Liverpool zen out Chelsea.. and footballing fans everywhere
Friday, 04 May 07, 03:31 PM
What I have to say about 210 minutes of semi-final football ?
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To Liverpool: I don't know how you do it. Keep doing it to Chelsea. Good on you.
To Chelsea: (Nelson Muntz Style) - Ha-ha!
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To Liverpool: I don't know how you do it. Keep doing it to Chelsea. Good on you.
To Chelsea: (Nelson Muntz Style) - Ha-ha!
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Liverpool - Chelsea
Sunday, 22 April 07, 05:16 PM
Can Jose finally put Luis Garcia to rest ?
How fitting that around the same time Quentin Tarantino releases his movie called Grindhouse, its literal footballing equivalent will play itself out in the Champions' League. Step up Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea have been in the odd position of not leading this season. Trailing to United all season in the league, they've had to ensure their consistency is maintained under pressure not normally present. This pressure may be finally getting to them. This past weekend was a classic case in point. Having been given a glimmer of hope with Boro's halting of United, Chelsea themselves fired blanks in a misfiring performance at Newcastle. Jose Mourinho may, for once, have a bit of a point about penalties and United, but it did little to deflect criticism from a rather anaemic performance from his men. If they had won they would have been one point behind United. Having squandered their chance, will their sterility carry over to the Champions League ?
Liverpool on the other hand have been clicking into top gear and coming into form. Rafa Benitez's rotation may have resulted in some of their inconsistency in the league but it has been crucial in their run to another Champions' League semifinal. His safety first attitude has been built on a solid defence with a blend of workmanlike and inspirational attackers in front of them. It all works very well in Europe where Liverpool have been very good churning out wins over PSV, Bordeaux, Galatassaray, Barcelona and PSV again. Without being imperious, they've never quite looked beatable. The question though, is, how will they fare against Chelsea, who are a much more powerful version of themselves.
Liverpool prioritise defence over attack, performance over entertainment. Chelsea do all the same and are masters at getting the whole team to play as a unit from the back forwards. Ominously they have added an element of power to their grinding style. The most notable of these powerhouses, Michael Essien will miss the first leg. But in his stead they ever improving Jon Obi Mikel will probably suit up. As good as Jamie Carragher and Dan Agger have been in the heart of defence for Liverpool, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry have been more impressive. Their last meeting ended in a a comprehensive win for Liverpool, but more tellingly the last time they met at full strength, Chelsea edged it 1 - 0 back in the germinal stages of the season. Herein lies the greatest irony, Liverpool have been Chelsea's best imitators as far as style goes, yet have somehow managed to be better at it. Chelsea crush other opponents better than Liverpool but against Rafa's men get out-defended.
Chelsea played their best game of the season in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Valencia in the last round. This might prove telling as Liverpool had a virtual walkover PSV in the second leg. Once again Rafa's deployment of Steven Gerrard may be important but Chelsea's ability to shackle Alonso will be crucial. With their first choice central defensive pairing available, Didier Drogba present and Andriy Shevchenko (finally) coming into some form, Chelsea's threat may be more ominous. On the other hand, Peter Crouch may be Liverpool's most potent attacker, his gangly style producing the goods time and again.
I doubt Jermaine Pennant will make much headway against ex-teammate Ashley Cole down the right and with Carvalho a much better defender positionally than Essien, long balls to Crouch and Kuyt will be dealt with efficiently. Chelsea are still moaning, as usual, about Liverpool's goal that knocked them out 2 seasons ago. This tie will be very close, but it should give the moneyed upstarts from Fulham plenty of opportunity for redemption. Chelsea might be favourites, but only by a bit. This is as watertight as they come.
How fitting that around the same time Quentin Tarantino releases his movie called Grindhouse, its literal footballing equivalent will play itself out in the Champions' League. Step up Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea have been in the odd position of not leading this season. Trailing to United all season in the league, they've had to ensure their consistency is maintained under pressure not normally present. This pressure may be finally getting to them. This past weekend was a classic case in point. Having been given a glimmer of hope with Boro's halting of United, Chelsea themselves fired blanks in a misfiring performance at Newcastle. Jose Mourinho may, for once, have a bit of a point about penalties and United, but it did little to deflect criticism from a rather anaemic performance from his men. If they had won they would have been one point behind United. Having squandered their chance, will their sterility carry over to the Champions League ?
Liverpool on the other hand have been clicking into top gear and coming into form. Rafa Benitez's rotation may have resulted in some of their inconsistency in the league but it has been crucial in their run to another Champions' League semifinal. His safety first attitude has been built on a solid defence with a blend of workmanlike and inspirational attackers in front of them. It all works very well in Europe where Liverpool have been very good churning out wins over PSV, Bordeaux, Galatassaray, Barcelona and PSV again. Without being imperious, they've never quite looked beatable. The question though, is, how will they fare against Chelsea, who are a much more powerful version of themselves.
