CL: Arsenal - Milan [20-02-08]

[sinoy1]

Kalac has been on fire lately.Good to see Pato and Kaka on the team list.

[Sven]

Pace of arsenal to be too much.

[Aladino]

---------------Kalac-----------------
--Oddo-----Nesta---Maldini/Kala-----Janku/Maldini
-------Gatty-----Pirlo----ambro----------
----------------Kaka------seedorf--------
------------------Pippo/Gila---------------

I reckon the formation will be like that. Gattuso needs to watch out as he is one booking away from being suspended

[Aladino]

Just a great article I found on arsenal's website:

'There is tremendous admiration for Arsenal'
Arsenal v AC Milan
Champions League Round 2 Leg 1
Arsenal Stadium
Wed, Feb 20, 2008, 7.45pm



By Chris Harris

Don't be fooled by Milan's sluggish Serie A campaign. The European champions are most definitely cranking into gear for another assault on the Champions League. When it matters, Carlo Ancelotti's team tends to deliver.

A glance at Milan's cast list explains why. From back to front the Rossoneri are blessed with world-class talent from Nesta and Gattuso to Seedorf and Kaka. And if you thought they were too old, think again - Milan have a new generation of stars emerging, led by Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato.

Pato represents the future but, on Wednesday night, Arsenal fans can savour a symbol of Milan's past - Paolo Maldini. Few players in football history are respected as highly as the Italy legend and this could be Maldini's final appearance in England ahead of his summer retirement.

Maldini was one of many subjects which cropped up when we asked Gabriele Marcotti of Corriere dello Sport for an Italian perspective of Wednesday's game. Read on for his assessment of Milan, the special qualities of Kaka, where the first leg will be won and lost, and the admiration for Arsenal in Italy.

STORY SO FAR
"Ordinarily, the pattern over the last few years has been for Milan to start the season very slowly and hit top form in March and April. That said, you wonder whether they can repeat that year after year and whether it's really a reliable gameplan to follow. In a knockout situation though, they obviously have the experience and the ability. They have a guy who - for my money - is possibly the best defender in the world. That's Nesta. Then they have a guy who is probably one of the top two or three players in the world - Kaka. They have an excellent midfield, buoyed by a guy like Pirlo who has certainly proved himself. They feel that in a knockout competition they can hold their own against anybody. Where there have been issues is when they have to sustain it over 38 weeks in a league competition."

MEN OF THE MOMENT
"What makes Kaka so special is that he has all the Brazilian skills, he has the tricks and the flair, but he's also a very direct player. He's a very intelligent guy, he knows just when to give the ball first time, when to hold it up or maybe run at an opponent. He has an intelligence on the pitch which is uncanny. The other thing, and this seems to be the trend among great, skilled players, like Cristiano Ronaldo, he also has size, strength and athleticism.

"Maldini is pushing 40 and we can talk about how phenomenally fit he is and what a tremendous professional he is. It's his 22nd year in the top flight which is phenomenal, and even the fact that he's been a one-club man for so long is rare in modern football. At his age he doesn't play every week, he only plays the big games and he tries hard to keep fit. The one thing about Maldini is that he is very realistic about his ability. If he doesn't feel up to it, or if he feels that another guy can do a better job, he'll go to Carlo Ancelotti and tell him. That's a sign of great professionalism and putting the team first. He's not one of those older guys who feels that he's got to play because he's a living legend or because of his years of service. If he feels below 100 per cent he will always put the team ahead of his ego and that's one of the ingredients which has made him such a phenomenal player. "

SADLY MISSED
"I think Ronaldo is a loss based on hypotheticals because he really hadn't played much this season. It's certainly very, very sad because this will be the umpteenth knee operation of his career. You feel bad for him because he would have represented added value for Milan. But he hasn't been a huge contributor this season. As for Milan's attacking options on Wednesday, Alexandre Pato has started his career very brightly but I suspect he and Filipo Inzaghi will not start the game. I think you will see Alberto Gillardino up front in a 4-3-2-1 formation with Kaka and Seedorf tucked in behind."

TALKING TACTICS
"I think if Milan play Gillardino on his own up front, it will be essential for him to be able to hold the ball up and give the team time to push up and time to breathe. Milan play a short-passing game, they commit a lot of people forward. They are not a defensive side, they are not a counter-attacking side, but because of that they need their front guy to hold it up for them. That will be crucial. At the same time, should Adebayor be on his own up front for Arsenal, Milan will have to retain the bulk of possession in midfield and that means Kaka and Seedorf will have to help out the tight midfield three of Gattuso, Pirlo and Ambrosini.

