re: Wednesday 2/20 Match Thread - UEFA CL Round of 16, First Leg

So does Milan try to bunker for 90 min and not give up 2 or go for a goal that would force Barca to score 4?

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So does Milan try to bunker for 90 min and not give up 2

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So does Milan try to bunker for 90 min and not give up 2 or go for a goal that would force Barca to score 4?

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I think they'll play almost precisely the same way they did today.

They'll start with the idea to not allow an early goal and be even happier to watch Barca to pass around the midfield.

They'll have El Sharawaay and Boateng often out of attacking positions covering Barca's wingbacks' runs into the box early but also timing moves into better attacking positions in unison with surprise outbursts of pressure up the pitch like today where they were effective enough in getting the ball off Xavi, Messi, Busquets and Iniesta to give Barca pause.


That Milan has Montolivo means the difference between what I would call bunkering and playing to counter. He was just brilliant today and the MOM in my opinion.

His ability to hold off multiple pressers and spread accurate long balls from deep in the midfield to the speedy El Sharawaay, Abate and Boateng will presumably give Allegri confidence that they have a decent chance to nab an away goal and really turn the screw at Camp Nou.

I'm sure no one's expecting the kind of one-sided domination Milan had today in chances created but much of Barca's reluctance to risk depends on the threat of Montolivo's distribution on the counter with so many pacy outlets.

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Seriously impressed by AC Milan but I cannot take El Sharawaay seriously with that haircut, no matter how good he is.

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I used to be appalled but am slowly warming up to it since he shaved the matching "racing stripes" into his eyebrows. That's the kind of all attention to the absurd detail that really ties it together for me.



AC Milan's done a really good job of assembling a lot of promising young talent but are still a bit away from being a consistent threat to elite teams.

They have the normal problems with youthful mistakes but some of their established "stars" like Montolivo, Boateng and Mexes also have too many pedestrian outings.


When they click though, they're a really dangerous team, especially with Balotelli. I've always thought Allegri was a pretty good manager too, really worked wonders at Cagliari.

Agreed

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it hit his interior elbow and forearm

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unintentional handball. Blow whistle, award free kick to opposition.


Next match should be epic. Milan holed up in their area, Barcelona trying to thread the needle.

Man, it must suck to have nothing going for your club this year.

RandySavage