CL:Schalke vs Milan

[Jager]

I don't really know what to expect from this game. For some reason, a draw might be in the cards, since this away from the friendly confines of the San Siro.

Milan ready for Schalke test Wednesday 28 September, 2005

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Milan are confident that their first away game in the Champions League since last season’s Istanbul nightmare will end with victory against Schalke.

The Rossoneri face the German side on Wednesday with the objective of collecting three more points after the 3-1 win over Fenerbahce.

And although Schalke are promising to attack the Italian giants, boss Carlo Ancelotti is looking forward to the test.

"It should be an exciting contest, in a beautiful stadium and with a great atmosphere," he said.

"Hopefully we can play the game we are best at and make it a typical away encounter for Milan."

Schalke lost their opening tie of the group at PSV Eindhoven, but the tactician has great respect for last season’s runners-up in the Bundesliga.

"We have obviously had Schalke watched," he added. "They have found their form and they are a very competitive side. I hold them in the highest esteem."

Milan seem to be getting back to their best after a sluggish start to the season and captain Paolo Maldini has warned his opponents that they will be difficult to beat.

"We haven't conceded a goal in our last two games and would like to keep it that way against Schalke," Maldini said.

"We are not prepared to let them create chances. I am optimistic we will do well."

Milan could have Massimo Ambrosini back from injury, but there are doubts over the fitness of defender Jaap Stam.

Schalke are promising a battle though, with the belief that their underdog status could be a massive advantage.

"Don't get me wrong but I have always said the match against Milan is the easiest one for us," said general manager Rudi Assauer.

"We are outsiders despite being at home and therefore the team have absolutely nothing to lose.

"Form beats class in football and we hope that our form is good enough to beat Milan's class."

The Germans go into tonight’s match having comfortably beaten Hannover 2-0 on Saturday.

[TheDevil]

Well, we are at half time, and its 1-1, we really have to play much better to pull this out. Lets see if Milan can pull another miracle finish.

[calciofan]

GOAL

Schalke 04 1-2 Milan
0-1: Clarence Seedorf 1
1-1: Soren Larsen 3
1-2: Andriy Shevchenko 59

[calciofan]

GOAL

Schalke 04 2-2 Milan
0-1: Clarence Seedorf 1
1-1: Soren Larsen 3
1-2: Andriy Shevchenko 59
2-2: Hamit Altintop 70

[calciofan]

GROUP E

Schalke 04 2-2 Milan
Fenerbahce 3-0 PSV Eindhoven

[Jager]

Schalke 04 2 - 2 Milan
Seedorf 1 (M), Larsen 3 (S), Shevchenko 59 (M), Altintop 70 (S)
Gelsenkirchen

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Milan were leading twice in Gelsenkirchen, but Clarence Seedorf and Andriy Shevchenko goals couldn't earn more than a spectacular 2-2 draw.

The Rossoneri travelled to Germany with Andriy Shevchenko and Alberto Gilardino upfront, leaving Christian Vieri on the bench, though Jaap Stam was not 100 per cent fit. There was a familiar face in the Schalke line-up, as Danish international Christian Poulsen was famously attacked by Francesco Totti in Euro 2004.

Milan certainly didn't waste any time, as they broke the deadlock within the opening 22 seconds! Clarence Seedorf combined with Andrea Pirlo and unleashed an angled drive from over 30 metres that took goalkeeper Rost by surprise at the far post. The shot wasn't particularly powerful, so the German goallie should perhaps have done better.

It was a very eventful start to the game, as on three minutes Schalke 04 equalised. A throw-in seemed to catch the Milan defence in a state of confusion and Soren Larsen was allowed a free header from six yards to beat Dida.

Maldini's scuffed header from a Pirlo free kick was almost redirected into the net by Gilardino, but he couldn't quite make enough contact.

It was end to end stuff and a very high-tempo game, as Kevin Kuranyi was allowed a free header on Kobiashvili's cross that glanced inches wide of the post.

Gilardino's first touch trapped a brilliant searching pass from Pirlo, but his second touch took the ball away from him and the chance went begging.

Shevchenko performed a similar trick on Seedorf's long ball and dribbled past two defenders before the goalkeeper managed to pluck it off his foot on the six-yard line.

Marcos Cafu performed a crucial intervention before Kuranyi could fire in from close range, and Shevchenko again went on a slalom past several players before being closed down.

Lincoln was causing a lot of problems and it was fortunate for Milan that the unmarked creative midfielder opted for a tricky volley when he had time to get the ball under control.

Kuranyi sprung the offside trap moments later after another defensive error, this time from Alessandro Nesta, but couldn't make the most of the opportunity.

It remained an extremely entertaining match and Lincoln curled a free kick just wide of the near post. Shevchenko also went close with a set-piece, firing it hard and low wide of the target.

Schalke focused on cutting Kaka out of the game by doubling up their marking on him and Totti's nemesis Poulsen was repeatedly pushing and attempting to 'psyche' the Brazilian.

After the break Kobiashvili drilled wide from the edge of the box and Kaka also fired wide from a promising position and Kuranyi's relatively tame effort was unable to trouble Dida despite getting into a great spot to score.

