A place in the Champions League final at tonight's hosts fiercest rivals home stadium was on offer as the leaders of La Liga, Barcelona, and Serie A, Inter Milan, met in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. Bayern Munich confirmed their attendance at the Bernabeu after demolishing a dismal Lyon side and will be anxiously anticipating a match against the eventual victors.
Barcelona started the night needing goals after embarking on the second leg with a 3-1 deficit to overcome, yet, this was the fourth Champions League semi final in five years for Barcelona, with the other corresponding games at the Nou Camp all ending 0-0. On the other hand though, Barcelona and Inter Milan had already met in the Group stages of this year’s competition, with the Catalan side victorious in a 2-0 outcome, a result that would put them into the final and the only time Inter Milan had lost by more than one goal in the Champions League this season.
Arguably the two best clubs in the world were on view, one holding the world’s best player, whilst the other has the indulgence of watching the best manager in club football. Naturally, it was Mourinho who had the opportunity to speak first stirring the melting pot that would be the Nou Camp crowd up to boiling point by informing the world of the difference between an “obsession” and a “dream”.
The games continued until the last few minutes before kick-off as Barcelona fielded a surprising 3-4-3 formation due to injuries and suspensions, however, Inter saw a timely injury to winger Pandev in the warm-up meaning he had to be replaced by centre back Christian Chivu. Unfortunate for Pandev or tactical by Mourinho? I know what I believe.
Yet, Guardiola may have won more of the mind games than anticipated, as Barca started the match in their usual 4-3-3 set-up, meaning Chivu pushed on to play in a more advanced role. Once on the pitch though, it was time for Messi to supposedly shine in a side that dominated the opening exchanges, keeping possession comfortably albeit without creating too many clear cut chances.
Thiago Motto lasted 10 minutes before going into the referee’s book after a late challenge on an advancing Daniel Alves. Inter were content to sit and defend, crowding out any potential threat through a sheer amass of white shirts, occasionally trying to find lone frontman Milito, who incidentally was one part of the 4th pair of brothers to face each other in European football, the Edvaldsson, Koeman and Riise brothers being the other 3 sets.
Pedro had the first real opportunity of the game for Barcelona but the Spaniard’s volley from Alves’ cross was fired wide of a static Cesar post.
The boiling pot then bubbled over when Thiago Motto placed a limp hand on Busquets’ face who went down leaving Belgium referee Frank de Bleeckere with “no choice” but to show Thiago a straight red for his “violent conduct”. Inter Milan now faced 60minutes of siege mentality football, an attitude which the Italian side appeared to emit even with 11men.
Messi then brought Cesar into life, with a superb fingertip around the post, to prevent a delightful shot that was destined for the bottom left hand corner. Cesar minutes later was the next player to see yellow however when the referee attempted to gather an early reign on Inter’s inevitable time wasting regime.
The Inter captain Zanetti then produced a world class block to prevent Ibrahimovic from having a shot on goal after the ball landed at the Swede’s feet inside the box. As halftime beckoned though, chances remained few and far between.
On a rare break Wesley Sneijder took a tumble and stayed down but Barcelona were in no mood for sportsmanship, with Messi leading the attack against a 9 man team. This only infuriated the away side, leaving Chivu with no option but to earn his side another yellow card due to his deliberate attempt to prevent any further advancement up the field from the competition’s leading goalscorer.
Pep Guardiola was the first man to make a move bringing on the more attacking left back Maxwell for Milito at half time who was disappointing, unlike his brother who continued to hold the ball up well for Inter after often being found by an influential Sneijder.
The game then descended from one of great footballing potential to one where the potential energy of players was being used to deceive the referee into awarding freekicks. The simulation came alongside 40 yard wild shots from Barcelona in a bid to change the fortunes of the match, something which no crowd wants to see when some of the best creative players in the world are supposedly on show.
Barcelona’s prodigy Bojan and Jeffren then entered the field replacing Ibrahimovic and Busquets respectively. Sneijder was also came off for a defensive Muntari, setting the already stable tone of the game in stone.
With 70minutes left on the clock, more often than not, all 10 of Inter’s men could be visibly seen in their own third of the pitch, giving no space for their hosts to exploit in the hope of turning some of their insurmountable possession into an opportunity of a goal. It may not be the pretty football everyone expected to see but it was an impeccable defensive performance, with Cambiasso, Samuel and Lucio leading the line.
Milito received an early exit which his legs deserved with the experienced Cordoba coming on for the finale. The opportunity then came when Messi found Bojan 6 yards out from goal but his unmarked header summed up Barcelona’s ineffectual performance and went wide of the post.
Bojan’s blushes were there both covered and exasperated as central defender Gerard Pique, formerly of Manchester United, was found inside the Inter box in a debatable offside position from a Xavi pass, only for Pique to perform the most exquisite drag back turn, to leave Cesar stranded and for the Spaniard to stroke the ball into the empty goal.
The aggregate score was now 3-2 to Inter, meaning that one more goal from Barcelona would advance them into the final, springing the Spanish side into life and creating panic amongst the previously resolute Italian team.
Then in the 91st minute of the game the ball ricocheted to Bojan who fired the ball into the roof of the net sending the Nou Camp into wild, but short lived celebrations, as the referee pulled the game back for a dubious handball decision against Yaya Toure.
