By Anna Italia
                        URAWA RED DIAMONDS - AC MILAN 

Although most football experts and soccer worldwide fans take for granted a final between Boca Juniors and AC Milan, the challenge is for both teams to win their respective semifinals to qualify for the final. I will focus my preview on the Semifinal Urawa Red Diamond - AC Milan.

While AC Milan is coming to the 2007 FIFA World Club as the reigning 2007 UEFA Super Cup Champion and 2007 Champions League, it is also true that Milan is not doing well in their Italian Football League. 

Although both teams have never encountered in the past, it's a great challenge for AC Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti to sketch a winning strategy just like he has done when winning the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup. 

Similar challenge for URAWA Red Diamonds Coach Holger Osieck who already accomplished his goal of reaching the semifinals to play against Milan.  Osieck was Franz Beckenbauer's assistant when Germany won the World Cup in 1990 in Italy. Question will be which coach can get the passing to the final.

Yet, Milan is one of those rare  teams that has an "inner chip" that can transform a team in a real champion when the tough gets going.

Milan seem to grow stronger when playing in the international arena. The leading force relies absolutely on the great Legendary Captain Paolo Maldini to pull the team as a solid candidate for the much "dreamed final," just like he said to settle the score.

Sure, Urawa Red Diamonds won their right to this semifinal on Monday by beating  Sepahan. (Sepahan 1 - 3 Urawa Red Diamonds.)
                                                   Photo AFP

I hope AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti watched the match to prepare a perfect strategy. I noticed a similar "inner drive" to go against all odds for victories just like  Milan.  Milan has lots of Japanese fans, but can Milan win their respect despite playing against their home team?


Photo: action images (fifa.com)

If I consider Takahito "Swiss precision watch cross" to Yuichiro Nagai (photo) when he scored in the 32nd minute, then, I will think about Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo "Swiss precision watch crosses too."  Is there a difference? Yes. Advantage of Pirlo is that he has more international experience, which will help Milan and can have that clear vision of reading the match while playing at a higher intensity. 

Even if URAWA will have the support of their home fans, Milan can beat Urawa working from the "midfield area."  More than taking care of who will be the strikers, I rather see that midfielders are highly concentrated.  My main concern for Milan's defense is Massimo Oddo, who has not convinced me yet as being "fully recovered" to play the 90 minutes.  

Other problems for Milan includes Dida, Serghino, and Dario Simic latest injuries. They are recovering, but how well? Can DIDA be at his top?  Should Ancelotti start with second goalkeeper Kalac instead of Dida? 

Milan's advantage is the "impromptu solo run" of the great Musica Magia wonder boy KAKA.  An impromptu solo run at the right moment can deliver the winning goal, as well as a direct corner kick from Andrea Pirlo.  These two players are fundamental keys. 

Urawa's strategies is for an aggressive game.

Special attention should be for Urawa Brazilian striker Washington,  who scored the second goal in the quarterfinals against Sepahan. Is he the Brazilian's secret weapon to stop Milan? Is he the KAKA of the Urawa team?

Considering that in the Sepahan-Urawa math, Urawa had 51% ball possession 15 shots to the net to convert 3 goals, contrary to the 10 shots to the net from Sepahan, then, I must think that Ancelotti cannot play a defensive match.  One error, leaving spaces to Urawa can be a high cost to pay, if Washington is around to convert opportunities to score.

    Urawa Brazilian Striker Washington celebrating his goal.Photo: foto-net (fifa.com)

Here is where I am concern about having "a not so fully recovered DIDA."  A simple error from Dida could mean the end of a dream. Is he recovered from his shoulder and back pains?

 The question is what will Ancelotti do, have an experienced goalkeeper recovered at 80%, or have a not experienced goalkeeper but 100% fit?  If you ask me, I will go for DIDA if he is at his 90% not less than that.

Now, about Milan's forwards? Here is a tough one too. Ronaldo with his constant suffering, Gilardino not consistent, and the only hope is to rely on "Super Pippo Inzaghi."  Despite his 34 years younger, Inzaghi has that "INNER CHIP" that rejuvenates him especially in these crucial international matches. 

Should Ancelotti trust Inzaghi? You bet he should. 

Gilardino is great, but the inner conviction of an experienced striker belongs to Inzaghi.  A highly motivated striker being at the right time, at the right moment, and in the right place when Milan needs him cannot be other than Super Pippo Inzaghi.

However, I won't rule out GILARDINO. He knows that this is his best chance to be on top of the world with the best team.

This is why I sustain that in this "FIFA Club World Cup" all 11 AC Milan players are important because their "inner chip" will transform each one of them.

Lastly, the unmatched drive force of "Milan's roaring lion Gennaro Gattuso", is the ultimate vitamin for AC Milan. Gattuso's performance and not losing his temper will be a great countermeasure on the field when Milan plays again the home team: Urawa.

I will talk later for a possible final BOCA JUNIORS - AC MILAN... first, let us see whether both teams will pass to the final. 


Italian Soccer Serie A.com wishes AC MILAN success.



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