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| Champions League | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 13 2007, 02:00 PM (4,087 Views) | |
| Pepe | Feb 19 2008, 09:11 PM Post #181 |
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A narrow loss for Real Madrid in a good game against Roma. Both teams with some good moments, I thought Madrid played pretty well but the one mistake by Heinze that rosarino wrote led to Totti setting Mancini up for the game winner. Madrid went looking for the tying goal and had their chances but couldn't get it. It is one of those losses in which you can take away a lot of hopeful things for the 2nd leg, especially that away goal. But it still was a loss and Roma, who are dangerous counter attacking will be a tough opponent in the Bernabeu. I agree with the consensus here that Inter's mentality in this game was all wrong as they were too defensive. Liverpool's attacking play eventually paid off. They still didn't look that good but of all the teams who played today the one who should be most happy with their result is Liverpool who take a 2-0 lead to Milan for the 2nd leg. Torres' dive paid off as it got Materazzi sent off but it was a poor call and you don't like to see such antics get rewarded. |
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| cafetero | Feb 20 2008, 12:36 AM Post #182 |
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Even down a man Inter were holding on and defending well against Liverpool who didn't really create many dangerous opportunities. It was only when Ivan Cordoba left with an injury combined with Inter becoming tired that Liverpool eventually broke through. I may be slightly biased as a Colombian but I thought Cordoba was playing great and stopped everything Liverpool had. Hopefully his injury wasn't serious. But his departure, even more than Materazzi's expulsion, was the difference in this game I think. Materazzi's two yellow cards were both jokes, neither was a cardable offense. Vieira was fortunate a penalty for handball wasn't given against him (it definitely wasn't a good night for that Belgium referee and I hope that is the last we see of him) and rosarino makes a good point that David Suazo with his speed would have been an ideal replacement for Inter in the 2nd half. Inter are developing a habit of choking in Europe but a quick goal in leg 2 for them at home and there will be an extremely fascinating second leg! |
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| Merengue | Feb 20 2008, 10:31 AM Post #183 |
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I was disappointed that Real Madrid lost in Rome but overall was generally pleased with the way they played and as Simon well knows a 2-1 Roma advantage going into your club's home leg is not that secure a lead. With Robinho back for leg 2 I like the looks of Robinho on one wing and Robben at the other running at an opposition defense. Roma's counters will have to be watched but Madrid took the play to them for long periods yesterday on the road at Roma and that gives me some comfort for the return match. Torres' speed and mobility drove Materazzi crazy. He's exactly the type of forward against which Materazzi struggles. While I agree that the sending off was very harsh, Torres was giving him fits out there and Inter played better with Corodba and Chivu watching Torres than when Materazzi was on the field. As cafetero noted it was Cordoba leaving with an injury and Inter tiring while down a man (why didn't Mancini use his last sub?) that helped Liverpool finally break through and score. Until then then weren't looking very likely to do so. |
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| dafyd | Feb 20 2008, 11:34 AM Post #184 |
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Certainly a bad call, though I can see the ref calling the foul. The card, however, (Materazzi's second yellow) was a bit much, to say the least. Somehow I missed the first. The Roma - Real match was far more entertaining, overall. Both teams were far more adventurous in their attacking. As for the winner coming on a defensive lapse by Heinze, it's been said that if not for defensive mistakes, there would be no scoring at all. It's not entirely true, I suppose, but close enough. Real Madrid's goal, for example... I felt was a bit more luck than impressive play, or defensive lapse. But I'm going on memory here. |
| Leper In A Stange Land | |
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| Winslow | Feb 20 2008, 02:14 PM Post #185 |
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And Wednesday's results... . . . . . . Arsenal 0, AC Milan 0. Celtic 2, Barcelona 3. Fenerbahce 3, Sevilla 2. Lyon 1, Man United 1. Well, at least one Milanese side knows how to keep it tight! Actually, the Rossoneri were desperately lucky not to be overrun once the Gunners got their act together in the second half. The Arsenal attack botched half a dozen very good opportunities, most notably a Theo Walcott cross in the dying seconds that Adebayor, with an empty goal yawning two yards away, headed against the crossbar. D'oh! (His best kick of the game before that was a bicycle effort that caught Kaladze square in the face. The boot, not the ball.) But Milan's effort did echo Inter's yesterday, notably the ineffectiveness of both Kaka' and Pirlo. Pato didn't do much in his first-ever CL match; Alex the Duck seemed trapped in a world he never made. And shouldn't he put away the flashy orange boots until he gets a few more games and goals under his belt? Milan owes a lot to Kalac; he stopped everything thrown at him until the end, when he was nowhere to be seen on Walcott's cross. (A keeper his size should be more commanding on crosses and high balls.) Barcelona fell behind twice in the first half at Parkhead as Vennegor of Hesselink and Robson scored for Celtic, but Henry tied it after the break, then Messi pounced on a bad giveaway and scored his second of the night to win it. Sevilla has to make up ground after the Turks won in the final minutes, while Man U is in decent position after getting a draw at Stade Gerland. |
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| Merengue | Feb 20 2008, 04:55 PM Post #186 |
