KAKA Was On Fire

Kaka was on fire. He showed that with two amazing goals
at Old Trafford, then gave Milan the dream start on Wednesday by scoring in the 11th minute.

The difference between Kaka playing for the Brazilian national team and Milan is that Milan knows he is their star and has built the team in support of him. With Brazil, he is one of many stars.

Opponents cannot focus on Kaka because players like Filipo Inzaghi, Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo can hurt you. Another threat is Gilardino, who hit the third goal coming off the bench.

Want to break down organized teams? There is no better way than through the brilliance of individuals. AC Milan will be tested against Liverpool in the final May 23 in Athens.

Don't believe those statistics that were flashed on ESPN2 saying Manchester United had the edge in possession. How do you take the edge off Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney? Don't allow them to have the ball.

AC Milan's possession and ability to dictate the game while they built the lead kept the two stars anonymous. And when Cristiano Ronaldo
had a rare chance on the
ball, midfield fire hydrant Gennaro Gattuso took the edge off him.

If you don't think Gattuso is important to Milan, remind yourself how quickly manager Carlo Ancelotti took him off the field after he received a yellow card to avoid the risk of losing him to suspension for the final. This tough guy is instrumental to their tactics.

The difference in individual skill stuck out sharply.

AC Milan's talent from player to player was far above Manchester United's. Comfort on the ball allowed AC Milan players to get out of situations others can't. It also made
Man U respect its opponent and never even think of using pressing tactics.

I can't see AC Milan losing in the final to Liverpool unless the defeat is self-inflicted or Kaka doesn't play well.

AC Milan will go up against Liverpool tradition, collective spirit and a team that will have no choice but to defend
deep, play through the counter attack and direct the ball to monster striker Peter Crouch. That's not a bad idea with the unstable Dida in goal.

AC Milan is already talking of avenging a 2005 loss to the Reds in Istanbul, Turkey.

Much like the Italian team that won the World Cup last summer with the talk of scandal in the Serie A rampant, Milan's journey could overshadow a year where Italy's domestic league has dropped in stature in the eyes of many.


Clipped from : http://www.chron.com