Lately, sort of to curb my nervousness, either if it's about the game itself or the ticket situation, I have been trying to guess the approach Rafa will choose for the final. Not crystal clear, but I think I got a fair idea.
The latest news of Zendens injury slightly altered what I had initially thought as well.
At the back I see no surprises, even though Zendens injury opened up the possibility for Riise at left mid. Arbeloas form lately negated that idea, I felt.
I think Rafa will go for SG on the right.
This is mainly due to Milan being strong up through the middle. Sounds odd, you might say, but with Alonso and Masch in the middle we can stop Kaka and Pirlo from running the play and also release SG down the right or where ever he wants to roam.
One worry is that Masch and Xabi will occupy the same space and get in each others ways, but I reckon Xabi will play a little more advanced. This also depends on how offensively Milan plays from the off.
Now with Zendens injury and Rafas latest comments I think Kewell will start. I think he trusts Kewell more and will choose him before Pennant on the right and SG on the left. It could be that Arbeloa has played better lately though and that Riise will push forward. I would be surprised though. Kewells ball retention is vital against a team of AC Milans capability. Riise, as we know is **** at that. This also lets us keep to players out wide who can keep the ball, beat a man and cross. The only buts being Kewells defensive capacity and SG positional dicipline to help Finnan out. But with Milan usually playing narrow I don't see this as crucial. Our fullbacks will probs sit back though, as Milan strikers/Kaka seek wide positions.
Up front I think it will be Crouch and Kuyt. Not many options there except using SG behind Crouch, but Kuyt will play. Defo. Having Kewell and SG on the flanks will be a plus with those two towers in the middle.
As for the tempo and defensive line I reckon we will just be fairly quick out of the blocks and try to establish control and contain play. Compact as Rafa says, but without risking much. I can see us playing the waiting game, like Rafa tried last time but was outdone by the 1st quick goal. If that happens again I reckon Rafa will be more patient this time and not lunge forward.
I don't think we will sit back with a low defensive line though. That is too dangerous, we want to stop them further up.
I can see us trying to win back the ball high up the pitch for limited periods of time to force break downs and quick attacks. This is very dangerous for Milan and will be decided by how well they can keep the ball and a cool head.
The key issues will of course be in midfield, mainly between Gattuso/Pirlo and SG/Xabi/Mascher. One of those will sit on Kaka, and I reckon it will be Mascher and Carra combined, dependent on how much Kaka moves...which is usually a lot. He also likes to move out to into the channels, so SG might also be occupied in closing him down.
Hey..thats enough from me...over to you now.
The latest news of Zendens injury slightly altered what I had initially thought as well.
At the back I see no surprises, even though Zendens injury opened up the possibility for Riise at left mid. Arbeloas form lately negated that idea, I felt.
I think Rafa will go for SG on the right.
This is mainly due to Milan being strong up through the middle. Sounds odd, you might say, but with Alonso and Masch in the middle we can stop Kaka and Pirlo from running the play and also release SG down the right or where ever he wants to roam.
One worry is that Masch and Xabi will occupy the same space and get in each others ways, but I reckon Xabi will play a little more advanced. This also depends on how offensively Milan plays from the off.
Now with Zendens injury and Rafas latest comments I think Kewell will start. I think he trusts Kewell more and will choose him before Pennant on the right and SG on the left. It could be that Arbeloa has played better lately though and that Riise will push forward. I would be surprised though. Kewells ball retention is vital against a team of AC Milans capability. Riise, as we know is **** at that. This also lets us keep to players out wide who can keep the ball, beat a man and cross. The only buts being Kewells defensive capacity and SG positional dicipline to help Finnan out. But with Milan usually playing narrow I don't see this as crucial. Our fullbacks will probs sit back though, as Milan strikers/Kaka seek wide positions.
Up front I think it will be Crouch and Kuyt. Not many options there except using SG behind Crouch, but Kuyt will play. Defo. Having Kewell and SG on the flanks will be a plus with those two towers in the middle.
As for the tempo and defensive line I reckon we will just be fairly quick out of the blocks and try to establish control and contain play. Compact as Rafa says, but without risking much. I can see us playing the waiting game, like Rafa tried last time but was outdone by the 1st quick goal. If that happens again I reckon Rafa will be more patient this time and not lunge forward.
I don't think we will sit back with a low defensive line though. That is too dangerous, we want to stop them further up.
I can see us trying to win back the ball high up the pitch for limited periods of time to force break downs and quick attacks. This is very dangerous for Milan and will be decided by how well they can keep the ball and a cool head.
The key issues will of course be in midfield, mainly between Gattuso/Pirlo and SG/Xabi/Mascher. One of those will sit on Kaka, and I reckon it will be Mascher and Carra combined, dependent on how much Kaka moves...which is usually a lot. He also likes to move out to into the channels, so SG might also be occupied in closing him down.
Hey..thats enough from me...over to you now.
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