Chapter 42: Swan Song
Chapter 42: Swan Song
In the world, there is no fan who likes Degan and doesn't hate Ancelotti!
Degan could have played for the giants like many superstars, became the prince and king of that team, until he became famous and became a legend.
But because of Ancelotti, Degan became a prodigal son in football, and changed three teams in three years, but fortunately, wandering did not wipe out his talent, and now Degan is still brilliant.
There are still seven rounds left in the league. Although Fiorentina is doomed to fail this season, Degan's current performance can win him enough personal honor.
So, what about Ancelotti?
At the beginning, no one thought about this fat man.
Some people have even planned for Ancelotti. The next life journey, after the end of the season, was kicked out by AC Milan, and then in the year after year of failures, they could no longer wait for the coaching position. In the end, they could only Show off your lip service to support your family.
However, one thing cannot be denied.
Ancelotti really saved the once-declining AC Milan from the quagmire, giving him a new life. Under his hands, many first-class stars were born. ?? Stadium Maniac 42
So when Ancelotti was "forced" to the edge of the cliff, and even he himself thought that he would definitely fall this time, and there was no redemption, some people stepped forward to save him, and at the same time his opponent crippled himself martial arts.
The game against Bayern Munich is not a classic battle for AC Milan. From the very beginning of this game, Ancelotti made up his mind to defend, defend, defend!
Before this game, it should be said that Bayern Munich was in a better situation. The 2:2 away game gave them more room for maneuver after returning home, but Bayern's performance in this game was disappointing, not so much that AC Milan played well , It is better to say that Bayern played too poorly.
Generally speaking, Bayern failed to show speed and momentum in this game. The rhythm of the whole game was that they were following AC Milan. There was no active running and pressing. Bayern, lacking overall pressure and attack, was like a toothless tiger. , could not pose a threat to AC Milan, or it may be that Bayern was afraid of AC Milan's delicate skills, so they did not dare to press in the midfield after the opening, but recovered as soon as possible after losing the ball to the second half before starting the robbery.
This method is conducive to the method, reducing the area that each player needs to defend. Can it? It can better restrain AC Milan's passing and cutting cooperation, but for the offense, this method is not very beneficial. Bayern lacks pass. The ability to attack the frontcourt with organized cooperation, so in the beginning of the first half, although Bayern had no loopholes in defense, the offense was not too threatening. This way of thinking limited the enthusiasm of Bayern players, and The Bayern players are in poor condition, and their movement speed and offensive and defensive rhythm speed cannot be improved.
Throughout the whole game, Bayern has no players who can be called in good condition. The team's condition is in the middle and lower reaches. Ma Kai is basically doing nothing. There is also a big space behind the two central defenders. The control of midfielder Van Bommel and Hargreaves seemed very weak.
From the point of view of play, Bayern mainly attack through crosses from both sides, but there are not many opportunities to really break through and then pass. Most of them are diagonal crosses from both sides of the penalty area. However, the outflanking in the middle is not in place. Neither Ma Kai nor Podolski is a player who grabs points in the middle and does not match this tactic.
Another tactic of Bayern is the long-range shot in the middle, but because AC Milan blocked the middle in place today, and the foot style of the Bayern players was not very smooth, so the long-range shot did not pose a great threat.
In the beginning stage, Bayern had a few good offensives, but they lacked a good cooperation before attacking the penalty area, so they could only solve the problem by long-range shots from the outside. This method is obviously not enough to deal with AC Milan.
In the second half, Bayern began to press down, but the effect was not obvious. It was only after replacing Pizarro in the second half that they saw some results, but they were quickly restrained by the opponent. 10 minutes before the end, Bayern relied on two sides. The cross created a certain threat to AC Milan. If Bayern adopted this style of play earlier, it may have greater results.
