include Josip Simunic who would certainly be an interesting capture.

[Mussav]

Best thing I ever heard Vieri to Monaco

[Don Sweey]

Amoroso will be his replacement. He's flying into Italy today to sign a one-and-a-half year deal.

I'm not happy because of his moods, but it could have been worse - we could have had Corradi.

[spawn113]

I'm so happy cause you guys actually did that... I like this thread. Im one of the biggest AC Milan fans in the Middle East & Africa.

I know that Amoroso is having a good spell in Sao Paolo but Im against Milan's policy of buying 30 year olds. The only 2 players born in the 80s are KAKA and Gila. But anyways maybe cayse older players are mature enough and have better experience. If Amoroso didnt prove himself he will be out by summer. But I'm sure he will be better than Vieri at least. Milan need a brazilian attacker. We'll see how this goes.

[Don Sweey]

I'm so happy cause you guys actually did that... I like this thread. Im one of the biggest AC Milan fans in the Middle East & Africa.

I know that Amoroso is having a good spell in Sao Paolo but Im against Milan's policy of buying 30 year olds. The only 2 players born in the 80s are KAKA and Gila. But anyways maybe cayse older players are mature enough and have better experience. If Amoroso didnt prove himself he will be out by summer. But I'm sure he will be better than Vieri at least. Milan need a brazilian attacker. We'll see how this goes.

I think they've done it because he'll be fighting for third-choice striker with Inzaghi. Vucinic might not settle for that, but this gives Milan a short-term offer. I used to want Amoroso at Milan back when he was great for Udinese, but he struggled with injuries and his own attitude problems.

[Malagacf]

Oh! Amorso...

I've enjoyed him last season in Malaga. He was after a year injury, and took a year to get the form, but there was poetry in each one of the balls that he touched. We all miss him so much in Malaga.

[Don Sweey]

Well, he's meant to sign for us today once he passes his medical. Let us hope he proves me wrong and does very well.

[Malagacf]

Another thing, he did'n play that much in Malaga, but he never protested or caused problems. In his year with us he was always a great professional.

[Don Sweey]

Another thing, he did'n play that much in Malaga, but he never protested or caused problems. In his year with us he was always a great professional.

12/1/06:

I hope he's sorted his attitude problems out, or he'll be leaving Milan next summer having not featured much (on the assumption neither Shevchenko or Gilardino suffers a major injury)

13/1/06:

Finally confirmed. Amoroso is now a Milan player until June 2007.

[Malagacf]

Hope he helps you.


http://www.rpp.com.pe/images/portada/deportes/amoroso.jpg

[Don Sweey]

13/1/06:

Me too

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6296/amoroso3tu.jpg

15/1/06:

Milan's Scudetto challenge is over.

[fulgorevinnie]

Hey Sweey I thought that you didn't like to do double posts but now I saw two double posts and a triple post!!!
Are you nervous?:happy:
It seems that Milan is going to make you crazy!! :rolleyes:

[Highway Penguin]

Wow. I'm shocked. Kaka and Pirlo were pretty much shut down today and Shevchenko and Gilardino didn't play like they usually do.

Not a very good performance at all. Quite a shame. Always next year though Sweey.

[Don Sweey]

Next year, hopefully without Ancelotti.

His cycle has come to an end. We tried the 4-4-2 and it had no width because Kaka and Seedorf both want to come inside. We tried to switch to 4-3-1-2 and there was still no width, no passing, nothing. They had no urgency.

Vinnie, I've decided to cut my losses and just post when I have something to say :tongue: it keeps the thread alive.

[ba7alheiro]

I didn´t know Ancelotti was so underated by Milan´s fans...Before he joinned the club Milan was in really poor form if i recall. Didn´t ancelotti lead the team to 2 european cup finals?

What are the reasons behind this poor opinion? He is very well rated in all europe...

[TochaMan!]

