It will be a high scoring game. I am hopeful of us winning, considering Allegri has played Mourinho several times and is further aware of the later's tactical prowess.

However, I do not see why Mourinho is being praised so much. Sure he has succeeded with well equiped teams; Porto was a very well equiped team with most of its starting XI making it to the creme de la creme of world football.
Mourinho, always had a team of superior ability.

While Allegri, although unproven with a top team and squad, and although he lacks top tier silverware. He still has proved his credentials with Cagliari, where he was named coach of the season.

Now they face-off, and many predict a Madrid win, which is rather likely for the following:

1- Mourinho excells with a squad of world class players.
2- Madrid are playing at home.
3- Tactical awarness of Mourinho.
4- Cristiano Ronaldo.

Except, we can match all of that blow for blow, this time around Mourinho is facing a Milan side with 10x more firepower, a very organized team of 11 players with a very high work rate in midfield. Furthermore, we have experience in abundance, as opposed to Mourinho's team. And we have one Andrea Pirlo who can open up defenses no matter where he is on the pitch.


I see this as a very evenly matched contest, and I hold firm that I am hopeful for a Milan win.

I am not so sure why everyone here is so fearful of Ronaldo. Look at how easily you contained him back in 2007, and how Lyon shut him away last season. Or how utterly inept he proved to be during the World Cup.
It's not a question of players, it's a question of what measures the manager takes to handle him, and if the right ones are taken he will cause minimum trouble.

Really? That's the two areas where I think we're weak actually.

HAHAH, it was kinda wierd to write that but it's true

Oddo was always an everage player at best Jack. And I wasn't really talking about the Man U matches only, but also that friendly Italy played against Portugal that year, where Oddo marked him out as well.

Like locke said, if you take the appropriate measures Cristiano can be easily taken out of the game. That's why the FB on him needs to stick to him like glue

I think the best way to handle him would be to restrict his space on the wing and try goading him into midfield, where there's more players ready to take him on. If I remember correctly, that's what you did in 07, Jankulovski pressing him into the center where Gattuso and Ambrosini were waiting... a bit of a shame we don't have a 2007 Gattuso though.

It was Gattuso and Oddo double teaming him everytime he touched the ball, it was mostly Rino who got in his face, and was very physical with him, constantly winning the ball off him and throwing him on his @ss. C.R got frustrated easily and starting acting like a brat with the whining, backheel flicks and trying to do everything on his own

Mediaset's starting line-up.



Thiago seems like he can make it, but don't be surprised if Bonera plays instead. Also, Allegri has the doubt of Seedorf/Boateng. At least he has the doubt.

Skipping class for this game. Very ready for it!

Boateng has to start for Seedorf. HAS to. Seedorf on in the 60' to 70' if we need a goal.



A draw is like a win in this game. Isn't Madrid having injury woes? Whose out tomorrow?

We also can't forget that we have a highly motivated Ronaldinho playing for us tomorrow, who has quite the reputation against Real Madrid.

Is that smiley supposed to suggest that it's not a good thing? I hope he does have the doubt over this cause I can't help but think it'll be the same midfield we saw against Chievo.

What is this, the Moanin' Ho suckup thread?

No one, although Sergio Ramos isn't in top form.



Haven't you read my previous posts? Of course I want Boateng to start over Seedorf!

Alright, Sergio Ramos wasn't called up for tomorrow's game. Their defense should be Arbeloa, Carvalho, Pepe and Marcelo.

Galliani said he's pessimistic about Thiago's recovery, but Allegri will decide only tomorrow whether to utilize him or not.

Link

I am crossing my fingers for both doubt situations. Please Thiago and Prince, please please plsease plsease.

Arbeloa!! I became a lot more optimistic all of a sudden. I love how average he is. I can't wait for a situation where Pato gets isolated against Marcelo or Arbeloa...

@ Dracoris: I'm skipping class for this too, the class before a midterm no less! such is my love for Milan.

I had class too but you guys are convincing me to miss it.

Do it! Classes ain't got sh!t on Milan.

There's four students in the class, and two of them don't show up most of the time... if I miss it, half the students are gone!

