NationStates Jolt Archive

Back with a second incarnation but not without my love of all things football related!

As there are quite a few footie lovers here on NSG so I am here to gather their opinions.

Who do you think will win this seasons Champions League?

AC Milan - Stong and tactically excellent but are they lacking the pace in their defence that used to be there? Having a rather lack lustre season in Italy but produced an awesome display to annihilate Man Utd (who battered Italy's 2nd place team, Roma, 7-0) in the second leg of the semi final 3-0.

Liverpool - Outsiders once again, but we all know that doesn't faze them. Tactically excellent again, but without a true poacher goal scorer (IMHO) they might not take the oppurtunities when they are given them. But with Gerrard who knows what can happen?

Liverpool 4 - AC Milan 3

I do not want the Italian team to win ...

I'd be greatly amused if it was a poorly contested 0-0 draw.

I'd be greatly amused if it was a poorly contested 0-0 draw.Penalty shoot out?

Penalty shoot out?

* Dives *
* clutch leg *

No idea who's going to win but I'm leaning towards Milan.

As a United fan that suits me down to the ground.

Penalty shoot out?

Oh please god no...the FA cup final was bad enough!

Oh please god no...the FA cup final was bad enough!

And that goal that wasn't.

* Dives *
* clutch leg *
Nooooo..... Wait, what?
No idea who's going to win but I'm leaning towards Milan.

As a United fan that suits me down to the ground.
Why not Liverpool, being as they both come from England (that is, if you are English:p)
Oh please god no...the FA cup final was bad enough!CL finale 2005?;)

Oh please god no...the FA cup final was bad enough!

Exactly. Football fans the world over would just burst into tears if this was like the FA cup final.

And that goal that wasn't.

Hmmm, yeah it went over the line, but I wouldn't have given it, far too hard to be sure, and Giggs' challenge was not entirely legal.

Why not Liverpool, being as they both come from England (that is, if you are English:p)

I'm from the red half of Manchester mate.

There is no love lost between us and the Scousers and while I wouldn't wish death on the squad, a nice case of food poisoning a few hours before the game wouldn't see me shedding too many tears ;)

CL finale 2005?;)


Now thats better :)

As much as it pains me to say as a Chelsea fan, I really do hope that Liverpool win this one. Think I may have been swayed by a Juventis fan I know and his hatred for all things Milan, but I'd still like to see an English team win it...

I'm from the red half of Manchester mate.

There is no love lost between us and the Scousers and while I wouldn't wish death on the squad, a nice case of food poisoning a few hours for the game wouldn't see me shedding too many tears ;)I see, I'd support a team from my country even if I don't really like them.

edit: What Krahe said. ;p

I see, I'd support a team from my country even if I don't really like them.

edit: What Krahe said. ;p


Same here, I even supported Leeds against Valencia a few years ago and I support Bradford!

I see, I'd support a team from my country even if I don't really like them.

edit: What Krahe said. ;p

Hehe, I'm an american, just happen to have a deep love of all things footie...

Reds for the win.

I see, I'd support a team from my country even if I don't really like them.

edit: What Krahe said. ;p

I'll support anyone except Liverpool and Leeds. Leeds because of the Munich song and Liverpool just because.

I would like Liverpool to win but if AC Milan win then at least my team were put out by the eventual winners.

Cmon the Hoops. :fluffle:

Go Liverpool!

Sorry guys, I hate AC Milan and Berlusconi, but they're gonna win tonight. Liverpool is a good team, but nothing short of divine intervention is going to stop the rossoneri. And since I'm atheist...:(

I wish AC Milan the worst luck though.

I really hope the scousers win tonight...then they can rub it into man uniteds faces...and anything that pisses off united fans is ok by me ;)

Leeds because of the Munich song

we were the inventers of all munich songs...we are manchester city...and we hate dirty munichs...anyway united fans cant say fuck all...they are always singing hillsborough songs to liverpool :upyours:

we were the inventers of all munich songs...we are manchester city...and we hate dirty munichs...anyway united fans cant say fuck all...they are always singing hillsborough songs to liverpool :upyours:

Much aggression young grasshopper.

