Liverpool FC Forum

by **Sabre** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:56 am

Marcus wrote:I agree, but I don't live in Italy, nor am Italian. I've been to only one Milan match live because it's quite expensive journey to take. However I have always said that players play for the fans, and if fans fail to behave - players lose their purpose.

I hope the fact I'm not Italian doesn't affect your opinion on me

Yes it does. I was wondering how come I haven't started one passionate discussions about football I use to have with Italians

Honestly, I don't care about that.

by **Marcus** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:57 am

I'm from Macedonia, and been a Milan fan since 4 years old

I've been following the Serie A and football ever since and would love to answer all your questions

Cheers

by **Rafa D** » Wed May 09, 2007 10:02 am

Here you go Marcus:

2 years on and its Liverpool V AC Milan again for the Champions league, how do you see the match going?

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?

How badly has the match fixing scandal affected AC Milan and Italian football?

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?

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?

Your squad seems to have a lot of old players in it, are you worried about the future of AC Milan?

Gattuso has already started the war of words with Gerrard, do you see this getting messy?

What are your thoughts on the recent crowd trouble this year with Roma and United fans in Roma?

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?

Liverpool's squad is a lot stronger now than 2005, what are your thoughts on the current squad?

And your thoughts on our manager Rafa Benitez?

What type of atmosphere do you anticipate in Athens for the final? What are Milan's travelling fans like?

Your favourite AC Milan player of all time and why?

Your favourite Liverpool player of all time and why?

Finally can you predict the score for the newkit forum?

by **Marcus** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:41 pm

1. 2 years on and its Liverpool V AC Milan again for the Champions league, how do you see the match going?

Well, it's a great occasion and these are two great teams. Real Madrid may be the most successful European team in terms of UCL triumphs, but half of them were far back in the past. Therefore we have Liverpool 5 times winner and A.C. Milan 6 times winner. Despite being ticketed as underdogs, both these teams have proven that European experience means European mentality. As far as the match goes, my guess would be a cracker - Liverpool trying their best to "pacify" Milan while trying to force their way into the opposition half, thus scoring a goal. On the other hand, Milan will attempt to play their game and through accurate passes and some individual "magic" score.

2. 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?

Kaka's brilliance is due to the fact that many players were injured/underperforming. I know it's a bold statement, but it seems that with Inzaghi's injury and Gilardino having a bad season (I won't even talk about Olivera, hasn't done anything to deserve that) Ricardo has been forced into the role of second striker. Though his primary role is attacking midfielder, he has excelled at his new position and bagged 10 goals in the CL, which is quite an impressive record for someone who's not a typical striker (or a striker at all). As for other players, Liverpool should beware of Seedorf, as he appears to have found his true self again, after a long time of poor performances in Serie A. Also, Nesta and Kaladze are both back after long time injuries and performing quite good (though the latter got a red card a few weeks ago during a league match). All in all the defense is solid having the likes of Cafu and Maldini possibly on the wings - two excellent veterans with some fight left in them. In addition, this CL final you might get a chance to see Gourcuff, the player that the franch press dubbed the New Zidane. He's very young but can dribble pretty well and is a very good shooter from distance. Though not as accurate as Seedorf or Pirlo, he has great shooting power. Therefore he might be the greatest "surprise" in the Milan squad - the rest are well known veterans. Oh, and don't forget Pirlo, who did very well during the world cup, and despite some poor performances recently is a threat with his passes and set pieces.

3. How badly has the match fixing scandal affected AC Milan and Italian football?

The Calciopoli (the scandal) has made an impact on Milan as well ast the Serie A. The two most successful teams were to be demoted to lower leagues. The many trials and the insecurity made many players lose motivation and some leaving (shevchenko). It left Inter open hands and gave the last years Scudetto to them. Though it's not mine to discuss whether the verdict was unjust, it certainly meant that Italy had to take the blow and the league standard fell. However, Milan managed to overcome the problems and so we have them in the final of the Champions League!

4. 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?

