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| Champions League | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 23 2007, 11:32 AM (2,299 Views) | |
| kevin | Feb 21 2007, 09:12 AM Post #16 |
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But that already happens -- it's just up to refs to crack down harder if it becomes a huge problem (which it generally isn't at the professional level). To prevent quick restarts by requiring a referee's whistle kills the flow of the game. You may argue that the restart upon whistle rule should be in place only for scoring opportunities, as opposed to the play at midfield, where the foul occurs, the ball is stopped and simply put back into play with a quick short pass to a teammate -- which I think everything thinks should exist as much as possible to preserve flow. So my question would be: Is it fair to say that it's up to the referee's judgment as to when there's a scoring opportunity which requires a whistled restart? Ewwww (and, remember, I'm a ref!). |
| 'Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. | |
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| rosarino | Feb 21 2007, 10:28 AM Post #17 |
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I'm going to side with kevin on this. There isn't a need for the ref to get involved in determining whether this is a goal scoring chance and thus a quickly taken free kick shouldn't be allowed. The rules as is are sufficient, a team can ask for 10 yards then everyone should wait for the whistle, otherwise anything goes and why not take a free kick quickly? I am all in favor of something which potentialy could favor the attacking team. There is enough cynicism already. |
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| futbol4 | Feb 21 2007, 11:39 AM Post #18 |
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I think too much is being made about the Giggs goal. It was pretty simple to me, the wall was formed and at a reasonable distance, not quite 10 yards but close. The GK was not ready, but everyone else was. It was a smart goal and obviously the ref had given Giggs the go-ahead because he didn't call it back. Beckham was a joy to watch yesterday, as was Raul...until the 2nd half:) |
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Four hundred years ago, English-speaking illegal immigrants slipped into Jamestown, Va. When will America start getting serious about protecting its borders? - L Powers U S A! MEXICO! BARCA, BARCA, BARCA! MILAN! | |
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| Winslow | Feb 21 2007, 01:55 PM Post #19 |
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Simon, I haven't seen any of the Lille-Man U highlights other than the goal, but it sure sounds ugly. One story I read Tuesday said IIRC that stadium officials had opened a gate at the back of the visitors' enclosure to herd in more Mancs who had tickets in the home sections, thus creating the crush. I hope that's wrong. Anyway, to Wednesday's matches... . . . . . . Barcelona 1, Liverpool 2. Inter 2, Valencia 2. Porto 1, Chelsea 1. Roma 0, Lyon 0. Quite a result from the Camp Nou, where Bellamy scored one and set up Riise for the game-winner, just a few days after Bellamy whacked Riise with a golf club. (The Welshman celebrated his goal with a golf swing. Really. It was the most tasteless Liverpool goal celebration since Robbie Fowler tried to snort the end line at Goodison Park.) Meanwhile, Inter gave up a late goal to David Silva at the San Siro, making the return leg that much more interesting. Porto took an early lead at home that lasted about four minutes, and not much happened at Stadio Olympico except for eleven yellow cards. |
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| rosarino | Feb 21 2007, 10:37 PM Post #20 |
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I thought Bellamy's goal celebration was funny. Excellent game plan by Rafa Benitez. He obviously knows Barcelona well and he neutralized their midfield with his astute plan. But let's also be honest, Ronaldinho despite occasional flashes of brilliance in the past year, has not been anywhere near the player he once was. Without Eto'o and with Messi still trying to get back to form after his injury absence, Barcelona are Ronaldinho dependent and Liverpool were able to take he and Deco out of the game. Barca were lively in the first 1/2 hour but after that Liverpool were able to stop Barcelona from being dangerous. And what was up with Valdes getting lost on Bellamy's header and catching the ball while he was inside the goal and later picking up a backpass? As impressive as Liverpool's win was Valencia's draw at Inter 2-2. An enthralling end to end game with all but the opening goal (a header by Cambiasso off a rebound) being works of art. Villa with a long distance free kick and Silva with a fine volley got Valencia's goal and Maicon, after a great wall pass, scored Inter's 2nd. The two away goals and a tie are great results for Valencia but Inter aren't dead yet and this second leg should be very fun to watch. |
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| Merengue | Feb 21 2007, 11:30 PM Post #21 |
