The specific-football thread: Champions League Final

[Highlander]

Yeah, so it's this week, huh? I've got Thursday off work (Buddha's Birthday - it's a national holiday) so I'm going to meet up with some friends, head up into Seoul and watch the match live at something like 4am.

The only problem is that I'm totally out the loop with how things are going in the English Premiership and Serie A.

So, my dear educated friends, I turn to you to fill me in (so to speak). I understand Liverpool have had another none-too-exciting season in the league but as usual are defying the odds in the Champions League, thus the final appearance. AC Milan, meanwhile, I figure are still just really good because that's what AC Milan seems to generally be.

More specifics though please - who to watch out for (I miss Cisse and his blonde look) and your tips for scorers, winner and results.

In return, I'll gladly let you know all the information you need about the K-League (as if you'd want to know). I'm an avid Incheon United supporter these days. The only really interesting thing is that Dragan, who used to play for Glasgow Rangers (he was pish) when I was watching the footie in Scotland is now a player for Incheon (he's still pish).

Cheers!

[Aeribian IV]

Well I was going to write something, but im sure Varyne can do a better job.

Pretty much when they realised they were not good enough to win Prem and FA cups they went all out for Europe and benetiz the wily tactian got them to the final again!
AC milan are playing pretty well, took Man U apart in the Semi

Hopefully Mr Grumpy Varyne can tell you who is who in Liverpool, because if I say its a Gerrard centered team he might get stroppy with me!

[Veggy]

Man United had a realy easy route to the semi's and there is realy no suprise they lost to Milan, Liverpool to me have had a good season, and I prefer to watch there games to Chelsea and Man Utd games simply because the football is better to watch. Admitedly Steven Gerrard plays the regular place in the team, but he is the captain, and you dont see alot of captains not playing unless there injured. He must be one of the only regulars due to the cycle system Liverpool use with players.

Players to watch in liverpools team? all of them! They create good football under pressure.

[BlackCat]

Milan seem to depend on Kaka and Gattuso to me - Man U were lucky they both went off or quiet to come back 3-2 and in the 2nd leg Kaka destroyed them.

Liverpool might do well if they can keep Kaka quiet - with Mascherano maybe. Meanwhile Gattuso will probably be trying the same on Gerrard.

[Deadestdai]

Not to mention Inzaghi, Seedorf, Gilardino and Pirlo - all good scoring menaces as well. I think Liverpool will have their work cut out for them.

I was born in Milan, so I'm going to back them for the win.

[Rolo]

Gilardino? I knew it was a bad semi final for Man Utd when Gilardino got a goal....over rated imo.

Other then Seedorf I think all those you mentioned weren't exactly the best goal scorers, Kaka is all AC Milan. To quote todays times (I think) If Liverpool can keep him down with Mascherano/Carragher or whoever and stop his supply (Seedorf) then they've got nothing. I'd really like Liverpool to win though show Abramovich his billions aren';t everything. Not to mention the fact they are the English team.

Pirlo, had a good world cup I definately rate him as a midfielder not as a goal scorer, was a well taken header against Bayern Munich in the quarter finals though.

Inzaghi, Old and slow enough said still good striker in his day.

Think Gilardino and Kaka are the youngest two in the Milan team (correct me if I'm wrong).

[Cambylobacter]

AC Milan who were docked 8 points for being overtly Italian, are the favourites to win in Istanbul: Part II. Kaka is the one to watch out for supposedly, though Pirlo is the classier playmaker. Maldini recently celebrated his 83rd birthday, so his experience and stylish Zimmer should prove invaluable.

Liverpool's spine is in recent history, based around Carragher and Gerrard, with Reina and more recently Mascarpone, becoming regulars. Finnan is a classy full-back, whilst our left-back position tends to vary. Riise is undoubtedly a fine player, though he is more attacking orientated; I somehow expect him to play at left-back, and hopefully Bolo Zenden will be put down, or at least someone will steal his boots to stave off any risk of him playing. A surprise start for Kewell on the left wouldn't be a, er, umm, surprise.

