AC Milan Crowned Europe’s Finest

I couldn’t agree more with Ancelotti, it was destiny that has triumphed Milan’s journey this season. For all the troubles they had early in the season, the joy on the team are such an emotional scene to be witnessed and enjoyed. It was apparent that the the win finally put an end to the misery that this club has suffered since that fateful night in Istanbul a couple of years ago. It was fittingly that in city of Athens, where the myths and glory of god and goddesss are worshipped, the exact revenge or rather not repeating the same mistake, Milan was able to redeem themselves and basked in the magical night of glory.

7th European title, 5th for Paolo Maldini, the 2nd in 4 years, you just have to respect this team. It’s arguably the greatest side in the last 20 years considered the number of trophy they won, the style of football they always play, and the great team that have been assembled since the day of van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard, to the likes of Kaka, Pirlo, and Inzaghi.

For Liverpool, they’re winner by showing how much respect and gracious they’re in defeat. Carragher and Benitez paid tribute to Maldini and the quality of Milan respectively, and it is this type of sportsmanship that football needs, this type of respect that football wants to promote, not continuously provoking conspiracy as what the Special One keep promoting. After all, sports is meant to unite people, in the right way.

UEFA Champions’ League Final Preview: Liverpool vs. AC Milan

In the repeat of the 2005 Final in Istanbul, AC Milan and Liverpool will fight for their fate again in this year’s UEFA Champions’ League Final in Athens. It will fascinating to see how the match turned out, would it be in similar fashion or as dull as this years’ FA Cup Final? Would there be another 6 minutes of heartbreak into a classic game? Would it be Maldini’s 5th European Cup from 8 final games? Yes, this would be his 8th Champions’ League Final!

There’s no doubt that this is one of the most intriguing recent rivalry between European teams, although no one, I meant no one –except Liverpool own fans- would’ve even thought about Liverpool winning it 2 years ago, and again going all the way to the final this year. Having said that though, Milan is no favourite as well this year with their slow start to the Serie A, near-banned Champions’ League campaign, and all the after-effects of the match fixing allegations.

The key to Milan is as everyone knows, the speed and moments of brilliance from Kaka, and the disruptive play of Gattuso. I’d think though with Liverpool’s style of play where one touch football and rythm playing wasn’t quite their brand of football, Gattuso might not have the similar huge impact as to when they met Manchester United in the semifinals. where he pretty much messed up United flowing football. Pirlo, on the other hand though, might need to be clinical with the tricks and precise passing to break the crowded defensive scheme of Liverpool. For Liverpool, the key I guess is to look no further than their mercurial captain, Gerrard, although helps from Riise from the wing and Crouch ability to capitalize on his height and youthful against ageing Milan defense will prove crucial to their attempt on the 2nd European glory in 3 years.

As a Milan supporter watching the likes of van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard, Baresi, Massaro, Savicevic, and of course Maldini, there’s no doubt I want Milan to win this –albeit the broke my dearly Manchester United heart at San Siro. Milan deserved to win this game, after what happened in Istanbul, and for the way they play their football and allowing the opponents to play their football, for the character that they have, for the fair play and good sportsmanship that they always show in every game, I just thought Maldini should lead this team to collect the winners’ medal when it’s all said and done in Athens tomorrow night.   LIVERPOOL 1 – AC MILAN 2 (After Extra Time).

Viva Rossoneri!!

It’s Disapponting, but …

The dream of Treble has long gone since the chilly night at San Siro that crushed United’s dream with a 3-0 loss to AC Milan. It was a disappointing night, especially the way the match folded, high expectations, confident, Manchester-like weather, but the worst of all started to glimpse when Seedorf shot a brilliant thundering drive only for van der Sar to superbly tipped it over the bar no less than only 5 minutes after the referee blow the kick-off whistle. United never find a way to find their rhythm with Gattuso is at the heart of disrupting all United’s movement, especially each time Ronaldo gets the ball, it was closed down first by Gattuso before Oddo waiting at the 2nd level.

I guess what really disappointing for me to see was that why would Ferguson played Vidic after he missed out 8 matches in a row and sit Alan Smith in the bench while he would be perfect to combat Gattuso’s aggressiveness in midfield. Fergie could’ve played Brown and O’Shea in the middle with Heinze and Fletcher at the flanks. It was even more depressing to see Saha came in in the 70th minute and did nothing which I expected as I can see his face is full of nothing but pressure. It was really disappointing especially considering how the first leg was classically won by the brilliance of Rooney.

