Author Topic: CL: AC Milan 1 v 2 Liverpool Tomori 27’ Mo 36’ Origi 55’ (Read 16720 times)

jillcwhomever · « **on:** December 7, 2021, 06:45:51 pm »

Quote from: PoetryInMotion on December 6, 2021, 09:32:18 am

AC Milan vs Liverpool, San Siro on Tuesday, 7 Dec 2021, KO at 8 PM

This fixture, under anything but these circumstances, would have been an important fixture in the season. A European match, against traditional European heavyweights, playing for the first time ever in their historical stadium and with 3 points at stake, would normally be a fixture that we would all be looking to get a big performance and a crucial win. However, considering how the season has played out so far, we had already qualified for the knockout rounds with two rounds to spare, which is a rarity considering how we always bring things to the last minute or the last game. And currently, we have won all 5 CL games this season, which means this game is a dead rubber from Liverpool's perspective, with all due respect to the money we get for winning each CL game.

However, AC Milan have all to play for. They are currently 3rd in the group and they would need to better Porto's result in the other game to qualify for the next round. All the other 3 teams in the group are in a tight spot and all of them have a chance to go through to the next round. From Serie-A perspective, AC Milan are sitting 1 point ahead at the Top of the Table, while Liverpool are 1 point behind the PL leaders Manchester City.

Regarding the occasion, there are a combined 13 European Cups won by the two sides. Considering that, it is interesting to note that these two sides have only met thrice before in offical games, two of them in previous European Cup/CL finals, which both sides share a record of 1-1, and once earlier this season at Anfield, which we won 3-2 in a thrilling encounter, where some of our early season defensive frailties were exposed.

The CL final in 2005 is considered to be one of the best European Cup finals ever, if not the best, for the drama, for the goals, for the comeback and for several unflinching performances on the day. That AC Milan side was considered to be the best side around at that time and books will continue to be written on how they raced to 3-0 lead in the first half, only to be pegged by the roaring Reds, with a comeback masterminded by one of their greatest ever players in Steven Gerrard with important contributions from other players. The second half and extra time was notable for how valiantly Carragher defended despite cramps, how well Gerrard adapted to a role at RB and marshaled his side and for the crucial double saves by Dudek. And then while our penalty takers did their jobs well, Dudek recreated the wobbly legs as suggested by Carragher and was successfully able to thwart two of the opposition's penalties to secure a historic triumph for Liverpool. The day was also known for the support shown by the travelling Liverpool supporters, in a way that will never be forgotten. Songs were sung of the team's praise despite trailing 3-0 at HT and being outclassed by a superior Milan side.

While that game and that CL triumph will never be forgotten by any Liverpool supporter, this game also has its own significance as this is the first time we play at San Siro, a historical stadium and hopefully will be a good experience for the travelling supporters.

Coincidentally, after this game, Liverpool take on Aston Villa managed by none other than Steven Gerrard, who masterminded that win as a player and as a leader along with manager Rafa Benitez. Jurgen Klopp will have to think of that upcoming game and the subsequent PL games which will come thick and fast and might consider rotating heavily.

As for injuries and suspensions, James Milner is suspended, while Keita, Firmino, Jones and Elliot remain injured for Liverpool. Kjaer, Castillejo, Rebic, Calabria and Giroud remain injured for AC Milan.

Referee
Danny Makkelie NED

Assistant referees
Hessel Steegstra NED
Jan de Vries NED

Fourth official
Dennis Higler NED

Video Assistant Referee
Pol van Boekel NED

Assistant Video Assistant Referee
Rob Dieperink NED

Welcome to discuss the lineups, predictions, tactics and the game all you want.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #1 on:** December 7, 2021, 06:46:53 pm »

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #2 on:** December 7, 2021, 06:53:53 pm »

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #3 on:** December 7, 2021, 07:57:20 pm »

The teams are coming out.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #4 on:** December 7, 2021, 07:59:31 pm »

Delighted to see Nat Phillips play tonight.

Without him, we may not even be here.

This is his reward. Who wouldn’t what a game at the san siro?