That was Barcelona’s last effort on target, meaning that Jose Mourinho would be the man directing his players at the Champions League final in the Bernabeu. Messi, like the rest of his teammates, had been poor on the night and Pep Guardiola had no answers. Barcelona may have won on the night, but the 3-1 deficit was too much to bring back meaning Inter will have the opportunity to win the Champions League for the first time, whereas Mourinho will be looking to become only the 3rd ever manager to win Europe’s biggest club tournament with two separate teams. With Bayern Munich being his final opponents, who would bet against him?
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Saturday 10 April 2010
A Day at The Races? More The Day of The Race
The sun is shining, the bets are taken and everyone is anticipating a glorious day of thrilling horse racing, waiting with baited breathe for the clock to strike 4:15 so that the 2010 Grand National can finally get under way. But before the race at Aintree begins, over a distance of about 4 miles and 856 yards with 30 fences to hurdle, the jockey’s have their photo taken before heading to the paddock, during which the family all pick a random number to represent their respective backed horse.
And it appears to be a year for the twenties, maybe coinciding with the ages of the representatives taking part, as cries of 25, 24, 23 and 22 all protrude from the siblings, whereas I put my favourite number, 11 into the hat. The parents, slightly more reserved in picking a random number for no apparent reason, hesitate in a bid to attempt to discover the true identity of the number they eventually decide to back, however, after gentle persuasion 7 and, in a bid to rediscover her youth, my Mum plunges for 26.
The family then sites nervously as the horses walk by, the numbers gently increasing, until the first landmark is reached, number 7 – Comply or Die, a ominous name for a horse that one. Number 11 is next, the Welsh underdog that everyone is hoping will win – Dream Alliance – even Hollywood are looking at the possibility of producing a film about his life.. Annoyingly 22 is the joint favourite – Big Fella Thanks , but then again, the favourite never wins does it? 23, 24 and 25 all have low odds and seem to stand a chance – State of Play, Character Building and Ellerslie George respectively. Although, my sister’s delight at Character Building being a grey horse turns to a face of annoyance on finding that her jockey is a woman. Finally 26 waddles into shot with family rank outside odds of 50/1 – Eric’s Charm.
The horses get ready and before we know it away they go! Straight into the tape for a false start, leading the man with the mike too send all the riders back once more. The horses stand, edgy, panicking, unsure as to what is happening around them, yet before they know what to do next away flies the tape as does the field leaving number 27 – King Johns Castle - behind as he decides it is no day for a run ending that horses national and anyone’s hopes who had bet on him to win but striding away go the other horses coming up to the first fence and all the horses jump that cleanly before moving ever closer to the next hurdle that awaits them in this most of challenging of course and before we know it Becher’s Brook is being faced with 28 - Conna Castle - leading the way followed by a riderless horse, the kind of racer that everyone secretly loves, Conna Castle and Black Apalachi are away from the pack come fence 10 as the horses keep galloping on with a fair few still running well with plenty of horses without jockeys mingled in pushing their way through the field and even through the side barriers, colours of orange green yellow white blue all blurred into one fast movement with lots of brown and a slight tinge of grey jumping over with the horse entitled Flintoff showing his namesakes cricketing fitness attributes being left behind at the back but here comes the fence entitled “The Chair” as the once perfect fence is mauled by legs of all kind as branches spray everywhere but most the horses still remain on track and there goes Mum’s backing - Eric Charms - her Grand National race over for another year but most remain half way round Conna Castle and Black Apalachi still miles ahead behind them a pile up on the return to Becher’s Brook occurs with horses and jockeys thrown along the floor and now Black Apalachi is passing Conna Castle with the latter having led most the way round the course yet others are now catching as the race gets exciting moving into the final straight now and here comes the purple rider on Big Fella Thanks followed closely by Joe Lively, Don’t Push It pushing through and Hello Bud ridden by amateur jockey Sam Twiston-Davies who is only 17 years old with the race’s previously leader Conna Castle dropping off and with two fences to go the field is spread wide open with now only four horses appearing to stand a chance the ultimate aim of victory so here they all come with Black Apalachi leading the way before Hello Bud’s legs have gone in front of the last fence and now the joint favourite Big Fella Thanks is feeling the pace getting left behind leaving a straight out-and-out fight between Black Apalachi and Don’t Push It both galloping down the yards necks bobbing to and fro and it is Don’t Push It who is nodding ahead opening up a gap between him and Black Apalachi and Don’t Push It ridden by AP McCoy wins the National!
Tony McCoy has finally won the Grand National on his 15th attempt, having ridden 3000winners, he has now won the race every jockey dreams about. Delighted as we are for him and his horse – Don’t Push It - now that the race is over, sporting normality returns “Yes, Leeds have scored!” So, we now have to wait another year before we gather round the Television again to watch small Irish men on big horses, owned by farmers with too much money, or women who have attempted to better themselves for the day but have as much decorum as Eliza Doolittle at the races. But that day will come and I will stand by legs 11, one day my horse will win, I’m just glad I am not a betting man.
And it appears to be a year for the twenties, maybe coinciding with the ages of the representatives taking part, as cries of 25, 24, 23 and 22 all protrude from the siblings, whereas I put my favourite number, 11 into the hat. The parents, slightly more reserved in picking a random number for no apparent reason, hesitate in a bid to attempt to discover the true identity of the number they eventually decide to back, however, after gentle persuasion 7 and, in a bid to rediscover her youth, my Mum plunges for 26.
