UEFA Champions League (Official Thread)

[TooTall]

No Silva today, or MvB. But looks as if Pato may make the bench.

That's absolutely huge. Milan has been so thin at ST all year long. Maxi Lopez was a nice addition for Serie A games, but wouldn't trust him enough to play in CL. (Not sure if he's eligible, thought I saw him on the roster for the first leg)

Either way, Milan will most likely be a different club next season with all of the noise surrounding Galliani and Burlusconi about the need for another forward and attacking midfielder. IMO, they go after a big name to fill the LB role as well.

 

[Merih]

the need for another forward and attacking midfielder. IMO, they go after a big name to fill the LB role as well.

Any names you would like to see?

 

[Smudger]

Interesting that Isaac Cuenca got the start today. Pedro & Alexis Sanchez were quite ineffective in the 1st leg on the right wing, but I don't see him lasting any more than 60 minutes before Tello inevitably comes on for him & causes problems down the left wing. It will be interesting to see how long Xavi can last if he is indeed playing hurt because Iniesta was awful in the 1st leg & If he has another performance like that one, he won't last the entire 90 minutes (or if he pulls his 189,783,723 muscle on the season). Fabregas is also coming off a slight injury layoff, so I could also see him not lasting the entirety with Thiago being able to take his place.

 

[TooTall]

Any names you would like to see?

Realistic? Or pipe dreams?

Honestly, I wouldn't expect a HUGE name at the CAM spot with El Shaarawy coming along just fine (he IS only 19 ).

I do know there has been some mutual interest rumblings between Riccardo Montolivo (of Fiorentina) and Milan. Wouldn't mind seeing him and El Shaa sharing that role.

As for forward, the market is wide open for Milan to snag someone this summer. I wouldn't mind seeing a big body forward though. Emmanual Adebayor would be ideal, but given how well he's played with Tottenham, I wouldn't expect him to be shipped off. Another name that was being thrown around rather frequently was Carlos Teves. Do I want to see him in red and black? Eh... Dude's got some major personal issues, and seems to be what we like to call a locker room cancer. However, he does bring a skill set to Milan that they haven't seen in a while. He's a monster when he drops in the the midfield around the Center Forward position (which is what I would have liked to see Robinho doing), and crashes into the box with the quickness. That being said, ANY depth at striker is better than nothing at all.

I'm not sure how many more years Mark Van Bommel has in the tank, but I'm still convinced he's one of, if not, the best CDM's in Italy right now. Yes, better than Cambiasso and De Rossi. But time is not on his side.

There are A LOT of aging players that may not be here next season. I wish Nesta stopped aging. He's the perfect Italian CB. But he may have a replacement on the roster sooner than later. (Mexes may already be that replacement)

 

[TooTall]

Interesting that Isaac Cuenca got the start today. Pedro & Alexis Sanchez were quite ineffective in the 1st leg on the right wing, but I don't see him lasting any more than 60 minutes before Tello inevitably comes on for him & causes problems down the left wing. It will be interesting to see how long Xavi can last if he is indeed playing hurt because Iniesta was awful in the 1st leg & If he has another performance like that one, he won't last the entire 90 minutes (or if he pulls his 189,783,723 muscle on the season). Fabregas is also coming off a slight injury layoff, so I could also see him not lasting the entirety with Thiago being able to take his place.

I'd credit alot of that to the play of Antonini. I mean, the dude lost his starting job to Taiwo (who never really got his opportunity to adjust to the brand of soccer in Italy), and he comes back and plays like he never skipped a beat. He was definitely MotM for me in the 1st leg.

 

[Merih]

I think Milan will go after a lot of high profile players like Ganso, Balotelli, Higuain, etc. I think perfect additions for the squad (both personnel wise and money wise) would be players like Gourcuff, Taarabt, Keita, and Bastos. Could probably bag all four for the price of two of the above mentioned alone.

 

[Smudger]

I'd credit alot of that to the play of Antonini. I mean, the dude lost his starting job to Taiwo (who never really got his opportunity to adjust to the brand of soccer in Italy), and he comes back and plays like he never skipped a beat. He was definitely MotM for me in the 1st leg.

Sanchez hasn't really fit in as well as many would like in terms of offense (endless blown chances in front of goal, turnovers & poor passing) but, he's probably the best on the team at getting the ball back in the offensive end after they lose possession & that's why Pep loves him. Pedro has just been abysmal all season. A few injuries & the loss of his starting job has definitely got in his head & you can see every time he plays, he doesn't have that confidence he's had the past two seasons. Definitely didn't help Pedro's cause when Issac Cuenca & Cristian Tello came up from the B team and played well.

 

[Merih]

Almost time for me to go into self imposed exile (have game recording at home to watch after work). Before I leave, predictions?

I think Ibra stuns the Bleaugrana early on but Barca come back and dominate possession scoring twice in the second half.

 

[TooTall]

I think Milan will go after a lot of high profile players like Ganso, Balotelli, Higuain, etc. I think perfect additions for the squad (both personnel wise and money wise) would be players like Gourcuff, Taarabt, Keita, and Bastos. Could probably bag all four for the price of two of the above mentioned alone.

Michel Bastos is up there at the top of my list for players that I want on Milan. Roberto Soldado from Valencia would be a great addition, but I doubt he'd leave Spain.

Balotelli would be absolutely ideal to fill that big man forward role that I am hoping for.

 

[TooTall]

Almost time for me to go into self imposed exile (have game recording at home to watch after work). Before I leave, predictions?

I think Ibra stuns the Bleaugrana early on but Barca come back and dominate possession scoring twice in the second half.

I feel like Milan has the best chance to upset Barca, of the remaining teams in the CL.

This is my homer prediction, but I've gotta go with the rossoneri.

2-1 Milan

Ibra scores a 1st half goal, Boateng gives us the golden goal.

 

[TooTall]

As for the other game... It's going to be ugly... REAL ugly.

5-1 Bayern

Robben scores one, Ribery scores one, and Gomez gets a hat trick.

 

[Smudger]

As for the other game... It's going to be ugly... REAL ugly.

5-1 Bayern

Robben scores one, Ribery scores one, and Gomez gets a hat trick.

At least you gave Marseille a consolation goal. It's going to be a bloodbath at the Allianz.

 

[TooTall]

At least you gave Marseille a consolation goal. It's going to be a bloodbath at the Allianz.

Bayern plays more like a machine at Allianz Arena. That's going to be a scary team to beat if they make it all the way to the Final.

 

[Smudger]

Bayern plays more like a machine at Allianz Arena. That's going to be a scary team to beat if they make it all the way to the Final.

It will be Real Madrid's job to make that not happen. What a semi-final that is going to be. Madrid blew there chance to play in the UCL final at home two years ago so they will do there best to make Bayern feel that same pain of failure.

 

[TooTall]

It will be Real Madrid's job to make that not happen. What a semi-final that is going to be. Madrid blew there chance to play in the UCL final at home two years ago so they will do there best to make Bayern feel that same pain of failure.

All will be right with the soccer world if it's Chelsea-Milan and Bayern-Real Madrid. I would miss work for those matchups! (As I sit here at work, watching the Barca-Milan game wearing my Ibrahimovic jersey )