I have a sore head.
After yesterday's tears and joy, it's time for some "cold-light-of-day" analysis.
In my opinion, Ancelloti made three major tactical errors.
First, he took off Crespo, scorer of two of the goals. John Dahl Tomassen came on and had a great game. For us.
Second, he didn't react quickly enough to Liverpool's changes in the second half.
Third, and perhaps most significant, he got the choice and order of penalty takers wrong.
Serginio, the Brazilian, who I can only describe as fashionable-looking, had been thwarted by Stephen Gerrard every time he attacked. Every single time. To dip into the cliche bag, it was a real case of men against boys. I couldn't believe it when he was the one who stepped up to take the first penalty. What was the logic? The guy had been outclassed and humbled all night. His confidence had been shattered. And then he steps up to take the first penalty, which he predictably skied. Very strange.
p.s. Was this viewer the only one to notice and espouse on multiple occasions the possibility of a resemblance between an Italian midfielder and a certain fictional race of beings from Lord of the Rings? Sorry, Mr. Pirlo. It was heat-of-the-moment stuff and I needed an outlet.
Posted by Setsunai at May 27, 2005 3:40 PM | TrackBackThink you might be a little harsh on Mr Ancelloti there Mr T. I'd agree possibly about the penalties and the order, but then maybe Serginho was the only one to stand up and say he'd take the first one? Who knows whther there was any logic left at that stage.
I think the Crespo/Tomassen switch had more to do with personnel and legs than a tactical change. Crespo was tiring and having little impact on the game at that stage, so for me it was just fresh legs up front.
And I certainly wouldn't blame Ancelloti for not reacting to the changing tide in the match. The game was level after 60 minutes, 15 minutes into the second half! He was probably as stunned as everyone else. And I think his hands may have been tied in that the player he'd most likely bring on (Ambrossini) was out injured. They really had nobody else on the bench that could 'shore up' the midfield.
Spot on with the Lawro look alikey though!
Posted by: Speedy at May 28, 2005 8:10 PM | Permalink to CommentAnd just for the hell of it, I'm going to disagree with my own point about Serginho. Actually, he didn't even play badly (as I noticed watching the game for a fourth time over the weekend!). Yes, Gerrard messed him up, but to his credit he was a constant danger and kept coming back for more. So, I myself disagree with me!
Posted by: Setsunai at May 30, 2005 2:23 PM | Permalink to CommentI agree. Ancelotti should have had Kaka take the first penalty and Schevchenko the last one.
In situations like those it is important to have the talismanic players step up to the plate. Kaka had had a brilliant game, and despite his youth, and certainly the shock of being at penalties, would have been the best person to put Milan on the board first up.
One reflection: Liverpool has won it's last two european cups with goalkeepers behaving as bafoons in front of the opposing team. Had the same thing happened the other way, ie. Liverpool lost consecutive European cup finals (to Italian teams for that matter), thanks partly to goalkeeping comedic antics, there would have been a serious cry of anti-sportsmanship, by the british media, we all know that.
Posted by: Joseph at July 4, 2005 11:46 PM | Permalink to Comment