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| Champions League | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 1 2008, 07:30 AM (4,230 Views) | |
| Winslow | Apr 14 2009, 02:18 PM Post #241 |
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Tuesday's second legs... . . . . . . Bayern Munich 1, Barcelona 1 (aggregate 1-5), Chelsea 4, Liverpool 4 (aggregate 7-5). Holy cow, what a goleada in London. The Reds needed to win by three and looked fit to do it after Fabio Aurelio fooled a slack Blues defense and put a free kick just inside Cech's near post, followed by a Xabi Alonso penalty after Ivanovic bear-hugged an attacker during another free kick. But Chelsea regrouped at halftime and leveled things before the hour mark. First a driving Drogba nicked an Anelka cross just hard enough to handcuff Reina, then a few minutes later Alex nearly burst the net with a free kick from just outside the area. Not long after that, Lampard finished off a Ballack-to-Drogba move that was thisclose to being offside, putting Chelsea ahead. Back came Liverpool, as Leiva's long shot went in off Essien and then Kuyt headed in Riera's cross. But Lampard got a second goal in the closing minutes to settle the issue. Needless to say, there was a bit less drama in Munich. Bayern took the lead on a Ribery goal just after halftime; Barca leveled it with 17 minutes to go as Keita took a pass from Xavi and blew a shot past Butt. |
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| valenciano | Apr 14 2009, 03:48 PM Post #242 |
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Barcelona played at half speed in Munich and still pulled out the tie. Except for the super quick Ribery, Bayern did not much bother Barcelona's defense. Chelsea-Liverpool was like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out with their hands kept down by their belts, great entertainment but not much defense showed by either team. Drogba, Lampard and Anelka were excellent for Chelsea as were Fabio Aurelio and Mascherano for Liverpool. Why did Benitez take Mascherano off but leave Leiva on? And why wasn't Riera on earlier in the game? |
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| Dr. Z | Apr 14 2009, 06:15 PM Post #243 |
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Hiddink told his team the right things at halftime as they came from 0-2 down to lead 3-2. But to Liverpool's credit they came right back to go 4-3 up and be only a goal away from winning until Lampard responded with the game tying goal. As valenciano wrote it was great entertainment even if it was not a particularly well played game. But who cares? For entertainment's sake it was fun to watch. I hope that Chelsea defends like that against Barcelona though! ![]() I agree with valenciano that Barca took it easy in Munich. They did not need to go all out yet still played a controleld game which kept Bayern from really causing much damage. Ribery was Bayern's chief protagonist as valenciano noted. Ze Roberto also had some good moments but Bayern just never seemed to have the energy needed to seriously threaten Barcelona. |
| Poniendo el pecho a las balas! | |
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| rosarino | Apr 14 2009, 10:57 PM Post #244 |
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Apparently it did not. Or at least was counter balanced by his halftime team talk! Hard not to be entertained by Chelsea-Liverpool. The game was helped by Liverpool's need to attack from the start and by Chelsea then needing to reply to those 2 first half Liverpool goals. But what surprised me about this game was not so much the defending but the goalkeeping, both goalies but especially Cech were shaky throughout and that helped create the offensive spectacle. |
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| Mr. Pither | Apr 15 2009, 12:21 AM Post #245 |
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Well Cech has not been the same since the collision with Stephen Hunt. A pretty amazing game and curiously both clubs were without their captains-Gerrard and Terry which may have contributed to the disjointed nature of the match. Somebody earlier brought up why Riera was not on earlier and why Mascherano was taken off. I also wondered about those moves too and will add that Benitez basically threw in the towel at 2-3 when he pulled Torres off and put on Ngog. Yet his club still fought back and scored two more goals. But to me Chelsea won this tie due to the drive of Drogba and Lampard. When their club needed them the most they were there to produce. Barcelona will not look forward to facing those two players. |
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P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD | |
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| Sporting | Apr 15 2009, 02:32 AM Post #246 |
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I too thought the substitution of Torres was an admittal of defeat and at the same time due to the need to save him for the important league matches ahead. Incredible match, though; great to watch. The tv station showing it here (Canal +)lost coverage on a couple of occasions which was frustrating (we missed Chelsea's first goal when it happened) but despite this it was one of those matches you'll never forget. |
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| enganche | Apr 15 2009, 10:18 AM Post #247 |
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Nothing like satellite problems to infuriate you while watching a match. Missing a goal makes it even worse. I feel for you Sporting. I am looking forward to today's games as I think the potential for high drama is there in both legs. I hope Diego Maradona is watching how Lisandro Lopez plays at forward for Porto. He could be Argentina's answer at center forward. Not a traditional number 9 but a quick, skillful and mobile one with more size than Messi, Tevez and Aguero. |
| Prefiero morir de pie que vivir arrodillado | |
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| Mr. Pither | Apr 15 2009, 01:02 PM Post #248 |
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I do not want to step on Winslow's toes here as he is the semi official Champions League score reporter! But Manchester United did their job in Porto and won 1-0, a 6th minute bullet from Cristiano Ronaldo was the difference. What a shot by him from 35 metres or so out. Reminded one of those goals we used to see in the late 70's/early 80's from players like Arie Haan, Eder and Andrei Bal. Manchester United did not play a breath taking game but it was very business like and they restricted Porto's opportunities. Helped having Ferdinand back in defense to partner Vidic and Lucho Gonzalez leaving the game early alos took some of Porto's effectiveness away. But Porto never looked to have that verve they had at Old Trafford in this game, whether through tactics or United's own play I am not sure but the big match experience of United paid off and they are now in the semifinals. |