On the other hand, AC Milan is well prepared for difficulties, and they are relatively confident about playing against German teams. Their confidence comes from their technical advantages. Therefore, AC Milan players dare to take the ball, and do some passing and cutting cooperation in a small area to avoid it. Bayern's "pressing" the limelight and then launched a counterattack, this trick AC Milan has tried repeatedly, which is why Bayern did not dare to aggressively press the "press" in the midfield. In this game, AC Milan took Pirlo as the core. After stealing the ball in the backcourt, they quickly formed a counterattack through the cooperation of several one-foot passes. AC Milan had such threats many times.
Today, AC Milan opened with a 4321 Christmas tree formation. What is more special is that Seedorf is placed in the right position of the double front midfielder. Together with Kaka, they form a follow-up attack point behind Inzaghi. Contrary to Bayern's expectations, Bayern's midfield defense has only two players, Van Bommel and Hargreaves, and they obviously have a feeling of neglecting one another when defending.
Seedorf moved a lot horizontally in the midfield and looked very active. The goal in the first half had a lot to do with the change of Seedorf's position. This is a magical stroke of Ancelotti's formation today.
Ancelotti has always been criticized for being cautious and rigid in using troops, but today's arrangement for Seedorf can be regarded as a good embodiment of Ancelotti's resourcefulness in using troops.
In the second half, AC Milan looked very calm after taking the lead, especially the players headed by Pirlo were very cautious in blocking in front of the penalty area, effectively curbing Bayern's offensive momentum, and blocking Bayern's frontal long-range shots many times . As for the defenders, Nesta and Maldini are in excellent form today, and Bayern did not take advantage of the high ball competition. ?? Stadium Maniac 42
Kaka is still the highlight of AC Milan's frontcourt, attracting a large number of Bayern's troops, but also posing a great threat. Inzaghi also contributed a lot, scoring a goal, although the goal was suspected of being offside.
Is Inzaghi offside?
No offside?
More precisely, do we still need to discuss whether Inzaghi is not offside?
Half of the "offside" prince's shots were called offside, and half of the shots were called offside. Afterwards, it was found in slow motion that it was hard to say that he was offside. You can say that he was always in front of that parallel line." "Chicken thief" wants to steal the status of half a grain of rice. It can also be said that he always wants to use half a grain of rice to conquer the end of the world.
No need to mobilize the high-speed camera to confirm the offside problem, this is Inzaghi's scoring style, and his roundabout run really has his romance in love, there is no way, talent is always a weapon prepared for lazy people, no way I don't admire Inzaghi's ultra-stable ankle movement when shooting. The little man always has experience in front of the giant's defenders, and he fights with his heart to get the desired result.
AC Milan's fate is Inzaghi!
The day before the away game against Bayern Munich, "Gazzetta dello Sport" once said that Ronaldo bought half a season late and did not qualify for the Champions League. Borriello was taken from the Champions League list. Gilardino was suspended. AC A series of mistakes by the Milan club plus natural and man-made disasters made Ancelotti only have two forwards available in this life-and-death battle: the injured Inzaghi and the poor Oliveira.
Ancelotti really needs to count on Inzaghi, who has scored five goals in the past four duels with Bayern. Ancelotti said: "Inzaghi has become the focus of the media recently, but if a certain A guy who maintains such a high rate of goals against Bayern is something to watch."
Unfortunately, however, the news from Gazzetta dello Sport three hours before the game still indicated that Inzaghi's physical condition was not optimistic.
"As long as I put Inzaghi on the field, it means he can play."
As Ancelotti said, Inzaghi is still in the starting lineup, not Oliveira, and with this start, Inzaghi continues to play the role of "Bayern nemesis".
If Seedorf's rewritten 1-0 score did not give up Bayern's hope, then Inzaghi's goal two minutes later gave the Germans a heavy blow.
At that time, Gattuso sent a direct pass from the midfielder, and Kaka ran horizontally and suddenly heeled straight. Inzaghi turned around and led the ball in the air that rarely appeared between the two tall defenders, took two steps, and faced the attacking opponent in front of the penalty area. Kahn calmly shot, and the ball flew into the net against the lower edge of the goal crossbar.
After scoring the goal, Inzaghi ran to the corner flag crazily, yelling while running, and then grabbed the corner flag and did a "Batman" celebratory action invented by Batistuta back then. He knew that the game was over. Now, AC Milan is already in a winning position.
