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| Europa League 2011-12 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 15 2011, 05:27 PM (1,878 Views) | |
| Simon | Feb 25 2012, 02:25 PM Post #61 |
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I don't know whether it was complacency that crept into United's game, especially among some of the younger players? Having won 2-0 in Amsterdam the tie already looked over. United's players made all the right noises before the game about 'only being at half-time' etc, but I suspect they pretty much thought they'd done the job. That feeling was probably confirmed in their heads when Hernandez scored a really good early goal and we looked to be getting through their defence quite easily. But United's second half display was just totally sloppy and careless and we let Ajax take the initiative. Ajax got on the scoresheet with the help of a handball IMO and then ended up actually winning the game on the night when they scored a very late goal when United switched off on a set piece (which is a worrying habit of ours, and with more weak goalkeeping from de Gea to go with a very good save he'd made earlier on). We're through to play against a good team, and there are other good teams still in the competition, not least City who I must admit were really impressive in dismantling Porto. I'd obviously been hoping for Porto to knock City out, but the silver lining for now is that they're still involved in playing Thursday night matches ahead of the weekend's league action, not just us. The league is very much the priority though, and I've already commented on how United's squad is a bit thin (and on that note, there were further figures released this week showing the huge amounts of money the Glazers are siphoning out of the club to cover their bloody debts). I have an uncomfortable feeling that we could drop points at Norwich tomorrow, which has always been a bogey ground for us. The Europa League is a fun competition though, there's a good variety of countries still involved and a very competitive field in the last 16. |
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| karl pilkington | Feb 25 2012, 03:01 PM Post #62 |
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That is the good thing about United's Europa League adventure, City are still involved too so neither will have an advantage over the othe rby being more rested for league play. As Simon suggests, it also is nice to play some clubs you normally do not face. Athletic Bilbao are not a club United typically comes across in Europe yet they are a formidable opponent. The Glazers are vampires sucking United dry. |
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| Manzanares | Mar 8 2012, 07:23 PM Post #63 |
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Summaries of Thursday's round of 16, first leg matches: Standard Liege 2 Yoni Buyens 27, Meme Tchite 30 Hanover 96 2 Lars Stindl 22pen, Mame Biram Diouf 56 Halftime: 2-1 Valencia 4 Victor Ruiz 11, Roberto Soldado 13,43pen, Pablo Piatti 56 PSV Eindhoven 2 Ola Toivonen 83pen, Georginio Wijnaldum 90 Halftime: 3-0 AZ Alkmaar 2 Maarten Martens 63, Erik Falkenburg 84 Udinese 0 Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 12,579 Manchester United 2 Wayne Rooney 22,90+2pen Athletic Bilbao 3 Fernando Llorente 44, Oscar De Marcos 72, Iker Muniain 90 Halftime: 1-1 Metalist Kharkiv 0 Red card: Edmar 82 Olympiakos Piraeus 1 David Fuster 50 Halftime: 0-0 Sporting 1 Xandao 51 Manchester City 0 Halftime: 0-0 Twente Enschede 1 Luuk de Jong 61pen Schalke 04 0 Red card: Joel Matip 60 Halftime: 0-0 Atletico Madrid 3 Eduardo Salvio 24,27, Adrian 37 Besiktas 1 Simao 53 Halftime: 3-0 I was obviously very pleased with Atletico's 3-1 win over Besiktas, ironic that Eduardo Salvio who was bought to replace Simao Sabrosa scored 2 Atletico goals while Simao got Besiktas' lone goal. Valencia were 4-0 in front of PSV at home with 10 mnutes to go when PSV scored twice to give them a chance in the return. But most of the talk has been about Athletic Bilbao and their great prformance at Manchester United. Playing vintage Marcelo Bielsa football they pressed and harried United defensively while took the attack to them offensively. Great all around play from Athletic who fully deserved their 3-2 win at Old Trafford. Olympiakos were the only away club other than Athletic Bilbao to win away from home, they defeated Metallist Kharkiv of Ukraine. |
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| Merengue | Mar 8 2012, 07:31 PM Post #64 |
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Impressive work from Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford. Their passing and movement were superb and their defensive pressure forced Man U errors. It was a team effort in every sense of the word but Muniain & DeMarcos really stood out to me. The late penalty for Manchester United gives them hope for the return leg but they will need to beat Athletic Bilbao by 2 goals at San Mames which is never an easy proposition. Full credit to Athletic Bilbao for some really wonderful football in this first leg. |
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| enganche | Mar 8 2012, 07:48 PM Post #65 |
