Pizzaro brace puts Milan out

[charierre]

yahoo

Werder Bremen produced a rousing fightback at the San Siro to eliminate favourites AC Milan from the UEFA Cup and heap further pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian shrugged off fresh speculation this week that he could be sacked in May but will face further calls for his head after Claudio Pizarro scored twice as Werder hit back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and reach the last 16 on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Milan have been crowned European champions seven times but the UEFA Cup remains the only major European trophy they have yet to win.

Trailing Serie A leaders Internazionale by 11 points and with their title hopes fading fast, Ancelotti and Milan appeared on course to at least make UEFA Cup progress when first-half goals from Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato put the Italians 3-1 up in the tie.

But Peruvian striker Pizarro nodded in a Diego free kick on 68 minutes and 10 minutes later he tucked away a cross to send the Bundesiga side through to a last 16 clash with St Etienne.

[icecoolguy22]

Come on Roman, let's get Carlo Ancelotti, the manager who couldn't get into the top 16 of the UFEA cup!

[Plavi26]

Why couldn't he score goals in England for us? Goes back to Germany and he's appering on the score sheet in a good number of games.

[Oblivion]

Think he was denied decent service from the wings for most of last season. Not enough good crosses and our set piece play wasn't as good as before.

We need a player like D'Allesandro for him to thrive.

[Gem]

Ooops! Even with Goofy, Kaka, Pato, Sheva... Oh well.

Don't have anything against Milan really, okay they bottled it in 04/05 but their victory in 05/06 in the CL final was brilliant, my favourite final so far

[TheWestwayWonder]

Nothing against Milan either, but I glanced at the scoreline for this one at halftime, and thinking a 3-1 to a strong willed Italian team would be enough, I thought the tie was as good as over. Well done to the Inca Bomber and Werder, a team I really admire.

But yeah, I think Pizarro is a lazy poacher, and just needs to be placed with a hard working forward, and creative people all around him. 4-3-3 where he has to be the loan man just doesnt fit him. If he has shots and passes coming into the box from all angles, then he is much better feeding on scraps.

Also, maybe this result will force Milan to get a younger team overall. When your only two defenders under 30 are Daniel Bonera and Phillipe Senderos, you might be in trouble. Five years ago, they had one of the most feared backlines in the world.

[Virosh]

...

Also, maybe this result will force Milan to get a younger team overall. When your only two defenders under 30 are Daniel Bonera and Phillipe Senderos, you might be in trouble. Five years ago, they had one of the most feared backlines in the world.

Thats what they are trying to do. Have you missed the Beckham saga ? B)

[dkw]

Thats what they are trying to do. Have you missed the Beckham saga ? B)

correct, hes at least 5 years younger than maldini so thats lowered the average age straight away to about 53.

[Virosh]

correct, hes at least 5 years younger than maldini so thats lowered the average age straight away to about 53.

They may have an aging squad, but at least they have a young manager. B)

[TheWestwayWonder]

Thats what they are trying to do. Have you missed the Beckham saga ?

nice

[Reaver180]

Just scored a brilliant diving header for the fishheads in the UEFA Cup against St. Etienne. Has been great for them this season.

[The Moos]

Just scored a brilliant diving header for the fishheads in the UEFA Cup against St. Etienne. Has been great for them this season.

Too bad he wasn't as good for us (though he didn't perhaps get enough chances?).

On the other hand look at the other strikers we've signed.

Kezman

Brilliant before Chelsea - crap at Chelsea

Sheva

Brilliant at Milan - crap-ish at Chelsea

Pizarro

Good at Bayern Munich(?) - crap-ish at Chelsea - Brilliant at Werder Bremen

Thank God for Drogba who is only crap sometimes :)

[TheWestwayWonder]

The record with strikers in recent years is definitely troubling, but I hope the Sheva disaster hasnt dissuaded Roman from all big money transfers. If we are going land the "big fish" that we are going to need to replace Drogba, such as a Villa or an Aguero, then its gonna have to be for the same money Liverpool plunked on Torres

[sexelk]

villa won't leave spain. i would say he will head to barcelona

could mean etoo becoming available. very erratic form but when he is in the mood he is probably the best striker in the world

if we are talking about raiding valencia would love to nab david silva. the guy oozes pure class

Edited March 19, 2009 by sexelk

[Virosh]

villa won't leave spain. i would say he will head to barcelona

could mean etoo becoming available. very erratic form but when he is in the mood he is probably the best striker in the world

if we are talking about raiding valencia would love to nab david silva. the guy oozes pure class

NO

[TheWestwayWonder]

NO

x2. Same goes for Rijkaard