This is Inzaghi's fifty-sixth goal in the European arena. With this goal, he also tied the Portuguese legend "Black Panther" Eusebio.
In fact, in terms of state alone, Inzaghi is not outstanding, and injuries still affect him, and there are obstacles in some stopping and dribbling movements. Substitute, but this is Inzaghi, when you mark him, it may not be what happens, but once you despise him and relax him, he will immediately give you a fatal blow. Lucio and Van Buyten are two taller than In front of the 190cm giant defender, the thin Inzaghi found such a space.
The German media was still accusing Inzaghi of offside after the game. Judging from the video, this is indeed the case, but this is the broadcast signal of the German side. Even with the parallel lens from the sidelines, it can't be seen. How can the assistant referee's naked eyes determine the result of shooting a freeze frame?
"Gazzetta dello Sport" once made statistics that a considerable part of the offsides that Inzaghi was blown off were strikes. The sudden start between the front lines, no wonder he is the player that the assistant referee pays most attention to.
Before the end of the game, Inzaghi put on his coat early, waiting for the moment of celebration, and after the short celebration, Inzaghi also happily accepted the interview after the game: "I am very happy, the environment of AC Milan allows You do such a thing, I came here with the call of the "chairman" and the support of my teammates. The "chairman" Berlusconi called me before the game, such support is really important to me .Play with your heart and you can get the results you want. German teams, including Kahn, have brought me some good memories. Anyway, now that Bayern is out, we only think about the future games, We think about Manchester, it's going to be a tough game for sure, we have to give our all and we're going to enjoy the night anyway. It would be a shame if we were leaving the Champions League tonight, but the Champions League is It's so special and magical, like a song with many changes."
Inzaghi succeeded, continuing his name as the nemesis of Germany, and AC Milan also succeeded, continuing to defend the dignity of Italian football, which was reflected in the failure of the Germans.
I have to say that German football is lagging behind technically and tactically. AC Milan made such a sigh when facing Bayern Munich last season, but it is unexpected that they sometimes lag behind in courage .
Ten years ago, Beckenbauer lamented desolately: "The current German team members are like coolie workers on the street, without happiness and creation."
Ten years later, German football doesn't even want to retain their brute force. They play their own leagues in the depths of the European continent and play their own ideas. Turning a deaf ear, failing to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for five consecutive years, it can only be said that they deserve it.
The top four created by Klinsmann at the World Cup is now killing German football, giving them the illusion that the German flag has not fallen, and losing them again nine months later to a struggling Italian .
When AC Milan carried the banner of Italian football revival alone, when they were full of desire to fight for honor, the "Steel Chariot" was so mediocre and negative. The defeat of Bayern was the defeat of German football.
For this result, Bayern coach Hitzfeld was particularly disappointed after the game: "We had the absolute initiative after the first round, but the final result was indeed disappointing. From the beginning of the game, we hoped to play more Be more efficient, unfortunately the Milanese took the lead, today we lost because of a lack of creativity."
In this game, because the main left midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger accidentally injured his knee in the league last weekend, there was no sign of improvement until the day of the game. In desperation, Hitzfeld could only arrange for the young player who was originally playing right back Lyle made a cameo debut. At the same time, the main right back Sagnol was seriously sprained when he was a guest at Milan last week. Salihamidzic withdrew as a defender, and the right midfielder arranged for Otter, who was originally a defensive midfielder, to start.
It is also true that the two flanks of Bayern's midfielder are full of defensive teenagers, and Bayern's most offensive points this season are the flank attacks from Sagnol and Schweinsteiger. This time, Bayern broke their wings before fighting. In fact, Milan is the same, Gilardino's suspension so that Ancelotti can only arrange veteran Inzaghi one set in the forefront.
"We have to admit that Milan played better than us in the game and they deserved to qualify for the semi-finals. We didn't play well and when AC Milan quickly took a 2-0 lead, the team played no better. The second half , we also lack opportunities, and being eliminated is a fair result."