The family then sites nervously as the horses walk by, the numbers gently increasing, until the first landmark is reached, number 7 – Comply or Die, a ominous name for a horse that one. Number 11 is next, the Welsh underdog that everyone is hoping will win – Dream Alliance – even Hollywood are looking at the possibility of producing a film about his life.. Annoyingly 22 is the joint favourite – Big Fella Thanks , but then again, the favourite never wins does it? 23, 24 and 25 all have low odds and seem to stand a chance – State of Play, Character Building and Ellerslie George respectively. Although, my sister’s delight at Character Building being a grey horse turns to a face of annoyance on finding that her jockey is a woman. Finally 26 waddles into shot with family rank outside odds of 50/1 – Eric’s Charm.
The horses get ready and before we know it away they go! Straight into the tape for a false start, leading the man with the mike too send all the riders back once more. The horses stand, edgy, panicking, unsure as to what is happening around them, yet before they know what to do next away flies the tape as does the field leaving number 27 – King Johns Castle - behind as he decides it is no day for a run ending that horses national and anyone’s hopes who had bet on him to win but striding away go the other horses coming up to the first fence and all the horses jump that cleanly before moving ever closer to the next hurdle that awaits them in this most of challenging of course and before we know it Becher’s Brook is being faced with 28 - Conna Castle - leading the way followed by a riderless horse, the kind of racer that everyone secretly loves, Conna Castle and Black Apalachi are away from the pack come fence 10 as the horses keep galloping on with a fair few still running well with plenty of horses without jockeys mingled in pushing their way through the field and even through the side barriers, colours of orange green yellow white blue all blurred into one fast movement with lots of brown and a slight tinge of grey jumping over with the horse entitled Flintoff showing his namesakes cricketing fitness attributes being left behind at the back but here comes the fence entitled “The Chair” as the once perfect fence is mauled by legs of all kind as branches spray everywhere but most the horses still remain on track and there goes Mum’s backing - Eric Charms - her Grand National race over for another year but most remain half way round Conna Castle and Black Apalachi still miles ahead behind them a pile up on the return to Becher’s Brook occurs with horses and jockeys thrown along the floor and now Black Apalachi is passing Conna Castle with the latter having led most the way round the course yet others are now catching as the race gets exciting moving into the final straight now and here comes the purple rider on Big Fella Thanks followed closely by Joe Lively, Don’t Push It pushing through and Hello Bud ridden by amateur jockey Sam Twiston-Davies who is only 17 years old with the race’s previously leader Conna Castle dropping off and with two fences to go the field is spread wide open with now only four horses appearing to stand a chance the ultimate aim of victory so here they all come with Black Apalachi leading the way before Hello Bud’s legs have gone in front of the last fence and now the joint favourite Big Fella Thanks is feeling the pace getting left behind leaving a straight out-and-out fight between Black Apalachi and Don’t Push It both galloping down the yards necks bobbing to and fro and it is Don’t Push It who is nodding ahead opening up a gap between him and Black Apalachi and Don’t Push It ridden by AP McCoy wins the National!
Tony McCoy has finally won the Grand National on his 15th attempt, having ridden 3000winners, he has now won the race every jockey dreams about. Delighted as we are for him and his horse – Don’t Push It - now that the race is over, sporting normality returns “Yes, Leeds have scored!” So, we now have to wait another year before we gather round the Television again to watch small Irish men on big horses, owned by farmers with too much money, or women who have attempted to better themselves for the day but have as much decorum as Eliza Doolittle at the races. But that day will come and I will stand by legs 11, one day my horse will win, I’m just glad I am not a betting man.
Thursday 8 April 2010
Boring Liverpool Advance To Semis
Today sees a Liverpool side host Benfica in a game which they needed to win to keep any chance of silverware available after a disappointing season. The Reds had to turn round a 2-1 deficit after having lost over in Portugal, yet their chances looked good after having been the stronger side at Estadio da Luz.
The first few minutes saw Benfica attempt to quieten the Anfield crowd, keeping the ball at the back fairly easily. And it was the away side who had the first opportunity of the game, when Aimer got brought down on the edge of the area. However, the freekick was poor, striking the wall.
Having had the joy of watching Barcelona and Manchester United the last two evenings, it is not surprising that Liverpool are not having the best of seasons. The tempo was not there, it was either calm calculated football, with misplaced passes thrown in to break up their own play, or otherwise it was route one football that left lone frontman Torres isolated and so therefore easily defendable.
What Liverpool lacked was width. Kuyt and Benayoun, albeit good footballing players, fail to provide Liverpool with the natural wing-play that the better sides in Europe have benefited from this season. On the other hand, Benfica also have little wide play, yet their greater passing ability allowed the away side to play attractive football down the middle of the pitch. However, they repeatedly failed to produce the killer pass in the final third of the pitch meaning that chances were minimal.
After 26 minutes though, Liverpool were given a goal in a seemingly controversial manner. Liverpool swung in a corner and Kuyt headed the ball into the net. Kuyt celebrated briefly before the linesman flagged for a potential infringement of the game. However, after a short discussion the referee overruled his assistant and the goal was awarded, leading to a rather bemused and belated celebration from the team, and supporters, in red.
The game appeared to be going nowhere once again, but then suddenly Gerrard was found in space by Benayoun in the middle of the park. He turned and played the ball through the static defence to a forward running Lucas. The usual holding midfielder calmly took the ball around the keeper and stroked it into the back of the net to put Liverpool 2-0 up on the night and 3-2 up on aggregate.
