Sebowski
Footballguy
Let's go Arsenal! Part of me really wants to see a Man U Barca final though. Unless Man U would take the defensive approach like Chelsea. Arsenal-Barca would be a great game.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Tevez back to the bench - for Park.
Here we go --> which english team's fans are going to win the right to be beaten and stabbed in Rome at the final later this month?
Here we go --> which english team's fans are going to win the right to be beaten and stabbed in Rome at the final later this month?
brewer
Footballguy
This is the last I'll check into the thread today as I have the DVR recording things, but I'm pretty sure Tevez is out of this game due to yellow card accumulation.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
oof
ROME
scoobygang
Footballguy
Unpopular opinion alert. I know it's the general consensus that it's Messi's year to win the Balloon D'Or and that Messi is already better than Ronaldo, but I'm not convinced. Messi is a better dribbler and passer than Ronaldo, but if you absolutely need someone to score a goal, Ronaldo just has a weapon that Messi doesn't have in his long range shooting.
Obviously, this is splitting hairs, but at the very least I'd think that Balloon D'Or should go to the guy who's team wins the CL this year.
Obviously, this is splitting hairs, but at the very least I'd think that Balloon D'Or should go to the guy who's team wins the CL this year.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Whoa.
Some general thoughts after watching the game on DVR...
- Carrick was phenomenal- calmed the team when in possession and plugged holes on D.
- As good as Carrick was, one of my least favorite United players- Fletcher- was even better. He shut Fabregas down completely and still was able to pick at people's heels defensively and get the jump on the passing lanes. Somehow got forward effectively too. In real-time, I thought the red was deserved as he seemed to go through the player's back to win the ball. In slow-mo, a little less clear for me, but I still believe he was tackling from behind and deserved the foul and at least a card for disturbing a goal-scoring opportunity. Sad for him to have to miss the finals like that- I thought he deserved to start in Rome.
- Rooney- wow. All over the field and caused fits for whoeveer tried to mark him up. He has been as on-form the last couple of weeks as any player on the planet, IMO.
- Ronaldo- I have no idea how he's able to hit shots like his first goal. He's figured out how to hit an instep drive that defies newtonian physics... I'd say it was the ball- but I don't see anybody else hitting it like he does. Also- really impressed with him both legs of this for NOT doing a ton of "look-at-me" ball tricks and more often than not playing the simple ball. Wish he didn't cry so much, but whatever. Also seemed to work kinda hard back on D (not like Rooney though).
- Park- what a luxury for Ferguson to be able to swap in Park/Giggs/Tevez and know that you're going to get a guy in there who's going to kill himself for the team- and still add real class on the ball. Park was great today.
- Evra- was incredible on both sides of the ball in the semis.
- Arsenal- I've always loved how they can play the ball around- but they lacked teeth or desire around the box. I can't believe they kept trying to pump the ball high across United's box after going down those early goals- Vidic, Ferdinand and even O'Shea ate up every cross with ease, but the Gunners get lobbing them in. I started wondering partway through the first half why they didn't have Bendtner in there if that's how they were going to play.
- Gibbs- I feel for the kid. Wrong place, wrong time to stumble like that- credit to Park for hustling and Ronaldo for getting the ball there... could be argued that both those factors contributed to the stumble.
- Fabregas, Van Persie and Adebeyor... useless. I love these guys too- but United's defense completely shut them down until the red to Fletcher.
- Nasri stunk it up in both legs.
Some general thoughts after watching the game on DVR...
- Carrick was phenomenal- calmed the team when in possession and plugged holes on D.
- As good as Carrick was, one of my least favorite United players- Fletcher- was even better. He shut Fabregas down completely and still was able to pick at people's heels defensively and get the jump on the passing lanes. Somehow got forward effectively too. In real-time, I thought the red was deserved as he seemed to go through the player's back to win the ball. In slow-mo, a little less clear for me, but I still believe he was tackling from behind and deserved the foul and at least a card for disturbing a goal-scoring opportunity. Sad for him to have to miss the finals like that- I thought he deserved to start in Rome.
- Rooney- wow. All over the field and caused fits for whoeveer tried to mark him up. He has been as on-form the last couple of weeks as any player on the planet, IMO.
