[han2503]

Back after 7 long years.

I don't know if it will be a happy time for us given the group we've been saddled with, but unfortunately those are the consequences of being in the wilderness for so long and not taking the EL that seriously.

[X-Offender]

Don't know about you guys but I'm super excited about this. I grew up with Ancelotti's Milan where the Champions League was our soil, so being back after 7 long years is fantastic. Let's just hope we can put up some dignified performance.

[William405]

**** them, bunch od dirty players

Leao!!

[X-Offender]

**** them, bunch od dirty players

Leao!!

We scored against Liverpool? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[William405]

We scored against Liverpool? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Woops (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[han2503]

Don't know about you guys but I'm super excited about this. I grew up with Ancelotti's Milan where the Champions League was our soil, so being back after 7 long years is fantastic. Let's just hope we can put up some dignified performance.

Yeah. I remember those seasons when we even treated the league like a 2nd rate competition as you would with the UEFA Cup when CL matches came around. We'd lose to Ascoli on the weekend and blow out Man U on a Wednesday. Those were the days....

And to think that we could have easily won another 2 titles if it weren't for arrogance on our part against both Liverpool and Deportivo

[Fillipo Simone]

Deportivo... i'm really not sure what happened back then. It was such a shocker, mostly because we played so freaking good that season.

Liverpool... to be quite honest, we had much luck prior to that against PSV and I think PSV might have even deserved to go through to the final. But anyway, and now I'm stepping into heavy counterfactual history, but do you guys think Milan would have won the 2008 Athens final without the defeat in Istanbul? Because these two games are so interlinked and our team was so old in 2008. I'm somehow convinced that players like Pippo, Pirlo, Ambro, etc got the extra push particularly because of the defeat in Istanbul. Without that, I really don't see us winning in Athens or playing the final for that matter.

[Fillipo Simone]

Oh and guess what,... Ibra injured again, Achilles injury.

[CrazyMilanFan]

I think it wont be a quick recovery but would love to have him against juveand we shouldn't be considering zlatan a major option this season unfortunately

[X-Offender]

Deportivo... i'm really not sure what happened back then. It was such a shocker, mostly because we played so freaking good that season.

Liverpool... to be quite honest, we had much luck prior to that against PSV and I think PSV might have even deserved to go through to the final. But anyway, and now I'm stepping into heavy counterfactual history, but do you guys think Milan would have won the 2008 Athens final without the defeat in Istanbul? Because these two games are so interlinked and our team was so old in 2008. I'm somehow convinced that players like Pippo, Pirlo, Ambro, etc got the extra push particularly because of the defeat in Istanbul. Without that, I really don't see us winning in Athens or playing the final for that matter.

Whereas we fully deserved to win the Istanbul final and simply got unlucky, Athens was a much more balanced game. Very tactical, even ugly at times. No one team dominated and it was the singular episodes that made the difference. Can't say we deserved to win like in 2005, but it's not like Liverpool deserved to win more or something.

2005 was an important factor but not decisive. You say our team was old, but don't forget we scored 5 goals against ManUtd in the semi finals, playing some fantastic football. That Liverpool side was not particularly great. Very mediocre players all around.

[X-Offender]

I think it wont be a quick recovery but would love to have him against juveand we shouldn't be considering zlatan a major option this season unfortunately

Huge blow. Someone like Ibra was necessary for tomorrow especially in terms of morale boost. Let's not forget most of these players have never played in the CL before. Not to mention Giroud is not fully fit and can only play 30-35 minutes at most. So I assume it's gonna be Rebic CF again.

[han2503]

Deportivo... i'm really not sure what happened back then. It was such a shocker, mostly because we played so freaking good that season.

Liverpool... to be quite honest, we had much luck prior to that against PSV and I think PSV might have even deserved to go through to the final. But anyway, and now I'm stepping into heavy counterfactual history, but do you guys think Milan would have won the 2008 Athens final without the defeat in Istanbul? Because these two games are so interlinked and our team was so old in 2008. I'm somehow convinced that players like Pippo, Pirlo, Ambro, etc got the extra push particularly because of the defeat in Istanbul. Without that, I really don't see us winning in Athens or playing the final for that matter.

True.. Bu as x-off said, the 2005 final was one of the best team performances I've seen, barring those idiotic few minutes. While Athen was much more balanced and could have easily gone either way.

Oh and guess what,... Ibra injured again, Achilles injury.

