Semi final - Manchester United vs AC Milan

bluenine wrote:Funny, 2 derby beatings were not enough??

Lucas Deano Neill wrote:Milan>Inter

Milan > Inter in Europe is more correct. BTW, I still think of Andy Gray’s “Milan are an ordinary side” article.

For someone who has supported Milan faithfully this season, yesterday night and today morning seem the sweetest. I had always heard of teams playing like this, espeially Italian teams, but yesterday was like watching a dream. It had intensity and quality which makes for a lethal combination.

If Milan win the CL Ancelotti would have actually turned this season into a success which was unthinkable even 2 months ago.

OwenThomas4 wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6617321.stm

Decent Artice. He gets immediate respect, because he uses the phrase "Ball retention". When have you ever heard a british journo/pundit, outside of John Barnes & Tim Vickery, mention that?

I still think that Utd would have progressed with their full strength defence - with a fit Rio and Vidic, Evra and Neville, none of the goals from last night would have been conceded and maybe utd would have passed it around a bit better as well.

I thought generally Carrick and Scholes passed it around quite well, Fletch wasn't too bad either. The balls out of defence were awful though, as was Ronaldo.

In terms of where utd go from here, IMO forget Hargreaves and just go for Fernandes for a third of the price and spend the rest of a forward cover in case of injuries and a right back cover.

After last night and seeing Gattuso, there are likely to be calls from utd fans for a midfield battle-axe but IMO with Carrick and Scholes, it ain't needed and don't fix what ain't broken

And just to add - Milan's experienced showed, but they're in there twilight years, and Utd are young and will learn

Carrick and Scholes is a great combo against 90% of sides Tweeds, however Fletcher has shown we need a defensive midfielder as well.

Fletcher's been great considering, but we obviously need someone of higher quality. Be good back up though.

I gave my thoughts in the Man United thread, in midfield I'd like to see us bring in either Fernades, Makoun or Hargreaves. Be happy with anyone of those 3.

Tweedle wrote:I still think that Utd would have progressed with their full strength defence - with a fit Rio and Vidic, Evra and Neville, none of the goals from last night would have been conceded and maybe utd would have passed it around a bit better as well.

I thought generally Carrick and Scholes passed it around quite well, Fletch wasn't too bad either. The balls out of defence were awful though, as was Ronaldo.

In terms of where utd go from here, IMO forget Hargreaves and just go for Fernandes for a third of the price and spend the rest of a forward cover in case of injuries and a right back cover.

After last night and seeing Gattuso, there are likely to be calls from utd fans for a midfield battle-axe but IMO with Carrick and Scholes, it ain't needed and don't fix what ain't broken

I think with a full strength defence, we would might have progressed, we gave away cheap goals in both ties. I guess you cant play with both arms tied behnd your back in a CL semi against Milan. The distribution from the back was woeful, Oshea and Heinzes pass completion was nohigher than 10%.

Watching the game yesterday, I did think do we need to rethink our whole philosophy of playing so many attacking players in midfield with no defensive midfielder. However I think bad defending cost us more than not having a holding midfielder. With our first choice defence, I think we have only conceded 2 goals once (against Arsenal) all season.

Giggs has to be replaced this summer, as yesterday was another one of his games, were he did nothing for the whole game. We also need a striker who can play more than 20 games a season.

Roddy wrote:For someone who has supported Milan faithfully this season, yesterday night and today morning seem the sweetest. I had always heard of teams playing like this, espeially Italian teams, but yesterday was like watching a dream. It had intensity and quality which makes for a lethal combination.

If Milan win the CL Ancelotti would have actually turned this season into a success which was unthinkable even 2 months ago.

I totally agree.

Kaká wrote:

Roddy wrote:For someone who has supported Milan faithfully this season, yesterday night and today morning seem the sweetest. I had always heard of teams playing like this, espeially Italian teams, but yesterday was like watching a dream. It had intensity and quality which makes for a lethal combination.

If Milan win the CL Ancelotti would have actually turned this season into a success which was unthinkable even 2 months ago.

I totally agree.

Indeed.

It amazes me how these Milan players and their coach ALWAYS turn up when it matters, and put in a great performance when its needed.

As i said before, i stood in San Siro during the 1-0 defeat to Lille, when everything in the league was going wrong, and Milan were shocking. Its only been in the last month or so that Milan have recovered and started playing as we know they can. Since that first Bayern game, Milan has been excellent, we look assured in defence, we keep the ball and dictate the tempo now, we actually control matches now.

Ancelotti has got them to peak and perform when it counts at the business end of the season

Same could be said for Liverpool , if they win the European Cup in Athens, not only will it be a success for their season , but Benitez would be Liverpool's 2nd most successful manager in European Cup history.

This was unthinkable when they drew Barcelona, knocked out of the League Cup, FA Cup and fell behind in the League ..

Credit to Benitez .. I'd still back Milan to win in the Final

Am I the only one who thinks that VDS is ordinary, and a club of ManU's stature needs a better gk??

Ditto Milan, dida is too mistake prone.