I hope it'll be worth it!

I can't wait...

We lose 2-0 .

You don't even think we're gonna score?!

Nyope! They'll shut down Pirlo...and that's that.

I see...

So more for optimism

That's goal.com's prediction!



LOL at the underlined part. I'm not saying we will win, but it's not out of question either.

About 90% of me says you're absolutely correct. That is because i am 90% sure that Seedorf will start, Di Maria-Ronaldo-Ozil will be too much for Rino-Zambro-Antonini. At some point, one of them will wriggle free, and either set up Higuain, or take their chance.

The impetus is on Madrid to win. They are at home. They will look to land a sucker punch early.

However, on the 10% chance that Boateng starts, I could see us being more difficult to break down with Rino and Boa's unrelenting desire to win challenges, we make the game ugly for a while, frustrate C-Ron, and eventually our work rate would eventually pay off in the form of a swift counter. In this case, a draw or possibly a stunning win is possible.

We so desperately need our midfield to track back in this match. Say what you will, but if it takes a drubbing to make Allegri realize that a Seedorf, Pirlo, Rino midfield is not what it was 5 years ago, then a drubbing I will welcome. WE NEED BOATENG IN OUR FIRST ELEVEN

I can't express how deep my desire is to see our 3 Brazilian forwards score - all for different reasons. Pato to continue his rampant form and sock it to the Bernabeu, Dinho so he can haunt them like the ghost of Bernabeu past, and Robinho just so he can laugh in Madrid's face, and we can do so with him.

Imagine, C-Ron on the ground crying. Meanwhile, Robinho trotting to the corner flag sucking his thumb. I would say that such a site would be soul sucking for Madrid, but let's be real, Madrid have no soul. FORZA AC MILAN.

I just cant belive how a coach who has in his team flamini and gatuso and chooses gatuso its non sens plus boateng who has been man of the match almost every game that he played is still a sub

Boateng against C-Ron? I'd sell Kaladze's left testicle to have Ambro back and on form for this match. If that man was in there I might be a little more optimistic.

This match is not going to be decided on formation or even line-ups. It's in how unpredictable we can be (something Allegri already said in his press conference, so it gives me a little hope...).

Dont' hit on Zee too much. If I absolutely had to win a CL match, the first names I think of are Pippo and Zee (since Zizou and Paolo are retired). We won the last match in Bernabeu principally because of Zee's cross field passes through to Pato...and we all know he has a seperate fuel tank he keeps locked up for 'special' CL nights.

I'd play a 4-3-2-1 with Pato and R80 alongside each other, dropping deep and bisecting the Spanish lines.

Madrid's gameplan?

Mourinho will probably plan on Di Maria holding back to do a double team along with Khedira on R80 (since he thinks R80 to be on the left) high on our side of the field. Khedira will also try and do a number on Pirlo. C-Ron will look to attack Luca Antonini whose positioning is not the best...and therefore will give CR the space to cut inside to the midfield. Since Ramos will obviously make runs. This will force Rino onto defensive duty.

With Pirlo shackled by Khedira and Alonso, that leaves us shortchanged in mid-field. Hence why I'd prefer to have Zee in there rather than KPB, since we're almost certain to be suffocated creatively. If we need someone to do something with the ball, I'd rather it be Seedorf than KPB. He can find those balls through to Pato and Zlatan if no one else can..and Madrid are left short of defensive options.

So yes, my lineup would be the same as against Chievo. But we'd play differently. R80 would be a little more withdrawn and on the leftish centre to attack Marcelo's space and keep Di Maria cautious. Pirlo would be a little more advanced and on the right to push Xabi back. Zee would be in and around the centre circle going mano-a-mano against Khedira. Rino to do a Mad Dog for 45 minutes and then you bring in Flamini to do the same. Simple directive to both those two for Madrid: THEY SHALL NOT PASS!


Zambrotta---Nesta---Bonera----Luca
--------------Rino--------------------
--------------------Seedorf------------
-----Pirlo------------------R80----------
-----------------------------Pato---------
----------------Zlatan-----------------------

Yes, Blue's gonna come in and rip me a new one about the amount of space available between our lines and how Mourinho's already jacking off looking at my lineup. But obviously when we are defending we're gonna be a much more compact, tight 4-5-1.

