1994 UEFA Champions League Final - AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona
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JANUARY
Lineup - Donnarumma, Casagrande, Gamsgro, Omeragic, Fabbro (Joaozinho), Di Giuseppe (Frustaglia), Moller, Stafidas,
Scala*, Naci Unuvar (Gouiri), Smiljkovic
We were pretty **** in this match despite the final scoreline. When we went 2-1 up all 3 shots on target in the match had found the net such was the state of the match and we were incredibly lucky to be ahead in truth. Then in the last minute Scala robbed a defender of the ball and broke away to score a 3rd.
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Coppa Italia 1st Round
Lineup - Donnarumma, Aguilar, Eklund (Gamsgro), Omeragic, Joaozinho, Di Giuseppe, Moller (Frustaglia), Stafidas, Scala, Naci Unuvar,
Smiljkovic*
We came bursting out of the traps here as we were 4-0 up at half time and although we conceded twice in the 2nd half, Smiljkovic added another for us as we ease into the next round.
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Lineup - Donnarumma, Aguilar, Eklund, Omeragic, Joaozinho, Di Giuseppe (Tedesco), Moller, Stafidas, Scala (Joao), Naci Unuvar (Afanasjev),
Smiljkovic*
Nothing to see here - just Smiljkovic doing what he does best and I gave debuts to my 2 recent signings one of which you have seen a few times already at previous clubs.........
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Lineup - Donnarumma, Aguilar (Eklund), Casagrande, Omeragic, Fabbro, Di Giuseppe (Tedesco), Moller, Afanasjev, Scala (Joao), Stafidas, Smiljkovic
Despite the narrow scoreline we cruised this match until Tedesco got sent-off just moments after coming off the bench. He has recently been replaced in the side by Moller so this incident hasnt helped his cause greatly.
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Coppa Italia Quarter-Final
Lineup - Donnarumma, Aguilar (Wikman), Eklund, Omeragic, Fabbro, Di Giuseppe, Moller (Frustaglia),
Afanasjev*, Scala, Stafidas (Naci Unuvar), Smiljkovic
For the 2nd time in as many weeks we play out a boring, dull and tight match against Atalanta and for the 2nd time we come out on top - this time thanks to a goal from Afanasjev.
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Lineup - Donnarumma, Aguilar, Eklund, Omeragic, Fabbro (Joaozinho), Di Giuseppe, Moller, Afanasjev, Scala (Naci Unuvar),
Stafidas*, Smiljkovic
I dont know what happened here! We battered Lazio and had the lead through a wonderful Moller goal but in the 2nd half we just collapsed and they scored with 3 of their 5 shots on target. One of those days and a horror result.
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Lineup -
Allerbeck*, Aguilar (Eklund), Casagrande, Omeragic, Fabbro, Di Giuseppe (Tedesco), Moller, Afanasjev, Scala, Staidas, Gouiri (Motti)
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leading into this match we were rocked with the news that my best 2 players, Donnarumma and Smiljkovic, picked up injuries and would be out for 3 weeks so I thought that we had no chance here but somehow we got the victory. A fluky own goal from Bastoni was enough while my stand-in keeper, Allerbeck, had a great match as he kept Inter at bay.
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Lineup - Allerbeck, Aguilar (Gamsgro), Casagrande, Eklund, Fabbro, Di Giuseppe (Morozov), Moller (Joao), Afanasjev,
Scala*, Naci Unuvar, Gouiri
WHO NEEDS DONNARUMMA, SMILJKOVIC, OMERAGIC AND STAFIDAS????
Well we do but not here as for the first time this season we thrashed a side in a Serie A match. Gouiri scored a hat-trick while Scala scored one and assisted 3 in a terrific individual performance.
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SUMMARY
A hectic month all told but ultimately it was a successful one - all bar one result that is. In the league we we won 5 including a 6-1 thrashing of Torino and a very fortunate 1-0 away victory over Inter Milan however we did lose 3-1 at home to Lazio which I can just put down as a one off. We end the month 6pts clear with a game in hand so I have to be happy with that.
In the Coppa Italia both Sassuolo and Atalanta were defeated and we will play Juventus in the semis next month.
Now for the transfer news and I took the decision to sell Michael Crespo to Inter Milan for £30.5m in order to bring in one or two players to strengthen my first team. Crespo was a high valued player who didnt really fit into my plans so it made sense to let him go. I earmarked 2 players to spend the Crespo money on but unfortunately one of them rejected me.
The one that didnt however is a familiar face. Gennady Afanasjev. This is the 3rd time I have signed him and I paid £18.5m to rescue him from Man Utd. The Georgian right winger is a fine player and good for a goal so I was delighted to get him to sign up.
On the same day I brought in a 16y/o Brazilian who also has an Italian passport. Joao be his name and he joined from Santa Clara for £575,000. He is bound to be a superstar long after I have left AC Milan so it is an early going away present lol.
That was it until deadline day and then I made the move to bring in the player that rejected me before but this time I got the deal done. Ezequiel Salerno joined from River Plate for £12.5m and the Argentinian international (also holds an Italian passport which was key) joins to bolster my midfield ranks. At 23y/o he can still improve and he looks like a class act.
I then brought in a highly rated young Croatian defender for a pittance and also a 3rd choice keeper. With the young Croatian coming in (see below) I decided to sell Wikman and he joined Cagliari for £3.7m.
So with all those changes I think I have made my team stronger. Stafidas moves over to the left wing to allow Afanasjev to ply his trade down the right. Moller had come into the side and done well but Salerno should shine in CM now while Aguilar is now fully fit and playing at RB. The team is all set - I just need Donnarumma and Smiljkovic to return from injury!!!!
I really do like the way we are shaping up and if Salerno can hit the ground running then who knows?
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PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ALEJANDRO SCALA
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SERIE A