- Ronaldo- I have no idea how he's able to hit shots like his first goal. He's figured out how to hit an instep drive that defies newtonian physics... I'd say it was the ball- but I don't see anybody else hitting it like he does. Also- really impressed with him both legs of this for NOT doing a ton of "look-at-me" ball tricks and more often than not playing the simple ball. Wish he didn't cry so much, but whatever. Also seemed to work kinda hard back on D (not like Rooney though).
- Park- what a luxury for Ferguson to be able to swap in Park/Giggs/Tevez and know that you're going to get a guy in there who's going to kill himself for the team- and still add real class on the ball. Park was great today.
- Evra- was incredible on both sides of the ball in the semis.
- Arsenal- I've always loved how they can play the ball around- but they lacked teeth or desire around the box. I can't believe they kept trying to pump the ball high across United's box after going down those early goals- Vidic, Ferdinand and even O'Shea ate up every cross with ease, but the Gunners get lobbing them in. I started wondering partway through the first half why they didn't have Bendtner in there if that's how they were going to play.
- Gibbs- I feel for the kid. Wrong place, wrong time to stumble like that- credit to Park for hustling and Ronaldo for getting the ball there... could be argued that both those factors contributed to the stumble.
- Fabregas, Van Persie and Adebeyor... useless. I love these guys too- but United's defense completely shut them down until the red to Fletcher.
- Nasri stunk it up in both legs.
Sebowski
Footballguy
Maybe if you are talking who would you rather take a free kick. If I needed a goal during a game I would want the ball at Messi's feet. He can close the distance better, and create for his teammates much better.
Native
Footballguy
Barca is short-handed today and will play without both starting Center Backs- Puyol (suspension) and Marquez (injury. ) Henry's status is also in doubt because of injury.
IMO this will be a more open game than the match in Spain. I will be interesting to see if Hiddink open up with a three man attacking formation to pressue Barca's depeleted defense -especially given that the game is at Stanford Bridge and momentum will surely be with Chelsea. IMO playing at home in the second leg is definitely to Chelsea's benefit - away goals be damned.
IMO this will be a more open game than the match in Spain. I will be interesting to see if Hiddink open up with a three man attacking formation to pressue Barca's depeleted defense -especially given that the game is at Stanford Bridge and momentum will surely be with Chelsea. IMO playing at home in the second leg is definitely to Chelsea's benefit - away goals be damned.
This seems to be EPL team's m.o. when they open up on the road. They seem to opt for a tight game on the road hoping for a scoreless draw. I've seen United do it repeatedly over the years (against top tier competition here). I don't agree with the tactic simply due to the away goals benefit and the chance of a fluky goal or the chance of a pk, corner or set piece.I do agree it's to Chelsea's benefit to play at home, simply because they are so strong at home. But, I still think Barca advances here.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I don't think you watched United play Inter at San Siro.eta: I both think and hope that Barca advances too- the goal-less away approach by Chelsea will bite them in the butt. There will be goals scored today, and I think at worst Barca ties.
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Desert_Power
Footballguy
The center back losses will hurt, but Pique has been the best Barca defender over the last couple of weeks. He has really come into his own this year.
what was the final score of that one? must have missed it.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I think Chelsea will play very defensively with Ballack and Essien playing back, squeezing the midfield and conceding possession. I don't think it will be the same tactic as was used at nou Camp, but I don't expect to see a flourshing attack today from the Blue. I have read that Barca has a weakness in the air that is further exacerbated by Marquez absence. Chelsea has good size and strength with several players who are very good in the air, so I expect them to focus on getting free kicks and tyring to score on set pieces. The game should get very interesting after the first goal, particularly if it is Barca who scores first in which case Chelsea will have to open up and attack.Barcelona is still clearly the favorite - both with the bookies and I would say overwhelmingly among neutral fans as very few want to see a rematch of last year's final.
El Floppo
Footballguy
It was last round. I think it ended up 1-0 for United, but they ran roughshod over Inter for the first half and should have scored a couple more. I think Liverpool had the mentality to play for away goals too- but am spacing on who the played before losing that amazing series to Chelsea.
no, the inter-united game ended as a nil-nil draw just as I outlined in my original post.I watched the game. United fielded a very defensive minded team, without Rooney or Tevez starting, and 5 defenders.
