AC Milan - AJAX

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Wednesday is the big night, the return match between AC Milan - AJAX. First match in Amsterdam ended 0-0.

AC Milan are without Seedorf and Pirlo, they're out for the rest of the season. Rui Costa and Maldini are doubtful for the match.

AJAX have a lot of injuries, doubtfull for the match already were Trabelsi and de Jong, in today's match 2 other important players became doubtful too, Maxwell and Rafael van der Vaart :angry:

Maxwell went off injured after he was tackled, VDV went off cause he collided against an opponent he has a concussion of the brain. It's very doubtfull if he's going to make it... :angry:

A positive point for AJAX is that Pienaar and Galasek will be back from injury, they can play against Milan..

[Mark]

think Milan will be the favourites but good luck to Ajax hopefully, be checking for your result and hoping ya get a result

[nicodemus]

s***...rui costa is the heart of their midfield...and maldini in defense is priceless!!! :crying ...buti still pick them to win!!!!

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by nicodemus@Apr 19 2003, 11:55 PM
s***...rui costa is the heart of their midfield...and maldini in defense is priceless!!! :crying ...buti still pick them to win!!!!

they're doubtfull, but will probably make it....

think Milan will be the favourites but good luck to Ajax hopefully, be checking for your result and hoping ya get a result

Thanks...

Hope the same for you, although beating Real won't be easy..........but if Barca could get a draw....who knows...

[Zizou]

If Milan play as they have played lately, Ajax have a good chance of winning. Today against Empoli (a relegation battling side) Milan lost 1-0 at home and played poorly (no ideas - shows that Rui Costa, Seedorf and Pirlo are out).

BTW Rivaldo is one of the most hyped players ever; he's so s***, probably Milan's worst player. He's too slow, no wonder Barca let him go for free.

[Zizou]

Oh yeah good luck, but only if you promise me you will be able to defeat Inter in the semis (if they make it through)

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by Zizou@Apr 20 2003, 01:00 AM
If Milan play as they have played lately, Ajax have a good chance of winning. Today against Empoli (a relegation battling side) Milan lost 1-0 at home and played poorly (no ideas - shows that Rui Costa, Seedorf and Pirlo are out).

BTW Rivaldo is one of the most hyped players ever; he's so s***, probably Milan's worst player. He's too slow, no wonder Barca let him go for free.

I knew Milan lost, but did Milan play with their best (possible) line up?

About Rivaldo I agree, I've been saying he's s*** for a pretty long time, the guy's way too selfish. In the past his selfishness got him somewhere, now it gets him nowhere but in trouble...

[soccerchic]

trabelsi?? what happened to him?? that's going to be a big loss! who's going to replace him??

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by soccerchic@Apr 20 2003, 12:58 PM
trabelsi?? what happened to him?? that's going to be a big loss! who's going to replace him??

Trabelsi just played too many matches, I think he already played about 40 matches this year. If players have too play that many they'll get injured eventually, that's what happened to Trabelsi..

And yeah, it's a damn big loss, he's about our most dangerous attacker, even tho he's a defender...

It's not sure whether he's going to make it or not, I really hope he will, cause without him AJAX won't be half as dangerous as possible...

His replacement would be Nigel de Jong, but as I posted earlier, he's injured too He's also doubtful. If neither of them will be ready too play, I think Yakubu or Bergdolmo will be on the right back position..

[Zizou]

Originally posted by Van Der Vaart 23+Apr 20 2003, 12:05 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Apr 20 2003, 12:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Zizou@Apr 20 2003, 01:00 AM
If Milan play as they have played lately, Ajax have a good chance of winning. Today against Empoli (a relegation battling side) Milan lost 1-0 at home and played poorly (no ideas - shows that Rui Costa, Seedorf and Pirlo are out).

BTW Rivaldo is one of the most hyped players ever; he's so s***, probably Milan's worst player. He's too slow, no wonder Barca let him go for free.

I knew Milan lost, but did Milan play with their best (possible) line up?

About Rivaldo I agree, I've been saying he's s*** for a pretty long time, the guy's way too selfish. In the past his selfishness got him somewhere, now it gets him nowhere but in trouble... [/b][/quote]
They were very close to their best formation as they were still fighting for the Serie A or at least 2nd placing.

Milan have a problem that they f*** it all up with the small teams so Ajax should take advantage of this.

[Excelsior]

FORZA MILAN!!!

[Van Der Vaart 23]

AJAX news:

After Pienaar and Galasek, it looks that de Jong and Trabelsi will also be able to play on wednesday...

Bad news is that together with VDV and Maxwell, Litmanen(again.. ) and Zlatan also got injured in Saturday's match...

