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Posted by: han2503 Sep 9 2011, 10:20 PM

I know people have been dieing to talk about this, which is why I didn't open it ahead of the Lazio thread since we'd camp here most likely

I'm not optimistic and I'l consider a draw like a win. The defence today showed some major vulnerabilities, if we have to play Antonini at LB once again then I wouldn't exclude a mauling

Allegri picking Ambro for the midfield is worrying and Im 99.9% sure that this will be the case. Seedorf will most likely take Aquilani's spot, even if I thnk Aqui deserves his spot, even just for his amazing corners, I mean when was the last time we scored off one of those??

So my team would be

I'd prefer it if Boateng was moved back on the left, but I don't think there's the slightest chance of seeing that one happen

What Allegri will pick (cue a million here)



Don't know if Zambro will be fit but I'm seriously on my knees praying for it, we simply cannot go into it with Antonini playing there, play Yepes and make him stay back if you have to but please, no Antonini against Messi & Co.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 9 2011, 10:30 PM

It begins, then. Let's go and teach those guys a lesson. Pato, Silva and Ibra have to be at their absolute best!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 9 2011, 10:34 PM

Nesta as well, he's starting out rather shakily, but I think I remember the same thing from him last season.

This Barca game couldn't have come at a worse time.

Our midfield is still not in order, the defence is a bit shaky and we're still adjusting after all the setbacks in preseason with the strike and injuries to key players and international break

Posted by: acid911 Sep 9 2011, 10:41 PM

Agreed. I thought Nesta did rather well today, some shakey wakey like you said, but he overcame it all by the end. That sure-fire goal that he saved was epic, as was his usual partnership with Silva. I think we are well covered in the CB department, and can pretty much stuff it up to Barcelona if they come from the center.

Now the flanks are another thing entirely, and I would prefer both our full backs to prowl in our half most of the time.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 10 2011, 05:02 AM

Which would be a problem. I saw the Lazio match. How narrow we were was something that had to be seen to be believed.

It was senseless. Narrow midfield with just one creative mid??!! WTF were we trying to do?? You can't pass with that midfield...and yet you keep it narrow.

Poor Ambro had to switch play all the while...

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 10 2011, 09:23 AM

My team:

Abbiati

-Abate-nesta-Silva-zambro

---------van bommel--------
----boateng---ambrosini--aquilani--

--------------Ibra---Cassano--------------

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 10:23 AM

Ambro behind the strikers blue? Really? I'd rather pull my hair out one by one. Ambro shouldn't be on the field, full stop.

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 10 2011, 10:36 AM

no am,

1 dmf , 3 cmf.


We won't be creating anythign anyways as we won't have possession. We don't need an am.

We have to defend against barcelona.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 10:43 AM

I'd rather we gave Nocerino a chance, and Ambro is barely a DM anymore, let alone able to cut it as CM. And trying to defend for our live will only get us hammered.

I'd rather stick to our system

VB covering the center, Nocerino doing the running and unsettling guys live Xavi and Iniesta, Seedorf using the limited posession we have wisely. Boateng will most likely have to drop off a lot and help out the midfield 3. What we need to do is stay compact, going out there with a Mourinho mentality of trying to kick them off the ball won't work

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 10 2011, 10:47 AM

You'd stick a guy who came from palermo with no CL experience against a team like barca? you must be joking?

Ambro has experience and if anything this is the game to be playing guys like van bommel, ambro, seedorf. Players who won't sh*t their pants when they see messi on the fieeld.


Our system won't work, we need guys who will cover our most dangerous area, the top of the 18 yard box. We need to play them like Shaktar did, defend as a unit and wait until they start pushing their CB's up and then we win the ball and counter.

Only way. If we go and attack them, it'll be 4-0 at least.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 11:36 AM

You'd want Ambro?

The man can barely keep up against Lazio. He was invisable yesterday, he was supposed to be covering the defence, but until VB came on it was like we were playing without anyone there, and you want him trying to cover Iniesta and to track Messi?

Nocerino might be coming from a small steam, but he's a full International and plaed for Italy against Spain as well. He's no rookie we plucked out of Serie B. At this point I'd trust him more then Ambro and Rino combined. But, we'll most likely see your theory come to play since Allegri will play Ambro over Nocerino, can't wait to see everybody shouting and cursing at him here...

And playing a completely different system which players are unfamiliar with will? How will a 4-2-3-1 with 5 CMs work exactly? We need to stick with what works and what the players are comfortable with, we need both Zlatan and Pato there because they give us 2 different outlets we can use.

We don't play a pure AM, Boateng will mostly make it a 4 man midfield when we're defending, which will be most of the time. Everyone will work hard to cover the spaces, making sure to track their runners. Trying to defend for everything we're worth is more then likely to result in a loss. Simply because we won't be able to handle that pressure, especially if we have Antonini on the left.

Posted by: Danny Sep 10 2011, 11:51 AM

After the Lazio result, if we manage even a draw on Tuesday night I'll be stunned.

I expect us to qualify from the group but to seriously struggle in both Catalan matches.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 11:56 AM

I'll take the draw as a win.

Against Lazio we mostly missed VB and a solid LB.

Apparently Zambro was left out as a precaution, as well as Seedorf and Robs. So we should be able to recover those 3 and start with VB and Seedorf.

Not that I wasn't happy with Aquilani, he practically made both goals himself, but he's still too green for Barca, he's not completely familiar with the system and what is required of him. Nocerino on the other hand is basically doing the same thing he did at Palermo, which is why he slotted in so easily.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 10 2011, 12:34 PM

I'd like to see us playing like this against Barcelona :

Robinho , Cassano and Seedorf substituting Aquilani, Pato and Van Bommel

EDIT: Just read that Taiwo is ready for the game, so if it's true, he should start.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 12:40 PM

Please no Yepes for this one. Yes Nesta had a shaky start but he recovered greatly in the second half and was flawless after a shaky mistake or two in the first.

Personally I'd prefer Zambro starting, I'm not 100% sold on Taiwo yet in terms of his defending.

I agree with you entire midfield and attack, I'd rather see Boateng in the 3 man midfield, but Allegri will most likely choose Seedorf and Ambro instead of the Nocerino and Aquilani

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 10 2011, 12:52 PM

Assuming Taiwo can't start this match, Zambrotta is most logical option left for leftback. Nesta was not only very poor against Lazio, but also during pre-season. He simply is not ready for Barça, if he ever will be again. Yepes has proven to be an excellent defender for both Milan and his NT, so at least for now I will trust him more. Hopefully Mexes won't need too long to recover fully.

Aquilani has been excellent yesterday, and Seedorf has been also this year. Both should start, and Van Bommel is the obvious choice in front of our defense: just ask Sneijder. Because we play away vs Barça, I guess Nocerino seems a better choice than Boateng who can be poor and reckless.

I expect Barça making the play and we should be able to have some sort of counter. Robinho and Pato are quick, and Pato is an excellent finisher: our best. Robinho's workrate and energy should be a reason to start him over Cassano, who was key yesterday, but Barça is a different story. And at the same time Cassano is our biggest weapon as a sub. Also now I didn't pick Boateng, Robinho is even more needed to have enough pace in the team. The decision between Pato and Ibrahimovic is tough for me, but Ibrahimovic vs a team like Barça doesn't seem to work, and how are we going to play then anyway? And all midfielders are good passers making Pato's runs more than useful.

bench: Roma*, Taiwo**, Nesta, Ambrosini, Boateng, Cassano, Ibrahimovic

* did well everytime he played for us; I like him more than Amelia
** if he can start, start him over Zambrotta

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 12:59 PM

Still don't agree about Yepes. He's certainly not cut out for this, and 2 mistakes aside from yesterday Nesta saved a sure fire goal yesterday for us. And was doing better after the 2nd half. And I wouldn't say he had a terrible pre-season. It was average, getting back into shape and all that.

