Rui!! Best Portuguese player I've ever watched play!! (probably a bit biased... but I don't care! )

Rui, a gentleman. Class.

Rui Costa .. Speechless

Absolute class act. Thankyou Rui!

Absolute class act. Thankyou Rui!

I had a dream last night that the result was 2-1 to milan with kaka' scoring the winner. The nightmare factor was that I missed the game.. thats almost like losing.

Getting real close to this game now.. thankfully swamped in assignments :S to eliminate the early nerves hitting.

WE WANT THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING AND WE WILL TAKE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS!

FORZA MILAN!

Inzaghi-Gila Thunderdome

Pippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino are duelling to start against Liverpool in Athens, but both hope to be decisive for a Milan triumph.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted in yesterday’s Press conference that he is still not sure which of the two strikers will be picked for the Champions League Final on May 23, supported by Kaka and Clarence Seedorf.

“It is true that I have played many European games without scoring as much as I would have liked,” Gilardino told UEFA.com.

So far the former Parma man has netted just twice in eight appearances this season and failed to score in the entirety of last year’s Champions League.

“However, I’ve played an important role in the side in other ways and believe I will be a decisive factor in the Final.”

With Ronaldo cup-tied and Ricardo Oliveira failing to settle, these two Italians have been the only options in attack and often traded places.

“If the Coach wants us to pass the baton, it’s not a problem. There is healthy competition between Pippo and myself.

“In a side like Milan there is always competition for every role, but we are all ready to give our contribution. That is one of our main strengths and I hope it will be again in Athens.”

The current favourite considering form, experience and his record in the competition is Inzaghi, who in his time has scored 36 goals in 65 Champions League appearances, without considering the preliminary rounds.

“Of course I’d like to play from the start because I feel in great shape,” said the veteran hitman.

“Ancelotti is the one who picks the team and the only thing that counts at the end of the day is that Milan lift the trophy, regardless of who plays upfront.”

Neither of them were on the field in Istanbul when Liverpool beat the Rossoneri on penalties in 2005, as Gilardino was still playing for Parma and Inzaghi was injured.

“I wasn’t well and had to watch that Final from the stands. It was a Cup we could already feel in our grasp and Liverpool snatched it away. It will not happen again.”

I don't like how everyone seems to hype up Milan. The team is strong, but I would rather everyone just shut the fu ck up !!

No one believed in Milan reaching the final, now they are making it seem like the always knew !

But of course Milan will win

Channel4 special webbie about the final: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ita...ens/athens.html

After Milan subs and primavera lost against Udinese in San Siro...

... THIS IS THE NEXT MATCH: LA GRAN FINALE.

ONE AIM:

The players had better not touch the trophy this time around, it's a well known curse.

DO NOT TOUCH IT UNTIL YOU WIN IT!

I wanna say... Rui Costa will never EVER be forgotten. I did not know he was this affectionate to us. He is pure class, on and off the pitch. His picture on my desk never looked better!

I knew it !!!

I knew it I knew it I knew it !!

U r one of those happy people !!

If having Rui's picture is Rossoneri colors on my desk means I'm gay, I'm fine with that!

Not the picture ... hehe



Nothing personal hehe

Pele puts his money on Milan

The countdown to the Champions League Final continues and legend Pele has tipped Milan to take the trophy in Athens thanks to Kaka and Clarence Seedorf.

“It is logical that they are the favourites, considering how they improved against Bayern Munich and Manchester United. This is the great opportunity to take revenge for Istanbul,” he told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport.’

Although Liverpool were also the underdogs in 2005, they came back from 3-0 down to win on penalties.

“This will be a very different game to the two legs against Manchester United. Liverpool do not play that kind of spectacular, open and attacking football. They are physically strong, clam up and go on the counter pushed by Steven Gerrard. A cool head will be essential.”

Pele believes the key to the encounter on May 23 will be in the middle of the park.

“I can imagine a great battle between Javier Mascherano and Gennaro Gattuso. Milan are technically superior and have two players who can make the difference – Kaka and Seedorf.

“The Dutchman gives a quiet balance, hides the ball from opponents and provides assists. Together those two equal a Champions League winning combination.”

