AC Milan Preview: Near full strength 20 February, 2008

The day is finally here. I’ve really been looking forward to the game and now it’s finally tonight I’m unusually calm…and quietly confident. Arsene has us as underdogs which is quite right, they are the European Champions and are a massive side. However, we haven’t been doing too badly ourselves and although our side is young and lacks silverware, we have a lot of heart, belief and speed. We’re in a good position I think, so much so I was watching Sky Sports News this morning and they were showing the odds and we’re favourites. 11/10 I think it was.

I said the Man United vs. Arsenal game would be a good game to watch, but I was wrong, I really should’ve guessed it. However tonight it will be a great game, there are so many talents on the pitch and the score could really be anything. Cesc Fabregas believes the game will be won in midfield, he’s been talking about how he admires Pirlo and that their experienced midfield can ‘kill us in a minute. Gunnerblog weighs up the two midfields ahead of tonight’s game in his piece today.

One of his comparisons was Flamini vs. Gattuso. Matty has been likened to the Milan midfielder this season with his never-say-die spirit, his commitment and ability to control the game. He’s been a revelation for us this year and he will be massive for us tonight. He’s been playing down those comparisons though, he says, “I’m a different player to him. I’m more attacking. We try and play a little more football. And, anyway, I want to make my own name in the football world.” He has got a point there, he does help us going forward quite a bit too, to be honest with you I haven’t studied Gattuso’s play so I can’t really argue their likeness.

The team news for tonight is good. Lots of players have managed to make themselves available for tonight which is fantastic. Bacary Sagna returns after mourning the sudden and tragic death of his brother, all thoughts go to him, I hope it won’t affect his game but only inspire him on. Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor were all on the bench against United but return to the first eleven tonight. Denilson and Walcott have also been added to the squad, that could be just to make up the numbers or they have actually made a recovery. Our biggest absentees are Almunia who’s still recovering but Arsene says he’s not far away and Thomas Rosicknote is still out too.

I think we might go 4-5-1 tonight, or another option would be to play Hleb behind Ade. However I worry that a single striker might not be enough for Milan’s top defence. Here’s how I think we’ll line up:

That line up allows for us to change things if the need be. If Arsene wants to put 5 across the middle then Eduardo just drops to the left, the same goes for if he wants to put Hleb playing off the striker. I’d be quite surprised if it was anything different from that. Toure didn’t put in a fantastic performance in Manchester, whereas Senderos has been consistent; I still think Toure will get the game though. On the right I’ve had to pick Eboue, we haven’t got anyone else to be honest, hopefully he plays well and doesn’t do anything stupid, this is an important game.

I believe we’ve got a really good chance tonight, we have to consider the away leg to come though. If we were to keep a clean sheet tonight that would be great to take to the San Siro; a 1-0 or 2-0 would be incredible. I’d take a 3-1 or something as well but it does leave a nice opportunity for Milan in the 2nd leg with that away goal. We have to stop them from scoring, if they score two or something tonight it’s not the end of the world, it just means we have to do the same over there or at least get a goal at home.

The game can really go any way, they might completely outclass us, or we could unlock their matured defence and take the advantage. Maldini’s been saying he’s worried about Adebayor; his Champions League record isn’t great put hopefully he can continue some of that League form tonight. A goal tonight from him would be very important.

I think the game’s on Sky Sports 2 tonight but for those of you going I’ve got three bits of advice: 1. Wrap up, it’s going to be fucking freezing, 2. Bring your scarves, the club and RedAction have been trying to get everyone to bring theirs tonight. It looks really good inside the ground and they’ll keep you warm too you know. And 3. Sing your heart out. We need to make advantage of that home advantage so lets make it a special atmosphere.

Right I’m off to work now, then down to The Grove, love it.