"I think Milan would rather score away from home. I get the sense that there are going to be goals in this game. It looks like Zeljko Kalac, Milan's No 2 goalkeeper who has kind of taken over from Dida, is unlikely to start, so Fiori will come in. He's 38 and has only started two games in the last seven years. So I think it will be an open game with a few goals. A good result for Milan will be a draw, but a scoring draw."

IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL
"Many observers, including Claudio Ranieri, who is now the coach at Juventus, have said that Arsenal, along with Roma, play the best football in Europe. They play football the way it's supposed to be played. There is tremendous admiration for that in Italy and also for the work Arsene Wenger and his staff have done in bringing in young players from all over the world and making sure they fit into the 'Arsenal way' of doing things. Over the last two or three years it has become a blueprint for other clubs to follow and a lot of clubs have talked about following the Arsenal methods when it comes to scouting but the fact of the matter is that no one else has done it convincingly. Not many clubs have the courage to take 18 or 19-year-olds and throw them into the first team. There is a lot of admiration but there is also a lack of courage to go and emulate what Wenger and his people have done. There is tremendous curiosity out there and people want to watch attacking sides so there is no better place to be on Wednesday - the team which supposedly plays the best football in Europe against the reigning European champions."

[D-Kin]

Carletto counts out Kalac Tuesday 19 February, 2008

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Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t expect goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac to play against Arsenal tomorrow, but he has faith that his veterans will protect Valerio Fiori.

Milan are facing a ‘keeping crisis after Kalac dislocated the phalanx of his finger just days after Nelson Dida picked up a freak back injury while sitting on the bench.

It seems that 38-year-old third choice Fiori, who has played just two games in eight seasons, will be given the gloves in London with youth custodian Daniel Offredi on the bench.

“I don’t think that Kalac will make it,” Ancelotti admitted.

“A finger is very important for a goalkeeper, but we will see after training this evening. If he doesn’t manage to train then Fiori will play.

“It’s no a problem because the way a team plays is never based on the ‘keeper – if a side plays well then there’s no need for him.”

Striking starlet Alexandre Pato is with the squad, but is likely to start on the bench due to his ankle problem.

“We aren’t in top condition, but nobody is in Italy or Europe,” Carletto said. “These games aren’t about the condition of the players, but about concentration and experience.

“We have expertise and we are used to this kind of game. It will be a very close encounter, which will be difficult for both teams, but this kind of game brings out an incredible energy.

“Arsenal are a very dynamic side who play attacking football. They play with great enthusiasm, but we know how to show courage and personality.

“This team have always stepped up on these occasions and so I am calm and think that we can do the job.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Alright! Only a few more hours to go for the game,... Finally! Anyway just some news and all.

Today, Shevchenko came to visit the Milan at their training session and he wished them all good luck for the game.


Some random facts...

ARSENAL-MILAN: I PIU' PRESENTI
20/02/2008
MILANO - Non ci sono giocatori, nelle file dei Gunners londinesi, che abbiano disputato tutte le otto partite dell'Arsenal in Champions League in questa stagione, ovvero i due incontri del Turno preliminare contro lo Sparta Praga e le sei gare del Girone di Prima fase. Nel Milan invece ben cinque giocatori sono stati presenti in tutte le sei partite, nella Champions 2007-08: Bonera, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf e Kakà. | |

Arsenal don't have one player that ha splayed in every single Chmapions League game this season, while Milan have 5; Bonera, Gattuso< pirlo, Seedorf and Kaka.

Some randoms numbers on Maldini

NUMERI DEL CAPITANO
19/02/2008
MILANO - Se domani sera in Arsenal-Milan Paolo Maldini dovesse scendere in campo, dopo aver toccato il traguardo delle 1000 partite ufficiali, il capitano rossonero, raggiungerebbe la sua partita numero 108 in Champions League, la numero 171 in competizioni Uefa. | |

If Maldini plays tonight he will make his 108th appearance in the Champions League and his 171st in UEFA Competitions... What a legend. Vai Maldini

[D-Kin]

Cesc expects ‘ultimate test’ Wednesday 20 February, 2008

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Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas certainly isn’t underestimating Milan ahead of tonight's Champions League last 16 battle in London.

