[Danny]

On one hand it was sad seeing the mighty Milan reduced to a diddy team defending for its life, but in saying that if you try to play Barca at their own game you'll be r@ped ala Arsenal.

We went out with a gameplan, and frankly it worked - pure defence, occasional counter attack, and Nesta having one of the finest games I've seen him play in years. He was a titan.

We offered little in attack, as would be expected with this system, but even basic passes from midfield rarely reached their man up front.

Still, I said before this match I'd be stunned if we managed a draw. And stunned I was - a goal inside 24 seconds and one in the dying seconds - we nicked a valuable point and based on our overall successful gameplan, it was one we deserved.

This post has been edited by Danny: Sep 14 2011, 01:21 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

One thing Allegri has to be praised for is that he build a new mentality into his Milan-system when it comes to motivation and trying. We came back against Lazio with determination after a 0-2 down, we tied in the dying seconds against Barcelona. It sure didn't look that way with Leonardo or Carletto in his last period.

[Fishdoll]

+1000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Nesta. Magnificent performance.

(Fins up and hi to everyone. Just passing through....)

[Danny]

One thing Allegri has to be praised for is that he build a new mentality into his Milan-system when it comes to motivation and trying. We came back against Lazio with determination after a 0-2 down, we tied in the dying seconds against Barcelona. It sure didn't look that way with Leonardo or Carletto in his last period.

It's called being champions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

We have a champion mentality that we don't take sh!t anymore, and that's built a steely ability to grind out results.

The whole team is to be praised for this - Allegri for building this side up, and the side for harmonising well with his instructions.

It's a shame that we didn't really enhance the team much in the summer, in fact it was a bloody disappointment, and time could tell whether this relatively same squad can still win the league. But yesterday was a good testament to what happens when a plan is well constructed, and accurately executed.

[X-Offender]

It's a shame that we didn't really enhance the team much in the summer, in fact it was a bloody disappointment, and time could tell whether this relatively same squad can still win the league. But yesterday was a good testament to what happens when a plan is well constructed, and accurately executed.

I think Nocerino and Aquilani will be a nice surprise to all of us. From what I've seen of them in just two games, I'm very hopeful.

[Zed.D]

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".

But I didn't say it wasn't serious!!

It was the first game of the group stages. there wasn't any real pressure on either team to gave their 100%.

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.

A "bit" ashamed, and mostly because we ended up with a point.

I do want to think it was the best possible option, but a part of me thinks we could've done more to share more possession, shots on goal, corners, etc with Barca.

+1000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Nesta. Magnificent performance.

(Fins up and hi to everyone. Just passing through....)

Hi!
How about making that +999 (IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Nesta and +1 (IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Pato for a nice, quick goal? be generous! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Sep 14 2011, 04:09 PM

[I_Rossoneri]

I'm sorry but I really can't believe what's been written here! Last night we were total underdogs with the vast majority writing us off even before we took to the pitch! We stepped on to the field and scored the fifth quickest goal in CL history and rocked arguably the greatest club side in the world and probably should have been 2-0 up after 17 minutes. We defended stoutly and fairly, which is something not many teams are capable of, and we left there with a very valuable point and two goals scored at Camp Nou - how many teams have done that in recent times?

As for being negative, well when you face a team as technically brilliant as Barca you have to play to your strengths. There was no way we could go toe to toe with our side as we're not set up to play that way, but we had a game plan, stuck to it and it worked - Barca's goals were through a mistake and from a dubious freekick while our fiirst ripped them apart and our second was something we had practiced. Yes Barca had loads more possession, but they do against every team, especially at Camp Nou. If that's negative then I'd love to see a positive!

[Fillipo Simone]

But I didn't say it wasn't serious!!

It was the first game of the group stages. there wasn't any real pressure on either team to gave their 100%.

Even more; but in the end, both gave 100%. Or you wanna say Milan or Barcelona played with half of their strength?

[Rossoneri7]

Co-workers were talking about the game today ... They all seemed ecstatic that Milan stopped Barca at home. The Barca fanatics of them stress on Barca playing the best football and dominating that game ...

