CWC Final: Boca Juniors vs. AC Milan 16-12-07

[Jager]

The final is this Sunday, game discussion here.

Milan look to be on their game, I'm picking them to win this now, though I know very little of the Boca team.

[cerebral_assassin]

Milan's game with that jap team was like a stroll in the park, milan dominated the play so much that its not even funny.....

[Aladino]

I wish I could get to se ethis bloody game. I don't understand why they are not showing it but anyway... Milan nee to win this. They said from the start of this season that the main objective for this year was to win this trophy and that is what we better do.
I think we have what it takes to edge past Boca but Palermo, Palacio and al will be causing us some problems, no doubt.

FORZA MILAN!

[lionel]

our line-up will be like this:

Caranta

Ibarra - Paletta - Midana - Morel Rodriguez

Alvaro Gonzalez - Battaglia - Banega
Cardozo
Palacio - Palermo

we have caranta on great form, this man carried out to the top of the apertura tournament and was the best player (with Ibarra) in the semi-final. our casillas realy.
Ibarra is great, but he should watch out not going too forward because against milan it can cost us alot, but his help in attack will win the match for us IMO.
palermo is a much better and more reliable striker than gilardino is M.A. Russo (the manager) said today that palacio and palermo are in the same class like kaka.
we will have pretty good midfield with the amazing banega and the experienced battaglia, add alvaro gonzalez who will make our midfield much better than what we had in the semi-final, because he is more defensive than vargas...

the key in this match will be keeping the ball away from kaka.

do you know who the ref is? I hope it is not a strict one, or it could end up like the boca-etoile match... our players are too passionate and paceful.

I'm depressed because I won't be able to watch the match I have school at that time. I might get back home in time for the extra time in case there is. fucking dammit.

DALE BOCA!

[D-Kin]

Boca have Milan plan Friday 14 December, 2007

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Boca Juniors Coach Miguel Angel Russo believes that he knows how to stop Milan in this Sunday’s Club World Cup Final.

South America’s representatives squeezed past Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel 1-0 as Milan saw off Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

The Rossoneri are eyeing revenge for Boca’s Intercontinental Cup triumph over them in 2003 – a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win – but the Argentine side are full of confidence.

“We know how to play this game,” Russo stressed in his Press conference. “We will try and put lots of pressure on Milan’s front men.

“We have prepared for a game where we keep possession and we are focused on shutting down the Diavolo’s most dangerous players. But the players are calm and we believe in ourselves.

“The semi-final wasn’t an easy game for us, but Milan’s wasn’t easy for them either. They are a great side and on the world’s podium, but so are we.”

The Final is set to receive a bumper Japanese TV audience. Milan’s game against the Urawa Red Diamonds was watched by 30m – 23% of the viewing public – and was the most watched TV programme in 27 years.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Maldini plots Boca payback Friday 14 December, 2007

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Paolo Maldini insists that Milan are ready to take their revenge against Boca Juniors in Sunday’s Club World Cup Final.

The Rossoneri were beaten by the Argentine giants in a penalty shoot-out in the 2003 Intercontinental Cup and are determined to get their own back.

“This game will be a different story from 2003, just like the Final in Athens against Liverpool was different from Istanbul,” Maldini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’s the game that everyone is waiting for, as its South America v Europe.”

Milan have been greeted by hysterical support in Japan and were given a warm welcome as they beat Urawa Red Diamonds.

“Here in Japan there is so much enthusiasm and support for me that I nearly feel embarrassed,” Maldini continued.

“I can see it from the huge number of shirts with my name on the back that I see outside our hotel.

“The atmosphere at the game yesterday was unique. Their fans were very noisy, but they were different from ours. There isn’t really a home advantage in Japan.”

Maldini concluded with a word on Kaka, the star of Thursday’s win who has been winning comparisons to Marco Van Basten.

“Kaka and Marco are different players,” the veteran stopper maintained. “But the Brazilian has reached an extraordinary level – he has already won a World Cup and so much with Milan, even though he is still young.”

The Ballon d’Or winner has been limping in training today as he is suffering from a damaged toe caused by playing with a broken toenail.

However, he will be ready to face Boca on Sunday morning. Kick-off is set for 10.30am.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Inzaghi injury scare Friday 14 December, 2007

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Pippo Inzaghi had an injury scare ahead of the Club World Cup Final with Boca Juniors, but Carlo Ancelotti is confident he can start.

The Milan striker clattered into goalkeeper Valerio Fiori during training in Yokohama this evening and stayed on the ground for several minutes requiring treatment.

However, he was able to continue and went on to score two goals in the game between ranks, while Kaka and Andrea Pirlo are recovering from their fitness concerns.

The only confirmed absentee for Sunday’s Final is Ronaldo, who has not even been included in the squad list after failing to overcome a mystery calf problem.

“We are all sad for him,” said Ancelotti. “We hope to have him back for the restart on January 13.”

The Coach remained tight-lipped on his choices for the big game against Argentina’s Boca Juniors.

