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Posted by: han2503 Sep 9 2021, 03:49 PM

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.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 10 2021, 02:56 PM

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.

Posted by: William405 Sep 12 2021, 05:48 PM

**** them, bunch od dirty players

Leao!!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 12 2021, 06:01 PM

We scored against Liverpool?

Posted by: William405 Sep 12 2021, 06:39 PM

Woops

Posted by: han2503 Sep 12 2021, 08:59 PM

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

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 14 2021, 02:12 PM

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.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 14 2021, 02:13 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 14 2021, 05:51 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 14 2021, 06:03 PM

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.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 14 2021, 06:06 PM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 07:46 PM

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.


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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 07:47 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:03 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:04 PM

Who are they playing om weekend

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:05 PM

Crystal palace so its not for that

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:09 PM

Ok this might get embassing

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 15 2021, 08:16 PM

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!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:17 PM

Leao needs to start passing

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:23 PM

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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:24 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:26 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:27 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:31 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:42 PM

1-1 rebic

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:43 PM

Wowowow 2-1 milan

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:43 PM

Cannot believe we actually scored....

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:44 PM

WTF!!!!

How did this happen???

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 15 2021, 08:44 PM

The Phoenix rises from the ashes?

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:44 PM

Rebic is so composed

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:46 PM

WTF?????

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:46 PM

Unreal scoreline at HT..

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 08:47 PM

That PK double save as well..

Posted by: William405 Sep 15 2021, 08:47 PM

Hello, is this real?

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:47 PM

Rebic is a f@cking Giant killer!!!

Love the guy

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:49 PM

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

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 15 2021, 08:49 PM

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?

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:49 PM

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.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 15 2021, 08:50 PM

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

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 15 2021, 08:51 PM

The midfield is at fault here.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:53 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:55 PM

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.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:56 PM

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

Posted by: William405 Sep 15 2021, 08:58 PM

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.

Tomori and Maignan were fucking beasts, just outstanding.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 08:59 PM

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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 08:59 PM

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...


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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 09:01 PM

Shiiiit

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:01 PM

Mike is on

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:03 PM

Offside damn

Posted by: William405 Sep 15 2021, 09:03 PM

What no, he's still in

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:05 PM

2-2

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:08 PM

What a stupid goal to concede.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:08 PM

We're losing balls again. FFS!!!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:09 PM

Yea man so early and all went to sleep mode.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 09:11 PM

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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 09:12 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:13 PM

Rebic thought someone would make a run like ibra

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:19 PM

Indeed. Pitiful performance.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:19 PM

Mane coming on

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:20 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:26 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:27 PM

Our best double pivots have been huge fail..

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:28 PM

Tonali on for benneacer

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 09:28 PM

Pffff

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:39 PM

Daniel Maldini? Seriously, Pioli?

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:43 PM

LOL

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:44 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:45 PM

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

Posted by: William405 Sep 15 2021, 09:51 PM

Yeah.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:52 PM

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

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:54 PM

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

The Porto - ATM game is still nill nill.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 15 2021, 09:55 PM

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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 09:56 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 09:56 PM

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...

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 09:58 PM

Yes that was very scary

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 10:00 PM

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

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 10:01 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 10:04 PM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 10:05 PM

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?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 15 2021, 10:05 PM

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.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 10:06 PM

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

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 15 2021, 10:06 PM

+1

I only disagree that Alexis was horrible.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 10:10 PM

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.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 15 2021, 10:11 PM

A. Madrid at san siro

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 10:12 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 10:19 PM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 10:19 PM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2021, 10:26 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 10:31 PM

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.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 15 2021, 10:39 PM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 19 2021, 12:45 PM

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


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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 19 2021, 02:02 PM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 19 2021, 02:05 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:02 AM

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.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 07:19 PM

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.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 07:39 PM

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.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 28 2021, 07:48 PM

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

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:18 PM

Why are our players so egoistical FFS!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:21 PM

NOOO REBIC!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:21 PM

LEAOOOOOOOOOO

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:21 PM

LETS GOOOO

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Sep 28 2021, 08:21 PM

Great finish

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:30 PM

Thank you Kessie. You are an embarrassment.

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:30 PM

My god..Kessie...

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:31 PM

Come on, need a bit of being tactical. Damn, we were doing so well...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:31 PM

Kessie FFS!!!

WTF are you doing??

2 terrible yellows

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:32 PM

I knew it man. I f*cking knew it. The moment he took that yellow so early, I knew he was gonna sent off. And to make a challenge like that when you know you are booked. The guy is clearly not right in the head. His mind is elsewhere.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:32 PM

Cheap yellow from the referee though. WTF, routine foul! Especially to give a 2nd yellow.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:34 PM

Kessie letting the whole team down in our most important season

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:34 PM

Sell him in January

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:34 PM

Leao is really becoming something...

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:35 PM

True.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:39 PM

Atletico are such a cheap team

A perfect reflection of their manager

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:39 PM

Leao....

Mamma mia

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:39 PM

wtf is up with leao out of this world

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:40 PM

I always beleived in him, but he is on another level atm

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:42 PM

And he wasn't even offside there....

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:43 PM

All these kids on at the same time is a bit worrying now... We need someone to keep things calm

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:48 PM

I know it's hard, but we should not sit back. Try to always push up the pitch.

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:48 PM

Yeah, well had it gone in, I guess the VAR would have checked for sure.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:49 PM

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 08:49 PM

Yeah, we could use some experience...say Kessie maybe?