I didn´t know Ancelotti was so underated by Milan´s fans...Before he joinned the club Milan was in really poor form if i recall. Didn´t ancelotti lead the team to 2 european cup finals?

What are the reasons behind this poor opinion? He is very well rated in all europe...

Ancelotti was a good coach for Milan over the last few years, but since, especially, last season he is showing problems dealing with his team.
Milan is an REALLY old team who doesnt seem to have almost any interest in get younger (and it seems like this is Ancelotti blame). For a team that relies heavily on its defence, who might be 300 years old combined, thats near lethal.
Add that to the stubborn way Ancelotti deals with substitutions and the not so recent affair for incredible collapses and you have some reasons to bring the man down.

(And sorry, Sweey :) I know this is basically your thread but I couldnt help it... Your team gives me pity nowadays, it really needs a new start)

[Don Sweey]

17/1/06:

Ancelotti was a good coach for Milan over the last few years, but since, especially, last season he is showing problems dealing with his team.
Milan is an REALLY old team who doesnt seem to have almost any interest in get younger (and it seems like this is Ancelotti blame). For a team that relies heavily on its defence, who might be 300 years old combined, thats near lethal.
Add that to the stubborn way Ancelotti deals with substitutions and the not so recent affair for incredible collapses and you have some reasons to bring the man down.

(And sorry, Sweey :) I know this is basically your thread but I couldnt help it... Your team gives me pity nowadays, it really needs a new start)

:lol:

It does need a new start. Ancelotti did superbly - until Deportivo destroyed us. Since then they've learnt nothing. They continue to suffer every time they lead. Before we collapsed against Liverpool, we were leading Palermo 3-1 with a few minutes left. We collapsed and drew 3-3. That was a major sign. Yes we rested players but we fell to pieces. We also did it against PSV and almost paid for it. Ancelotti reacts far too slowly with his substitutions. The defence thing isn't just his fault - I blame Galliani too. They should never have allowed Coloccini to leave, nor should they be playing Serginho at left-back. Simic should play at right-back during the absence of Cafu and Maldini, allowing Stam alongside Nesta and Kaladze or Jankulovski at left-back. Jankulovski has barely been given a game. Similarly, Dhorasso was impressive but was never given a real chance and left for PSG. That was another bad move by Milan.

They even admit they are scared when they're 3-0 or 2-0 up. They have to snap out of it!

22/1/06:

Diego Lugano, Sao Paulo's 25-year-old Uruguayan international central defender whom Milan are repeatedly said to be interested in is reportedly keen on a move in the future:

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=6487

24/1/06:

Jaap Stam reportedly wants to leave the club before the end of the month (don't know why) leaving Milan struggling to find a replacement. Negotiations for Andrea Barzagli may take place tonight after the Milan-Palermo match in the Coppa Italia, although Palermo's controversial president Maurizio Zamparini is not on good relations with Berlusconi. The other report claims (oh God don't let it happen!) that we may loan Materazzi from Inter :crymore:

28/1/06:

Milan have failed yet again. A 1-1 home draw with Sampdoria who should have been blown away in the first hour. Instead, after going ahead through an Andrei Shevchenko penalty, Milan let Sampdoria work their way into the match and they deservedly equalised through Andrea Gasbarroni thanks to ANOTHER stupid, stupid error from Dida (the ball hit his static arm and went into the net). Milan were almost 2-1 down by half-time, but controlled the game a bit more in the second half as they searched, in vain, for a winner. Seedorf hit the post late on but the truth is the team need new ideas and Ancelotti is not bringing them. Serginho is being played at left-back - why not Jankulovski???!!!

Nesta is making mistakes, Stam is being used at right-back too much, Kaka is off-form, Seedorf had a strange game - good and bad moments - and Shevchenko, Inzaghi and Gilardino barely got into the game at all. Bayern Munich are going to wipe the floor with us next month.

[Fantana]

Ha ha, someone called Andrea scored past you :tongue: A good CM acquisition though.

Was gonna put this game as a draw on my accumalator, but deceided against it.