Benfica continued to look the more able of the sides, yet they fortune was out when after a scramble in the box, Sidnei connected with the ball, only to see it deflected off the line by Lucas, onto Benayoun and away for a corner. Despite their possession though, they looked as threatening as the rubber end of a pencil, or as dangerous as their boring hosts. However, even with the lack of exciting football, Liverpool entered the dressing room 3-2 up on aggregate, 2-0 up on the night.
The second half commenced in much the same vein as the first. With Liverpool hitting the ball long on frequent occasions, whereas Benfica tried to pass their way through the home team, with Aimer orchestrating much of the play, but the Portuguese side continued to misplace crucial passes.
The game at one point nearly became exciting when Gerrard whipped in a cross which ricocheted towards Benfica’s goal, prevented only by the hand of Julio Cesar. Benfica broke straight away and but for a poor touch from striker Cardozo they would have had the opportunity of a shot on goal.
Liverpool then momentarily came alive with some terrific counter attacking football. A Benfica freekick was blocked and Liverpool broke from their own box. Benayoun looked to have let the opportunity slip when he appeared to be crowded out by backtracking Benfica players. Yet he found Kuyt out wide who delivered a superb first time cross which put the ball on a plate for Torres, who obliged in making the scoreline 3-0 to Liverpool.
Benfica then got back into the tie, when Kuyt brought down Aimer on the edge of the area. Cordozo stepped up and fired the ball straight under Gerrard, who had jumped and turned his back in the wall, and passed a stranded Reina. This meant that the Portuguese side were only one goal away from being in a position to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League, making the game slightly more interesting a spectacle.
Benayoun was given the first yellow card of the game after bringing down an advancing opponent on the edge of the area. Cordozo stepped up once again in an attempt to reproduce his effort only moments before from a similar position. However, the scorers shot hit a firmer wall, deflecting the ball nervously wide of the near post.
Julio Cesar was then replaced by substitute goalkeeper Moreira, after Benfica’s number 1 took a knock to the head that seemed to leave the keeper dazed. Moments later Moreira was called into action however, his sprawling effort of a save was in vein as Torres dinked the ball into the back of the net to put the game beyond reach of their Portuguese opponents.
Benfica’s best player, Aimer, then picked up a yellow card for a careless trip on, ironically, Mascherano, a man who had done more than his fair share of fouls without receiving a caution from the referee. Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun then departed to be replaced by N’Gog, Aquilani and El Zhar respectively, whilst Aimer left the field for Coentrao.
The game died away with Liverpool, despite a seemingly lacklustre performance, leaving the pitch 4-1 victors, 5-3 winners over the two legs. The win setups a semi-final against Torres’ old team Atletico Madrid, with the potential of an all England final, with Fulham also reaching the semis. Importantly for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez though, the opportunity to take something from a poor season by their standards, is still well within grasp.
The first few minutes saw Benfica attempt to quieten the Anfield crowd, keeping the ball at the back fairly easily. And it was the away side who had the first opportunity of the game, when Aimer got brought down on the edge of the area. However, the freekick was poor, striking the wall.
Having had the joy of watching Barcelona and Manchester United the last two evenings, it is not surprising that Liverpool are not having the best of seasons. The tempo was not there, it was either calm calculated football, with misplaced passes thrown in to break up their own play, or otherwise it was route one football that left lone frontman Torres isolated and so therefore easily defendable.
What Liverpool lacked was width. Kuyt and Benayoun, albeit good footballing players, fail to provide Liverpool with the natural wing-play that the better sides in Europe have benefited from this season. On the other hand, Benfica also have little wide play, yet their greater passing ability allowed the away side to play attractive football down the middle of the pitch. However, they repeatedly failed to produce the killer pass in the final third of the pitch meaning that chances were minimal.
After 26 minutes though, Liverpool were given a goal in a seemingly controversial manner. Liverpool swung in a corner and Kuyt headed the ball into the net. Kuyt celebrated briefly before the linesman flagged for a potential infringement of the game. However, after a short discussion the referee overruled his assistant and the goal was awarded, leading to a rather bemused and belated celebration from the team, and supporters, in red.
The game appeared to be going nowhere once again, but then suddenly Gerrard was found in space by Benayoun in the middle of the park. He turned and played the ball through the static defence to a forward running Lucas. The usual holding midfielder calmly took the ball around the keeper and stroked it into the back of the net to put Liverpool 2-0 up on the night and 3-2 up on aggregate.
Benfica continued to look the more able of the sides, yet they fortune was out when after a scramble in the box, Sidnei connected with the ball, only to see it deflected off the line by Lucas, onto Benayoun and away for a corner. Despite their possession though, they looked as threatening as the rubber end of a pencil, or as dangerous as their boring hosts. However, even with the lack of exciting football, Liverpool entered the dressing room 3-2 up on aggregate, 2-0 up on the night.
The second half commenced in much the same vein as the first. With Liverpool hitting the ball long on frequent occasions, whereas Benfica tried to pass their way through the home team, with Aimer orchestrating much of the play, but the Portuguese side continued to misplace crucial passes.
The game at one point nearly became exciting when Gerrard whipped in a cross which ricocheted towards Benfica’s goal, prevented only by the hand of Julio Cesar. Benfica broke straight away and but for a poor touch from striker Cardozo they would have had the opportunity of a shot on goal.
Liverpool then momentarily came alive with some terrific counter attacking football. A Benfica freekick was blocked and Liverpool broke from their own box. Benayoun looked to have let the opportunity slip when he appeared to be crowded out by backtracking Benfica players. Yet he found Kuyt out wide who delivered a superb first time cross which put the ball on a plate for Torres, who obliged in making the scoreline 3-0 to Liverpool.
