Champions League Final Liverpool v AC Milan

1

Gattuso shouting his mouth off. Do your talking on the pitch I say.

AC Milan midfielder Rino Gattuso has launched a stinging attack on Liverpool’s “long ball” tactics ahead of the Champions League final.
Gattuso, 29, who played in the 2005 final defeat in Istanbul, dismissed Liverpool as an inferior side to semi-final opponents Manchester United.

He said: "I feel there is a noticeable difference in talent between Manchester United and Liverpool.

“Liverpool are like an Italian team of 10 years ago. Every ball a long ball.”

He added: "All they try to do is defend with everybody behind the ball and one striker.

606: DEBATE
Gattuso seems to have just delivered Liverpool’s team talk for the final!

RC

“United have far more technical players, who are quick and able to do things on the ball. Liverpool do not have those individuals.”

And Gattuso set his sights on revenge for 2005, when Liverpool came from 3-0 down at half-time to win on penalties.

He said: “This final will be different - that I promise. It is important to put the record straight.”

2

If he’s that shit what the hell is Lampard?

3

Lampard is much much much shitter, to coin a phrase. Kaka and Pirlo are obviously better than both of them, but I really dont think Gerrard is as bad as youre making him out to be.

4

Gerrard was responding to a ‘fuck you’ comment by Gattuso when Milan were 3-0 up. But ok the fact that Liverpool came back and beat them should have been enough for Gerrard, instead of slagging him in his book

When I say for Gattuso to do his talking on the pitch - I mean in the CL final which is what he is talking up

Far too much is made of the fact that certain players are ‘World Cup’ winners. Peter Reid bought Roque Junior on the basis that he was a ‘World Cup winner’ and was pure shite. Traore is a Champions League winner as well

5

Not going to address Lampard because Gerrard is clearly superior

You are comparing Gerrard to Kaka - the current best player in the world which shows that you obviously have respect for him

As for Pirlo - Gerrard is at least as good - if not better

6

Gerrard was one of the main reasons behind the Liverpool comeback in 2005

He scored the first goal with a cracking header

He also has now captained a team to two Champions League finals in three years

He must be doing smething right

7

It’s hard to argue with such a logical and well thought out argument

8

I take your point that crap players sometimes get medals too. But Gattuso is a good player. I assume we agree here.

9

Yes I agree

But you can’t use the fact that someone has won a World Cup medal as proof of their ability

10

That’s the problem with Tinnion - loads of medals from years gone by but it’s feck all use to us this year when he’s not trying a leg.

11

Some quality quotes in this from Valdano:

English teams are robbing game of skill, says Valdano

Sid Lowe in Madrid
Tuesday May 8, 2007
The Guardian

The former Real Madrid coach and World Cup winner Jorge Valdano has attacked Rafael Bentez and Jose Mourinho, insisting that they are ushering in a bleak future for football and likening the Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Chelsea to “a shit hanging from a stick”.

The Argentinian, who scored in the 1986 World Cup final and has a respected reputation as a football intellectual, claimed that Mourinho and Bentez mistrust talent because of their own failure to make it as players and said their approach is bad news for the game.

Writing in Spain’s best-selling newspaper, Marca, Valdano insisted: "Football is made up of subjective feeling, of suggestion - and, in that, Anfield is unbeatable. Put a shit hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it’s a work of art. It’s not: it’s a shit hanging from a stick.
“Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way football is going: very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical, and very direct,” he added. "But, a short pass? Noooo. A feint? Noooo. A change of pace? Noooo. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don’t be ridiculous. None of that. The extreme control and seriousness with which both teams played the semi-final neutralised any creative licence, any moments of exquisite skill.

“If Didier Drogba was the best player in the first match it was purely because he was the one who ran the fastest, jumped the highest and crashed into people the hardest. Such extreme intensity wipes away talent, even leaving a player of Joe Cole’s class disoriented. If football is going the way Chelsea and Liverpool are taking it, we had better be ready to wave goodbye to any expression of the cleverness and talent we have enjoyed for a century.”

Valdano explained why Bentez and Mourinho were to blame for the demise of flair and creativity. “The lives of Mourinho and Bentez have crossed in a world that is ever more scrutinised and exposed by the media, which is why they look at each other with such distrust,” he wrote, "but they have two things in common: a previously denied, hitherto unsatisfied hunger for glory, and a desire to have everything under control.

