TOW
02-20-2007, 05:26 AM
Celtic have finally broken their Champions League duck, qualifying for the knock-out stages at the fourth attempt. Reputations aside, Gordon Strachan could have done a lot worse than face AC Milan. Though the Rossonerri have reached the final twice in the last four campaigns, Milan were the seeded team everyone wanted to draw, at December’s ceremony.
Already burdened with an eight-point penalty resulting from Calciopoli, Carlo Ancellotti’s side have struggled domestically, losing three successive home games for the first time in 40 years. Milan may only qualify for this next season’s competition by winning it. That seems unlikely on the basis of their performances in the group phase with a geriatric squad that includes three defenders pushing 40. The six-time European Champions have also struggled to fill Andriy Shevchenko’s boots, the second highest scorer in the club’s great history, with an unhealthy reliance on the form of Brazilian, Kaka.
Milan topped what was arguably the weakest of the eight sections, with the lowest group winning tally. Defeat in the final game at home to Lille was summed up by their chain-smoking coach, ‘We lost in the worst possible way - on home turf, playing badly.” Serie A’s Winter break, including an intensive eight-day training camp in Malta, might have proved Milan’s saving grace.
Hoops fans will be acutely aware that Celtic is still seeking its first Champions League success on the continent – with one draw and 11 defeats from 12 attempts. In contrast, Celtic’s Champions League record at Parkhead is quite imposing, (including qualifying games) they have only lost one of the last 19 games. If the Bhoys are to stand any chance of progressing, they must surely take a comfortable lead to the San Siro. Celtic lost 3-1 in Italy when the sides met three years ago, with the return leg finishing goalless.
To qualify: Celtic 3.87; Milan 1.315 with PinnacleSports.com (http://tracking.pinnaclesports.com/cgi-bin/rr.cgi/R2_EMBED_PARAMS/onlinewire/20061026a/200610261057001/http://www.pinnaclesports.com/default.asp?language=English&LExt=egl&refer=xtower1)
Already burdened with an eight-point penalty resulting from Calciopoli, Carlo Ancellotti’s side have struggled domestically, losing three successive home games for the first time in 40 years. Milan may only qualify for this next season’s competition by winning it. That seems unlikely on the basis of their performances in the group phase with a geriatric squad that includes three defenders pushing 40. The six-time European Champions have also struggled to fill Andriy Shevchenko’s boots, the second highest scorer in the club’s great history, with an unhealthy reliance on the form of Brazilian, Kaka.
Milan topped what was arguably the weakest of the eight sections, with the lowest group winning tally. Defeat in the final game at home to Lille was summed up by their chain-smoking coach, ‘We lost in the worst possible way - on home turf, playing badly.” Serie A’s Winter break, including an intensive eight-day training camp in Malta, might have proved Milan’s saving grace.
Hoops fans will be acutely aware that Celtic is still seeking its first Champions League success on the continent – with one draw and 11 defeats from 12 attempts. In contrast, Celtic’s Champions League record at Parkhead is quite imposing, (including qualifying games) they have only lost one of the last 19 games. If the Bhoys are to stand any chance of progressing, they must surely take a comfortable lead to the San Siro. Celtic lost 3-1 in Italy when the sides met three years ago, with the return leg finishing goalless.
To qualify: Celtic 3.87; Milan 1.315 with PinnacleSports.com (http://tracking.pinnaclesports.com/cgi-bin/rr.cgi/R2_EMBED_PARAMS/onlinewire/20061026a/200610261057001/http://www.pinnaclesports.com/default.asp?language=English&LExt=egl&refer=xtower1)