Whatever the result, it looks as if Kaka will be crowned top scorer for this competition, having already netted 10 goals.

“He is the best player in the world along with Ronaldinho,” added the Brazilian. “I hope he can bring the Champions League to Milan. He above all reminds me of Johann Cruyff with that progression, pace, eye for goal and when he starts from midfield he’s unique.

“Kaka has improved so much – more than I thought possible – even if you could tell from a young age he would go far. When he is on form, Milan are devastating.”

The semi-final with Manchester United was painted by the media as a battle between Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or, won convincingly by the Serie A star.

“Ronaldo is on the road to being among the best, but there’s a long way to go yet. He reminds me of Julinho, who played for Palmeiras and Fiorentina. I put him in the second tier along with Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.”


Channel4

Hanna takes full credit for this article i'm just posting it cause she is lazy.

Thanks for that BlueSummers/Hanna.

You can tell our players are really up for this.

The Liverpool players don't seem to be focusing on it properly. All they're doing is taking jabs at our players and talking about Istanbul, whereas our guys talk about how focused, willing and determined they are to win it.

Berlusconi picks supersub Pippo

Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has suggested starting the Champions League Final with Alberto Gilardino, bringing on Pippo Inzaghi for the late push.

“By Wednesday we will all be in top form. We cannot let the trophy slip through our fingers again,” he told ‘Telelombardia.’

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he is yet to decide which of his two strikers will start in Athens, so Berlusconi made his suggestion.

“If it were up to me, I would start with Gilardino as centre-forward and then bring on Inzaghi when the Liverpool defence is a little more tired.”

It is practically certain that the rest of the formation is decided with Kaka and Clarence Seedorf supporting the forward.

The only other doubt is between Paolo Maldini and Kakha Kaladze at centre-back, which depends on the captain’s fitness levels.

Yesterday Milan’s reserves lost 3-2 to Udinese, but the day was above all a celebration for Alessandro ‘Billy’ Costacurta, who is retiring at the age of 41 to become Ancelotti’s assistant manager alongside Mauro Tassotti.

“The President’s role is to motivate the team and give the mission statement to the Coach and players,” said Berlusconi.

“I don’t think our results in my 21 years here have been all that bad… Ancelotti, Tassotti and Costacurta are great friends and this atmosphere will certainly help the work done at Milanello.”

If one old face is moving on, then another could return, as the patron and former Italian Prime Minister has again invited Andriy Shevchenko to end his Chelsea spell.

“The doors are not just open for Sheva, they are spread out wide for him. I would not change Milan with any other squad, especially after the arrival of Ronaldo and the focus on youngsters in the future to lower the average age of the team.”


Channel4

Berlusconi for coach

I'd do completely the opposite. Pippo to start, Gila to finish.

everyone in my school thinks Milan is going to win.... EVEN MY PRINCIPAL !!!! He thinks it's going to be a 2-1 for Milan.
Inshallah we win!!! and if we do.... it will be crazy.
I will finally make my scouser friend shut the **** up !!!

I don't like what Gattuso has said. That's not gonna help anyone. Only brings negative tension in the dressing room.

I have doubts that he has actually said that. I know he has great determination, but i highly doubt anyone would say that this late. I coach, and usually during important games the team usually find the love or begins falling apart. One of the two and i highly doubt were falling apart

I would start with SuperPippo in the final, our team this season is all about experienced and pippo has wayyyyyyy more experience then gila and it worked a treat vs. man united so i think we should do it again.

Only 2 more days, my heart is pounding i am so nervous/excited/pumped. But im sure we are gonna beat them this time.
My prediction is 2-1 with liverpool scoring first, but any result that sees us lift the trophy is good enough for me.

Okay its Monday right now in my time zone so I'm gonna pop the question we all hate to answer.

What do you think the result of this game will be and if you have stated tie, predict the shoot out aswell as the winner of the game. Step 2 state starting line up you think will begin the game aswell as the subs.


After played 40 PES games, milan vs liverpool actual match time, i have come to the conclusion where i got milan 4-2 liverpool in about 24 games. So my scoreline prediction will be 4-2.

prediction milan 4-2 Liverpool

Starting lineup:

Dida-oddo-nesta-maldini-janku-gattuso-pirlo-ambrosini-kaka-seedorf-inzaghi

subs i think that carlo will choose are: Gilardino for inzaghi, Cafu for oddo, Kaladze for Janku.