[Don Sweey]

Ha ha, someone called Andrea scored past you :tongue: A good CM acquisition though.

Was gonna put this game as a draw on my accumalator, but deceided against it.

We also have a player called Andrea in our team :tongue:

Typical Milan tonight. Switched off after going ahead, switched on again after conceding.

[Fantana]

We also have a player called Andrea in our team :tongue:

Typical Milan tonight. Switched off after going ahead, switched on again after conceding.

Sounds like a team I know :rolleyes:

That Andrea would be the one who is my fave Milan player (along with Jankulovski). Pirlo should shave his head. Then he would look EXACTLY like John Malkovich!

[TochaMan!]

Im a little late on this one, Sweey, but I have to tell you this, my friend : the right-side of your Milan is one of the worst in the offense I've seen for some time in a great club :shocking: Stam + Gattuso = nothing in offense ...

By the way, are you interested in sending Dida back to my Corinthians? I know he is awful lately (ive watched the weekend game), but returning home might help him. We give you some cookies or beers in exchange, ok? :happy: Seriously, this Dida slump is starting to scare me, its one of his moments in his whole carreer :no: Its not good this is happening 5 months away from WC ...

[Don Sweey]

Im a little late on this one, Sweey, but I have to tell you this, my friend : the right-side of your Milan is one of the worst in the offense I've seen for some time in a great club :shocking: Stam + Gattuso = nothing in offense ...

By the way, are you interested in sending Dida back to my Corinthians? I know he is awful lately (ive watched the weekend game), but returning home might help him. We give you some cookies or beers in exchange, ok? :happy: Seriously, this Dida slump is starting to scare me, its one of his moments in his whole carreer :no: Its not good this is happening 5 months away from WC ...

It has all happened since he got hit by the flare against Inter in the CL last season. That was nearly a year ago and that's what is worrying. I actually think that sending him to Corinthians (again) would sort him out (again). I also think the club are lying in public - Abbiati will be our first-choice next season at this rate.

As for Stam and Gattuso - yes, it gives absolutely nothing down the right. Cafu + Gattuso works well because Gattuso sits while Cafu raids.

Merged Post:

Woohoo!..................... :realmad:

We're going out of the Coppa Italia despite the following starting line-up:

MILAN: Kalac; Simic, Nesta, Stam, Kaladze; Cafu, Vogel, Seedorf, Jankulovski; Kakà, Gilardino.

Serginho and Pirlo replaced Jankulovski and Kaladze on 63 minutes and Ancelotti isn't bothering to put on another striker (77 minutes gone is far too early, obviously) despite the fact we're 3-0 down in the second leg and 3-1 on aggregate.

EDIT: We lost, 3-0 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate. Piece by piece our season falls apart. Next comes our exit from the CL at the hands of Bayern Munich and the rejuvenated Roy Makaay.

[nikos24]

Milan are in a bad ass form now. Sweey, who was that Palermo guy who scored that peach of a goal, the first one? Was it Gonzalez? Nice finish. Kalac was a joke that day, i think Milan are starting to falter one by one this season, their goalkeepers have already fallen down if you ask me. Unless a passage to the quarter-finals at the expense of Bayern Munchen, then only can Milan feel confident again. Certainly Dida will be tested shot after shot, if they can survive Bayern and co., then just maybe they still have that old magic of success.

Otherwise, I won't have to eat my words, because it seems we will finish on top of you guys, :tongue:. Hehe. No disrespect though. Hopefully Milan bounce back soon, a giant like them should always play well (Well, not always, but most of the times), they are leaving their fans in doubts, just like you Sweey. I wish Milan the best, just aslong we finish on top of you guys, ;).

By the way Sweey, you know Luigi Della Rocca yes? Striker, can't remember for who though. Anyway, how's it pronounced? Della Rocca as in (Ro*ka) or Della Rocca (Ro*cha/tsa)? And where the hell is Eleftheropoulos, Messina?

