[CL-halve finale] PSV - AC Milan

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:10 schreef Lizz-n het volgende:

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Je probeert je ook op allemanieren populair te maken, als het niet met je kennis kan doe je het wel met opscheppen

Als PSV allegeluk van de wereld zou hebben hadden ze gister wel van Milan gewonnen met 1-3

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:13 schreef Chadi het volgende:

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Dat hadden ze de wedstrijden ervoor verspeeld of wil je nog meer geluk

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:10 schreef Lizz-n het volgende:

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Je probeert je ook op allemanieren populair te maken, als het niet met je kennis kan doe je het wel met opscheppen

Als PSV allegeluk van de wereld zou hebben hadden ze gister wel van Milan gewonnen met 1-3

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waarbij je al het geluk van de wereld had

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:23 schreef jimjim1983 het volgende:
die italianen doen het wel weer echt op z'n italiaans, scoren vlak voor rust en scoren vlak voor het eind, terwijl ze het niet verdienden.
als PSV nog de finale haalt dan eet ik mijn schoen op.

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:27 schreef BillyBeflap het volgende:

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Daar hou ik je aan.....!!
Wat zal ik er eens tegenover zetten??
Als PSV de finale haalt, dan geef ik Silvie Meijs een beurt

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:30 schreef jimjim1983 het volgende:

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beter idee: dan geef je Theo Lucius een beurt.
dat is pas een prestatie

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:48 schreef appelsientje het volgende:

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Maar toch ook 1 van DE psv helden...

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:48 schreef appelsientje het volgende:

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Maar toch ook 1 van DE psv helden...

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 11:23 schreef jimjim1983 het volgende:
die italianen doen het wel weer echt op z'n italiaans, scoren vlak voor rust en scoren vlak voor het eind, terwijl ze het niet verdienden.
als PSV nog de finale haalt dan eet ik mijn schoen op.

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 12:09 schreef pascalheister het volgende:

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het is alleen niet des italiaans dat PSV zoveel kansen krijgt

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Op woensdag 27 april 2005 12:09 schreef pascalheister het volgende:

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het is alleen niet des italiaans dat PSV zoveel kansen krijgt

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Milan 2 - 0 PSV
Shevchenko 42 (M), Tomasson 91 (M)
San Siro

Milan struggled to break down PSV at the San Siro, but Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Dahl Tomasson have given them a 2-0 first leg semi-final lead.

The Rossoneri were the last remaining Italian club in the Champions' League and the favourites to reach the Final, but then PSV Eindhoven had also eliminated Lyon against the odds on penalties and Coach Guus Hiddink - and players Young-Pyo Lee and Ji-Sung Park - led South Korea to a shock victory over Italy in the 2002 World Cup.

PSV had another advantage going into this game, as they mathematically sealed the Dutch title this weekend, whereas Milan must continue to battle Juventus in Serie A.

Alessandro Nesta's suspension pushed Paolo Maldini back into central defence alongside former PSV star Jaap Stam, while Andrea Pirlo recovered from a knee injury to bolster the midfield.

Milan had a bright start and went close after two minutes when Maldini's pass reached Andriy Shevchenko and his finish was too weak to beat Gomes at the near post.

Another splendid Maldini assist was nodded back by Shevchenko only for Hernan Crespo's shot to be charged down, then a Clarence Seedorf effort was deflected off target.

Gomes was called into his second save after nine minutes when he flew to fingertip Crespo's shot from a corner over the bar. Another corner saw Crespo's looping header beat the goalkeeper only to be cleared off the line by Park.

The home side was piling on the pressure and Gomes spilled the ball, but Crespo was unable to make the most of it.

Dida performed his first intervention at the 11th, only smothering Jefferson Farfan's long-range effort and able to control it at the second touch.

The Rossoneri were extremely fortunate to get away with a defensive error soon after, as Fanfan was left totally unmarked by Stam and Cafu to run on to Mark Van Bommel's pass, but his low drive was scuffed so that Dida could recover. A fantastically timed Maldini tackle also stopped Park in his tracks, but Seedorf was booked for pulling back the Korean on the counter-attack.