I don't think we'll score 4. If we DO win, it'll be something like 2-1.

Anyway, here's one from the "When Pigs Fly" department.

"Meanwhile, Zeljko Kalac will fill his usual role as reserve goalkeeper for Milan in the [Champions League final], and could be used if the match goes to penalties. Renowned as a spot kick stopper, Kalac has started in just three Italian Cup matches this year, with Brazilian Dida maintaining his vice-like grip on the number one jersey."

(sportal.com.au)

ROFL! If anyone is a penalty stopper in our squad, it's Dida himself...

i'm not feeling well. i don't know why but i feel we're going to lose again... somebody comfort me!

it's going to be 3-1 to liverpool

by the way our starting lineup is very predicable, while their's not. that's a huge advantage for them, believe me or not.

our starting lineups will be this: dida oddo nesta maldini (if he can make it, otherwise kala will replace him) janku gattuso ambro pirlo kaka seedorf inzaghi (maybe gilardino, but that doesn't make any difference neither for them nor or us because after all kaka or seedorf will score)

but liverpool's... anybody?

Herbert Fandel To Take Charge Of Athens Finale

The grand finale between AC Milan and Liverpool FC will be handled by 43-year-old German referee Herbert Fandel, a UEFA press release announced.

The UEFA Referees Committee today announced the referee for the final of the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League. The grand finale between AC Milan and Liverpool FC will be handled by 43-year-old German referee Herbert Fandel.

It will be the first time that he has handled a game in Athens, but he is no stranger to the two finalists. He has met AC Milan five times, dating back to a 2-0 home win in the UEFA Cup against Hapoel Tel Aviv on 21 March 2002.

He then handled three 1-0 UEFA Champions League victories – against Club Brugge KV in Belgium on 4 November 2003; against FC Shakhtar in Donetsk on 14 September 2004; and at home to Manchester United FC on 8 March 2005. This season, he was the referee of the 4-1 win against RSC Anderlecht at San Siro – which meant that he finally saw AC Milan concede a goal.

On the other hand, he has never seen Liverpool FC score a goal. He handled their 2-0 defeat in Valencia on 17 September 2002; the goalless draw away to Chelsea FC on 6 December 2005; and the 1-0 home defeat by FC Barcelona at Anfield in this season’s 1st Knock-Out Round on 6 March.

Herbert Fandel, born on 9 March 1964, started his refereeing career in 1979; made his Bundesliga debut in 1996; and became an international referee in 1998.

His debut was at the European Under-16 finals in Scotland that same year and, since then, he has been selected for the 1999 Meridian Cup in South Africa; the 2000 European Under-21 finals in Slovakia; the 2000 Olympic Games; and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2005. He was the referee of last season’s UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven, where Sevilla FC beat Middlesbrough FC 4-0.

Herbert Fandel’s curriculum vitae includes 17 UEFA Champions League games and on his 69-match international track record there’s an Under-21 game between Italy and England on 27 May 2000 when Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo (he scored the penalty that clinched a 2-0 win) were in action against Jamie Carragher.

His most recent UEFA Champions League match was also at an ‘Olympic Stadium’. He was at the Stadio Olimpico for the AS Roma v Manchester United FC fixture (2-1) in the first leg of the quarter-finals. His team on that night is the one he will lead out in Athens: Carsten Kadach, 43, and Volker Wezel, 41, are his Assistant Referees, while Florian Meyer will act as 4th Official. Carsten Kadach ran the line for Markus Merk in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat by Chelsea FC in the first leg of the semi-finals.

well LiverFool have never scored a goal under this referee, while Milan have always won under him.

Good statistics for the beginning.

^^^ I actually believe that a predictable lineup in some ways is advantageous. Playing the same set of players together on a regular basis allows for strong cohesion to develop. We've been able to develop some great cohesion between the defence and midfield in the latter stages of this season. I wouldn't be too concerned about the fact that our lineup is predictable.

