Champions League: English Press Oddly Cautious

By: Martha | April 23rd, 2007

Badass Ricky. I’m probably looking in the wrong places, but all the English articles I’ve read about Milan’s trip to Manchester tomorrow are written in a disconcertingly reasonable tone, and are filled with regard for Milan even as they repeatedly mention the team’s average age (30+). I don’t know what’s going on, but all this reasonableness is most disappointing — what’s the fun in beating Man U if everyone freely admits that might happen? (Well, there’ll still be fun in it, but you know what I mean.)

Like all of us who have been watching from over here, the English press see Milan’s depths of experience as key in this sort of match-up, despite the possible weakness brought by the age that has earned said experience. And it’s not as if Milan’s players suddenly got old — they’ve been successful with this team for the whole second half, playing with and beating much younger teams on pretty much all fronts. Additionally, whatever their collective age, Milan have always been a much cagier side than the beaten Roma, and all their old men are masters at putting a stranglehold on a game by closing down all available space and playing keep-away for hours. And then, of course, there’s the tournament’s leading scorer, a bloke by the name of Kaka: Even on a weekend in which Cristiano Ronaldo was deservedly showered with awards, the British press are acutely aware of the Brazilian and his quiet quality.

Add to all those things Man U’s current injury crisis (About which, to his credit, Sir Alex Ferguson has for once chosen not to bitch.) and Milan’s dominating history in the match-up, and you’d think the teams might be close to even money in tomorrow’s match. Alas, though, they are not: Milan remain heavy underdogs according to virtually all of the bookies. I guess Man U’s stellar domestic form and that trashing of Roma still count for something, huh?

Oh, and in case you were wondering, this crucial update just came in from the Milan website: “The Rossoneri just landed in Manchester. The temperature is 12 degrees and there is a light rain falling in the city.” Take note, won’t you?