AC Milan eliminated Bayern Munich 2-0 away. Kaka said before the game: "I have a hunch that this will be a game that makes history."
Sometimes the premonition is so magical. AC Milan became the first team in 16 years to eliminate Bayern in an away game after the Belgrade Red Star, but this cannot be entirely attributed to the referee's mistakes and accidents.
In the pre-match press conference, Maldini praised Bayern Munich's strength and quality of will, but did not mention technology, but in modern football, this is precisely where the foundation lies.
Bayern Munich took the initiative on the field, but showed a technical disadvantage. Only 5 of the 20 shots in the audience hit the goal frame. Salihamidzic shot from inside the penalty area with two feet before the end Teammates flying across the penalty area, in the case of AC Milan's possession of the ball and being helpless, the field was full of fouls by Bayern players. As the offensive side with the ball, Bayern's fouls were twice as high as AC Milan's. In the second half Ancelotti even rushed onto the pitch to criticize the Bayern players.
But more fouls will only delay the home team's time. What AC Milan is afraid of is not this kind of physical strength.
The opponent that AC Milan really does not want to meet is Barcelona. Before the Champions League draw, Ancelotti, including many AC Milan players, said: "It is good not to meet Barcelona."
Facing Barcelona last season, if it wasn't for Degan, I'm afraid that AC Milan would have to swallow the bitter fruit of defeat. To beat a technical team, they must have better skills than them, or be as technically inferior to them , beat them in other aspects, but this is not seen in Bayern, which is why Kaka and others firmly believe that AC Milan can advance.
As the only team that entered the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup for five consecutive years, as the only team in the quarter-finals of this season that entered the quarter-finals last season, some achievements of AC Milan in the European Champions Cup It is not piled up by chance.
Although this AC Milan team has been in a relatively poor state for several years, even though this AC Milan team for the Champions League has no Ronaldo and lacks pre-season training, the difficulties have been overcome bit by bit, and the experience of the Champions League has become Something in the blood of AC Milan.
In addition, it is the confidence accumulated in a game, which will help the team to overcome difficulties at any moment. "Confidence" is also the most emphasized word in the entire AC Milan team before the game. There are too many difficulties in the Champions League. No matter how big the battle is, I have seen it. The 2:2 at home is a test for the players of Inter Milan. It may not be a big deal for Maldini and Seedorf. . But in other words, next season, Inter Milan will once again encounter a 2:2 draw with Valencia at home. After previous failure experience, it may usher in a completely different result.
Then there are old players such as Maldini and Cafu. It is an indisputable fact that their age has declined. They may play a bad season, but it is not difficult for them to concentrate on a good game. This is The difference between the league and the Champions League.
Although the strength of this AC Milan team has declined, and even though AC Milan almost could not participate in the Champions League because of the phone gate incident before the season, the honor of Italy in the European arena still has to be won by AC Milan.
After the game, Ancelotti also gave his commitment, he said: "Our goal is to let the head of the Italian team stand high on the European battlefield. We are very happy to be able to enter the semi-finals in this important event, showing The strength of Italian football."
When the game ended, the Allianz Arena became a quiet stadium. The Milanese's two goals within two minutes of the first half wiped out Bayern's hard-earned advantage at the San Siro a week earlier.
After eliminating Bayern, Ancelotti's team can go to Old Trafford, where they will face the equally powerful Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Old Trafford has left Ancelotti with good memories. In 2003, he led AC Milan to kill Juventus here to win the Champions League. In 2005, he defeated Manchester United 1-0 relying on Crespo's goal. With goals from Seedorf and Inzaghi, Ancelotti got his third visit to Old Trafford in five years.
At this time, Ancelotti can temporarily breathe a sigh of relief. He has made the handsome position under his butt a little more stable. More often, Ancelotti's conservatism and trust in veterans have become weapons for people to criticize him. , And pushed him step by step to where he is today, but the performance of these veterans today has become the key to his life.