With regard to Liverpool's lineup, I wouldn't be surprised if Benitez took a risk and started with something along the lines of:

-------------------Reina-------------------------
-------Finnan-----Agger------Carragher-------
Pennant-----Alonso-----Masch----------Kewell
-------------------Gerrard-----------------------
-------------Crouch-----Kuyt--------------------

The logic behind this would be to play both Pennant and Kewell to try to peg back our fullbacks (who are our major source of width in attack) and to play three in central midfield in order to reduce space in the middle of the pitch. The aim would be to force Kaka to go to wide areas to find the ball, thereby taking him away from where he is most dangerous. I'm not sure if this would work, but Benitez is an excellent tactician and I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this.

We should avoid penalties at all costs given Liverpool's record in shootouts, and especially Reina's record of 7 saves out of 9 for Villareal ) So I would really like to see us go out and really play to win...rather than play not to lose (like both teams did in the FA Cup final).

I don't particularly want revenge for Istanbul, but just want to win to bury the bad memories of 2005. Realistically, the only way we could ever do that is to beat Liverpool in another Champions League final. We have, possibly through fate or destiny, incredibly been given that opportunity. Surely we won't fail? Hopefully la forza della destina will be with us!

Our line-up was as predictable as it gets against United, wasn't it?

Please Pirlo, we need this more than anything!

Milan squad and staff will be in Athens in about 3 hours (IT: 5PM)!!

Lets win this for Sheva, Rui, Stam, Tomasson, Crespo, Abbiati, and to an extent Dhorasoo

Live forever Team of 2004- 2005

Damn this game is really getting close now. Keep seeing people with liverpool shirts while I'm wearing my pride and glory, and they keep giving me a wry smile. Usually I'm the one to fire shots but this time its different.

Firstly 2005 its dead and buried, even though its hard to do, it is. They got very lucky with very questionable refereeing, they won and there name is forever in the book.

For me its not about 2005, its about 2007 and it certainly is not about liverpool revenge its just simply about milan. The team was taunted and mocker most of the year. Now we have another chance to prove why we really are the best club in the world.

In saying all this I have no idea what the result will be, just typing away now makes me feel nervous. On the positive got my away shirt from milanstore today.

So where will everybody be watching the game (excluding dst, living in athens wtf is that about )..

NO! FFS no!

Everytime Pele bets in a team, it loses the trophy. Everyone says this in Brazil.

I can't see this. With them only having 3 'real' defenders out there when Oddo/Janku are moving forward Pennant and Kewell will be forced into full-back roles. Imagine them trying to defend with Kaka' running at them!?

I dont like that everyone is predicting a Milan victory :@

The chances are 50-50 everyone must know

LiverFool loves being the underdogs, and we can't allow that feeling to them.

This is the guy that said the he would eat the ref's card if he showed him the yellow in the World Cup semi because he would get suspended for the final.

This is the guy that said that he would tie himself to the team bus if Lippi didn't take him with him because of injury.

Rino is driven by imotion and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he actually said this.

No one probably wants this more then Rino.

Just 2 and a half days to go now before the moment of truth arrives.

I won't make any predictions, I'm just really nervous and it's already starting to get to me. I'm just hoping for the best and that the team play their haerts out when the moment comes

Seems like everyone is picking Milan, that's what scares me. I don't like being the favorites.

Anyways, this all doesn't really matter, the outcome will be decided on the pitch.

Our players should all understand that it's still 50-50. I want Kaka and Seedorf especially to giver their all just like they did against Man U.

Not necessarily. Having a "predictable" lineup doesn't automatically render opponents able to read us like a book. Don't forget, this same group of same-old-same-olds defeated Bayern on the road and took apart ManU at the San Siro, two results that took nearly everyone by surprise.

It's not the lineup that matters, it's what we do with it.

49 hours and 7 minutes.

^^BMWTaylor

Remember Bayern and MU didnt have the genius of Benitez as their coach...

dont worry we'll win ..... already getting ready for the after celebrations

Why does everybody keep calling Benitez a genius? It's kind of like calling Ancelotti a genius. They are both great coaches. Ancelotti somewhat better since he can also challange for the championship and has won it. But I don't know what enitez has done to make him a genius... If creating a compact squad with a lot of hard work done on the pitch by players means genius to you then you need a new dictionary.

Yeah cause every victory starts with that.