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P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD | |
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| Winslow | Apr 15 2009, 02:12 PM Post #249 |
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Wednesday's complete results... . . . . . . . Arsenal 3, Villarreal 0 (4-1 aggregate); Porto 0, Man United 1 (2-3 aggregate). As Pither noted, the only goal at the Dragao was C. Ronaldo's screamer. It was a strange play, as he had miles of open space in front of him when he shot--I wonder if Helton made his best effort on the ball, but I'm sure he was as shocked as anyone. Porto had a couple of good chances in the first half, and Vidic somehow put a loose ball over the bar from three yards out. I suppose that deep down we all expected a result like this, but it would've been more interesting if Porto went through--right? (Quiet, Simon!) Meanwhile, at the Emirates Arsenal made the right decision to come out attacking. After ten minutes, a nice touch pass by Fabregas put Walcott through to open the scoring. At the hour mark, van Persie headed a ball for Adebayor to stick in the net; the third goal was a penalty converted by van Persie. |
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| Merengue | Apr 15 2009, 02:19 PM Post #250 |
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That was a rocket by Cristiano Ronaldo. Good analogy Pither to the goals by Haan, Eder and Bal. You can't blame Helton for that and despite one play where he got lost coming off his line, in the two legs Helton actually played pretty well. I agree that Lucho Gonzalez loss hurt Porto but Manchester United know how to play games like this and a solid defense, hard work in midfield and an individual piece of brilliance by Ronaldo was enough to get them the win. Arsenal were comfortable 3-0 winners over Villarreal. Arsenal had an untested teenager at left back but surprisingly Villarreal never really went after the kid. I never understood that, nor did I get leaving Giuseppe Rossi, who needs somebody to play off of, alone up top. But a mistake by Godin allowed Walcott to get behind the defense and clamly chip Diego Lopez for the opening goal. A 2nd half one from Adebayor and a penalty converted by van Persie which resulted in Eguren's 2nd yellow (was that a penalty?) ended the game. Deserved win for Arsenal. Villarreal did not have the depth to cover the losses of Cazorla and Senna to injury. |
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| gaviota | Apr 15 2009, 03:57 PM Post #251 |
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Last week the discussion was about how Porto played without fear at Old Trafford, tonight they were I would not say fearful but were much less ambitious in this game even after going behind early to Ronaldo's great goal. Manchester gets credit for neutralising Porto's midfield but ceertainly Lucho Gonzalez leaving with an injury did effect them. I agree with the comment about Ferdinand helping solidify Manchester's defense. Villarreal had trouble with the speed of Walcott and he got behind the defense for the opening goal. But Villarreal were doing Ok until the 2nd goal, prior to that they were passing the ball all right but Merengue is right that Rossi was too isolated up top. But once the 2nd goal arrived it was game over. Arsenal were helped by Cesc's return as he controlled midfield with Marcos Senna absent. |
| CHAMP13NS | |
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| raconteur | Apr 15 2009, 05:04 PM Post #252 |
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Arsenal seem to be getting healthy at the right time. Sure helped them having Walcott and Cesc back in the starting lineup tonight. |
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| Yogi | Apr 15 2009, 09:18 PM Post #253 |
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English clubs continue their recent domination of the competition claiming once again 3 of the 4 semifinal spots. Except for a couple of free kicks and afew long range shots, manchester United were able to keep Porto from creating much danger in their game. Of course United didn't create much either in what was a pretty cagey game but Ronaldo's goal was a real delight. You think Bruno Alves, who played well in this 2nd game, is thinking about his atrocious error in game 1? That ended up being the difference between the two teams. The return of Cesc Fabregas on one side and the loss of Marcos Senna on the other really did make a big difference between the second and first legs of the Arsenal-Villarreal series. Arsenal were able on Wednesday to control midfield, something they could not do last week. |
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| kevin | Apr 16 2009, 07:20 AM Post #254 |
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Not the most exciting game from United, but one of the most efficient and effective we've seen in weeks. My guess is that SAF clearly had a plan in mind based on his expectation that the team would get the first goal -- he just didn't expect it to come so early perhaps (and I think he had a contingency in case they were changing the game). But they were definitely in it to sit on a 1-0 lead if necessary and, with the exception of one or two break downs, effectuated it well. They were strong in the center midfield and backs, invited Porto to attack the wings and tried to keep things very simple and organized in the back. Note that Rooney appeared to be playing in more of a wide position than Ronaldo, for one thing, due to his better defensive capabilities. Having Rio back played into that strategy, I'm sure, and things were once again rock solid. If there was one United player who looked relatively off his game last night, it was Evra, but you'd almost expect that since he's less of a "defender" than an extra attacker coming up that wing. So, for once, it was Liverpool and Chelsea one-upping United in the showmanship category, but I'll take the result. |
| 'Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. | |
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| Manzanares | Apr 16 2009, 04:10 PM Post #255 |
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I agree with the comments already posted here, manchester United know how to grind out a result on the road and Ronaldo's great goal was all they needed as they shut Porto down especially after Lucho Gonzalez went out injured. Give United's defense credit for taking Hulk out of both legs of the series. I also concur with the comments on Villarreal's alck of punch. In order to have success they needed to shut Arsenal down and hope to steal a goal somehow but Arsenal's first half goal (how did Godin let that backheeled pass slip under his foot to send Walcott clear on goal?) ended their hopes. Joseba Llorente would have been the perfect partner in a game like this for Rossi but he never saw the field. |
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