I think many top sides these days do not realise the importance of a great goalie... IMO its one of the key positions.

bluenine wrote:Am I the only one who thinks that VDS is ordinary, and a club of ManU's stature needs a better gk??

Ditto Milan, dida is too mistake prone.

I think many top sides these days do not realise the importance of a great goalie... IMO its one of the key positions.

BUFFON!!!

bluenine wrote:Am I the only one who thinks that VDS is ordinary, and a club of ManU's stature needs a better gk??
.

This is a insult to VDS right ?

No. I just think that he is no Schmiechel. With VDS in 99, ManU would have never won the CL. Thats the key difference between the two ManU sides.

I used to be a goalie myself in school, and for me its one of the most important positions... Italy would have never won the world cup without Buffon for example....

Rai Mihawk wrote:

bluenine wrote:Am I the only one who thinks that VDS is ordinary, and a club of ManU's stature needs a better gk??
.

This is a insult to VDS right ?

I had an debate over whether he could of done better over Seedorf's finish last night. It was well struck by Seedorf and well placed, however Van Der Sar should of anticipated it better. He could only go that side after all.

Other than that he's had two very good games imo.

Man United's pressing was poor - the team didn't look confident enough in the shape of their own side to close Milan down high up the pitch.

I dont like the combination of Scholes,Fletcher & Carrick, esp with Scholes the furthest forward as he simply doesnt have the physical qualities to play there. He only ever seemed to be getting the ball in deep positions, which meant there were less options ahead of him.

A failry predictable outcome in my view, but respect to Milan, they played a great game

I think VDS played ok last night, it was more the bad defending.

I thought Heinze in particular was awful and the worst player on the pitch. How many times did he leave kaka to run down that side against vidic who had just returned from injury. That is even before he made a mess for the second goal.

All 3 finishes were very good.

VDS is a very good keeper - he isn't world class but he is easily 'good enough' until he retires and is far better than any of keeper utd have been lumbered with since the departure of Scheichal

O'Shea was worse than Heinze imo, both poor though.

Heinze at least grew some balls in the second half and got forward, O'Shea looked like he was going to piss his pants at any moment.

Tweedle wrote:VDS is a very good keeper - he isn't world class but he is easily 'good enough' until he retires and is far better than any of keeper utd have been lumbered with since the departure of Scheichal

I'm sure the plan is next season to start with Van Der Sar as first place and give Foster games to see how he copes.

If he doesn't we may need to buy a new keeper next summer, if he excels, then super.

bluenine wrote:Not true, the second time was when they were on a high after a great winning streak...

Nah, Inter have been far superior this season... Milan even at their best cannot touch us... Next season could be interesting if they buy good partners for Ronaldo and Nesta.

Lucas Deano Neill wrote:

bluenine wrote:Funny, 2 derby beatings were not enough??

Lucas Deano Neill wrote:Milan>Inter

You caught them at a very good time. If you played them now I'd have every confidence in them beating you.

No, we'll let Roma do that for us.

You all do realize that there is little more joyous in life than to dig up from the dead a thread like this?

TeamSpirit™ wrote:

OwenThomas4 wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6617321.stm

Decent Artice. He gets immediate respect, because he uses the phrase "Ball retention". When have you ever heard a british journo/pundit, outside of John Barnes & Tim Vickery, mention that?

I remember TS back in the fall I think that you predicted Milan would win this year's Champions League due to a feeling you had.

It was some prediction back then as we were not doing well. Now we are in the Final, and it remains to be seen whether we will win but wow!

Welcome back Forza

You've been sorely missed.

Tweedle wrote:Welcome back Forza

You've been sorely missed.

Thanks man.

How you holding up?

What can I say? I missed you guys.

Doing well. Milan were an awe inspiring force v Utd btw. Top notch performance. should make an interesting final yet again. Hope Liverpool abandon their anti-football tactics and provide us with some much overdue entertainment

Tweedle wrote:Doing well. Milan were an awe inspiring force v Utd btw. Top notch performance. should make an interesting final yet again. Hope Liverpool abandon their anti-football tactics and provide us with some much overdue entertainment

I must say Milan skinned United in the second leg; the difference in class was astounding at times.

I'm very nervous for the Final. Almost as nervous as I was for the Italy vs France Final.

If Liverpool do win the European Cup .. this could be a worse heartbreak for Milan ..

Rai Krol wrote:If Liverpool do win the European Cup .. this could be a worse heartbreak for Milan ..

But Italy vs France was up there, simply because to get to the WC Final and lose again would be unbearable. Euro2000 was a more painful loss for me than Istanbul.

Btw, congrats on the Prem win.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

Rai Krol wrote:If Liverpool do win the European Cup .. this could be a worse heartbreak for Milan ..

But Italy vs France was up there, simply because to get to the WC Final and lose again would be unbearable. Euro2000 was a more painful loss for me than Istanbul.

To lose to the same opposition in two games in a row that you play (in a winner takes all situation/game) in the manner of not winning/losing in the full 90'.. is a killer ,

Btw, congrats on the Prem win.

It was a long time coming ,