Both Seedorf and Aquilani? I think we need 3 fighters in that midfield who can cover space easily. Boateng imo, has to play. The decision will be between Seedorf and Aqui, allegri will surely choose Seedorf. Also I disagree about Ibra, he'll do well against Mascherano and whoever else plays for them at CB because of his height and we'll most likely find it very difficuilt to go through the midfield so launching balls at him might be our only option here. Also, the though of playing Robinho makes me cringe, simply because I know that he'll get into all the great scoring positions and miss them, I'd rather see us not creating a chance then watch him squander one guilt edged chance after another. It's better for our health that way

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 10 2011, 03:49 PM

According to Sportmediaset.It, Pato is fresh and rested, so he is expected to start together with Ibrahimovic against Barcelona. Boateng's shoulder is not a concern, so he can play against Barcelona. Also Seedorf, Zambrotta, Tawio and Robinho trained with the team, and are expected to travel in Spain.


Gazzeta had this great joke as a preview to the Barca game:

"Messi once entered the bedroom of a girl with whom he hoped to score. The girl tells him to get comfortable and she leaves the room to go freshen up. To her amazement, when she returns, she finds him lying on the bed completely nude with two other naked guys and shouts; "WHAT'S GOING ON?"...Smiling Messi calmly replies: "I am sorry dear, but I can't perform without Xavi and Iniesta!"

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 10 2011, 04:07 PM

I feel like Nesta has to start, poor start or not, he's a leader. Nesta was caught out so much yesterday because the guy who covers his back started poorly too, which is Silva. I really like the idea of Aquilani behind the strikers but not sure this is the game to experiment.

I'm 50/50 on whether or not he should start over Seedorf.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 10 2011, 04:12 PM

Very much agreed, but I'd rather take my chances playing a defensive, counter attacking game. Rather than be decimated 5-0 or something. Ask Barcelona to throw their cards first, frustrate them if we can at the start, play a closed game, instead of going all guns blazing and whatnot. Heck, it's the opening game of the CL, if anything!

What worked against Real Madrid in Spain a few years back (3-2, Pirlo and Pato goals) surely will not work. We 100% can't try to out-Barcelona Barcelona, not at their own game. Bur a strong CB pairing of Nesta and Silva, Pato and Ibra upfront, flanks back, and an army of dogs in the midfield (those who can fetch the lost balls), and we just may walk out from the battle and be able to tell the tale. Counter, counter, counter, with a solid defensive touch.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 04:33 PM

No one said we should go all guns blazing or that we should try to attack them. But there are key points that we need to meet if we are going to get something out of this aside from a hammering.

1. Defend well
2. Win the ball as quick as we can (I know it will be hard but 4 mids against their 3 should be able to stife them a bit)
3. Keep posession as much as we can in the few moments we will actually have the ball
4. When we have the ball, use it wisely (Ibra and Pato will be good outlets for us in that respect)

All that being said, the players picked and the system need to be perfect. We can't play with Antonini on the left, Ambro in the midfield, or 2 pure creators (Seedorf and Aqui). We need at least 3 combative players in there and the 4th mid needs to roll up his sleeve and be ready to work his @ss off as well. Also 1 of the strikers needs to drop deep as much as possible to help out. This is where Robinho would be more useful then Pato, but I don't trust Robs to not miss any chances, and my heart cannot take his misses in this game, so Allegri needs to drill it in Pato's head to drop deep and work hard.

The FBs need to stay back, I'm not worried about Zambro, he knows what he has to do, Abate has handled Ronaldo and Eto'o in the past, his pace will give him more freedome and if he somehow manages to break through and put pressure on the Barca LB (whoever that might be then all the better) But he needs to pick his moments wisely, going forward like he usually does will not bode well for us.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 10 2011, 07:38 PM

One additional note. I am convinced Milan could win or at least get a point out of this match if we play an old-fashioned Catenaccio with some modifications. Is Allegri up to it? I'm not sure, I hope so. Because Milan has every single quality such a formation needs. Zambrotta and Abate are ideal for such a lineup, Nesta is a must (Yepes WTF?), Thiago - needless to say - is indispensable, while Bommel will also come handy.

I'd start with Cassano and Ibra, just like the Lazio game; they looked very good together and we need the extra pass which can be provided by Antonio. Pato as a sub.

Also, do not forget that we'll have not only Ibra, but also Bommel and Zambro highly motivated, even more then the others.

The thing is, it occurred to me that Milan, against Lazio, especially in the 1st half, tried to play attractive. I hope this wasn't meant as a warm-up for Barcelona, because I am convinced that Milan cannot win this game with wanting or trying to outplay Barcelona, or play at the same technical level. We can only win points by defending tight and keeping the ball as long as possible away from Iniesta or Xavi.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 10 2011, 08:20 PM

Agreed, trying to play Barca at their own game would result in a beating. But I don't think Cassano is that much of a good choice, yes he has a better final pass, but he's not going to work as hard as Robinho or Pato.

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 11 2011, 05:14 AM

I don't know. If Barca is playing in a 3-4-3 we should think about attacking them pretty hard. 3 defenders can get overwhelmed pretty quickly if played right. Would need Nocerino and Boateng in midfield because we need two guys will to run back and forth the whole game. VB in the middle could anchor everything down. Aquilani as trequartista maybe? Glad I'm not the coach.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 11 2011, 09:44 AM

And I agree with Fillipo Simone, Catenaccio system, is the best option we have.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 11 2011, 09:53 AM

I think that's the best line-up we can put out (I'm still on the fence as to who should start between Seedorf and Aqui). But sitting back deep too much will get us in trouble. Putting pressure on their midfield is key imo

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 11 2011, 10:04 AM

I think Aquilani should start, Seedorf come in as a addition later on. Zambrotta should also be fielded.

I'm not yet sure Nocerino is the right man though. He didn't convince me as much as some said against Lazio, but looking at our roster, there's not much choice. Ambrosini or Nocerino, hmh? Both have evident pluses and minuses.

Nesta Milan's captain. Ideal for the Catenaccio.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 11 2011, 10:40 AM

I think both Seedorf and Aquilani should start. Seedorf seems to offer a lot of more, surely vs Barça, than Boateng, to me. Unsure what to do with the attack. I feel like Robinho should start, along one of Ibrahimovic and Pato.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 11 2011, 10:52 AM

Aquilani would give us the advantage one set-pieces and I think his final pass is better then Seedorf. But overall, I think Seedorf's cool head when we have the ball will count for a lot. I don't know, but I feel Allegri will choose Seedorf's experiance.

As for Nocerino, he did mire in 15 minutes then Ambro did all game, and that is not exagerating. What didn't convince you about Nocerino? The fact that he won the ball cleanly a couple of times, showed enthusiasm and actual energy? Ambro and Rino are down and out imo. Neither of them is good enough anymore, especially not for a game of this magnitude against a team who has the best midfield around, bar none.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 11 2011, 10:57 AM

I'm really surprised that you're the one to say this. You're all about the combative midfield but when we face Barca you want to drop a fighter for Aquilani/Seedorf?

I think playing both would be too risky and would get our midfield overrun. Last season's final should be taken as a lesson. Why did Man U get beaten the way they did? Because of their soft midfield, if you don't pressure Barca then you're going to lose, it's simple. If you make them play without the ball, they don't know how to do that, yes they press a lot, but if we manage to keep posession for any length of time then our team won't be the only one getting dead tired trying to constantly press them.

Playing a high line would just be the death of us because you know Messi will drop back and Iniesta/Pedro/Villa will get in behind. While on the other hand, if we drop too deep and try to defend for our live like Inter did, it would still most likely result in a Barca goal.

I don't know, it's Allegri's headache at the end of the day, him and the team need to find the perfect solution and need to play the perfect game, and I don't think we're ready yet

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 11 2011, 11:54 AM

Seedorf is also a fighter, surely/especially/at least in a CL match vs Barça. In my opinion he is defensive quite strong (stronger than Boateng), and not as reckless as Boateng. We need players who won't lose their head in a game like this. And the past has shown that Seedorf and Van Bommel are our key midfielders in a game like this (Van Bommel vs Inter/Sneijder, not in CL yet obviously). With Nocerino and Van Bommel we already have two DMs, and Seedorf who can defend, same goes for Aquilani as AM, making our midfield strong (defensevily and passing wise). Seedorf, Aquilani and Van Bommel all are good passers which is important. You can't lose possession often vs Barça.


