Champions League Final Preview
I'll just come out and say it. AC Milan are talking way too much. Gennaro Gattusso is barking about English football, Steven Gerrard and Liverpool too much. Carlo Ancellotti is being more than vocal about what he thinks of Liverpool's technical skill set on the pitch. And most of all, Alberto Gilardino shouldn't even be speaking in a microphone right now about revenge or righting the wrong of 2005. When he takes the pitch on Wednesday I would go so far as to say Gilardino will be the worst striker to have featured in a Champions League final in the past 10 years. This is not the Milan of '05 when a fearsome strikeforce of Hernan Crespo and Andriy Shevchenko were all the evidence some needed that Liverpool were going to be ripped apart. And in the first 45 minutes that is exactly what happened.
But enough about '05 and how Milan could not hold a 3 goal lead in the face of an inspired Reds squad, and 40,000 Scousers in Istanbul urging them on. Enough about that. We need to talk about the quiet cool that Rafa Benitez, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have maintained this week. We need to talk about how the Reds are brushing the mind game attempts off with the same ease that Javier Mascherano, Danny Agger and Carragher will display when they devour Kaka, Seedorf and whatever sad striker Milan parade out tomorrow.
Benitez will have the Milan attack locked down. If he survives 90 minutes Kaka will know what kind of toothpaste every Liverpool defender and midfielder uses. That is how closely guarded he will be. It has been pointed out on several occassions that the Milan defense is weak. I fully expect Paulo Maldini to be given the start. This is Ancellotti trying to inspire Milan. This is his attempt to get them to win one more trophy for Maldini. But this tactic will not work and will prove a grave mistake if Maldini gets minutes.
The strikers of Liverpool will create problems unlike anything the Milan defense has experienced in the competition. Dirk Kuyt will not stop moving so long as he is in the match. It will wear the defense down. Peter Crouch will be a constant worry. He will be in position to head home crosses in each attack and I would not be surprised if in an act of desperation he gets pulled down for a penalty. Not only that, Milan will be frustrated on set pieces when Crouch, Gerrard and Agger will be in a predatory mood. Any loose balls will be cleaned up by Kuyt to be sure. Plus, Craig Bellamy can come off the bench and be an absolute thorn in Milan's side. His activity coupled with Kuyt's could be lethal to a tired defense. Benitez should go to sleep tonight with the confidence that his attack should not be the problem.
Were he to lose sleep it would be due to Kaka. He is so fast and so skillful that Liverpool fans will hold their breath with each touch. But Mascherano or Gerrard will be marking him and Kaka will find no joy in either match up. Should Kaka prove to be too much for Mascherano, Momo Sissoko will be brought on for no other reason than to tackle. He will take a yellow card, he may even take a red card if it means roughing up the Brazilian. There is not enough talent around him at this point where Milan can expect someone else to rise above the moment and pick up if Kaka cannot create opportunities.
If it reads like I am confident in a Liverpool victory it is because I am. I do not believe for a second Milan can repeat the dismantling of the sort they inflicted on Manchester United at the San Siro. That was one match where a side came together and played flawless football. Liverpool are more motivated than Milan right now. They want to prove that they can win the final without needing a miracle to lift them. They want this championship to be a banner that gets waved in the face of all big name transfer targets letting them know there is about to be a new revolution at Anfield. They are asking any doubters Where were you when we marched on the Nou Camp? Where were you when Chelsea were turned over and bounced out of the competition in a penalty shoot out?
We are just hours away now. The match will be tight. But as it progresses you'll see Liverpool seize control and assert themselves. You'll see Milan look out of sorts and arguing with each other.
You'll see Liverpool win 2-0. You'll never walk alone.
But enough about '05 and how Milan could not hold a 3 goal lead in the face of an inspired Reds squad, and 40,000 Scousers in Istanbul urging them on. Enough about that. We need to talk about the quiet cool that Rafa Benitez, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have maintained this week. We need to talk about how the Reds are brushing the mind game attempts off with the same ease that Javier Mascherano, Danny Agger and Carragher will display when they devour Kaka, Seedorf and whatever sad striker Milan parade out tomorrow.
Benitez will have the Milan attack locked down. If he survives 90 minutes Kaka will know what kind of toothpaste every Liverpool defender and midfielder uses. That is how closely guarded he will be. It has been pointed out on several occassions that the Milan defense is weak. I fully expect Paulo Maldini to be given the start. This is Ancellotti trying to inspire Milan. This is his attempt to get them to win one more trophy for Maldini. But this tactic will not work and will prove a grave mistake if Maldini gets minutes.
The strikers of Liverpool will create problems unlike anything the Milan defense has experienced in the competition. Dirk Kuyt will not stop moving so long as he is in the match. It will wear the defense down. Peter Crouch will be a constant worry. He will be in position to head home crosses in each attack and I would not be surprised if in an act of desperation he gets pulled down for a penalty. Not only that, Milan will be frustrated on set pieces when Crouch, Gerrard and Agger will be in a predatory mood. Any loose balls will be cleaned up by Kuyt to be sure. Plus, Craig Bellamy can come off the bench and be an absolute thorn in Milan's side. His activity coupled with Kuyt's could be lethal to a tired defense. Benitez should go to sleep tonight with the confidence that his attack should not be the problem.
Were he to lose sleep it would be due to Kaka. He is so fast and so skillful that Liverpool fans will hold their breath with each touch. But Mascherano or Gerrard will be marking him and Kaka will find no joy in either match up. Should Kaka prove to be too much for Mascherano, Momo Sissoko will be brought on for no other reason than to tackle. He will take a yellow card, he may even take a red card if it means roughing up the Brazilian. There is not enough talent around him at this point where Milan can expect someone else to rise above the moment and pick up if Kaka cannot create opportunities.
If it reads like I am confident in a Liverpool victory it is because I am. I do not believe for a second Milan can repeat the dismantling of the sort they inflicted on Manchester United at the San Siro. That was one match where a side came together and played flawless football. Liverpool are more motivated than Milan right now. They want to prove that they can win the final without needing a miracle to lift them. They want this championship to be a banner that gets waved in the face of all big name transfer targets letting them know there is about to be a new revolution at Anfield. They are asking any doubters Where were you when we marched on the Nou Camp? Where were you when Chelsea were turned over and bounced out of the competition in a penalty shoot out?
We are just hours away now. The match will be tight. But as it progresses you'll see Liverpool seize control and assert themselves. You'll see Milan look out of sorts and arguing with each other.
You'll see Liverpool win 2-0. You'll never walk alone.
posted by Anonymous at 7:52 PM
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