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| Champions League | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 1 2008, 07:30 AM (4,228 Views) | |
| Loco4LosChe | Apr 28 2009, 09:04 PM Post #271 |
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I agree. He had to do what had to be done, but still, it doesn't take a genius to tell his players, "Stay behind the ball and never attack. Kick the crap out of someone when you get the chance". Maybe his tactic is to bore Barca to death :lol: |
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| Manzanares | Apr 28 2009, 09:40 PM Post #272 |
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Most teams who have had success against Barcelona this season have been those who look to attack them. Chelsea did not do that but they definitely shut Barcelona down. I can't imagine they will try the same tactic twice but we will see next Wednesday. Look for Martin Caceres to come in for the injured Marquez and suspended Puyol. |
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| Sergio | Apr 28 2009, 10:10 PM Post #273 |
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If this was a team with a fraction of Barcelona's budget sitting back and only defending then it would be understandable. But this is a multi million dollar Chelsea team just sitting back and putting 11 men behind the ball. They played like an equipillo, a small team against Barcelona. I found that very disappointing. |
| "You left as a champion, you will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace Christian Benítez." | |
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| Loco4LosChe | Apr 29 2009, 03:25 AM Post #274 |
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Numancia beat Barca 1-0. Espanyol 2-1. Atletico Madrid 4-3. Numancia pulled a Chelsea. Espanyol did something similar, but actually attacked throughout the match. Atletico just went crazy. <<Most teams who have had success against Barcelona...>> 3 teams have beat them. Chelsea didn't have to win, that is the difference between the Champions League and the league. In the league, you have to win, in CL, you can draw your way to the final. |
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| Simon | Apr 29 2009, 09:06 AM Post #275 |
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Apparently that's the first time all season that Barca have failed to score in a game at home in the Nou Camp, which does represent a plus point for Hiddink's side. Barcelona's defence looked a bit ragged when Chelsea went forward and that couldn't be expected to improve in the absence of both Marquez and Puyol. I reckon Chelsea will likely feel good about their chances of making it to the final again but equally, as others have said, Barcelona are used to scoring goals and won't feel that they can't get one in London. That will make the return leg another tense occasion. I'm glad not to have a horse in this one. Should United get to the final I might tend towards thinking a game against Chelsea would be tougher, but then again we beat the Blues 3-0 at OT this season. A result like that would be nice in a CL final after last year's nerve-wracking affair in Moscow! No new team news that I've heard ahead of tonight. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8020776.stm |
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| Winslow | Apr 29 2009, 01:12 PM Post #276 |
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And Wednesday's first leg... . . . . . . . Manchester United 1, Arsenal 0. The Gunners had a lot of youngsters out there tonight, and it showed. The home team came out firing, and just missed in the second minute as Rooney nearly lobbed Almunia with a looping header that the keeper managed to claw away from the line. About 15 minutes later, Almunia kept out back-to-back shots by Tevez, but after Arsenal failed to clear the ensuing corner, Carrick's cross was deflected by Song right to O'Shea; Almunia tipped his shot into the roof of the net. And that was that, really. Almunia made a few more good saves in the first half, and C. Ronaldo hit the bar in the second. Arsenal had very few sniffs at goal; eventually the fans started chanting Eduardo's name as Adebayor failed to produce (except for one shot that went just over the bar). |
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| rosarino | Apr 29 2009, 08:45 PM Post #277 |
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I was wondering why Eduardo had not entered the game earlier too. Arsenal were pretty poor in this game and while Manchester United could have won by more than a single goal they look pretty well placed for the 2nd leg as they did not allow an away goal. I thought Tevez had a great first half, he was extremely active, held the ball well and linked up with his teammates. When he tired in the 2nd half it showed as United's play slipped a bit. Berbatov came on for him and I thought was ineffective. |
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| Simon | Apr 30 2009, 12:06 PM Post #278 |
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Yes, I have mixed feelings about this one. Firstly, winning without conceding a goal puts us in a good position for the second leg, but Arsenal's defending was dreadful in the first half and really we should have scored 3 or 4. You have to credit Almunia for making the saves that kept his team in the tie. Arsenal were a lot steadier in the second half but United were still on top, even if I felt some of our passing became slack in that second period. From the balance of play, I doubt Wenger will be too disappointed at 0-1 as Arsenal are formidable at home. Yet I would also think United have a decent prospect of scoring what could be a vital away goal. Maybe the biggest concern, with a view more importantly to the league, was Rio's injury. Now we have to wait for the results of a scan, knowing that if he's broken a rib he'll be out for the rest of the season. That would be a real boost for Liverpool. |
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| Manzanares | Apr 30 2009, 07:21 PM Post #279 |
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A very good game from Almunia. I have to say I never believed a one time goalie with Sabadell, Eibar and Albacete would one day be playing such a key role in a Champions League semifinal. He really has made something out of his career with his move to Arsenal. Simon makes a good point Arsenal probably will be happy at only losing by a goal while United can be content with the victory and not giving up an away goal. A first half Arsenal goal next week and we shall have a good second leg. The more I watch Vidic play the more impressed I am. |