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Very entertaining play by Athletic Bilbao, they played just a sif they were at home, good to see a club take that attitude to a road match specially one at Old Trafford. But knowing Bielsa, that really is not much of a surprise. As Merengue noted, Athletic's passing, movement and pressing were very impressive. Iker Muniain, only 19, looks like quite a prospect and so does Ander Herrera, only slightly older. |
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| ursus arctos | Mar 9 2012, 05:29 AM Post #66 |
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I think that virtually all of us were excited to see what Bielsa could do with Athletic, and while the team struggled to come to grips with his ideas at first, last night demonstrated just how much potential this team has. It isn't every day that United are played off the park at Old Trafford, and while Bielsa must be livid at the last minute penalty, he's got to be extraordinarily happy with his team's performance. I really, really, hope that Athletic are able to keep the team together for another couple of years. Their amazing fans deserve no less. |
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| Martin | Mar 9 2012, 11:16 AM Post #67 |
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Agree and their traveling away support was impressive. This was a good week for traveling away supporters in international competitions as Fluminense of Brazil brought 3,000 fans to Argentina in the Copa Libertadores to see their team play Boca Juniors. And just like Athletic's fans, Flumiinense's away fans saw their team record an unexpected away win at a very difficult stadium for visiting teams. An Italian friend of mine was telling me Chelsea have denied Napoli's request for more visiting fan tickets for next week's Champions League game but still expect plenty of away support next week for Napoli. Back to Athletic's win, Bielsa's stamp is truly on this team now, their once direct approach has been changed 180 degrees and the confidence in their play was very evident last night. But Athletic are still prone to occasional mistakes which combined with Manchester United's toughness on the road still gives the English club hope for next week's return. Unless he gets hurt I see Iker Muniain on Spain's team this summer for Euro 2012. |
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| Sammy Maudlin | Mar 9 2012, 03:01 PM Post #68 |
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What surprised me about Athletic Bilbao's play, in addition to their skillful play was the stamina they showed. They pressed and harassed Manchester United all game long without slowing down. Whomever is in charge of getting that team in shape ahs doen a great job. ursus is right to wonder if they can keep this team together when other clubs will start looking at players like Llorente, Muniain, Herrera and Susaeta. Then again maybe these players will want to stay as they are buying into Bielsa's methods and the project he has in store for the club? |
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| Simon | Mar 10 2012, 03:18 PM Post #69 |
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Athletic Bilbao did play very well at OT on Thursday, and their attitude when at 1-1 and 2-1 up was impressive, in that they continued to attack even when they had a good result in their hands. I did think they were fortunate in some respects as well - as their second goal was offside and the third stemmed from a bizarre decision to award Bilbao a free kick for Evra's boot falling off! But De Gea had some good saves to make as well and was poorly protected by his outfield players. My main take on the game was disappointment with United really. The game was quite open and stretched and there should have been plenty of scope for us to score a few goals, which is what I hoped would happen when Rooney gave us the lead. But United were really sloppy in their all round play. Hernandez looked really blunt and indecisive, our attack was lopsided because of how poor Park was, as Nani was saved for league action. Yes Bilbao played a good pressing game, but of course United are very accustomed to playing against teams who use precisely that approach and it's not normally a problem. On Thursday, however, United were routinely careless in possession, we were giving the ball away even with unchallenged passes. Of course that puts pressure on our defence. The two full backs are in poor form and Rafael is defensively suspect anyway (witness the ridiculous way he switched off on the third goal, letting Muniain run from behind him to knock the rebound in). The two centre-backs are good players but young, inexperienced and not exactly foolproof as a unit, so it seemed clear that Bilbao would make chances. Ferguson would have played Ferdinand had this been a league game, along with Carrick and Nani, but I've no great objection to his team selection. We'd like to do well in the Europa League but of course trying to win the championship is the overriding priority. I guess I put it down to a bad day at the office, perhaps a touch of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' following the vital win at Spurs at the weekend. My main concern now is that United slip up against West Brom on Sunday, or that we go chasing after the second leg and end up underestimating Wolves next weekend. IMO the sensible thing to do is still to hold some of our main stars in reserve in midweek and concentrate on chasing City in the league. |
