Ancelotti Defends Dida
(Soccer365.com) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended Nelson Dida after the goalkeeper came under fire for his performance in Tuesday's Champions League defeat against Manchester United.
Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport rated the Brazilian as the worst player in Milan's line-up following their 3-2 loss at Old Trafford.
However, Ancelotti has come out in support of his first-choice custodian.
"Dida made some great saves," he said. "The first goal wasn't an easy save because Cristiano Ronaldo was in front of him.
"Perhaps he should have covered the near post in Manchester's third goal."
Dida received a mark of 4.5 out of 10 by Gazzetta and was considered the main reason why the Rossoneri lost their semi-final first-leg clash.
"He was uncertain from start to finish. He opened the way to Manchester's first goal and made it easier for the Red Devils to score the third of the evening," read Gazzetta's evaluation of Dida.
The 33-year-old has been inconsistent in the past two seasons but the club are still hoping he can rediscover the form that earned him the best goalkeeper award in the 2003-04 Serie A campaign.
Dida, who last month signed a contract extension with the Rossoneri until 2010, only returned to play on Tuesday after two weeks on the sideline with a shoulder injury.
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Comments
You cannot tell me that the second most recognizable club in the world (Man U is still the most recognizable no matter how bad I hate them) is unable to sign someone better than Dida. Giving him a contract extension is a bad idea. He's fallen out of the top spot with his country and I can think of ten goal keepers off the top of my head that play better and more consisently. Milan should make a move for Cudicini or the keeper from Valencia, both would fit well and have a better impact on the club.
Posted by: VA Soccerstar | April 25, 2007 12:37 PM
In defense of Dida he made some great saves during the match. The damage could have been great. United put a lot of shots on goal and I think they deserved their three, one way or another.
If you read the story next to this one, you see that Milan may be trying to snag Buffon...which would be an improvement, of course.
Posted by: kicks22 | April 25, 2007 01:38 PM
dida is crap kaka in spanish a sell out
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 26, 2007 01:53 AM
Dida must be related to you then dr nyc. No matter he's still a million times better of a player than you could ever hope to be. Jeez! What am I saying? Your not even a player!
Posted by: Dave | April 26, 2007 02:31 AM
Buffon is coming anyways so who cares.
Posted by: Keeeper King | April 26, 2007 06:47 AM
They cant pin all the blame on Dida as that's just not fair. I think he actually played well but made some mistakes. The Milan defense didn't do enough to protect him. The only player for Milan out on the field that was on fire was Kaka which is to be expected but he just seemed like the only player up front that was willing to take the game to United. United's keeper didn't play that well & I'm sure if they had lost all the blame would have been placed upon him. As for Rooney ...That kid matched Kaka move for move. Anyways it was a much more interesting game to watch than that 90 minute borefest between Liverpool & Chelsea. At least United & Milan came out to give the fans' their moneys' worth!
Posted by: Dave | April 26, 2007 02:33 PM
keepr can only do so much. defenders and field players has to do there job. who got beat on the pitch? how did man u penetrate milan's defends? Remember it is a game, you win some and you lose some.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 27, 2007 11:21 AM
yes i am a soccer player for many years.
i may not play in the big game so call but i know what this game is all about DAVE.
let me tell you dida gets nervous all the time in big games. i was at the world cup in germany i still have my tickets to remind myself
that i was there , so dave where were you .ilove this game and i know it also
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 27, 2007 12:12 PM
Sunods great to me BWTHDIK
Posted by: Jaxon | April 28, 2011 10:10 PM