AC Milan Preview: Near full strength 20 February, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Champions League.trackback
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:
Sagna – Gallas (c) – Toure – Clichy
Eboue(please don’t…) – Fabregas – Flamini – Hleb
Adebayor – Eduardo
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.
all week ive been reading blog after blog and so called arsenal fans slagging wenger and co off for being below par on the cowpasture with all that manure…but it will all come clear tonight!!
we have our eyes on the prize…its all abt the league and the c.league…what if were committed against the yanks and someone picked up an injury??? its like u said in the article…we have no one else!! everyone is injured!! bare bones!
We have won th fa cup plenty of times so wenger let it go…if we go on and win the league or c.league no one will give a sh!t abt ‘that’ game and everyone will go back to saying ‘arsene knows’
cmon u gunners…tonights abt showing our class and running rings around those old bastards!!
Come on Eboue is going to score a goal 2day. just sit at the back and watch
Lets just hope gilberto does not play as he destroys what everyone else does around him. without him I reckon we can get a good result to take to the San Siro – thats where the real test will be in two weeks time!
gazzap i here ya man!!
he was good for us last season, but maybe that was why we were conceeding so much?…he’ll be good at other teams, but not with the arsenal…lost his pace…lost his motivation
man i never thought id say this…but we need song fit!
It seems that in the FA Cup game against Man Utd we played with the handbrake on, without any desire, and from what I could see an element of fear too.
Let’s hope that our performance tonight is completely free of such factors and that we really have a go at Milan, from the 1st minute until the last.
I hope – but don’t expect – that Denilson plays on the righthand side of midfield, rather than Eboue, as I feel he will offer us more both defensively & offensively.
Come on Arsenal!
The fans have a big part to play tonight.Just look how Liverpool played v Inter last night.The support was brilliant.The fans were the 12th man
For once can all the Arsenal fans make some noise for a change for too long we act as though we are in a library.If you cant get excited by a game v the European champions you dont have a pulse.
Why can Man Utd give their fans free scarves and Chelski free flags we we cant?
And please no early leavers you are not helping the team.This is a massive game stay till the end you muppets
Gooner Don,
Dont think you’re allowed flags at the Emirates Don, unless they’ve got EMIRATES written in big letters
Eboue will probably be played because Arsene will want to get something out of his silly ass before he warms the bench for the next two matches. I just hope he doesn’t bring us down to 10 again.
Connollys agent
Why do you keep insulting yourself?
P.S. I think Hleb will be class tonight. All the attention is going to Flattuso, Cesc and Adebayor but i think Hleb will shine tonight.
Prediction
Arsenal 3 – 1 AC Milan
Adebayor 15 Seedorf 75
Eduardo 60
Walcott 90
Hleb will be involved in every goal (except Seedorfs)
Gazzap you jus beating me to the punch,i dont want Berto anywhere near the team but u seem to be bewating me to every blog good on you!!
its going to be a tough game,if we have a proper go and use our heads we have a chance lets jus hope Cesc and Hleb jus dont have one of those games when you jus wonder to yourself …wah the f*uk is going on???i know this post is late but i do hope all fellow grovers sing Sagna’s name through out
We Gunner Gunn Em…
Connollys agent
WHO THE FUCK GIVES A SHIT
Hey, Connollys agent.
How’s things? Listen, I hope you’ve had a chance to calm down and that you’re feeling a bit better now. If you can muster up those two neurons of yours, I’d like you to consider these two points. I know, ?I know, ONE idea per neuron is a bit of a challenge for you, but I’m sure you can manage.
Firstly, cheer up; everyone knows you’re a stupid fucker, but you don’t have to eviscerate yourself on a blog. There’s no need to put yourself down. Stand in front of your bathroom mirror and take a good hard look at the stupid, hideous, Flamini-esque visage that peers back at you. Beneath those caveman brows and dull, beady little eyes, there lurks the semblance of a human being. All you have to do is coax it out, treat it nicely, and give it a cup of tea on occasion. Tell yourself that you’re worthwhile, that you’ve got a place in the world and that you’re a lovable, likable fucker (yes, I know it’s a lie, but everyone has to lie to themselves once in the while). If you can do that, I’m sure all these nasty feelings about donkeys, your parents, your sister and yourself will ebb away.
Secondly, have the decency to impersonate me properly. It’s quite embarassing to have such an incompetent fuckwit trying to take the piss out of me. Here’s some pointers:
1. It’s “Connolly’s agent”.
2. I don’t have a link to another site.
3. Use the word “fuck” more often, and other cuss-word less often.
Cheers,
Connolly’s agent
I thought we played well. Eboue should’ve got a penalty. Adebayor should’ve scored. Flamini snuffed out Kaka almost completely. Pato looked fucking scary in the first few minutes (what did that fucker’s shot did to Toure’s leg?), but otherwise, the defense was excellent. We should’ve won 2-0. We really, really should’ve. And it’s probably going to cost us in the return leg; Kaka’s going to slip through the defense in the 80th minute and slot one through.
Fucking hell, it was good while it lasted, though. And I was impressed with Eboue. It just shows that there’s hope for hopeless fuckers like my friend “Connollys agent”.
WTF is going on in this blog?
Connollys agent who the fuck are you?
Your probably a horny 12 year old scum fan trying to get attention.
EÑÑ, OS TRSÑÑU YEÑBR UPI DSF VIMY