The main downside now is indeed missing pace. That's why I normally would play Boateng over Nocerino then, but against Barça you may go for the extra defensive skill. This gives only more reason to start Robinho in attack. Not only because of his pace, but also because his immense workrate and energy, making us even stronger: defending like a team can be done which has to be done vs Barça. That leaves either Zlatan or Pato as other forward, but that's a very tough choice in my opinion.

Reading the game well, anticipation and so, beats pace though. Players like Van Bommel and Seedorf know what to do. And having Aquilani is also nice because he played very well, and indeed his set pieces is also a plus.

edit: and about ManU's CL final: yeah, only Park did something, but we would have Van Bommel and Seedorf who will do something for sure, and Nocerino will also, and Aquilani+Robinho can do too.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 11 2011, 02:10 PM

I think Seedorf has the better footballing brain to cover spaces, he's not very good defensively but he's a smart player who knows how to cover his areas like Aquilani or Boateng wouldn't. But purely as a defensive player, Boateng is better, simply because he has the energy to hassle the opponent. Another key factor is the energy in midfield, which is why Boateng, Nocerino and Robinho would come in handy, the only thing that scares me about Robinho is him missing sitters...

think we need 2 fighters (Nocerino + Boateng), an anchor (VB), someone who will know what to do with the ball when we have it (Seedorf/Aqui) and one of the strikers dropping deep to help the midfield (Robinho would do this the best out of all of them, but I don't trust him in front of goal)

Seedorf is not going to run and press for 90 minutes, you can forget about that. That's why we can't rely on him for that kind of work, and why I think he should play behind the strikers.

Essentially we need to play a xmas tree set up like we did under Carlo

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 11 2011, 02:17 PM

Pato as Robinho's alternative to drop back? Pato?? Nah, then Zlatan should be the one dropping back. Pato is the best finisher and the weakest in dropping back. Ideally both Zlatan and Robinho drop back if both play. Else Robinho drops back, and we have a great finisher in Pato who makes great runs and has excellent pace, but eh I guess Zlatan will play.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 11 2011, 02:20 PM

We'll most likely use Zlatan's height and launch balls at him. Pato has done it in the past, did you forget his big games against Napoli and Inter last season? He worked his @ss off

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 11 2011, 02:21 PM

But many games not, or at least Zlatan is better in that than him, and at the same time Pato is the better goalscorer.

Posted by: Suhail 3 Sep 11 2011, 05:17 PM

Well its a 90 minute game(plus any injury time) and its 11 vs 11, thats for certain . We have the quality to win at nou camp, but in all honesty i dont think allegri can drill the squad in the right manner just 2 games into the season. I'd take a draw, but play down the importance of this tie purely cause its this early, hope we dont get mauled and i hope im wrong about allegri's incapability to get the right team out there early on, he is a smart coach afterall

Posted by: drucurl Sep 11 2011, 06:55 PM

I think we should go all out suicide attack vs Barca and defend like maniacs when on the back foot

--------------Abbiati------------
-Abate- NESTA---Silva--bleh
------------MVB------------
----Aqua------------Dorf--
-----------iBra----------
Pato-------------------Cassano



Under normal circumstances and at a glance this is a rather idiotic/suicidal formation. also Allegri doesn't have the balls for it. But a surprise all out attack can catch them and get that crucial first goal. After that we can take off as much as three attackers and bring in more defensive minded players. Long shot I conceed.

No Taiwo and Robinho right?

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 11 2011, 09:56 PM

Carlo isn't tied by any contract right ?

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 11 2011, 10:13 PM

Yup , he's free

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 12 2011, 06:22 AM

Can we bring him on just for the CL matches? Allegri and Tassoti can be assistant coaches on CL nights...

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 12 2011, 07:03 AM

Whats the point, we dont have Inzaghi

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 12 2011, 07:07 AM

Barca 3-1 Milan.

Best case scenario. no kidding.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 12 2011, 07:13 AM

2-0 imo.

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 12 2011, 07:28 AM

Really? their defense isn't that great, unless our strikers officially choke, we may score one goal...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 09:12 AM

The problem is getting the ball and actually keeping it long enough to score.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 12 2011, 09:18 AM

It's not our strikers...it's our midfield....that I think might choke. The only player who can pull something out of nothing in this team is Ibra...and he is not turned on for CL.

Well I guess there is Cassano...

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 12 2011, 09:25 AM

2-2

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 09:26 AM

Ibra mostly chokes in the KOs

Also, I don't think the midfield will choke, but if they're not set up right then we'll suffer. Playing Ambrosini will be a big mistake, and I'm pretty sure that is what Allegri will do. Thankfully, Rino is out, that is one less thing to worry about.

I really feel that this is the game where someone like Nocerino could really step up and take his place, but I don't think Allegri will give him that chance and once again rely on a decimated player from the old gaurd for whatever reason that is justified in his own head

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 12 2011, 09:39 AM

Boateng to Gazzetta dello Sport: We are ready to defend and play on counter-attacks (Catenaccio system) on Nou Camp.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 12 2011, 09:52 AM

why announce before the game

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 12 2011, 09:57 AM

I don't know, but it was in Italian, so if anyone want's to translate it, here you have it :





Milan coach Allegri: "Cassano had a great game against Lazio, but tomorrow [against Barcelona] Pato is favourite to start alongside Ibra."

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 12 2011, 10:56 AM

I think we can manage to get a draw. People are too much frightened and impressed by Barcelona. Sure, we have our weaknesses, but we ain't that easy to pass over also.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 11:21 AM

I think people are justified in thinking that. They swept aside Real and Man U.It's not some myth in people's heads.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 12 2011, 11:23 AM

I know, but this was last season. And it was in the KO stages; that makes this match a whole lot of more easy for us.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 11:26 AM

Well it's not like they're going to take this lightly because it's a group game. Yes they have a sh!t defence, but their midfield and forward line is so good that they make up for that simply by not allowing the opposition to get anywhere near their defence.

To stop them you have to disrupt them by pressing them and trying to keep possesion as long as you can while you have it. The problem with that is that no team can press them for 90 minutes on a consistant basis, it's just impossible. So they hit you when the tiredness creeps in.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 12 2011, 11:47 AM

I'm just saying, it appears that Barcelona is invincible - and I don't believe it. Not everything is logical or rational, I've seen too many matches in which the clearly superior team lost.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 11:56 AM

No one is unbeatable, I agree. But this Barca imo is very close to it, sure they might slip up here and there against certain opposition where they seemingly expect to win like the Saturday game for example, but if they turn it on, then become very close to unbeatable.

Posted by: drucurl Sep 12 2011, 12:50 PM

Don't know if I'll get to be online tomorrow with my crazy schedule at work but I wanna wish all my Milanista brothers and sisters all the best for the game tomorrow

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 12:58 PM

Called up players

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 12 2011, 01:10 PM

oh good to see taiwo and zambrotta back.... what is wrong with robinho??

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 12 2011, 01:18 PM

Three strikers available. Haha, what a joke Allegri!

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 12 2011, 01:23 PM

He'd pulled up in training. I think.

The point is we're not a team that's all that great in possession...thanks to the mid-fielders we setup.
We don't have enough pure individual quality except for Ibra.
We can't play catenaccio, since we don't have pure defensive players with max tactical awareness.

All comes down to our mid-field...we're neither a creative mid-field not a purely defensive one.


My guess...

Allegri choses to play defensive and a hard pressing game in our half. He will look to launch attacks on the counter using Pato's pace and Zlatan's strength in the air. He will mostly be happy to leave Camp Nou with a point.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 12 2011, 02:02 PM

MILAN - Below is the list of 21 players called up by Massimiliano
GK's - Abbiati, Amelia, Roma.
Defenders - Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Nesta, Taiwo, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes.
Midfielders - Ambrosini, Aquilani, Boateng, Emanuelson, Nocerino, Seedorf, Van Bommel.
Forwards - Cassano, Ibrahimovic, Pato.