Liverpool prioritise defence over attack, performance over entertainment. Chelsea do all the same and are masters at getting the whole team to play as a unit from the back forwards. Ominously they have added an element of power to their grinding style. The most notable of these powerhouses, Michael Essien will miss the first leg. But in his stead they ever improving Jon Obi Mikel will probably suit up. As good as Jamie Carragher and Dan Agger have been in the heart of defence for Liverpool, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry have been more impressive. Their last meeting ended in a a comprehensive win for Liverpool, but more tellingly the last time they met at full strength, Chelsea edged it 1 - 0 back in the germinal stages of the season. Herein lies the greatest irony, Liverpool have been Chelsea's best imitators as far as style goes, yet have somehow managed to be better at it. Chelsea crush other opponents better than Liverpool but against Rafa's men get out-defended.
Chelsea played their best game of the season in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Valencia in the last round. This might prove telling as Liverpool had a virtual walkover PSV in the second leg. Once again Rafa's deployment of Steven Gerrard may be important but Chelsea's ability to shackle Alonso will be crucial. With their first choice central defensive pairing available, Didier Drogba present and Andriy Shevchenko (finally) coming into some form, Chelsea's threat may be more ominous. On the other hand, Peter Crouch may be Liverpool's most potent attacker, his gangly style producing the goods time and again.
I doubt Jermaine Pennant will make much headway against ex-teammate Ashley Cole down the right and with Carvalho a much better defender positionally than Essien, long balls to Crouch and Kuyt will be dealt with efficiently. Chelsea are still moaning, as usual, about Liverpool's goal that knocked them out 2 seasons ago. This tie will be very close, but it should give the moneyed upstarts from Fulham plenty of opportunity for redemption. Chelsea might be favourites, but only by a bit. This is as watertight as they come.
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England's northwest is well represented
Wednesday, 11 April 07, 08:17 PM
Manchester United 8 - 3 Roma (on aggregate)
Comprehensive wins for Liverpool and Manchester United along with composed performances by Chelsea and Milan have ensured progression for the quartet to the final four.
United's emphatic win at Old Trafford annihilated whatever advantage Roma had built up in the first leg. Now on, Alexander Doni will probably always move a little to his left after he was beaten on that side five times by United. Given that Roma's centre backs forgot all their positioning and were generally calamitous in their marking, the additional two goals will add further pain to the Roma custodian's memories of this encounter.
One was expecting a home win that built on the away goal. When United scored first you sensed that win might be secured with a degree of comfort not previously imagined. However, once Michael Carrick scored off a quite brilliantly taken shot from just outside the area, the floodgates opened and the ensuing deluge all but swept Roma away.
At the end of it all Roma didn't play that badly, United simply played really well. Whereas most of Roma's shots were off target, even their only goal being an optimistic one-timed volley from De Rossi, almost all of United's shots were bang on the money. An eighth goal was narrowly missed when United hit the post.
Ronaldo's running with the ball, Alan Smith's and Wayne Rooney's running off it and United's long passing onto the wings stretched Roma's rearguard every which way. With both Phillipe Mexes and Christian Chivu completely clueless as to where they should stand, whom to mark and which avenue to cut out, it was left to David Pizzaro and Daniele De Rossi to track back and cut the angles and space out. With the latter two more devoted to game upfield and seemingly unable to prevent the ball from being sprayed diagonally sideways and then back in, there was way too much space just in front of the area. Balls crossed in from the flanks were left to fall to United players running in to tap them home. No one was closed down when they found themselves with the ball just outside the box.
Luciano Spaletti is a brave man, going for the jugular in the away leg, yet in retrospect defending deeper and having his twin midfield anchors protect the back four would have seemed saner and safer. Without taking anything away from the comprehensive United performance, you have to say though that most of their strikes were very opportunistic. Basically all of United's attempted shots went in, every flick on found its way to the right place or person and every cross was met at the right time by a a runner with the right amount of space. Not that this should take anything away from the performance but United should remember that days like this, when just about everything goes your way, do not come regularly. Carrick may try more shots from distance in the future and will fancy going for the top right corner more often, but I doubt he will score many more like that. Even Smith must have been astounded at his good fortune when the ball not only found its way to him, after some typically slack defending from Roma, but his first time shot left Doni rooted. For Roma, nothing came off. After a bright start in which they narrowly missed the far post with some long range drives, and other than Francesco Totti's close control and back pass, everything failed. Even Doni's strike was a lucky, first time, volley that I'm sure he doubted would go in. But on a night in which almost every optimistic strike happened to find the back of the net, it duly obliged.
