Champions League Last 16. - Page 12

Former Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has written an article for the Observer in the UK, republished in today's Guardian, on how Milan line-up, and what their strengths and weaknesses are:

http://football.guardian.co.uk/champ...062747,00.html

It gets spikier than that, with Rafa providing Milan tips on how to contain CRonaldo, thus potentially risking Fergie's hairdryer treatment.

The source is TribalFootball, a shaky rumour-mongering site, but always entertaining reading.

"In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez said: "You need one very defensive player, strong and hard. Serginho wouldn't be right and neither would Marek Jankulowski be ideal, while Kakha Kaladze lacks speed. I spoke about this with Ferguson and we are of the same opinion.

"If (Paolo) Maldini has recovered his speed, he is the best solution."

Rafa prefers Milan due to the emotion the match would generate. Perhaps he believes AC are weaker now than in 2005, or simply that they'll crack under the psychological scars 2005 left on them?

Milan's hand certainly got stronger with news of Corn-Rio getting himself "merc'd"

Who the hell is left standing to line their defence now?

OShea Brown Heinze [Park-Ji-Sung]

Park can deputise as fullback, with his speed, while Heinze is a centrehalf for Argentina.

Has Fletch ever played fullback, particularly left fb?
Kieran Richardson might have, but they can always rope in Cathcart or one of the other reserve players.

Brown and O'Shea can play in the centre and at right back, with the Heinze also adept at left back and centre half.

It'll be trouble is Ferguson or Richo has to play in the backline. I wonder if they can recall Phil Bardsley- or has he been transferred, not loaned?

The back four is going to find it extremely difficult to contain the Italians. Fergie is right, the best defence is to attack and hope for a Roma type scoreline - the whole team were just 'in the zone' that day and I don't think they'll replicate that anytime soon. I think the best is to hope that we don't concede too many goals before we get a few more defenders back for the away leg.

Much as I love Manu, you never know which team is going to turn up - it could be the one that smoked Roma or the one that drew with Middlesbrough or lost to West ham....

but they have been mighty entertaining this season. I've been watching replays of their matches, and am lucky that MUTV is on one of the free channels here.

Anybody see Messi's goal on Thursday?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpJCPY62e7U


Less than 3 hours...

Come on Milan, I want a repeat of the 2005 Champions League Final.

This is what I call a goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2HWUbFGHMU

A Manu legend.

"I'd give all the Champagne I've ever drunk to be playing alongside him(Eric Cantona) in a big European match at Old Trafford." George Best(1946 -2005)

I'm already on the record as taking United, and while their unimpressive draw last weekend, their injury problems, and Milan's hot streak give me reason to doubt, I'm sticking with them.

I still need some time to ruminate on Chelsea/Liverpool...

ManU up on early Dida OG

Kaka equalises @ 22 mins

Good defending, lads