Countdown To The New Season 3: Team - AC Milan
If there is one team that's always a favourite for the title of European Champions that would have to be the Italian Giants - AC Milan. They have been one of the most consistent teams in the past two decades and they have won 5 European Cups, only next to Real Madrid's nine.
The Italian football league is considered to be the best in terms of the technicality of the game and this perhaps is both the strength and weakness of Italian football. The Italian teams are very strong in defence and their mentality to be conservative has always proved to be the undoing of these teams in the recent past. The Italian national team lost to France in Euro Finals in 2000 and were knocked out of the World Cup 2002 and Euro 2004 after they were in commanding positions.
AC Milan won their last of their 5 European crowns in 2002-2003 season when they beat fellow Italian team Juventus in a penalty shootout after a lacklustre final. They came close to winning their sixth title when after going 3-0 up at half-time, only to give away three goals in a span of 6 minutes and subsequently lost to Liverpool in a thrilling penalty shootout. The previous season they had lost to Deportivo in the quarters 4-0 after winning their first leg 4-1.
AC Milan has a wonderful squad, players with amazing capabilities; the only thing they perhaps lack is the influx of youth to go with all the experience. When I look at their squad, the only player below the age of 25 I see is Kaka. Most of their players are either above 30 or nearing it. But even at 37, their captain Paolo Maldini is an inspiration to his team and into his 21st year at Milan, still has enough passion and technique left in him to compete at the highest level. I heard the Italian coach is still trying to coax him into playing at next year's World Cup.
Their defence is considered to be the among the very best in the world with Nesta, Stam and Maldini and Cafu, at 35 is still going strong at right-back.The mid-field looks solid with ball-winner Gattuso, playmaker Pirlo, who is also an extremely good free-kick specialist and the superb Kaka. It's a pity though, to see a player like Rui Costa always on the bench.
Their front also looks formidable with the European Player of the Year Shevchenko leading the attack with options like Vieri and Inzaghi to partner him. One player who is expected to make a mark is new-signing Gilardino who has been exceptional in attack for his previous club Parma.
A good formation would be...
The Italian football league is considered to be the best in terms of the technicality of the game and this perhaps is both the strength and weakness of Italian football. The Italian teams are very strong in defence and their mentality to be conservative has always proved to be the undoing of these teams in the recent past. The Italian national team lost to France in Euro Finals in 2000 and were knocked out of the World Cup 2002 and Euro 2004 after they were in commanding positions.
AC Milan won their last of their 5 European crowns in 2002-2003 season when they beat fellow Italian team Juventus in a penalty shootout after a lacklustre final. They came close to winning their sixth title when after going 3-0 up at half-time, only to give away three goals in a span of 6 minutes and subsequently lost to Liverpool in a thrilling penalty shootout. The previous season they had lost to Deportivo in the quarters 4-0 after winning their first leg 4-1.
AC Milan has a wonderful squad, players with amazing capabilities; the only thing they perhaps lack is the influx of youth to go with all the experience. When I look at their squad, the only player below the age of 25 I see is Kaka. Most of their players are either above 30 or nearing it. But even at 37, their captain Paolo Maldini is an inspiration to his team and into his 21st year at Milan, still has enough passion and technique left in him to compete at the highest level. I heard the Italian coach is still trying to coax him into playing at next year's World Cup.
Their defence is considered to be the among the very best in the world with Nesta, Stam and Maldini and Cafu, at 35 is still going strong at right-back.The mid-field looks solid with ball-winner Gattuso, playmaker Pirlo, who is also an extremely good free-kick specialist and the superb Kaka. It's a pity though, to see a player like Rui Costa always on the bench.
Their front also looks formidable with the European Player of the Year Shevchenko leading the attack with options like Vieri and Inzaghi to partner him. One player who is expected to make a mark is new-signing Gilardino who has been exceptional in attack for his previous club Parma.
A good formation would be...
Dida
Cafu Nesta Stam Maldini
Seedorf Gattuso Pirlo Kaka
Shevchenko Gilardino
Their Champion's League loss would have hurt them quite a bit apart from the 2nd placed finish below arch rivals Juventus in Serie A last season. They will be looking to make amends this season and I feel they are sure to hold aloft atleast one trophy this season and that might be the their League's.
posted by Lucas @ 10:00 AM
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