And just one more thing, at Reggina, is there a player named Mario Morfeo? If so, is he any good? Oh, and Choutos has just joined them, watch out. Haha. :tongue: Thanks. ;)

[Don Sweey]

:tongue:

Yes, Kalac is piss poor too. The defence aren't helping the goalkeepers much though *points my finger directly at Nesta and Stam*

Della Rocca...not sure. I always pronounce it as "Ro*ka" not "Ro*cha" which I believe is the Brazilian/Portuguese way of pronouncing it. Fulgorevinnie will know ;) (not sure how often he comes in here though)

Eleftheropoulos is at Roma last I knew but him going to Messina wouldn't surprise me as he's awful.

Mario Morfeo....I know very very little.

[TochaMan!]

Della Rocca...not sure. I always pronounce it as "Ro*ka" not "Ro*cha" which I believe is the Brazilian/Portuguese way of pronouncing it. Fulgorevinnie will know ;) (not sure how often he comes in here though)

Hey, I can spell his name :tongue: Sweey is right! Rocca should be spelled like "Rock*a" Brasilian and Italian have basically the same spelling :happy:

[Don Sweey]

Oh and by the way Nikos, the first goal by Palermo in midweek was by Mariano Gonzalez.

[nikos24]

Thanks Sweey and Tocha, ;)

[Don Sweey]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb4e.html

Van Basten or Shevchenko?? I wouldn't know who to pick! :crymore:

[Keyser Soze]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb4e.html

Van Basten or Shevchenko?? I wouldn't know who to pick! :crymore:
Fingers crossed that Van Basten arrives.

Shevchenko has been one of my favourite strikers for a long time now, ever since the Rebrov-Sheva partnership at Kiev. What an amazing player, I'd love him to come to Chelsea. Shevchenko and Crespo together? I can only dream. :wub:

[Don Sweey]

Still, Berlusconi loves both Van Basten and Shevchenko. We shall see. I can see the logic to a possible Sheva sale if we're offered £60m as he's almost 30. Would be very, very sad to see him go.

[nikos24]

Oh please Shevchenko just stay at Milan. No need for Chelsea at this point. The Milan fans will be very angry at Sheva if he leaves.

[Don Sweey]

But we need lots of money to buy defenders. Cafu, Stam and Costacurta leave this summer, Maldini next summer. Kaladze is awful, Simic is inconsistent. The midfield looks weird now - Gattuso isn't the same as he used to be, Ambrosini is almost 30, Seedorf doesn't have more than two years left at this level. Even up-front we have problems (Inzaghi, Amoroso).

[Keyser Soze]

Oh please Shevchenko just stay at Milan. No need for Chelsea at this point. The Milan fans will be very angry at Sheva if he leaves.
:mellow: Your an Inter fan!?

[nikos24]

:mellow: Your an Inter fan!?

:mellow:

Hehe. The point is if Sheva was to leave Milan for Chelsea, then the EPL will be really dominated by Chelsea. On the other hand, I do want Sheva to stay at Milan, because even him being at Milan, we are currently on top of them (Pretty much the scenario at the end of the season). So we do not fear Milan and Sheva, it's rather fun having him around in the Serie A.

[Barry]

http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=79865

:crymore:


Special to see Capello cry.

[Don Sweey]

9/2/06:

:crymore:

13/2/06:

A 4-1 win at Messina yesterday afternoon despite going 1-0 down after 11 minutes. Good hat-trick by Inzaghi, I'm especially impressed with his finish for his second. Gilardino hit the crossbar - the third time in four games we've hit the woodwork - and good to see us getting a positive result.

Unfortunately, news today is that Cafu will undergo knee surgery tomorrow in Brazil and will be out for at least a month. That's a devastating blow to our Champions League campaign and there is even talk that he may, in fact, miss the World Cup as the severity of his injury is not yet known.

