2022-23 UEFA Champions League

In an alternate universe, yes. City can't break a ten man blanket defence, when it matters most

It's simply a matter of sticking everyone behind the ball and smothering them, if Madrid don't snuff them out before that.

How many times do they have to fail, by repeatedly being too blunt, before people realize they aren't up to it when it matters?

It's ball through the eye of a needle stuff, the way they play, at this level. They simply can't pull it off with any consistency. He couldn't do it with Bayern either, same problem. Too blunt

He did it with Barca, just about, but they too were often found out. Difference was their players grew up playing that game, which complimented his style, where they could regularly find that ball through the eye of a needle pass. But if their level even dropped slightly they were in trouble. It has to be 10/10 every time.

The City and Bayern players didn't grow up with his game, they don't have that craft and cutting edge to hurt teams when it really matters, nor do they have the confidence.

A "rubbish" Inter or Milan will snuff them out too, if City get past Madrid. Just wait and see

They faced the fans at the weekend, owed them an explanation. It's been instilled in them they play for the team and the fans, and not just the lip service other over paid players give, the Milan players are genuinely playing for the honour of the club.

Losing to Spieza is a blessing in disguise, now no one giving them a chance, they prefer that. They also had to face the fans, to restate their commitment to dig in and fight. It could be the spark that lifts them. There's a twist to come yet.

On Tonali, yes he's another one. What's so unusual with the ethos the players are buying into is its unprecedented. You have cases like Bielsa, where a manager revitalizes a club, and everyone buys into the system and you have that feel good factor. But when he leaves it falls apart.

With Milan it's not a case of the players buying into what Pioli is doing, the tactics or anything like that, but they're buying into the club completely, it's history as an institution, which will transcend managers and systems.

It's Maldini's greatest success, instilling his love into the club and the players buying into it. They know they don't have the talent and money of the others, they've even been told that, but they're prepared to run through walls for the club trying to do its name and history justice.

On certain weeks they don't look interested or blunt, but it's to be expected when you exert everything every week to continually punch above your weight. They died in their boots to win that league last year.

They've become victims of their own success, they've been punching above their weight for so long, it's now expected of them. But when they've looked down and out before, they've faced the fans head on, and promised them they'd double down and give one more push.

That's what we've seen at the weekend, not a beaten team giving up with their heads down, getting lashed out of it by the fans, but a team facing the fans to let them know, they are going to double down and give one huge final push. And they have faced the fans before and risen to the occasion.

It's only half time in this tie, Milan are going to throw the kitchen sink at this. People who watched them once on Wednesday, don't understand any of the above. They aren't a beaten team, they're facing the fans to get that fire to rise to the occasion!

Really looking forward to the 2 ties this week. I think both have plenty of drama left in them, especially if Milan get that 1st goal, it could be a cracker.

That's an interesting take... they were only handed 1 title (06), with the 05 title going to no-one. I don't think it can credibly be stated that Inter's 07 title win was uncontested - yes there was no Juve, but there was still everyone else. Milan had an 8 point deduction, but Inter beat them by 36 points. I'm sure the controversy impacted Milan on the field, but ultimately they cheated, they got caught, and they underperformed afterwards, so that's kind of all on them.

Both huge clubs obviously. Can't say I share any of your optimism for Tuesday though, especially with such a limp weekend performance and loss. Shines a light on the issues in depth, that players who should be fighting for a chance to make an impression so they could play a part in the second leg just didn't really show up.

Despite being a Milan fan and hating the Petro fascist states I would almost be delighted with those results.

Line--ups are:

Inter: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Dzeko

Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Messias, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Giroud

Do the lads on the RTR panel have no knowledge of the fan culture in Italy with this monologue??

It's painful. What happened is just the Italian version of going around clapping after a defeat or the giving the ticket fee back.

Also RTE just felt the need to show some English teams just in case anyone got bored.

Thiaw is a big call for Milan. Good player but very young, hasn't started many games and they could really miss Kjaer's experience.

what a miss by milan, they need to be taking any and all chances

and now inter should have scored

It's not a lacklustre defense and it's not lucky it's offside Steven it's called fukin defending.

Need a goal in the first half, get it and we have them. Or early in second half.

They're too old, get a goal and bring Saelemaekers on, we'll do them

Good effort from Leao - though from the angle he shot at if it was on target it looked an easy save. Keeper looked to have it well covered.

Not looking good for Milan. The fallout on this thread might actually be better than the match itself!

Even enough half really - both sides had their chances. Milan not doing near enough to get back into things so far - really need a goal soon to keep Inter honest.

bit of a kick out there by martinez

how is dimarco not booked there for a cynical take down, worse than a pull back IMO

Why the **** isn't Saelemaekers brought on?

Ye bring on Saelemaekers now, the stupid fcuks