I hope we still took him to England with the team. Even from the touchline he make a difference for the rest of the players imo

[han2503]

Liverpool have made some big changes to their line-up. VdV and Mane not starting

[CrazyMilanFan]

This is not an ideal start.. Need to settle down

[CrazyMilanFan]

Liverpool have made some big changes to their line-up. VdV and Mane not starting

Who are they playing om weekend (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

Who are they playing om weekend (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Crystal palace so its not for that

[CrazyMilanFan]

Ok this might get embassing

[Rossoneri7]

Liverpool is a team accustomed to such games, this Milan is a virgin. I'd say it's the experience the lads will gain that counts.

That said, Forza Milan!

[CrazyMilanFan]

Leao needs to start passing

[han2503]

We just look nervous at this point. I don't know how that can be fixed...

[han2503]

Tomori the only one who doesn't seem completely shell shocked

[CrazyMilanFan]

Diaz amd rebic haven't had the ball yet i think

[X-Offender]

We're so out of our depth I have no words.

[X-Offender]

Maigan and Tomori the only ones who have any idea what's going on.

[CrazyMilanFan]

1-1 rebic

[CrazyMilanFan]

Wowowow 2-1 milan

[han2503]

Cannot believe we actually scored....

[X-Offender]

WTF!!!!

How did this happen???

[Rossoneri7]

The Phoenix rises from the ashes?

[CrazyMilanFan]

Rebic is so composed

[han2503]

WTF?????

[CrazyMilanFan]

Unreal scoreline at HT..

[CrazyMilanFan]

That PK double save as well..

[William405]

Hello, is this real?

[han2503]

Rebic is a f@cking Giant killer!!!

Love the guy

[han2503]

Still in shock. Was almost ready to give up and go to sleep


Btw, Maignan is a beast!! What a guy

Kessie and Benna are our weak links atm though. We need to put in someone else in midfield that can help out. They're getting overrun

[Fillipo Simone]

But in all honesty, we started this game in a horrendous manner. Only Rebić and luck got us through the first half.

Bennacer is having a horrible game, Kessie seems off. Hernandez is showing how poor of a defender he is.

I think Pioli needs to change his midfield. Why is Tonali not playing?

[X-Offender]

I'm speechless. Never went from shockingly terrible to leading 2-1 so quickly.

We need to stay composed. And by composed I mean calm and attentive. We need to avoid the childish mistakes we've made in this first half. Even the simplest of passes or ball controls were horrific.

Hopefully this lead will wake the players up and boost their confidence.

[Fillipo Simone]

Still in shock. Was almost ready to give up and go to sleep


Btw, Maignan is a beast!! What a guy

Kessie and Benna are our weak links atm though. We need to put in someone else in midfield that can help out. They're getting overrun

Yes, we agree. Bennacer seems to be completely lost. And what a bad timing to do so, with Krunić, Bakayoko and Tonali? out.

[Fillipo Simone]

I'm speechless. Never went from shockingly terrible to leading 2-1 so quickly.

We need to stay composed. And by composed I mean calm and attentive. We need to avoid the childish mistakes we've made in this first half. Even the simplest of passes or ball controls were horrific.

Hopefully this lead will wake the players up and boost their confidence.

The midfield is at fault here.

[han2503]

A huge part of the problem seemed to be nerves rather than tactics or general setup. You can't do much about that.

Aside from the nerves. Liverpool started the game off to a blistering pace. So combine the nerves with a style we rarely deal with in the league and it resulted in what we saw. Benncer, Theo, Kessie, Calabria. all were making BS passes that they never usually make. Obviously Liverpool's press was practically suffocating us but add the general nervousness and I honestly don't know how we held to just 1-0


But yes, Pioli needs to change things. I'd personally take off Leao and switch to a 3 at the back. Bring on Romagnoli

[X-Offender]

Tonali needs to come in for Bennacer, and Kessie needs to wake the f*ck up. This isn't Serie A where you can jog around with the ball at your feet. These mofs assault you like mad men and you're bound to lose the ball.

[X-Offender]

A huge part of the problem seemed to be nerves rather than tactics or general setup. You can't do much about that.

Aside from the nerves. Liverpool started the game off to a blistering pace. So combine the nerves with a style we rarely deal with in the league and it resulted in what we saw. Benncer, Theo, Kessie, Calabria. all were making BS passes that they never usually make. Obviously Liverpool's press was practically suffocating us but add the general nervousness and I honestly don't know how we held to just 1-0


But yes, Pioli needs to change things. I'd personally take off Leao and switch to a 3 at the back. Bring on Romagnoli

A 3-men defence in such a delicate situation. Never gonna happen.