[darknil]

It's really a shame that injury, i think that the ancelotti could give more minutes to inzaghi, he alwas has been a good player, understimated tough

Now, anyone knows what happened with the possibility of getting perea or yepes after stam selling?

[Don Sweey]

If Ancelotti gives more time to Inzaghi, does he drop Gilardino who has scored as many Serie A goals as Shevchenko (the latter having converted two penalties)?

No news on Perea or Yepes. Both seem unlikely to me. I think there's more chance of Gavrancic (if that's his name), Simunic, Chivu or Barzagli.

[darknil]

No, i mean he could give minutes, not the hole match, however, milan needs to focus on defense, perea is young and fast, i was just thinking.

[Don Sweey]

Well, one thing Ancelotti needs to do is make substitutions BEFORE the 80th minute. He's crap at his timing.

[darknil]

exactly lol, and let me tell you, that was why colombia are not going to World Cup :\ i hope milan won't suffer beacuse of timing of substitutions

[Don Sweey]

20/2/06:

We're up to second now, thanks to a 1-0 home win over Cagliari. Slightly fortunate to be awarded a penalty and a worryingly arrogant spot-kick from Gilardino which thankfully went in.

I still can't believe Inzaghi blazed over when clean through inside the box, and I'm sure he had another excellent chance which he missed in the second half.

We've got Bayern next :crymore: and I wonder...having read this: http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=1545 7 is it me being a sensitive Milan fan or is the Bayern fan they've spoken to completely up his own arse?

EDIT: Jonathan Zebina is again being linked with a summer move to Milan - this time in a swap deal for the under-used but VERY useful Ambrosini.

21/2/06:

Today's transfer rumour is one I'm trying to ignore - Christian Poulsen, the dirty little twat, is being linked with a summer move to Milan on a free. I hope the directors aren't going to be that stupid.

[codename 47]

Stories from spain are saying that Adriano Galliano has opened the door for Fat Ron to come to AC Milan

[Don Sweey]

Yep, I heard the same this morning :(

Ronaldo has reaffirmed his desire to walk out on Real Madrid, as Milan publicly confess they’d welcome the ex-Inter star "with open arms."

“He is a great striker who belongs to all of football and I’m sure that if he decides to move then he’ll find open doors at all clubs in the world,” said Rossoneri Vice-President Adriano Galliani on Sky Italia. “Milan too? Of course.”

Ronaldo was listening in to the interview and again stated that he is open to suggestions for a switch in the summer.

“We’ll see what happens at the end of the season and if we win some silverware, then we’ll decide on my future,” said Il Fenomeno after last night’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal.

“This is a marvellous city with spectacular fans, but I haven’t felt any affection in the Bernabeu yet. I have often left the field to jeers. If I am in the way here, then I can leave. I am a professional and will respect my contract, then we will see what happens.”

Ronaldo was a hero for Inter despite injuries that kept him out for almost two years, but earned the scorn of many Serie A fans when he demanded a move after the 2002 World Cup.

“I don’t want to talk about specific options for next year, as that wouldn’t be very professional of me. Besides, I want to say that it’s not certain I’m going. I just want the Real fans to have a little more patience with me.”

[codename 47]

Despite losing a game ronaldo still finds time to bitch about his treatment from the fans.

If he went to Milan do you think they'd be prepared to change the whole shape of the team to fit him in or would someone like Gilardino(:) ) drop out?

[Don Sweey]

We changed our formation slightly to accomodate Gilardino. That's why Shevchenko doesn't play as consistently during a match or score as consistently over a number of matches. We wouldn't need to change the shape to accomodate Ronaldo - he works well with Kaka, and Shevchenko is the perfect partner for him, but Gilardino would end up on the bench. There are times I want Ronaldo at Milan, but they are outweighed by the times I don't want him there because of his stupid emotional and physical problems, his bitching, his inconsistency and generally his inability to behave professionally. Still....he'd be a damn good replacement for Amoroso.

However, signing someone like Ronaldo would surely force Inzaghi out of the club, and upset Gilardino in the short-term.

