[Zed.D]

I predicted a 3-1 win for Barca and admittedly they were very close to getting that third goal. we can consider ourselves lucky to snatch a point. not because of the way we scored our goals, but because of the way the game was played overall. they weren't the invincible Barca of last season, but still created many chances and deserved to win. though, had we actually tried to attack more after we went up 1-0 we'd have gotten our second goal as well (and we nearly did). they are far from perfect in the back line. pity our midfield can only defend...

Overall great result for us. but I can't help but feel a bit ashamed. we're not "Inter 'Catenaccio' Milan"...

Btw, two minute 1 goals from Pato against Inter and Barca. isn't that great (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Abate slips and it's Messi being unbelievable (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

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

Ah come on man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) of course it was Abate's mistake (though he didn't slip!), but Messi's run through 4 of our players was sublime. I'm amazed you're so biased against him. did he have a great game last night? no. but as always he showed many glimpses of brilliance. like the assist, his FK hitting the bar, etc.

Oh and once again......remove "you know who" from the team and Milan goes to doing well on the big stage in the CL (IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/forums/style_images/bullet/folder_post_icons/icon8.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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

I wanted to tell you that's not the problem before the game and that a goal can come from anywhere, not necessarily through the midfield. both of our goals proved this.

The only player who can pull something out of nothing in this team is Ibra...

Yeah, right.

[d'Arc.LP]

Nesta was the AC Milan player completing the most passes v Barcelona, 28; only Valdés made fewer amongst the Blaugrana starters

[Fillipo Simone]

Overall great result for us. but I can't help but feel a bit ashamed. we're not "Inter 'Catenaccio' Milan"...

There's really no need to be ashamed of it. It has nothing to do with Inter; Milan have a rich tradition of good-old Italian defending of their own.

[han2503]

@ han, Aquilani also can make runs forward and then give his final pass. And already mentioned Boateng will track back. So there will be position swapping during the match itself. Maybe we're discussing something that doesn't really matter much. In the end the right tactics and players completing eachother matter more than how it looks on paper.

Agreed

Yes, Allegri deserves the credit. He wasn't perfect, but who really is?

But Milan had the chance to play better IMO; Barcelonas terrible defending should have give us more freedom - but our terrible midfield provided the counterbalance. Seedorf however did good. He's not speedy enough, that's sure, but at least he could hold the ball for a longer period and from time to time make a correct pass. Ambro was awful, as was the rest of our midfielder.

Yes han, Nesta gave them a lecture. Vidic my @ss (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Agreed. Seedorf's main problem was that he had no support or options to pass to when he had the ball, so he either punted it in the general direction of Cassano or Pato or lost it. The midfielders were too reluctant to step out of their shell afraid that they'd get caught out should they try to do that. It was the same thing with Cassano, he's the kind of player that needs support and thrives when the team is holding posession, everyone could see before the match was even played that he was not suited for this type of game. An extra mid would have actually helped and wouldn't have made us feel as if we were playing with 10 men, because with 2 strikers, that's what it seemed like.

I know it's not our tradition to play with one striker Galliani, but for this kind of match we needed a compact midfield. Especially when we lost someone like Ibra who could have held up the ball for Pato and Seedorf

[Jack Bauer]

Look at the highlights: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl2qsj_bar-2-2-mil_sport

Is it me or Busquets totally dived to get the second goal free kick?

[han2503]

Look at the highlights: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl2qsj_bar-2-2-mil_sport

Is it me or Busquets totally dived to get the second goal free kick?

Is that a shock to you? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

He definately went down easy, and I immediately thought that when the free-kick was given but didn't say anything at the time

[Jack Bauer]

Not surprising, of course, but it wasn't mentioned yesterday.

[Fillipo Simone]

Naturally. Didn't anyone notice before?

[Jack Bauer]

http://youtu.be/CWcKs76VZqM

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

[CrazyMilanFan]

Look at the highlights: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl2qsj_bar-2-2-mil_sport

Is it me or Busquets totally dived to get the second goal free kick?

when he will win a foul without diving then eveyone will notice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Zed.D]

There's really no need to be ashamed of it. It has nothing to do with Inter; Milan have a rich tradition of good-old Italian defending of their own.

And attacking football as well... the lack of which bothered me yesterday. there should be a balance between attacking and defending. I know it was Barca and all, but come on, we should be able to do more than 4 attacks all game long. even without some of our best players.