[William405]

Honestly, I don't think it's a personnel thing, but more of tactics/play style/preparation/mentality. But, we'll discuss it after the game. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Tomori and Maignan were fucking beasts, just outstanding.

This post has been edited by William405: Sep 15 2021, 08:58 PM

[X-Offender]

Why is Tatarusanu warming up??? Don't tell me Mike got injured!

[han2503]

Tonali needs to come in for Bennacer, and Kessie needs to wake the f*ck up. This isn't Serie A where you can jog around with the ball at your feet. These mofs assault you like mad men and you're bound to lose the ball.

Is Tonali available? Thought he was not fit.

And anyway, I don't think he'd do much better. Kessie is also making a mess of it. Well at least he's not making a big advert for himself for a transfer next season...

A 3-men defence in such a delicate situation. Never gonna happen.

Why not? It will give us more stability and allow us to compete better in midfield

[han2503]

Shiiiit

Maignan has to come off. Tata on... Oh no

[CrazyMilanFan]

Mike is on

[CrazyMilanFan]

Offside damn

[William405]

Shiiiit

Maignan has to come off. Tata on... Oh no

What no, he's still in

[CrazyMilanFan]

2-2

[X-Offender]

What a stupid goal to concede.

[X-Offender]

We're losing balls again. FFS!!!

[CrazyMilanFan]

What a stupid goal to concede.

Yea man so early and all went to sleep mode.

[han2503]

Kessie should be ashamed of himself. Especially when having the gall to ask for the salary he's asking for

[han2503]

What no, he's still in

Yeah sorry. They were saying he was going to come off during HT

[CrazyMilanFan]

Rebic thought someone would make a run like ibra

[X-Offender]

Kessie should be ashamed of himself. Especially when having the gall to ask for the salary he's asking for

Indeed. Pitiful performance.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Mane coming on

[CrazyMilanFan]

Giroud leao good sub, and hopefully florenzi can be more composed defensively

[X-Offender]

FFS Bennacer, where do you head it man...

[CrazyMilanFan]

Our best double pivots have been huge fail..

It was matter of time you cant keep sustaining that much of pressure

[CrazyMilanFan]

Tonali on for benneacer

[han2503]

Pffff

[X-Offender]

Daniel Maldini? Seriously, Pioli?

[CrazyMilanFan]

Daniel Maldini? Seriously, Pioli?

LOL

[CrazyMilanFan]

Whip more balls in might get half a chance. That corner flick was a decent opportunity

[X-Offender]

One of the worst performances I've seen from Kessie in his 4 years with us. Absolutely shameful.

[William405]

One of the worst performances I've seen from Kessie in his 4 years with us. Absolutely shameful.

Yeah.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Defence and the GK have done well, rebic and diaz also were good, leao was so so but was involved in the goals.. But we had to play without a midfield basically

[CrazyMilanFan]

I think this was the toughest game of the group...

The Porto - ATM game is still nill nill.

[Rossoneri7]

Extremely proud of this team, it was always an uphill battle against Liverpool. A team accustomed to these nights, Milan showed courage as the game progressed and a loss here is nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary these games is what helps this young team grow.

Five more games to go in this group, five more games to grow.

Even if Milan do not qualify out of the group, I am sure this run will add experience to such a young and virgin group.

Proud! Forza Milan

[han2503]

Well, at least it wasn't embarrassing which I am sure was a worry for all Milan fans going into this group

Liverpool were always going to be the most difficult opponent for us out of all the others. I think we should have completely closed shop in the 2nd half but for some reason we still went out trying to attack...

This was the most difficult tie in the whole group. Let's all be glad that it is over with and hope we can put better showings against the other sides

[X-Offender]

I think this was the toughest game of the group...

The Porto - ATM game is still nill nill.

Such a shame we didn't manage to get at least a point. Not that we deserved it, after the first 15 minutes I honestly thought we were gonna get trashed 7-0 or something...

[CrazyMilanFan]

Such a shame we didn't manage to get at least a point. Not that we deserved it, after the first 15 minutes I honestly thought we were gonna get trashed 7-0 or something...