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Barcelona looked very good today in Glasgow. Celtic were fortunate they only lost 3-2 as Barcelona were all over them from the start. Celtic at home were forced to counter and on 2 of their 3 first half attacks they ended up scoring, both on headers as Gaby Milito was beaten in the air on both. But Barca came right back at them and with Deco, Messi and Ronaldinho, (yes Ronaldinho, remember him?) all playing inspired Barcelona looked very dangerous. Celtic struggled to hold onto the ball and when they turned it over to Ronaldinho early in the 2nd half he passed it to Henry down the left flank and he lined himself up perfectly to curl the shot into the far corner of the net to tie it up. After that it was only a question of time before barcelona marked their third and after an Eto'o pass rebounded off two Celtic players and fell right for Messi he quickly turned his defender and curled in the game winner. Celtic are tough at home and had not been beaten there in Europe since Barcelona did it in 2004 but even a Madrid fan like me has to recognize that Barcelona were really on their game today and in this form they will worry any team left in the competition. Lyon-Manchester United was a very entertaining game. Two teams with a lot of technical ability. Both defenses were playing well and stopping the opponents build ups before they became too dangerous but then Karim Benzema showed why he is one of the world's best young forwards as he spun around and somehow freed himself when surrounded by multiple defenders and then fired a left footer inside the near post. Manchester United picked up their play when Nani and especially Tevez entered for Giggs and Scholes and it was the two subs who combined for Tevez to score the late equalizer. A well played game I thought between two teams who are pleasing to watch. United obviously has the advantage going home but Lyon still may have something to say about things in the second game and won't go quietly. |
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| raconteur | Feb 20 2008, 10:45 PM Post #187 |
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Kalac was very good for Milan, who needs a good hand to play in goal? This was a pretty typical road game in Europe for Milan, the defending was solid and offensively they were looking to poach a goal. But with Kaka having a poor game the offensive inspiration wasn't there. Arsenal did have the ball and created some chances but as Winslow said their nerves failed them at the end. Arsenal will think they'll do better in Italy when Milan will have to attack more. There might be some truth in that but Milan is in good shape going home and few would expect Kaka to have as poor a game in two weeks as he did today. You guys have I think done a good job in summing up Liverpool-Inter. Mancini turned away from what got Inter to this position in the Champions League. And with a tiring team why not use your final sub? As others wrote, Suazo would have been ideal. Liverpool were far from brilliant but they deserved the victory. So after all eight first leg games, Barcelona were the only road team to win while Liverpool are the only team with a two goal lead. You'd think those teams are the best situated going into the return games. |
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| Dr. Z | Feb 21 2008, 01:17 AM Post #188 |
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Barcelona really did play well and I agree with merengue's assessment that Celtic were fortunate to only lose by one goal at home. Barcelona moved the ball so well and defensively Toure was everywhere in midfield while Deco was really playing well and he and Messi have developed a good understanding and their wall pass created Messi's first goal. This was the way Barcelona fans have been expecting this team to play and now that the club are recuperating players who were either hurt or on international duty they look to be coming together at the right time. |
| Poniendo el pecho a las balas! | |
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| Simon | Feb 21 2008, 06:17 AM Post #189 |
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I was actually pretty disappointed with United's performance last night, I thought we were a bit flat at times and we gave the ball away cheaply too much for my liking. We were pretty slow as well, I didn't see much of the pace and dynamism that United show when at their best. At least in the second half we did improve and we dominated possession, but I don't think we ruffled Lyon's defence unduly. It should be said that the same was true at the other end - both defences were on top as Merengue says. Lyon's goal came against the run of play and is evidence of what a great prospect Benzema is. We probably took too long to bring Tevez and Nani on, and it could be argued that Tevez should have started. Nice reaction finish by him and a score draw from one of the most difficult places in Europe to visit, so I have to be satisfied overall. As has regularly been said, Celtic's home record is exceptional and when I saw the half-time score I kind of expected Celtic to win narrowly before being overcome in Spain. But credit to Barcelona who achieved the rare feat of winning at Parkhead, and deservedly so by the sound of things on here. The second leg is now a formality and I agree that Barcelona must be considered among the frontrunners in the CL. I see that Arsene Wenger has said that his team last night were not affected by what happened to them in the FA Cup. Maybe, maybe not. I sometimes think Wenger doth protest too much! Either way, they seemed pretty edgy in front of goal last night and fluffed what was a good chance to have a decent lead to take out to Milan. The second leg should be fascinating, because Wenger has worked hard over the last couple of years to put together an exciting young side with goal threats throughout the team. As such, they're definitely capable of scoring an away goal or two in Milan, but various figures in football were questioning in the summer whether Arsenal are just too young to be able to sustain a title challenge, without the leadership and experience of older players. I think they've emphatically answered those questions, but I still wonder whether they might lack the know-how and experience of these delicately-balanced knockout ties that Milan's old guard have. This Arsenal team is quite different even from the one that reached the 2006 final. |
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| rosarino | Feb 21 2008, 08:16 AM Post #190 |