Maldini suffered from cramps on the field. Although Serginho didn't play much, only 20 minutes, but considering his age and injuries all over his body, he was still trying his best to keep sprinting, involving Bayern Munich's forces, Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Gattuso staged the Italian version of the taxi to die for his confidant, and Inzaghi repaid Ancelotti's love for him with a goal. trust.
And of course Dida!
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been the most attacked Milan player in the last two seasons, even surpassing the public enemy of last season, Degan!
Whenever the team loses, he is the first to be criticized, as if people have to find a reason why he is useless.
"Are we paying four million euros a year for a goalkeeper just to watch him make mistakes like this?"
After a 2:2 draw with Bayern at home, "Gazzetta dello Sport" reported that Berlusconi was annoyed by Dida's mistake.
Although it is not the first time that Berlusconi has spoken out loud, it is an indisputable fact that Dida was indeed responsible for the two goals conceded in the first round.
To prove that he is worthy of the annual salary of 4 million euros, Dida must speak with action. The good news is that Dida really made a name for himself at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich shot as many as 20 shots, 8 of which hit the goal frame, but none of them could surpass Dida's ten fingers. Whether it was a long shot, a cross or a melee in front of the goal, Dida always As soon as they are resolved, they are a different person than they were a week ago.
At the beginning, Lyle lobbed a shot and was rescued by Odo in front of the goal line. Dida was still a little dazed, but then he remained focused. Then Odor missed, Podolski shot vigorously from the left side of the penalty area, and Dida blocked the near corner.
Before the end of the first half, Bayern crossed and hung into the penalty area. Jankulovski failed to clear the siege at the first point. Podolski fell to the ground in the small penalty area and almost scored. Thanks to Dida, he blocked the hole with his body Block the ball.
In the first half, Dida made two key saves to lay the foundation for Milan's good situation. In the second half, Bayern attacked with all their strength. Dida showed his expertise in long-range shots, first saving Van Bommel's heavy artillery. Immediately afterwards, Salihamidzic cut to the middle, and a volley from the top of the arc was firmly hugged by Dida.
In the last ten minutes, Bayern played a shove tactic, trying to replicate the successful routine of the first round, but Dida obviously took precautions.
In the 80th minute, Bayern made consecutive crosses. Dida first took off Glitz's cross, and then Pizarro headed the goal from the left side of the small penalty area. Dida also confiscated it steadily.
Before the end of the game, Van Buyten's volley in the penalty area was bound to go in. Dida subconsciously stretched his legs again to block a magical resolution, which made Bayern's hero in the first round return without success.
After the game, the authoritative media scored 7 points for Dida, emphatically praising his two saves against Podolski and Van Buyten, which made important contributions to the security of Milan's defense.
Berlusconi also said in an interview after the game: "The headline in Gazzetta dello Sport 'Berlusconi no longer trusts Dida' is absolutely not true. This report is ridiculous. Said I was wrong to attack Dida because I have always supported him and I will not replace him with another goalkeeper."
However, replacement is inevitable. Although he just renewed his contract with the club until 2010 a month ago, Dida's whereabouts have been a hot topic in the media. Buffon, Livorno goalkeeper Amelia and Celtics goalkeeper The names of Borush and others are often mentioned.
Old Trafford is the blessed place for Dida to reach the pinnacle of his career. When Dida stand on the "last shift" can only be decided by the Brazilians themselves.
In short, a group of veterans from AC Milan pulled Ancelotti back from the brink of life and death. Degan knew that Ancelotti would also fully realize his greatest glory in Milan this season.
It's just that this brilliance is like the reflection of a dying person before going to see God, it is crazy, and of course it is also tragic.
Ancelotti has rarely made adjustments to his starting lineup since he took over Milan. Cafu is not a rookie, and Kaka is Ancelotti's only discovery.
Trusting the elderly is Ancelotti's crime, but this crime can help him achieve his final madness. These old guys in Milan have proved to people that they can still fight, but this battlefield may also be They staged the final swan song of Bury of the Bone.
Degan still remembered that in his previous life, he stayed up late at the bar to watch the Champions League final. AC Milan succeeded in revenge, but the success of revenge was followed by a swan song.