Benfica then got back into the tie, when Kuyt brought down Aimer on the edge of the area. Cordozo stepped up and fired the ball straight under Gerrard, who had jumped and turned his back in the wall, and passed a stranded Reina. This meant that the Portuguese side were only one goal away from being in a position to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League, making the game slightly more interesting a spectacle.
Benayoun was given the first yellow card of the game after bringing down an advancing opponent on the edge of the area. Cordozo stepped up once again in an attempt to reproduce his effort only moments before from a similar position. However, the scorers shot hit a firmer wall, deflecting the ball nervously wide of the near post.
Julio Cesar was then replaced by substitute goalkeeper Moreira, after Benfica’s number 1 took a knock to the head that seemed to leave the keeper dazed. Moments later Moreira was called into action however, his sprawling effort of a save was in vein as Torres dinked the ball into the back of the net to put the game beyond reach of their Portuguese opponents.
Benfica’s best player, Aimer, then picked up a yellow card for a careless trip on, ironically, Mascherano, a man who had done more than his fair share of fouls without receiving a caution from the referee. Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun then departed to be replaced by N’Gog, Aquilani and El Zhar respectively, whilst Aimer left the field for Coentrao.
The game died away with Liverpool, despite a seemingly lacklustre performance, leaving the pitch 4-1 victors, 5-3 winners over the two legs. The win setups a semi-final against Torres’ old team Atletico Madrid, with the potential of an all England final, with Fulham also reaching the semis. Importantly for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez though, the opportunity to take something from a poor season by their standards, is still well within grasp.
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Rooney Risk, Rafael Red, Man U Out
Sir Alex Ferguson watched, with the rest of the world, a rampant Lionel Messi put the only other English side out of the Champions League last night, knowing that a Manchester United side without inform striker Wayne Rooney stood less of a chance of progressing to another European semi-final. What he knew, unlike the other rest of the world, was that Wayne had indeed “recovered” from his ankle injury and would be placed straight into the starting line up to head the line against the current Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich, in a bid to overturn the 2-1 deficit from one week ago.
2 minutes in and Rafael got Ferdinand out of a messy pass before advancing up the pitch. The attacking right-back found the feet of ‘man of the moment’ Rooney, who touched the ball first time off to Gibson. The young midfielder looked up and fired the ball passed the unsighted Butt from outside the box, making the tie, already, 2-2 on aggregate.
4 minutes later and who needs Messi? Rooney switched the ball out to Valencia, and after three or four teasing shifts in body weight, he swung the ball into the six yard box where Nani was unmarked. The Portuguese anomaly cheekily flicked the ball through his legs, rolling the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, putting Man U 3-2 up in the tie, 2-0 up on the night.
The game then settled down after such a frantic start, potentially created just from the inclusion of Rooney, with Bayern trying to find a foothold in the match. However, Manchester United still kept hassling a nervy German defence. Rafael then found himself in the book, after a blatant trip in retribution for a lack of a freekick that he felt he should have received.
However, things became slightly worrying for Manchester United when Rooney went over on his ankle merely 20 minutes in. Hobbling the striker went on in an attempt to run the persistent injury off.
Manchester United, confident after their electric start, started playing the ball around at the back in tight areas, sometimes getting themselves into trouble with the Germans pressing more. Ferdinand and Vidic were standing strong though. Van Bommel then brought down Fletcher, receiving a yellow card from a competent referee, which means the Bayern captain was not available for the semi-finals.
The home side were getting real joy by finding a touchline hugging Valencia, with the Ecuadorian easily beating his defensive opponents. Rafael completed the right-hand side domination winning the ball continually off Ribery. The right-back was enjoying his night so much he even raced up the pitch to find himself in an unnatural 3 on 1 position. However, his unease at being so far advanced up the pitch showed when he delayed a ball to one of his two supporting teammates and eventually dragged a shot wide.
Van der Sar then kept the Germans at bay, after a counter-attack from a Manchester United corner. Bayern raced up the pitch with the ball eventually finding itself at the feet of Olic in one-on-one with the United goalkeeper. However, the Croatian’s touch was a little too heavy, giving the Dutch man time to smothered any opportunity.
The Germans were seemingly rueing this missed opportunity only a minute later, when Valencia, once more, knocked the ball past Demichelis and crossed the ball to find Nani, who calmly placed the ball into the roof of the net sending Old Trafford into wild celebrations.
The game momentarily appeared over, yet the Germans had not come to be bossed. The ball was knocked up to Olic, who shrugged off Carrick far too easily, and then squeezed the ball past Van der Sar from a tight angle. So Manchester went in at half time 3-1 up, 4-3 on aggregate, with penalties no longer a possibility, after an enthralling half of football.
Bayern kicked off the second half, with the only change being Gomez coming on for an ineffective Muller. The Germans came out with some good possession football, attempting to instil so more nerves into a previously unworried Old Trafford crowd.
Disaster then struck for Manchester United when Rafael pulled back Ribery in the middle of the park. The Germans demanded a second yellow card for the young Brazilian, but the referee needed little persuasion, and one of the best players of the first half, saw his second half end after a mere 5 minutes.
It was back to the walls for Manchester United with the Germans in the ascendancy and the 10man United already carrying an unagile Rooney. Valencia was still playing well, and Badstuber had clearly not forgotten his first half drumming, placing a reckless challenge of the winger earning him a yellow card and a suspension from the semis. Rooney was then withdrawn to be replaced by a fit again John O’Shea.