Still, United showed that for all your technique, skill and artistry, the basics of the game, if done well, will serve you immeasurably even on the grandest stage. Their running was dedicated and their passing simple. Other than Ronaldo who threatened to singlehandedly take Roma apart, no one really displayed individual brilliance. But off every attack, there were runners accelerating into avenues and0 balls was always played into space. And whenever United got a chance, they decided to shoot.
On this performance, United should be the most feared team left in Europe. No one will want to visit Old Trafford now.
Liverpool 4 - 0 PSV (on aggregate)
Liverpool had done most of the hard work in the away leg and barring a miracle were set to go through after the home leg. Peter Crouch ensured that his recent purple patch continued and scored the game-winner but there was little really to write home about.
PSV were decimated by injuries themselves and came out to limit the damage. Phillip Cocu and Jefferson Farfan were the only players on the Dutch side who threatened to score a goal. Watching the body language of both teams you sensed PSV knew they had no chance and Liverpool ensured they did just enough to keep PSV at bay.
Jermaine Pennant sparkled on the right wing and his constant harrying of Carlos Salcido will go a long way towards convincing his biggest critics that he indeed does have a future at a top club. If Pennant does go on to win the Champions' League this year, it will be vindication for his supporters after indiscipline and a lack of focus and motivation threatened to derail his early career.
For all his juggling and rotation Rafa Benitez has instilled a defensive solidity to this Liverpool side. Now that they are coming together on the opposite side of the pitch, their play is more balanced and structured. Balls are quickly played out of defence and onto the wings or a runner moving towards the middle. They are clinical without being spectacular and while keeping things simple have managed to add a degree of poise to their style. However their approach often takes time. Against teams with more effort and discipline (read next opponents Chelsea) it may run aground.
Despite their lead, it took debutant Dirk Marcellis' dismissal to finally breach PSV's net. In fact throughout this tie PSV have not tried as hard as they could have (or should have) and the onus has been completely on Liverpool to find a way through. Whereas being 4-0 up on aggregate should have given Liverpool license to attack more freely, Rafa's approach has meant they will simply lock down and grind away till the end. Liverpool may have rested best players in Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher while pacey threat Craig Bellamy may have hobbled off with an injury early, but they should still have won with greater aplomb.
No matter, they are arguably one of the toughest sides to beat in a knockout tie and thoroughly deserved their progression against a very poor PSV. The latter should really question their approach. 4 years ago Deportivo La Coruna lost a first leg 4 - 1 to Milan and then triumphed 4 - 0 in the reverse to go through in the Champions' League. Although a 3 goal win in this fixture was unlikely it was not impossible. The defeatism emanating from the Dutch camp was disgusting and on this performance purely denigrating to the Champions' League. Top competition demands total effort, no matter the situation, the professional approach demands nothing less. How fitting then that there is only one remaining domestic champion left.
Comprehensive wins for Liverpool and Manchester United along with composed performances by Chelsea and Milan have ensured progression for the quartet to the final four.
United's emphatic win at Old Trafford annihilated whatever advantage Roma had built up in the first leg. Now on, Alexander Doni will probably always move a little to his left after he was beaten on that side five times by United. Given that Roma's centre backs forgot all their positioning and were generally calamitous in their marking, the additional two goals will add further pain to the Roma custodian's memories of this encounter.
One was expecting a home win that built on the away goal. When United scored first you sensed that win might be secured with a degree of comfort not previously imagined. However, once Michael Carrick scored off a quite brilliantly taken shot from just outside the area, the floodgates opened and the ensuing deluge all but swept Roma away.
At the end of it all Roma didn't play that badly, United simply played really well. Whereas most of Roma's shots were off target, even their only goal being an optimistic one-timed volley from De Rossi, almost all of United's shots were bang on the money. An eighth goal was narrowly missed when United hit the post.
Ronaldo's running with the ball, Alan Smith's and Wayne Rooney's running off it and United's long passing onto the wings stretched Roma's rearguard every which way. With both Phillipe Mexes and Christian Chivu completely clueless as to where they should stand, whom to mark and which avenue to cut out, it was left to David Pizzaro and Daniele De Rossi to track back and cut the angles and space out. With the latter two more devoted to game upfield and seemingly unable to prevent the ball from being sprayed diagonally sideways and then back in, there was way too much space just in front of the area. Balls crossed in from the flanks were left to fall to United players running in to tap them home. No one was closed down when they found themselves with the ball just outside the box.