It's not sure whether they are going to make it or not, VDV's chances of makin' it are small... :angry:

[footie_master]

i will setle for a draw 0-0 or 1-1 or something like that. But i hope they dont play for the draw cause usually you end up with nothing.

to bad i cant see the match, have to play footy myself.

[Knoert]

Originally posted by Excelsior@Apr 20 2003, 01:22 PM
FORZA MILAN!!!

[Forza Utreg]

I think and hope Milan will beat the f*cking Ajax.

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by Forza Utreg@Apr 21 2003, 02:52 PM
I think and hope Milan will beat the f*cking Ajax.

we have the cup

but welcome anyway...

[Van Der Vaart 23]

AJAX news:

Litmanen and Zlatan will be able to play, although they're not 100% fit. Galasek suddenly is doubtful again, just like Maxwell and VDV

Those players do go to Milan, but if they're able to play, will become clear on wednesday..

Anybody have some Milan news?? Zizou maybe, since you can easily check Italian media??

[Zizou]

Well for Milan definitely out are Seedorf and Pirlo.

Probably they`ll play upfront with Inzaghi and Shevcenko.

Maldini is still doubtful cos of his broken nose.

Apart from that I think they should have full team.

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by Zizou@Apr 21 2003, 03:57 PM
Well for Milan definitely out are Seedorf and Pirlo.

Probably they`ll play upfront with Inzaghi and Shevcenko.

Maldini is still doubtful cos of his broken nose.

Apart from that I think they should have full team.

So, Maldini still doubtful...more chances of making it, or a small chance of making it??

For the rest a full team...I guess it means that Rui Costa is fit again..(?)

[Ajax&#33;_Seb]

You're all forgtetting that Gatusso is suspended! That's another Milan midfielder gone!

[Zizou]

Originally posted by Van Der Vaart 23+Apr 21 2003, 05:41 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Apr 21 2003, 05:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Zizou@Apr 21 2003, 03:57 PM
Well for Milan definitely out are Seedorf and Pirlo.

Probably they`ll play upfront with Inzaghi and Shevcenko.

Maldini is still doubtful cos of his broken nose.

Apart from that I think they should have full team.

So, Maldini still doubtful...more chances of making it, or a small chance of making it??

For the rest a full team...I guess it means that Rui Costa is fit again..(?) [/b][/quote]
About Maldini, they say he's unlikely to play, but it might be pre-tactic so don'r count on it.

Rui Costa should play but well you never know.

Gattuso isn't a really great midfielder, he's just a fighter Amborsini will take his place, and in my eyes he's better than Gattuso.

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by Zizou+Apr 21 2003, 08:33 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Zizou @ Apr 21 2003, 08:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Van Der Vaart 23+Apr 21 2003, 05:41 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Apr 21 2003, 05:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Zizou@Apr 21 2003, 03:57 PM
Well for Milan definitely out are Seedorf and Pirlo.

Probably they`ll play upfront with Inzaghi and Shevcenko.

Maldini is still doubtful cos of his broken nose.

Apart from that I think they should have full team.

So, Maldini still doubtful...more chances of making it, or a small chance of making it??

For the rest a full team...I guess it means that Rui Costa is fit again..(?) [/b][/quote]
About Maldini, they say he's unlikely to play, but it might be pre-tactic so don'r count on it.

Rui Costa should play but well you never know.

Gattuso isn't a really great midfielder, he's just a fighter Amborsini will take his place, and in my eyes he's better than Gattuso. [/b][/quote]
I think both Maldini and Rui Costa will play..

About Gattuso: He might not be as good as the other Milan players, but every team needs a player that does the dirty work. I think in this Milan team, that guy is Gattuso, so it could be usefull that he isn't there...

[Zizou]

Amborisini does that dirty work too, but he's not as aggressive as Gattuso.

Another good news for Ajax is that Serginho is doubtful. Now there's a player that is too important for Milan to lose.

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Milan strive for top billing
Tuesday, 22 April 2003
By Marcus Christenson

Despite losing half the midfield which was instrumental in AC Milan leaving AFC Ajax's Amsterdam Arena with a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final a fortnight ago, coach Carlo Ancelotti remains confident that the Rossoneri will be the team celebrating at San Siro on Wednesday night.

'Among the best'
"I know it will be a difficult game but we hope and think that we are good enough to be among the best four in Europe," said Ancelotti, who will be missing the energy of both the suspended Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf. The Dutchman's season was ended by a 26th-minute challenge by Ajax defender Hatem Trabelsi in the first leg.

Pirlo out
The loss of Seedorf, bidding to become the first player to win the Champions League with three clubs, will be even more keenly felt as Andrea Pirlo has also been ruled out for the campaign with a knee injury. Ancelotti added: "We have lost some important players over the past few weeks but there are others who are ready to step in and take responsibility."