Van der Sar was called into action once more, when a Ribery volley was fired straight at the Dutch man, after a steady build up. The match felt like it was reaching the final few minutes, but half an hour yet remained in the game.
Manchester United were standing solid. Evra intercepted a pass and meandered up the field, before dinking the ball over the top for on an onrushing Nani. On his hatrick the lone frontman was one-on-one with Butt but the German stood up well and blocked the shot away for a corner. From the corner Nani found an unmarked Carrick, but he could only blaze his shot over the bar.
Gomez then had an opportunity to put Bayern ahead on away goals, after Philip Lahm put in a dangerous whipped cross, but the forward saw his header clip the top of the cross bar. However, this was not going to the last opportunity Bayern would have, with the German side switching the play across the pitch to spread the United defence with ease.
Arjen Robben then brought the sublime to the game, when a corner found him on the edge of the United box. The former Chelsea winger volleyed the ball deep into the corner past the outstretched Van der Sar hand. This brought the game to 3-2 to Manchester on the night, but 4-4 on aggregate, meaning the Germans were going through on away goals.
This was Robbens last contribution with him being brought off. Manchester United, with only 10 minutes to score to advance into the semi-final, brought on Berbatov and Ryan Giggs for a tired Michael Carrick and Darren Gibson. Olic then got withdrawn for the Bayern for a more defensive Pranjic.
Valencia and Nani were looking dangerous, but they found it difficult to find a teammate through a now compact Bayern. However, Manchester United found the ball in their possession increasingly little, with Bayern passing around a tired 10 men. The time ticked away and three minutes of extra time was not enough to change the eventual outcome, leading Manchester United to a premature exit from the Champions League.
So for the first time in 7 years there will not be an English side in the Champions League semi-finals. The Germans joined Barcelona, Inter Milan and Lyon with the final in Madrid within touching distance. Rooney’s aggravated injury did not aid Manchester United’s chances, but it was Rafael’s red card that changed the game, combined with a bit of magic from Arjen Robben, steering Bayern Munich past Manchester United, into the Champions League semi-final where they face Lyon.
2 minutes in and Rafael got Ferdinand out of a messy pass before advancing up the pitch. The attacking right-back found the feet of ‘man of the moment’ Rooney, who touched the ball first time off to Gibson. The young midfielder looked up and fired the ball passed the unsighted Butt from outside the box, making the tie, already, 2-2 on aggregate.
4 minutes later and who needs Messi? Rooney switched the ball out to Valencia, and after three or four teasing shifts in body weight, he swung the ball into the six yard box where Nani was unmarked. The Portuguese anomaly cheekily flicked the ball through his legs, rolling the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, putting Man U 3-2 up in the tie, 2-0 up on the night.
The game then settled down after such a frantic start, potentially created just from the inclusion of Rooney, with Bayern trying to find a foothold in the match. However, Manchester United still kept hassling a nervy German defence. Rafael then found himself in the book, after a blatant trip in retribution for a lack of a freekick that he felt he should have received.
However, things became slightly worrying for Manchester United when Rooney went over on his ankle merely 20 minutes in. Hobbling the striker went on in an attempt to run the persistent injury off.
Manchester United, confident after their electric start, started playing the ball around at the back in tight areas, sometimes getting themselves into trouble with the Germans pressing more. Ferdinand and Vidic were standing strong though. Van Bommel then brought down Fletcher, receiving a yellow card from a competent referee, which means the Bayern captain was not available for the semi-finals.
The home side were getting real joy by finding a touchline hugging Valencia, with the Ecuadorian easily beating his defensive opponents. Rafael completed the right-hand side domination winning the ball continually off Ribery. The right-back was enjoying his night so much he even raced up the pitch to find himself in an unnatural 3 on 1 position. However, his unease at being so far advanced up the pitch showed when he delayed a ball to one of his two supporting teammates and eventually dragged a shot wide.
Van der Sar then kept the Germans at bay, after a counter-attack from a Manchester United corner. Bayern raced up the pitch with the ball eventually finding itself at the feet of Olic in one-on-one with the United goalkeeper. However, the Croatian’s touch was a little too heavy, giving the Dutch man time to smothered any opportunity.
The Germans were seemingly rueing this missed opportunity only a minute later, when Valencia, once more, knocked the ball past Demichelis and crossed the ball to find Nani, who calmly placed the ball into the roof of the net sending Old Trafford into wild celebrations.
The game momentarily appeared over, yet the Germans had not come to be bossed. The ball was knocked up to Olic, who shrugged off Carrick far too easily, and then squeezed the ball past Van der Sar from a tight angle. So Manchester went in at half time 3-1 up, 4-3 on aggregate, with penalties no longer a possibility, after an enthralling half of football.
Bayern kicked off the second half, with the only change being Gomez coming on for an ineffective Muller. The Germans came out with some good possession football, attempting to instil so more nerves into a previously unworried Old Trafford crowd.
Disaster then struck for Manchester United when Rafael pulled back Ribery in the middle of the park. The Germans demanded a second yellow card for the young Brazilian, but the referee needed little persuasion, and one of the best players of the first half, saw his second half end after a mere 5 minutes.
It was back to the walls for Manchester United with the Germans in the ascendancy and the 10man United already carrying an unagile Rooney. Valencia was still playing well, and Badstuber had clearly not forgotten his first half drumming, placing a reckless challenge of the winger earning him a yellow card and a suspension from the semis. Rooney was then withdrawn to be replaced by a fit again John O’Shea.