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:51 PM

Well at least Bennacer is getting back to his level. Too bad Kessie has taken a nose dive back to 2018


Until he gets the contract situation in order he needs to sit all the important matches. Simple as that. And if he's not going to sign we need to sell him in January. even if it is for 10m

Not that he's making a good advert for himself so far in the CL. 2 absolutely woeful games so far


All that aside. I cannot be prouder with how we've played. Too bad we've gotten f@cked over by Kessie's stupidity and this ref who needlessly altered this game.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:54 PM

Shame on me for thinking he would man up and show up. Shameful, shameful couple of games from him this season.

At this point the offer we've made him is going to come off the table


Once again, I will repeat. No more Kessie starts until he solves his situation. Either that or if it hasn't been solved by xmas. We sell him next window. Even if for peanuts. Kamara at Marseille is going to be a free agent next summer, we should go all in for him in January

This really makes me sad to be speaking in such a way, because Kessie was our best player last season. But he's clearly let things get to his head. He bought his own hype and now he's choking on it

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:54 PM

I can't stand Kessie. Yes, the referee also could have been more rational, but Kessie has been truly been getting on my nerves lately.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 08:57 PM

He's going to flip all the love he got last season real quick. The fans won't be so patient, especially with him and his greedy agent trying to take us for a ride.

The ref though... That 2nd yellow was never a yellow imo. Especially to a player already on a card. The first one was pure idiocy from Kessie because he was too lazy to track a run

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 08:58 PM

Yes, Cakir wants to show everyone he's boss and doesn't give two sh*ts.

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 09:00 PM

How nice to see this and see Inter completely blow it against Shakhtar...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 28 2021, 09:02 PM

This is gonna end up badly.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:02 PM

We still have 45 mins to play and I am absolutely dreading them...

It's going to be a loooong 45 minutes that's for sure

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:03 PM

Unfortunately the writing is on the wall here.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:06 PM

We're defending too deep

I'd bring on Giroud. Get someone who can hold up the ball

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:08 PM

They're going to force themselves in the second half and win.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:15 PM

Brahim has been immense tonight. What a champ.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:15 PM

Brahim seems to have picked up an injury there...

Hopefully it's nothing serious

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:23 PM

This ref knows he's f@cked up

He's giving us every little foul

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:25 PM

WTF is Giroud doing?! Fight damn it!

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:32 PM

We're not even trying to keep the ball...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:34 PM

Doesn't look right

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:39 PM

Bennacer MotM for us. Great performance

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 09:40 PM

LOVE YOU BENNACER

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:42 PM

Team is gassed

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:42 PM

Ballo Toure is f*cking terrible.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:42 PM

F@ck

Was coming

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:43 PM

1-1

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:45 PM

Can't catch a break in this competition so far

So unlucky today

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:48 PM

If we lose this it would be the cruellest game we've played in a while. Such a good first half

This ref should be ashamed

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:49 PM

Un-f@cking-believable to not give a foul there

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:50 PM

This ref is f*cking terrible.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:52 PM

FUCKKKK OFFFFF

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:54 PM

unbelievable...

Such a bitter pill to swallow

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:55 PM

F@ck this sh!t man

This ref won Atletico this game

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 28 2021, 09:56 PM

Cakir can eat ****

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 09:56 PM

I will never forgive Kessie's @ss for this. Never.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:56 PM

A beautiful night ruined by this f@cker. He better watch out going out of Milan

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 09:57 PM

Kessie was a dumb sh!t but this ref for me takes the cake now

Not only a second soft yellow, but this BS pen... Forget Kessie. We were robbed today.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 28 2021, 09:58 PM

Yes, this one is on Cakir. He could have sent off Kondogbia as well if he wanted to show the same criteria applied to Kessie.

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 10:00 PM

I'm so pissed off.

At the same time, I'm so proud of this team.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:00 PM

We need to smack them when we play in Madrid. Nothing else would be enough.

Liverpool will drag this dogshit side through the mud.

Atletico are such a terrible side. Took them 70 minutes to get a shot on target and this ref helps them win. This is worse than all the times we got screwed over against Juve


I feel so much for this group of young players who played like men today. And now the have to pick themselves up and play against Atalanta on Sunday. I really hope we let this rage propel us against them because there are going to be some terribly tired legs after this

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:02 PM

Hopefully he gets banned after this. Disgusting display

That foul on Tonali a few minutes before the goal which led to the Felix shot was a million times worse than Kessie and he didn't even give a foul

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:02 PM

Simeone is little piece of sh*t that can go drown in mud. Celebrating like that for the biggest theft in recent UCL years.

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 10:02 PM

Nah, he won't be banned.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:03 PM

Kessie only made 2 fouls. And he got sent off...


I'm not excusing him because he has not been up to par at all this season but this is on the ref.

And to give that pen when it also touched Lemar's hand...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:04 PM

Classless pos


We need to drag them in the next game. An absolute must.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:06 PM

I can't forget Kessie. Cakir was horrible, but Kessie had the knowledge of a second yellow and went on barging like an idiot against the Atletico player. Unacceptable!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:11 PM

Man, I am so pissed how we got f*cked over tonight!!! We started so fantastic and we would have demolished this horrible team. Unbelievable, just unbelievable...

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:13 PM

He made a run of the mill foul


Sorry but Kondogbia on a yellow made a similar foul twice and nothing happened.

I was furious at Kessie during the moment but now I just want the ref's head because he conditioned this game from the minute he gave that red.

An to add insult to injury he gave a pen for a close range handball where the opposing layer touched the ball with his hand first before our player did.


Now I'm worried about how this team will recover from this. I'm hoping we can manage to use it to propel us forward, starting next Sunday. But it's such a huge blow to take on for this young side who literally gave everything today and came away with nothing. It's going to be so difficult for us to pick ourselves up and do anything in this group. Even against Porto now I'm worried because today was a demoralising outcome

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:16 PM

https://twitter.com/i/status/1442958305500880903


Lemar clearly pushing the ball onto Kalulu's hand first.