The strikers Milan are supposedly after: Fernando Torres, Henry, Ronaldo. Hmmmm...I'm not particularly keen on any. Of the three, I'd want Fernando Torres the least.

[codename 47]

How likely is it that Ancelotti will be there next season? how would he put up with ronaldo's attitude at times?

[Don Sweey]

The club do not like players with bad attitudes. That's why I find it difficult to understand Galliani's comments on Ronaldo. Equally, he moved to dismiss speculation linking Ballack with a move to us.

I don't think it is likely Ancelotti will stay with us. Even if were to somewhow win the European Cup, I get a feeling from the team that his cycle is complete and it is time for a change.

[GuyP]

Ah...Michael Ballack! Saw the Sheva pen. I gues that was exorcizing his 'Final' demons by scoring it.

[Don Sweey]

Not really, he's already scored about four penalties this season. It'll be against Liverpool or in another European Cup final that anyone needing to exorcise demons will do so. Or the next time they lead 3-0 or 4-0 and fuck it up like a bunch of tossers.

[TochaMan!]

Not really, he's already scored about four penalties this season. It'll be against Liverpool or in another European Cup final that anyone needing to exorcise demons will do so. Or the next time they lead 3-0 or 4-0 and fuck it up like a bunch of tossers.

Come on, Sweey! Dont be bitter! Your team got a great result in Germany and now you dont have to worry about Dida for some time :tongue: !!!

[codename 47]

The club do not like players with bad attitudes. That's why I find it difficult to understand Galliani's comments on Ronaldo. Equally, he moved to dismiss speculation linking Ballack with a move to us.

I don't think it is likely Ancelotti will stay with us. Even if were to somewhow win the European Cup, I get a feeling from the team that his cycle is complete and it is time for a change.

Who do you think will replace Ancelotti if/when he leaves?

[Don Sweey]

Van Basten is who I want. He is linked, along with Rijkaard and Donadoni.

[Barry]

Leave him alone! He is to be our guiding light to victory in Germany and 2 years later too :tongue:

[codename 47]

Seems like speculation is growing that both Inter and AC have opened the door for ronaldo to move to them. Perez wants him to stay but it seems the rest of the madrid board aren't so sure

[Don Sweey]

Latest news on this Ronaldo business is that Shevchenko thinks the club should sign him as he rates him highly and thinks that the Brazilian is simply lacking motivation at Real.

[codename 47]

The english newspapers are liinking sheva to Chelsea according to the news of the world he'll go for £50million but according to the daily star(this is what i read on teletext) on sunday he'll go for £10million

[AgentZero]

i just saw some higlights if the Bayern game......that gattuso is some twat..

[Don Sweey]

£10m? :laugh: He's worth more than that.

LosGalacticos, he did act really stupidly but I definitely wouldn't call him a twat. There's something different about him this season and its bothering me. I'm glad he didn't get sent off though as I thought he would do. It is almost as if he is getting wound up even more this season and going backwards in the way he had previously managed to control it. Or, he's the physical epitome of just how desperate the side really is underneath it all.

[AgentZero]

that probably the more logical reason, but the fracas with that Danish player and then the encounetr with sagnol...pulling his hair (wtf!), bullying ballack around the park...it think its to the point where he is twat-ish.....if it were some otehr player i.e. rooney..id be hearing petulent child this, petulant child that..everywhere

[Don Sweey]

26/2/06:

Gattuso's job was to bully Ballack all over the place. Ballack helps Bayern tick - and certainly did against us.

The Sagnol thing was strange. Trying to wind them up I guess as he can take it if they come after him.

1/3/06:

Latest Milan news :rolleyes:

Galliani has (thankfully) distanced himself from Ronaldo, whilst also stating that we have not signed Christian Poulsen despite the second wave of reports to the contraary.

Regarding defenders in the summer, Galliani does not believe we will sign any of the players we want because clubs are unwilling to sell. We are after two defenders, but appear to have given up on Cris because Lyon will ask for a fee that "only Chelsea can afford", and likewise for midfielder Diarra.

