AC Milan
KIT
League Position - 4th in Serie A
Current Form - W W W W D
Top Scorer - Champions League - Kaka - 10 goals
Serie A - Gillardino - 12 goals
Recent Encounters Between the Teams:
25.05.07 - Champions League Final - Liverpool 3 - 3 Milan - Liverpool win on penalties (Gerrard,Smicer,Xabi Alonso) (Crespo 2, Maldini)
Honours
Scudetto (Italian championship)
Winners (17): 1901, 1906, 1907, 1950-51, 1954-55, 1956-57, 1958-59, 1961-62, 1967-68, 1978-79, 1987-88, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04
Serie B (second division)
Winners (2): 1980-81, 1982-83
Coppa Italia (Italian Cup)
Winners (5): 1966-67, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1976-77, 2002-03
Super Coppa di Lega (Italian Super Cup)
Winners (5): 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2005
UEFA Champions League (former European Cup)
Winners (6): 1962-63, 1968-69, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1993-94, 2002-03
Cup Winners' Cup
Winners (2): 1967-68, 1972-73
European Super Cup
Winners (4): 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003
World Club Championship (former Intercontinental Cup)
Winners (3): 1969, 1989, 1990
Interesting Facts
*The club was founded in 1899 by Alfred Edwards, a British expatriate. In honour of its origins, the club has retained the English spelling of its city's name, instead of changing it to the Italian Milano.
*On 19 December 2005, AC Milan vice-president and executive director Adriano Galliani announced that the team is seriously working to move out from San Siro.
*Paolo Maldini presently holds the record for number of appearances for Milan with a total of 593 Serie A games played and 830 games played in total. His record of 593 games is also an all time Serie A record passing Dino Zoff's mark of 570 Serie A games played. Paolo has been quoted that he wants to go on playing for Milan until he reaches his 1000th game
*Milan were involved in the 2006 Serie A scandal where five teams were accused of fixing matches by selecting favourable referees. Milan were punished with a 15 point deduction, which was later reduced to 8 points on appeal.
And now thanks to the chaps at Milan Mania
--------------------------------------------------------
2 years on and its Liverpool V AC Milan again for the Champions league, how do you see the match going?
mrki:Liverpool is a stronger side than 2 years back, and Milan plays a bit of a different football then 2 years back. This time we will play in 4-5-1 formation with KAka' and Seedorf behind Pippo probably. Last time it was more open play with Sheva-Crespo up front with KAka' behind. This Milan really wants "revenge", and is ready to fight more than the last time. I dont expect a lot of goals like it was 2 years ago, but then...tho the hell expected that in the first place??!! All in all, both teams and fans have great respect and I respect new match with 90 min of super tempo and a lot of fighting in the middle...
forward:I look into the future and I see the same dedicated and determined games as shown against MU at San Siro. However, I feel that Liverpool will surprise us somehow.
Warro Bantan:Well I hope for a win, but any team coached by Rafa the "predictor" cannot be underestimated...we should dominate, while you look to counter...but in a one off game, anything can happen, and usually does.
Kaka's been brilliant for you this year in the Champions League, how good is he and who else has had good season for you? Any surprises?
mrki:Who good is he? He is the best in the world, no question in there. Im sure I sound subjective but I cant help the feeling that this man plays football of highest possible standard. Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto'o, Henry, Ronaldo and so on...all play great football, but this is something special. Brilliant to watch the ease of his passes, goals, movement and so on...efficiency after all!
Who had a good season? Well, Milan had a pretty bad season but in the end some of the most important players got in a good shape. Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Nesta and Pippo are fitnow and with them playing good we are on top form once again.
forward:Kaka is the best player in the world imho. Seedorf has had an incredible season, Nesta - wonderful, Pirlo - solid.
Warro Bantan:Kaka is simply the worlds best player in his position, and of that I have no doubt. Seedorf has had a remarkable season, by his own high standards, and Marek Janku has also made a big improvement.
How badly has the match fixing scandal affected AC Milan and Italian football?
mrki:Well ...we lost 8 points, Shevchenko, played CL qualification and disturbed our preparations and so on... Italian football lost EURO 2012 and Inter won the scudetto, so what can get wors?
But there were some good things...Juve got to play in serie B!
forward:Even though I am a loyal Milan fan, I was afraid that the scandal would kill Italian league on the European level. However, Ancelotti (and the team) granted us with an incredible surprise.
Warro Bantan:Very badly, and has caused, directly, or indirectly, the migration of some of our stars, out of the Serie A...also, we have been unfairly called "cheaters" especially by the English press...even if the "evidence" against us was tenuous in the extreme. Apart from that, it has been a spur to drive us to excell, since the smear is ever present as an undercurrent, especially when we (Milan) play in Europe.
25th May 2005 was probably my greatest ever night as a Liverpool fan, what are you memories of that Champions League Final? Did you ever think we would come back?
mrki:Im still trying to press that night somewhere deep in memories where I'll never find it again Horrible, horrible night!! It hurts every single time someone mentions it. And we simply have to win this time if we want to get over it!
forward:To say that it was disappointing is to say nothing. I believe that it turned out good for Milan, they learned that games run for 90 minutes, sometimes even 120.
Warro Bantan:Not in a million years, but, its football, and as I said before, anything can happen. I dont have memories of Istanbul, I have nightmares. The single most depressing day in my life, second only to the passing of my father.