Disgusting to give a pen for that. Even if Lemar hadn't touched it. The ball was too close and Kalulu was not stretching his arm

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:21 PM

Bro, you're not getting me. Cakir f*cked up, no doubt about it. He was abysmal tonight, abysmal. But Kessie goes and makes two insanely idiotic fouls. The first yellow is beyond stupid, and when you have a yellow so early on be careful goddamnit!!! Don't go make dangerous fouls that can cost you another booking. He didn't even think, because he's not thinking anymore. He just wants to leave. In the stands from now on! Can't stand this mofo anymore.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:21 PM

Pioli's only mistake today was taking off Bennacer. Should have left him in there as he was our only smart out-ball not to mention was putting in the defensive work of 2 men.

I understand he was probably dead on his feet, but the Ballo-Toure and Kalulu subs hurt us more than they helped.

Giroud looks off the pace. Completely different to the player who started the season. We need to get him back in shape ASAP. Same thing happened with Bennacer as well after coming back from covid.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:23 PM

Disgusting. I have no words for this ref. He's one of those who think they're the best and can do whatever the f*ck they want. Nothing fazes them. If UEFA doesn't ban him than the club should make their voice heard.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:24 PM

Pioli's changes were just horrible. Another factor that handed the victory to Atletico after the ref and Kessie.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:24 PM

I did not disagree regarding Kessie's stupidity.

But I can't overlook the ref now. He came in with an agenda imo. I just cannot look past other calls as well which were terrible. Kessie was an idiot there but this ref for me is the sole reason why we lost today

And unfortunately we cannot send Kessie to the stands atm, unless the plan is to run Bennacer and Tonali into the ground and risk serious injuries similar to the ones Bennacer had last season.

Posted by: William405 Sep 28 2021, 10:25 PM

Yeah, the changes didn't help, but I'm afraid it's all we had..the players were dead.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:26 PM

Play Krunic. Bakayoko. They will return after the break. I don't want this saboteur in my team anymore.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:27 PM

I wouldn't say horrible. I was someone who called for Giroud in fact, because I thought he'd offer us an outball.

But unfortunately that was not the case.

When he took off Alexis and Bennacer we just folded imo. Before then we had not even allowed Atletico a shot on target. You can condemn the changes but that is the bench he had to work with.

Too bad we left Samu out of the list. He would have done a much better job than Toure imo who was terrible.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:29 PM

You can't play Krunic in the double pivot against strong sides.

Look I agree with you. I want Kessie sitting until his situation is resolved. But unfortunately we cannot do that as of right now. We don't even know when Baka will be back

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:30 PM

At least Porto got smashed by Liverpool so they should be nice and demoralized as well for the next game...

Silver linings....

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:31 PM

Bro, I don't care. Even if we play with Tatarusanu as CM, I don't want that **** on the pitch anymore. Tonight he lost all that little respect he had left.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2021, 10:34 PM

Liverpool 6
Atletico 4
Porto 1
Milan 0

It's difficult now. Winning both games against Porto is not a given. On the contrary, I don't see it happening. And I'd rather end up last then play that useless EL again.

We must hope that both us and Liverpool win the next two games, so then we can play our chances in the last two rounds against them and this horrible Atletico side. But it's gonna be nearly impossible.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 28 2021, 10:37 PM

Okay, as was expected from the draw of this group, it was going to be tough.

Granted Milan showed courage both tonight and against Liverpool, lack of experience cost the team here.

Porto are not gonna turn over easy, even with Milan?s courage. Its gonna take a perfect 180 minutes over the two legs to get 6 points from them.

All in all, its a good group to measure this team with European elite. Been a while for the club too, but baby steps.

Serie A should be the main focus this season.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:38 PM

I think Liverpool will beat Atletico twice. They're awful

We just need to do our part in the next 2. If we do that we have a chance

And agreed. I'd rather go out last than waste time in the EL.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2021, 10:39 PM

Tonight had nothing to do with experience and baby steps unfortunately

This game was conditioned by the referee. We put Atletico under big pressure when we were 11 v 11. And were by far the better side imo.

Against Liverpool I'd agree that the occasion overcame us, but tonight was a disgrace

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 29 2021, 08:30 PM

The night after it still hurts like crazy losing like that. We were going to win it no problem had not both Kessie and Cakir f*cked up.

A few remarks about some players:

Romagnoli - Did well overall, but his mistake on Griezman's goal is unforgivable. Not only he gives Griezman too much space, but doesn't even attempt to intercept the ball, and even turns his body away very awkwardly and cowardly. With his feet also he's really bad. Between him and Tomori there's an abyss.

Bennacer - Probably one of the best games he's ever played for us. Absolutely monstrous in every situation, even attempted to take on the whole Atletico defence by himself at some point. He's back, and with Tonali we have a top class midfield.

Brahim - I love this guy's spirit. He fights like a madman. In some games he doesn't cut it, but when he shows up he's just relentless. Last night he was one of the best on the pitch. Not only much class and character, but also a lot of sacrifice. At some point he went and stole the ball from Kondogbia's feet with sheer force, a guy who's double the size of him.

Leao - He's getting better. Lacks continuity throughout the match, but when he ignites he's unstoppable. Goal was fantastic and if that bicycle kick had gone in... (from the replay he looked onside). He tries difficult things at times and loses the ball awkwardly, but I appreciate the initiative.