Leeds sang the Munich song first mate and thats why they'll always be the scum to us.

Much aggression young grasshopper.

Leeds sang the Munich song first mate and thats why they'll always be the scum to us.

I beg to differ...'whos that dying on the runway...whos that dying in the snow...its busby and his boys making all the fucking noise cos they cant get the aeroplane to go' is a very old city song...we hated united long before the leeds rivalry...and you're right...much aggression for united...I hate them with a passion...so much so that I dont wear red and any sponsors that have ever been affiliated with the munichs I boycott their products...such is my animosity

AC Milan ftw! Anyone who says they aren't going to win are lying to themselves.

AC Milan ftw! Anyone who says they aren't going to win are lying to themselves.

Thats what everybody said in 2005 and Liverpool won then.

AC Milan may be the more skillful side but the are also an older squad....Maldini almost retired after the 2005 final! They may struggle towards the end of the match.
AC Milan ar also very narrow, Liverpool will play 5 in midfield and beat them on the wings.
The Liverpool fans are passsionate and will drive their team forwards as they did in 2005 to inspire the greatest comeback in European Cup history.
Finally, we have the best penalty saving goalkeeper in Europe, Pepe Reina, and the best player in Steven Gerrard.

Good luck Liverpool, you can win it for the sixth time. C'mon you Reds!!!

Thats what everybody said in 2005 and Liverpool won then.

AC Milan may be the more skillful side but the are also an older squad....Maldini almost retired after the 2005 final! They may struggle towards the end of the match.
AC Milan ar also very narrow, Liverpool will play 5 in midfield and beat them on the wings.


Liverpool's wingers are extremely poor. Zenden and Pennant looking likely to play, neither exactly top class performers. And Gerrard is not Europe's best player, this season it's arguably been Ronaldo, Drogba (sorry for Prem-centerism but I don't manage to watch much else) Kaka or one of a few others. Gerrard isn't in that class, or at least hasn't been this season.

is there no possibility of a draw? and where's the 'i don't care' option. your poll is borked now.

AC Milan to win. Liverpool just aren't good enough, and this time Milan won't let a one-goal lead slip, let alone three.

is there no possibility of a draw? and where's the 'i don't care' option. your poll is borked now.

No possibility of a draw - cup finals have to end with someone winning. If it's a draw at the end of regulation, they go to extra time. Tied at the end of that, they go to a penalty shoot-out.

But with you expressing a desire for the "I don't care" option, I doubt you care about this either ;)

It's going to be a close game is all I can say. Liverpool have the passion behind them but will that be enough when players like Kaka and Seedorf are locked on the Liverpool net?

AC Milan are out for revenge after Istanbul '05 and they've learnt from their mistakes. If we see a mtach like that one again I'll be in awe. But I'm gonna say....

Liverpool.

Just about to start.

Liverpool on teh uber offensive. They've had a couple of almost-chances already, 3 minutes in.

Yeah, tell you what, if people expect the Reds to come out and roll over, and be easy beats, they're way off.

Yeah, tell you what, if people expect the Reds to come out and roll over, and be easy beats, they're way off.

Liverpool are all over them. Pennant looks really strong on the wing tonight.

Liverpool are all over them. Pennant looks really strong on the wing tonight.

They've come out with an attitude to play the ball, and take some chances going forward. They're not turtling against what people generally considered to be a superior opponent. That's a very good attitude to have here.

It's not gonna be easy though. We've kept them on the back foot fairly well but if they can sustain the kind of pressure they're starting to build up now...

I may not have fingernails by morning.

EDIT - Oh STEVIE! Pennant's been doing OK and we nearly had a cracker there...

I think if Liverpool can keep it, they're doing very well at the moment.

Heh, nearly had a goal...

Our problem continues to be SCORING. We're keeping ahead of the game biut we're just not hurting that net.

Xabi Alonso ALMOST scored.....AC Milan just aren't pressuring the Liverpool defence at all. Kaka's lookng like he can open up, but isn't doing much at the moment.