Luciano Spaletti is a brave man, going for the jugular in the away leg, yet in retrospect defending deeper and having his twin midfield anchors protect the back four would have seemed saner and safer. Without taking anything away from the comprehensive United performance, you have to say though that most of their strikes were very opportunistic. Basically all of United's attempted shots went in, every flick on found its way to the right place or person and every cross was met at the right time by a a runner with the right amount of space. Not that this should take anything away from the performance but United should remember that days like this, when just about everything goes your way, do not come regularly. Carrick may try more shots from distance in the future and will fancy going for the top right corner more often, but I doubt he will score many more like that. Even Smith must have been astounded at his good fortune when the ball not only found its way to him, after some typically slack defending from Roma, but his first time shot left Doni rooted. For Roma, nothing came off. After a bright start in which they narrowly missed the far post with some long range drives, and other than Francesco Totti's close control and back pass, everything failed. Even Doni's strike was a lucky, first time, volley that I'm sure he doubted would go in. But on a night in which almost every optimistic strike happened to find the back of the net, it duly obliged.
Still, United showed that for all your technique, skill and artistry, the basics of the game, if done well, will serve you immeasurably even on the grandest stage. Their running was dedicated and their passing simple. Other than Ronaldo who threatened to singlehandedly take Roma apart, no one really displayed individual brilliance. But off every attack, there were runners accelerating into avenues and0 balls was always played into space. And whenever United got a chance, they decided to shoot.
On this performance, United should be the most feared team left in Europe. No one will want to visit Old Trafford now.
Liverpool 4 - 0 PSV (on aggregate)
Liverpool had done most of the hard work in the away leg and barring a miracle were set to go through after the home leg. Peter Crouch ensured that his recent purple patch continued and scored the game-winner but there was little really to write home about.
PSV were decimated by injuries themselves and came out to limit the damage. Phillip Cocu and Jefferson Farfan were the only players on the Dutch side who threatened to score a goal. Watching the body language of both teams you sensed PSV knew they had no chance and Liverpool ensured they did just enough to keep PSV at bay.
Jermaine Pennant sparkled on the right wing and his constant harrying of Carlos Salcido will go a long way towards convincing his biggest critics that he indeed does have a future at a top club. If Pennant does go on to win the Champions' League this year, it will be vindication for his supporters after indiscipline and a lack of focus and motivation threatened to derail his early career.
For all his juggling and rotation Rafa Benitez has instilled a defensive solidity to this Liverpool side. Now that they are coming together on the opposite side of the pitch, their play is more balanced and structured. Balls are quickly played out of defence and onto the wings or a runner moving towards the middle. They are clinical without being spectacular and while keeping things simple have managed to add a degree of poise to their style. However their approach often takes time. Against teams with more effort and discipline (read next opponents Chelsea) it may run aground.
Despite their lead, it took debutant Dirk Marcellis' dismissal to finally breach PSV's net. In fact throughout this tie PSV have not tried as hard as they could have (or should have) and the onus has been completely on Liverpool to find a way through. Whereas being 4-0 up on aggregate should have given Liverpool license to attack more freely, Rafa's approach has meant they will simply lock down and grind away till the end. Liverpool may have rested best players in Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher while pacey threat Craig Bellamy may have hobbled off with an injury early, but they should still have won with greater aplomb.
No matter, they are arguably one of the toughest sides to beat in a knockout tie and thoroughly deserved their progression against a very poor PSV. The latter should really question their approach. 4 years ago Deportivo La Coruna lost a first leg 4 - 1 to Milan and then triumphed 4 - 0 in the reverse to go through in the Champions' League. Although a 3 goal win in this fixture was unlikely it was not impossible. The defeatism emanating from the Dutch camp was disgusting and on this performance purely denigrating to the Champions' League. Top competition demands total effort, no matter the situation, the professional approach demands nothing less. How fitting then that there is only one remaining domestic champion left.
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Bayern backslap Milan, Liverpool punish PSV
Wednesday, 04 April 07, 09:35 PM
Daniel Van Buyten braces for impact, Rafa roars past Ronald.
Milan 2 - 2 Bayern
Daniel Van Buyten has had an interesting season so far. Marked more by leaden footedness at the heart of Bayern Munich's often schizophrenic defence, than his normal air of authority, it would be one he would not look back too fondly on. However, with Bayern mounting a furious late charge for honours, Van Buyten served up a timely reminder of his worth in the Champions' League Quarterfinal first leg at Milan. Not only did he salvage a precious draw, but his late brace allowed Bayern to come from behind and go back to Bavaria in the driving seat knowing that Milan have to do all the attacking on the road. With two pricless away goals, the advantage i very much in the German team's favour.
Milan arguably deserved to win this game as they had dominated the proceedings till Van Buyten pulled one back. They were probably hard done by when the big Belgian's last minute strike ensured a late share of the spoils. However, for all their domination Milan wasted several chances and were lucky to go ahead the second time when a very spurious penalty was given when Lucio cleared the ball from Kaka's feet. Footballing Karma is circular and in this case it was paid in full as Milan were pegged back at the very end.