Serginho injured
The most likely midfield deputies are Fernando Redondo and Cristian Brocchi, while Massimo Ambrosini and Rui Costa will retain their places. Brazilian winger Serginho was taken out of the reckoning after failing to recover from an ankle injury suffered in Saturday's shock 1-0 loss to Empoli in Serie A.

'More focused'
A first home defeat of the season may have dented morale, but Ancelotti hopes the reverse will instead provide a psychological boost. "The game against Empoli is a closed chapter for us and I don't think it will have an influence on Wednesday's match," he said. "And if it has, I think it will be a positive response and that we will be even more focused and determined to win and go through."

'We are ready'
Milan have now won just two of their last ten games, prompting Ancelotti to summon his players to their Milanello training retreat 24 hours ahead of schedule. He denied it was an act of "punishment", preferring to concentrate on the positives. "Those two wins came against Juventus [FC] and Internazionale [FC] - two of the best teams in Europe. Wednesday is another big one and we are ready."

We have done fantastically well to get here while it is different for Milan

Ronald Koeman


'Pressure on Milan'
Ajax are also set for action, coach Ronald Koeman saying: "We have young players who like to attack and like to score and if we score I think we will have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals. We have done fantastically well to get here while it is different for Milan. I think they are the better team with more experience - but they also have more pressure on them."

Guessing game
Like his opposite number, Koeman will have to shuffle his pack. Talented forward Rafael van der Vaart is doubtful with concussion and midfield player Tomáš Galásek is troubled by a knee injury, while Maxwell is another doubt. Andy van der Meyde, who missed the first leg through suspension, could return to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic - though each coach will keep the other guessing to the last.

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Opposites attract at San Siro
Tuesday, 22 April 2003
By Richard Whittle

Although AC Milan and AFC Ajax have always been associated with excellence in Europe, there has been a remarkable contrast between the clubs whenever they have met.

Recurring theme
Milan, the wealthy aristocrats of Italian football, assembled against down-to-earth homegrown talent from the streets of Amsterdam, has been a recurring theme since their first encounter in the 1969 European Champion Clubs' Cup final.

Stellar cast
In a match played at Real Madrid CF's Santiago Bernabéu stadium, each side performed their role perfectly. Milan, who had won the competition in 1963, were graced with European Footballer of the Year Gianni Rivera, current Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni, and goalkeeper Fabio Cudicini, father of Chelsea FC custodian Carlo.

Total football
It was little wonder they ran out 4-1 winners. Striker Pierino Prati hit a hat-trick, opening the scoring after just seven minutes before adding a second ahead of half-time. At just 22, however, Johan Cruyff gave an early indication of the skill and determination that would change the face of football in the following decade. Indeed, Ajax would lift the trophy three years in a row - between 1971 and 1973 – in addition to introducing the world to 'total football'.

Milan hold sway
Yet it was Cruyff's captain, the late Velibor Vasovic, whose penalty briefly brought Ajax back into the game. Not to be outdone, Rivera raised the tempo once again and Angelo Sormani restored the two-goal advantage seven minutes later, leaving Prati to complete proceedings on 75 minutes.

Household names
By the time of their next meeting, in the 1974 UEFA Super Cup, Cruyff had left for FC Barcelona but the likes of Piet Keizer, Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Gerrie Muhren and Arie Haan had become household names. After a 1-0 defeat at the San Siro the Dutch turned on a masterclass at home, winning 6-0.

Last waltz
That joie de vivre was evident again in the 1995 UEFA Champions League final as the teams lined up in Vienna for what was to be the last waltz for a great Milan side and also marked the last time a small, less wealthy club would capture the continent's biggest prize.

Youthful complexion
Ajax had already defeated the Italian side in their two group engagements that season, but the final was a different matter. After all, Milan had been crowned champions on three occasions since 1989. The likes of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta were all in their lineup, while their opponents more closely resembled a youth team, joking and playing tricks with the ball prior to the start.

The Ajax way
However, these kids had grown up together through the famous Ajax academy and were schooled in the unmistakable Dutch style. Twins Ronald and Frank de Boer were joined by neighbourhood friends Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Michael Reiziger. Marc Overmars, Edwin van der Sar, Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu and Jari Litmanen were also part of a squad developed by coach Louis van Gaal.

Incredible achievement
The 18-year-old Kluivert scored the only goal of the game deep in the second half to cap an incredible achievement. However, reality soon kicked in as the new Bosman ruling enabled the likes of Milan, Barcelona, Internazionale FC et al to dismantle one of the most exciting sides of the modern era.

Current crop
Another triumph in the elegant surroundings of Milan on Wednesday could herald another exodus of Ajax starlets, although coach Ronald Koeman believes many will stay on to complete their education at the Amsterdam Arena.

[TedNolan]

I hope Ajax win. I have respect for team who developp good youngsters. I'd be great to see them win.