Yes that was very scary

[CrazyMilanFan]

Inter lost after dominating apprently, but they habe sheriff and shaktar im their group

[han2503]

Such a shame we didn't manage to get at least a point. Not that we deserved it, after the first 15 minutes I honestly thought we were gonna get trashed 7-0 or something...

What is encouraging is that we grew into it.

Obviously we do have our limits and imo Liverpool are one of the best sides out there when on their game. Such a fluid team. To see this group not only holding on but also putting up a decent fight was a proud moment I have to admit. Especially when taking into account where we were just 2 years ago under Giampaolo.

I think following this game, we're going to do well against the others. This was the hardest tie for us. Going to Anfield, facing that crowd against a Liverpool side that's really starting to hit their stride again.

Now let's put this behind us. We have a huge game against Juve on the weekend, and that is what matters most.




Kessie, should take a look in the mirror. This is the type of game where you earn the 8m salary you're asking for. Not bullying mis-table Serie A sides. Him and Bennacer let the whole team down today. And I understand that it was very difficult for them. Liverpool's press was insane. But I expect more from them

[X-Offender]

Well, at least it wasn't embarrassing...

It wasn't? Cos I personally thought it was. Result-wise no, but based on what went on on pitch we were disintegrated entirely.

Like I said in a previous post, Pioli has done wonders with the defensive phase of this team. The only reason we didn't concede 5 or 6 tonight was thanks to a great defensive work. But everything else, boy oh boy. It was like watching Liverpool vs Sunderland or something.

This game showed the vast, vast difference between us and the European powerhouses. Bro, we could not create sh*t! The mistakes our players made were childish. Not amateurish. Childish! If there's one thing our players need to understand after this game is that in the CL you cannot hold on to the ball while jogging like an 80-year-old. You need to think quickly and act quickly, because the pressure coming from the opposition is asphyxiating. We're such a little team from this aspect, really.

Calabria, Kessie, Bennacer, Theo, and Saelemaekers were simply horrific. Our midfield and our flanks were non-existent. I have no frigging clue how we scored those two goals but we just got lucky. Lucky that Salah didn't score the penalty as well.

I could go on and on about tonight but I would be typing an essay, so let's leave it at that.

[han2503]

Porto-A. Madrid ended in a draw

That's good that no other side is already 3 points ahead of us

Who do we have next? Porto or Atletico?

[Fillipo Simone]

IMO Pioli botched this one. Milan started the game with in a wrong way. The mentality and effort simply lacked and we seemed completely unprepared for what was a typical Liverpool/Klopp game.

Secondly, his subs were horrible. Forget Maldini, perhaps he was ordered to do so (haha). But taking off Leao who was our only hope in terms of winning space and bringing the ball up front (hence helping the defense to breath) was a very stupid decision. Then moving in Giroud while Milan did not manage to get even 1 good cross in the first 60 minutes was another mistakes. Taking out Alexis and bringing the so far very unexciting Florenzi yet another.

All in all Pioli approached this game like it was a routine Serie A game against Bologna or Fiorentina. Well, he was lucky to get away with a good looking defeat because Milan was inferior, played badly and showed little to none determination or gameplan.

And yes, Bennacer and Kessie were horrible. I'm thinking that both suffer under acute "contractivitis" and we'll see more of Krunić and Tonali.

[CrazyMilanFan]

My main problem with kessie and benneacer were that they didn't improve at all as the game progressed. I mean look at Calabria I think he was very shaky at the start but at the end, we could see that how well he recovered

[Fillipo Simone]

It wasn't? Cos I personally thought it was. Result-wise no, but based on what went on on pitch we were disintegrated entirely.

Like I said in a previous post, Pioli has done wonders with the defensive phase of this team. The only reason we didn't concede 5 or 6 tonight was thanks to a great defensive work. But everything else, boy oh boy. It was like watching Liverpool vs Sunderland or something.

This game showed the vast, vast difference between us and the European powerhouses. Bro, we could not create sh*t! The mistakes our players made were childish. Not amateurish. Childish! If there's one thing our players need to understand after this game is that in the CL you cannot hold on to the ball while jogging like an 80-year-old. You need to think quickly and act quickly, because the pressure coming from the opposition is asphyxiating. We're such a little team from this aspect, really.

Calabria, Kessie, Bennacer, Theo, and Saelemaekers were simply horrific. Our midfield and our flanks were non-existent. I have no frigging clue how we scored those two goals but we just got lucky. Lucky that Salah didn't score the penalty as well.

