For the eagerly anticipated away leg, revenge will be sweet.. hopefully!

Anyway, do remember that as of writing this we still have a tough game away to Juve first!

Finally, a bit of an English touch to a match thread. You and Kurt rarely open them!

Anyway, I can safely say this is going to be the match of the season up till now as far as high-profile and knockout matches go. Half of that is because it is the second leg, half of it is because we seem to have made a mess out of the home leg by giving away the away goal. Whoever scores first will hold the key. Fingers crossed for a good 90 minutes, and 90 just. A two or three goal beating should put Spurs in their place. But for that to happen every player will need to give his 100%.

Match of the season? Hm, I don't think the club gives as much consideration to the CL as it gives to the Serie A. I'd say the match of the season will be the coming derby.

Thank god we have the Bari game in-between to catch our breath. Oh, and between Palermo and the derby I think there's a 2-week gap due to national teams.

Allegri will wipe out all the brownie points he earned from the Napoli match, if we get dumped out of the CL by Spurs. I kid you not.

True, but the club should not take the Bari match as a bit of a breather. Complacency at that stage (a draw or a loss) will wipe off all the good work if we do show up in the bigger matches. Oh, how I would have liked a 6-8 points cushion if not more, that was there at the start of the year.

Match of the season in terms of hype and glamor (due to it being a knockout CL clash). In terms of everything else nothing would top the the 6-pointer derby. Agreed. We have to win that one by any way possible (just like we did Napoli in), otherwise I sense we'll be seeing the title decided on the last match-day.


Same here. Though Nesta already feels like we are practically out of the Champions League. He was quoted in a news story where he said something like this team is built for the domestic league and next season, we may be able to mount a serious challenge to the CL. I agree with him.

If it were anything but Spurs, then it would have been easier to digest the loss (if it came to it). United, Arsenal, Barca, Bayern, heck even the French clubs. But to go out after a home defeat again to an EPL club, ranked 5th, practically new to top flight European football and one that kills both Milan clubs in its first season is a tad too much to swallow. I personally think we will win, but there is as much of a chance to go out. 50-50 thanks to Allegri and his quest for the home goal after the 80th minute.

You are at home, could not score for the bulk of the match, what good is a goal in the dying minute do that giving away a vital away (pun always intended) goal to a pacey EPL team is worth it.

So, when do we find out who we're playing in the QFs?

Provided we qualify, March 18. I kind of make it a point watching these draws live on TV, it's good fun!

If nothing bad happens during this week, we should take the field with the following formation:

Agreed, except for Urby at LB, who cannot even play in the CL btw he doesn't really give me any confidence at LB. Janku or Zambro (if fit) should ge the start

Boateng might be out for about 10 days, they said on Milan Channel. He left the stadium on crutches and his ankle is rather swollen. I'm guessing we'll be forced to play Thiago-Flamini-Seedorf-Robinho in midfield at this point. At any rate, I don't expect us to win. Too many injuries/absences.

****'in Melo!

Come on, it wasn't intentional. Melo himself was limping till the HT.

I'm surprised that Boateng returned to the game though. if he had requested for a sub right away, maybe his ankle would be in a better shape now.

It's yet uncertain whether he'll be in London or not. The fact he played the whole first half very intensively might suggest that Allegri subbed him only as a precaution. But like I said, we'll have to wait and see.

Is Zambro going to be back?

If that's the case then it should be, Flamini, Seedorf, Janku in midfield with Robinho in front of them.

Keep Thiago in the defense FFS. Learn from your mistakes Allegri!!

I worry with the players we have unavailable in midfield that Thiago will play there.

I have no news regarding Zambrotta, but Antonini is back, and it looks like Allegri will opt for Janku in midfield. Our line-up should thus be:



Defense and attack are alright, midfield is grotesque. I'd rather play Strasser and Flamini in front of the defense, in a 4-2-3-1 line-up:



Adapt Max, adapt!