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| Dr. Z | May 5 2009, 09:39 AM Post #280 |
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Back to the semifinals second leg games, on Tuesday it is Arsenal home to Manchester United [0-1] and Chelsea hosting Barcelona [0-0] on Wednesday. They usually say hosting the return leg is an advantage but here I think both Manchester United and Barcelona are in good positions, neither gave up an away goal and in Manchester's case they have already scored a goal. While you do not play for a draw and both Arsenal and Chelsea are very strong at home I see both Manchester United and Barcelona getting through and setting up a dream final. |
| Poniendo el pecho a las balas! | |
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| Manzanares | May 5 2009, 09:53 AM Post #281 |
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I think the fact both Arsenal and Chelsea need to win should amke these second leg game smore open than the first legs were. But as was discusse dhere last week the effect of the home teams need to attack is it should also create opportunities for both manchester United and barcelona on the counter, something both clubs are ruthlessly efficient at. Hopefully we will have some enjoyable matches these next few days! |
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| Simon | May 5 2009, 01:29 PM Post #282 |
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Result below: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United (United win 4-1 on agg) United are back in the European Cup final with a chance to retain our trophy. It may be a replay of the epic clash with Chelsea from last season or it may be a match with Barcelona, but I don't care which! Manzanares had it right, United ripped Arsenal up on the break. That third goal was delicious, Arsenal had the ball on the edge of our box and 11 seconds and 3 passes later it was in the back of their net. The unfortunate thing for neutrals looking forward to a great game was that this semi was really over as a competition after just 11 minutes. You have to feel for Kieran Gibbs, he's a bright young talent who was excellent in the first leg, but he slipped at just the wrong time to allow Park to open the scoring after another fast and precise United attacking raid. And Almunia was beaten for sheer pace by the Ronaldo free-kick. The biggest sour point of the night was the red card for Darren Fletcher, a crap decision as it was clear that he'd poked the ball away from Fabregas. UEFA allow no appeals process, which is really self-defeating. If someone had punched someone else tonight and the ref had missed it, you can bet your life UEFA would hand down a suspension, so why not allow justice the other way round as well? Fletcher is a really important player for us, but more than that he's a top lad who didn't deserve that cruel blow. Still, we can put this one to bed now and concentrate on the big one. 3 points clear with 4 games to play, and the derby against City at the weekend! They're all big games at this stage of the season, bring it on! |
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| Yogi | May 5 2009, 08:13 PM Post #283 |
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Congratulations to the Manchester United fans here as your club deserved the win. As Simon writes the counter attack was such a dangerous weapon for them, the third goal was text book on how to run a break but the first goal even with Gibbs' slip also was a beautifully worked quick break. And then what else can you say about Ronaldo's rocket like free kick for the 2nd goal? I've read some blame being given to Almunia for giving it up at his near post but come on, that was what the wall was supposed to protect, Almunia was expecting either a cross or a shot to the opposite post. Ronaldo saw the opening and whacked it. Just a great goal. The more I see the penalty the more questions I have, from some angles it looks like Fletcher got the ball, from others it did not. Rossetti is a good ref but I think it was harsh giving Fletcher a red there. He was going for the ball, call the penalty and that is it. There was not much drama to Tuesday's semifinal but a dominant winner in Manchester United, hopefully Wednesday's semiifnal will provide more drama for we neutrals!
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| enganche | May 5 2009, 10:09 PM Post #284 |
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Those Manchester United counters were dynamite. But what I did not understand is why Arsenal kept trying to beat United in the air with crosses? Did they honestly think they would get the better of Vidic, Ferdinand and O'Shea in the air? I also thought Evra's defense on Walcott was excellent, he shut down Arsenal's attack on that side. On to Wednesday's semifinal, I am thinking with Puyol suspended and Marquez injured, Pique's partner in central defense will be Abidal with Sylvinho playing left back. I am looking forward to this game. Chelsea are a tough nut to crack but if there is a team capable of doing that it is barceona. Hard to think they could be shut out for a 2nd staright game against Chelsea. |
| Prefiero morir de pie que vivir arrodillado | |
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| Mr. Pither | May 6 2009, 07:07 AM Post #285 |
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enganche you ask a good question about why Arsenal tried beating Man United in the air. My only explanation for that is desperation. United were nullifying them in midfield and took Fabregas, Nasri and van Persie out of the game, all that was left for Arsenal was this more direct approach which we all know is not their favoured way to play. United had an excellent game plan which was to effectively end the match early and those two quick goals by Park and Ronaldo did just that. The opening goal certainly was helepd by Gibbs unfortunate slip but Ronaldo's goal was an intelligent move by him in seeing Arsenal build a weak wall and leave the near post uncovered. Apparently the Gunners did not watch Manchester United's match versus Porto where Ronaldo scored with another 35-40 metre shot! So on to tonight's second semifinal and what promises to eb a real contrast in styles between Chelsea's force and Barcelona's passing game. I have a feeling we are in store for a good one. I say watch out for Drogba who will take advantage of Barcelona's makeshift defense. |
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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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