Well to me, 25th May 2005 was one of the saddest nights as a Milan fan. Then it seemed like the whole world fell apart. Perhaps this will be the perfect example (not written by me, another fellow Milan fan)
"Istanbul, 2005. Liverpool v Milan. Liverpool get off to a flier, Hyypia scoring inside 2 minutes. Milan, resplendent in their all-whites, are shell-shocked and cannot settle into their game - or Liverpool simply don't allow them to. Alonso is in majestic form and sets up Baros for the second in the 14th minute. Carra and Hyypia own Sheva and Crespo is nowhere to be seen. Gerrard makes Kaka look like the kid he is and lords over the Ataturk, firing in the third goal, exquisitely set up again by Alonso.

Milan, supposedly the most balanced side in all of Europe and odds-on favorite for the final, embarrassingly look out of depth and devoid of any ideas. At half-time, they head to the tunnel like puppies caught in a tornado. Maldini is looking livid, and Ancelotti has already vanished inside the tunnel.

The commentators, who normally need only a couple of step-overs and a half-hearted attempt at goal from English players to go into overdrive, are in disneyland. They drool over Alonso's 'divine' distribution of the ball and Gerrard's 'all-action', 'out-of-the-world' performance, Carra and Hyypia's 'guile and experience'and Riise's 'undeniable' presence on the field. The tactical genius of Rafa Benitez is celebrated and a 'great club' is feted on 'earning itself the right to dine along side the world's finest once again'. "Milan are finished!" says Andy Gray. "They wouldn't beat Everton today, let alone Liverpool!" he bellows.

Well, Milan come back after the break, look a bit driven, but nothing special. Liverpool have no problems shaking them off the ball. Then, 9 minutes into the second half, Kaka, hitherto invisible in the match, breaks free from Gerrard, who's marking him, and fires in a 20 yard drive to pull one back for Milan. 'Easy now, Liverpool' the commentators warn, but go back to their 'who's the best player in the world - Gerrard or Alonso' debate.

Right then, only 2 minutes after Kaka's goal, Gennaro Gattuso gets the ball nearly 25 yards out, takes a crack at goal, Dudek fumbles and ba! Milan are back in the game again. Liverpool fret, and barely a couple of minutes later, as Sheva makes his way toward goal, Hamann brings him down and the referee awards a penalty to Milan. Someone called Andrea Pirlo steps up and tries to guide the ball into the net, but Dudek saves it. No worries. Pirlo nets from the rebound.

60 minutes on the clock and Milan 3-3 Liverpool. How does that feel?

Still one more hour of football is left and there's only 1 team in the match - Liverpool. Milan defend for their lives as Alonso, Garcia, Gerrard and Baros run them ragged. Dida even pulls off a double-save off Gerrard in the dying minutes!

The match goes to penalties and the commentators have already started whining. "It'll be a shame if it comes down to penalties. Everyone knows who the better team was today" says our dear old Gray.

But 'pool have terrible luck on penalties, with only Baros and Alonso converting for them. Milan, on the other hand, see Pirlo, Serginho and Tomasson and Kaka score. It all comes down to Gerrard. He has to score if Liverpool are still to be in with a fight.

Dida saves it.

How does it feel?"

You are football fans and you will understand - A night like Istanbul drives a wedge inside everyone's heart. Its effect cannot and should not be underestimated.

5. 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?

I personally prefer these kind of jerseys not due to superstition, but because Liverpool are know as the reds and they should wear their first kit, plus my personal preference for Milan is the white kit. They look better :cool:

6. Your squad seems to have a lot of old players in it, are you worried about the future of AC Milan?

Not at all, Milan has always valued experience. Just because Maldini isn't 20 years old doesn't mean he isn't (one of) the best defender(s) in Italy.

7. Gattuso has already started the war of words with Gerrard, do you see this getting messy?

I believe that Gerrard did that on purpose, knowing Rino's temperament, it's quite possible that he does make something stupid during the match. Hope Gennaro doesn't take everything to heart, and proves his worth to both Steven and the world. As for Gatusso, overconfidence may be his downfall, I'd like it better if he just keeps quiet and does his job on the field. He did a great job writing a public letter to the fans before the second leg vs. Manchester United, and is possibly the next Milan captain.

8. What are your thoughts on the recent crowd trouble this year with Roma and United fans in Roma?

Roma fans have nothing to do with Milan fans. It's like comparing United fans to Pool fans. Just isn't right. Those of you who remember Ataturk will know that all you can expect is regular football fans, ones you could go for a beer with :;):

9. 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?

