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Champions League 09/10
Topic Started: Jul 23 2009, 05:46 AM (4,897 Views)
Simon
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Arsenal were the authors of their own downfall really. Whatever can be said about the referee, it was incredibly naive of Arsenal to switch off like that when a free kick has been awarded in their own penalty area. I was obviously happy with the Giggs FK that Sporting has posted. Lille had their wall set up and the ref indicated that the kick could be taken. Wenger actually said last night that if it's outside the box then it's okay, which I think he said because Thierry Henry did this several times while at Arsenal, and in fact that's probably where Giggs got the idea!However, I think it's dodgy to allow a quickly-taken indirect FK inside the area. Without a wall set up, such situations would surely result in a goal every time? That's the thin end of the wedge. I don't know the relevant law could be worded to allow for quick FKs outside the box, but not quick indirect FKs inside the box - maybe it's easier and less controversial to just never allow such situations at all, wherever they may be?

The first goal was also a dreadful one to give up. Just generally though, I thought Arsenal were uncharacteristically sloppy in possession. But one usual characteristic of their play was maddeningly on show again - their extreme aversion o ever shooting! Time after time they had presentable opportunities for a shot at goal but always opted for one more sideways pass! I reckon Arsenal are just about still favourites for this tie, as I recall them playing Porto in London about a year and a half ago and winning 4-0 when it could quite conceivably have been 10-0. But they really need to correct the faults in their play last night. At least Almunia will be back in goal, he's hardly infallible but I don't think he'd have conceded either of Porto's goals last night.
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robdog
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ursus arctos,Feb 17 2010
04:41 PM
C'mon Rob.
If he was on the take, he would be able to afford this year's shirt (or last year's, that one is from two seasons ago).

Oh, you must have missed the transfer of that great midfield player, Tom Henning Øvrebø:
Posted Image

Merengue,Feb 17 2010
10:36 PM

Fortunately he is not on the list of World Cup referees but Thierry Henry's friend Martin Hansson is!


Bro, Øvrebø did make the final list of UEFA refs, he didn't get the cut from 14 to 10. They chose Hansson instead :o BTW, Øvrebø & Hansson are friends. They attended the same ref acadamy in Norway ;)
Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis
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ursus arctos
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Man, not only did Bayern provide a full kit (and boots!), but they also shelled out for a complete hair transplant.

The Viola never had a chance.
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robdog
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ursus arctos,Feb 18 2010
10:10 AM
Man, not only did Bayern provide a full kit (and boots!), but they also shelled out for a complete hair transplant.

The Viola never had a chance.

Øvrebø used that money from the Chelsea scam to pay for the hair transplants ;)
Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis
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ursus arctos
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Y'know, Rob, you really need to re-evaluate your choice of club.

Your guy is supposed to be one of the richest people in Europe, with a navy larger than Belgium's and an army bigger than San Marino's, and now he's being outspent in the crucial referee-tampering arena by some two-bit Catalans and Bavarians.

He's got no love for the shirt, I tell ya.
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robdog
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ursus arctos,Feb 18 2010
10:28 AM
Y'know, Rob, you really need to re-evaluate your choice of club.

See the people behind Øvrebø are bigger than Roman Abramovich. People like Alisher Usmanov, who have been arrested for submitting bribes of officials. I am telling you, I would not be surprised of the football scandals that were in Italian Calcio exist in every segment Europe as well. Some people are untouchable. Maybe the Illuminati is not fiction & does exist. Who knows??? :blink: Anyway, UEFA does need to come out now & explain their decision for letting Mr. Øvrebø call/throw matches.

Mr. Øvrebø
 

"It's hard to say,'' he added. "It's up to UEFA to consider. We take the games we get. Then UEFA assess whether we are good enough for new duties.''
Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis
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Johnbuildr
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<<..........Y'know, Rob, you really need to re-evaluate your choice of club.....>>

I think Rob needs to reevaluate his line of work, whatevr it may be. He should be a professional comedian or investigative reporter, or better yet, both!! :lol:
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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raconteur
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Johnbuildr,Feb 18 2010
01:29 PM
<<..........Y'know, Rob, you really need to re-evaluate your choice of club.....>>

I think Rob needs to reevaluate his line of work, whatevr it may be. He should be a professional comedian or investigative reporter, or better yet, both!!  :lol:

No I would rather he keep entertaining us here! :D

Unfortunately for me other than Manchester United-Milan, all of the matches played this week are set up for good endings in leg 2. Milan basically needs to win by 2 goals at Old Trafford, I will leave it up to Simon to tell us when that last happened. Not likely at all.

I can't believe that after all that has happened with him that Ovebro would have been on UEFA's preliminary list of referees available for the World Cup. Hansson should not be there either, not because he missed Henry's handball, but because of his controversial past, and not just that Henry handball, every call he makes in South Africa will come under the microscope which could end up making him nervy. And by having a controversial referee in the World Cup, you are focusing on him instead of doing that on the players which is where the focus should be.
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raconteur
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There is not a Portuguese league thread so I did not know where to put this but decided to include it here since it does effect Porto's Champions League preparations.

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=r...uters&type=lgns

Quote:
 
Porto striker Hulk has been suspended from domestic competitions for four months for assaulting a match steward in December, the head of the Portuguese league’s disciplinary committee said on Friday.