In the end, I think X-Off got it right, neither team took this very seriously. especially us.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Sep 14 2011, 11:08 AM

[han2503]

And attacking football as well... the lack of which bothered me yesterday. there should be a balance between attacking and defending. I know it was Barca and all, but come on, we should be able to do more than 4 attacks all game long. even without some of our best players.

In the end, I think X-Off got it right, neither team took this very seriously. especially us.

I don't believe that. The players showed a lot of commitment last night and worked their @sses of. Sayng they didn't take it seriously because Barca kept possesion for the entire game is a slap in the face.

Barca also wanted this, you could see that. They're champions and wanted to make a statement in their home ground. Also this is the first time since 97 that they didn't win their opening match of the CL.

Allegri had a gameplane, none of us liked it, least of all me. But the team stuck to it and they got a point off Barca at the Camp Nou, something we would have gladly taken yesterday before the match happened.

Also I'm pretty sure that we'll see the same mindset when we face them at the San Siro, don't forget a draw of 0-0 or 1-1 would give us the advantage over them should we be on the same amount of points

[Zed.D]

I said "very seriously". of course they took it seriously and professionally, but if it was a KO stage game, I think it'd be a little different.

[drucurl]

I don't believe that. The players showed a lot of commitment last night and worked their @sses of. Sayng they didn't take it seriously because Barca kept possesion for the entire game is a slap in the face.

Barca also wanted this, you could see that. They're champions and wanted to make a statement in their home ground. Also this is the first time since 97 that they didn't win their opening match of the CL.

Allegri had a gameplane, none of us liked it, least of all me. But the team stuck to it and they got a point off Barca at the Camp Nou, something we would have gladly taken yesterday before the match happened.

Also I'm pretty sure that we'll see the same mindset when we face them at the San Siro, don't forget a draw of 0-0 or 1-1 would give us the advantage over them should we be on the same amount of points

+1

I actually feel sorry for knocking him so much pre game. He is a good coach no doubt. I think our boys were a bit nervous too, which would translate into more losses of the ball. Seedorf in particular, though I thought was good needed a bit more of his usual composure. Had he thought things through on one of his attacks, he'd have slipped Pato a better ball at the top of the box and not gotten intercepted.

Of course it's easy for me to criticize from the comfort of my computer. One thing I'm very hopeful for though is the potential impact a fit and fast Robinho can make. Having an attacker who can keep up with Pato and pass well is going to be a joy.

Also If Taiwo can do a job comparable to Zambro's quieting of Alves (bar letting Perdo free) we can have a SUPER game....The first goal came with Alves assisting Messi, who dragged three (3) of our boys out left (IMG:style_emoticons/default/noobiesmiley.gif) Midget#3 (aka Pedro sneaks in and scores (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ) Seriously if the two guys following him just stayed with his run the third defender coud have picked up the ball no problem. Sadly he stuck out his feet, missed (went in half hearted I think scoring an OG was a concern) and the rest is history.

Iniesta might be the brain and Xavi might be the spine but the LEGS in attack (also in the league games) is definitely Alves. His runs form a significant % of Messi's overall brilliance.

[Fillipo Simone]

I said "very seriously". of course they took it seriously and professionally, but if it was a KO stage game, I think it'd be a little different.

I think it ridiculous to speak about the level of "seriousness" of the game yesterday. Milan had their minds on Barcelona when facing Lazio, just like Barcelona had theirs on us when they played Sociedad. But I should believe yesterdays match wasn't serious? Good god, I can't buy that even for a second. The moment we scored (30 seconds or so) Barcelona started pressuring, and not just because it's their habit, they wanted to show up, they simply did not want to loose a game at Camp Nou.

If it was a final it would also be different, and if it was the Cup winners Cup it would also be different. There's no point in comparing these "if's".

And attacking football as well... the lack of which bothered me yesterday. there should be a balance between attacking and defending. I know it was Barca and all, but come on, we should be able to do more than 4 attacks all game long. even without some of our best players.

Not so much as defensive football. Yes, everyone was bothered by that. We made 3 shots on goal! Italy in 80's made more attempts then us!! But that does not mean we should be ashamed of our Catenaccio system. It was the best possible option. With a different midfield we could have played a more compact game, but the players we currently have do not allow us drastically or radical change of plan against such strong opposition.