The recurring theme to Milan's season has been a plethora of chances despite their often dysfunctional playing style. As careless as they have been at the back, at the front they continue to possess two attacking gems of the very highest quality. In the Champions' League Kaka and Andrea Pirlo have been at the forefront of all things good. Here they continued to singlehandedly ensure Milan go as far as they can despite having an underwhelming season. Despite their sloppiness, they have been able to come this far with a mixture of individual brilliance, a plucky midfield and a slice of luck. One wonders, however, if they have used up all footballing fortune. Furthermore, how many more games can Kaka and Pirlo win for them.
Bayern showed once again that you can never count them out. Seemingly out of the domestic title race, they served a timely reminder of their class on the weekend with a defeat of leaders Schalke. In the earlier round in the Champions' League, they went behind to Real but hung in with 2 late goals before ensuring they progressed on away goals with a tight but composed in the home-leg. Oddly, and for Milan, worrying parallels with this tie as well. Never count the Germans out.
Daniel Van Buyten has had an interesting season so far. Marked more by leaden footedness at the heart of Bayern Munich's often schizophrenic defence, than his normal air of authority, it would be one he would not look back too fondly on. However, with Bayern mounting a furious late charge for honours, Van Buyten served up a timely reminder of his worth in the Champions' League Quarterfinal first leg at Milan. Not only did he salvage a precious draw, but his late brace allowed Bayern to come from behind and go back to Bavaria in the driving seat knowing that Milan have to do all the attacking on the road. With two pricless away goals, the advantage i very much in the German team's favour.
Milan arguably deserved to win this game as they had dominated the proceedings till Van Buyten pulled one back. They were probably hard done by when the big Belgian's last minute strike ensured a late share of the spoils. However, for all their domination Milan wasted several chances and were lucky to go ahead the second time when a very spurious penalty was given when Lucio cleared the ball from Kaka's feet. Footballing Karma is circular and in this case it was paid in full as Milan were pegged back at the very end.
The recurring theme to Milan's season has been a plethora of chances despite their often dysfunctional playing style. As careless as they have been at the back, at the front they continue to possess two attacking gems of the very highest quality. In the Champions' League Kaka and Andrea Pirlo have been at the forefront of all things good. Here they continued to singlehandedly ensure Milan go as far as they can despite having an underwhelming season. Despite their sloppiness, they have been able to come this far with a mixture of individual brilliance, a plucky midfield and a slice of luck. One wonders, however, if they have used up all footballing fortune. Furthermore, how many more games can Kaka and Pirlo win for them.
Bayern showed once again that you can never count them out. Seemingly out of the domestic title race, they served a timely reminder of their class on the weekend with a defeat of leaders Schalke. In the earlier round in the Champions' League, they went behind to Real but hung in with 2 late goals before ensuring they progressed on away goals with a tight but composed in the home-leg. Oddly, and for Milan, worrying parallels with this tie as well. Never count the Germans out.
PSV 0 - 3 Liverpool
Liverpool produced a solid, efficient and classy performance to emphatically beat PSV in Eindohoven. PSV's anemic display will cause embarrassment and anger in equal measure across parts of North London, as they folded in juvenile fashion against a rampant Liverpool team. This was definitely a big game for Liverpool and they ensured they put one leg in the semi-final by crushing their opponents on the night. Overall a good week for Liverpool so far. How coincidental that PSV's victims in the earlier round were also the side Liverpool beat one game earlier.
Rafa Benitez''s claim that Liverpool are better this year than they were in 2005 would seem true as they are better placed domestically and have been more consistent on the road. They are still unbeaten in Europe and are coming together nicely. Surely they were never this well placed during their victorious campaign in 2005. How fitting would it be for their new American owners if they are crowned champions of Europe again. Rafa Benitez's policy of rotation is loudly mocked after an away loss but there is clearly a method to his madness.
Sadly for PSV, their season seems to be coming apart. Despite playing as a good solid unit for the better part of the season, it seems the loss of talismanic central defender Alex, has reduced them to a motley crew of journeymen footballers. Are they really a one man team with their strength coming from the back ? It's hard to argue for that notion but the sad truth is that they have been a different side since his injury. This defeat followed a crushing 5-1 defeat domestically to rivals Ajax. Have the wind finally gone out of PSV's sails ? Did they peak too early in that tight win over Arsenal ? The fact of the matter is that Liverpool play a simple direct style and ensure they put their chances away. Clearly they are incapable of mounting a consistent challenge in the Premiership, but since the ascension of their Spanish coach, have become something of Champions' League specialists.