Re: our chances of going through. We MUST win both games against Porto. Like, there's no other way. I can't see Atletico making more than 1 point against Liverpool, and by that logic when we face the robbers again we'd be 1 point ahead. It's very, very difficult, but doable. I have faith. These fuckers don't deserve to go through.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 30 2021, 08:45 AM

Granted the referees mistakes, and that Milan were dominant till the sending off of Kessie on the 30th minute mark approx. Experience would have cushioned the team through out the match. The lack of experience made the team rely on their courage to hold on with one less player, while AM kept subbing in more attacking dynamic into the game to force pressure in the team?s own half.

Imagine you had the experience of Cafu, Stam, Nesta and Maldini at the back along with Seedorf and Gattuso anchoring in midfield. Think the result of 1-0 would have had a higher probability at the final whistle.

In any case, its not nice loosing like this. As Kessie?s sending off reduced the team?s initial game plan.

Posted by: William405 Sep 30 2021, 02:49 PM

Honestly, I don't know. It was a pretty experienced Milan that got overturned by Liverpool in the CL final in Istanbul no? Football is unpredictable, I wouldn't put certain stamps. Sure, experience is important, I concede that. But, in this match, it had really nothing to do with that. We played an almost perfect game and were fucked over by the referee. But, I'm immensely proud with how the team mentally are doing, and how they fought hard till the last second. The intensity of the team in the big games is beautiful to see.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 30 2021, 03:49 PM

I agree. Experience had nothing to with the other night. We simply got f*cked over in any conceivable way. I read that Cakir will be banned by UEFA for some games. Good riddance.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 1 2021, 03:14 PM

I needed a couple of days football free to cool off from Tuesday tbh.

Agreed on all your points

Re going through. I still think it all depends on us tbh. Liverpool obviously will have to pull their weight as well and help us out but if we could give Atletico that kind of run around, Liverpool will slaughter them.

Getting 6 points against Porto is the key. If we do that then we can go into that Atletico game full of confidence. And if we win that one as well, then we'll go through.


Nah, Those players can do nothing against such refereeing. I concede that the team dropped way too deep in the 2nd half and were allowing Atletico more chances. But again, it is understandable with fatigue setting in.

Posted by: William405 Nov 7 2021, 09:23 PM

.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 08:33 PM

Anyone watching the Atletico game tonight?

And is it bad to confess that I hope we lose and get this BS over with?

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 10:45 PM

Messias scores!!!

Unbelievable

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 10:47 PM

Should have won twice against these f@ckers!

Let's see if we've just played ourselves into the EL

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 24 2021, 10:55 PM

So proud of these guys!!! I'm so happy FFS!!!

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 10:57 PM

I wanted us out. But this does bring emotions long forgotten

Still worried we might end up in the EL after all this...

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 10:58 PM

Pioli's changes all very effective. Bakayoko and Ibra changed the game imo

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 24 2021, 11:00 PM

The team played the best game of the season. Even without guys like Rebic, Leao, Calabria, Tomori and Maignan. It shows you how important this is the for the players. And I'm with them. I want us to pass! Let's beat Liverpool and hope that Porto don't win. Cos that would send us through.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 11:01 PM

If it wasn't for that first game against the anti-football mofos we'd be one foot in the KOs now.

That game's conditioned the rest of this group, sad to say

I don't know if we can beat Liverpool. What we need to do against them is just play counter attacking. Playing them as we did in the first game will lead to a loss. Hopefully Pioli learned from that

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 11:04 PM

Look, I'm not saying that I don't want us through now that the opportunity is there.

But that 2nd game against these cheaters hurt our chances big time. And I really do not want to drop into the EL. That would hurt our chances at the title

And with Napoli now practically out of the picture (imo based on the Osimen and Anguissa injuries). We need to make sure to keep Inter at arm's length, because they are starting to find their rhythm under Simone, and unlike us, they don't have half their squad perpetually out with injury

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 24 2021, 11:04 PM

And speaking of which, it makes this win even sweeter. F*ck that mofo Simeone and his anti-football team!

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 11:13 PM

Problem is, getting f@cked over in that game and then in the Porto game where the goal should not have stood (even if we were p!ss poor), leaves us in a situation where even if we play a massive game against Liverpool and win, it's still not in our hands. If Porto win against these mofos, who let's face it, are pretty terrible, then we still end up not making it. Which makes that 2nd game even more panful than it was on the night. As it's the difference between staying in or going out.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 11:15 PM

Still glad that Pioli did not risk starting Leao and Zlatan here. Sassuolo at the weekend is just as big imo

Now that Giroud probably has a hamstring problem, we're down to just Zlatan and Pellegri (forgot he was even part of the team for a moment)

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 24 2021, 11:17 PM

Yes, that game fucked us over. But we should have done better vs Porto. I don't understand why we didn't play like this against them, with intensity and conviction. We could have earned at least 4 points and we'd be through.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 11:24 PM

Well first game against them we were absolutely decimated, had no bench either

Plus I think they're a trickier side for us in general with the way they play. While Atletico it was pretty clear in the first game that we matched up much better against them. Had that game remained 11 v 11, we would have played them off the pitch that night as we were much stronger than we were today personnel wise.

Even the 2nd game against Porto, we still had a lot of injuries and had players like Theo and Diaz just returning from Covid who looked off the pace.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 24 2021, 11:26 PM

Not having Rebic either makes it much, much worse. I don't care that much about Giroud, but like you said we only have 40 year old Zlatan and Pellegri.

Worst case scenario we'll play Leao CF with Alexis and Messias on the flanks.

Speaking of which, man, what a massive game did Alexis play tonight! He was everywhere. Ran like a damned man, won a shitload of balls, and made very few mistakes.

Brahim was also really good, just lacked that final touch.