AC Milan 1 Liverpool 1

AC Milan wins in PK 4-3

Riise goes over, but not by much.

Yeah, AC Milan, I don't know what their mindset is, but they're not playing like the machine people talk them up to be.

Oh, Stevie Gerrard, you beauty. Very nice chance there.

HA! Gattuso got kicked in the face :p

And Gattuso gets the studs in the mouth. Let's be fair though, he brought it on himself with a nasty tackle.

And Gattuso gets the studs in the mouth. Let's be fair though, he brought it on himself with a nasty tackle.

And he appealed for a foul. AND he nudged Zenden on the way off the field to receive treatment for whatever injury he's got.

Gattuso gets a yellow.

And now Gattuso has been booked for a bad tackle against Alonso. He deserved it.

And he appealed for a foul. AND he nudged Zenden on the way off the field to receive treatment for whatever injury he's got.

Well, if that's the attitude he's bringing into the game, he doesn't deserve to win. Liverpool have played very well, and they've had good sportsmanship.

Well, if that's the attitude he's bringing into the game, he doesn't deserve to win. Liverpool have played very well, and they've had good sportsmanship.

AC Milan had very bad sportsmanship in 2005, and look what happened then. They gave no respect to Liverpool at half time and got punished.

FUCK

One lousy freekick.

Jammy, jammy bastards.

GOAL.
Pirlo scores from a freekick. They really don't deserve to be ahead, at all.

bollocks... and i echo the sentiments above!!!!1one!1

Well, I can't see the Reds winning now. Too much turtling from AC.

AC will be all defence now.

Depends, if Liverpool come out kicking they COULD earn it back. hell if they had the goals they desreved it's be 2-1 to the Reds right now.

Yeah, but if you thought AC was being defensive in the first half, wait 'til the second half.

Ah well, it was worse in the half-time the last time around.. so 3-1...

Ah well, it was worse in the half-time the last time around.. so 3-1...

It was 3-0.

It was 3-0.

Bunnyducks meant that this time, it will end 3-1.

Bunnyducks meant that this time, it will end 3-1.

Ohhhhh, I misread it. Fair enough.

Aye! well done Potato. You got it straight the first time in days! Well done ;)

Right now I think Zenden should be taken off in place of Kewell.
EDIT: And Arinola said "Let Zenden be taken off in place of Kewell!" And Zenden was taken off in place of Kewell.

10 minutes left. Mascherano replaced by Crouch, Liverpool starting to look a bit flaky.

2-0. It's all over. Inzhagi scored.

LIVERPOOL SCORE!
Kuyt scores from a header. 88 minutes gone, can it be done?

LIVERPOOL SCORE!
Kuyt scores from a header. 88 minutes gone, can it be done?

It can, but they won't.

Game over. Except they DIDN'T PLAY THE EXTRA FUCKING TIME UP.

all over...they were unlucky tonight...dont think AC Milan were anything special

Was it me or was the ref playing to AC?

I know it sounds like griping but it kept ahppeneing.

Gotta hand it to Kaka for the second goal though, brilliant.

all over...they were unlucky tonight...dont think AC Milan were anything special

Don't think they were unlucky. Liverpool lack a cutting edge and have all season, they dominate games but a poor at scoring, which is a hugely important area. Inzaghi was clinical and that was the difference.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet SILVER song of a lark

I guess I never walk alone...

Thats what everybody said in 2005 and Liverpool won then.

AC Milan may be the more skillful side but the are also an older squad....Maldini almost retired after the 2005 final! They may struggle towards the end of the match.
AC Milan ar also very narrow, Liverpool will play 5 in midfield and beat them on the wings.
The Liverpool fans are passsionate and will drive their team forwards as they did in 2005 to inspire the greatest comeback in European Cup history.
Finally, we have the best penalty saving goalkeeper in Europe, Pepe Reina, and the best player in Steven Gerrard.

Good luck Liverpool, you can win it for the sixth time. C'mon you Reds!!!

you were saying?

Once Gerrard missed that chance where he had 3 FREE steps in the box and still missed it was clearly over.