Van der Sar was called into action once more, when a Ribery volley was fired straight at the Dutch man, after a steady build up. The match felt like it was reaching the final few minutes, but half an hour yet remained in the game.
Manchester United were standing solid. Evra intercepted a pass and meandered up the field, before dinking the ball over the top for on an onrushing Nani. On his hatrick the lone frontman was one-on-one with Butt but the German stood up well and blocked the shot away for a corner. From the corner Nani found an unmarked Carrick, but he could only blaze his shot over the bar.
Gomez then had an opportunity to put Bayern ahead on away goals, after Philip Lahm put in a dangerous whipped cross, but the forward saw his header clip the top of the cross bar. However, this was not going to the last opportunity Bayern would have, with the German side switching the play across the pitch to spread the United defence with ease.
Arjen Robben then brought the sublime to the game, when a corner found him on the edge of the United box. The former Chelsea winger volleyed the ball deep into the corner past the outstretched Van der Sar hand. This brought the game to 3-2 to Manchester on the night, but 4-4 on aggregate, meaning the Germans were going through on away goals.
This was Robbens last contribution with him being brought off. Manchester United, with only 10 minutes to score to advance into the semi-final, brought on Berbatov and Ryan Giggs for a tired Michael Carrick and Darren Gibson. Olic then got withdrawn for the Bayern for a more defensive Pranjic.
Valencia and Nani were looking dangerous, but they found it difficult to find a teammate through a now compact Bayern. However, Manchester United found the ball in their possession increasingly little, with Bayern passing around a tired 10 men. The time ticked away and three minutes of extra time was not enough to change the eventual outcome, leading Manchester United to a premature exit from the Champions League.
So for the first time in 7 years there will not be an English side in the Champions League semi-finals. The Germans joined Barcelona, Inter Milan and Lyon with the final in Madrid within touching distance. Rooney’s aggravated injury did not aid Manchester United’s chances, but it was Rafael’s red card that changed the game, combined with a bit of magic from Arjen Robben, steering Bayern Munich past Manchester United, into the Champions League semi-final where they face Lyon.
Thursday 1 April 2010
Walcott Gives Gunners Fighting Chance
Arsenal v Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League – the two most free-flowing sides in current World football. Wenger, the instigator in a change of mentality, turning a defensive, solid, 1-0 team, into a mirth of attacking, young talent. Unfortunately, the old warhorse found his side up against the Champions League holders, managed by Pep Guardiola, the new “special one”.
Straight from the kick-off the Gunners set out their intent by charging straight up the pitch in a bid to start the match in the high intensity that the world demanded. However, when the cross went astray Barca were evidentially in no mood to labour, mounting the counter-attack whereupon they created two opportunities, prevented only from a Vermaelen tackle and an Almunia hand.
5 minutes in and the game had not paused for breath. The ball, having found its way to the feet of every other man in yellow on the pitch, was directed to the ever advancing Daniel Alves. The wing-back squared a ball to Ibrahimavic who scooped the ball straight over the bar from 6 yards. The ball was hurried straight back onto the park to restart the passing master class that the audience was in awe at, by Barcelona anyway.
There was only one team who looked like scoring, with Arsenal getting nowhere near the ball before it found its way to a free Lionel Messi on the edge of the box. Yet, the World’s best player faltered slightly, ballooning his shot over the goal. This didn’t deter the Spanish champions, and soon they were pressing again, ascertaining their dominance, cutting the Arsenal defence to shreds, only to be thwarted by two unbelievable saves by Almunia.
Floods of yellow invaded the Arsenal area, the Gunners defensive line in disarray. Desperate tackles, blocks, headers, men getting anything and everything in-between the ball and a bulge in the back of their net. The home side failed to get a foot on the ball and they were 20minutes in. However, even Arshavin looked up for the fight, putting in a mistimed tackle that earned him the first yellow card in a game.
Unfortunately for Arshavin, a yellow card was not the only thing he received, as it also left the magician hobbling, earning him a one way ticket off the park to be replaced by Emmanuel Eboue. This change did not restrain Barcelona skipping passed tackles, picking out passes and keeping the ball in their possession. When Arsenal did, on rare occasions, find the ball at their own feet, the players looked up to view all routes blocked by a side full of ferrets.
Half an hour in and Fabregas may as well have just watched from home. Bendtner was sat recharging his batteries, giving the striker the energy, when he did receive the ball, to dummy pass two sliding Barcelona defenders, before whipping in a cross which came to no avail.
The one way traffic looked ominous for the home side but then Cesc got on the ball further up the field. The man marked for a transfer to Arsenal’s Spanish opponents placed the ball to Nasri, who put in a cross which the Barcelona defense failed to deal with, leaving Bendtner to make his mark, on the goal-post. Although, the flag had gone up so it would not have counted, even if the striker had put the ball in the net.
Gallas was the next man to get injured in the battle. The recurrence of a calf injury forced him off on a stretcher to be eventually replaced by Denilson. Fabregas’ trip to the Nou Camp was then declared over, when a superb tackle was deemed a bookable offence, giving the Spaniard a suspension for the next match.
Arsenal legs longed for half-time which duly provided a break. Barcelona, on the other hand, will no doubt look back on a half which created so much, yet provided no ultimate result.
23 seconds into the second-half though and Pique knocked the ball forward to an on-running Ibrahimavic who calmly lobbed the stranded, previously faultless, Almunia, to give the away side an indisputably deserved 1-0 lead. Barcelona may have eased off slightly but Arsenal were no nearer to getting back into the game than they were to the actual football.