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| karl pilkington | Mar 12 2012, 02:23 PM Post #70 |
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I am in agreement with Simon, at some point a club has to choose which competition to emphasise and like Simon I think United should prioritise the league over the Europa League. Winning in Europe is always nice but this is not the Champions League, it is the Europa League, the lesser of the two European competitions, plus I want United to win another league championship, increase their titles won advantage over Liverpool and deny Manchester City the opportunity to win their first league title since 1968. The opportunity to win the league championship and at the same time get one on our two biggest rivals is simply too much to pass up. Having said that, there is no need to give up entirely on the Europa League and United can mix some starters with reserves and still form a competitive side to face Athletic Bilbao in Spain. I was both impressed and surprised by how well Athletic Bilbao played at old Trafford, they not only were quick and energetic but they also had plenty of size and strength. A good club and one who are worth watching if you have the chance. And full marks to Bilbao's fans for their very impressive turnout at Old Trafford. One of the most impressive away support I have seen for a European match. |
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| Simon | Mar 15 2012, 09:53 AM Post #71 |
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Yes, I was also impressed by Bilbao's fans, in fact I would actually say they are the most impressive away following I've seen from a Spanish side. Perhaps it's because of the whole Basque pride thing? I think Karl and I will both be pleased with the United line-up. Key players have been left out and rested for the league e.g. Smalling, Jones, Scholes, Hernandez, Welbeck, Nani. Jones and Nani have not even been included in the squad. Park is getting a game, Cleverley has been included to get him a bit more match fitness since his injury, so it should be a useful exercise. I don't honestly expect us to go through but I hope we can give a decent account of ourselves nonetheless, and that we don't pick up any injuries ahead of the big match with Wolves at the weekend. De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Rafael Da Silva, Park, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Rooney, Young. Subs: Amos, Smalling, Hernandez, Welbeck, Fabio Da Silva, Scholes, Pogba. |
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| Simon | Mar 15 2012, 12:56 PM Post #72 |
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Finished 2-1 on the night to Athletic Bilbao, no problems with that really. In addition to leaving out the six players I mentioned in my earlier post, we didn't really bother chasing the game either. We withdrew Carrick with half an hour to go, we didn't use Hernandez at any point, only brought Welbeck on with 20 minutes to go, didn't use Scholes, gave Cleverley a full 90 minutes to get his fitness up, gave young Paul Pogba some action in the first team... It's a funny situation to be watching a match that your team is losing and not chasing, and yet approve of the situation, but we have to see the bigger picture. The interviewer after the game asked Ferguson if it's a relief to be out of the Europa League which I thought was a bit unfair, I don't think anyone could really say we disrespected the competition. I mean, we did advance through one round and knock out a good side like Ajax. But it's only natural to prioritise a bit more at this stage of the season, our biggest game of the week is clearly the one at Molyneux on Sunday, especially as City play after that and so we have the chance to go 4 points clear before they play a tough match against a revitalised Chelsea. And in fact such is the topsy turvy world of the Europa League, I guess I actually want City to win tonight and advance in the competition, but I suspect they won't be that bothered trying too hard, especially after they hear that we're out. The Europa League semis are either side of the potentially crucial league clash at the Etihad Stadium between City and United on 28th April, I'd actually love for City to still be involved in Europe by then! I should also credit Bilbao as well, I think they just wanted it more than we did over two legs but they're a good side, brisk and energetic and neat and tidy on the ball. United fans aren't too impressed with the opportunistic way Bilbao have trebled their ticket prices just for our visit (just because United are a famous club does not mean our fans are rich!) but on the plus side I've heard from mates who've been out there that the local fans have been really welcoming and friendly, and it's clear they support their club well, good on them. |