Also the intensity wasn't there like Istanbul, even when Liverpool were 3-0 I felt like they had more of a chance coming back then today in the second half when Inzaghi scored.

Oh yeh and I felt that the ref cheated us also, although it shouldn't have mattered.

you were saying?
C'mon you reds..?

Yes, COME ON YOU REDS!

Oh deary me! The fan murdering, bin dipping, scouse bastards lost to Milan... how my heart bleeds for them....but oh wait, it was the referee's fault, how silly of me!:rolleyes:

Incidentally, who else was ecstatic that Gerrard missed the sitter in the second half?

Oh deary me! The fan murdering, bin dipping, scouse bastards lost to Milan... how my heart bleeds for them....but oh wait, it was the referee's fault, how silly of me!:rolleyes:

Incidentally, who else was ecstatic that Gerrard missed the sitter in the second half?So, you're a fan of AC Milan's then... good luck with that. Well done.

So, you're a fan of AC Milan's then... good luck on that. Well done.

Not at all. I'm a United fan. You know, the team that plays attractive football and won the league?:)

And I lose again. Welcome to my life. I sell shoes.

Not at all. I'm a United fan. You know, the team that plays attractive football and won the league?:)
Again, congrats. I wish Pool had one like Ronaldo... but.. there's always next season

Again, congrats. I wish Pool had one like Ronaldo... but.. there's always next season

Nah, you need a finisher like Owen. Not that Benitez, quite rightly in my opinion, would allow Owen to waltz back into Liverpool having left because he felt he was too big for it, but nonetheless, Liverpool only need a decent striker.

Nah, you need a finisher like Owen. Not that Benitez, quite rightly in my opinion, would allow Owen to waltz back into Liverpool having left because he felt he was too big for it, but nonetheless, Liverpool only need a decent striker.
We'll agree to disagree then. Striker good... feeder better. I will not say a thing about Owen.

We'll agree to disagree then. Striker good... feeder better. I will not say a thing about Owen.

Lol. Very diplomatic.

I thought Pennant, if not Zenden and Gonzalez, was actually alright as a winger. But, you can't deny, Ronaldo would improve things. Much like Gerrard would be an improvement upon Carrick at United.

Muahahahahaa, Milan won! :D

Wooot! :cool:

Well, I've decided to off myself. If you're Australian, Victoria, and live near the Sydenham line, come to the station, you might see a spectacle.

But, you can't deny, Ronaldo would improve things. Much like Gerrard would be an improvement upon Carrick at United.
No, I could not deny or disagree. I'll just remember that SILVER song of a lark now... good night.

It's a scandal that Milan were in this competition, let alone winning it.

Every one of their team infuriates me.

It's a scandal that Milan were in this competition, let alone winning it.

Every one of their team infuriates me.

Why? From Maldini, through Kaka and Pirlo, to Inzaghi, they exude arrogance, swagger, technique and class.

It's a scandal that Milan were in this competition, let alone winning it.

Every one of their team infuriates me.

Why? Did you want United to beat Liverpool instead? :p

I was hoping Liverpool would win, but at least it was a much more entertaining match than the FA cup final.

Well, time for Milan to stop celebrating and start defending. It's on again in July.

I missed the first half...but watched the 2nd.

was it me or was the ref a bit....odd?

Pennant....he's a winger....why was he always cutting inside?

Kewell...bad substitution...he was blatantly not match fit...

Crouch...on far FAR too late....should have played Crouch and Bellamy from the start...

Gerrard....carried the team from what I could see...

Maldini....39...amazing! (but rubbish in the 2nd half)

Nesta .... infuriating!

Inzaghi...can't argue with his record...

Seadorf...4 medals....fair enough

you were saying?

Sadly we miss someone who can score goals to make everthing I said let us win the game :(....we were the beter game but couldn't kill off Milan when we had the chance.

We need a Samuel Eto type goalscorer for next season and a good left winger. Then we could beat Milan.

Pennant....he's a winger....why was he always cutting inside?



