So then,

[TheStig]

We stopped him in the second half in Istanbul and Rafa has the plan again .

[AFII]

Kaka is better now than 05 but we also have a better holding midfielder.

[kurtangle01]

They will have nothing like the space they had tonight in midfield when they play against us. If that had of been Milan were were playing against last night the way we played, im certain we would have beaten them by more than 1-0. I'd expect a strong start from Milan in Athens again, but we are far better equiped to deal with it now.
Of the two teams, we have changed the most, and for the better, we have decent options now whiel their strike force is not what it was is Istanbul, despite them putting 5 past the mancs. The way I see it if we can keep Kaka quiet, which I know our defence is cabable of we can win the match, we have more up front than they do and I believe our players are still fresh.
Bring it on Milan, IF you lot think you are hungry, wait till you check us out in Athens.

One problem we had in Istanbul was that we never set up to stop Kaka from the start and look what happened. In the second we set up to stop him and stifle his play and it worked out well. Rafa won't make the same mistake again this time out and we'll be better prepared.

[lfcruleus]

Cut off his supply, doesnt matter how good he is if his team mates cannot get him the ball, and when he does get it isolate him. Rafa will not man mark him but the hole in front of the back four will be double filled with Xabi and Masher, he made the mistake last time of allowing Kaka freedom in the hole.

[einar]

Stopping them will be easier then stopping Barca.

Momo is boss.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

We wont give them that amount of space like Manure did tonight.

[kurtangle01]

Rafa has been knocked out one time in the last four years in Europe.

That was against Benfica. He knows how to play against Milan.

That's your best post EVER!

Not even a hint of tribalfootbal in it either.

It's some achievement to have guided your team to 3 European finals in 4 seasons.

[Craig_H]

United are defensively naive and once again, at the highest level, it's been exposed. We're organised, disciplined and play as a unit.

United wonder why it's only 1 european cup final in 20 years under ginsoak?

It's because, at that level, you have to know how to be compact, disciplined and must be able to defend. Their weakness was embarrassingly exposed tonight.

No coincidence that they cant cope in europe, and we're in our 2nd final in 3 years.

[Sydney Vicious]

Fazackerley

I used to live there

[AFII]

If you look at the team Milan had 05 and what they have now then the only difference will probably be that they have Gilardino and Inzaghi upfront instead of Sheva and Crespo. The rest of the team will probably be the same as it was 05 in Istanbul.

No surprises for Rafa.

We have more options than Milan.

[Sydney Vicious]

Cut off his oxygen supply, doesnt matter how good he is if his team mates cannot get him the ball, and when he does get it isolate him. Rafa will not man mark him but the hole in front of the back four will be double filled with Xabi and Masher, he made the mistake last time of allowing Kaka freedom in the hole.

I've just rang the boys who did Woolmer in. They'll be in Athens from the 20th May

[shelly]

Cut off his supply, doesnt matter how good he is if his team mates cannot get him the ball, and when he does get it isolate him. Rafa will not man mark him but the hole in front of the back four will be double filled with Xabi and Masher, he made the mistake last time of allowing Kaka freedom in the hole.

Yes I don't think we will see any man marking, but two holding midfielders might be the way to go... Kaka can roam anywhere but then so can Stevie G and he actually bothers to drop back to defend so he can help out with Kaka too. Milan don't like being hassled. That's what we need to do to them cos if we try to play them at their game we will lose.

Have you guys noticed that Milan really really are effective shooting around the 18 yard box? Usually from Seedorf, Kaka and Marek. We must not drop deep and allow them that space. I knew they would score when the Mancs fell back and let them have that room. That's where we must stop them.

Their width depends on their full backs probably oddo and marek again. Finnan can stop Marek, it's our leftback that's weaker, but then Oddo is not the most consistent and we can double our defence on that wing. Barring injuries.. Milan's starting XI is already known... In that Rafa keeps his cards so close to his chest, we have the element of surprise there. Hopefully he has a couple aces up his sleeve!


Scared but excited

[kurtangle01]

I've just rang the boys who did Woolmer in. They'll be in Athens from the 20th May

I shouldn't laugh but...

[RoadEnd]

Odds on Kewell starting and limping off after 20 minutes.

[kanban111]

I hope you're not dissing the Kaiser there AF11