CL Group D Thread - AC Milan - Benfica - Celtic - Shakhtar

UEFA Champions League Group D

AC Milan . . . Benfica . . . Celtic . . . Shakhtar

Matchday 1
AC Milan vs. Benfica - 18/09
Shakhtar vs. Celtic - 18/09

Matchday 2
Celtic vs. AC Milan - 03/10
Benfica vs. Shakhtar - 03/10

Matchday 3
Benfica vs. Celtic - 24/10
AC Milan vs. Shakhtar - 24/10

Matchday 4
Celtic vs. Benfica - 06/11
Shakhtar vs. AC Milan - 06/11

Matchday 5
Benfica vs. AC Milan - 28/11
Celtic vs. Shakhtar - 28/11

Matchday 6
AC Milan vs. Celtic - 04/12
Shakhtar vs. Benfica - 04/12

Table .................... Pts
1. AC Milan
2. Benfica
3. Celtic
4. Shakhtar

Could have been a lot worse for Milan in terms of fixtures. Celtic look like being too far behind at the half way to stage to mount a serious challenge on second spot.

Well, 1st away game to Milan. I predict a Milan win. We always buckle against Italian teams, whatever well we play.

The way the fixtures have been calculated, I think Celtic will struggle to come third in this group. I think Shakhtar will defeat them in the Ukraine, Milan will either win or get a draw in Glasgow, and Celtic will probably lose in Portugal, too.

So, from the first three games I think they'll attain 1 point. If they're fortunate in Portugal or the Ukraine, they might get another point. Two from nine won't see them through, unfortunately.

In the second half, they might get four points from their remaining three games if they're lucky, but I think out of Benfica and Shakhtar, Shakhtar could win three points in Glasgow. Their pace up front will exploit the paucity of pace in Celtic's defence.

Milan
Shakhtar
Benfica
Celtic

From my biased point of view, I actually think this was a good draw for us. I can see us getting a result at Milan on the first game. Milan always starts their season at half speed, and them at the back continue to be on the old side.

I cant see us having the same debacle at Celtic Park this season.

If I'm completely honest the ones i am most aprehensive about is Shaktar Donesk as I dont know anything about us, but I will still predict Benfica and Milan through to the next round.

I'm happy with this group and to start with a home game. I can see us picking up the points that we need to finish top. The real battle will be for second place between Benfica, Celtic and Shakhtar, which I think is pretty open.

I hope Shaktar does well and castillo stars

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FXEceiMgWk0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffutebol%2Etvtuga%2Ecom%2Fgolos%2Ephp%3Fsubaction%3Dshowfull%26id%3D1188665416%26archive%3D%26start%5Ffrom%3D%26ucat%3D1%26

When you are good, you are good, even at 35

All the rested players will be back, Kaka', Pirlo etc

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=U8k3zNgs_qk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eavozdaaguia%2Ecom%2Fsmf%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D7172%2E0

Il maestro ritorna

lampiao007 wrote:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=U8k3zNgs_qk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eavozdaaguia%2Ecom%2Fsmf%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D7172%2E0

Il maestro ritorna

Class goal by Rui Costa.

This group is more interesting than it's being given credit for.

That turn and finish by Rui Costa was magnificent.

Well, BIASED, as always but I honestly think we can win this game tomorrow. As I said previously AC always start the season slowly and it is an ideal time to play them.

We are playing better football and more confident on ourselves and dont see any reason why we cant come to Milan and attack and score.

I think it will be a very interesting match, and will be good to see Kaka vs Rui Costa on the pitch.

I predict a 1-2 score for Benfica but will be extremely happy with a draw of any kind.

I would modertately more confident with Petit on the team
Whit him injured, I think Rui will not have so much freedom
Unless camacho moves Pereira to defensive midfielder and Rodriguez and Di Maria on the wings

Milan squad: Dida, Kalac; Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Emerson, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi

As AC Milan prepare to take on SL Benfica in their opening Group D match at San Siro on Tuesday, coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that the thought of becoming the first team to win the UEFA Champions League two years running is giving this campaign an extra dimension.

I belief we will at least reach the semi's.

A really good performance and start, Pirlo was fantastico, just what we needed. Shakhtar look like the team who may cause a problem.

That's what happens when you play an 18 and a 22 year old at central defenders

I thought Benfica would of made it a lot tougher, maybe it was the gay kit? The Benfica goal was offside too. I think they have a chance, but Shakhtar look like doing well, especially at home.