Do I think we'll play this?? Hell no! We'll play our 4-3-3 and get prison-r@ped. Like I feckin care. It's a group stage match. The last time Madrid beat us at the Bernabeu in the group stage, we ended up winning the CL final. Which just so happened to be in England. I'll take a 2 goal defeat, thank you very much!

Listen... it's VERY SIMPLE...... Allegri better is going to start:

PATO, ZLATAN
Ronaldinho
Gattuso, Pirlo, Boateng
Antonini, ?????, Nesta, Zambrotta
Abbiati

Or I will be PISSED at him if I see Seedorf over Boateng !!!!!

No no. Rino on Antonini's side to help him with C-Ron, allowing him to possibly push forward sometimes (which we'll need). Boateng on Zambro's side, where Zambro is more steady defensively, so Boa can be slightly more of a box to box.

Btw, selling Kaladze's left testicle isn't worth shiet. You must really not care about getting Ambro back.



I agree he's got that special ingredient. But not for 90 mins he doesn't! Im not being harsh on Seedorf, in fact as stated in a previous post, I suggest, in fact want that he comes on later. Boateng IS capable of a cross field pass, and he can actually run! He won't be able to prove he's 'special' unless he actually plays in a 'special' game and proves he's worthy of the occasion!



Di Maria is not a player who holds back and helps defensively. He's an all out winger, and he won't be hanging around Khedira's holding midfield area much. He will be told to attack Zambro. At times, he will cut inside, and when he does Seedorf will not have the defensive positioning or legs to put him off. Boateng will. And I sense you don't rate Boateng's ability to maintain possession, but I'd charge that Boa has been as responsible with the ball when he's had it as anyone on our team this season. I know And I agree that CR will attack Antonini, which is why Rino should be on his side. Ramos won't be playing, which is all the more reason to let Rino handle defending, while letting Luca go forward when possible.



HAHA, wow to the first sentence. But speaking to the second sentence, Clarence and Pirlo won't be doing much (useful) defending, and we're not Barca. We can't keep the ball the entire match. We'll need players with legs! Don't you realize how much faster Ozil, Di Maria, Ronaldo, and Higuain are than Seedorf and Pirlo? If all of them raced, Seedorf and Pirlo would finish last every time.



I think we'll play the 4-3-1-2, no?

Ok. Yup. That sounds like an excellent reason to start Boateng.

typical.

- Kaladze's left testicle was once kicked by Maldini's left boot during training. It would easily fetch a million on e-bay, if Britney's chewing gum is worth 100,000 USD.

- I don't want Rino to be forced onto one side. I wanted him centred to provide the safe pass outlet to the 2 mids.

- KPB can keep possession and can run. I argue that Zee's vision and passing, means he doesn't need to run much. I also feel that the way Madrid will shape up, we'll end up really missing Zee's creativity..and to keep him as a late sub, might be exactly that - LATE. Madrid will be 2 up by the 60th. I also think Prince's positioning is pretty bad. Hence why we see him running so much, coz he was in the wrong place to start off with. As a player he is very good. If he had the tactical nous to go along with it, he'd be a sure starter. But as of now, he isn't.

- If Mou could make Robben cover back at Chelsea, Di Maria is a piece of cake. That lad will not be tackling. He will be hustling to cut channels for R80.

- Missed the part of Ramos being out. THat's a blessed relief I suppose. Esp. since Antonini had a rather bad night against Chievo.

- If we're going to try and outrun Madrid, we should stop right now, coz we've lost. It's going to be stupid to try and play to their strengths. Ozil is (as in goal.com's 10 things funny post) dead by the 70th. Instead we should do to Madrid what Inter did to Barca. Let them run...but let them run where they can't cause any damage.



Well....I didn't mean to be a jerk. Lol. It's just that Chu-Lip usually posts far more clear posts explaining his reasons. This one was unlike him..and I couldn't keep my sarcasm lid shut.

I understand why you might feel that way, considering how much we changed shape in midfield via tactics since the start of the season.