“We need a side that is strong and concentrated. We’ll try to identify and then make the most of Boca’s weak points.

“Above all what is necessary is a squad that is focused and convinced of its chances. As for the starting XI, we’ll only decide that on Sunday.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Kaka sees open Boca clash Saturday 15 December, 2007

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With 24 hours to go before the Club World Cup Final against Boca Juniors, Milan hero Kaka warns the result will be anyone’s guess.

“It is a Final, so it’s difficult to say who is the favourite. Both clubs have a good chance of victory,” he told Argentine newspaper ‘Ole.’

“It is a shame for the fans that Juan Roman Riquelme is not eligible to play, but better for Milan this way, as he is a fantastic player who knows when to be decisive.”

The midfielder completed his transfer from Villarreal after the deadline to provide their squad list to FIFA, so Riquelme cannot take part in this tournament.

Both sides successfully negotiated the semi-finals, Boca beating Etoile 3-1 and the Rossoneri seeing off Urawa Red Diamonds with a Clarence Seedorf strike.

“This is the only trophy that I have not yet won in my career, so it has a very special meaning for me,” continued Kaka.

The Brazilian sustained a painful toenail injury during the semi-final and has not been taking part in full training sessions, although he is expected to recover in time for Sunday’s decider.

Kaka has been crowned with the Ballon d’Or, voted World Soccer’s player of the year with over 50 per cent of the total votes and is the hot favourite for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

“We hope to take control of the tempo and therefore the match.”

Milan face Boca Juniors in Yokohama at 19.30 local time on Sunday, which will be 10.30 in the UK.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Ancelotti eyes Milan utopia Saturday 15 December, 2007

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The Club World Cup would finish a sensational 18 months for Milan, who created “a utopia” out of chaos, insists Carlo Ancelotti.

The side were kicked out of Europe and forced to start Serie A with an eight-point penalty after the Calciopoli scandal, but went through the preliminary rounds after an appeal to win the Champions League and European Super Cup.

“In the summer of 2006, which was a time of great suffering for us, nobody could imagine we were about to begin an adventure that would take us to the Final of the Club World Cup. We are proud to have achieved this utopia.”

The last stumbling block to what was once known as the Intercontinental Cup is Boca Juniors, who take on the Rossoneri in Yokohama on Sunday at 10.30am UK time.

“I have clear ideas on who to field, but I will keep them to myself. The only certainty is that we will play a Final with a great deal of confidence and hunger for victory,” continued Ancelotti.

“It will be a game played more with our quality than physical strength. Boca are particularly smart in midfield where Banega, Neri, Cardozo and Palacio are all very dangerous.

“A Final can be decided by many factors, like concentration, motivation, tradition and experience. Milan feel they are very strong and know how to handle the pressures of a big game like this. We are in excellent condition going into the match.”

Ronaldo has dropped out after failing to recover from a mystery muscular problem, but FIFA President Sepp Blatter praised the Rossoneri for fielding six Italians and another three on the bench for the semi-final win over Urawa Red Diamonds.

“We are an Italian club who maintain an Italian tradition, but the foreign players also settled into our mentality and group ethic.”

All eyes will be on Kaka, who aims to finish off 2007 with another trophy to add to his Ballon d’Or.

“Kaka is in good shape, he still has a little bit of pain in his toe, but will not have problems tomorrow. I don’t know if he’ll be man-marked, but I can predict he’ll be given special treatment by Boca.”

The last time Milan played in this tournament, they lost to Boca Juniors in 2003, so is this a revenge mission for Ancelotti?

“It is a completely different game and we hope this time it’ll go in our favour. This is the most difficult competition in the world because to get here you must overcome so many obstacles.”

Some have said the Rossoneri are too old to keep up their winning cycle and should renew the squad, but their Coach disagrees.

“I think a side that reaches the Club World Cup Final is alive and kicking. The nucleus of the team is young and at the same time has had consistent experience at the top of the sport. This group can continue the era and our story continues.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

BOCA-MILAN: FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI
16/12/2007
BOCA JUNIORS: Caranta; Ibarra, Maidana, Paletta, Morel Rodriguez; Gonzalez, Battaglia, Banega, Cardozo; Palermo, Palacio.
MILAN: Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Inzaghi.

Cafu and Oddo are both out, not good at all. Glad to see Kaka, Nesta and Pirlo make it! Now I want Gourcuff and Gila to have at least som edecent time today...

[lionel]

Guys i need an as much detailed update as possible! Ill be reading from a cell phone, in school.
Thanks!
Dale boca!!

[D-Kin]

With less than 20 minutes to go Milan are currently 4-1 up.

Inzaghi (x2), Kaka and Nesta with the goals.

[lionel]

I got home in time to see inzaghi's second goal (4-1).

OMG this is not good...

Kaladze was sent off after an ugly tackle on gracian I think.

[lionel]

GOOAL

4-2.

Ledesma's shot deflected by ambrosini to the net...

Milan are wasting time now

6 mins to go