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #5 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:01:11 pm »

Alisson is skipper tonight. Salah gets us underway.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #6 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:02:58 pm »

1 A fast start by team's midfields battling for possession. After a bit of heading tennis we get hold of the ball and do some good passing around.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #7 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:04:25 pm »

2 A lovely bit of skill there from Mo as he turns the defence, but his pass goes too far and AC clear.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #8 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:05:36 pm »

4 AC thread a ball behind our defence, but Alisson sees it coming and catches the ball.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #9 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:07:34 pm »

6 Milan seem a bit rushed at the moment, so we are able to get hold of the ball. There has been some good link play between Mo and Neco, but the final ball hasn't quite materialised yet.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #10 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:08:46 pm »

7 Neco gives a free kick away after losing the ball, but Alisson deals with it easily.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #11 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:10:53 pm »

8 Another nice turn by Salah as he eases himself into this game, our attack is getting plenty of the ball without creating anything. We just need the final ball to be better.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #12 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:12:20 pm »

10 Milan looking to put us under some pressure, but so far they haven't managed to create anything and Alisson is dealing with everything.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #13 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:13:21 pm »

11 Milan continuing to pressure but Neco does a fantastic block and we manage to get the ball away.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #14 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:14:54 pm »

13 Game back underway after some treatment for a Milan player. Nothing much to report, final ball by both teams has been lacking so far.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #15 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:16:48 pm »

15 We get a bit of promising possession and then Tsimikas just blasts the cross well behind the goal. Not his best moment.

Over to Tepid.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #16 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:17:59 pm »

16 big sliding tackle from the Bolton Baresi!

This is a terrible game. But we’ve earned the right to not give two shits.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:18:38 pm »

Nat doing Nat thimgs

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #18 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:19:18 pm »

He really covered that ground well. I don't remember him being that quick.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #19 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:20:42 pm »

19 decent break by Williams. Squares it to Chamberlin who fires one at the defender. Another nice cross then and the defender clears it for a corner.. Origi was lurking!

Konate heads over form the corners, it was just a bit too high.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #20 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:22:25 pm »

22 a dangerous break from the reds, but there’s a poor pass that breaks it down

TepidT2O · « **Reply #21 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:25:13 pm »

24 not much happening really, but the reds have picked up the pace a bit.

Now it’s a corner to the reds.

It’s cleared

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #22 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:25:29 pm »

I am amazed how much Milan are allowing us possession, they aren’t at all aggressive.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:26:38 pm »

Kostas takes a beautiful corner - they're really.a joy to observe.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #24 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:27:33 pm »

26 off the ball there’s some interesting nark between Konate and Ibrahimovic

Corner to the reds headed by Konate and he volleys it at bodies as it drops.

Then Williams with a silly silly pass sets Milan away. He’s one on one with Konate who snuffs out the threat.

It’s a corner chaos at the near post, Alisson parries and Tomori fires home.

1-0

Minamino totally missed it, left Alisson no chance.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:30:52 pm »

Oh dear. That's Taki's error

TepidT2O · « **Reply #26 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:31:06 pm »

Over to Sir Bob.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #27 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:31:12 pm »

Poor by the Reds there, that must be the first chance they've actually created they've been pretty underwhelming up to then.

BobPaisley3 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:32:46 pm »

31 Corner to the reds isn’t cleared and eventually Div smashes a shot straight at the keeper.

BobPaisley3 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:35:20 pm »

34 Ox has a shot deflected behind for a corner. Milan clear. Our corners have been poor.

BobPaisley3 · « **Reply #30 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:36:59 pm »

35 Ox with a lovely little run into the box, has a shot which the keeper parries out and Salah puts it in the net. Great finish. 1-1

Rush 82 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:37:22 pm »

Hee hee

Does that count as an assist for Ox?

TepidT2O · « **Reply #32 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:37:35 pm »

Quote from: BobPaisley3 on December 7, 2021, 08:36:59 pm

35 Ox with a lovely little run into the box, has a shot which the keeper parries out and Salah puts it in the net. Great finish. 1-1

Did so well to keep that down

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #33 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:37:36 pm »

Table changes again.

BobPaisley3 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:39:23 pm »

38 Mane gets in behind but the Milan defender just gets back in time to block the shot.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #35 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:40:30 pm »

Quote from: TepidT2O on December 7, 2021, 08:37:35 pm

Did so well to keep that down

Superb! Most times that goes flying over due to the way the ball is bouncing but Mo cushioned that on the inside of his left boot to guide it in.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #36 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:41:40 pm »

Quote from: BobPaisley3 on December 7, 2021, 08:39:23 pm

38 Mane gets in behind but the Milan defender just gets back in time to block the shot.

was offside ages before

BobPaisley3 · « **Reply #37 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:43:50 pm »

43 Zlatan gets in behind despite looking offside. He tries to play a ball into the middle but Nat cuts it out.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #38 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:46:14 pm »

Quote from: BobPaisley3 on December 7, 2021, 08:43:50 pm

43 Zlatan gets in behind despite looking offside. He tries to play a ball into the middle but Nat cuts it out.

Miles offside I reckon

BobPaisley3 · « **Reply #39 on:** December 7, 2021, 08:46:20 pm »

45 Milan drop a ball into the box but Kounate shepherds it out.