And Messias man, what a story his! At 30 absolute debut in the CL and scores such an important goal. Only 3 years ago he was playing in Serie D.

Everyone was great tonight. After that defeat against Fiorentina and the minimal chances to pass, I never imagined we'd pull such a performance. We completely dominated Atletico at home. 58% possession, 14 shots v 6, 526 passes vs 386. Total dominance!

Posted by: han2503 Nov 24 2021, 11:32 PM

Yeah, everyone was on point tonight. Alexis in these types of games reminds me why he deserves to be starting atm and why he got that extension. Always shows up in the big moments and gives so much to the team

Messias on the ball still looks so sloppy and slow though, I have to say, hopefully it's just him needing to work his way back to match fitness


Romagnoli was also great which leave a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth as I still don't understand why he was not used against Fiorentina. Should have never dropped those points against them

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 24 2021, 11:36 PM

Messias just needs minutes. The guy has impressive qualities and it shows. He'll give us a great hand from now onwards.

And yes, Romagnoli was massive tonight. Both him and Kjaer completely annulled their strikers.

Man, if only we didn't have all these injuries...

Posted by: William405 Nov 24 2021, 11:45 PM

I will watch the match tonight.

So happy to see us winning.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 25 2021, 11:21 AM

Not sure about Diaz. What's all that "glue" and connecting come to? Poor finish, poor final touch. Well, I'm not a fan of Diaz, I'll admit. Hakan was a better player in every way, I'm not gonna let my mind being clouded by his childish and disgusting behavior after he left us.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 25 2021, 12:19 PM

Yes, as I said, he has to improve that final touch. But he was uncontainable last night. The Atletico players kept fouling him because there was no other way to stop him. He's worked a lot on his physicality. Despite being so small, he doesn't go down easily.

I personally really like him. Like Leao, he tends to switch on and off during the game, but his desire and work rate are really contagious and to be admired.

Capanoglu I couldn't stand when he was with us, now I don't even wanna see his ugly face. And don't get fooled by a couple of good games. He did that with us too. When the team plays well (which Inter are doing), he looks good, but as soon as the team starts to suffer, he disappears completely. Prior to the derby he was collecting a shitload of 5's in ratings. Crap player.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 25 2021, 01:55 PM

Giroud out for a month.

This is 2020/21 all over again. Injury after injury, always on emergency, never a fully fit squad. Just ridiculous.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Nov 25 2021, 06:01 PM

What a match and what a debut for Messias!

Milan dont stand a chance to make it past Liverpool, unless Liverpool are not fielding their top team as they are mathematically through on top of the group. Then the team stands a chance, but only if Liverpool field an average side.

I wholeheartedly would like to see the team out of CL and focus on Serie A. But after yesterday's showing, uou can never say. Who knows if this team can actually get through the round of 16?

Would be dreamy. But the club would definitely have to reinforce over the winter break!

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 25 2021, 06:20 PM

Don't stand a chance? Like we didn't stand a chance to go through and now everything is open again?

People on this forum love to jump the gun. I've personally learned after Istanbul 2005 that anything, and I mean anything is possible in this game. Hope is the last thing to die out.

Assuming we defeat Liverpool, the following can happen:

1. Porto win, Porto go through.
2. Porto-Atletico tie, we go through.
3. Atletico win, then the goal difference will come into play.

Since our head-to-head encounters are tied (2-2, away goals don't count anymore), then the team with the overall best GD will go through. Right now we have the better GD (-2) against Atletico's -3.

If we win, say, by one goal margin against Liverpool, and Atletico win by a 2-goal margin, then we'd have the same goal difference. In that case, there's a hierarchy of other criteria that come into play, and the majority of them are in our favour too.

It's going to be a thrilling last week no doubt. We're somewhat favoured against Liverpool in the sense that we play at home, Liverpool have nothing to ask of this group stage anymore, and they're going to be playing with at least half the starters out.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 27 2021, 09:42 AM

Yep, these injuries are the difference between us and Inter imo, had we had a fully fit squad as they have we'd be +10 on them right now.

I really don't understand why we don't do anything about out fitness/medical staff. There is clearly a problem. Especially when you consider that our only "old" players are Zlatan, Kjaer, Giroud and Messias. We have a very young squad that should not be getting this many injuries. And Giroud and Messias last season were barely ever injured, they come to Milan and it's injury after injury.

The best investment this club could make right now is overhauling the fitness staff.


Last season, I would have been inclined to agree, but this season Diaz has been hugely important for us. He's slowly working his way back to fitness from covid. Before that the numbers spoke for themselves as he was heads and shoulder above what Hakan provided. And all of Diaz's contributions come from open play. Majority of Hakan's contributions come from set-plays, which is being repeated at Inter since he only has 1 goal and 1 assist from open play


Agreed


Yep

At least we get back Maignan, Tomori and Leao this weekend.

I'm sure we'll get some new between today and tomorrow that someone else is out

I read a few days ago that Pioli has only had a fully fit squad at his disposal once since he's been with us, that 0-3 game against Juve last season, in every other game he's never had everyone available.

This puts real perspective on how good he's been as he has the 2nd best win percentage out o any Milan coach in the league.


I was of the same opinion, but now that we have a shot, I want us to give our best against Liverpool.

My only worry is that we drop in the EL which would be a drain on our squad. Especially with the constant barrage of injuries. That could be a huge dent on our title challenge


Interesting

I thought we'd be out if it came to head-to-head. Didn't know the away goals have been scrapped. Is this the case for the KOs as well?

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 27 2021, 02:34 PM

Yes. As from this season the away goal rule has been completely abolished from all UEFA and FIFA competitions. So it's also valid for KO's.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 2 2021, 03:48 PM

Kjaer will undergo surgery. He will be out for a long time.