At the end of the day though, as a football fan, I must come to realize that no team can win everything, and Manchester United, with the squad that they have, and the injuries that they suffered towards the end of this campaign, have done superbly to be still at this stage, challenging two out of three major trophies. It was disappointing, but United can build on this European semifinal appearance for next year, adding probably Hargreaves and one other big-name striker, and I know I’ll be supporting them more than ever.

For now, Manchester City, and we’ve got back the Premiership!!! One game at a time, and God knows the Double is still ahead of us!!! Go, Man U!!!

ROOOOONEY !!!

In a night that was meant for Ronaldo and Kaka to shine, it was Rooney that rose to the occasion. Two brilliant goals, especially the match winning injury time goal, showed that amidst the inconsistency throughout the year, this kid has special talent, special determination, a battling perseverance that no other kid has. It’s no wonder that Sir Alex included him as one of the greatest players he ever had –considering Rooney has only won a League Cup with United.

Back to the game, it was a night of passion, uncertainty, and character in good spirit and fair play at the highest level from both teams. Professionals at the utmost, combined by harmony between Milanese and the Mancunian makes this affair a totally different one with that of AS Roma ties. The end result, if you were to ask me before the game started, wouldn’t be that ‘fantastic’, BUT if you were into the game from the first minute ’till the end, United fans should be singing all night long for the 3-2 win against the much-decorated and disciplined AC Milan team in this first leg of 2007 UEFA Champions’ League Semifinal. Had Gattuso, a player that United has linked with for many occasions in the past- survived his own ultra combativeness style that force the foot injury on him, I would thought that Milan might be able to break the flow of United’s midfield. Having said that though, with Scholes pushing upward and Fletcher taking over the midfield, United were able to keep pressuring Milan and created chances.

Man-of-the-Match: No doubt, Rooney was the key, his two goals turned the pressure on Milan to open up the game next week in San Siro. Fletcher deserves credit for his battling performance in the midfield during the second half, and Giggs/Scholes for their assists in each of the goal. Ronaldo, although having quite a quiet night by his own standards, deserves credit for the early header that forced Dida to concede an own goal –and it turned set the tone for the night.

Sing Manchester United fans, we’re still up for the Treble!!! Up next, Everton!!!

UEFA Champions’ League Semifinal: MAN UTD vs AC MILAN

Manchester United, in a few hours time, will kick-off their pursuit of a double Treble, against another team of my boyhood, AC Milan at Old Trafford, in what to be billed as youth versus their masters. 10 European finals appereances are what AC Milan has accomplished in their decorated history, winning 6 or 7 of them in the process, although the last lost to Liverpool in Istanbul a couple of years ago is something that’s not so pleasant to be looked at even after years have passed by. In a pale comparison, United has only managed two European Cup finals, winning it in 1968 and of course the Treble year in 1999 –which I remembered vividly how the magic of Solskjaer has turned the misery on the German team.

There are three survivors on United’s team tonight from that great 1999 team, being the ever-green Giggs, Scholes, and Wes Brown –Gary Neville (still out due to injury) is the other one. AC Milan, last won in 2003, coincidentally at Old Trafford, still carries the majority of that team including Gattuso, Pirlo, Dida, Kaladze, and of course one of my all time greats, Paolo Maldini.

It’ll be an interesting to game watch, however, there’s no doubt that I’ll be supporting Manchester United. Milan was great, but this United team I thought has something special in the making, something that’s so strong that Sir Alex’s team has been missing these last years, that is, togetherness and ability to pull out something when the going get tough.

MINDCUBES‘ CORNERKICK: Ferguson will likely play with 4-3-1-2 with Giggs playing just behind Rooney and Smith and Ronaldo attacking from wings supported by Carrick and Scholes (returned from suspension) in the middle of the park. Evra, if fit will likely take the left full-back with Heinze playing in the center covering the injured Ferdinand. It’ll be interesting to see whether Ferguson will risk O’Shea who’s not fully fit and play Fletcher on the right back, but my guess is that O’Shea will start considering Kaka and Seedorf who could attack from anywher in the midfield. It’ll be a tight game, with Milan playing possesion game and waiting for United to open up, but I just thought United, coming from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Boro and with Ronaldo claiming PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year (for only the second player to do so, being the last one is 30 years ago), will be strongly motivated and with 76000 crowds behind, it’ll be one step slower for the aging Milan backfield. United will come out on top, although they must be on their best nights to avoid any away goal conceded. MAN UTD 2 – AC MILAN 0

UEFA Champions’ League Last 16: UNITED at LILLE

In a few hours, United will be playing their first UEFA Champions’ League last 16 matches in 2 years, yes, it’s not a typo, they’ve been out in the group stages in the last two years.  One of the opposition that caused them to fail last year is none other than Lille, the team they’ll be playing tonight.