Alonso in the attacking midfield position ahead of Mascripingo with Gerrard on the right seems likely, with a choice of Crouch or Bellamy upfront to partner Dirk Kuyt.

Arbeloa and Hyypia are likely to be the defensive substitution options, with Pennant, Gonzalez, and *sigh* Zenden midfield width, and the unchosen striker as the sub. Crouch has far more impact coming from the bench than Bellamy so I would expect Crouch to be the sub. I think Fowler would probably only come on for penalties.

Bearing in mind Liverpool's last two finals, against West Ham and AC Milan, I'm not sure there is much chance in adequately predicting this one, though AC are the favourites and probably rightly so. Why Liverpool get earmarked as a boring, tactical team is ridiculous, bearing in mind the 3-3's against AC and West Ham, and the 5-4 against Alaves.

Liverpool's success will come down to Maskingtapeio sitting in front of the centre halves and doing a good job keeping tabs on Kaka and Pirlo. AC are likely to play with just Inzaghi up front and the two playmakers causing trouble behind. Their "terrier" Gattuso isn't in the same class as Alonso or Gerrard.

Obviously, early goals change the complexion of a game completely, but if there are none, and we are still level at half time, expect set-pieces to provide most of the dangers. I'll predict optimistic and go for a 2-0 win to Liverpool, a Riise thunderbolt and a Crouch header.

I'll take another boring 3-3 penalty win though.

[Aeribian IV]

Originally Posted by Deadestdai

Not to mention Inzaghi, Seedorf, Gilardino and Pirlo - all good scoring menaces as well. I think Liverpool will have their work cut out for them.

I was born in Milan, so I'm going to back them for the win.

MILAN?

And here was me thinking you were a Welshman who lived in Norwich before moving to the USA!

[Aeribian IV]

Its alright

From Alan Hansen's column

"I am 100% confident Liverpool will win the Champions League"

100% is a pretty bold statement

[Highlander]

Cheers for the info - when I lived in Scotland I watched the Premiership a lot but out here I don't really keep an eye on match reports from England.

I'm looking forward to the game tonight though I hope I can stay awake for it - a badly timed bout of insomnia last night meant very little sleep. Still, I'm sure boozing is a good idea!

I'll be supporting Liverpool for the win - have to pick a side to make it more interesting.

Won't be checking here again before the match so see you tomorrow for the post-match breakdown.

And Alan Hansen is an idiot.

[Deadestdai]

Originally Posted by Highlander

And Alan Hansen is an idiot.

Agree'd.

I really don't see Liverpool winning. They are just a lack-luster team imo and won't cope with Milan's efforts.

Hope I get to see the game, might even be shown on cable tv here if I'm lucky.

[Fargo]

Liverpool... lack-luster?

Honours

Domestic:

League

League[66] titles: 18
1900-01, 1905-06, 1921-22, 1922-23, 1946-47, 1963-64, 1965-66, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90

Lancashire League
1892-93
Division Two (Level 2)
1893-94, 1895-96, 1904-05, 1961-62

Cups

FA Cups: 7
1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006

League Cups: 7
1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003

Community Shields[67]: 15
1964 (shared), 1965 (shared), 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977 (shared), 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986 (shared), 1988, 1989, 1990 (shared), 2001, 2006

Screen Sport Super Cup[68]
1986

Europe

European Cups and UEFA Champions League titles: 5
1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005

UEFA Cups: 3
1973, 1976, 2001

UEFA Super Cups: 3
1977, 2001, 2005


"What other teams dream of, we have achieved."

[Rolo]

fucking robbed.

[Victor Corona]

That sucked so bad. Argh! Liverpool deserved that cup.

[Fargo]

... ... ...I shall now break my one rule... no drunken posts. We, by that I mean Liverpool, were without doubt the better team on the night... but football is a funny old game. I would love to blame the ref for cutting short injury time, come on! There was at least a minute for the milan sub and he still blew before time! But they scored and we didn't, at least until late on. My one consolation, the silver lining that can be seen through the mists of dispair... We didn't lose to Manchester Utd in the final!
Ah well... I shall hang up my shirt until next season.