Yet, let us take the Chievo game as a solid referance point; whereby Pirlo stated on acmilan.com on 17-OCT, and I quote:

Q) Which team does this Milan side remind you of?
A) "This team reminds me of Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan. Under him we played with an offensive midfielder just behind the strikers, it used to be Kakà or Rui Costa. Recently we have started to use this system again, like we did for years with great success. Hopefully, it will be a good omen.”

That said, during the first half against Chievo we played very narrowly down the pitch, and enforced a diamond midfield at the center; hence the Gattuso-Pirlo-Seedorf combination. This combination is very familiar with each other and have produced very good work rate when deployed together.


Why replace Seedorf with Prince? We don't need speed in the middle of the park, we need as much quality as we can get from that area of the pitch. Hence, I'd rather replace gattuso with Prince.

F*CK YOU MADRID AND F*CK YOU MOURINHO!!!! YOUR ALL GOING DOWN B*TCHES!!!!!! FORZA MILAN AND F*CK YOU CRISTIANO YOU PIECE OF SIMIULATING TRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WERE GONNA WIN 9-0!!! F*CK YEAH B*TCHES!!!!!!!!!!

FORZA MILAN AND FORZA REGAZZI! ROSSONERI SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!!! FTW

Ok. He's on Speed again. Cower down and hide people.

Why do people insist on the Ronaldo-Antonini confrontation? Ronaldo plays on the left, so he'll be facing Zambrotta, not Luca.

Anyway, it looks like Abbiati won't be able to make it and thus Amelia will make his debut with our shirt. Same about Thiago, Bonera will play. Finally, don't keep your hopes up on Boateng, Seedorf will start, as usual.

Down boy!!

This one has a 4-0 beating written all over it

You used to be more optimistic back then, R7...

I have explained it somewhere else though, but I thought since we ALL agree on this and we ALL know WHY.. but okay, here it goes: if Allegri REALLY is going to start Seedorf over Boateng, it will mean that Gattuso AS ONLY guy who can PROPERLY defend have to cover for Pirlo, Seedorf, Ronaldinho and our two forwards against Mourinho's Real Madrid!!!!!! Whut???? I mean: it's up to Allegri to prove he knows what being tactical means!!!!

Feeling the emotion? Feeling the temper? (Well, because..) It's Tuesday 19/10/10: match day of Real Madrid - AC Milan in UEFA Champions League.. game is (soon to be) on! And I want Milan to pwn Real and NOT vice versa.

abbaiti failed fitness test so ameila to start dont know if this is good or bad while the worse news is that silva will not make it
abbaiti confirmed via gazzeta and mediaset where as on silva mediaset are sure it will be bonera couldnt find anything on gazzeta
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=ht...l=&ie=UTF-8

You bet! I get f@cking mental for these kind of games.

Jesus, poor Amelia. I can't imagine any harder way of making his Milan debut.

I don't understand Seedorf instead of Boateng.Every time he's on the pitch,he's been really good and rarely did mistakes.But why use a player we desperately need,his characteristics are desperately needed in a static team like Milan.

According to this (La Gazzetta dello Sport) Crissy plays on the left:

BUT that doesn't it will happen! I myself don't know! What I DO know is that I am WORRIED A LOT seeing Seedorf, Bonera and Antonini ALL THREE on OUR LEFT!!!! We will get pwned there.

Well, let's give Seedorf a shot. It's his ex-team and stadium, plus Clarence always surprises with a good display against hard opposition.

I know our line-up is slow and inferior to Real's midfield, but I just try to find something positive in the selection. We can bring Allegri dow right after we loose, if that happens.

Well, if there's a Milan player I trust for these kind of games, that's Seedorf. Problem is, we can't face Real with only one DM, so it's either bench Dinho and play Seedorf as AM or bench the Dutchman and play Prince instead. Playing Dinho and Zee together is very risky.

+1 to reply above me (X-Offender)


His first match, so no time getting routine.. I believe he can do a very good job against Real, but indeed, since it is his first match it won't be easy.

Ah, the good old days. The all-or-nothing days! I just don't feel the same intensity for today's match.

im worried too. ur graphic really made it hit home.