I could go on and on about tonight but I would be typing an essay, so let's leave it at that.

+1

I only disagree that Alexis was horrible.

[X-Offender]

My main problem with kessie and benneacer were that they didn't improve at all as the game progressed. I mean look at Calabria I think he was very shaky at the start but at the end, we could see that how well he recovered

Yes, I agree. Although he kept making mistakes, at least he started to have more initiative. Kessie and Bennacer were 0 throughout the whole match.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Porto-A. Madrid ended in a draw

That's good that no other side is already 3 points ahead of us

Who do we have next? Porto or Atletico?

A. Madrid at san siro

[han2503]

It wasn't? Cos I personally thought it was. Result-wise no, but based on what went on on pitch we were disintegrated entirely.

Like I said in a previous post, Pioli has done wonders with the defensive phase of this team. The only reason we didn't concede 5 or 6 tonight was thanks to a great defensive work. But everything else, boy oh boy. It was like watching Liverpool vs Sunderland or something.

This game showed the vast, vast difference between us and the European powerhouses. Bro, we could not create sh*t! The mistakes our players made were childish. Not amateurish. Childish! If there's one thing our players need to understand after this game is that in the CL you cannot hold on to the ball while jogging like an 80-year-old. You need to think quickly and act quickly, because the pressure coming from the opposition is asphyxiating. We're such a little team from this aspect, really.

Calabria, Kessie, Bennacer, Theo, and Saelemaekers were simply horrific. Our midfield and our flanks were non-existent. I have no frigging clue how we scored those two goals but we just got lucky. Lucky that Salah didn't score the penalty as well.

I could go on and on about tonight but I would be typing an essay, so let's leave it at that.

The result is what will be remembered. And while yes, the performance was horrifying, especially those first 15 minutes, we just have to take this in stride. Flipping out over the CL is pointless when we all knew going into it that we're miles behind the likes of Liverpool, Bayern, etc Even Juve are miles behind them, let alone us.

You can't go crazy over performances like this. Not when we went into the CL with eyes wide open being in pot 4 and anticipating a potential match up against a team like Liverpool. Who btw are probably the worst opponents we could have been dealt aside from maybe Bayern and City. Last year we played Man U off the pitch with half our starting 11 missing. They finished the league in a better spot than Liverpool last season as well. So to me that says we can hold our own, but there are certain sides that are hard to live with and Liverpool are one of them.

Let's see how we do in the other ties before we throw in the towel.

And btw, we weren't lucky to score either goal. Both were well-worked goals, both of which more beautiful than any of the Liverpool goals which, for all their pressure and chances, all came from instances which we should have dealt with

[X-Offender]

The result is what will be remembered. And while yes, the performance was horrifying, especially those first 15 minutes, we just have to take this in stride. Flipping out over the CL is pointless when we all knew going into it that we're miles behind the likes of Liverpool, Bayern, etc Even Juve are miles behind them, let alone us.

You can't go crazy over performances like this. Not when we went into the CL with eyes wide open being in pot 4 and anticipating a potential match up against a team like Liverpool. Who btw are probably the worst opponents we could have been dealt aside from maybe Bayern and City. Last year we player Man U off the pitch with half our starting 11 missing. They finished the league in a better spot than Liverpool last season as well. So to me that say we can hold our own, but there are certain sides that are hard to live with and Liverpool are one of them.

Let's see how we do in the other ties before we throw in the towel.

And btw, we weren't lucky to score either goal. Both were well-worked goals, both of which more beautiful than any of the Liverpool goals which, for all their pressure and chances, all came from instances which we should have dealt with

So, your point is? Bro, that we're inferior to Liverpool is well-known to everyone and their grandma's. But we're AC Milan and we can't put a performance worthy of a relegation side. Don't think for a moment that Liverpool were having the game of their lives. This was a routine match for them, and yet they demolished us from any aspect except the final result.

And it's not about what's going to be remembered, it's about playing like a side that finished 2nd last year in the league and have a dignified performance. Yet we played like a relegation side. And that's what hurts the most.

[han2503]

IMO Pioli botched this one. Milan started the game with in a wrong way. The mentality and effort simply lacked and we seemed completely unprepared for what was a typical Liverpool/Klopp game.

Secondly, his subs were horrible. Forget Maldini, perhaps he was ordered to do so (haha). But taking off Leao who was our only hope in terms of winning space and bringing the ball up front (hence helping the defense to breath) was a very stupid decision. Then moving in Giroud while Milan did not manage to get even 1 good cross in the first 60 minutes was another mistakes. Taking out Alexis and bringing the so far very unexciting Florenzi yet another.