Massimiliano Allegri held a press conference at Milanello before the last training session ahead of the match against Barcelona in the Champions League.

MILANELLO - This is what Massimiliano Allegri said during the press conference: "The team has trained very well after the Lazio game, we are ready to play this game, it is the first game of the Champions League and we want to start well. We will have to be careful in defence and do well up front. At the moment they are the team that plays the best football, they have so much quality both individually but also as a team, but we also have some great players, we are a very good side, we are Milan so we have to play with courage. You never know what can happen in football. I will change some players who played against Lazio, I will decide after this morning's training session. We must concentrate throughout the entire match, we have to respect Barcelona. We have to try and play a good game then we'll see what happens. It is the second time that I go to Barcelona after the Gamper Trophy but I am calm about tomorrow night, it isn't a final, just the first match of the group stages. We are playing against a side that has won so much but our aim is to get through the group stages.

"We have to play a different game to the first 20 minutes against Lazio, we were too spread out and we cannot afford to play like that for 20 minutes against Barcelona. Then we did well to come back against Lazio and we almost won the game...
The game against Barcelona will highlight the kind of shape we are in at the moment. Compared to last season we have played less friendlies, and that is how I wanted it. We don't have to be scared tomorrow and we can't play like the first 20 minutes against Lazio. We have to be well balanced knowing that we have a tough task on our hands. Ibra will play up front then I still haven't decided between Pato and Cassano even if Pato is the favourite. Then I also have a doubt about Nocerino or Ambrosini. We are doing checks on Robinho but I don't think he will come to Barcelona.
The first matches of Serie A? Palermo-Inter was a great game, Palermo did really well but Inter also showed what they can do despite the defeat. Pirlo? Everyone knows that Andrea is quality and I am happy that he played a great game, it isn't as of he has forgotten to play football just because he has left Milan.

"Ibra showed that he is world class at Barcelona and he is still showing it now. We have to have respect for Barcelona but not be scared of them. We have to try and make our quality count on the pitch. Cassano? He played a great game against Lazio and he will do very well this year and in the last 20 days he has reached a good level of fitness. Tomorrow I will have to choose between Pato and Cassano but I think this type of game suits Pato more. Pato's average goal tally for Milan is very high, my choices will not be based on how many goals they have scored in the Champions League. Pato is 22, he can improve a lot and if he plays tomorrow then I am sure he will do very well. Barcelona always play in the same way, they are technically very gifted and the almost always dominate their matches with possession but they can have moments when they lose their concentration."

BIG BAD NEWS : Ibrahimovic got injured during the training and will not travel for Spain. He is going to miss the game against Barcelona and is in doubt for Napoli !


Even Emanuelson tweeted about this on his official account :

Arrrrrr :@

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 12 2011, 02:34 PM

Could be a blessing in disguise.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 12 2011, 03:37 PM

Well, well, things get interesting. Very interesting! Ibra out could go either way. We may very well stop playing the lobbing game if we don't have a target-man upfront, and that can be a good thing. But really, taking two strikers against Barcelona is as funny as it gets. Tough luck, anyway you look at it.

Posted by: arivanjj Sep 12 2011, 03:44 PM

thank god. now we have a sort of an excuse to ease the blame on when we get thrashed

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 12 2011, 03:47 PM

Ohhh, no problem, we've still got Pippo available for Barcelona. Oh wait....

Karma showed Allegri the middle finger.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 12 2011, 03:52 PM

Pippo is still injured so he wouldn't have played ether way.

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 12 2011, 05:04 PM

Sorry Fillipo but this made me so hard!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 05:42 PM

At least there is a doubt in his decision regarding Nocerino or Ambro. I thought he would be certain in his decision on Ambro.

It looks like it's going to be

Ibra will be a huge loss, him being out takes one possible solution that we'll have when in attack. Pato and Cassano will need to work their @sses of that's for sure and one of them will need to drop back into midfield when we're defending as well.

Taiwo might get the nod, but I think I prefer Zambro to play this one, just stay back and think about his own flank. Taiwo will look to go forward, and the will get us caught out.

Hopefully Nocerino is the one picked, and I think Seedorf would be the better option here. I don't believe Allegri will deviate from his 4-3-1-2 but I think he should really consider a xmas tree formation with 5 mids. At least that way we'd still have an option coming off the bench since we only have 2 strikers

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 12 2011, 05:50 PM

I remember the 1994 final, Barca that f@cker Cruyff was boasting his dream team was going to demolish Milan yadda yadda yadda ... Add to that we had HUGE problems at the back w/o Costacurta & Baresi .. The outcome was unbelievable.

Till the next day, I couldn't believe we won .. We beat the dream team at the time. Oh but back then we had Capello, now we have someone who drops one of Europe's most strikers because he knows best

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 05:53 PM

These are the nights where I miss Carletto... And that happens rarely, but I simply have no faith in Max when it comes to games like this one

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 12 2011, 05:58 PM

Carlo doesn't miss you

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 06:03 PM

Carlo is unemployed atm

Posted by: acid911 Sep 12 2011, 06:07 PM

Nice!

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 12 2011, 06:08 PM

Pato+Cassano is an excellent attack to play with against Barça. Only Pato+Robinho I would have preferred over this one, but oh well, **** happens. I don't see Zlatan's style of play doing any good against Barça. Zlatan is a blessing against Serie A sides, but I am happy to see Pato as the striker now supported by a supporting striker. Pato's pacey runs, deadly finishing, etc. are what we need vs Barça. The few chances we will get, it better goes to an excellent goalscorer with awesome speed. And we will have a nice amound of players with good passing on the field which will benefit Pato.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 12 2011, 06:16 PM

Can we play pato-cassano when only these 2 stikers are available...

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 12 2011, 06:16 PM

Yes

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 06:18 PM

Sure we can, but we'll be left with no option on the bench

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 12 2011, 06:21 PM

Prince (though likely to start also) can cover attack it worked vs Juve!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 06:23 PM

A terrible Juve vs. Barca?

Sure it's exactly the same thing...

I'd rather we play a 5-man midfield and leave Cassano as an option on the bench

Posted by: drucurl Sep 12 2011, 06:24 PM

This just in....iBra heard Galliani's CL-themed music and pulled up with severe muscle spasms. More to follow

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 12 2011, 06:39 PM

Probable line-up, according to Sportmeidaset:

Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, T. Silva, Zambrotta; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf; Emanuelson, Boateng; Pato

Emanuelson instead of Cassano, WTF???

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 06:41 PM

My only change would be Aquilani instead of Urby.

I agree about dropping one of the strikers since they're the only 2 available. Aside from that, I think it's the best line-up that can be put out

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 12 2011, 06:43 PM

wow, an interesting twist... such a speedy attack... all three... very interesting to do so vs Barça... Allegri could be on to something... he may be a genius or he may be not... I like his way of thinking...

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 12 2011, 06:44 PM

No man, Cassano needs to play at all cost! His quality could seriously hurt Barça. It doesn't matter how many strikers we have left on the bench. I'd also play Aquilani instead of Seedorf. Personally, I thought Aquaman did great against Lazio. I seriously doubt Seedorf can keep up with Barça's speed of play. Maybe if he comes as a sub in the second half, when most players will be tired...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 06:49 PM

Urby is a very one dimensional player, sure he's quick but I don't see him using the ball wisely.


I don't know, I'd rather have him as an option coming off the bench and pack the midfield tightly.

Seedorf's experiance and tactical awareness will be key for us while Aquilani's final ball and set-pieces might give us an unexpected advantage. That's why I think we need both in there. I'd sacrifice Cassano and rely on Pato's speed and finishing to have both Aqui and Seedorf in there.