AC Milan recently stated they will wear their away kit, leaving us free to wear the red home kit? What are you thoughts on this? Not superstitious?
mrki:Its our tradition for the finals, I dont think its really important so much. I would personally choose Red and black so you need to play in the yellow outfit... then you would have no chance !
forward:I have said before, we need to win because we deserved it with the level of our performance, not because we wear a lucky kit.
Warro Bantan:I cant believe Berlusconi chose these colours, but maybe he knows something we dont.
Your squad seems to have a lot of old players in it, are you worried about the future of AC Milan?
mrki:NO. People that work for Milan know exactly what they are doing, a lot better than us. We will never have a young squad like Arsenal for example as Milan always CL title and you can only do that with a lot of experience. Changing 3 or 4 players every year is a standard in which we keep quality and slowly get "rid" of players that cant perform in the highest level. But...yes, we could use few younger players in defence. But not YOUNG players. We have our ways... Milan Lab can help a lot!
forward:The transition is coming but I believe it will be smooth and won't hurt the performance too much.
Warro Bantan:Not while Berlu has a fat back pocket stuffed with cash, and is willing to spend it.
Gattuso has already started the war of words with Gerrard, do you see this getting messy?
mrki:Gattuso is a real sportsman and on the field he will play fairly. There will be no incidents from Gennaro's side I can guarantee. The press is making it bigger than it is. Gattuso is a fans favorite player and motivation leader on the field! FORZA GENNARO!
forward:Knowing Gattuso, it's not messy at all , nor shall it become messy [i]
Warro Bantan:[i]Atypical of a Milan player, but he was probably still feeling the euphoria of getting back to the final...we are usually way above these trivialities, and should remain so, if our history is any guide.
What are your thoughts on the recent crowd trouble this year with Roma and United fans in Roma?
mrki:IDIOTS! all of them.
forward:I am not a Roma fan, lets put it that way
Warro Bantan:Stupid is as stupid does.
Shevchenko recently joined Chelsea and has failed to live up to the hype? Why? And do you think he will rejoin Milan? Would you want him to?
mrki:Sheva left after whole San Siro begged him to stay, after world wide pettition was made, after he was our captain and hero and so on... And he left to a russian club with no history that cannot be even compared to Milan. "family reasons"... He failed becouse there were no Pirlo,Seedorf and Kaka' to pass , no real support from the fans and stuff and no real training that could help him rediscover his form. Plus, Mourinho had some weird tactical ideas about Sheva's football... Im sure Berlusconi wants him back, but the fans mostly dont. Milan is bigger than any other player.
forward:He lost his chance, very unfortunate
Warro Bantan:New team, not built around him, different league, with less time on the ball, and he isnt exactly a young sprite is he now? I dont think he will rejoin, and I wouldnt want him to. We have Ronaldo now, who is better.
Liverpool's squad is a lot stronger now than 2005, what are your thoughts on the current squad?
mrki:Great team with very strong and disciplined midfield that dsoesnt leave any space to the opponents... Perfect for CL football.
forward:Every squad has to be taken seriously. You have an impressive midfield, the attack and defense are a bit weaker.
Warro Bantan:An improvement, but not necessairly better than ours, even with the improvement. Benitez is the real threat, and how well your team follows his instructions.
And your thoughts on our manager Rafa Benitez?
mrki:Benitez is an Italian school manager, he trained his profession in Italy I think. It can be seen in his game plan. Who would say he is Spanish?
Brilliant coach that can fool anyone and that really deserves super praise...
forward:He has done a great job with Liverpool, I wait for surprises in the final.
Warro Bantan:Certainly one of the best managers on the European stage. Excellent tactician, motivator, but poor judge of talent...Bellamy? Puhleeease.(but maybe hampered by lack of a budget, even if Liverpool arent exactly broke)..and somehow loses the plot come league time...but one cant be all things...can one?
What type of atmosphere do you anticipate in Athens for the final? What are Milan's travelling fans like?
mrki:Atmosphere will be similar to Istanbul, aldough I do expect more Milan fans that will come to Athens by boats from Bari mostly... I only hope this time we'll celebrate in the end! Looking forward to the always great choreography by Curva and Liverpools singing of "you'll never walk alone..."
forward:Loud, loving and dedicated
Warro Bantan:Festive, not at all violent (not from our side at any rate) and intense. Our fans are usually well behaved, and are completely different from the Roma tifosi (for example)..and will sing, and cheer till the very end.
Your favourite AC Milan player of all time and why?
mrki:Paolo Maldini. No explanation needed I think! FORZA IL CAPITANO! This is his eight CL final...
forward:We play as a team, the talents of individuals are usually discovered through successful teamwork. Yes, Milan had many great players, too many to list.
Warro Bantan:George Weah..because he was the complete package...tall, strong, yet in posession of a sublime touch, and worked for the team....kinda like your Crouch...only infinately more talented.
Your favourite Liverpool player of all time and why?
mrki:since Im a young person (22), I have to say its Gerrard. A real lider and a great player. I admire him a lot. Too bad he wasnt born somewhere in red and black part of Milano
forward:I am not that good with Liverpool history
Warro Bantan:Rush...because he is the only one that comes to mind.
Finally can you predict the score for the newkit forum?
mrki:2-1 for Milan. Kaka' and Pippo for Milan, Kuyt for L'pool.
forward:3:1
Warro Bantan:Dont predict scores...not a talent of mine.
------------------------------------------------------
Rafa-Dodd
Can't wait for this now!