I thought Pennant was Liverpool's best player along with Mascherano in the fianl. Wingers are good when they can cut in aswell, look at Cristiano Ronaldo.

Well, when he's not on the floor anyway...

I'll take second place in a match won by luck over losing 3-0 through being purely outclassed by the same team *looks at United*

Well, when he's not on the floor anyway...

I'll take second place in a match won by luck over losing 3-0 through being purely outclassed by the same team *looks at United*

Well yeah at least we had the sense to not allow Kaka to do what he wanted in midfield. Ferguson may be a good manager but if he thought he could play like they do in the Premiership and still beat Milan he was thinking wrongly. Liverpoll managed to keep Kaka quiet for all but 30 seconds of the game.

I thought Pennant was Liverpool's best player along with Mascherano in the fianl. Wingers are good when they can cut in aswell, look at Cristiano Ronaldo.

True....but it seemed to me that in the 2nd half (I missed the first) he went central instead of trying to beat the man with his pace...

When Crouch came on he did the same thing....a player like Crouch you play onto the ball via a cross...

Re best player...well like I said...I missed the 1st half ...but Gerrard seemed (once again) to be the only player who was really into the game...then again I think he did not play deep enough.

As for Ronaldo...not over rated but not the best thing since sliced bread either...he does not seem to perform in the really big matches.

Why? From Maldini, through Kaka and Pirlo, to Inzaghi, they exude arrogance, swagger, technique and class.

Well, for one thing Milan were convicted of being involved in trying to influence referees last summer. That's why it's a scandal that they were there at all. But yes, to be fair, that doesn't justify hating the players. In fact, my anger isn't rational at all.

However:

Gattuso's entire game is built on clever fouls at opportune times.

Inzaghi is always offside.

Kaka claimed 'I belong to Jesus' after the game, as if the result was down to god or something. This makes me furious.

Kaka claimed 'I belong to Jesus' after the game, as if the result was down to god or something. This makes me furious.

Why does it make you furious? Let him believe what he wants at the end of the day it is a football game and down to what happens on the pitch not due to divine intervention. Anyway "God" was on Liverpool's side....unless Robbie Fowler transferred to AC Milan before the game :p.

Liverpool is just a booring team and Milan deserved to win. Revenge is sweet. I'm a Milan fan so I was pretty nervous yesterday but it turned out great!

Liverpool is just a booring team and Milan deserved to win. Revenge is sweet. I'm a Milan fan so I was pretty nervous yesterday but it turned out great!

LOL hang on...boring? Dude...Italian football is built on boredom. Such a tedious league...

Liverpool is just a booring team and Milan deserved to win. Revenge is sweet. I'm a Milan fan so I was pretty nervous yesterday but it turned out great!

I'm suprised that you think Liverpool are boring. As a Liverpool fan I thought we were the only team in the final that attempted to make it entertaining. And Italian football is way more boring than the Premiership.

However:

Gattuso's entire game is built on clever fouls at opportune times.

Inzaghi is always offside.

Gattuso is a fighter. He's one of Milan's and Italy's key players. Players like him often don't get recognised as much as they should cuz they don't do spectacular things like Kaka and Ronaldinho but they are important for the teams.

Inzaghi is often offside but every now and then he slips through and yesterday you saw what happens then.

Gattuso is a fighter. He's one of Milan's and Italy's key players. Players like him often don't get recognised as much as they should cuz they don't do spectacular things like Kaka and Ronaldinho but they are important for the teams.

Inzaghi is often offside but every now and then he slips through and yesterday you saw what happens then.

Gattuso is Milan's most important player. He does the dirty work that lets the likes of Pirlo and Kaka do the spectacular things they are capable of.

Inzaghi may be dangerous when he gets through but he spends way too much time offside.

I'm suprised that you think Liverpool are boring. As a Liverpool fan I thought we were the only team in the final that attempted to make it entertaining. And Italian football is way more boring than the Premiership.

The Italian league in general is more boring than the Premiership but Italian teams tend to do well in the Champions League cuz they have a great tactical play(Roma against United was an exception). I would say that the English league is probably the fastest league with the biggest fighters while the Italian league is the best tactically.