It was his choice, he wanted to win the Champions League instead of playing in Serie B. It seems that he has forgotten how it feels to be just a regular player, without having the full support of everyone in the team - that was his undoing. In Milan he was part of the family. In Chelsea he is a player. About him rejoining us, I wouldn't mind, as pairing him with Ronaldo makes for an excellent strike force. However I believe Maldini, Pirlo, Kaladze and Ancelotti would mind.

10. Liverpool's squad is a lot stronger now than 2005, what are your thoughts on the current squad?

Wouldn't want to comment on every player - you know them better than I do. They are capable of challenging/matching/beating any club in the world. However, it's my belief that Liverpool can field any 11 players in the world and still be successful due to the mentality of the team. Never considered great favorites, they have show many "better" *sarcasm* teams how to win a game of football. Full respect.

11. And your thoughts on our manager Rafa Benitez?

An excellent manager, one with the big picture always on his mind. Though not as spectacular as Mourinho or as respected as Fergusson, he is probably the best manager in England. Can position Liverpool's game to perfectly match the opponents - thus outsmarting them.

12. What type of atmosphere do you anticipate in Athens for the final? What are Milan's travelling fans like?

It's the European Champions League Final, what type of atmosphere can it be? Probably the greatest a player/manager/fan ask for. As for the Milan fans, they will be from everywhere around the world, so maybe some English Milan fans might be present. For communication, many are English speaking (like me) and not bad tempered. Now if you were Inter fans... :;):

13. Your favourite AC Milan player of all time and why?

My favourite? I'd have to go with Maldini because he has been playing at top level for more that decade and a half, giving all he can and proving once again why he's probably the best defender in history. Also a great captain, you can see him in control of the players, when he tries his best and others don't he instills shame in them... A great player and a faithful one.

14. Your favourite Liverpool player of all time and why?

Steve McManaman. May not be the best player but definitely one that had tons of style and football intellect. The way he handled the ball was pure magic. Definitely disappointed me when he left for Real Madrid...

15. Finally can you predict the score for the newkit forum?

Tough question... i guess a 3-1 would be the score if Milan is to win and 2-0 if Liverpool were to win.

by **Naomi** » Sun May 20, 2007 3:15 pm

Good to hear honest and decent responses from both Marcus, and the first three lads. I for one respect Milan and it is good to hear that some of their fans respect Liverpool too. Makes a welcome change from the usually cocky and aggressive opposition "fans" that sometimes find their way here

by **LFC2007** » Sun May 20, 2007 3:45 pm

I respect Milan, but I don't trust Italian football. The number of scandals including corruption, match fixing, doping, coercion, hooligans etc. over the years, not just the most recent one (Calciopoli), but the many that have taken place have destroyed any faith I have in their league. Not to mention that Berlusconi owns Milan! One of the most corrupt men in Italy and their former Prime minister in charge of one of the biggest clubs.

It doesn't get any worse than that.

by **7_Kewell** » Sun May 20, 2007 3:53 pm

Milan shouldn't even be IN the champions league...they were thrown out for cheating, but some how got the punishment reduced. They're proven cheats and for the good of Football we will beat them again :buttrock

by **kunilson** » Sun May 20, 2007 4:20 pm

although i have said before that they shouldn't be in the champions league this season....i still believe that, but i have respect for the football they play. Their players are not to blame for problems upstairs and i think they have a unique style for an italian team, and are brilliant to watch at times.

Were some great responses there, nice one again rafa-dodd.

well up for this one now!!

by **Marcus** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:34 am

Milan weren't supposed to participate because of points deduction from last season, however after court appeal it was lowered and milan finished 4th (with point deduction), and qualified through the qualification round (defeated former UCL winners Red Star Belgrade the third round)

And though italian football is full of scandals, i think that calling a team a cheat isn't correct. Is Kaka a cheat? Is Seedorf a cheat? Is Maldini a cheat? They are the players... football is about them, not about Berlusconi, whatever he may do.

All I want is a good game of football, one deserving of the name Champions League Final.

And, unlike some Liverpool fans who couldn't even wish good luck to Milan in a Milan forum trying to prove they're great fans, i wish good luck to all players on the pitch tonight. Hail to an injury/incident/idiotism free game.

Cheers

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