UCL: Arsenal vs AC Milan
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thought we were pretty unlucky today.
totally dominated the field but just couldnt score any goals.
kaka was invisible most of the game in fact.
confident that if we keep this up away we can bury them.
go gunners!
(zzz manu lucky t equalise)
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Champions League: Arsenal 0-0 Milan - Match Report
There is a stale-mate in the chess match.
Arsenal will go goalless to the San Siro in a fortnight's time after they failed to breakthrough Milan's resolute defence on a night of high-tension at Emirates Stadium.
The first half of this first leg was coy and cagey. The second was more open but equally tactical with the home side broadly in control. Emmanuel Eboue, Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor all might have given Arsenal a crucial lead. The Togolese striker also headed against the bar with the last touch of the match.
But Italian sides are the masters of brinkmanship - especially one with the experience of this Milan outfit. And Carlo Ancelotti's team caused sufficient moments of consternation in the home defence to suggest to they can threaten more on home soil.
However Arsène Wenger will be equally optimistic given his side's dominance on the night.
It promises to be one hell of a second leg.
After the deep disappointment of Saturday, Wenger was able to welcome back Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Flamini, Adebayor and Gael Clichy into his starting line-up. All had been absent entirely or barely-fit substitutes at Old Trafford. Denilson and Theo Walcott were also back from injury to buoy the bench. Despite reports, giant Australian keeper Zeljko Kalac did start for Milan after recovering from a hand injury.
On paper, visiting side was a mini 'Who's Who' of world football. Maldini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Nesta, Pirlo, Ambrosini and, of course, Kaka were names we knew well. Tonight, Emirates Stadium could judge whether the likes of Fabregas, Flamini, Adebayor, Toure, Gallas and Clichy now had more resonance.
This particular corner of North London had been red-and-black for much of the afternoon. The San Siro is known a footballing cathedral but perhaps Emirates Stadium is starting to draw a congregation of its own these days.
As the first whistle approached, red-and-white began to match, then overtake the red-and-black. But whatever your colours tonight you were tense. It was going to be one of those nervy European nights.
Arsenal had to reshuffle inside seven minutes. Kolo Toure bore the brunt of Pato's drive and Philippe Senderos came on.
Between the injury and the substitution, Clarence Seedorf sent over a corner and Paolo Maldini's flashing header was expertly turned aside by Lehmann.
Adebayor nodded wide from Emmanuel Eboue's inviting cross almost immediately and, as the half wore, the Togolese striker would emerge as Arsenal's greatest threat.
The Milan defenders were wary of the 23-year-old's direct and muscular front-running. His reputation had obviously reached Northern Italy.
To be honest, the first half was turning into an enigmatic affair; the quality of each side was obvious but neither side was prepared push forward to any extent.
It took 36 minutes for a flowing move to produce a shot on goal. Eboue fooled his marker and cut in from the byline to fed Flamini. His first-time shot was saved by Kalac.
It was an indication that Arsenal were easing into the ascendancy. Before the break, Adebayor's heavy pass cost Fabregas a clear shot on goal and the home fans had claims for a penalty after Flamini had tricked his way into the area.
But it had been a largely sterile first half.
Five minutes after the restart it was Milan's turn to lose a man. Alessandro Nesta went off seemingly concussed and Marek Jankulovski came on. And, again in symmetry to the first half, the visitors nearly conceded from a corner when Kaka turned a nervous header inches past his own post.
The Milan goal was starting to come under scrutiny. Alex Hleb stormed down the right and Eboue swept a shot just wide while Adebayor scored an offside goal and was then denied by the onrushing Kalac.
In the 55th minute, Fabregas fed Eduardo on the edge of the area and he flashed a rasping shot inches over the bar.
Arsenal had taken control. Now they had to score the goal their football deserved.
However, just past the hour, the home side literally had a shot across the bows when Massimo Oddo appeared at the far post to fire over the bar. A few minutes later, Kaka sliced an effort wide as Milan continued to suggest they had regained their composure.
In fact, with 20 minutes left, it was Arsenal turn to look rattled as Pato bustled through and Clichy hurried cleared his line before a melee ensued.
Just after Nicklas Bendtner had replaced Eduardo, Fabregas forced a low save from Kalac. Ten minutes the Australian held onto an altogether more dangerous shot from the Spaniard from a similar distance.
