Guess Rafa's tactics for the final...

[Skillz]

My team

Pepe

......Finnan........Carragher....Agger..........Ri ise

................Mascherano........Alonso

.....Pennant...................................... .Gerrard
.............................Kuyt

...................................Crouch

This team is what i expect to start. It allows a wide threat from the start with Pennant and still allows our secret weapon to come on late while at the same time allowing SG to move centrally. One of the main reasons i believe this will happen is I believe Rafa will want this back 4 starting as they have played so well for so long.

Only change to that IMO is HK starting with SG on the right leaving Pennant as the attacking change on the wing.

[CAD]

Not a chance. Zenden will start in the left

[tomasjj]

But it wasn't a 4-5-1 Tomas. It was a 4-4-2 where Gerrard and Alonso got overrun. Hamann brought balance and the 3-5-2 was key in taking the game to them.

I fear that Mascher/Alonso/Gerrard would give them way too much control over the game.

To keep possession we need Zenden/Kewell (Would love if Kewell could play 90 mins but I seriously doubt it) and Pennant. We need width. I think that Kuyt is the key at CM in the first 45 mins.

It will be interesting to see what he goes for that is certain.

If I recall correctly: we played like this from the off:

Dude
Finnan Carra Sami Djimi
-----SG Xabi Riise
Luis ------------Kewell
--------Baros

Not sure though.
Looking at it now, it is too attacking and not enough steel.

[tomasjj]

Not a chance. Zenden will start in the left

Yeah, if he is fit, he will.
Harry to come on the last 30 or so if needed.

[CAD]

It will be interesting to see what he goes for that is certain.

If I recall correctly: we played like this from the off:

Dude
Finnan Carra Sami Djimi
-----SG Xabi Riise
Luis ------------Kewell
--------Baros

Not sure though.
Looking at it now, it is too attacking and not enough steel.

Looks right to me. Amazing that only two of those players has left actually.

I firmly believe in Mascher/Gerrard/Kuyt. If they can't provide the 'steel' then no one can. Pennant or Luis - none of them are of any great help defensively but Zenden can work hard.

I can't wait to see that lineup now

[wiw]

The way i see it:

Milan obviously play 4-3-1-2, with Kaka in a free role playing between the lines. As far as I'm aware, their tactics don't change massively from game to game..only subtle tactical changes?

Against the Scum:

without the ball: Rushed ManU's midfield, closed down early balls to their wingers by marking Ronaldo/Giggs tightly - even when the wingers did receive it Gattuso would double up and help the full backs. Their CB's also coped very well also. They nipped attacks in the bud early because of this, due to their good, quick interceptions, stopping ManU building attacks and pushing up the pitch too much, and as a result tended to win the ball far from their goal.

Against Man U with the ball: Looked to get Kaka on the ball early to start swift attacks in transition, forcing ManUs defence back - which coubled with their high pressing pushed ManU back very effectively. If they couldnt do this they were quite happy to play it simple in the midfield for short periods, pulling ManU every which way, disrupting their shape. As a result of the posession they obviously brought full backs into play more effectively, squeezing ManU in more and more.

So for me...obvious key areas (apologies if they have been mentioned before or if they seem obvious)

Kuyt/Gerrard (whoever plays as second striker) - MUST be on the heels of Pirlo whenever possible

Marking Kaka will obv. be tough - if someone man marks him, our shape will go. If we give him too much freedom he will find space. So what do we do? I'm not sure lol..perhaps attempt to man mark whenever possible, but concentrate more on cutting his supply - and for this reason i am praying Momo is fit. Despite his poor distribution I think he is key in stopping Gattuso/Seedorf. Afterall he can always give it to Masher/Xabi?

Other points: as i'm sure has been mentioned, i think we will play 4-4-2, obviously being typically compact in defence, and expansive in attack. I think two wingers is crucial to negate the threat of Milans pressing with fullbacks - if we concentrate on their midfield too much, there is a risk of the flanks being too open.

As for what we do with the ball..who knows? I'm sure Rafa knows their potential weaknesses like the back of his hand. Other stuff like Bellers to come on when Milan tire are obvious..

I think the back 5 picks itself

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Riise


Besides that though, it is tough. If Gerrard is on the right we either 1) lose shape or 2) nullify the impact Gerrard can have

If Gerrard is in the middle it means dropping either Crouch or Kuyt..neither of which I think should miss the game (Kuyt for his running and his ability and being the link man and Crouch for his height/knack of goals)


So to conclude i don't ****ing know

[wiw]

Actually do Milan play a 4-3-2-1 now?

[Helios Creed]

Pepe

......Finnan........Carragher....Agger..........Ri ise

................Mascherano........Alonso

.....Pennant ...............Gerrard................. .Harry
.............................

...................................Kuyt

[dww]

Actually do Milan play a 4-3-2-1 now?

They did against Man United.

[Marky]

Word on the street is Gerrard's playing just off Kuyt.
In Rafa we trust but i have to say i'm not to pleased about it, think Crouch should defo be starting.

[Helios Creed]

If we start with Zenden, I'm switching the telly off.









*Actual future performance of poster may vary from claims made for posting purposes.

[Helios Creed]

Word on the street is Gerrard's playing just off Kuyt.
In Rafa we trust but i have to say i'm not to pleased about it, think Crouch should defo be starting.

I thought they might struggle with Crouch's height, but they'd probably just adopt standard Italian defensive strategy and shove both hands down his shorts and stop him jumping by holding his knackers.

[Shaggy]

Word on the street?

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Word on the street is Gerrard's playing just off Kuyt.
In Rafa we trust but i have to say i'm not to pleased about it, think Crouch should defo be starting.

Just been listening to 5 live and they are saying the same thing.

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Riise

Pennant Xabi Masch Zenden

Gerrard

Kuyt

If im being honest, i'd like to play Crouch upfront with Kuyt as i believe he can cause Milan's defence all sorts of problems.
However this formation is very good in stopping Kaka, as Gerrard will cut off his suppply - Pirlo

[Shaggy]

I'd be dismayed if Gerrard plays off Kuyt. How ****ing negative? That would basically amount to a 4-6-0, with Dirk spending most of his time inside the centre circle and Gerrard aimlessly running around trying to get involved.

I don't recall a single game in which Gerrard has played well when playing "off a frontman". FFS.

What does Crouch have to do to get a game? His goals have fired us all the way to the final! If we ain't gonna use the fella we might as well ****ing sell him.

Oh well, Rafa knows best........