AC Milan (Ita) vs Liverpool FC (Eng)
We are hours away from the finals of the European Champion's League Competition 2006/07. The last time I wrote something on my favourite Redman was on the eve of the semi-final second leg with Chavski (aka Chelsea). The outcome as we all know is a part of history by now. But tonight we can actually witness one in the making albeit by our telly here on our island home.
Having grown up spending hours in the simulated soccer world of the highly acclaimed series of Championship/Football Manager, I shall attempt to adopt the role of a pundit and design a game plan for my beloved team which I feel can win us the game.
Firstly the forcasted formation of AC Milan and my team selection.
AC Milan (4-1-3-2-1) or (4-1-2-2-1)
------Dida-----
Oddo-------Nesta-------Maldini-------Jankulovski
------Pirlo------
--------Gattuso-------Ambrosini-------
Seedorf----------KaKa
------Inzaghi-----
Liverpool FC (4-3-3 or 4-4-1-1)
-----Crouch-----
Kewell------------------------Kuyt
Alonso--------Gerard
---------Mascherano-------
Riise------Agger-------Carraggher------Finnan
------Reina-----
The Tactics
Defence
To justify my team selection, the back four pretty much self-select themselves as its a pretty well-settled one, except for the fact that some may root for Arbeloa to start given his impressive performance during the Barcelona matches, stifling the likes of world-class phenom Leo Messi. However, he has shown he can be a bag of nerves too during big matches having struggled against Chelsea during the semis. So I'll stick to the proven JAR rather than push him up in midfield.
Midfield
Everyone talks about the danger that Kaka poses and how he can wreak havoc to any defence if he wonders unchecked, pretty evident during his display against the likes of Man Utd who felt they need not single him out for special treatment. With Mascherano patrolling the in front of the back four, this all South American showdown may well be a key battle for both teams in their bid to seize the jugular. Mascherano is an intelligent midfield destroyer and packs a full menu of know-hows for the most flamboyant of playmakers. KaKa i say, is in for a real supper.
Given that Mascherano has to observe the strictest of tactical disciplines to shackle KaKa, the responsibility of ball distribution will fall on Alonso with his range of passing. Gerard will have the license he craves so much to bomb forward and exploit any opportunities. Milan plays a rather narrow midfield and this will keep Gattuso and Pirlo busy checking his runs.
Attack
This is where it gets interesting and a real poser. I have gone with Kewell and Kuyt acting as wingers in support of lone striker, Crouch. Firstly, why Kewell? The guy's been injured for a good 10 months and only had reserve action and 2 cameo substitute appearrances since, its a real gamble. Kewell has shown glimpses of the quality he possesses during those comeback games. The same reason that made him one of the most sought after natural left wingers once. He's looking lean and mean again after his rehablitation. He's a big match player and as said before, its a gamble and punters don't really believe in a hat-trick of Deja vu like occurrences, meaning I don't see him limping out of this one. If he's good for 60-70mins of pure flair and quality crosses, I'll go with it.
Dirk Kuyt wide right. He is a striker by nature but he is also Dutch by soccer origin. Dutch players as we all know espouses the ethics of total football, or in short, attacking and defending as a team. Thus Dutch players are often accustomed to multiple positions in order to cover each other in transition. This is a cup final and you will need diligence, work ethics and a never-say-die attitude which is exactly what Kuyt is about, all action, all heart. Besides, he does play wide right or left for his national team, a fact that has went unnoticed by many. Therefore I rate him over Bellamy to start as an off-striker cum right winger.
Crouch has the height to trouble Milan and his ability to hold up play as a target man can help bring the team into play during counter attacks. His ungainly approach is something continental teams like Milan may have trouble dealing with. But Milan are no strangers to Beanpole hitmen like Crouch since the Serie A boasts an equally imposing Luca Toni and lanky Andrea Carriacolo from Fiorentina and Palermo respectively. Crouch for me gets the nod ahead of Bellamy again because as much as he is a poor header of the ball given his natural attribute of height (he can seriously do better alas like Jan Koller) but still, he's the best threat aerially compared to Bellamy plus he is the Red Army's leading Champions League goal scorer.
Substitutes
GK - Dudek (if fit) or Padelli
DF - Arbeloa
DF - Hyypia
Mid - Pennant
Mid - Sissoko
ST - Fowler
ST - Bellamy
Score prediction: 0-1 or 0-2 to Liverpool of course (I'm biased after-all), possibly scoreless at HT given both teams maybe cagey and adopt and cautious approach to the game. The longer it remains scoreless, the more panicky the Italians will get as the old ghost may just haunt them a tad too much.
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