Liverpool FC vs AC Milan - Champions League Final [R]

[AnyLuckForEngland?]

Now that it's set, it's a rematch from two years ago.

Come on lads stick it to the Italian side that shouldn't have even been allowed in the competition.

[Liv'poolFaninAZ]

Although I'm glad manure was taken out. Milan actually worries me, they absolutely need no other motivation than revenge for '05.

On the other hand, we won it in Rafa's first year when he had Houllier's leftovers, I can't wait for Rafa's actual team to go out there.

One question; How is it decided which side is the home side as far as the kit is concerened? I know in '05 Milan was the homeside but they wanted to wear their "lucky" white kits so we got to wear red. How is that decided? are WE the homeside this year?

[jtran10]

Although I'm glad manure was taken out. Milan actually worries me, they absolutely need no other motivation than revenge for '05.

On the other hand, we won it in Rafa's first year when he had Houllier's leftovers, I can't wait for Rafa's actual team to go out there.

One question; How is it decided which side is the home side as far as the kit is concerened? I know in '05 Milan was the homeside but they wanted to wear their "lucky" white kits so we got to wear red. How is that decided? are WE the homeside this year?

Pool is the away side. Not sure how this was decided, but the announcers during yesterday's game said it.

[Bitterman]

One question; How is it decided which side is the home side as far as the kit is concerened? I know in '05 Milan was the homeside but they wanted to wear their "lucky" white kits so we got to wear red. How is that decided? are WE the homeside this year?

We are going to be the away team, our match v Chelsea would decide the away team in the final.

It will be a good final, Milian have a tough team but L'pool is a better team than in the '05 final. Kaka and Pirlo worry me though, they can make something out of nothing...

[catenaccio_L'pool]

I don't want to badmouth Rafa but I think this time our gameplan should not include an 0-3 halftime deficit:D

[LFCFanInCali]

I don't want to badmouth Rafa but I think this time our gameplan should not include an 0-3 halftime deficit:D
Yeah, this time we might want to actually pay attention to Kaka the whole game.

Which brings up the question: Momo or Masch?

[Springbok FC]

A chance to relive Istanbul? I love it. Should be a cracker of a match. Obviously, the game plan needs to center around limiting Kaka, but Gattuso's ability to boss midfield worries me just as much. In many ways, he's Milan's engine.

YNWA

[el_urchinio]

So, will the Milan play in white again, or have they decided that as a result of the 2005 final, the white top is forever cursed and devil's handiwork?

[Suss]

A lot has changed since 2005. Milan aren't as good as they once were, and we are a much stronger team. We won't need another miracle because this time we are every bit as good as they are. Should be a great match.

[Boundzy]

This works out well for me. I can celebrate #6 on the same night that I'll celebrate my 9-year wedding anniversary. 6 and 9. Two great numbers that are even greater when paired together in a celebration!:D

Seriously, though, can't wait for the Final!

[Springbok FC]

Yeah, this time we might want to actually pay attention to Kaka the whole game.

Which brings up the question: Momo or Masch?

Masch. He's brings an offensive dimension to the team that Momo simply doesn't have.

[liverbird]

Although I'm glad manure was taken out. Milan actually worries me, they absolutely need no other motivation than revenge for '05.

On the other hand, we won it in Rafa's first year when he had Houllier's leftovers, I can't wait for Rafa's actual team to go out there.

One question; How is it decided which side is the home side as far as the kit is concerened? I know in '05 Milan was the homeside but they wanted to wear their "lucky" white kits so we got to wear red. How is that decided? are WE the homeside this year?

They are the home side

[liverbird]

A lot has changed since 2005. Milan aren't as good as they once were, and we are a much stronger team. We won't need another miracle because this time we are every bit as good as they are. Should be a great match.

I am confident Rafa will devise a scheme to control them, we will need to score though and it will be a tough match. But I am happy that we won't have the opportunity to lose to ManUre. That I wouldn't like to contemplate.

[browfish]

Yes, I'm very happy to have avoided a potentially cringeworthy spectacle against ManUre, (I could almost hear the sigh of relief from a certain Mr. Clark all the way over here).

Now, on to more important things. I don't know who made this (http://imgserv2.imagehigh.com/imgss/5739255_bb4.jpg), but I just love it. :)

'77, '78, '81, '84, '05, '07..? I know I shouldn't jump the gun, but I'm getting giddy already.

[Milliano]

Yeah, this time we might want to actually pay attention to Kaka the whole game.

Which brings up the question: Momo or Masch?

I dunno but I think Masch might be much more suited for Milan's and Kaka's style of play.
If Benitez starts Gerrard and Alonso in center midfield, he will have lost his mind.

[ForeverRed]

I don't know why but I'm very worried about Milan as well. As I've said before, they have improved with every game in the CL this season. They seem to be the "it" side this year, shouldn't even be in the CL to begin with but they've made it all the way to the final with an old and tired yet organized team.

Kaka isn't the only one to be worried about either, Gattuso, Seedor and Pirlo have been in great form recently. Then again, their defense is very shaky and Dida extremely accident prone this season with major howlers to his game. Mascherano and Carra have to make sure Kaka doesn't get in the game first of all. Second, Xabi and Gerrard have maintain possesion because Pirlo and Gattuso's game thrives on holding on to the ball.

Kuyt will also be important in running their defense ragged and tiring them out really quickly. I doubt it'll be as high scoring as 2005 but it'll certainly be a lot tighter. Both teams are perfectly organized, every player has specific tasks and can cover for each other and fall back. Rafa will have to use his strategic genius to the best of his abilities.

[Wingtips1]

---------reina
finnan--jc----agger---JAR
---------xabi
jermaine---masch---bolo
--------SG
--------Crouch

[ForeverRed]

---------reina
finnan--jc----agger---JAR
---------xabi
jermaine---masch---bolo
--------SG
--------Crouch

Hmmmm I wouldn't do that.

I'd go for something like this.

-----------------Reina-----------------

Finnan-----Carra---Agger------JAR

Pennant----Masch----Xabi---Zenden

---------Gerrard---------------------

-----------------Kuyt------------------


Yea I know, theres really no CF but I think the game will be won in midfield and the scorers most likely midfielders and we can't afford to bench Kuyt since his workrate will be so important. We also need both Xabi and Masch in the middle to neutralize Pirlo/Gattuso. On the same note, we can't expose the flanks so Zenden needs to play in case JAR is off his game and fails to cover LB.

[Wingtips1]

milan are susceptible to strong wing play, and we'll need it, as our CM's pretty much negate each other.
we'll need immediate pressure on kaka. he really picks his spots when to actually play. if you don't give him space (easier said than done, I know), he simply plays the ball off.

[Wingtips1]

Hmmmm I wouldn't do that.

I'd go for something like this.

-----------------Reina-----------------

Finnan-----Carra---Agger------JAR

Pennant----Masch----Xabi---Zenden

---------Gerrard---------------------

-----------------Kuyt------------------


Yea I know, theres really no CF but I think the game will be won in midfield and the scorers most likely midfielders and we can't afford to bench Kuyt since his workrate will be so important. We also need both Xabi and Masch in the middle to neutralize Pirlo/Gattuso. On the same note, we can't expose the flanks so Zenden needs to play in case JAR is off his game and fails to cover LB.

so the only thing you changed is crouch for kuyt.