Substitute Alberto Gilardino nearly nodded home at the near post with four minutes left but Lehmann grabbed the ball on the line.
Arsenal continued to pressure and, with a minute left, Bendtner blazed over at the near post.
It seemed to be their last chance to make home advantage tell before Adebayor rattled the bar from a cross by substitute Theo Walcott.
So nearly the perfect ending.
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forgot to say this earlier.
i salute sagna for coming back so soon after his misfortune
and our players weren't too experienced in such big games.
so i gather it was a good enough performance already.
just lacked some luck and milan's defence really superb. no loop holes at all. -
Kalac was in good form for Milan, as was Kaladze, but I wonder how long Nesta and Pato will be sidelined. We seemed nervous for much of the game, and Gallas, Flamini and Senderos cut out many of our openings. With no away goals, we have to be wary in the second leg.
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We should have faith now. Whatever happens,happens. But i think we should find that first goal ASAP or else it would be difficult for us. Adebayor has no luck in UCL i think. He havent scored the first goal for this UCL campaign.
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Originally posted by felirox:
I thought that wasnt a dive. I cant rmb who but he stepped on eboue's toes. We got lotsa chances. Now at san siro. Its not gonna be easy.
yup by the english FA c.ronaldo ruling, he din dive... -
Originally posted by Trump_Card:
No . Jankulovski didn't clipped him . It was only a slight touch and Eboue certainly go down too easily . He also mis-time his passes . Second leg is definitely not going to be an easy one like today
.even tho 2nd leg in milan but i feel wenger will prepare the team better than today so can expect a gd result there... 1-1 maybe?
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I heard Eboue's banned for nxt match?? If so do you think RVP or rosicky will be back for the nxt leg?
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Originally posted by felirox:
I heard Eboue's banned for nxt match?? If so do you think RVP or rosicky will be back for the nxt leg?
next match in 2weeks so rosicky should b back... rvp prob not yet cos his is serious daiji... -
Originally posted by felirox:
I heard Eboue's banned for nxt match?? If so do you think RVP or rosicky will be back for the nxt leg?
thought eboue is only banned for 3 bpl matches? however i feel he should not be missed.
definitely hope rvp n rosicky to return to face milan for return leg.
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eboue banned even btr.
he doesnt contribute a single sh*t and always embarrasses the team.
rvp and rosicky being back will definately be a HUGe boost!
as for the 3bpl matches;
i would be very much happy to see walcott on instead of eboue if rosicky is not fit yet.
best not to risk any players at this point of the game.
i have confidence that the team will brace through this one!
all we need is to score a draw or win and we're through...
dont think milan's playing style will be much different than today's.
after this our youngsters will hopefully have more experience and confidence so as to perform better in the next leg.
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Yeah. I like rosicky. full of energy but he's brittle. Sad. Myb we should try to avoid injury at any cost b4 the nxt UCL match. And i rvp....we miss his creativity.
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All the shot r straight at goalkeeper, how to score and win away to Milan?
Too complacent and selfish, how to be champion?
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Originally posted by T.Ryousuke:
All the shot r straight at goalkeeper, how to score and win away to Milan?
Too complacent and selfish, how to be champion?
they were visibly nervous.afterall it's the first time for the bulk of them playing such a big team.
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rape milan.
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just wondering should we use Lehmann instead of Admunia?
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Use Lemon ...
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Originally posted by 798:
just wondering should we use Lehmann instead of Admunia?
think mad jens would be a better choice.
he has had a good run of games and he did well against Milan the other time round.he would also be more familiar with their players as compared to Almunia.
experience is gold (:
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see how lo... still got 1 week...lehman useful in penalties... almunia cannot save penalties one...
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i will say use mad jens for ucl n almunia for bpl.
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Originally posted by BrUtUs:
almunia cannot save penalties one...
well..he did save us from tottenscum that time.
in any case going with mad jens for this one!
go gunners! -
Originally posted by xopa:
well..he did save us from tottenscum that time.
in any case going with mad jens for this one!
go gunners!
dat one is keane miskick. aluminia sometime not really steady one. -
yeah..almunia not good in saving penalty. Can tell. Lehmann is better.
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lehmann has more experience of course :D
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Originally posted by felirox:
yeah..almunia not good in saving penalty. Can tell. Lehmann is better.
the germans r kings in penalties...