Seedorf's fierce volley from the edge of the box was charged down by defenders. The move continued and Milan restored their lead with a splendid team effort. Paolo Maldini spun round a defender and curled in a cross with one movement and Shevchenko rose between two markers for a glancing header that beat Rost into the bottom corner. It was a great gift for the Ukrainian, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow.

Shevchenko tried to grab a second with a solo effort that was off target, but Dida performed a fine save to block a fantastic Rafinha stop and volley.

However, Schalke drew level with a simply incredible goal from substitute Hamit Altintop. The Turk saw Dida off his line and thumped the ball from 30 metres, a dipping drive that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

Moments later, Kuranyi nodded a free kick just wide and had to limp off with cramp as the tempo showed no signs of slowing, making way for Dane Ebbe Sand. Milan also made a change, Manuel Rui Costa coming on for Kaka.

Dida made up for his earlier error with a fantastic one-handed save on Larsen's looping header towards the far post.

Poulsen was fortunate not to be red-carded for an extremely late challenge on Gattuso, leading with his elbow, but the referee opted for a booking. Shevchenko was furious when he felt he was elbowed by an Bajramovic, but the move did not appear to be malicious.

Another spectacular Lincoln volley was well saved by Dida, though Jaap Stam's error almost cost Milan dearly.

The Rossoneri had a great chance to take the lead, but Shevchenko and Vieri clattered into each other and the opportunity went begging.




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Schalke 04: Rost; Rafinha, Bordon, Rodriguez, Krstajic; Ernst (Altintop 68), Poulsen (Bajramovic 84), Kobiashvili; Lincoln; Larsen, Kuranyi (Sand 74)

Milan: Dida; Cafu (Stam 76), Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà (Rui Costa 74); Shevchenko, Gilardino (Vieri 71)

Ref: Larsen (Den)

Its away from home, they'll take it.

[Jager]

Ancelotti: Ban that coward Poulsen Wednesday 28 September, 2005

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Carlo Ancelotti has urged UEFA to ban “that coward” Christian Poulsen – Francesco Totti’s nemesis – from football after his performance against Milan.

“Milan played well and it wasn’t necessarily all of Schalke who were working on provocation, it was purely Poulsen,” said the Coach after the 2-2 draw.


“He is a coward and puts in these little elbows and kicks when the referee isn’t looking. He shouldn’t be allowed near a football field.”


The Danish international shot to fame in Euro 2004 when Totti was caught on camera spitting in his direction, earning the Italian a three-match ban. Poulsen was a constant thorn in Milan’s side this evening and was only booked for a vicious late challenge on Gennaro Gattuso.


That aside, it was an extremely entertaining game in Gelsenkirchen and the Italians were leading twice only to let Schalke 04 back in.


“We tried to take control of the game and some times it worked, some times it didn’t, but it was a good show and a spectacular encounter.”


Clarence Seedorf scored after just 22 seconds and Andriy Shevchenko celebrated his birthday with a goal, but Dida was also kept busy in an end to end clash.


“The two goals were fairly fortuitous, so I am satisfied with the performance and think it was one of our best in the last few weeks,” insisted Ancelotti.


“The team will and must improve, but this was very different to how we played on Sunday against Treviso, as the Champions League has a special atmosphere. I saw the Milan side of old.”


Kaka also focused his post-match comments on the shameful behaviour of Schalke 04 midfielder Poulsen, who reserved him for special attention throughout.


“It was a battle and at times even a war,” said the young Brazilian. “I am not accustomed to this style of play and I didn’t enjoy it at all, as we had to adapt. Poulsen has no intention of playing football and spent his entire time trying to provoke opponents, not just me.”


The incident brought the Italian Press attention back to Euro 2004, and Totti’s reaction to Poulsen’s provocation.


“I won’t say Totti was right to do what he did, but it’s not right for a player to come here and be stopped from taking part in the game with elbows, kicks and constant provocation. This is not sport. I must learn from this experience, as I expect I’ll encounter players like this again and will try not to let myself fall into that trap.”


Kaka was nonetheless happy with the result and his team’s overall show in Gelsenkirchen, as Milan still lead Group E thanks to Fenerbahce’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.


“This performance was a step forward for us, as we didn’t have trouble on set-pieces and it was important to earn an away point in Germany.”

I want to see this now.

[Muscolino18]

Milan can't blame losing 2pts to one player's underhanded tactics, but Ancelotti isn't one to exaggerate; I know this from experience. I hope UEFA investigate Poulsen's actions, because I knew for certain that Totti hadn't acted under SEVERE provocation by spitting at the cünt in 2004..Totti has that 'bad boy' reputation for a reason, but he is more than often a victim of circumstance and in some cases of tw.ats like Poulsen being selected in a XI to purely stir the sh!t against superior opposition. Unlucky Rossoneri, you'll progress...chins up.

[Pennywise]

I had won £120 if AC Milan had won that match.

[Rosa]

Like i said at halftime, Poulsen is evil.

[kennethlindheim]

Not a bad result for Milan.

[sinoy1]

if you watch the tape from euro 2004 ( and i mean the whole spitting incident ) youll see that poulsen is on totti practically bullying him...sadly totti fell for the trap. good thing kaka didnt. poulsen is a retard. another reason why i hate the danish team.