AC Milan v Manchester United - CL semifinal 2nd leg (agg 3-2) - 2 May [R]

[Achtung]

http://www.subsidesports.com/uk/images/product/xlarge/ACMilanHSS0607Spons.jpg

.................. .......... .........versus

http://www.subsidesports.com/uk/images/product/xlarge/ManUtdHSS0607spon.jpg

Champions League semi-final, 2nd leg
Date: Wednesday, 2 May
Kick-off: 7:45 BST, 2:45 US Eastern, 11:45 US Pacific
First leg: 2-3
Venue: San Siro
Listen: BBC Radio Five Live
Updates: BBC Sport website and mobile

Live on ESPN2 (US), RDS, and TSN (Canada)

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso will be available but veteran defender Paolo Maldini is a possible absentee.

Both players picked up injuries in the first leg and while Gattuso is expected to recover, Maldini is likely to miss out with a knee injury.

Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere will take charge of the match.

Patrice Evra is suspended against AC Milan. Gabriel Heinze, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes (Man. Utd) and Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) will be suspended for the final if they receive another caution and their team progresses. http://www.redcafe.net/images/smilies/nervous.gif



United will defend a slender 3-2 lead going to the San Siro, thanks in part to the thrilling last minute goal from Rooney that put us ahead in this tie. It's never easy going to Milan and most likely needing a draw to advance, but if any team can do it, its the team we've been seeing do it all season. They don't know how to quit.

Rio Ferdinand is expected to be back for us, but not yet confirmed. Nemanja Vidic is a gamble, but he could potentially figure as well.

[MtP07]

Attack
Attack
Attack

[Vermont Red]

Fergie has told Scholes to stay on his feet.

I think we'll play well in Milan and hopefully that will be enough to advance. If Ferdinand is completely ready to play then I feel pretty good about the match. Milan having Gattuso for the match is a big plus for them but I still think we can get at them.

I haven't seen the traveling squad yet. I'm curious to see if Saha and Ferdinand are making the trip.

[israbeckham]

this would be my line-up:

------------------------VDS-----------------------------
----------------Rio--------------Wes--------------------
Oshea--------------------------------------------Heinze
------------------------Fletcher------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Carrick---------------------------
Ronaldo-------------------------------------------------Giggs
------------------Smith-----------------------------------
---------------------------------------Rooney----------------


I left Schole out b/c of the Scottish man and b/c of the yellow card thing. he needs to play in the final if we progress. I am sure Fergie wont leave him out tho. if we play my line-up that leaves us a pretty strong bench with Scholes, West Brom Tom, Saha (maybe), Ole, Vidic (maybe), and Krich

[johno]

If we play tentatively we will lose.

We need to attack them and play our natural game. If we do, we have every chance of scoring and we'll pin them back. I think they won't be able to play conservatively either because of an injury or two on their part and the fact that they need a goal.

[sdotsom]

I really think teams reaching the final should be given amnesty in terms of yellow cards. It's such a stupid rule.

Anyways, we need to attack at the San Siro. They are probably going to get a goal, and while attacking may expose us, we won't be able to soak up pressure with the frail backline we may be playing. I'm expecting another thrilling game here.

[Karloski]

There's so much heart and spirit in this team, that even if they do go behind in the first half, they'll believe it's in their destiny to come back. My biggest worry is that it stays level (unlikely as that may be) with 15/20 mins to go, as the leading team naturally become defensive. This season has been incredible so far. I just don't know how much more my nerves can take.

[yikchi]

I agree with putting Scholes on the bench. We can bring him in when we need a goal.
I hope Saha is healthy. If he is healthy, I will start him. With Saha, Rooney, and Ronaldo up top, we will be super dangerous on the counter attack with all that pace.

[Stud83]

I hope we see Scholes on the bench. But I am sure we'll see Smith on the bench and play 4-3-3.

So, I want this:

------------------------VDS-----------------------------
----------------Rio--------------Wes
Oshea--------------------------------------------Heinze
---------------Fletcher-----Carrick
Ronaldo-------------------------------------------------Giggs
------------------Smith
----------------------------Rooney

But I bet we will see this:

---------------------VDS
-------------Rio--------------Wes
Oshea---------------------------------------Heinze
-------Fletcher-------Scholes-------Carrick
Ronaldo------------Giggs----------------Rooney

[Joelzinho]

Yay!