It's hard to see PSV coming back from this - there were simply no positives. Liverpool should be proud. PSV should be ashamed.
Liverpool produced a solid, efficient and classy performance to emphatically beat PSV in Eindohoven. PSV's anemic display will cause embarrassment and anger in equal measure across parts of North London, as they folded in juvenile fashion against a rampant Liverpool team. This was definitely a big game for Liverpool and they ensured they put one leg in the semi-final by crushing their opponents on the night. Overall a good week for Liverpool so far. How coincidental that PSV's victims in the earlier round were also the side Liverpool beat one game earlier.
Rafa Benitez''s claim that Liverpool are better this year than they were in 2005 would seem true as they are better placed domestically and have been more consistent on the road. They are still unbeaten in Europe and are coming together nicely. Surely they were never this well placed during their victorious campaign in 2005. How fitting would it be for their new American owners if they are crowned champions of Europe again. Rafa Benitez's policy of rotation is loudly mocked after an away loss but there is clearly a method to his madness.
Sadly for PSV, their season seems to be coming apart. Despite playing as a good solid unit for the better part of the season, it seems the loss of talismanic central defender Alex, has reduced them to a motley crew of journeymen footballers. Are they really a one man team with their strength coming from the back ? It's hard to argue for that notion but the sad truth is that they have been a different side since his injury. This defeat followed a crushing 5-1 defeat domestically to rivals Ajax. Have the wind finally gone out of PSV's sails ? Did they peak too early in that tight win over Arsenal ? The fact of the matter is that Liverpool play a simple direct style and ensure they put their chances away. Clearly they are incapable of mounting a consistent challenge in the Premiership, but since the ascension of their Spanish coach, have become something of Champions' League specialists.
It's hard to see PSV coming back from this - there were simply no positives. Liverpool should be proud. PSV should be ashamed.
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Inter slip against Valencia, Liverpool stun Barcelona
Saturday, 24 February 07, 12:06 AM
Round of 16 - First legs II
Rafa Rumbles the Nou Camp
Barcelona 1 - 2 Liverpool
If this game is any indication, managers everywhere should order up copies of Fight Club and sign up for the bulk plan from PING. Throw out the training videos, what your team needs is some Karaoke fuelled drunken aggression and a handy supply of golf clubs. Craig Bellamy and John Riise as a pair, do not even remotely resemble Edward Norton and Brad Pitt but on this performance it's safe to say both find random violence equally therapeutic.
What a turnaround for a club seemingly troubled and unable to find the away day consistency required to mount a creditable challenge in the league. Lesser teams may have folded after conceding an early goal at the Nou Camp but Liverpool battled back to draw level and then take the lead and win. How fitting that the two miscreants in Portugal - Bellamy and Riise made up by matching each other on the scoresheet. If only every club could have its players take out their violent competitiveness on the opposing team.
Is Frank Riijkard losing the plot ? Most managers would have dealt with Samuel Eto'o's selfish attitude on the weekend with a more direct disciplinary approach. Teams don't pay players to play when they feel like - it's a player's responsibility as a professional to turn out whenever fit and required whether it's for 92 minutes or just 2. As disgusting and pathetic as Eto'o's remonstration, justification and follow up make up was - it was only matched by Riijkard's effete resolution of the affair before belatedly leaving Eto'o out of the squad for this match.
Perhaps starting Andres Iniesta in place of Thiago Motta and pushing Xavi further back to protect the back four would have given Barcelona more balance and attacking bite - then again perhaps playing only 2 forwards instead of 3 may have left Barcelona less threadbare in the middle of the park. In actual events Liverpool controlled the midfield while no one could deal with Bellamy's pace down the left. The Catalan club had more attempts on goal but the crucial ones were by Liverpool and more importantly resulted in goals. The best player on the pitch may have been Deco but the best team was definitely Liverpool. The training pitch pictures were a tad artificial but the teamwork on display here was real.
Momo Sissoko's return to the Champions' League lineup was a welcome return as it allowed Benitez to give his other midfielders license to rampage forward. After the first 20 odd minutes, when Barcelona were rampant, they slowly relinquished their dominance and Liverpool increasingly came into the game. Javier Saviola's miss when he went past Carragher was the turning point. Professional would be a fair description as Liverpool took their chances while Barcelona missed theirs. Deco tried all he could but everywhere around him a lack of creative focus seemed to blunt all of Barcelona's intentions. It was telling that Liverpool scored their second goal of a rebound, Bellamy passing back across goal for Riise, but when presented with his best chance off a rebound, Lionel Messi had his deflected over.
Barcelona have to go to Anfield and win by 2 goals. With games against Sevilla and Real on the horizon as well, Rijkaard's end may be nigh.