Kendall
I heart waffles
They beat Real at the bernabeu 1-0 and then came home to finish it 4-0.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I watched that game too- regardless of the lineup the box-score shows, United ran all over Inter through the first half. My memory of the score was obviously wrong, but so is your memory of the first half of that game. That they didn't score is irrelevent to the argument you posed in the OP- that EPL teams are trying to play defensively for a 0-0 result in opening away games; United was going all out for goals in that game and should have had at least one.From the ESPN commentary on the match:
So some of the EPL teams have played defensively when opening on the road (and I found Chelsea's performance vs Barca cynical and embarrassing, even if it gave them a point and I will be routing against them because of that tactic), but some have not.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Line ups I am hearing as of now:
Čech
Bosingwa -- Alex -- Terry -- A.Cole
Essien -- Ballack
Lampard -- Malouda
Anelka -- Drogba
Valdés
Alves -- Piqué -- Touré-- Abidal
Busquets
Xavi -- Keita
Messi -- Eto'o -- Iniesta
Yes, that is all three of Barcelona's defensive mids playing.
Čech
Bosingwa -- Alex -- Terry -- A.Cole
Essien -- Ballack
Lampard -- Malouda
Anelka -- Drogba
Valdés
Alves -- Piqué -- Touré-- Abidal
Busquets
Xavi -- Keita
Messi -- Eto'o -- Iniesta
Yes, that is all three of Barcelona's defensive mids playing.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Crap - what a freak goal.
El Floppo
Footballguy
mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("Against the run of play in the first 10min and from a flubbed Lampard cross, Essien slammed home a full volley from about 25-30 into the upper left 90.*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***
");document.close();
scoobygang
Footballguy
Cynical foul by Alves. Tsk tsk.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Set pieces for Chelsea are going to be terrifying all game.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Serious run of play by Chelski the last 5 minutes...
scoobygang
Footballguy
Fairness demands that I tell Drogba to stop whining.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Alves needs to stop #####ing - the calls against him have been fair, and he's one yellow away from missing the next match if Barcelona can come back.
ETA: Alves gets his card. Idiot.
ETA: Alves gets his card. Idiot.
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ffldrew
Footballguy
In Fairness to Drogba - getting the jersey pulled from behind usually can get a call - and so that is exhibit#1 for why guys dive and complain all the time.
scoobygang
Footballguy
I wasn't saying that Drogba had no case at all (I think I would have been inclined to let it go myself, though). But throw you hands up on the ground, look around, and have your one good whine. Then get over it. Anytime the guy is still around the ref 30 seconds later, I get annoyed. I feel the same way when they complain after any mistimed tackle, which is what annoyed me about Barca in the first game. I really didn't think Chelsea were tackling that cynically. Barca had 75% of the possession, so they were going to get fouled more. I didn't see much hard man stuff, though. Ballack could have gotten two yellows. Puyol could have as well, though (in about 20 minutes).
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Barcelona looked rattled in the first half. Not the usual composure on the ball, Alves going semi-insane, too hesitant in the attacking third of the field. Hopefully they calm down and play better.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I'm not sure how I feel about this....I love seeing the super teams fail....and while they're both super clubs, Barca is IMO the favorite to win the thing.
On the other hand, I love Henry, and I can't cheer for Chelsea....
Another United/Chelsea final?
On the other hand, I love Henry, and I can't cheer for Chelsea....
Another United/Chelsea final?
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
STRAIGHT ####### RED FOR ABIDAL???
Looks like an awful call per the replays
Looks like an awful call per the replays
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
STRAIGHT ####### RED FOR ABIDAL???
Freaking terrible call. I don't have the words for how angry I am at that red card.
thesurfshop19
Footballguy
STRAIGHT ####### RED FOR ABIDAL???
WOW ....
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Alves has been terrible today. Got the card and committed numerous fouls on defense and has served terrible balls into the box or, more accurately, over the box. He hasn't been close on his crosses today.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
:X 
Holy ####....Iniesta
thesurfshop19
Footballguy
:X 
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Handball!
Ball played the hand though.
Ball played the hand though.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Am I the only one who thought he didn't do that bad a job?Chelsea's strikers were flopping in the box all day...Anelka was pitiful in the ~85th with his flop.The ball clearly played the hand in the 95th...good non-call.The only questionable call was the straight red to Abidal. That was a bad call, IMO.
prefontaine
Footballguy
The straight red was pretty bad. There were several after that which could have gone either way imo but Barca got all those calls. Makeup maybe.
scoobygang
Footballguy
Chelsea making my comments about Barca last week look a little silly. Put away your chances and you have nothing to complain about. Yeah, I saw a lot of close penalty calls. I'm not sure I really saw a completely definitive, no doubt in my mind penalty.
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