^^^ Allegri gonna use the first line up.

I'm usually optimistic, but it's hard to see us winning there with that midfield.

X-Offender. You pick Antonini over Jankulovski? Really?? And urgh, Seedorf, only if Merkel can't play. Or what's even worse, you make a weird 4-2-3-1 with Pato as winger to accomadate a finished Seedorf, awful!

Pato, Ibrahimovic
Robinho
Flamini, Strasser, Merkel
Jankulovski, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Abate
Abbiati

Because Merkel is better than Seedorf, and Jankulovski is better than Antonini.

That midfield would get trashed by spurs, imagine Merkel against Modric or Lennon FFS!!!

Either Janku or Strasser should get the nod if Boateng is not ready. Seedorf will have to play, we're short on mids and playing Merkel is not even an option in Allegri's mind and shouldn't be in all honesty. And removing Thiago from defense is not worth it when you limit a player like him in a position that is not his own.

Eh, but we don't have really other midfielders left to choose from, han. Oh wait! We have Seedorf! Our worst player!

I think you're just coming down way too hard on Seedorf because it's either him or Merkel. And for me in this kind of fixture, Merkel shouldn't be anywhere near the starting 11. Seedorf hasn't been playing regularly like he was before the first leg so he won't be tired like he was before. He can handle it. Janku can play in midfield and will be more adapt to doubling up to help Antonini defend, so it's not as bad as you make it out to be so that Merkel and Strasser can start.

Imo they should be our last solution. Especially Merkel, Strasser I would trust more, but he hasn't played for a while, and this game wouldn't be the right time to start him not when he's been out for so long

Personally, I don't think Jankulovski is better than Antonini. They're more or less on the same level.

To play both Merkel and Strasser in such a game would be suicidal. Seedorf gives me much more confidence. Despite how crap he's become, you can always ask him for a wonder delivery when it comes to in-or-out games of this kind.

Weird 4-2-3-1? That's how we played under Leo, with Pato on the right. Nothing weird about it.

Han, what bothers me, is you keep saying Merkel should never play then/there before looking the situation we are in. You are zero procent open considering him. At least be open to consider someone, and then maybe make the decision not to pick one.

I know Jankulovski can play in midfield, but I want him as left-back if Antonini is the other choice, and we can play midfielders like Strasser, Merkel and Flamini.

Why should Merkel be the last solution? He plays better than Seedorf this season, and I mentioned more reasons before, but this being the main reason.



Jankulovski did better than Antonini in two games than Antonini in this whole season combined. Jankulovski showed to be not only the better attacker, but also a better defender than Antonini. I fully disagree they are on the same level. Jankulovski is a way better left-back than Antonini. Antonini has been playing bad this season, while Jankulovski played the last two games and did both times well, so it only makes sense to start him over Antonini.

Yeah, under Leonardo. Just like Huntelaar as RW was not weird? That formation was only there because of Ronaldinho. Pato is not a RW !!!!!!

Yeah, right. I was the first to say he was great against Napoli, but last night he had a decent performance, like the rest of the team. Nothing worth of mentioning, except one running that led to Cassano's opportunity, and one horrible mistake that could have cost us the game. In his prime, yes, he was by far better than Antonini. But right now, I don't see any substantial difference between the two.



I know Pato is not a RW, but unlike Huntelaar, he can play there no problem in emergency situations.

He can play there, but it's not making sense... it makes more sense to put Pato and Zlatan up front, Robinho behind them, and Seedorf at LCM or RCM..... Strasser is the best choice of the three as CDM, so Flamini as LCM or RCM...

Maybe nothing special Jankulovski did, but Antonini is most of the times horrible and a whole lot weaker than the rest of the team. I see some difference! Jankulovski adds so much more attacking and he is even a better defender than Antonini! At least from what I'm seeing this season's games.

Jankulovski is doing well, unlike Antonini did, so how in earth can you pick Antonini over Jankulovski?