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Barcelona put on a show against Celtic. The Scottish team are extremely tough at home but even though they scored twice they were barely in the game as Barcelona had them chasing shadows all game long. It really was inevitable that Barca would score on them. Both Ronaldinho and Messi played extremely well, the best either of them have looked in 2008. If Barcelona are indeed waking up then the rest of Europe should be very worried. |
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| Hector | Feb 21 2008, 09:54 AM Post #191 |
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It was a story of good news and bad news for Sevilla in Turkey. The good news is they scored 2 goals away from home, the bad news is they gave up three! Sevilla defensively had trouble with free kicks and corne rkicks against Fenerbahce and Escude and Dragutinovic were leaving too much space between themselves which Fener exploited. The Turkish team with so many Brasilians in their lineup were as you could expect quite skillful but a 8th minute goal was the difference between these teams in this game and I have confidence for game 2 in Sevilla. Sevilla has too many offensive variations and at home the defense should be more stable. The comments about Barcelona were correct. Celtic were lucky to only lsoe 3-2 at home. But Barcelona for all their passing and offensive cretaivity did get beat on two headers by Celtic so that will be something they should be careful of in the 2nd game. If Messi, Eto'o and Ronaldinho are getting back into their desired level of play then everybody should be concerned about this Barcelona. Milan are amazing, Arsenal were throwing everything forward at them but they didn't crack, unlike Inter the night before. Arsenal does have a chance of course with 0-0 in this first game but Milan have been down this road before and will be the favorites to wrap it up at San Siro. |
| iPuerta amigo, Sevilla esta contigo! | |
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| Martin | Feb 21 2008, 10:10 AM Post #192 |
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Barcelona were extremely impressive against Celtic and I agree with the comments that every team should be wary that they are recovering their inspired play. It wasn't just Messi and Ronaldinho who picked up their play but Deco and Toure were both forces in midfield. As Hector just wrote though defensively they were a bit vulnerable in the air, especially Milito and maybe Rijkaard may have to move Puyol back inside and insert Zambrotta on the right of defense? But the question remains how much of Barcelona's impressive play was due to them and how much was how weak Celtic were? Everyone talks about Celtic's strength at home but every team left in this competition are tough at home. I remain unimpressed with Celtic and think they are the weakest team of the 16 still alive in the competition. I too enjoyed Lyon-Manchester United and while neither team were at their absolute best it was a compelling game to watch. Benzema is an incredible young talent and not only is he quick, skillful and mobile but he withstood the physical challenges from Ferdinand and Vidic two of the tougher central defenders you'll find anywhere. Simon and other Manchester United fans have come on here before and told us how the team gets too cautious sometimes in European play and that probably explains why Tevez began the game on the bench but his introduction did change the match as he ran all over the field and got himself in to dangerous posiitons and that was all before he scored his late game tying goal. About Tuesday's Roma-Real Madrid game that was a match where Roma showed opportunism and Madrid blew an otherwise good performance by not finishing well enough. A 2-1 deficit returning home is still very possible to come back from but Madrid are, for me at least, getting into a worrying habit of losing in 2008. This loss was their 5th in the year already, twice in the Copa del Rey, twice in the league and now this Champions League game. Losing is never a good habit to get into! |
| Club Sportivo Desamparados | |
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| Yogi | Feb 21 2008, 10:35 AM Post #193 |
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I am not sure how Adebayor missed that open header at the far post late in yesterday's game but I am sure glad he did! Milan did not play well offensively in this game but their experience paid off as defensively they frustrated Arsenal. I am quite content going back to San Siro at 0-0. As raconteur wrote it is highly unlikely Kaka will be as quiet there as he was last night in London. For the second leg, Barcelona has a comfortable lead going home, Liverpool are in good but not invincible shape but all the other matchups are very evenly set which should lead to some good games in the return matches. As fans that is what we'd all hope for and hopefully the teams will deliver. |
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| hobbes | Feb 21 2008, 11:42 AM Post #194 |
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Totally ignorant question, but how prominent has Alexandre Pato been for Milan? I had no idea he was even playing much, nevermind likely to get a start in the Champions League. Despite the hype, the last time I saw him he was contained by the Canadian U20s and then didn't make the Brazilian U20s (though I wasn't sure if he was still injured). I felt he had maybe been eclipsed and now 12 months later he's starting a CL final 16 game. cheers, hobbes |
| Saskatchewan for the CPL: multis e gentibus vires | |
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| Pepe | Feb 21 2008, 12:04 PM Post #195 |
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Alexandre Pato has been playing for Milan since he became eligible to play in Europe as an 18 year old at the start of the new year. he's helepd bring some freshness and energy to Milan's attack although Arsenal contained him pretty well yesterday. Barcelona as everyone who watched them has commented were very good and their return to form should worry many teams. They've been missing so many players for such a long tiem that it is hard to believe they now have a nearly healthy roster again. That is no coincidence that it combined with their fine play yesterday. Martin, like you I too am concerned about Real Madrid's drop in play in 2008, now they are the team experiencing injury problems and it has effected them. At least Robben's return and his play has been a bright spot. |
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