United will be at full strength, with no one out of injury –a rare occasion at United, and Sir Alex is expected to field a full strength team as followed: Neville and Evra at both flanks, Vidic to partner Ferdinand in the middle of the defence, Scholes and Carrick to control the tempo from the midfield, supported by Ronaldo and Giggs from the wings.  On the front, Rooney is expected to explode with Larsson forging a great partnership along with him so far.  The only position that Sir Alex might ponder is goalie with Kuszcak playing pretty good during van der Sar’s absence.  My guess is that van der Sar will start.

mindcubes’ longtail:  It’ll be a difficult game for United as Lille a team that works hard, nevertheless, Evra and Neville will prove as the keys tonight as the width of the football field will make a little difference to the outcome of the game.  LILLE 0 – UNITED 2

UEFA Champions’ League Last 16 Draw

It’s official, the draw for the last 16 of the 2006/2007 UEFA Champions’ League is out. Manchester United will play Lille, who they failed to beat in both of last year’s meeting in group stage. Meanwhile, Liverpool will be facing a tough test being paired with Barcelona. Chelsea, will be playing Porto, in what would be an emotional return for Mourinho to Portugal. Arsenal will be playing a tricky encounter with PSV Eindhoven.

For the Italian sides, AC Milan will be facing the tough Celtics, while Roma (which Totti’s wish to be paired with Man Utd) will be playing Lyon in what would be an intriguing match, and Internazionale will be facing Valencia of Spain. The last fixtures would be between the two giants of Europe, Real Madrid and Bayern Muenchen.

5 British teams (4 English, 1 Scottish), 3 Italian, 3 Spanish, 2 French, 1 German, 1 Dutch, 1 Portuguese. This is just the beginning to the European glory!!

2006/07 UEFA Champions League First knockout round Team named first at home in first leg

FC Porto (POR) v Chelsea FC (ENG)

Celtic FC (SCO) v AC Milan (ITA)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Arsenal FC (ENG)

LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)

AS Roma (ITA) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)

FC Barcelona v Liverpool FC (ENG)

Real Madrid CF (ESP) v FC Bayern München (GER)

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Valencia CF (ESP)

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roll up the dice

in the past few weeks i’ve made a number of predictions for the english premier league and nfl, which i’ll start calling it ‘roll up the dice‘ … well just for the records, so far the dice has been rolling pretty favorably, it’s 3 out of 4, with good for manutd vs. newcastle (2-0), good for benfica vs. manutd (0-1), good for broncos vs. new england (a win for the broncos) and bad for reading vs. manutd (1-1).  not too bad for a bloke operating at the very long tail of a sports analysis/predictions. 

where has all the character gone?

matchday 2 @ lisbon for united against benfica in the champions league. a repeat of last year where ronaldo got the headlines for all the wrong reason. as much as i’m a big fan of man utd for the last 16 years, united these days just lack the quality of what made them so awesome, so courageous in the 90s especially during the cantona, hughes, ince, and schmeichel days. they lack the character these days. giggs is one of the last standing squad out of that awesome team in the 90’s that still showing up fighting spirit and the determination that was the character and the symbol of sir alex’s team. it has been disappointing for the last few years (ever since beckham was sold to real madrid –though his qualities for england are questionable, his contribution from the right wing for man utd, honestly gotta be recognized especially playing in the premiership for that pace and crosses are gems), that man utd has been playing for only league cup or fa cup.

the 2006 campaign has started brightly but the last two league games form is worrying and one might wonder if the return of rooney from suspension (and his only 6 games in 6 months) might’ve affected the rhytm of the team who’s been playing so well? it’ll be interesting to see how united youngsters respond to these challanges as they should be able to capitilize on a not-so-strong Group F.

mindcubes’ long tail …

richardson probably will be dropped to bench as he’s wasting too many opportunities in the midfield. brown most likely will come in for vidic, as heinze looks to continue his fine performance on the left back. midfield: i’ll expect scholes and carrick to control the tempo again from the midfield, supported by fletcher and ronaldo on the wings, while rooney and saha should start from the attack. i wouldn’t expect a 5 men midfield as what happened at reading last week as it’s really not so wise to leave saha on the bench especially after a two goals game against celtics. united might be in for a tough game, but benfica will be without rui costa. benfica 0 – man utd 1 !!