Well, f@ck.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 2 2021, 04:30 PM

Define long time?

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 2 2021, 04:48 PM

https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/milan/kjaer-coinvolti-i-legamenti-necessario-l-intervento_42484806-202102k.shtml

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 2 2021, 05:39 PM

This from Corriere.

I think it's premature to say his season is over, but it's gonna be at least a couple/few months.

We have the obligation to operate in January now, but this sucks @ss so much. Kjaer is too important for this team.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 2 2021, 06:07 PM

Yes, indeed. One of the 3 or 4 key ingredients. Big blow.

Why does this only happen to us?

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 2 2021, 06:38 PM

We are cursed. I can't find any other explanation.

- Kessie gets injured before the season starts and stays out for almost a month;
- Zlatan gets injured against Lazio after having stayed out for 5 months (and missed the Euros) and has to stop for another 3-4 weeks;
- Brahim and Theo get Covid-positive just at the end of the NT break and have to miss two weeks worth of games;
- Maignan has to perform wrist surgery out of the blue and misses more than a month worth of games;
- Florenzi has to undergo knee surgery and stays out for a month;
- Bakayoko gets injured in his debut and stays out for a month;
- Rebic stays out for a month due to some ankle injury, the day before his return gets a muscular injury in training and has to sit the season till January;
- Calabria gets injured in NT duty and has to sit until January;
- Messias has a late start due to poor condition and injuries, but gets injured again in training and makes his real debut in late November;
- Now Kjaer out for a few months.

Not to mention all the little injuries here and there of other players that have made them missed games. And we're only in early December. It's literally unbelievable.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 6 2021, 12:18 PM

Leao out as well, probably till January.

Pointless to make any comments anymore. This is getting beyond ridiculous.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 6 2021, 04:10 PM

I'm thinking something is wrong with our medical staff, condition trainer or training routine. Something most certainly is wrong.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 6 2021, 04:36 PM

Someone asked this to Pioli today. This was his response:

Problem is, after the break injuries will continue and nothing will change...

Posted by: han2503 Dec 6 2021, 08:54 PM

Exactly, it's what derailed us last season and what will most likely derail us this season

At least the media are finally asking the right questions

Theo and Leao both out tomorrow. Let's all hope Liverpool play their kiddie side or we don't have a chance.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 6 2021, 09:10 PM

No, Theo should play. He had just a mild fever this morning and trained in the gym.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 02:22 PM

Probable line-ups for tonight:

Milan: Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo; Kessie, Tonali; Messias, Diaz, Krunic; Zlatan.

Liverpool: Alisson; Williams, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Morton; Salah, Mane, Origi.

I would have definitely played Alexis as LW instead of Krunic, but whatever.

Their line-up is second-hand except the attack. Really wished Salah would sit this.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 09:50 PM

1-1 HT

Man, we really have no game. Just brief snippets now and then. Their B team is better than ours, goes to show you the vast difference between both sides.

Zlatan absolutely horrible. Brahim not incisive. Krunic is just an extra pressure body without any qualities. Messias mediocre. Our attack really is non existent.

Man, we really could have Leao tonight. Look at those spaces...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 7 2021, 09:58 PM

I think you're looking at the wrong picture here. With Alisson, Salah, Mane and a few others this is not exactly the typical B side. And we also lack certain key players like Leao and Rebić to bring some glue.

Diaz alone is not cracking it, especially against a physically demanding opponent. Ibra horrible? Well, what's there to expect man? He'll be the one that will score us the goal in the end if that happens, so...

And well, I think Maignan should have done better on the first shot that rebounded to Salah.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 10:03 PM

Salah, Mane and Alisson are the only starters. Everyone else is a sub. And I mean everyone.

We need to sub in Alexis. Krunic just doesn't cut it. His defensive and pressing game is excellent, but that's about it.

Agreed about Maignan.

Also, Theo needs to wake up.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 10:15 PM

Another mistakes. WTF MAN!!! And Atletico have scored...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 7 2021, 10:18 PM

Colossal mistake by Tomori. Our team is losing it.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 10:20 PM

We never had it.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 7 2021, 10:24 PM

At the start of this game, we had some good vibe.

But I was not pointing to "having this match". I think we're losing it in general. Last few weeks have been marked by abysmal mistakes, starting with Tatarusanu and moving on to Tomori just recently. As a team, I think we lost immensely in terms of confidence and arrogance.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 10:31 PM

We simply cannot confront high intensity sides. We're a lethargic team with a slow, slow game. No wonder we suffered like hell against Porto and Liverpool, because we're not used to thinking fast and making quick passes. We take too much to build our play and at these levels the opponent will have none of that.

Frankly speaking, we don't deserve to be here.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 10:38 PM

Florenzi man, so shi*t...

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 10:59 PM

FT

Pathetic performance. Absolutely disgusting. We're unfit to play at these levels. And my question, even if we qualify for next season, will anything change? It's our own game philosophy that's inadequate here. Unless we fill this team to the brim with champions next summer, it's going to be same charade again and again and again...

Extremely disappointed tonight. Don't even wanna go after anyone in particular cos they all played like sh*t. Against Liveprool's B side. Man...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 7 2021, 11:02 PM

I see you're really upset. Well... can't say I share your feelings. Pathetic? I dunno. Bad game. Bad group. In the end, completely irrelevant. We knew all along that we cannot contend with these teams who have way more continuity in CL then us.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 7 2021, 11:11 PM

Oh come on man, how can you be so indifferent? We played like sh*t. Zero ideas, zero grit, zero composure. Just a bunch of individuals roaming about on the pitch not knowing what to do with the ball.

