Arsenal 0-0 AC Milan- 20/02/08 - (Champions League) 21 February, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Champions League.trackback
We really deserved a lot more than that 0-0 headline last night. I said in the preview that if we could keep a clean sheet it would give us a good chance in the 2nd leg. However it was the visitors that seemed more obsessed with defending. The barely broke into the last third of the pitch and even then, they weren’t great.
My evening started in the worst possible way. I thought I’d head down to the game early, soak up the atmosphere, look round the shop, have a pint, then go to the game. I was in good sprits sitting on my train, thinking about the game and slightly nervous. However, suddenly I thought, “SHIT! MY TICKET!” I had gone all the way to Wembley Park before I realised and I had to jump off the train and run to catch one going back the way I came. I couldn’t believe it, I never forget my ticket…one of the biggest games I’ve been to and I forget my fucking ticket. So I got the train all the way back, went home as quick as I could, got my ticket, back to the station and jumped straight on the first fast train into London. I was now a sack of nerves and completely stressed out.
In the end I made it to Arsenal Station about kick off time but there was hundreds of other people there too and the slow moving crowd was driving me insane. I ran right round to the opposite end of the ground where I was sitting and made it to my seat after about 8 minutes gone.
We started with the team I expected however it looked like Senderos had been preferred to Toure. I later found out that I’d missed an early injury to Kolo when Pato’s shot hit his leg and it twisted his knee forcing him off. After the game Wenger said it’s a calf problem, but whatever he is he said he’s going to be out for another crucial month. Luckily Senderos is in form at the moment but it’s a bit worrying if he or Gallas picked up an injury. Hleb was in the middle and Eduardo started on the wing but later in the game he was pushed up front.
There weren’t a lot of chances in the first half; I suppose both teams were being a little cautious. Even still, you’d have to say we were getting more of the ball and doing more with it. It took until the 36th minute for a proper shot on goal. Eboue cut in on the right and played it back for Flamini however his shot didn’t have a lot of pace on it and went straight into Kalac who had made himself fit for the game.
It finished at half time 0-0 still with everything to play for. Early into the second period Nesta was forced off injured and some bloke I’ve never heard of came on, I thought this might give us a chance to break Milan down.
We were definitely the most dangerous side of the two but we still weren’t really creating clear-cut chances. We were playing class football though; we were completely cancelling out the European Champions. I was interested to the Kaka play as I’d never seen him live before but he was anonymous. Senderos completely dominated him and made some great tackles against the World Player of the Year.
With about 20 minutes to go, players were tiring. The whole Milan side looked exhausted but there was one of two Arsenal players who looked a bit fatigued too. Clichy was ambling around for a little while but he soon picked himself up. Fabregas looks a bit knackered in the middle after all the work he’d done. Eduardo was replaced by Bendtner in the 73rd minute and it was from then on that we really should’ve scored.
Fabregas had a couple of shot but they both went straight at Milan’s 8ft ‘keeper. The best chance though came right at the end when Theo Walcott picked up the ball on the right. His pace and trickery was too much for the visitors and he cut inside and whipped in a cross to the far post to Adebayor. Theo put the ball right on his head and somehow Ade managed to hit the bar from just a couple of yards out. I’ve been watching the replays this morning and it’s making me cringe. How did he miss?
Anyway it ended 0-0 with it all to play for in the second leg. Birmingham in league up on Saturday which is arguably a much more important game. Thanks for reading.
I don’t think the result is as bad as all the rags are saying this morning. Have you seen their home record this season, its rubbish. If we score once then its an uphill task for Milan, I think we can definately get at least one goal at their ground.
while I dont think we are out of it, I do think Milan are wily enough to be able to lift themselves when they play us in 2 weeks time. unfortunately they wont play as if they are just playing some random italian side in Serie A. the only trophy they care about each season is the CL and they will be highly focussed on beating us. they were also very very pleased with the 0-0 whereas we felt disappointed, despite it being a great game. either they know they can win or their confidence is misplaced. I think it’s advantage Milan but as I say, we are not out of it yet. if we do go out, it will be a shame that we wont get to see any more games like that at the Emirates this season.
Big Phil is my MOTM: Eboue and Flamster are a close second. We will score to tie or win in San Siro to take us through.
TO THE PERSON WHO OWNS THIS SITE: COULD YOU PLEASE BLOCK ALL E-MAILS TO THE LOWLIFE WHO KEEPS POSTING HERE AS “CONNOLLY’S AGENT”???
Why you haven’t done this yet is beyond me.
Connollys agent, you’re doing better. I’m impressed by the number of “fucks” you’ve inserted in your text. Cognitive learning (and not just behavioural condition) is what separates us from other animals. Just remember that it can be used as a fucking noun (i.e fucking “fucker”
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And remember - you are a unique and special caterpillar who will one day bloom into a beautiful butterfly.
Milan will play a different side at the San Siro. Pato was shown to be ineffective as a lone striker. I’m sure that Gilardino will be selected to partner him. Milan are good enough to soak up pressure and steal a goal on the break. What’s the chances of Flamini keeping Kaka quiet for two games? Not fucking good, that’s what.
In two weeks’ time, I hope we’re good enough. Football-wise, we’ve shown that we’re better than Milan. But finshing-wise? This lack of composure is going to kill us. Adebayor’s been a fucking marvel for the whole fucking season, but at the San Siro, he’ll have to take his chance (and there’ll probably be only one), if we’re going to progress.
I’d like to see Walcott start.
chumpions league ur avin a laffff
biggest game of the season tomorrow. we lose and the pressure really begins to build, we win and i think we got one hand on the trophy!!
COME ON YOU GUNNERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Arse win + Toon hold manure to a draw + Scum do the same against chelski = Nice weekends footie
Deise,
You know chelsea will win. It’ll be Lampard with a deflection in the last minute
ur not attacking enough … all over !!
gd night , and wot a leader ur captain was sitting dwn crying and the other 2 dnt they realise football is a sport were u get broken legs ect..
Right, Stansted Airpot it is then on Monday morning. . . . . .
but what I really want to ask people on here is can anybody explain to me why it took me 5 or 6 phone calls back and forth last week to the ticket office to confirm the names and dates of birth of the people using the tickets for the away leg??
We all got an email with a link to the clubs website saying please enter all the details as the Italian police and AC Milan require names on tickets etc.
So surely its not difficult to have a link that actually works???? To save the bother of having to be rung up 4 times and then when u miss the call and return it they promise to ring you back the next day but dont.
Meaning some other idiot at the ticket office rings you and the whole process satarts over again.
or was I just the only one that happend to??