I just sit there and reminisce on these magical Champions League nights ... A dream really when you hear ManU and RM 'fans' claiming Milan has Champions League pedigree. Well duh, where do you think this #7 that we carry on our shirts represent (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

It even made me think ... If this Milan, aging in its anchors and with just 1 official match under its belt could tame a dream team Barcelona like that (I stress strongly on dream team (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ) ... We were the only team that was yet to face this Barcelona, this was our chance to shine ... We didn't shine, but we showed the world that we can sustain the pressure of the worlds best.

That said, I am sure Barcelona are much stronger than this ... They had defensive problems from the start and were just in 5 official games under their belts so they weren't exactly synced ... However, my Milan still has weapons in its arsenal that did not make a showing yesterday; If Barca fans thought Pato and TS is all Milan could deliver, then those fans should really start thinking about namely Robinho and Taiwo ... I believe come November, Taiwo would have settled well, to deploy against Barca's right wing. That is one of their best attacking posts, but their weakest defensive cover. Barca defend as a team, even their attackers ... That's why this flaw doesn't come out a lot.

Ofcourse .. We have to be with a healthy Nesta & TS, or else (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

[TriniKing_CE]

Full Match Highlights (HD):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncWY_7FEanU&hd=1

[Fishdoll]

Hi!
How about making that +999 (IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Nesta and +1 (IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Pato for a nice, quick goal? be generous! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

Oh, all right. Since you asked nicely. +999 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cookie.gif) to Nesta and +1 cookie to (IMG:http://i39.tinypic.com/28r07sk.gif)

And (IMG:http://www.pic4ever.com/images/shrk.gif) to R7 on general principle.

[TriniKing_CE]

(IMG:http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll59ehGgOh1qbmwnl.gif)

GOOAAAAAAAAAL

This post has been edited by TriniKing_CE: Sep 15 2011, 03:06 AM

[rip]

I just dont get it. When Italian teams play defensively its negative football or anti-football. And when any other team plays like that they are praised for their defensive abilities. Last season when we played against Tottenhum at their home. The only they did was defend the WHOLE game, and yet nobody said 'anti-football'. I remember the game in nou camp where sheva scored a goal but was disallowed cos puyol went down like a sack of potatoes at the slightest of touch by sheva. That whole game Eto'o was chasing cafu down the flanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

IMO, our team was solid except the few mistakes. And I'm proud of them. Forza Nesta (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif) Forza Milan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

[Bluesummers]

The tactics were phenomenal. I give allegri alot of credit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The CSA (canadian soccer association) is going to be breaking down this game in terms of tactics (first milan game (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) !! No more EPL Sh*t !! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) at our meeting next week (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)



PS: Oh and I hope you guys don't mind, but I'm stealing some of your analysis points (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Especially you Han (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)



@Fillipo: I fully agree with you, its nice to see our squad really fight to the end instead of just giving up when we go down a goal.

[Jack Sparrow]

We did not play negative or anti-football. We played a defensive setup when we did not have the ball! WTF??!!! What're you supposed to do against Barca when you don't have the ball....go and attack Messi so that if he beats on you one-on-one?

God...I'm fed up of the disrespect shown to what was a superlative European performance. Allegri was brilliant...our team also played well.

We made the 'pundits' eat their words...

BEFORE MATCH:
"Look at that Milan....they can speak about past pedigree...but they're a team full of has-been players past their prime and they're going to suffer against the pace of this unbeatable Barcelona outfit who will be eager to take revenge over their Sociedad match!!"

DURING/AFTER MATCH:
"There is no substitute for experience. The Milan veterans handed out a masterclass of defending and stuck to their gameplan and did not allow Barca any leeway. Barca had all the possession but were just moving the ball sideways etc etc. Nesta is the best centreback etc etc. Seedorf was just brilliant etc etc..."


Full credit to the Ragazzi...AND the old guard. We took their strengths and negated it. We took their weaknesses and exploited it. WELL DONE BOYS!!