“Both of those things stem from one key factor: neither Mourinho nor Bentez made it as a player. That has made them channel all their vanity into coaching. Those who did not have the talent to make it as players do not believe in the talent of players, they do not believe in the ability to improvise in order to win football matches. In short, Bentez and Mourinho are exactly the kind of coaches that Bentez and Mourinho would have needed to have made it as players.”

12

Valdano has some very good points there. In fairness you can’t blame Liverpool in that they have big limitations as a side and play the kick and rush style which is most effective for them. For the neutral it really is terrible to watch them play however. It is strange to think a team without a world class player (possibly exclude reina) can make it to two champions league finals in three years. Somehow I don’t think Valdano’s views will be popular at Sky Sports News or among EPL fans.

13

Interesting points from Valdano. I think there’s a worry that this brand of physicality will become dominant in European football but I can’t see it being the case. Chelsea have disimproved this season, and are definitely playing more direct, physical football than last year. Liverpool have always been tactically sound in Europe but they’re not achieving any great consistency with their style of play.

14

Thats why Ive always had a soft spot for Bolton Wanderers ;D

15

Liverpool have a bit of a cheek compaining about only getting 17,000 tickets for the final when they struggled to get 30,000 for home champions league games a couple of years back.
Liverpool frustrated at lack of tickets for final
10/05/2007 - 09:07:04

Liverpool have complained to UEFA regarding their ticket allocation for the Champions League final, but have been told they will not receive an increase.

The Premiership club have been awarded just 17,000 seats for the clash with AC Milan at the 63,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Athens on May 23 - a figure that nowhere near appeases enormous demand.

A huge black market for tickets has already developed with prices of more than 1,000 (1,470) being displayed on some agency websites.

Liverpool have also been criticised by their own fans for their methods of distribution, with some having made arrangements to travel only to be told they will not qualify for a ticket.

A statement from Liverpool given to BBC Radio Five Live read: "The bottom line is that UEFA have not supplied anywhere near enough tickets for the Champions League Final.

"Liverpool have expressed their disappointment and frustration to UEFA - but have been told categorically that no more tickets will be allocated to the club, not even the returned tickets from Milan - they will go into a UEFA ballot.

"Liverpool Football Club understands and shares the disappointment of their fans in what is a very frustrating situation.

"Our policy on tickets was available right from the start of the season and has not changed.

“The ballot for Liverpool fans was drawn up to be as fair as possible to fans, but the bottom line is that UEFA have not supplied enough tickets for the match.”

Liverpool have operated a fancard policy this season whereby supporters earn a point for each European game attended this season - or more accurately, ticket bought.

Those with seven or more points qualified while those with less - in many cases season-ticket holders who have been unable to travel abroad - have been entered into a ballot.

UEFA have responded to Liverpool’s complaints by insisting their allocation is fair.

Apart from the 17,000 given to the clubs, 20,000 tickets have been allocated to the ‘UEFA family’ and a further 9,000 via a ballot.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told the Liverpool Echo: "If we built a stadium with a million seats, the match would still sell out and supporters would not be able to see the pitch.

“It’s impossible more will be released in the coming weeks - 17,000 is the final figure.”

Liverpool received an allocation of 20,000 for the final in Istanbul two years ago but it is estimated around 40,000 fans gained access.

16

what i cant stand is ‘real’ rovers fans who go out fighting every friday night

17

Here’s a perfect example, and one of the most well known incidents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHV5-Advmf0

18

The verbal sparring has increased a notch today with Ancellotti criticsing Liverpool’s style of play and Riise responding by claiming the Milanese simply are frightened at the prospect of facing Liverpool. Really looking forward to this game even though I’m a neutral (firmly cheering for Milan).

19

cant wait for this one myself bandage, despite the fact i have an exam the next morning. bit surprised how critical milan have been of liverpool. players love to hear opposition teams criticising, gives that bit of extra incentive. don’t really care what any of the milanese or ‘neutrals’ say liverpool are in the final on merit and will hopefully deliver on the night.

20

Yeah, you can’t question Liverpool’s right to be there. They’ve beaten the Spanish and English champions in the knock out stages after all.