No doubt it will be a huge ask for Liverpool, but I just have a feeling they are by no means dead in the tie. What did you think of the Gunners? Sets them up nicely for the return leg at the Emirates.
Disappointing play by the back four by the Gunners against Wigan. Silvestre had a nice goal from Cesc but he made some mental mistakes back there. Nice finish by Arshavin at the end though, impressive. Same goes for Theo Walcott. Niklas Bendtner needs to finish; two missed opportunities with headers. Those should be in the back of the net. Adebayor ran well too. Also caught Barca v Bayern Munich. Ouch. Four - nil at the half. Messi has an incredible touch and sending passes to the back end was beautiful to watch. Also had a nice touch pass to Eto'o for the goal I believe.
Definitely. I don't know what Cech was thinking on the free kick; I'm assuming he thought that his man would be there but that didn't work out well. And Reina, that was pitiful.
Have to say that was one crazy game between Liverpool and Chelsea. One minute it looked like Liverpool were going to win it, then Chelsea were going through easily and then Liverpools two goals in the 81 and 83 made it interesting for 5 minutes until Lampard finallly sealed it. Hopefully the Man United vs Porto one will be just as good
Boy, Man U has a tough road today. No EPL team has ever won at Porto. And with 2 away goals in their pocket, Porto can play for a draw.
Unfortunately, we're getting Arsenal-Villereal on delay over here, so I have to avoid reading ESPN.com, or this thread, this afternoon.
I think Lucho's injury really killed the pace of FC Porto. Right before his injury, they had ManU pinned and were attacking heavily. They were playing the wing well and were sending balls into the box constantly. As soon as Lucho went down and they had that two or so minute delay, they're offense went to shambles and Man U started dominating possession; they haven't let up since. I like what Sissoko is doing though. Btw, awkward to not see Quaresma playing the wing anymore.
That would be a great game as both teams play the game the way it should be played. Dunno if thats what Aresnal would want though after Barca beat them a few seasons ago in the final and are a much greater attacking threat than Chelsea. I think if they overcome Man United, they would have a better shot against Chelsea, a team they have already beaten at Stamford Bridge and whom they are very familiar with.
God, Adebayor was awful until that goal. It was hilarious hearing the announcers talk about how bad he was playing, and then about 10 seconds later he put it in the back of the net and all but sealed Villareal's fate. The penalty call was dicey, at best, but no complaints here. And anyway, at 2-0 down, Villareal wasn't coming back anyway. Good God, though, 3 of the next 4 games are Chelsea, Liverpool and then Man U! That's a nightmare schedule. But hell, they beat Chelsea and Man U back in November, and they weren't riding an 18 match unbeaten streak then. So hey, why not a double?
As a pure soccer fan, I'd rather see Arsenal-Barca. As an Arsenal fan, I'd rather see Chelsea. Actually...as an Arsenal fan, I don't really care who we play; I just want to get to the Champions League Final.
Anyone see Inter-Juve today? Seriously, Mario Balotelli is the most arrogant little **** in Italy. Someone needs to teach him a lesson. Until he checks his attitude at the door, I hope he never sees the Azzuri. I hope NO coach gives him the satisfaction of being an Italian international. There's no room for the crap he pulls on the field and his lazy tactics. I hope Mourinho's reason for pulling him today was for the showboating. I applaud Tiago for getting the direct red and being sent off for crushing him.
Who said Russians dont play soccer? lol Arshavin. 4 Goals. Stuck it to Liverpool. They are done point wise. I still have his Russian St.Pete jersey. Wore it today, haha )
Real Madrid's Pepe Suspended For Ten Matches http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=goal_real_madrids_pepe&prov=goal&type=lgns Here's the vid [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCr9_c4rRbU&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - Agresion de Pepe To Pillao[/ame]
Good defense by both sides today in the Chelsea - Barca game. I thought Barca played better however, just need to stick it in the back of the net. Chelsea had one breakaway run I believe but Juan Valdez had a good save. Kudos to Petr Cech on the stop of Eto'o. I actually thought Eto'o would slow down and then pass it as he had a teammate trailing but he took the shot himself. Another thought while watching the game that came to me is that Iniesta an excellent footballer. Very skilled. Quiet day from Messi. Early he worked the wing well and went inside but then was a non-factor.
NP Couldn't see the game, I read Marquez got injured again (knee ligaments I believe) And definatelly agree about Andrés Iniesta, a quality player, he and Xavi Hernández are the creative midfield of Barca/Spain National Team.
Marquez's injury was pretty bad it seemed to me. He was jogging and his knee just gave out if I remember correctly and he fell to the ground, holding it. They stretched it out and then took him on the stretcher. Agree on Xavi as well. Good player.
1-0 win for United sets them up nicely for the return leg at the Emirates. Aresnal will be happy it was only 1 as they were outplayed for the most part.
You have got to be kidding me man, two goals in the first ten minutes of play. I never liked Alumnia and this only makes it worse. Terrible play on the ball by Gibbs, over-ran it and completely whiffed on it.