Guess Rafa's tactics for the final...

[tomasjj]

no it was too rough to go out

I might take a few days off next week and take out my own boat if weather improves.

I can imagine so. It has been very windy here too, much more than usual for this time of year.

[Red_Polo]

My thoughts.

Crouch and Kuyt to start up front.
If Gerrard does start on the right, then I suspect that Momo may well start the game fitness permitting and he will be the one to mark Kaka. Hes tailor made for the job and it wouldnt restrict Mascheranos game so much.
If Gerrard starts in the middle, then Pennant to start on the right.
Kewell on the bench.
Alonso on the bench.
I think there is a very strong case for Riise staring at LM with Arbeloa at LB, assuming that Zenden is injured. If not, then Zenden to start and Riise at LB.

I don't think Momo is disciplined enough to mark Kaka. It's not his strength, he needs to be free to run wherever the **** the ball goes rather than track Kaka's off the ball runs etc.

I have close to no idea how Rafa will set the team out. I reckon Kewell should start though.

[Guest]

Gerrard will be playing on the right and Gonzo or Zenden (if fit) on the left. I don't think Harry will start the game in the case of Zenden not making it. Riise as a left midfielder could also be an option but I doubt Rafa's gonna opt for that unless it's an emergency situation.

As for CM, Xabi and Javier will be playing there, bringing stability and assuredness in our passing. Javier obviously looking to break up attacks and Xabi starting our passing moves. Stevie will have a roaming role and will try to instigate our attacking moves from all over the pitch.

I would have preffered Xabi and Stevie in CM, but Rafa will surely have an eye on Kaka, so by playing two defensive central midfielders, Kaka it seems, will have his work cut out.

In attack, he'll probably go for Kuyt and Crouch, as they're probably our most creative attacking / goalscoring threats ... with Harry on the bench.

Now, this formation could be a little predictable and over reliant on Stevie producing the goods or not and he could be marked off the game. I would have liked Pennant starting with Xabi and Stevie in the middle and a fit Harry on the left, but I don't think Rafa will start with such an attacking formation.

[Red_Polo]

Chances of Gonzalez starting are remote in my eyes.

[Guest]

Chances of Gonzalez starting are remote in my eyes.

If Zenden isn't fit, I can't see Rafa starting with Harry ! He hasn't started a football match since the world cup and even though he's in great form fitness wise, I can't see him having an impact from the start. He'll be used as an impact player as a substitute IMO.

Can't see Riise playing LM and Arbeloa at left back also, so Gonzo could be playing. But I'm surely wrong.

[Red_Polo]

If Zenden isn't fit, I can't see Rafa starting with Harry ! He hasn't started a football match since the world cup and even though he's in great form fitness wise, I can't see him having an impact from the start. He'll be used as an impact player as a substitute IMO.

Can't see Riise playing LM and Arbeloa at left back also, so Gonzo could be playing. But I'm surely wrong.

Yeah I can see where you're coming from, what with the injury situation etc, but I just think with Speedy having had such a poor season Rafa is likely to find a way around starting him. Personally I hope Zenden is fit but Kewell starts. That way we can get the most out of him and we don't need to worry about the possibility of him coming on as a sub only to have to go off again.

[tomasjj]

I think Rafa would rather start with Pennant on the right and SG on the left before starting Gonzo.

[Pablo]

If Zenden isn't fit, I can't see Rafa starting with Harry ! He hasn't started a football match since the world cup and even though he's in great form fitness wise, I can't see him having an impact from the start. He'll be used as an impact player as a substitute IMO.

Can't see Riise playing LM and Arbeloa at left back also, so Gonzo could be playing. But I'm surely wrong.

Yes I think you are wrong

Hes woefully off form, honestly I dont think Rafa will trust him to perform in such a huge game. If Zendens out I think the choices are Kewell, Riise or possibly Penant on the left. I think Gonzo is 4th choice for that position now, that is how out of form he is. He might just make the bench,, although I think thats unlikely too.

[Shaggy]

Well I'll be staggered if Gerrard doesn't start on the right. Yes he's prone to a total lack of positional discipline on the right, but for a game like this he'll do what he's bally well told.

I think we'll line-up with a 4-4-2; the usual back four (there's no good reason for Arbeloa to start at left-back), with Mascherano and Alonso patrolling the middle of the park and, between them, looking after Kaka - with the onus mainly on Masher. Personally I'd go with Kewell on the left but, fitness-permitting, Rafa will go with Zenden.

Kuyt has started every big-game in which we've played since his arrival, so it's clear he'll start. Crouch should get the nod over Bellamy. He is, after all, our top goalscorer both overall and in the Champions League. You need 'game intelligence' at this level and against defenders as 'cute' as Milan's. Crouch has that in spades, whereas Bellamy isn't the brightest. Crouch can trouble Nesta in the air, IMO, and Bellamy can cause tiring, ageing Rossoneri legs all kinds of grief as a substitute.

So for me it's:

Reina

Finnan
Carra
Agger
Riise

Gerrard
Mascherano
Alonso
Kewell (or Zenden)

Kuyt
Crouch

[Guest]

Reina

Finnan
Carra
Agger
Riise

Gerrard
Mascherano
Alonso
Kewell (or Zenden)

Kuyt
Crouch

[tomasjj]

So for me it's:

Reina

Finnan
Carra
Agger
Riise

Gerrard
Mascherano
Alonso
Kewell (or Zenden)

Kuyt
Crouch

See post no. 1.

[Guest]

See post no. 1.

[Shaggy]

[Craig_H]

I reckon Rafa will start with...

reina
finnan carra agger arbeloa
gerrard alonso masher sissoko riise
kuyt

I hope i'm wrong.

[Shaggy]

That would be the most negative team ever! What with Kuyt's tendency to hang around near the halfway line, that would essentially be a 4-6-0.