[prinze]

This brings me back to a great memory of the Champions League. I was cheering AC Milan against Liverpool in the 2005 finals from the small pub jampacked with supporters from both sides. I was on Milan to win and it was great seeing Milan tearing apart Pools with first half lead of 3-0. Confident of money for more booze from the small token bet (for fun's sake) I was ordering and downing beers, chanting something I wish I understood.
Miraculously, Liverpool scored three unanswered goals in the second half to force extra time and an eventual shootout. As the shootout began, a strange thing happened. Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek started to have a seizure in the box. Well, it wasn't a seizure, but it was a clumsy attempt (which was finally proved to be a clever attempt) to distract Milan's shooters by dancing and shaking on the line. Not only was Dudek's little jig hilarious, it inspired Xbox 360. Maybe it worked or maybe it didn't, but Dudek stopped Shevchenko's penalty to win the Champions League trophy for Liverpool and cap one of the most amazing comebacks in champion league history. While the Italians hung their heads in dismay, I had a little smile on my face. I knew I had watched an amazing match which will be remembered by many around the world for year's to come. (Valuable lesson learnt for me don't count your winnings b4 the final whistle is blown.)

Back to the game today, digging into both teams it is difficult to tell them apart (slight feelings towards Man U due to home advantage), but if the defensive absences of Man U are to be taken into account than it levels both teams. Over to Milan in the Italian league one could argue that they have been performing better with Ronaldo in the team and his absence now will be a minus, but they did manage to overcome that against Bayern Munich away. Not being able to choose a winner between them looking at over/under too looks confusing. With the absences in defence for Man U they should be concentrating most play in midfield with fast runs-in from the wings and through balls towards the goalmouth, while Milan will be concentrating more on thier trademark defence, counter attacks and breaks. I am having a micro-small punt on the overs hoping to see goals with the beer on my side (otherwise I would rate this as a big no-bet game).