As for Liverpool, I've never liked it that much for no reason at all, Arsenal is my favourite in England. You were the best in the first half. The second half was pretty even but you have to score on your chances.

Gattuso is Milan's most important player. He does the dirty work that lets the likes of Pirlo and Kaka do the spectacular things they are capable of.

Inzaghi may be dangerous when he gets through but he spends way too much time offside.

You're absolutely right!

Here's the funny thing about all this- when Inter won the scudetto, every Milan fan wanted to claim it was given to them via a favour by the Italian Football Federation and it wasn't deserved, never mind that had Milan actually gained maximum points in its first five games (keeping Inter's results intact), they would have been right back in the race, three points behind. Eight points wasn't a lot to make up, and if you add those points to what Milan has now, Inter still would have won by a mile.

Now, the tables are turned- when the original punishments were handed out, Milan weren't even supposed to *be* in the Champions' League, they only got back in it because of an appeal. So, if the FIGC did Inter a favour, they did Milan a favour too. Funny how karma comes around doesn't it?

I'll stop with that rant. Anyway, the game itself wasn't that bad- the first half was awful (save for a lucky deflection off an off-target Andrea Pirlo shot, but I will say that Filippo Inzaghi *was* in the right place at the right time), but the second half was pretty good. I'll have to echo the sentiments about Liverpool's lack of finishing ability- they had no one to bury the scoring opportunities when presented; and why wasn't Peter Crouch on from the start? If Liverpool wanted to play long-ball- and they did- Crouch *should* have been there. Yes, Boudewijn Zenden wasn't 100% (or at least didn't look it), but Xabi Alonso and Jamie Carragher had bad games (Alonso in particular- he's always been able to have more of an impact in games) and Steven Gerrard I think only really came on in the second half. I'll give Rafa Benitez the benefit of the doubt that the game ended a full fifteen seconds too early, but when he's looking for reasons why he lost the game, he should look in the mirror.

I do think Milan played a much stronger, more controlled game than Liverpool did. The midfield was surprisingly pourous and the defence at times shaky but they always had someone to make a big play when they needed it and they always seemed to know what they were doing better than Liverpool did. Fortunately for Milan, Daniele Bonera wasn't playing- otherwise, Liverpool would have burned them a lot more than they did. Milan, I think, won because they kept the game at an Italian pace- slower and much more controlled- and because they kept Liverpool's play to the outside. In fact, I think the only time Liverpool ever seemed to be in the Milan box was in the corner kicks, and, lo and behold, that was where their only goal was scored. Ultimately, I think this game was won on the back end- Liverpool's committed costly mistakes at the wrong times and it cost them, while Milan's was able to cope when a player made a costly mistake. If you ask me, the better team clearly won.

As far as the "best player in the world" debate goes, I'd have to give it to Kaka, but only slightly over Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. He can hold on to the ball a little too much, but at least he steps up when it counts.

Well, for one thing Milan were convicted of being involved in trying to influence referees last summer. That's why it's a scandal that they were there at all. But yes, to be fair, that doesn't justify hating the players. In fact, my anger isn't rational at all.

However:

Gattuso's entire game is built on clever fouls at opportune times.

Inzaghi is always offside.

Kaka claimed 'I belong to Jesus' after the game, as if the result was down to god or something. This makes me furious.freedom of speech.

The Italian league in general is more boring than the Premiership but Italian teams tend to do well in the Champions League cuz they have a great tactical play(Roma against United was an exception). I would say that the English league is probably the fastest league with the biggest fighters while the Italian league is the best tactically.

I don't find Serie A boring...I prefer a far more controlled game than the breakneck, often haphazard Premiership, where the play is relatively more sloppy than in Italy. Having said that, Italy and England (and probably Spain too, but unfortunately for me I can never actually watch La Liga since it's on satellite :() are pretty even talent-wise and both can produce soccer at its best, so I think it comes down to a matter of taste when picking between the two leagues really. Besides, it could be MUCH worse in terms of sloppiness- just watch the MLS...