All in all Pioli approached this game like it was a routine Serie A game against Bologna or Fiorentina. Well, he was lucky to get away with a good looking defeat because Milan was inferior, played badly and showed little to none determination or gameplan.

And yes, Bennacer and Kessie were horrible. I'm thinking that both suffer under acute "contractivitis" and we'll see more of Krunić and Tonali.

I agree re Pioli. I do not understand why we tried to play our own game against Liverpool. Everyone before hand was expecting us to sit and counter. Why were we trying to play out of defence when red shirts were absolutely swarming us? Especially during those opening few minutes.

You can't play high against Liverpool and you can't dwell on the ball as we tend to do in the league. Not against a side that is specifically known for their press and quick play.

The subs for me were disappointing as well. I would have taken Leao off personally because he was a bit of a defensive liability on that wing. It was clear the mids were struggling, so I do not understand why he didn't at least put on Tonali with both Kessie and Benna to add another body in there and help them out.

[han2503]

So, your point is? Bro, that we're inferior to Liverpool is well-known to everyone and their grandma's. But we're AC Milan and we can't put a performance worthy of a relegation side. Don't think for a moment that Liverpool were having the game of their lives. This was a routine match for them, and yet they demolished us from any aspect except the final result.

And it's not about what's going to be remembered, it's about playing like a side that finished 2nd last year in the league and have a dignified performance. Yet we played like a relegation side. And that's what hurts the most.

The players were clearly shell shocked and that resulted in lot of mistakes. And I was as angry as you during the game. But in hind sight, yes, I do have to accept this. Why? Because the majority of the players in our starting 11 had never even played a game in the CL, and the ones who had were never key players for their sides. This was their first outing, the pressure was clearly effecting them, add to that Liverpool were good. And while it might not have been the game of their lives, they were still very good. And a very good Liverpool side will blow many a side out of the water, because they do have a style of play that is generally hard to deal with. Especially for a team like ours who is used to playing in Serie A. When we generally have a million years on the ball

And yes, we played like a relegation side at certain points. I was ready to switch off before we scored because I expected a drubbing tbh. BUT, and that's a huge one, these are the growing pains we will have to go through. I personally never held any illusions of how we'll do in this group. For me the most important thing again this season is making the CL. Because only by making CL football consistently, will we be able to compete with these teams

[X-Offender]

I agree re Pioli. I do not understand why we tried to play our own game against Liverpool. Everyone before hand was expecting us to sit and counter. Why were we trying to play out of defence when red shirts were absolutely swarming us? Especially during those opening few minutes.

You can't play high against Liverpool and you can't dwell on the ball as we tend to do in the league. Not against a side that is specifically known for their press and quick play.

The subs for me were disappointing as well. I would have taken Leao off personally because he was a bit of a defensive liability on that wing. It was clear the mids were struggling, so I do not understand why he didn't at least put on Tonali with both Kessie and Benna to add another body in there and help them out.

I disagree. We never played high for a moment because Liverpool simply didn't allow us to make 3 passes in a row, let alone play our game. They forced us to sit back and park the bus, and from then onwards it was a barrage of Liverpool attacks that we tried to fend off in the best way we possibly could.

The two goals were circumstantial. That's what I meant by lucky in my previous post. They were not the result of the game we were expressing or anything, simply because we didn't express jackshit.

Again, I'm disappointed by the way we approached this match and by the performances of nearly all our players. We could have and should have done better, but as Fillipo said we faced it like another average Serie A game. Huge mistake.

[X-Offender]

For me the most important thing again this season is making the CL. Because only by making CL football consistently, will we be able to compete with these teams

That doesn't mean we shouldn't put our maximum effort in the CL this year. It's not like we achieved CL football and then the competition can go to hell. It doesn't work like that.

Yes, making CL every year is vital and management knows it, but the team has the utmost obligation to put 110% in every CL game, especially in a group of hell like ours. Whether we make it or not is another matter, as long as the performance and effort are there. And tonight they simply weren't.

[han2503]

I disagree. We never played high for a moment because Liverpool simply didn't allow us to make 3 passes in a row, let alone play our game. They forced us to sit back and park the bus, and from then onwards it was a barrage of Liverpool attacks that we tried to fend off in the best way we possibly could.