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The problem with watching these Champions League games is it takes away your limited amount of free time some of which you could use by spending on this message board! Thus I haven't been on here for awhile and there are two days worth of games to discuss!I'll start with Tuesday's games, like Martin I really enjoyed Madrid's first half against Bayern Munich and they played the way I've been wanting to see them all year long. Unfortunately they threw some of that away with the second half cautiousness. A tie is certainly obtainable in Munich but whether Madrid can achieve that will be determined by their attitude. If they come in playing for a tie they'll be in trouble just as they were in the 2nd half of this first leg but if Madrid goes out and attacks Bayern's defense, they've shown they can score goals against them. The ball will be in Capello's court to see how he tactically approaches the 2nd leg. I agree with rosarino that Rafa Benitez approach to the Barcelona game was superb and Liverpool executed that plan to the tee. They sucked up Barca in the midfield and looked dangerous on the break with the wild man Bellamy (I also liked his goal celebration) and Kuyt. As they were against Valencia last weekend, Barcelona seemed too static offensively and they moved the ball around too slowly. Against tight marking that isn't going to get it done. Valencia and Inter was a very entertaining game. Valencia are really looking good now. Inter played well but Valencia had an answer for everything they did. Of course this series isn't over yet but Valencia are in excellent position. |
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| enganche | Feb 22 2007, 12:51 AM Post #22 |
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Liverpool played an intelligent game and took advantage of Barcelona's mistakes, on the first goal Belletti lost his man then Valdes would have saved Bellamy's header if he'd been in the field of play! On the late game winner, Marquez inexplicably headed the ball back towards the middle of the penalty area instead of away for a corner and Liverpool jumped on that mistake too and made them pay for it. I was disappointed Saviola and Messi didn't have more impact on this game but Messi is just coming back from a long injury absence and Saviola as a center forward isn't going to have much success against big strong defenders. Still he blew a great chance when it was 1-1 with a poor first touch. But the others here criticizing Ronaldinho have a point. He just hasn't been able to raise his game like he has in the past. I'd say a majority of his goals this year are from penalties and free kicks and they aren't as many from the run of play as you'd expect of a player of his hierarchy. Cambiasso left with a leg injury right after scoring the opening goal and after he left Valencia were able to get more midfield control. While Cambiasso was in there I thought Inter had the better of the play but Villa and Silva are class players and Albelda really does a good job in controlling the center of the field. Why didn't Adriano play for Inter? Crespo was well contained by Ayala and his sub Cruz was involved in the wall pass with Maicon on the latter's goal but otherwise was very quiet. But Inter are not out of this and this return game looks very interesting. I thought Chelsea did a good job even after Terry went out injured, absorbing Porto's attacks and they even got a goal from Shevchenko. I'm glad I missed Roma-Lyon after all. It sounded good on paper but from reports I read, it apparently wasn't much of a game. Lyon got what they needed though. |
| Prefiero morir de pie que vivir arrodillado | |
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| Martin | Feb 22 2007, 10:29 AM Post #23 |
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enganche makes a good point about Liverpool punishing Barcelona's mistakes while Barca couldn't do that on Liverpool's errors (especially that break away Saviola blew). We've seen other teams adapt a similar strategy against Barcelona this year, get physical in midfield and close them down and that has been the best way to beat them. But I agree with Merengue that the catalans have been too static lately in their play and they just don't move the ball that quickly now. Plus Ronaldinho in particularly seems to want to try and dribble through 2 or 3 defenders instead of passing the ball. Cambiasso's substitution due to injury and Vieira's absence for the same reason did effect Inter's midfield play but Valencia were excellent yesterday. David Silva is really making a jump forward as a big time player and he capped off his night with the fine late volley to tie it up. A potential problem for Valencia in leg 2 is David Albelda picked up a yellwoc ard and will miss leg 2 (I thought those were cleared after group play as in the World Cup but evidently that isn't the case). Earlier in the season when Albelda was out with injury, Valencia didn't play as well so that will be something to keep an eye out for. Like enganche I too wondered why Adriano didn't play for Inter but apparently it was just that Mancini decided to sit him out. I'd expect we'll see Adriano in the return game which will be a very intriguing battle. |
| Club Sportivo Desamparados | |
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| xeneize | Feb 22 2007, 11:37 AM Post #24 |
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Barcelona just don't seem to have the spark this season they had the last one. And that was even before Etoo and Messi went down injured. I think they've been banking on their returns as a lift but with Etoo causing problems with his coach and teammates and Messi not yet ready they haven't gotten that lift from them yet. Add me to those who think Ronaldinho is having an off year and that the team have become too dependent on him. I believe Johan Cruyff was correct and they need some fresh blood in the team next season. But I don't want to take away credit from Liverpool who as others commented played a very smart game and executed their plan to near perfection. |
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| Winslow | Feb 22 2007, 01:43 PM Post #25 |
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Hey, these things can be tasteless and funny at the same time!