Unstoppable Force meets Immovable Object
Inter 2 - 2 Valencia
It baffles me beyond sanity why and how Inter insist on making things hard for themselves again and again. It amazes me how incredible Valencia are at ensuring you can never write them off. Keeping in theme with Brad Pitt's movies; In Guy Ritchie's movie Snatch (2001) starring Pitt, there is a crucial scene where a massive hired goon goes one on one in a fistfight with a much smaller and skinnier Pitt. The larger man repeatedly batters the hollywood heartthrob with a series of crushing uppercuts and hooks. Each time Pitt gets up. Eventually, Pitt takes his chance and socks the giant.. and fells him.
For giant read Inter - for Pitt say hello to Valencia.
For the opening and better part of the match Inter slaughtered Valencia. Storming forward, irrepressible and focussed it seemed a miracle if Valencia escaped a hiding. Inter promptly took the lead and continued pressing. They hit and missed posts, poured forward in numbers. Santiago Canizares was kept busy, Roberto Ayala and Raul Albiol were undersiege more than they have been this season. Yet, you sensed somehow, Valencia were not out of it. Slowly they held firm, rode their luck to a certain extent (One wonders what would have happened if Zlatan Ibrahimovic's header against the post had gone in). Inter dominated this match but failed to capitalise on their superiority - they may live to regret this.
I wrote earlier on about how this may be the plum tie of the round of 16 in the Champions' League - more importantly, this was Inter's acid test in Europe. The prognosis so far ? They're still a bit off the pace. No doubt battering a slightly substandard Serie A week in week out has added a touch of complacency while lowering the performace levels of Europe's best stocked squad. To be the best you must play agains the best. Valencia, on the other hand, play in the toughest league in Europe, having to play week after week against a variety of balanced, tricky opponents. This gulf in experience paid off for the Spanish team as they came back and evened out the tie.
David Villa is more than just a sumptuous striker, as he creates so many chances for his team mates in addition to scoring goals. His free kick here was unstoppable, displaying a potency from set-piece as well as open play. Julio Cesar stood no chance and suddenly, Valencia had stopped a rampant Inter team in its tracks. You feared for Inter, them of the fragile mental state at times. Yet Inter continued where they had left off and bulldozed forward - aptly Maicon teamed up with Julio Cruz to slot home Inter's second. You felt that's it, Inter had held on. Surely Valencia were done. But no. With virtually the last play of the game, David Silva, volleyed a cleared corner into the goal. Inter were stunned, Valencia ecstatic.
The coaches both played interesting starting lineups - Roberto Mancini should have deployed Olivier Dacourt instead of Luis Figo at the start. Later on as Dejan Stankovic seemed to have run out of steam, he should have brought Figo on. Similarly, Hugo Viana would have done better in midfield than Carlos Marchena. More natural in that position he would be a better foil for dogged ball retriever David Albelda. The introduction of both into the respective lineups - in Dacourt's case earlier than Mancini would have liked, was perhaps an indication that both coaches had gotten their opening balance a tad bit wrong.
Inter may have lost the advantage but Valencia has surely captured the impetus in this tie. Away goals are crucial in the knockout round - having a brace is priceless - especially against Inter. Conquering armies have been broken by a stubborn last stand - Inter's season hangs in the balance. Inter have it all to do now - the Mestella awaits.
Rafa Rumbles the Nou Camp
Barcelona 1 - 2 Liverpool
If this game is any indication, managers everywhere should order up copies of Fight Club and sign up for the bulk plan from PING. Throw out the training videos, what your team needs is some Karaoke fuelled drunken aggression and a handy supply of golf clubs. Craig Bellamy and John Riise as a pair, do not even remotely resemble Edward Norton and Brad Pitt but on this performance it's safe to say both find random violence equally therapeutic.
What a turnaround for a club seemingly troubled and unable to find the away day consistency required to mount a creditable challenge in the league. Lesser teams may have folded after conceding an early goal at the Nou Camp but Liverpool battled back to draw level and then take the lead and win. How fitting that the two miscreants in Portugal - Bellamy and Riise made up by matching each other on the scoresheet. If only every club could have its players take out their violent competitiveness on the opposing team.
Is Frank Riijkard losing the plot ? Most managers would have dealt with Samuel Eto'o's selfish attitude on the weekend with a more direct disciplinary approach. Teams don't pay players to play when they feel like - it's a player's responsibility as a professional to turn out whenever fit and required whether it's for 92 minutes or just 2. As disgusting and pathetic as Eto'o's remonstration, justification and follow up make up was - it was only matched by Riijkard's effete resolution of the affair before belatedly leaving Eto'o out of the squad for this match.