Also note that Seedorf is fresh and ready, this is when he usually plays his best. I'm happy with Ambro being dropped, but we need Seedorf's cool head in there as well. He's still a leader on the pitch for us, more then Ambro imo.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 12 2011, 06:50 PM

I feel you. I know Furby very well. He can do very nice things, but he's inconsistent. It can go either way.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 12 2011, 06:52 PM

OK, maybe Aquilani-Seedorf-Pato would be nice, but please no Emanuelson!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 06:55 PM

That's why I said Aquilani instead of him and it would be a great line-up




Perfect line-up for this kind of game imo. Stifle them in midfield, while still providing the best support we can for Pato when on the ball. Also, we have 3 players who can distribute the ball properly so we won't lose it as soon as we win it back

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 12 2011, 06:57 PM

I also want both Seedorf and Aquilani. Both playing well for Milan (Aquilani vs Lazio, Seedorf this year and in CL he is the man), both good passers (important vs Barça, and with Pato as your striker), both actually can defend well also.

Hm, interesting line-up, han. I like it.

But Seedorf to play deeper, right? And then Boateng bit more forward: good to have at least two attacking players with pace, and them linking up with each other and Aquilani, aint bad. Aquilani and Seedorf behind Pato is too slow.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 12 2011, 08:35 PM

What exactly? Isn't Pippo supposed to be recovered by now?


Anyway, I'm with X-O here, sorry, I'd also pick Cassano to start. He needs to be a starter in such matches, he can make the extra pass. I don't see that happen with Emanuelson and Boateng, so I expect Pato to be allover the place searching for the ball.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2011, 08:43 PM

Aquilani can do that as well, same goes for Seedorf, and imo, with just Pato up there, we need to sacrifice a striker for a stronger and more compact midfield. Also by using both, we have nothing on the bench, no extra card for Allegri to play.

I agree that Urby shouldn't be anywhere near the starting 11, he's not a smart player, we need someone who will utilise the ball properly when we have it, that's why using both Seedorf and Aquilani makes more sense then Cassano

Posted by: acid911 Sep 12 2011, 08:56 PM

Nope. I'm sure it was mentioned in another thread that Inzaghi got injured just days after he recovered from his earlier injury. Out for another few weeks. Anyway, we can't hold this one up to Allegri, without knowing the full facts. Maybe he got the full report from the doctors at Milan?! It's not easy to recover from grave injuries when you are touching 40.

So even if he had included him in the squad for the CL, it's not like Inzaghi would have been ready and available.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 12 2011, 09:27 PM

Advantage Allegri

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 01:01 AM

Piqué is injured, and Puyol should start from the bench. Hopefully we'll be able to take advantage of their defensive faults. The fact that Ibra won't play also means no long balls, which is always a good thing.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2011, 01:25 AM

Does it mean no long balls? I'm not sure it does, it started to develop as a habit or a system; I hope it isn't on the automatized level.

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 13 2011, 03:51 AM

Han, I like that formation and I could see it being successful. I think thats what I would play if I was Allegri.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 13 2011, 07:33 AM

Probable line-up vs Barcelona (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Abate-Nesta-T. Silva-Zambrotta; Nocerino-Van Bommel-Seedorf; Boateng-Emanuelson; Pato.

Gazzeta dello Sport.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 13 2011, 09:31 AM

not a bad formation for UCL infact quite similar to what we sued to play under carlo

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2011, 09:41 AM

Only with quite different players.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 13 2011, 09:44 AM

i think with the available player the only change allegri could make would be to put seedorf in emaulson place and aquallani in LCM.... but last season seedorf player much better in middle rather than behind the stikers... lets see how it goes

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 13 2011, 10:16 AM

Emanuelson, boateng and pato up front? Launch express anyone?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 13 2011, 10:26 AM

I can see this going badly. I can also see this being stupid enough to work.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 10:28 AM

Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 10:44 AM

The only change I would make to the line-up is a straight swap between Urby and Aquilani. Seedorf is better on that left side while Aqui has played that position before and I'd trust Seedorf more in the defensive area

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2011, 10:50 AM

...or river deep enough

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 10:51 AM

Isn't that wide enough

Posted by: drucurl Sep 13 2011, 10:57 AM

Love your formation to approach Barca but don't kid yourself about stifling them in midfield.

I like your formation because it's compact and will attack with purpose. Bar Pato everyone there can put in a good tackle and help out defensively

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2011, 11:15 AM

It is

But what I wanted to do is to paraphrase the song and point out the other possibility.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 11:58 AM

Having 5 mids on their 3 will help in doing that, the most important thing is to not to let Messi, Pedro or Iniesta/Xavi to get in behind our defence, because once they do that, it's a sure goal. That midfield would put pressure on their best players, the ones who will control the tempo and keep possesion. That's the key thin. If they score once or twice then we'll know we've tried our best. Not getting overrun is key, and if we want to have a shot at winning then we need to stifle them by pressing them throughout and force them to make mistakes. That is what Sociedad did last weekend. I came across an analysis vid on youtube of that game, and in the 2nd half Socieda really pressed them and cracks appeared, both goal came off one of the Barca players losing the ball, Xavi is not super human, you put pressure on him and he'll make a bad pass, just like any other player, and that is what happened on Saturday


Didn't get that one

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 12:00 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHA8gHlSyjk&feature=player_embedded

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 02:01 PM

Brilliant analysis. Some send the link to Allegri.

PS: LMAO at Valdes.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 13 2011, 02:07 PM

so cassano-pato to start upfront

Abbaiti, Abate, Thiago Silva Nesta, Zambrotta, Nocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf, Boateng, Pato, Cassano 4-3-1-2

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.milannews.it%2F%3Faction%3Dread%26idnotizia%3D61247&sl=it&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 02:25 PM

So am I right in saying it's one potential task? Stop Xavi, Cesc & Iniesta all at once

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 13 2011, 03:07 PM

I hope Fabregas is enjoying that bench.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 03:10 PM

I think he's starting all but 1 game since he's joined and scored in all but 1 too.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 03:36 PM

Isn't that just Galliani's usual BS talk?

Every other Italian site has the xmas tree

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 03:48 PM

I actually really like the Xmas tree formation for this game. Clearly Allegri wants to heavily pressure Barcelona and Urby can help that with his speed. Also the speed in that front three can help capitalize on counter opportunities. I think Pato can beat anyone on their back line given some space.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 03:51 PM

Mediaset and Gazzetta have Cassano after Galliani's words.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 03:55 PM

Hmm, did he actually confirm that he would play or that he wants him to play? The transaltion is a bit iffy and can be taken out of context

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 13 2011, 03:56 PM

“Our history is 4-3-1-2,” the official noted on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the Champions League clash.

“We’ve always played with two strikers and we’ll play in that way this evening. Therefore, Antonio Cassano will be on the pitch.”


Had it been transfer stuff then yea could be al BS but not in this case... as X-off also points out mediaset and gazzeta changed the lineups after gallaini remarks

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 03:58 PM

He stated that we WILL play with Cassano and Pato.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 03:59 PM

Damn it!!

I really think we should have played a 5-man midfield. We'll get caught out with 2 strikers. It's a waste since we'll barely be seeing any of the ball anyways

Posted by: samira Sep 13 2011, 05:53 PM

In Spain Tuesday the 13 is concider bad luck.


Lol, I found that funny!

Posted by: pacang Sep 13 2011, 06:24 PM

could work both ways..

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 13 2011, 06:38 PM

Barça are spain and playing home. So it should work against them not against Milan.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 06:51 PM

OFFICIAL LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Busquets, Mascherano, Abidal; Keita, Xavi, Iniesta; Villa, Messi, Pedro.

Milan (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Nocerino, van Bommel, Seedorf; Boateng; Pato, Cassano.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 07:00 PM

Cassano better drop deep and make it a 4-3-2-1 when we're defending.

Aside from that, it's the best possible line-up. Wow, it's so strange to be saying that, usually there are at least 1 or 2 soar spots for us in the line-up

Posted by: acid911 Sep 13 2011, 07:04 PM

Sure, there are. Sure, there are.

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 13 2011, 07:11 PM

Ahhhhhh I can feel the butterflies starting in my stomach

Posted by: acid911 Sep 13 2011, 07:17 PM

Funny. I'm feeling the spirit of vengeance in my stomach. Bring on the midgets! No disrespect whatsoever to people that are on the wrong side of 6 ft, but really, I want us to teach them a lesson for the last time we met. Oh, if only Sheva and Paolo were here! Win, lose, or draw, as long as we humiliate Barcelona a little, it'll be a job well done!

