Guess Rafa's tactics for the final...

[Craig_H]

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.

I know mate.

We'll see...

[dww]

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.

While I agree I think we will have to be prepared that Crouch will have a lot of fouls given against him. Milan posess some of the most intelligent defenders around and continental refs have given Crouch no leeway at all.

[Welhung]

Who really has any freakin idea of what Rafa is gonna do?

But its fun to have a crack at it anyway....

My tip -

-------------------------Pepe---------------------------
Finnan-----------Carra-----------Agger----------Arbeloa
--------------Masch------------Xabi--------------------
Pennant--------------Gerrard-----------------------Riise
--------------------Kuyt-------------------------------

Subs: Kewell, Momo, Dudek, Bellers/Fowler, Crouch, Gonzo, Sami

We will probably start with a jam packed midfield to stop the biggest threat from Milan (kaka). I can't see us playing much in the way of attacking football, unless we have to chase a goal. Pennant would start on the right. He's been getting so much better lately, and really can do the job on the right better than Stevie can. A 3 man centre mid with Xabi and Masch performing the defensive duties. This allows Gerrard to Marshall the midfield and bomb forward. Riise wil start on teh left. He has to. Kewell will be more effective brought on later in the game when the opposition is tired. This will even it up a bit more. And hopefully we can bring on Robbie late in the game to score a winner and end his career in style! If we need a winner by then we can sacrifice either Masch or XAbi for crouchy or robbie. Go a 442 and push up more. Or do what we did in Istanbul in the 2nd half and start a 3 man defence omitting Arbeloa. Play Xabi, Masch and Momo in the centre allowing stevie to be pushed further forward.

[Elrond]

I think Kuyt will definitelty start. Oddo bombs on a lot from right back so I would expect a more defensive player than Kewell to start at left mid.

Don't you think that by playing Kewell, Oddo will not bomb forward as much because of the attacking threat Harry poses ??

If Harry is fit as all the reports coming out from the manager etc seem to suggest, then he should start. We have nothing better on the left, and if his performance against Charlton is anything to go by, he could cause more havoc for AC Milan in 60-70 minutes, then Zenden and Riise for an entire match...

I also think his defensive positioning is often overlooked... He supports Riise very well IMHO, he tracks his runners back consistantly.

I don't think it was any coincidence that Stevie G had his best season (from the right) for us with HK on the other side. Having that outlet allows Gerrard to roam, as Harry can hold the ball, rarely gives it away and can get to the by line and put in a good cross.

My team:

-----------Reina-----------
-Finnan--Carra-Agger--Riise-
--------Masch Alonso-------
-Stevie-----Kuyt-----Kewell-
-----------Crouch----------

Good balance to that team i think... Solid defensive unit with attacking threats from both sides of the pitch...

P.S. I'm ****ting myself...

[Nicey]

Don't you think that by playing Kewell, Oddo will not bomb forward as much because of the attacking threat Harry poses ??

If Harry is fit as all the reports coming out from the manager etc seem to suggest, then he should start. We have nothing better on the left, and if his performance against Charlton is anything to go by, he could cause more havoc for AC Milan in 60-70 minutes, then Zenden and Riise for an entire match...

I also think his defensive positioning is often overlooked... He supports Riise very well IMHO, he tracks his runners back consistantly.

I don't think it was any coincidence that Stevie G had his best season (from the right) for us with HK on the other side. Having that outlet allows Gerrard to roam, as Harry can hold the ball, rarely gives it away and can get to the by line and put in a good cross.

My team:

-----------Reina-----------
-Finnan--Carra-Agger--Riise-
--------Masch Alonso-------
-Stevie-----Kuyt-----Kewell-
-----------Crouch----------

Good balance to that team i think... Solid defensive unit with attacking threats from both sides of the pitch...

P.S. I'm ****ting myself...

I was going to say

…………………………………PEPE………….…………………..

……………………..CARRA…………....AGGER…………………

FINNAN………………………………………………………RISSE
…………………………MASCHHERANO…………………………..


STEVIEG……………………ALONSO……………………KEWELL

…………………………………KUYT………………………………..

………………………………..CROUCH………………………………



DUDES, BELLERS,HYPIA,PENNANT,FOWLER,SISOKO,INSUA



But I think your formation is spot on and offers us the best platform for attack and defense

[Guest]

I do feel that we might play Kuyt with Stevie in a withdrawn role upfront. Pennant and probably Zenden on the left, with Xabi and Javier in the middle.

Our back four will be as usual. But Rafa will be particularly aware that keeping possession is a must on Wednesday night, so instead of playing Crouch upfront, which will be an invitation at throwing aimless balls upfront, Rafa could be pairing Kuyt with Stevie baulking up the midfield.

[Nicey]

Bolo is injured though ... I thought anyways ... Crouch for me makes sense to start.. he rarely scores coming off the bench

[Guest]

I have a hunch that Bolo will be fit. I can't see Harry or even Gonzo starting.

[brikkis]

Reina
Finnan . Carra . Agger . Riise
Pennant . Gerrard . Mascherano . Kewell
Kuyt . Crouch

[paulc]

Team to play

My mate works for Polaris world in Spain. He was working as a ball boy during the spanish training camp last week,

The team that played 11 v 11 both days was

Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
JAR
gerrard
alonso
mascherano
Momo
Kewell
DK

read into it what you will

I have photos of my mate with all the team so I know he was there and not telling lies!

dont shoot the messenger

[tomasjj]

My mate works for Polaris world in Spain. He was working as a ball boy during the spanish training camp last week,

The team that played 11 v 11 both days was

Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
JAR
gerrard
alonso
mascherano
Momo
Kewell
DK

read into it what you will

I have photos of my mate with all the team so I know he was there and not telling lies!

dont shoot the messenger

Now that is interesting mate.

Hmmm... Momo in the lineup, and no Crouch.

How the hell with that pan out?!

-----------Reina
Finnan--Carra--Agger--Riise

--Momo---Masch---Xabi---

------Sg-----Kewell-------
---------Kuyt------------

Doesnt look right imo.

[paulc]

it would be one up front with kewell/ gerrard supporting i think? not sure though as not tried this one in football manager!

[Guest]

That would be 4-3-3 turning into a 4-5-1 ! That's a fantastic team IMO.

[paulc]

i think it is a good line up and i cannot see kaka getting much time on ball with both momo and mascherano at his heels.

[DeeGame]

That would leave the bench a bit thin on the ground as we'd have no CM cover.