The world champions have a daunting task as they prepare to face the Premier League leaders, who are still smarting from last weekend’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United.

And despite Milan’s lowly position in Serie A, it doesn’t seem that their opponents are taking the Italian threat lightly.

“We didn’t play well against Manchester United, but we want to win things and against Milan you don’t need extra motivation,” Fabregas explained.

“We have to bounce back bigger and stronger than ever and this is probably the ultimate challenge.

“They are a team of experienced, strong and intelligent players and they can kill us in a minute, so we have to be at our best.

“I really rate Andrea Pirlo,” the Spaniard enthused. “He is a great player and such a good passer of the ball – he always sees the right pass.

“And then there’s Kaka. He had a great 2007 and we have to be careful of him, but they have so many other strengths and one of the best midfields in Europe.

“We have so much respect for them, but we want to prove that we can compete with them and get to the Final again.”

Arsenal (probable): Lehmann; Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy; Ebouè, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb; Adebayor, Eduardo

Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

CL: Kalac set to start Wednesday 20 February, 2008

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Zeljko Kalac is likely to be passed fit to start between the posts for Milan at the Emirates Stadium tonight, but his finger is still raising concerns.

The Australian international has impressed while filling in for Nelson Dida in recent weeks, but he is a doubt for this evening’s Champions League last 16 battle after he dislocated the phalanx of one of his fingers.

With Dida not in the squad after his latest injury, which he sustained while sitting on the bench at the Stadio Tardini, Carlo Ancelotti feared he might have to turn to third-choice custodian Valerio Fiori.

Fiori has been at Milan since 1999, but he has been a perennial understudy and made just two appearances in eight years.

Kalac trained at the Emirates Stadium this morning under the watchful eye of goalkeeper Coach Villiam Vecchi and club doctor Pierre Meeserman.

After a tense low-intensity session, the man nicknamed ‘Spider’ returned to the dressing room with a smile on his face and will now probably start tonight’s crunch match.

Arsenal (probable): Lehmann; Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy; Ebouè, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb; Adebayor, Eduardo

Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Would prefer Oddo to start but hey! Can't wait for this game, come on MILAN!

[D-Kin]

0-0 isn't a bad result.

I'd imagine Milan got exactly what they were looking for and I now expect them to finish Arsenal off in Italy.

[D-Kin]

Champions League, Rd2, 1st leg - 20/2/08 (19.45)
Arsenal 0 - 0 Milan

Emirates Stadium

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Zeljko Kalac and the crossbar allowed Milan to hold Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The Rossoneri welcomed Zeljko Kalac, Clarence Seedorf and Alexandre Pato back from injury, the 18-year-old making his Champions League debut after three weeks out with a sprained ankle. Nelson Dida's back and a serious Ronaldo knee injury ruled them out. As Manuel Almunia was sidelined, former Milan flop Jens Lehmann started in the Gunners' goal.

The Italians played with white shirts and black shorts, an unusual away strip. They had the first chance after four minutes, as Pato flicked the ball over a defender and his shot was delfected out for a corner off Kolo Toure'. Seedorf's resulting set-piece was flapped away from danger by Lehmann.

The goalkeeper immediately launched an Emmanuel Adebayor counter and Massimo Oddo's sliding tackle was decisive. On the corner Adebayor was given a talking to for an overhead kick that booted Kakha Kaladze in the face.

Toure' picked up an early injury and was replaced by Philippe Senderos. An Adebayor header was comfortably caught by Kalac, then Eduardo came sliding in just too late to meet Sagna's cross from the right.

Kaka failed to get past Cesc Fabregas after Oddo has skipped over Gael Clichy, but Pato was rather harshly booked as he tried to outsprint Sagnol and ran into the back of him.

Eduardo couldn't get any power on his header from a Fabregas free kick at the back post. Adebayor sent Maldini down and cut back for Mathieu Flamini, whose low shot was easily held by Kalac.

Pato sprinted into the box and Senderos did well to protect the ball. Fabregas was totally unmarked just inside the box on 42 minutes, but Adebayor's pass was too long and Milan breathed a sigh of relief.

Moments later Kalac did well to beat away a Flamini cross-shot after he had skipped past Andrea Pirlo. Straight after the restart Alessandro Nesta went down with an injury and before Marek Jankulovski could replace him, the corner was taken with Kaladze's clearance skimming the upright. This moved Maldini into the centre.

