[UCL] (Semi Finials) Manchester United v AC Milan *2nd Leg*
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Fergie's Scholes concern
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Paul Scholes that one mistimed tackle could rob him of an appearance at a European final for a second time.
The midfield star missed Manchester United's UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich in 1999 on account of suspension and he heads into Wednesday's semi-final against Milan with a booking hanging over him.
Scholes has already served a suspension in Europe this term and Ferguson is fearful that one rash tackle could cost his player dear.
"You cannot send a player out in the semi-final of the European Cup and tell him not to tackle," said Ferguson.
"But Paul has to make sure he doesn't get booked. If he stays on his feet and tackles properly, he won't have a problem.
"In Europe, they just don't accept sliding in. That is where he gets all his bookings.
"We accept it in our country when he slides in but they don't look at it the same way in Europe. It is not filthy or violent conduct, it is all about interpretation."
Ferguson does not feel Milan's players will look to get Scholes booked.
"The second leg would be in progress and one of us would be going to the final, so I do not see any benefit for them in that," he added.
"But Milan don't seem like that kind of side to me anyway. There was nothing like that in the last game we played against them and on Tuesday there was nothing like that either.
"If anyone deserves to play in a final it is Paul and we are all hoping that is the case.
"If he keeps his calm about the game I am sure he will be all right." -
Gattuso fit, Maldini doubtful
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed midfield terrier Gennaro Gattuso will be fit to take on Manchester United on Wednesday, but doubts persist over defensive legend Paolo Maldini.
Gattuso and Maldini both failed to complete 90 minutes in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final between the two sides last week.
Gattuso's foot complaint has responded to treatment and he has been given the green light, but Maldini's long-standing knee complaint is a cause of some concern for the Rossoneri.
"The only player in doubt today is Maldini but we still have four days to get him fit," Ancelotti told gazzetta.it.
"Gattuso will definitely be available, however."
Milan limbered up for the second leg with a 1-0 win at Torino and a similar result on Wednesday would take them through as United hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg. -
po pi po pi
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Players on yellow cards: Heinze,Scholes and Ronaldo
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The key of this match is to outscore Milan becos United's defence is CMI at the moment. 3-1 victory for United would be nice but any win for United is good enough for me.
Cheers.
CK -
Not enoughOriginally posted by CKeer:The key of this match is to outscore Milan becos United's defence is CMI at the moment. 3-1 victory for United would be nice but any win for United is good enough for me.
Cheers.
CK
We cannt have those few players on yellow cards too!Esp ronado ! If not we go final still will die 1.. -
indeed it is challenging.Originally posted by lpx88:The final run-n is gonna be challenging too..our 1st choice of defence gone wad...
but rumour is that vidic and rio might be back? -
dun think milan will attempt to get scholes sent off... they dun seem like a dirty side.
anyhow scholes better watch his behaviour.... -
Fergie says Rio is expected to return against Milan whereas Vidic will go for a scan today, then he'll decide.Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:indeed it is challenging.
but rumour is that vidic and rio might be back?
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Scholes puts the team first
Paul Scholes will not let the possibility of missing a second Champions League final cloud his approach to WednesdayÂ’s semi final second leg clash with AC Milan at the San Siro.
The 32-year-old midfielder missed 1999Â’s European final in Barcelona through suspension. Now, one booking away from a heartbreaking repeat of that scenario, everyone is hoping that, should United overcome Milan, Scholes will be available to take on either Liverpool or Chelsea in Athens.
But, for the straight-talking Salfordian, it is not an issue and he is solely focused on getting United there above all else.
"I won't let the bookings situation bother me,” he said. “It’s just another game and another chance to get to a Champions League final."
There is seemingly no time to be mawkish about his predicament. "I don't think of it being more important to get through because of what happened to me last time,” he adds.
"It is a major tournament, one that every team in Europe wants to be involved in. It still feels the same as the semi-final was in 1999. We all want to get there and we all want to win it if we do."
The tolerance for ScholesÂ’ self-confessed inability to slide-tackle is met with distinctly different responses from referees at home and abroad, which is why Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has specifically told Scholes not to dive in to challenges.
“The advice to him is not to slide in, that’s where he gets all his bookings,” said the Reds boss. “In Europe, they don’t accept it. If he stays on his feet he’ll be OK. If anyone deserves it, it’s him. We’re all hoping that is the case.”