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 13 2011, 07:20 PM

It's not their fault the ref was blind, acid I know Puyol went down a bit too easily, but Nesta does it all the time too. this is football.

Posted by: GULLIVER Sep 13 2011, 07:23 PM

Any Livestream guys? Please.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 07:27 PM

http://www.sportlemon.tv/c-1.html

Posted by: GULLIVER Sep 13 2011, 07:29 PM

This is to say thanks

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 07:33 PM

We should score at least once there against Busquets- Mascherano CB partnership.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 07:37 PM

He's better then Abidal there. While we don't have any height in attack now that Zlatan is out

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2011, 07:40 PM

WOW! Welcome back man!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 07:42 PM

Let's hope for a great game and a positive result for us.

FORZA MILAN!!!

Posted by: Boban10 Sep 13 2011, 07:47 PM

Any other streams fellas? sportlemon not working for me

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 07:47 PM

**** YES!!!!!

PATOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Posted by: arivanjj Sep 13 2011, 07:48 PM

F*** YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 07:48 PM

PATOOOOOOOOOOOO

Posted by: servbot Sep 13 2011, 07:49 PM

Wow...Pato!!!!!!

Posted by: arivanjj Sep 13 2011, 07:49 PM

ive barely got my eyes open!.. i just woke up hahaha

Posted by: acid911 Sep 13 2011, 07:52 PM

I wouldn't mind if the ref's a bit blind today too. I mean, pretty much all the CL titles Barcelona have won were dipped in controversy, some more, some less. Anyway, this is humiliation enough for me, a goal in under 30 seconds is epic any day, and against the best team in the world, even better. Way to go Pato!

I am sure this goal will reverberate all through Europe, and beyond that even, everywhere in the world!

Posted by: GULLIVER Sep 13 2011, 07:54 PM

Already! Damn it! ... Pato in action!

@Filipo - always read here, don't post though.. but always read. )

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 07:56 PM

I would miss the first 10 minutes.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 07:57 PM

Are they seriously trying to waste time from the 10th minute??

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 07:57 PM

Fastest goal in CL history apparently. Against them too brilliant.

Ah, and commentary from Gerry 'I have a Barca/Messi tattoo' Armstrong... great.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:01 PM

LOL Seedorf showing them how it's done

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:03 PM

Ah, Pato if you got that touch right it would have been 2-0.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:03 PM

Pato is killing their CBs

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:05 PM

Close from their winger.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 08:05 PM

You, should have been more focused.

Barca can't always get away with palying no natural CB. We can score more here.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:06 PM

Ooooo, we need to close them down better, they're getting closer

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:07 PM

Gerry Armstrong wants everyone sent off if they step in a 10 foot radius of a Barca player

Ridiculously biased, even when it's against other Spanish sides.

Posted by: jefri91 Sep 13 2011, 08:08 PM

Anyone have the video of the first goal ? I missed it !

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:09 PM

I left work early for the game and still missed the first goal. Damn haha. Forza Milan!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:10 PM

Thinking that can't be the quickest goal didn't Makaay & G.Silva score one quicker? (Useless commentators).

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 08:14 PM

Stupid foul by Boateng.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 08:16 PM

They're crushing us.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:17 PM

We're playing Barca not Ado Den Haag.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:18 PM

Nothing that wasn't expected.

We need to press better.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:18 PM

Nothing that wasn't expected.

We need to press better.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:18 PM

Abbiati passing it straight back to them. Kick better!!!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:19 PM

Pato is tracking well, Cassano might as well not be on the pitch in that respect.

Posted by: jefri91 Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

Ambrosini?!?!

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

That's why I would have liked Urby to start and Cassano as a sub in the 2nd half.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

Ambro for Boateng.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

Ambro on for KPB not sure why.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

Yes.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

This is what I said when we were discussing this before the match. Cassano will not be useful to us when we don't have possesion for lengthy periods. Another midfielder would have been the wiser decision

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:20 PM

Ambro?? WTF?!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:21 PM

FFS game over.

Lets overhype Messi running now.... OH great.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:21 PM

****!

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 08:21 PM

Must be an injury.

****

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 08:22 PM

Thank you, Abate.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:23 PM

They better not panic. Press them!!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:23 PM

Abate slips and it's Messi being unbelievable

This is why I say he's overhyped here, it's ridiculous. Though it is Gerry Armstrong.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 08:24 PM

What the hell are we doing??? We are not pressing! They're doing whatever they want.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 08:25 PM

Iniesta off, Fabregas on.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:25 PM

It's their game to lose now.

Cassano...

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 08:27 PM

By the way, Cassano has been pathetic so far. And I mean Gattuso-like pathetic.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:27 PM

Wow. We can't keep the ball for more than 5 seconds. Cassano has been invisible defensively and his first touch has been poor on the few opportunities he's gotten.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 08:28 PM

I think he's a good commentator.. just not when he's doing Barca games.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:29 PM

I don't think I've heard him commentate outside them, maybe a few ROI games but bar that I can't remember many.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:29 PM

Why are they playing impossible balls when we actually have it on the rare occasion?? Play it simply get it to Pato so he can try to burn them again!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:30 PM

Aquilani needs to be brought in during the second half

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:31 PM

Oh, Cassano you're so bad. I've been saying this since pre-season and got ridiculed for it, waste of space. Yes, I know he scored against Lazio, but I just don't see him being good enough any more for the wage he's got and for no doubt the signings he prevented via this.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:31 PM

Agreed. For Cassano please.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 08:32 PM

Absolutely.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:34 PM

Cassano is just not good at this sort of game. It's simple really, he's not cr@p by anyt stretch of the imagination, but he wasn't going to be useful when we're barely seeing the ball

Everyone knew this, aside from Allegri apparently

He needs to get another midfielder in there pronto!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 08:35 PM

Ball possession: Barça 70% - 30% Milan

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:36 PM

I'd have taken this scoreline a million times over if you offered it me before. My only concern is it just seems a matter of time before Barca get their 2nd, 3rd, 4th now. Cassano has been non-existant and we could really do with bringing possibly Aquilani in to add more to our midfield.

Not the worst performance as we are playing Barca in their back yard, lets be realistic here. I'd probably not be too pleased against any other side, bar maybe United with us like this.

Posted by: arivanjj Sep 13 2011, 08:37 PM

quite pathetic this is.. literally defending for 90 mins. no way in hell we're gonna get a positive result.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:37 PM

I'm not worried about ball possesion, but the pressing is none existant. That needs to be fixed. 2 strikers is a waste, as I predicted all along, what do you need 2 strikers for when you knew you wouldn't be in possesion for long periods of time?

I won't fault Cassano, I knew this would happen, he's wasted there and taking up a position that could help the midfield

Posted by: servbot Sep 13 2011, 08:39 PM

ESPN has it at 80/20.

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 13 2011, 08:40 PM

Gotta sub Cassano. At least Pato runs back from time to time. Aquilani in. Coulda really used Ibra's hold up play.

I feel like everything you've seen from us has been purposeful, I expect another tactic in the second half.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 08:40 PM

PATO!!!!

Seedorf has been playing solidly.

Cassano is certainly having difficulties playing so deep; he has been awful.

Nesta - SOLID game thus far.

Thiago Silva, no real complaints.

Abiati been good as well.

Abate been solid in my opinion. That assist across the 6 yard box from Messi was very close and very difficult to stop.

Nocerino has been having a good CL debut.

Van Bommel has been good as usual; unsure what he got a card for.

Boateng was doing okay; unsure what made he pull up out of the game tho.

Ambrosini....


FORZA MILAN!!! - Lets get something from this!!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:41 PM

I don't care for ball possession all that much, I've seen games where Barca haven't done much in an attacking sense and had over 70% numerous times. It's potentially a misleading stat, though unfortunately it isn't that misleading in this game.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 13 2011, 08:43 PM

Nesta playing excellent, good to see.