Park spotted Dida off his line and aimed a lob from 30 metres that was just over the bar.

Shevchenko burst between two defenders and it took some chaotic defending from Bouma and Gomes to stop him inside the area.

A corner kick was not cleared effectively and Gomes palmed away a powerful Kaka strike at the near post, while the Brazilian goalkeeper held a Gennaro Gattuso attempt and a poor Seedorf pass saw a great chance go begging.

Milan were pinning PSV back and Pirlo won back the ball before Kaka's fierce effort was spectacularly palmed over by Gomes. Crespo's backpass to Cafu was intercepted by Bouma after some fine build-up play by Shevchenko and the Ukrainian blazed a half-volley over.

The pressure eventually paid off after 42 minutes, as Kaka's through ball allowed Shevchenko to outsprint Wilfrid Bouma and place a low drive under Gomes' body.

Moments later Kaka did very well to keep the ball in play and his cutback to an unmarked Crespo was intercepted with some difficulty by Gomes.

PSV introduced Lucius for the second half and were immediately far more aggressive with Dida spilling a Lee strike and just about managing to recapture the ball before Park could pounce.

Cafu hooked the ball back for Crespo to score, but play had already been stopped as the linesman believed - perhaps erroneously - that it had gone out of play.

There was panic in the Milan area at the 50th minute when an error let both Park and Da Marcus Beasley get shots in that were charged down by defensive bodies.

Crespo really should've made it 2-0 soon after when Kaka's inspired pass found him unmarked from seven yards, but the Argentine lost his balance and couldn't even get the shot on target.

At the other end some great build-up from Van Bommel and Farfan eventually saw Dida block Park's finish from 10 yards in what was turning into a very tricky situation.

Yet Gomes was winning the battle of the Brazilian goalkeepers with another incredible save, reaching back to flap an accurate Shevchenko lob out from under the crossbar.

It was now a very open game and Park stumbled under pressure from Maldini before he could get his shot away, then Crespo was halted for an incorrect offside decision.

Hiddink threw on hitman Vennegoor of Hesselink for Beasley, while Jon Dahl Tomasson replaced the ineffective Crespo.

Stam was able to charge down Vennegoor of Hesselink's shot after Maldini cut off Park as both sides threatened a goal at any moment. Kakha Kaladze's wayward pass was intercepted by Van Bommel and he ballooned over the bar. Ooijer was booked for bringing down Shevchenko and will be suspended for the second leg.

Farfan was left totally unmarked at the back post and his low cross was fired wide by Park at full stretch, then Kaka's shot was well gathered.

Carlo Ancelotti saw that the midfield was being over-run and introduced Massimo Ambrosini for the tired Pirlo, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

Van Bommel's scuffed volley was comfortably saved by the attentive Dida and Milan switched to a 4-4-2 system for the final 10 minutes with Serginho replacing Seedorf on the left flank.

Vennegoor of Hesselink's looping header was inches past the post and then the PSV man rather theatrically attempted to win a penalty for the slightest of contacts with Stam.

Maldini's defensive header came out to Van Bommel and Dida again did well to smother his shot.

However, in the final minute Milan doubled their lead. Kaka was again the provider, this time his shot was deflected into the path of substitute Tomasson for a quick tap-in from seven yards as he came sliding in.

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Ancelotti considers tactical switch

Carlo Ancelotti admits he is considering the Christmas tree formation in Holland, while Guus Hiddink bemoans his lack of an Andriy Shevchenko figure.

“Playing PSV is above all an issue of tempo,” pointed out the Milan boss after their 2-0 semi-final victory. “The first half was very stressful on a physical level and they are a tough side to play, so we had to be wary of their quick passes in the opposing half.”

The Rossoneri were fortunate to emerge with such a comfortable result after struggling throughout the second half.

“Milan are superior in terms of quality and experience, but the second half performance certainly doesn’t warrant this 2-0 scoreline. We are closer to our objective and must prepare for the second leg carefully by evaluating the problems they caused us after the break.”