We're bad man, really bad. It doesn't show in the league cos most of the teams we face are mediocre, but as soon as we get a half decent team that presses, plays fast and runs like crazy we switch off.

We're lucky to be where we are. I've been contemplating this for some time now, but this game was the answer. And it should act as a wake up call for many who view this Milan as a top side that can challenge for the scudetto. But most of all I guess it shows how low the Serie A has fallen. Cos if this pathetic Milan side is on top of the league, then the quality has more than halved from 10-15 years ago.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 7 2021, 11:36 PM

Wow, what a surprise...

Milan is a scudetto pretender. Serie A is weak. All well known facts.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 7 2021, 11:53 PM

Also, we're literally worlds apart. And this is why I knew returning to the CL would be a painful and very uncomfortable experience.

Salah is (per Transfermarkt) valued at 100m Euro
Our top two player (Hernandez and Kessie) who played a very mediocre game come to 50m Euro

The team you call B side (rightly, but still) has a total worth of cca 350m Euro
Our team without maybe two or three starters has a total worth of cca 255m Euro

Of course we're worlds apart. Serie A has become a very poor league in all terms: the stadiums are falling apart, government and municipal regulations are not beneficial towards football (and there are yet new laws to come which will hinge Serie A even further), the viewership is drastically falling, the overall attractiveness of the league and its appeal to talented players is very low. The league just recently become competitive, but this become mostly due to Juventus entering a negative cycle.

Spanish, German and especially English sides dominate football and will do so for years to come. Italian clubs haven't won the CL since Inter with Mourinho. The European League has yet to be won by an Italian side and I fear we'll be waiting for few years more.

Yes, we're worlds apart. Not really stunning news. I get that you are disappointing that we didn't go out in style and with guns blazing. But well...

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 8 2021, 12:05 AM

I didn't just say Serie A is weak. That is indeed a well-known fact. I said the quality in Serie A has more than halved compared to 10-15 years ago. Halved. The difference with England is massive, but even with Spain and Germany. I'll go as far as say that even the French league, a so-called farmers league, has more exciting talents than Italy.

And as far as Milan is concerned, if you spoke Italian I'd invite you to listen to Christian Vieri's podcast with Cassano and Adani. The accolades they make to Pioli and his team are unfathomable. Like we're this modern team filled with young and interesting prospects that plays exciting football. And I kid you not many Milan fans feel the same.

But we're simply mediocre. On these levels we're even trash. As much as we, myself included, want this team to get back to where it belongs, win the Scudetto, compete in the CL, get trophies, it's never gonna happen as things stand. How can we hope to win the league when we couldn't even compete against Liverpool's B side? A team filled with nobodies except 3-4 names.

Oh well, it's pointless for me to rant.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 8 2021, 06:11 PM

Milan?s first CL in almost a decade and in ?the group of death? as they call it. I would say this is a great opportunity for the young players Milan have to experience and learn. To be successful is to learn from mistakes. Without mistakes, a team will not grow nor win.

I appreciate the fact that 99% of these players have not played a single CL game except on Fifa and yet came out with such courage against Atletico and Liverpool. Two teams that have experience in this type of competition.

Milan should turn its focus right away to Serie A, focus on having a good campaign while finishing in CL territory and maybe achieving a last 16 birth next season.

Proud of the lads and proud of Maldini for putting this team (the coach inclusive) together to make it one of the most exciting squads in Europe to watch. I enjoy the games a lot more than the previous seasons, aint no zero to hero but definitely a respectable young squad that Milan has!

Posted by: han2503 Dec 8 2021, 07:43 PM

Didn't watch the game as I had the Christmas staff dinner yesterday with work colleagues so didn't even check the score during the game.

But going by comments here I'm going to assume that it wasn't worth the watch and we once again shot ourselves in the foot with a mistake

But x-off, I think you're over-reacting here. I don't understand what you expected from our first foray into the CL with a team who has zero experience in the competition outside of Ibra and Giroud. It took Inter 3 tries to get into the KOs, these are the growing pains we have to go through unfortunately.

Liverpool imo are one of 3/4 super teams ho right now are heads and shoulders above others. We got lumped into a group like we did and it hurt our chances a lot imo as I think we can hold our own against other top sides from other leagues, just like we did against Atletico for example. A group with Barca / Man U / Villareal / Spartak / Benfica / PSG would have been better for us. But we had to draw the worst opponents we could get. Not to mention having 3 points taken away from us in the 2nd game. For me, the only condemnable performance was the Porto home game. That's the game we should have done much better in.

Yesterday we were once again crippled with injuries. And let's face it, this is a good thing for us, no matter which way you look at it. Look at Inter. They're probably going to end up with Bayern, Liverpool, Chelsea or some other super difficult tie and will be out anyway. We simply cannot handle another competition atm, not with all these injuries.

What I want now is a perfect run to the winter break and I think that's doable. We need to focus on the league.

And winning it has to be the goal. We've dropped off in recent weeks as Fillipo said, and that has effected the confidence levels a bit. I think we have 4 games left until the break and all are very winnable.

This season we just dipped our toes in the CL well. We need to make sure we're there again next season, we'll even most likely be in pot 3, and if the draw is kinder we'll do better, that I'm 100% sure of.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 8 2021, 08:13 PM

Nah, you can try to sugarcoat it however you like, but I don't buy it. Last night it was a true horror showing. I remember Atalanta last year playing against Liverpool and winning 2-0 at Anfield because they needed the win, even dominating the game.

We were playing at home with an incredible crowd support, we had the other game's result in our favour, yet we couldn't make more than 2-3 passes in a row. Our link-up play was nonexistent, we had no game plan, no composure, no determination. The players were running around like a bunch of headless chicken.