[TochaMan!]

Good for you. Cris is overrated. He is not as good as advertized. You should go 'all-in' for Chivu.

By the way, Sweey, are you watching the Italy game? I am reading the play-by-play in Gazzeta dellio Sport (well, everything my poor Italian can handle :) ) and Italy seems to be playing well. Your impressions, please?

[Don Sweey]

1/3/06:

I want Chivu, he's proven himself in Italy. I like a lot of what Cris does, though I have my concerns about his concentration and a couple of other things.

2/3/06:

Materazzi "would accept a move to Milan"

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar2l.html

Not sure how I feel. He'd be cheap and easy to get so would add depth to our squad - but he's not exactly good at defending either.1/3

[darknil]

Well it's a complicated matter, Milan needs a young, good defender and that is a bit hard to find. Is good the directives are worried to find a defender and not a striker like some other teams (no hard feelings lol)

[Don Sweey]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar3b.html

According to the above link, Milan will make a move for Parma's Fabio Simplicio if they fail to sign Christian Poulsen from Schalke. Personally (and I think I use that word a lot in this thread :mellow:), I wish it was the other way around. I like the look of Simplicio and think he'd be useful in our midfield. I'm not a fan of Poulsen or his antics, though if he joins, plays well and shows he cares about the club, I'll start to like him a lot more.

[Barry]

Materazzi's good in mowing down people - whether it involves using his brain or not.

Poulsen? :mellow:

But you still have Vogel :tongue:

[Don Sweey]

3/3/06:

We're supposed to be losing Ambrosini to Juventus at the end of the season, so we're looking for someone to replace him - and ultimately keep Vogel from playing much.

I've seen highlights of last week's match and Vogel played a brilliant ball for Inzaghi's goal.

4/3/06:

We've just beaten Empoli 3-0 with goals in the last fourteen minutes from Inzaghi (76 and 86) and substitute Shevchenko (80). For this reason, as well as what I've watched for the majority of the season, I want Inzaghi and Shevchenko to start in attack against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Shevchenko can't play his natural game alongside Gilardino whereas he can with Inzaghi - and both score.

Lets look at numbers very quickly...Shevchenko has 16 league goals, Gilardino has 15, and Inzaghi who has barely featured this season due to injury, has 10. I've also noticed that Inzaghi hasn't lost his ability to roll around a defender without losing possession thereby allowing himself to get one-on-one against a goalkeeper despite being tightly marked.

[darknil]

Yes, i'm expecting that formation too, gilardino has a lot of opportunities, also he has played in italy, it would be nice to see inzaghi with sheva like past times

[Don Sweey]

Milan squad for tonight's game:

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac
DEFENDERS: Costacurta, Kaladze, Nesta, Jankulovski, Simic, Stam
MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Kakà, Pirlo, Rui Costa, Seedorf, Serginho, Vogel
STRIKERS: Amoroso, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Shevchenko

I'm expecting the line-up to be:

Kalac; Stam, Nesta, Kaladze, Serginho; Pirlo, Seedorf, Vogel, Kaka, Inzaghi, Shevchenko.

However, I'd much prefer it if Stam played in the centre with Nesta, Simic was put at right-back, either Kaladze or Serginho at left-back and the other one on the bench.

Merged Post:

A 4-1 win over Bayern, I can't criticse the result, absolutely excellent against a very well organised side :D

Not happy to see Dida making another silly mistake, but I'm actually a little worried with regards to Kaka. I've seen him being a little bit selfish over the last twelve months, which you can forgive sometimes, but 3-1 up and needing the fourth, he chose to blast the ball - and luckily scored - instead of laying the ball into the path of Inzaghi who was unmarked and onside. Maybe I'm just being silly, but what if it had ultimately cost us?

Still...we're through and I'm delighted. Juventus away next...