Kaka managed an odd looping cross from the byeline that scared Lehmann, but Arsenal went on the counter and Alexander Hleb rolled back for Eboue' to flash a shot past the far post. Adebayor did hit the back of the net, but was clearly offside.

Kalac came rushing out to smother the ball at Adebayor's feet from six yards. The Gunners were pouring forward now and Eduardo's left-foot strike sailed over the bar from the edge of the box.

It was a very open game now and Kaka threaded through for the unmarked Oddo, who drilled well wide from a promising position. At the other end Maldini got a decisive touch to knock Fabregas' brilliant cross off the foot of Adebayor clear on goal.

Kaka spun round and fired wide of the near post from distance, but there was absolute chaos on 70 miutes when Pato took advantage of a lucky ricochet and the ball was trapped in a sea of legs before Arsenal managed to clear.

Eduardo was clear on Adebayor's pass, but missed so badly it nearly hit the corner flag. He was substituted immediately after by Nicklas Bendtner and moments later Kalac got down well to smother a Fabregas effort, then Kaladze performed a crucial tackle on Bendtner.

Pato was suffering from cramp as he sprinted towards the box and made way for Alberto Gilardino. Eboue was booked for a dramatic dive over Jankulovski, as he ran into the Czech's leg.

Senderos had to close down Kaka as he was lining up the shot from eight yards, then Adebayor's volley was gathered by Kalac on his knees and the Australian goalkeeper plucked another strike out of the air.

Emerson was Ancelotti's final change for Seedorf and Gilardino's glancing header from a Pirlo corner kick was smothered by Lehmann. Another two Pirlo set-pieces were off target, but Arsenal wasted a golden opportunity created by Adebayor's header on, Bendtner eventually ballooning over.

Theo Walcott came on for Eboue' for the four minutes of stoppages and his volley from a cleared corner was well held by the secure Kalac, who was playing with a dislocated index finger in his right hand.

Arsenal thought they had scored in the final seconds of injury time, but Adebayor nodded Walcott's cross on to the bar with Kalac finally beaten from five yards.

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Arsenal: Lehmann; Sagna, Gallas, Toure (Senderos 7), Clichy; Eboue' (Walcott 89), Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb; Adebayor, Eduardo (Bendtner 74)
Milan: Kalac; Oddo, Nesta (Jankulovski 50), Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf (Emerson 85); Pato (Gilardino 77)
Ref: Larsen (Den)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Ancelotti's not celebrating Wednesday 20 February, 2008

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Carlo Ancelotti is not entirely happy with the 0-0 draw in London and warns Milan will be under pressure in the second leg, too.

“This is not a result that can give us tranquillity. We struggled a bit and could have done more, but Arsenal are a strong side,” said the Coach.

“We know we’ll be under pressure as well in the second leg, but hope to go through anyway.”

Alexandre Pato made his Champions League debut from the start despite not playing in three weeks due to a sprained ankle.

“As the Arsenal defence was quite high, we used Pato in a bid to let his pace cause them problems. They move the ball around very well in midfield, but also leave spaces.”

Paolo Maldini proved magnificent against the much younger Gunners, especially after Alessandro Nesta’s injury moved his position.

“Maldini did very well on the left and especially in the centre, where he is more comfortable and cleared many dangerous opportunities,” added Ancelotti.

After Inter stuttered psychologically at Liverpool last night, how do Milan manage to always prepare for the top European games.

“It takes maturity to deal with these big appointments, but every game has its own story.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Wenger admits Arsenal nerves Wednesday 20 February, 2008

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Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal were “nervous” at facing the reigning European and World club champions.

“I feel we played the game we wanted to play and created many chances,” he said of the 0-0 draw.

“We didn’t concede a goal, that’s quite positive for the second leg, but unfortunately did not make the most of our chances to score.

“We were a bit nervous maybe in the final ball, but overall we created many chances and played well.”

Milan tend to give their best on the continental stage and held out well at the Emirates Stadium.

“I feel you could see tonight that, being under pressure, they have a lot of experience and can adapt to the problem they face. They realised quickly they had to defend well and did that with a lot of discipline,” he told Sky Italia television.

“We were a little bit nervous in our final third and a little bit had to do with facing a side like Milan.

“We have to recover now to play on Saturday and of course hope to come to Milan in a good position in the Premiership table.”

channel4.com - Football Italia