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| valenciano | Mar 15 2012, 03:49 PM Post #73 |
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All of the octave finals results today: Besiktas (Turkey) 0 Atletico Madrid (Spain) 3 Atletico Madrid win 6-1 on aggregate. Manchester City (England) 3 Sporting (Portugal) 2 Sporting win on away goals after 3-3 on aggregate. Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece) 1 Metalist Kharkiv (Ukraine) 2 Metalist Kharkiv win on away goals after 2-2 on aggregate. Schalke 04 (Germany) 4 Twente Enschede (Netherlands) 1 Schalke 04 win 4-2 on aggregate. Athletic Bilbao (Spain) 2 Manchester United (England) 1 Athletic Bilbao win 5-3 on aggregate. Hanover 96 (Germany) 4 Standard Liege (Belgium) 0 Hanover 96 win 6-2 on aggregate. PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) 1 Valencia (Spain) 1 Valencia win 5-3 on aggregate. Udinese (Italy) 2 AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) 1 AZ Alkmaar win 3-2 on aggregate I had my eye on Valencia's trip to Eindhoven to play PSV. Adil Rami knocked in the goal for Valencia which assured their classification. Toivonen brought one back for PSV and the Dutch club's keeper made a superb finger tip save on a nicely placed chip by Jordi Alba. But Rami committed a foolish foul late in the match and was red carded, meaning of course he will miss Valencia's quarterfinal, first leg. A needless foul which upset Unai Emery and with reason too. Atletico Madrid did their business in Turkey easily defeating Besiktas, Simon has already described Athletic Bilbao's win over Manchester United, Hannover easily eliminated Standard Liege, AZ got by Udinese despite 2 goals from Antonio DiNatale, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored 3 goals and Jermaine Jones another as Schalke came from behind to eliminate Twente. The real drama was saved up for two matches where the favorites were eliminated by visiting teams. Sporting Lisbon went to Manchester City and played a great first half, pressing them all over the field, forcing Manchester City mistakes while Sporting scored twice, one from a great curling free kick by Matias Fernandez which just got by Joe Hart. But in the 2nd half Man City played much better, Sporting relaxed, took two of their best players off, Fernandez and Diego Capel, and suddenly City were back in the game after Sergio Aguero scored twice and Mario Balotelli converted a penalty for what looked to me like a phantom foul. That evened things up on aggregate but Sporting were ahead on the away goals. Man City kept pressing but could not break through until the final play of the game with goalie Hart advancing forward, a cross came in and Hart fought off the defender and headed towards the opposite post, the ball was going in when Rui Patricio the Sporting goalie somehow got his finger tips to it, diverting the ball just enough to go outside, not inside the post! An incredible save to a dramatic finale which almost saw the goal of the season scored by Hart. So Sporting held on for the away goals victory and a spot in the last eight. The other surprise was in Piraeus, outside Athens were Olimpiacos went 1-0 in front on the night, 2-0 on aggregate over Metalist Kharkiv. The visitors missed a penalty with 12 minutes to go and looked finished, down 2-0 overall. But Cristian Villagra scored after 81 minutes for Metalist and Marko Devic, who had missed the penalty, scored a 2nd Metalist goal in the 86th minute to give Metalist a 2-1 win in leg 2 and an overall victory on away goals. So an exciting night in the Europa League leaves these eight clubs going into Friday's quarterfinal draw: Valencia, Hannover, Schalke, Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Metalist Kharkiv, Sporting Lisbon and AZ Alkmaar. |
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| rosarino | Mar 15 2012, 09:11 PM Post #74 |
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What a beautiful goal by Fernando Llorente to open the scoring for Athletic Bilbao, first times a volley into the net after a 40 (maybe 50?) meter pass from Aurtenexte. Athletic Bilbao took their foot off the gas a bit in this game as they knew they ahd a comfortable lead and Bielsa took Llorente off not long after scoring his goal as he is battling a niggling injury. I was unsure about Bielsa's project at Bilbao but he has that team playing some very enjoyable football to watch. |
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| Mr. Pither | Mar 16 2012, 08:36 AM Post #75 |
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The Europa League quarterfinals; AZ-Valencia Atletico Madrid-Hannover Schalke-Athletic Bilbao Sporting Lisbon-Metalist Kharkiv In the semifinals, the winner of first game plays winner of 2, and 3 plays 4. The potential of either an all Spanish or all German final. But first to the quarterfinals in a fortnight. Schalke-Athletic Bilbao looks to me like the most appetising quarterfinal. |
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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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