The two goals were circumstantial. That's what I meant by lucky in my previous post. They were not the result of the game we were expressing or anything, simply because we didn't express jackshit.

Again, I'm disappointed by the way we approached this match and by the performances of nearly all our players. We could have and should have done better, but as Fillipo said we faced it like another average Serie A game. Huge mistake.

But isn't this what Isaid? That we should have approached the game differently and with a different setup to our usual one. We generally always try to play our game in the league, this was a game where we should have adapted to our opponent

That doesn't mean we shouldn't put our maximum effort in the CL this year. It's not like we achieved CL football and then the competition can go to hell. It doesn't work like that.

Yes, making CL every year is vital and management knows it, but the team has the utmost obligation to put 110% in every CL game, especially in a group of hell like ours. Whether we make it or not is another matter, as long as the performance and effort are there. And tonight they simply weren't.

I never said we should blow off the CL because we don't have a chance. We are a Pot 4 team because we did this in the EL so our co-efficient went down the drain over these last 7 years.

But I do think we should be realistic about what our chances are in it and not lose sight of our most important objective this season, which imo is still the league

Looking at the rest of the teams right now, we have a serious shot of challenging for the competition. That's is my biggest ambition right now for this team. Big CL performances will only come with experience and know how, which is something this team does not have. But as long as we keep doing well in the league, we will be able to gain that

[X-Offender]

We should still give it a shot, at least to pass the group stage. We had the most difficult match of the group, which we could have tied if we were a bit more attentive. Now we have to focus on making as many points as possible against Atletico and Porto. And they are not prohibitive opponents by any means.

Atletico are a top team on paper but this year they've been struggling big time to win. 0-0 vs Porto, two draws in the league (remember the insane 98th minute own goal of Villareal), and three minimalistic wins against low-table opponents (with another 99th minute goal against Espanyol). Not to mention they play a very defensive and low-tempo game which might suit us.

Whereas Porto are totally at our level and within our possibilities to win both times.

We must at least try.

[han2503]

We should still give it a shot, at least to pass the group stage. We had the most difficult match of the group, which we could have tied if we were a bit more attentive. Now we have to focus on making as many points as possible against Atletico and Porto. And they are not prohibitive opponents by any means.

Atletico are a top team on paper but this year they've been struggling big time to win. 0-0 vs Porto, two draws in the league (remember the insane 98th minute own goal of Villareal), and three minimalistic wins against low-table opponents (with another 99th minute goal against Espanyol). Not to mention they play a very defensive and low-tempo game which might suit us.

Whereas Porto are totally at our level and within our possibilities to win both times.

We must at least try.

Yes agreed totally. I want to see us give our best in the CL, if for nothing else, than for the legacy this club holds in that competition.

My point was that we must not lose sight of where we came from. Maybe I wasn't clear in my previous posts. I don't want us to half @ss the CL simply because of a defeatist attitude. But I don't want to see Milan fans lose their sh!t either over the opening game against Liverpool at Anfield either. Where aside from the opponents being a very good side, there were some clear nerves in our general play. Players I wouldn't expect to make certain mistakes were making basic errors. We just have to be patient with this side, it was the 3rd youngest side that started from matchday 1 if I am no mistaken. So these growing pains are to be expected.

We're not rocking up to these away pitches with the star studded sides of the early 2000s

[X-Offender]

Probable line-up: Maignan, Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo, Kessie, Bennacer, Alexis, Brahim, Leao, Rebic.

Playing the latest Kessie is like shooting your own foot. Should have gone with Tonali-Bennacer. I would also have started Kjaer instead of Romagnoli.

[han2503]

Probable line-up: Maignan, Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo, Kessie, Bennacer, Alexis, Brahim, Leao, Rebic.

Playing the latest Kessie is like shooting your own foot. Should have gone with Tonali-Bennacer. I would also have started Kjaer instead of Romagnoli.

Kjaer not going to be risked for this one. Plus Romagnoli has been good when he's played. No need to take any extra risks considering the infirmary is full

And Pioli is obviously going with experience in midfield for this.

[X-Offender]

This is Kessie's last chance for me. If he screws this up as well then he needs to be benched and played only against low table teams.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Am unlikely to watch the game today, these are too late for me. Midweek. Just hope we get a result today.

[X-Offender]

Why are our players so egoistical FFS!

[X-Offender]

NOOO REBIC!

[X-Offender]

LEAOOOOOOOOOO