[darknil]

This game showed that Inzaghi deserves more opportunities, great game of Milan, let's see if they can stop Juventus machine lol

[nikos24]

Kaladze is more preferred than Jankulovski Sweey? :mellow:

[Don Sweey]

Yes, Jankulovski has barely played all season. Ancelotti seems scared to give new signings a decent chance (we saw it with Dhorasoo last season despite him doing well, and Vogel and Jankulovski this season).

Did anyone see Oliver Kahn's reaction when Shevchenko sent his penalty wide? He went running up to Shevchenko shouting at him for no reason at all - Sheva hadn't looked at him prior to taking the kick.

[Miggy]

Yeah I saw Kahn do that. What a cock. I've never liked that guy. He looked like a mad proffesor. I hope we avoid you guys in the next round. I hope we avoid any italian team to be honest.

[Don Sweey]

If Inter go through I've got concerns we might get drawn with them again. I don't mind who we get as long as we win, but I'm not sure we can beat Inter again.

[Jonny2J]

Yes, Jankulovski has barely played all season. Ancelotti seems scared to give new signings a decent chance (we saw it with Dhorasoo last season despite him doing well, and Vogel and Jankulovski this season).

Did anyone see Oliver Kahn's reaction when Shevchenko sent his penalty wide? He went running up to Shevchenko shouting at him for no reason at all - Sheva hadn't looked at him prior to taking the kick.It must be a thing with all Jorman keepers being Grade A Cunts

[Don Sweey]

:laugh:

It really pissed me off at the time, despite knowing we had won as I was watching highlights.

He taunted Shevchenko prior to the Ukraine-Germany play-off games for European Championship qualification last time around, saying he wasn't a good striker and couldn't score past him. As it was, Shevchenko failed to score.

[Jonny2J]

:laugh:

It really pissed me off at the time, despite knowing we had won as I was watching highlights.

He taunted Shevchenko prior to the Ukraine-Germany play-off games for European Championship qualification last time around, saying he wasn't a good striker and couldn't score past him. As it was, Shevchenko failed to score.Did you manage to see Lehman as well last night try to kick Raul in mid flight?

[Don Sweey]

Yep, I watched that. Earlier, he made a meal of when Raul accidentally went into him - replays showing he didn't once look at the goalkeeper. It was further disgraceful behaviour but what do you expect? They've (Germany) just been rightfully thumped 4-1 by Italy and feeling angry because they've realised they're not as brilliant as they thought they were.

[Jonny2J]

Yep, I watched that. Earlier, he made a meal of when Raul accidentally went into him - replays showing he didn't once look at the goalkeeper. It was further disgraceful behaviour but what do you expect? They've (Germany) just been rightfully thumped 4-1 by Italy and feeling angry because they've realised they're not as brilliant as they thought they were.The "Final Solution" as i've so aptly titled it should be Khan vs Lehman in some Gladiator style warfare and hopefully they'll both do enough damage to each other to put them out of our radar's for good

[Don Sweey]

Should we bring Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu back for this one?

[Jonny2J]

Should we bring Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu back for this one?I was thinking more of the Roman style Era than having Shadow nock fuck outta them on Joust

[Stella Artois]

Yep, I watched that. Earlier, he made a meal of when Raul accidentally went into him - replays showing he didn\'t once look at the goalkeeper. It was further disgraceful behaviour but what do you expect? They\'ve (Germany) just been rightfully thumped 4-1 by Italy and feeling angry because they\'ve realised they\'re not as brilliant as they thought they were.

Irrespective of whether he meant it, he was clearly fouled by Raul and if you watched the challenge (it doesn’t actually look like you’ve seen it) then you’d have realised he was caught quite badly in his knee.

I don’t particularly like his posturing and attitude at times – to the point where it makes me cringe. But fuck me, to say he overreacted is being extremely blind.

As for AC, I thought they were very impressive last night. Any side that beat Bayern 4-1 have turned in a top class performance. Perhaps this will be your saving