[Achtung]

Scholes' yellow is a worry, but I'm more worried about Ronaldo being on a yellow. If he gets frustrated and thinks about getting petulant in the least, it could seriously cost us in a potential final.

[Karloski]

Scholes' yellow is a worry, but I'm more worried about Ronaldo being on a yellow. If he gets frustrated and thinks about getting petulant in the least, it could seriously cost us in a potential final.

More likely, would be if the ref thinks a dive has taken place.

[qiansong99]

Scholes on the bench, is everyone crazy? He is vital to success on wednesday, we cannot think about yellows in this match, just about getting through, Scholes technical ability and passing will be vital, we will need a lot of his long passes to stretch the game, keep milan chasing,tiring them out in the process.
Don't worry about Ronny hes been on that yellow for 3 games now, the only way he'll get booked is a dive and hes smart enough to now not to do that with the situation hes in.

[Republic of Mancunia]

Scholes' yellow is a worry, but I'm more worried about Ronaldo being on a yellow. If he gets frustrated and thinks about getting petulant in the least, it could seriously cost us in a potential final.

Read elsewhere that the ref for this one gave out 19 yellows in 4 games at the World Cup but as I don't like to take people's word on stuff looked it up and it turned out to be 16.

EDIT: I can't read, nor count. Must've got my calcualtor from the place Michael Essien bought his. It was 19. We're doomed. :(

[billyireland]

LMAO @ jpick... he posts 'first reply by a Milan fan, bad karma for you I hope' then deletes it before almost anybody can see it (mod powers biatch!). You slippy rodent, you! :D

[jpick]

that bastard beat me to it,

mtp07

attack
attack
attack

while i was posting mine. I felt if i didn't delete it, then that might cause bad karma the other way, if I was first i would have left it.

I almost had you guys, didn't know the mods could see it :o

OT: man, now that I think of it, on the uefa forums and beautiful game forums, usually I write long rants, then think better of them and delete them. I bet the mods on those forums have had some good laughs from my deleted posts. have to be more careful now that i know "big brother is watching," :)

I hope that is not the difference in the match, lol

[lost]

only 47 and 1/2 hours till kick off, i....can....take...it, though, i might have to freeze myself for the next two days.

I hope Maldini is not playing in this one, anything to break up this metranomic rhythm that this Milan team play to. It would be nice if we had the ability to play dirty these days, so we could get GAttuso injured, but we don't play this way (unfortunate because if Milan has no Gattuso, their midfield is much more feeble).

If we have Rio, Neville and Vidic back, we have a huge chance of progression, hell, we could even win at the San Siro. Without them, we still need a minor miracle if this makeshift defence is to hold up in one of the most difficult stadiums in the world.

Last point, i think that we must already accept that, if we get to the final, we will have eithr no scholes, or no ronaldo, or perhaps neither. if we are behind, we may not get cards, if we are ahead, the game will get quite messy and we will get cards.

[Potomac Red Devil]

I have high hopes for this one. I fear a 2-1 second leg loss, which would do us in, but I think the lads will be loose (in a good way) after the incredible results in the league last weekend.

[Vermont Red]

I offcially care about a result now. I've been indifferent about the Champions League for most of the season, other than United not embarrassing themselves, but we are so close to the final now that I can no longer recommend saving the squad for the Prem. I just hope for a good performance, a result and no injuries.

[Twix]

Last point, i think that we must already accept that, if we get to the final, we will have eithr no scholes, or no ronaldo, or perhaps neither. if we are behind, we may not get cards, if we are ahead, the game will get quite messy and we will get cards.

I agree. IMO if ronaldo or scholes has to miss the final, i would reluctantly pick scholes to miss it, just for the simple fact fletcher and carrick can play very well in the centre and there is absolutly no replacement for Ronaldo at the moment. I can't wait for the match...but honestly im fearing the worst just because is Man utd lost 3-2 in the San Siro in the first leg, i would be ecstatic so i can see why Milan are the favourites but hopefully O'shea will do his magic and score and it will be another memorable night for United...:)