The suspension does not apply to European competitions and Brazilian Hulk is eligible to play in Porto’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Arsenal on March 9 after featuring in the side’s 2-1 first leg win on Wednesday.

Porto defender Cristian Sapunaru was given a six-month suspension for assaulting two security stewards in the players’ tunnel at the end of the same game against Benfica, committee chief Ricardo Costa told a news conference.

“The punishments are exceptionally lower than the legal minimum (of between six months and three years)… because the inquiry concluded that the stewards provoked the players in the tunnel,” Costa added.

Both players have already served two months of their penalties, having been suspended since the Dec. 20 match at the Luz Stadium, which Benfica won 1-0.

Sapunaru has since returned to play in his native Romania on loan to Steaua Bucharest.


Kind of defeats the purpose of the suspension if Sapurunu can simply be loaned to another club while his suspension is in place in Portugal. I seem to recall suspensions from other leagues applying worldwide.

So Hulk will miss another two months of league play. I guess when your nickname comes from a fictional green creature with a volatile temper, it should not surprise us too much that Hulk was suspended for fighting! :o

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Yogi
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Quote:
 
So Hulk will miss another two months of league play. I guess when your nickname comes from a fictional green creature with a volatile temper, it should not surprise us too much that Hulk was suspended for fighting!


:lol: Very appropriate! That inactivity might also exlain why Hulk looked rusty against Arsenal last week.

Time for the 2nd set of first leg games to be played.

Tuesday's matches:
Stuttgart-Barcelona
Olympiakos-Bordeaux

Wednesday's matches
Inter-Chelsea
CSKA Moscow-Sevilla
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Simon
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Ha, what's the Portuguese for 'you wouldn't like me when I'm angry'?

I can't say I'm especially excited about tonight's games, the first one looks very much like a bye through to the last eight for Barcelona. Perhaps Stuttgart will prove me wrong, but when even a couple of their players have rated their chances of going through as '10%', it doesn't look good!
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Merengue
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Tuesday's results:

Stuttgart 1-1 Barcelona
Olimpiacos 0-1 Bordeaux

A pretty good game in Stuttgart, they went after Barcelona early on and Cacau was causing all sorts of problems for Barcelona's defense, especially for Rafa Marquez. A good cross from right back Celozzi was met by Cacau at the far post to head in to put Stuttgart 1-0. The German club ahd several other good chances, Pogrebnyak had a nice run and shot saved by valdes, there could have been a handball by Pique but the ref correctly in my mind ruled it unintentional, as he did a 2nd half handball by Stuttgart's Christian Molinaro.

At the half Guardiola made some adjustments, dropped Iniesta back to midfield (he has not been that effective this season at forward, certainly not like he was last season) and brought Henry on at forward with Yaya Toure going to the bench. Later Gaby Milito came on for Marquez and Barca's attack became more effective while defensively they looekd more solid. They eventually tie dit up as Ibrahimovic got a 2nd bite of the apple and scored. A couple of typical blunders by Lehmann nearly gifted Barcelona another goal or two but it was not to be. In the end a 1-1 draw was I think a just reflection of a pretty entertaining game. Stuttgart did their ebst but barcelona are well situated to advance.

In the other game, Bordeaux shook off their recent slump and won in Greece with defender Ciani knocking in a free kick from Yoann Gorcuff. Bordeaux then survived Olimpiacos' pressure with goalie Carrasso making some good saves to preserve the away win.
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Mr. Pither
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I think Merengue has accurately described Stuttgart-Barcelona. It was a game of two halves, in that first half Stuttgart really played well, showing speed, good technique and strength. They had Barcelona about as off guard as you have seen them since Guardiola became their coach. But as Merengue described, Guardiola made some adjustments and Barca regained control. It was an enjoyable game to watch, better than many expected but a result which does put Barcelona in good position going home.

Bordeaux had the best record in group play of any club so we should not be too surprised that they were able to win on the road in Greece. And also no shock that they scored off of a set piece. They are one of the best teams in Europe at that.
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD
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Manzanares
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Stuttgart had their chances to go up by more than a goal but against Barcelona when you squander chances you will pay for those missed opportunities.

Gabriel Milito looks like he is showing signs of recovering his pre injury form. Not sure if I can say the same about Marquez, he has trouble with fast forwards and Cacau was having his way with him.
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raconteur
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Wednesday's games:

Inter 2-1 Chelsea
CSKA Moscow 1-1 Sevilla

Nice game between Inter & Chelsea which contrary to so many of these marquee matchups, actually was a well played game. Inter's early goal by Diego Milito, he turned John Terry inside out on it, changed the game. Inter after that sat back more than I would have thought they intended too but also credit Chelsea's pressure. But they could not break through an excellent Inter defense until 51 minutes when Salomon Kalou's shot from outside the box took a bounce past the outstretched Julio Cesar, who was sporting two black eyes after crshing his sports car a few days ago. But Inter replied within 4 minutes through Esteban Cambiasso to go back in front 2-1. After that they soaked up Chelsea's pressure to win the match.

I thought it was the sort of game both clubs could come away with content. Inter for the win, how they responded to Cheslea's pressure and perhaps most of all how well they defended Drogba and Anelka. Chellsea can be content with how they controlled the ball, and how they pretty much neutralized Etoo and Sneijder and perhaps most important, their away goal. Sets up a good return leg in London in 3 weeks.
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