@kaka

what's happened to all the Milan supporters on the board?

Kaká wrote:I thought Benfica would of made it a lot tougher, maybe it was the gay kit? The Benfica goal was offside too. I think they have a chance, but Shakhtar look like doing well, especially at home.

The problem with Benfica is lack of experience. We started the game with
Miguel Vitor 19 y/o, 2 games in Europe, Ed Carlos, 22 y/o 1 game in Europe. Di Maria, 19 y/o 2 games in Europe
Then Rodriguez, 22, Pereira also young.Cardozo, 24, 3 game in Europe.
Sure, Rui Costa, N Gomes, Leo,Quim,Katsouranis are all experienced players, but that does not compensate for the imaturity of the team

We where also missing trough injury 3 of our back 4 (Nelson,Luisao,D Luiz), Petit missing in midfield (huge loss this one)
Zorro also injured
And in the bench another 18 y/o , Coentrao and Giles, also a young kid

That and Benfica record in Italy being atrocious...(I can only remenber a draw with Roma, on my live years, and that was in 88 if i'm not mistaken..)

We shall see against Shaktar....

Calidad wrote:@kaka

what's happened to all the Milan supporters on the board?

Who knows! I'm upset about that.

Christ her forehead is massive

Ballack I never had you down as a foreheadist.

You disgust me

Ali Larter <3

ballack wrote:Christ her forehead is massive

Too bad her tits aren't.

We play Celtic on Wednesday. Since it is going to be in Glasgow, it will be a tough one.

If anyone saw the game against Catania, they'll know that Ancelotti HAS to play Kaka behind the front pairing. He is the best in that role. However, I suspect since CL affords more space to the players, Ancelotti will play Inzaghi as the lone striker.

Ronaldo should be back in 2 weeks or so.

If Celtic play for the win against us, there is a pretty big chance we'll whoop them. And no, i'm not being arrogant, it's just the way things are. When we play against anti-football teams like Catania, that put 10 men behind ball and wait for a counterattack then we have problems. I am not criticising this, as it is probably the right way to play against big teams. However, when teams do try and play attacking football against us, we're at our best. This is no secret, we could never grind out results and 1-0's the way Juve could(and apparently still can).

Nevertheless, we do need:

a) A GK
b)Ronaldo NOW
c) a new coach. I like Ancelotti and i think he is one of the best in the business. However, the biggest problem this team has is the lack of motivation. This is apparent for anyone that has followed Milan these past few years. Players play at 100% only in the big games or in the CL. Ancelotti has stayed in Milan for too long and is more like one of the boys rather than their coach ---> bring in a new coach!!

The main difference between Inter and Milan is the strikers:

Milan: Inzaghi, Gilardino, & injured Ronaldo
Inter: Ibrahimovic, Crespo, Suazo, Cruz, Adriano

That says it all really, it is shocking that Milan did not go for another striker inspite of selling Olivera & Boriello. That was silly, for a big club like Milan, you shouldn't have to wait for Pato to come in January! There are so many great strikers in Italy, Milan could ve easily got a Toni/Lucarelli/Rocchi/Amauri/etc.

As for the coach, I am hoping that Mourinho does not go to Milan... prefer them with Ancellotti... Mourinho might make Milan too strong! But I rather see Mourinho at Milan than Juve

Red n' Black wrote:If Celtic play for the win against us, there is a pretty big chance we'll whoop them. And no, i'm not being arrogant, it's just the way things are. When we play against anti-football teams like Catania, that put 10 men behind ball and wait for a counterattack then we have problems. However, when teams do try and play attacking football against us, we're at our best. This is no secret, we could never grind out results and 1-0's the way Juve did(and apparently still does).

Nevertheless, we do need:

a) A GK
b)Ronaldo NOW
c) a new coach. I like Ancelotti and i think he is one of the best in the business. However, the biggest problem this team has is the lack of motivation. This is apparent for anyone that has followed Milan these past few years. Players play at 100% only in the big games or in the CL. Ancelotti has stayed in Milan for too long and is more like one of the boys rather than their coach ---> bring in a new coach!!

Red n' Black wrote:Ancelotti has stayed in Milan for too long and is more like one of the boys rather than their coach ---> bring in a new coach!!

Please take Van Basten of our hands