Scholes, though, is focused on team duties rather than personal interests.
"It will help having been there before," he said. "We know what we are facing. What happened a couple of years ago in Milan was a big disappointment. But the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney are a couple of years older now.
"The goal we scored in the last minute of the first game certainly gave us a boost and I suppose there is a possibility it might have disheartened Milan a little bit.
"I can't really see that, though. It is going to be a very tough game. I just hope we can do a bit better than we did last time." -
Ferdinand, Vidic travels with Man Utd squad
Defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will travel with Manchester United to Italy today, as will centre forward Louis Saha.
All three players have been missing recently but will be assessed at training in the San Siro this afternoon. -
i think there's a higher chance for rio to play than vidic.
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hope both of them plays!
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lol they will probably play la....
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Vidic passed fit for Milan
Nemanja Vidic has recovered from a broken collarbone and should return to the Manchester United defence for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in Milan tomorrow.
Vidic, who last played against Blackburn on March 31, passed a fitness test and is likely to play alongside either Wes Brown or Rio Ferdinand, who has also travelled with the squad despite his recent groin injury, in the San Siro. With Patrice Evra suspended, the return of Vidic would allow Gabriel Heinze to switch into his favoured left-back role.
Louis Saha could be on the bench despite his recent hamstring problems, although the absence of Gary Neville will only fuel speculation that the United skipper's ankle injury will rule him out for the season.
Milan could be without their captain and centre-back Paolo Maldini. Kakha Kaladze, available again after suspension, is the obvious replacement if Maldini fails to recover from the knee injury he sustained at Old Trafford and has prevented him from training normally since.
The Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti admits that the 38-year-old skipper, who made his first-team debut for the Rossoneri in 1985 as a 16-year-old, has only a slim chance of playing. Another of the walking wounded from the first leg, the snarling midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, is available after recovering from a foot injury and the Milan coach has all his regulars available barring the cup-tied Ronaldo and possibly Maldini. Ancelotti has indicated Filippo Inzaghi rather than Alberto Gilardino will play up front. -
inzaghi and kaka.... smells like trouble...
but hope theres vidic... den shld be ok. -
hope vidic really fit enough to play
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We need to get the first goal.
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Woots, viva vidic
I hope Rio plays with vidic and hope no screwing up
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AC Milan just need one goal to qualify.
Man U have to go out and attack. If they managed to score early, they will have a chance but if AC Milan were to score first..... then it might be difficult for Man U -
how many do we need? lets say we concede one?Originally posted by X-men:AC Milan just need one goal to qualify.
Man U have to go out and attack. If they managed to score early, they will have a chance but if AC Milan were to score first..... then it might be difficult for Man U -
If united let in 1, then they have to score 1 too... if 2... then 2 as well. Whatever, a draw will be good enough but if we are to lose, losing 3 - 2 in normal 90 mins is ok too.Originally posted by sand king:how many do we need? lets say we concede one?
But losing by a goal if they score more than 2 away goals would do as well like 3 - 4... But if all draw in normal time... An away goal for united would count as 2 in extra time... Meaning if united score 1, Milan have to score 2...
But i see this is going to be a tough game to play away... Its possible but very tough... Just hope for the best. -
anything is possible.
liverpool proved it.
man u stands a good chance if they play at fast pace. -
But Liverpool is home.
Actually I rather be in Milan position. Not too bad having a 3-2 deficit to bring home to Old Trafford if for Man Utd.
For Man Utd to go through, they must ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK!.
Man Utd team not made for defense one.
I think smith and fletcher will play and try to run milan down. -
Meaning we will win if its a draw.Originally posted by zocoss:If united let in 1, then they have to score 1 too... if 2... then 2 as well. Whatever, a draw will be good enough but if we are to lose, losing 3 - 2 in normal 90 mins is ok too.
But losing by a goal if they score more than 2 away goals would do as well like 3 - 4... But if all draw in normal time... An away goal for united would count as 2 in extra time... Meaning if united score 1, Milan have to score 2...
But i see this is going to be a tough game to play away... Its possible but very tough... Just hope for the best.
Yea, we need to score 1st.Originally posted by dragg:anything is possible.
liverpool proved it.
man u stands a good chance if they play at fast pace.