With PSV forced to come forward in the second leg next Wednesday, Ancelotti could use the Christmas tree formation with Manuel Rui Costa and Kaka supporting Shevchenko to make more use of the counter-attack.

“It is a tactical dilemma, as an extra midfielder could give the defence more protection, but on the other side the PSV back line isn’t too solid on long balls,” noted the Coach.

“At this stage of the season we have to consider fitness levels and PSV keep possession well. We had to be aggressive and started out that way, but after our tiredness set in I introduced Massimo Ambrosini to give us solidity and Serginho to unleash his pace.”

Guus Hiddink famously Coached the South Korean side that eliminated Italy from the 2002 World Cup, but was less fortunate in this encounter with Serie A stars.

“I think the difference was that Milan needed one or two chances to score, whereas we dominated the second half and reduced them to counter-attacks,” said the tactician. “We managed to create five or six opportunities and failed to make them count.”

South Korean international Park is likely to be fielded in a wide position in the second leg, a role that troubled Lyon in the last round.

“Park is very good at finding the gaps between defence and midfield. He’s much faster than anyone thinks and created problems today, even if his finishing was not equal to the build-up. If we had a fine striker who could make his one chance count then it would’ve been a different game, but we don’t have one.”

The tie is not over yet and Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani points out what could be a crucial difference between the two clubs.

“PSV are a great and hard-working squad with a fantastic Coach, but it’s hardly surprising as they have reached the Champions’ League semi-final. They have an advantage in that they have already won the Dutch title and can rest players this weekend, whereas we have another ‘final’ at Fiorentina.”

The Rossoneri cannot afford to take their foot off the Serie A pedal as their head to head race with Juve continues.

“Given a choice between Europe and Serie A, I’d definitely choose the Champions’ League, even if purely from a marketing perspective. I must say that Jaap Stam was a human dam back there and was immense tonight, blocking any leaks the rest of the team let go.”

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Rossoneri stars express relief

Milan’s star players have spoken of their difficulties in breaking down PSV and their relief at the final result.

Andriy Shevchenko scored in both quarter-finals and continued that trend by breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time in this 2-0 semi-final victory.

“It was very difficult,” conceded the Ukrainian. “We knew that PSV could control the tempo and we are really feeling the strain of a packed season now. In the final stages I was simply exhausted.”

“Nonetheless, we created plenty of chances and made the most of them, whereas they were more wasteful. We had several counter-attacks and well created opportunities and Tomasson’s goal was very important, as it gives us a cushion for the trip to Holland.”

Both teams had a number of chances, but Dida rarely had a difficult save to make, whereas his fellow Brazilian Gomes performed several spectacular parries.

“I think our style of play was more effective, whereas PSV rarely had the time to line up their shots, which is why their finishing was more rushed and less effective.”

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s last-gasp goal – his first in the Champions’ League this season – ensured Milan can breathe a little more easily ahead of the second leg tie.

“Tomasson has had a tough season and always gave his contribution to the team,” concluded Shevchenko. “He also played well against Parma on Saturday and it is great to know we have him and Pippo Inzaghi coming back to full fitness.”

Kaka provided the assists for both goals and explained how he spotted Shevchenko’s run for that crucial pass.

“I like scoring goals, but my main job is to ensure the team wins,” said the Brazilian. “I saw a gap and toe-poked the ball through for Shevchenko. It is true that we were fortunate to win 2-0, but this is football and we made the most of our opportunities.”

The youngster is becoming more versatile and moved out to the right flank during the second half when Massimo Ambrosini came on for Andrea Pirlo.

“When we play 4-4-2 then I can start out on the right to mark opponents, but when we have the ball I am given the freedom to roam. The good thing about Cafu is that he draws players to him so that I have the space to shoot.”

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Yet Gomes was winning the battle of the Brazilian goalkeepers with another incredible save, reaching back to flap an accurate Shevchenko lob out from under the crossbar.

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Hiddink: “Park is very good at finding the gaps between defence and midfield. He’s much faster than anyone thinks and created problems today, even if his finishing was not equal to the build-up. If we had a fine striker who could make his one chance count then it would’ve been a different game, but we don’t have one.”