Perhaps starting Andres Iniesta in place of Thiago Motta and pushing Xavi further back to protect the back four would have given Barcelona more balance and attacking bite - then again perhaps playing only 2 forwards instead of 3 may have left Barcelona less threadbare in the middle of the park. In actual events Liverpool controlled the midfield while no one could deal with Bellamy's pace down the left. The Catalan club had more attempts on goal but the crucial ones were by Liverpool and more importantly resulted in goals. The best player on the pitch may have been Deco but the best team was definitely Liverpool. The training pitch pictures were a tad artificial but the teamwork on display here was real.
Momo Sissoko's return to the Champions' League lineup was a welcome return as it allowed Benitez to give his other midfielders license to rampage forward. After the first 20 odd minutes, when Barcelona were rampant, they slowly relinquished their dominance and Liverpool increasingly came into the game. Javier Saviola's miss when he went past Carragher was the turning point. Professional would be a fair description as Liverpool took their chances while Barcelona missed theirs. Deco tried all he could but everywhere around him a lack of creative focus seemed to blunt all of Barcelona's intentions. It was telling that Liverpool scored their second goal of a rebound, Bellamy passing back across goal for Riise, but when presented with his best chance off a rebound, Lionel Messi had his deflected over.
Barcelona have to go to Anfield and win by 2 goals. With games against Sevilla and Real on the horizon as well, Rijkaard's end may be nigh.
Unstoppable Force meets Immovable Object
Inter 2 - 2 Valencia
It baffles me beyond sanity why and how Inter insist on making things hard for themselves again and again. It amazes me how incredible Valencia are at ensuring you can never write them off. Keeping in theme with Brad Pitt's movies; In Guy Ritchie's movie Snatch (2001) starring Pitt, there is a crucial scene where a massive hired goon goes one on one in a fistfight with a much smaller and skinnier Pitt. The larger man repeatedly batters the hollywood heartthrob with a series of crushing uppercuts and hooks. Each time Pitt gets up. Eventually, Pitt takes his chance and socks the giant.. and fells him.
For giant read Inter - for Pitt say hello to Valencia.
For the opening and better part of the match Inter slaughtered Valencia. Storming forward, irrepressible and focussed it seemed a miracle if Valencia escaped a hiding. Inter promptly took the lead and continued pressing. They hit and missed posts, poured forward in numbers. Santiago Canizares was kept busy, Roberto Ayala and Raul Albiol were undersiege more than they have been this season. Yet, you sensed somehow, Valencia were not out of it. Slowly they held firm, rode their luck to a certain extent (One wonders what would have happened if Zlatan Ibrahimovic's header against the post had gone in). Inter dominated this match but failed to capitalise on their superiority - they may live to regret this.
I wrote earlier on about how this may be the plum tie of the round of 16 in the Champions' League - more importantly, this was Inter's acid test in Europe. The prognosis so far ? They're still a bit off the pace. No doubt battering a slightly substandard Serie A week in week out has added a touch of complacency while lowering the performace levels of Europe's best stocked squad. To be the best you must play agains the best. Valencia, on the other hand, play in the toughest league in Europe, having to play week after week against a variety of balanced, tricky opponents. This gulf in experience paid off for the Spanish team as they came back and evened out the tie.
David Villa is more than just a sumptuous striker, as he creates so many chances for his team mates in addition to scoring goals. His free kick here was unstoppable, displaying a potency from set-piece as well as open play. Julio Cesar stood no chance and suddenly, Valencia had stopped a rampant Inter team in its tracks. You feared for Inter, them of the fragile mental state at times. Yet Inter continued where they had left off and bulldozed forward - aptly Maicon teamed up with Julio Cruz to slot home Inter's second. You felt that's it, Inter had held on. Surely Valencia were done. But no. With virtually the last play of the game, David Silva, volleyed a cleared corner into the goal. Inter were stunned, Valencia ecstatic.
The coaches both played interesting starting lineups - Roberto Mancini should have deployed Olivier Dacourt instead of Luis Figo at the start. Later on as Dejan Stankovic seemed to have run out of steam, he should have brought Figo on. Similarly, Hugo Viana would have done better in midfield than Carlos Marchena. More natural in that position he would be a better foil for dogged ball retriever David Albelda. The introduction of both into the respective lineups - in Dacourt's case earlier than Mancini would have liked, was perhaps an indication that both coaches had gotten their opening balance a tad bit wrong.
Inter may have lost the advantage but Valencia has surely captured the impetus in this tie. Away goals are crucial in the knockout round - having a brace is priceless - especially against Inter. Conquering armies have been broken by a stubborn last stand - Inter's season hangs in the balance. Inter have it all to do now - the Mestella awaits.
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On The Obscure Footie Quiz III