You say we had a tough group, but we got only 1 point against Porto and Liverpool's B side. That is unacceptable. Yes, we had absences, but I honestly think that Leao or Rebic or Calabria or whoever else would have made little to no difference. Because the problem is into how we approach these games. We're scared shitless, we can't handle the pressure. If the other teams is pressing us on every ball (Liverpool, Porto, Sassuolo), our players don't know what to do. We simply switch off.

And that's simply because we're a lethargic bund of individuals that's used to winning against boring Serie A sides that play in slow motion and have no idea what pressing and quick passing is.

We have no place in the CL. Yes, we'll qualify for next season as well, we might even get an easier group, but if we don't sign players that can make a difference and change the way we play, it's going to be the same routine again and again and again...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 8 2021, 09:15 PM

Oh come on you're now just pushing it to the limits!

Rebić or Leao would not make a difference compared to Krunić and Messias? Kjaer would not have made a difference? For christ sake, if Kjaer was on the pitch the second goal i.e. Tomori and his blunder wouldn't have happened.

Come on man, suck it up. You're not talking to Donati, Vieri or Adani here. We belong in the group stages of CL just like a bunch of other teams that sucked this season. It'll pass. And it was very foreseeable, only you chose to get upset with these games.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 8 2021, 09:51 PM

What difference did Theo, Tonali, Kessie, Brahim or any other player make? The problem is in the way we play, not in the individuals. Because let's face it, Rebic, Leao and friends are not exactly great players. Surely, if we had Salah, Haaland and De Bruyne absent due to injuries, then it would have made a difference. But we were 9/11 starting line-up material, so let's not get ridiculous over the absences.

And Tomori simply had a lapsus. It wasn't a defensive mistake. It can happen to anybody. It's happened even to Maldini. Overall he had a good match.

It was foreseeable for us to struggle in a tough group (on paper), it wasn't foreseeable for us to play like a Serie B team and ridicule ourselves. We were plain terrible last night, and I can't get over it. Because we should have done better, but this team is simply too limited.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 9 2021, 09:18 AM

Well, we're at an impasse here. Your judgment is clearly clouded by emotions and expectations, which is understandable. But get over it.

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 9 2021, 11:28 AM

I was emotional after the match. It's been two days, now I'm rational, and my opinion hasn't changed. We're miles away from being a competitive team again. And by competitive I don't mean to fight for any the CL, but just to have fair performances in the competition. Not horrible showings.

Posted by: nuh Dec 11 2021, 10:03 AM

I agree 100%...the game that really did it for me was the home porto game. We had a complete team and couldn't deal with their press at all.

Posted by: han2503 Dec 13 2021, 11:48 PM

Lol, Did you see what happened at the CL draw?

Inter first drew Ajax, then they had to redo the draw and they ended up with Liverpool


This is too beautiful for words. Now let's see how they do against them after all the sh!t talk they threw our way

Posted by: X-Offender Dec 14 2021, 01:04 AM

What an epic embarrassment for UEFA. It was too comical. A multi-billion organisation that cannot make right a simple draw. What a joke.

As for Inter, they will get royally fucked by Liverpool. They stand zero chances.

Posted by: han2503 Dec 18 2021, 03:22 PM

I'd love to see how Limone-ball will handle Liverpool's press


Let's see if they have the better goal difference against them compared to how we did.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 18 2021, 10:05 PM

It's hard to compare though...

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 10 2022, 06:52 AM

Cant get over Don Carlo?s match last night, turning the table on PSG (Dollaruma thinking he is Mike Maignan with the ball to feet).

Don Carlo I salute you! Tactical mastermind! All hail Don Carlo


Ecstatic, elated, extremely satisfied to see Dollaruma fail.

P.S. now imagine Milan finish 1st in the league. OMG, Cala moved to the team that won the Scudetto last season.

Fingers crossed we win this thing!

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 10 2022, 11:28 AM

The pleasure and satisfaction from last night were immense. Not only because the most despicable club in the world got what they deserved, but especially for Dollarumma. Thank you, Carletto, cuore rossonero.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 10 2022, 04:03 PM

Switched the game off after the first half as PSG looked to be going through

Carlo is a CL mastermind

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 10 2022, 09:19 PM

In all honesty PSG were controlling the game comfortably until the 60th minute. Madrid looked helpless. But that Dollarumma error changed everything.

The backlash afterwards has been astounding. Rumors of a fight between him and Neymar in the locker room after the match, and the whole Al-Khelaifi charade as well...

Posted by: han2503 Mar 11 2022, 04:44 PM

A classless club. PSG and Donnarumma deserve each other

Posted by: han2503 Mar 16 2022, 10:49 PM

Lol, Juve finally getting punished for all the BS they've been pulling week in week out in the league

Winning games with 0 shots on goal. Now they get a taste of their own medicine. Hopefully this completely f@cks with their heads and they lose a couple in the league

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2022, 11:00 PM

I usually root for the Italian teams in Europe but watching the last few minutes felt really good.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 16 2022, 11:03 PM

Too true

It's a terrible advert for the league, how bad this Juve are, and the fact that there are no Italian teams in the QTs. But this Juve is just disgusting and don't deserve anything more. And they've been just as horrible in the league but have gotten away with it mostly due to luck. Lady luck finally spit in their face. Hopefully she keeps doing so.

My wish is that they drop out of the top 4. They really don't deserve to be there. And it would make it even more hilarious seeing the money they spent on Vlahovic when their midfield isn't even good enough to start for Sassuolo

Posted by: William405 May 8 2022, 08:59 PM

Leaoooooo