I only said that Merkel shouldn't play in games like this, and I stand by that. He's not even remotely ready for it, and to push him out there in a midfield along with the even less experienced Strasser, who hasn't even played in over a months btw, is just out of the question and incredibly naive, something that Allegri would never do, he's prefer to play Thiago there over either of them and I say this with the utmost confidence and something I support him hole heartedly in.

I'm more then ok with Merkel getting his chance is Coppa games and against small sides at home, but anything else is risking it, and we've seen him stumble a lot when he's put under pressure.

Like x-off said, the difference between the 2 is marginal, I think Janku has better positional sense then Antonini, while Antonini pushed forward better ans is faster. that's why playing Janku at LM is our best option, he'll help Antonini even better then a DM would plus can push forward make overlapping runs as well.

Merkel has had less games then Seedorf and looing at all those performances I woul say that Seedorf had the better ones so far. Sure he's had some really horrible performances like in the 1st leg and against Udine, but all the rest were good or acceptable, while Merkel ranges from decent to hesitant. You're giving Merkel way too much credit when someone like Strasser imo has far outshone him in the little amount of playing time he's gotten due to injury.

Han, you assume Merkel is not ready for a game like this, that's a huge difference with him being ready or not. You can't know that. Actually, no one knows until given the chance. And I would give him the chance, if the other option is Seedorf. Our worst player in second half of this season. My eyes got hurt reading you saying Seedorf did better than Merkel for us. OMG, we will never agree.

I cant believe i am saying this, but i too would prefer Seedorf over Merkel. Merkel is better than Sedorf but he doesnt have the mental strength to play big matches like this. In the few matces i have seen merkel play, he had played well, but he seemed nervous sometimes and this game is not the place to build your confidence.

Looking at all the games each player played this season, then yes, Seedorf did better, providing some vital assists along the way, while Merkel had one really good game in the Coppa against Samp while all the others were pretty much meh, including one heart attack inducing showing against Catania.

I'm not assuming, I'm theorising based on what I saw from Merkel this season, and I'm sure that he's just not ready, or even good enough to play in a big CL game like this one, where it's either all or nothing

Experience in CL games really shouldn't be underestimated. Young players or players new to the CL are more likely to get caught up in the moment of playing such a huge game, they try too hard. Players like Seedorf with the 'been there, done it' attitude are not going to get caught up in it at all.

+1

It's obvious he isn't ready, it's a big match and he wouldn't stand a chance against the Spurs. A big nononono for me.

Latest reports from Controcampo say we'll play with Seedorf-Flamini-Merkel in midfield.

Seedorf should be strictly a last 20 minutes player, that is the only way we will get anything remotely good out of him before he hopefully retires at the end of this season.

My line-up would be :
-----------Abbiati--------------
Abate--Nesta--Silva--Antonini
--Strasser--Flamini--Janku--
----------Robinho-------------
-------Pato-------Ibra--------

Janku can attack and more importantly help Antonini in containing Lennon.
Flamini needs to show discipline in this game and only go forward when given a clear opportunity to and when he does go forward Strasser needs to tuck in and cover for him.
Seedorf can come on in the last 20 mins and hopefully have a positive impact in the result.
This line up can work if everyone is 100% focused on their job and put these pommy pr!cks to bed.

^ I'd put Flamini on the right and Strasser in front of the defense.

ordinarily i would agree, but with all the attention Flamini got on the Corluka tackle, i would not place him near people that can expose his aggression in VdV and Modric. I couldn't care less about the CL anyways, so why not place strasser in the middle. It could be worse, we could've been stuck with Seedorf, Ambro and Rino on the field...

Right now, everyone says they don't care about CL. Well getting dumped out by Tottenham f@ckin hurts!!!

Not going out to some newbie team without any CL heritage. NOT DOING THAT!! If we get Chelsea or United or Barca...in the next round, by all means play the primavera and get thrashed, I couldn't care less.