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| Pique | Feb 22 2007, 03:03 PM Post #26 |
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I think there is some truth in xeneize's comments. Except for Iniesta I think you can say all of Barcelona's players are playing worse this season than they did the year before. So perhaps Cruyff is correct that this team has hit it's peak and it is time to start rebuilding it? Manchester United and Liverpool by winning on the road are in the best shape of all the teams heading into leg 2. But Milan, Lyon, Chelsea and Valencia after their road ties are in a pretty good position too. Real Madrid and PSV won at home by a single goal so while they can be content with their results they don't have much room for error in their return leg. This is like the first half of a game, there's still plenty of time for every team to make up ground in these second legs. |
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Esas son las leyendas de futbol mexicano, En todo Mexico hay un Chiva hermano! | |
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| adp64 | Feb 22 2007, 04:09 PM Post #27 |
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I hate to say it, but I think my team will be done after they visit Valencia. They need 2 away goals if they aren't able to win on the road. At least they'll have the scudetto.
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| Forza Inter!! | |
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| siralfred | Feb 22 2007, 05:00 PM Post #28 |
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Forza Zlatan!
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Well, Valencia have good days and bad, but their home record makes me think we're out of luck. If only Ibra can hit the net instead of the woodwork, we'll get it done. :rolleyes: |
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| valenciano | Feb 22 2007, 05:00 PM Post #29 |
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Well adp and siralfred are on opposite sides of the fence as me here but while I was very happy with the way Valencia played yesterday and the two away goals in the tie, I also know this series is not over and Inter have shown they can do well on the road. As somebody already mentioned, David Albelda will miss the 2nd leg and he is the lynchpin of Valencia's midfield. I'd think either Hugo Viana or Pallardo would come in for him if Ruben Baraja is, as I expect, not ready to return from his injury. Morientes had a quiet game as did Angulo but Albelda, Villa, Silva and all 4 defenders were excellent. And for those that say Valencia is just a counter attacking team, they had the ball a pretty equal amount of time as Inter. I'm looking forward to leg 2 but I also know there is still a lot of work to be done against this tough Inter team. By the way welcome to our two new Interista posters, adp and siralfred. I am glad I am no longer the "new guy" here! |
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| Manzanares | Feb 22 2007, 09:34 PM Post #30 |
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Valencia will miss Albelda but Inter will be without Viera and possibly Cambiasso for that 2nd leg so if anything Inter will be more damaged by the absentees in this 2nd game but the 1st match was an exciting one. Good end to end play and a wonderful free kick goal by David Villa. Valencia just seems to be able to dig down and get that extra effort that teams need in order to advance deep into the Champions League. I have a good feeling about this team being able to accomplish some good things this year. I'm less sure about Barcelona, I really do think there are some internal problems going on there and I do think some changes will be made there especially if they end up going out of the Champions League in two weeks. I thought Porto took their foot off the accelerator against Chelsea when the London club was missing some injured players. It was as if Porto were content with a 1-1 tie at home. While that isn't a bad result it also means they won't have it easy at Chelsea. I don't see Mourinho's team losing or even drawing that match. The less said about Roma-Lyon the better. 11 yellow cards says it all. |
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Thus I haven't been on here for awhile and there are two days worth of games to discuss!

5:04 PM Jul 10