And Pato showing why I liked him so much for this match and not Zlatan. Barça play with DM's in central defense, and it's showing, Pato is showing it. Expected Pato to troll the **** out of them. Shame the good start now has ended in a 1-1 draw with Prince being out. A bit less optimistic for the 2nd half now I am.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:45 PM

Yep, we're basically letting them have free reign. I don't know why this is, I think as someone said above, it could be purposeful, trying to keep a decent score in the first half without wasting tons of energy on pressing them so much, then the 2nd half we shift gears and give them something unexpected.

At least this is what I'm hoping for.

Cassano really needs to be taken out though.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 13 2011, 08:49 PM

Agreed. I barely noticed him, and when I did, not in a positive way. Now Boateng is out, I would consider Emanuelson, even though Aquilani is the better player, but if Boateng and Cassano are out, then we should not isolate Pato and therefore Emanuelson (also liking his pace, surely now we don't have Prince's pace anymore).

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:53 PM

Still not pressing them

Sometimes I think HT is wasted on Allegri

Ambro is useless these days

Posted by: acid911 Sep 13 2011, 08:53 PM

I would. Every heard of this movie: Run Lola Run. Heck, Seedorf is doing much better in the electricity department, running and hustling more than Cassano. You say waste of space, I say waste of a player. He should be up to 100% now or close to it. Unfortunately, he is less than half there, it seems:

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:53 PM

GET CASSANO OUT! The only two times he has come back defensively he has given away bad fouls.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 08:53 PM

Quality from Villa, absolutely quality.

Slow claps for Cassano, what a great challenge...

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 08:54 PM

Inevitable when you sit back against Barca ... 2-1 ... More to come.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:54 PM

Game set match...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:56 PM

Nocerino shows more composure then the "experianced" Ambro

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:56 PM

What the F**** are they doing?? Totally lost their heads now

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 08:58 PM

Barca are like a blanket thrown over us ... their passing is like a net encompassing everything we do, either attempt to attack or what we have been doing for the past 50 mins

Allegri, I know the midfield at your disposal is not at par with the world's best ... But your tactical prowess is growing thin as the minutes tick on ... Too predictable.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 08:59 PM

Amazing stuff from Nesta

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 08:59 PM

If not for Nesta we'd be down two more. We need new ideas here.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:00 PM

Another FK coming up could be 3

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:00 PM

This is getting ridiculous!! MAKE THE CHANGE FFS!!!

Posted by: servbot Sep 13 2011, 09:01 PM

I expected our midfield to pose a little bit of a challenge for the ball. You know, at least make Barca sweat for it.

Our defense can only do so much when constantly under attack like this.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:01 PM

Least Villa didn't take that one.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:02 PM

Lol and Allegri said it would be suicidal to come here and defend from the start! Glad to see he doesn't take his own advice

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 09:03 PM

No change could make this game any different. Our mentality is what stinks. We're playing like a novice club, defending 100% of the time even after conceding two. So disappointed by our guys.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:04 PM

The mindset of the team reflects that of the coach

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:05 PM

Useless guy off ( ) Emanuelson on.

Not that it matters now though, damage limitation, that's it now.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:06 PM

Why Urby? He's not going to help anything!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 09:07 PM

Really??

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:07 PM

5 mids in there and I'm still not seeing any form of pressing from out players! Ridiculous

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:08 PM

Ohh it's 31% possession for us now. We're doing better!! Clap clap

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 09:08 PM

I'm not sure what's funnier. Thinking changes will make a difference, or thinking the way we're playing is the reason we're losing.

They're just far better than us. Defending and hitting them on the counter is just about all you can do.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:09 PM

We can't be too harsh, we are playing Barca at the Nou Camp this is how far we are behind that's all.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:10 PM

I don't believe that (not the part where they're better then us) We can do a lot better then this. We just came here to sit in our own area, that is the only gameplan we seemingly have. Instead of trying to press them a bit and make them make some sort of mistake when on the ball we're basically letting them do whatever they want

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:11 PM

Thing is you press them and you leave gaps, then they start playing that tikka tikka crap or whatever it's called.

Oh, and it's pretty funny watching members drop, just because we're losing

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 09:13 PM

Because in the second half Abidal was more and more going to the middle in order to free Busquets to help Barca build play and we didn't have anyone who can exploit it. Though now that Puyol is in it doesn't matter.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:14 PM

When you press them, they make mistakes, if we manage to keep the ball for longer then a second then they'll leave spaces. But all we're doing with it is punting it away. That will only invite them onto us more

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 13 2011, 09:14 PM

I just realized that i have 126 emails to sort out till 5 tomorrow

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:14 PM

Dani Alves is an SOB

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 09:15 PM

Just wasteful. When we have posession in their half we gotta keep it. It's rare that situation occurs so just launching it into the box is a complete waste. Our players just have zero patience.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:18 PM

When we start playing this way against BATE and Plzen I'll start worrying. Until then I'll just accept this is Barca and we are nowhere near them, with or without injuries, we don't have Zlatan/Robinho but they are missing people too. If we lose by the odd goal I'm not too bothered I just don't want another repeat of what happened at OT a few years back.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:21 PM

Well so far what seperates us is a free-kick...

Since most were expecting a hammering, I'll take this as a positive...

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 09:21 PM

Aquaman in for Van Bommel. I hope he is responsible defensively. VB has been doing really well defensively for us.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:22 PM

Take the tinted glasses off for a second, they've been all over us, bar the Pato surge in the first minute and the half chance if his touch was right around the 25 minute mark.

The scoreline is close, but the game hasn't been.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:22 PM

Barca are missing their 2 CBs, aside from that it's their best line-up. Also note that Puyol was missing for the majority of last season and they won it without him without too much trouble...

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:23 PM

Sanchez? Iniesta being ill?

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:24 PM

But the fact is that a free-kick is what seperates us. And that is the fact of the matter

Sure they were all over us from minute one, but at the end of the day the result is what matters.

I'm far from wearing any tinted glasses. In fact I'm very disappointed and believe that we should do better then this. Certainly show more energy and use the ball better

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:26 PM

Does that really matter when you have Villa and Cesc coming on?

Aside from Cesc it's basically the same team that started the final last season, Pique is the only real hit for them

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:26 PM

I really can't be bothered to defend an opposing team... especially one called Barcelona.

Think what you like

Posted by: acid911 Sep 13 2011, 09:28 PM

Nice!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:29 PM

Nesta has been brilliant tonight, top-notch.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 09:33 PM

What seperates us is Montolivo

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 09:34 PM

My GOD! Can Ambro do anything other than hack people down? He's so reckless.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:34 PM

Are you seeing me trying to put them down?

I'm just saying that I'll take this score. There's no doubt they are the better team by miles, but the fact is that we scored a goal against them and kept the scoring to 1 from open play

Especially after the kamakhazi defending we saw last weeked. I'll take this as a positive.

I always said that this being the opening game for us will hurt us, we're simply not ready. Not making any excuses, but I expected us to do worse then this to tell you the truth and that is why I'm ok with it

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

Nope, Gattuso

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

I was being genuine when I said that man, not sarcastic! I'm not a lover of Barca, at all I'm sure a few will let you know that here.

I agree

GETTTTT INNNNNNN

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

YES!

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

THIAGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 09:35 PM

SILVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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

Posted by: Boban10 Sep 13 2011, 09:36 PM

GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 13 2011, 09:37 PM

Sorry... I got distracted

No, I do agree. I was quite happy with 2-1 as it stood then, obviously I'm pretty ecstatic now!

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 09:37 PM

YES!

I'll take that! Super Max!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:38 PM

F********************** YEAH!!!!!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:38 PM

Lol Max?

Good one!!!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:39 PM

Well that settles it. We're at least better then United

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 09:40 PM

He puts the team out there. He takes the **** when we don't win. He's damn well gonna get the praise when we pull out a good result.

Posted by: servbot Sep 13 2011, 09:41 PM

The first minute and the last minute...that's the only thing anyone ever remembers, right?

Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 13 2011, 09:41 PM

Wow, great way to finish. We were thoroughly dominated for about 89.5 minutes so I'm very happy to come out of here with a tie. Barcelona are beatable and I think we have a decent chance at that at the San Siro. We need to do better when we have the ball and not give away stupid fouls around the box (Cassano... ) and they can be beaten.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 09:41 PM

We are on par with the best in the world

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 13 2011, 09:42 PM

great result imo... now need to win against napoli....

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:43 PM

Love the get in bit!!

I know that you're no Barca lover

But what I was tring to say with that and I think you misunderstood, when I mentioned the difference being the set-piece

At the end of the day Barca can stuff all their posession up their @sses. We still held them to a draw in their back yard while missing key players.

The entire defence imo was amazing, I don't see the Messi assist as a mistae from Abate.

VB, Nocerino and Seedorf also desrve credit. Though they should have pressed more, that's more Allegri's fault more then anything else.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 09:43 PM

HA HA. We had two chances all game - in the first minute and 90's minute and both in. Now we can take the first place in this group with a win at San Siro or a 0-0, 1-1 draw. Not dropping points vs Pilzen and Bate is a must, of course.

Yes, Barca had all the possession and we did almost nothing offensively all game, but Barca havn't created shitload of chances. It's not like they had one one situations every five minutes. We defended well.

Posted by: amancik Sep 13 2011, 09:44 PM

What matters is the result! You can have the ball for 89 minutes of the ball possession all you want, but what matters is the scoreline ... terrific result ... Forza Milan! Forza Thiago! Forza Allegri!

Posted by: arivanjj Sep 13 2011, 09:45 PM

my god what an ugly and sneaky performance that was. Nesta makes me want to cry (fullstop)

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 09:45 PM

I strongly agree ... Lion Heart

Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 13 2011, 09:48 PM

You gotta learn that over here Allegri is always guilty of something, no matter if we win or not.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:49 PM

We could have lost this by 4 or 5 if it wasn't for some good luck and top notch finishing when he chances presented themselves.

We need to do better, next leg in the San Siro I want the team to show some balls, not act like we're a Serie C team trying to avoid a loss at all costs.

We should have pressed better, used the ball better and the line-up chosen should have been different (Cassano) that was the bigges mistake imo. Cassano everyone could see beforehand that playing him was futile in this type of game, flooding out the midfield was key and we basically let them do whatever they wished for the entire 90 minutes.

They might be better then us (a lot) but we're not as bad as we were made to look. And I'm sure of this.

Next match I want to see a completely different mindset, and a better gameplan

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 13 2011, 09:49 PM

FORZA MILAN!!!!


Agreed Kurt, GRANDE MAXIMILLIANO!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 09:49 PM

Post that sums it all up

Posted by: amancik Sep 13 2011, 09:51 PM

Well, to win in the CL you need luck sometimes

Posted by: servbot Sep 13 2011, 09:52 PM

Better to be lucky than good, sometimes.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 09:53 PM

+1

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:54 PM

If we manage to actually win this group then we could make it past the last 16...

Hopefully we don't do well in the second game and then f*** it up against the Czech team

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 09:55 PM

To be honest, it doesn't matter where we play them.

Our teams just are not on par in terms of quality.

We got lucky today and managed to grind out a draw.

A spectacular result for us in this fixture.

Posted by: amancik Sep 13 2011, 09:58 PM

This is the best result we could get from this fixture, I mean did anyone expect anything more? Yes, things could've been better but things could've also been a lot worse.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 09:58 PM

+1

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 09:59 PM

You can't ride it throughout an entire competition either

I'm vry happy with the reasult don't get me wrong, but I believe we can do better then this, come the San Siro tie I want to see us really tear into them. They're not unbeatable, this more then proves this, and had we had a better gameplan then to punt it at nothing then we could have sneaked a win here especially when they were so vulnerable at the back.

But in terms of fitness we'll be in better shape come the 2nd leg, we'll have more solidity in defence and we'll do better in possession.

After the Lazio game I thought we could see a hammering with that kind of defending. But that was the best aspect of our game. Nesta shut his critics right up. Just amazing stuff from him. Seeing him schooling Messi, when the supposed best in the world like Vidic wasn't capable of it just left me in awe of the great professor once again

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 10:02 PM

Also this result will be a huge boost for the team who started the season a bit shaky against Lazio. We'll be missing Ibra against Napoli most likely so going to the Nou Camp and getting this kind of result will reallydrive the team on.

And Napoli face a horror against Man City I believe which again could turn even more into our favour.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 10:04 PM

I see your point and agree with you slightly, despite the scoreline, post-match analysis seems to point towards Cassano being the deployed upfront to hold up the ball for Seedorf, Pato, & the attacking movement.

That said, Allegri had his ideas upfront ... He also had ideas in stretching Barca's compactness and forcing them to play wide for the majority of the fixture. I have to give him credit at the end of the day, he had ideas and was brave in applying them, despite the odds ... He just lacks experience in these nights.


EDIT: Lets not forget Milan played 1 official game, however Barca played 5 offical games. Bravo Milan!!

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 13 2011, 10:05 PM

Oh look, Barca play 2 straight games against 11 men and win neither!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2011, 10:10 PM

Posted by: I_Rossoneri Sep 13 2011, 10:10 PM

Barca should have been down to ten as well!!!!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 10:11 PM

You that's the general consensus in London too

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 13 2011, 10:12 PM

I'm SOOOO Happy. This is great result !

Posted by: amancik Sep 13 2011, 10:12 PM

People credit Barcelona for being the best offensive team in the world, but you can't take anything away from our defending, a few mistakes led to the first goal, but overall it was an impressive display of defensive football.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 10:16 PM

+1





Agreed.
Ambro is no longer up to par, he needs to be used a little as possible. An absolutely horrible display. Embarrassing!








Agreed. + infinity!

Grande Allegri!


We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves just yet, the win was one gathered with luck.

Be it at the San Siro or not, Barca's quality will not drop due to being in an away fixture.

Don't get me wrong, I'll remain optimistic as well, but we can not exclude the possibility of a win for Barca in the return leg, because of our moment of ecstasy.


LOL

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 10:16 PM

Nesta was brilliant! It moments like this that make me thoroughly understand what my friend (who is a 'Die-Hard' Barca fan) mean when he says Nesta is the best damn defender he has ever seen play!


Aint that the truth...


Fully understand where you're coming from!!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 13 2011, 10:17 PM

Alessandro Altobelli is giving credit to TS's goal by referring to the Italian team of '82, which taught Brazil how to defend

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 13 2011, 10:19 PM

Let's not be whiners now.

The same could be said for us in the past thanks to the likes of Gattuso, Ambrosini, Flamini and many more.

These sort of things happen in football. Luckily Nocerino wasn't injured.

F<vk it!!

Alves you should have been off. You dirty SOB!!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 13 2011, 10:37 PM

The defense won us the point. Not only because it was Thiago Silva who equalized, but because if it wasn't for our amazing defense, we would have crumbled all over the place. Kudos to Nesta, Thiago, Abate and Zambro. They really held well against the strongest team in the world.

Midfield was pathetic. Van Bommel tried his best to prevent further damages, but Seedorf, Nocerino, Boateng and then Ambrosini didn't press Barça's players at all. They just sat comfy waiting for the opponent. What kind of messed up strategy is that? Our counterattacks were unproductive as well. Cassano was merely a shadow on the pitch. Kudos to Pato for that amazing goal, and his continuous efforts to create something all alone up front, but there wasn't much he could do when the rest of the team was nowhere to be found.

However, we must look more thoroughly into this and realize that neither us, nor Barcelona took this game very seriously. I don't think our display tonight is a genuine proof of our capabilities. We've only played one official game so far, we had plenty of injuries (Mexes, Taiwo, Flamini, Robinho, Ibrahimovic) and we still have to gain a better understanding of how we'll be playing this season.

So, all in all, bad game, not important, good draw. That's my two cents on the match.

Posted by: dst Sep 13 2011, 10:38 PM

That was awful... we never deserved to leave there with a point but I'll take it.

We were scoreless for a full 90 minutes between our goals.