Yup. That's pretty obvious for the ones knowing the players and the formation. Antonini is left-back worries me.

If Strasser can out in a disciplined performance then he would be good in the central midfield role and I think he may do a better job there than Flamini would.. he may give too many fouls away around the edge of the area... so yeh I will change my line up to switch those two over.

I dont think we are out of this by any means and the champions league is my favourite competition so i want to go as far as we can, we should be trying our best in every game we play... After all that is what the players get their massive salaries for.

"I would put Flamini, Seedorf and Merkel." This is what gallaini said ( read on milannews) he even said that silva should not be considered for Midfield and start at CB

Sack Allegri, sign Galliani. /porty

Way too attacking. We'd seriously get caught out with that. Flamini is not a holding midfielder, he pushes up way too much to be our only defensive presence there. Merkel would get eaten alive, aspecially without any real protection from a DM

Our midfield should be Flamini and 2 from Seedorf/Strasser/Janku

No Merkel!!!!

Oh and now I hear that Bale is fit, imagine Merkel up against him...

I agreed with the bolded part. But then what you said about Merkel, applies also for Seedorf. I don't get why you are not worried about Seedorf.

IMO it should be 1 of Seedorf and Merkel, and 2 more defensive minded players like Flamini and Strasser.

Seedorf is a very intelligent player and he knows how to handle himself, giving Merkel a role were he's not familiar and also has to cover defensively is a big no no. I would be more worried about players like Zlatan, Flamini and Robinho in a game like this then I would be about Seedorf.

Flamini is an obvious choice. And imo we need a creative edge in there, to me that is Seedorf, Merkel is out of the question for me. Then it's Janku or Strasser, both would offer very different things, depends on how Allegri wants us to come out, whether he wants us to push forward or try and frustrate them a bit then hit them on counters with Pato and Robinho's speed. If it's the former then Janku would get it, if it's the latter then Strasser would do a better job.

It all depends. Personally I'm expecing the usual out of Allegri, some dumb @ss move in tactics or selection that will cost us.

WOW! You still believe Seedorf is a good player. That's amazing.

Merkel is familiar with playing such position. You really think Seedorf isn't a worry about covering defensively? He has been sucking as much as possible when it comes to that the last few months EVERY game he has played. Of course, Merkel is also a question mark to defensive cover, that's why only one of them should play in midfield. Since Seedorf has been that awful, I would go for Merkel.

You give Merkel WAAAAAAAAYYYYY too much credit over absolutely nothing! While I've seen Seedorf in this type of game over many years now at Milan. Seedorf made a career out of playing in the midfield, pushing forward and helping out when needed, compare that to Merkel who has never really had a good game there, his best appearances were when playing in the AM position where he had no defensive responsability.

Seedorf is not a player who will get pushed around like Merkel would. I've sen Merkel commit horrible mistakes when pressured, while Seedorf always has a cool head, imo that counts for a whole lot in a CL match. Seedorf had 2 really terrible performances this season, no one is saying otherwise, but other then that he's been good. You're making it out as somehing it's not to have an excuse for advertising Merkel for some reason which I am not aware of.

AHA! I knew you were living in the past! I FULLY AGREE with Seedorf making career in midfield in CL, and so, and he has been awesome many years. But now it are different times! He is older, and WORSE!!!!!

Where do I give Merkel so much credit? I also questioned him in my last comment! I just think Seedorf is finished, so different from the awesome Seedorf in the past. So I choose Merkel. Make room for a prospect, when the old one can't do it anymore.

Merkel never had a good game??? WUT?!?!?! He has had better games than Seedorf, man, Seedorf has been bad OVER AND OVER again these months, especially in the 3 man midfield Seedorf was ALWAYS awful this season, Merkel done there so much better. Merkel pwns him!

I just don't get that last part. Which better games?? Bar the Sampdoria cup match...I'd actually say Strasser has been 3 times the performer that Merkel has been if you look at discharge of their respective playing duties as the criteria.