[han2503]

Friendly

Birkirkara - Milan

Tuesday 9th of January 2007

Time: 18:30 (UK Time) 19:30 (Italian/Maltese Time)

This is the big one guys (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) One of the best teams in the world against Milan (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Jack Sparrow]

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I know. I hear UEFA refused 2 let these guys play CL coz they were worried Barca would get their butts kicked.

[han2503]

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I know. I hear UEFA refused 2 let these guys play CL coz they were worried Barca would get their butts kicked.

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Yep.

Anyway my prediction for this one. If we play like we did against Juve then I am going to go for a 6-0 win.

And if I where you guys I would put money on this

[Portman]

No injuries I hope.

[han2503]

No injuries I hope.

Don't worry some of the players will be so star struck that they will just let them pass through without doing anything.

Don't be surprised if one of them takes out a pen and paper from his pocket and asks one of them for an autograph (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[dst]

No injuries I hope.

Yes. Han... Birkirkara... do they know football is about kicking the ball!? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[han2503]

Yes. Han... Birkirkara... do they know football is about kicking the ball!? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Well I'm not a regular viewer of Maltese football and I don't think I ever watched Birkirkara play, but I think they can kick the ball. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[dst]

Well I'm not a regular viewer of Maltese football and I don't think I ever watched Birkirkara play, but I think they can kick the ball.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)   (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

you think!? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

and "they can"?? I know they can, the thing is do they know they have to!!? Oh my Paolo... I hope we survive!!!!! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[han2503]

you think!? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)   (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

and "they can"?? I know they can, the thing is do they know they have to!!? Oh my Paolo... I hope we survive!!!!!  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Man you crack me up. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

But again, don't worry too much about possibilities of injuries. I'm sure they have already agreed on this, that the match will be played in a light fashion and since we will want to hopefully get Milan back next year (Carlo already said they where considering it) all the Birkirkara players will be careful. This has been very profitable for the Maltese FA and Birkirkara FC, even more then when Juve and Man U came, so they will do anything they can to please them.

[dst]

... so they will do anything they can to please them.

hmm... "anything"!!? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[han2503]

hmm... "anything"!!?  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

You have a filthy mind (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

but hmmm.....yes......

[arivanjj]

5 - 0 if our first team plays.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[han2503]

5 - 0 if our first team plays.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

I think playing Kaka and Kalac will be enough to get just that (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Il Capitano]

The official line up is already out.

Fiori; Cafu, Simic, Maldini, Grimi; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Di Gennaro; Ricardo Oliveira, Gilardino.

Finally Di Gennaro gets to play. Even if it's against Birkirkara I'm expecting great things from our youngster Di Gennaro. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

This post has been edited by Il Capitano: Jan 8 2007, 08:49 PM

[han2503]

Milan out to give fans a New Year treat
17,000 expected at Ta' Qali

The scene is set for an unforgettable evening at the National Stadium. A collection of world stars, some of Malta's finest players and a capacity crowd of around 17,000 people.

With the passion of the Milan fans on the Maltese islands making an indelible impression on the visiting Italian reporters as well as the players and coaches of the Serie A club, this evening's match (kick-off 7.30 p.m.) between Birkirkara, the local champions, and Milan is expected to unfold into a spectacle of football.

A New Year treat awaits the 17,000 fans who are expected to fill every nook and cranny of the National Stadium with Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, promising that his team's objective is to delight their admirers.

Ancelotti's desire is also shared by Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara mentor, who understandably craves a respectable result for his team, given their opponents' lofty pedigree.


"I'm also pleased that our fans in Malta will get the chance to watch their heroes play in our friendly match against Birkirkara. We will do our best to entertain the crowd."

Indeed, the pitch of the National Stadium will be awash with exceptional talents, the likes of Paolo Maldini, a legend in his own right, Alessandro Costacurta, Brazilian livewire Kakà, Cafu, winner of two World Cup titles with Brazil and Clarence Seedorf, the Dutch midfielder who has won the European Cup with three different clubs.

Fears that four Milan players who starred in Italy's amazing run to the World Cup title last year, were going to miss this evening's much-awaited friendly, have also ebbed away as the organisers and the administration of Milan confirmed that their legion of Italy internationals will be at Ancelotti's disposal.

Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino were given time off from Milan's training camp in Malta to link up with their fellow World Cup winners for a presentation ceremony in Rome yesterday.

The four World Cup stars were due to fly back to Malta last night.

In comments he made during Net TV's Replay programme on Sunday, Ancelotti also revealed that Leandro Grimi, the 21-year-old Argentine defender Milan signed from Racing a few days ago, will make his debut today.

Further confirmation, if any were needed, of Milan's intention to give a run-out to all their big guns this evening came with the news that Ricardo Oliveira, the Brazilian striker recruited by Ancelotti to fill the huge void left by Andriy Shevchenko last summer, joined his team-mates for the second part of their training camp here.

As the two coaches will not have a limit on the number of substitutions they can make today, the probability is that Milan will field two different teams in each half.

Meanwhile, at a news conference yesterday, Seedorf voiced his satisfaction at the smooth progress of Milan's winter training camp.

"The preparation here in Malta is very particular, a nice experience in many aspects," he said. "However, it is also stressful because we've been working hard and have little time left for ourselves. Nevertheless, I think that's only fair, given that there are so many Milan fans here."

Milan adhered to their usual schedule yesterday with two training sessions.

Away from the spotlight, Birkirkara yesterday put the finishing touches on their preparations for today's friendly.

For the first time this season, Birkirkara coach Azzopardi is not burdened by a hefty injury list with Argentine-born midfielder Dario Larrosa and long-term absentee Antoine Zahra the only players who will miss the match against Milan.

Roderick Briffa, who figured in two training sessions with Milan last week, and Adrian Ciantar have both recouped their fitness.

Although the result is not a top priority in today's friendly, Azzopardi is hopeful of a respectable outcome for his team.

Unique experience
"The result is important," Azzopardi remarked. "Needless to say that we don't have pretensions to beat a strong team like Milan but we don't want to be humiliated.

"I expect my team to give a good account of themselves and contribute to making this match a spectacle for the fans.

"It's not everyday that a Maltese team plays in a front of a full house at Ta' Qali. Since that title-deciding match between Birkirkara and Valletta in 1998, I doubt whether there have been other occasions when our National Stadium was full.

"It looks like this will be a unique experience for our players and I'm sure they will try hard to leave a positive impression."

Birkirkara are playing at home but the atmosphere is expected to resemble that during a home Milan match, what with thousands of Maltese tifosi set to throng the stands of the National Stadium.

"The football culture in Malta is such that local fans support foreign clubs more than Maltese teams," Azzopardi said. "Probably, there will be thousands of supporters cheering for Milan at the stadium but we respect their opinion. I hope that our fans will also make their presence felt."

The positive comments of Ancelotti and company about their training camp here have increased the exposure of this exercise, both locally and abroad. With the image of Birkirkara FC, the organisers, receiving a significant boost, Azzopardi is now hoping that the feelgood factor helps to turn his team's fortunes around in the Premier League.

"We have never lacked motivation but the injury problems we had took their toll on our performances," Azzopardi said. "The decision to bring in new foreigners did not reap the desired dividends but I'm now hoping that this landmark match against Milan is a new dawn for our team this season."