Arsenal broke from a tame Messi freekick with the ball been chipped in by Clichy to an on-coming Bendtner, who should have scored with a free header but Valdes saved. In true Barca style, 20 seconds later the ball was crossed onto the free head of Xavi, but his header was equally as poor.
58 minutes in and the game was well and truly over – so it seemed. The Arsenal defensive line stood still, Xavi chipped a ball over it, leaving Ibrahimavic to look up and pick his spot before firing the ball into the top corner for his second of the game.
Theo Walcott was brought on for Sagna in a bid to change the fortunes of his side. And it wasn’t long before the pace of the Englishman was utilised yet his cross could only find the arms of Valdes. 2 minutes later though and the Gunners played Walcott inside the full-back Maxwell again and his soft sidefoot crept under the arm of Valdes to bring the Gunners back into the tie.
For the first time in the game, Arsenal looked dangerous. Passing the ball like the whole of England knows they can, getting the ball to a rampant Walcott. Pique then got booked on the edge of the area having brought down Fabragas on the edge of the area, meaning the ex-Manchester United centre-half will miss the second leg. His free-kick was however, rubbish.
Either side of an Eboue and Diaby booking, with 14 minutes left on the clock, THE number 14 of Arsenal football sauntered onto the pitch wearing the Barcelona number 14 on his back. The return of Thierry Henry came with rapturous applause from the Arsenal fans.
And then the UNBELIEVABLE occurred. Walcott was once more the instigator, giving the Barcelona defence nightmares with his pace. The winger placed a deflected cross into the area, where it found the cool head of Bendtner, who put the ball on a plate for the Arsenal captain. However, Barcelona’s captain had something to say about that, running into Fabregas. A red card was shown to Puyol and a penalty awarded. The Arsenal captain got up and powered the ball home, injuring himself in the process.
Arsenal had used all their subs, so Fabregas hobbled on, whilst Lionel Messi was substituted for a centre-half. From looking dead and buried, Arsenal were raised to life by the speed of Theo Walcott. Surely he is a must now for South Africa.
2-2 was how the score ended, even with both sides opting for a “gunhoe” approach for that third potentially decisive goal. How Arsenal were still in the tie is still a mystery, but they are by no means certain of even a chance of making the semi-final of the Champions League, as they second leg at the Nou Camp without their captain awaits. However, hopefully the likes of Walcott and Clichy will emulate their attacking prowess, bettered only by the wing-back play by Alves and Maxwell for Barcelona. All four players demonstrated the benefits of playing with pace and width. You can only hope the second leg lives up to the hype as much as the first one did.
Straight from the kick-off the Gunners set out their intent by charging straight up the pitch in a bid to start the match in the high intensity that the world demanded. However, when the cross went astray Barca were evidentially in no mood to labour, mounting the counter-attack whereupon they created two opportunities, prevented only from a Vermaelen tackle and an Almunia hand.
5 minutes in and the game had not paused for breath. The ball, having found its way to the feet of every other man in yellow on the pitch, was directed to the ever advancing Daniel Alves. The wing-back squared a ball to Ibrahimavic who scooped the ball straight over the bar from 6 yards. The ball was hurried straight back onto the park to restart the passing master class that the audience was in awe at, by Barcelona anyway.
There was only one team who looked like scoring, with Arsenal getting nowhere near the ball before it found its way to a free Lionel Messi on the edge of the box. Yet, the World’s best player faltered slightly, ballooning his shot over the goal. This didn’t deter the Spanish champions, and soon they were pressing again, ascertaining their dominance, cutting the Arsenal defence to shreds, only to be thwarted by two unbelievable saves by Almunia.
Floods of yellow invaded the Arsenal area, the Gunners defensive line in disarray. Desperate tackles, blocks, headers, men getting anything and everything in-between the ball and a bulge in the back of their net. The home side failed to get a foot on the ball and they were 20minutes in. However, even Arshavin looked up for the fight, putting in a mistimed tackle that earned him the first yellow card in a game.
Unfortunately for Arshavin, a yellow card was not the only thing he received, as it also left the magician hobbling, earning him a one way ticket off the park to be replaced by Emmanuel Eboue. This change did not restrain Barcelona skipping passed tackles, picking out passes and keeping the ball in their possession. When Arsenal did, on rare occasions, find the ball at their own feet, the players looked up to view all routes blocked by a side full of ferrets.
Half an hour in and Fabregas may as well have just watched from home. Bendtner was sat recharging his batteries, giving the striker the energy, when he did receive the ball, to dummy pass two sliding Barcelona defenders, before whipping in a cross which came to no avail.
The one way traffic looked ominous for the home side but then Cesc got on the ball further up the field. The man marked for a transfer to Arsenal’s Spanish opponents placed the ball to Nasri, who put in a cross which the Barcelona defense failed to deal with, leaving Bendtner to make his mark, on the goal-post. Although, the flag had gone up so it would not have counted, even if the striker had put the ball in the net.
Gallas was the next man to get injured in the battle. The recurrence of a calf injury forced him off on a stretcher to be eventually replaced by Denilson. Fabregas’ trip to the Nou Camp was then declared over, when a superb tackle was deemed a bookable offence, giving the Spaniard a suspension for the next match.
Arsenal legs longed for half-time which duly provided a break. Barcelona, on the other hand, will no doubt look back on a half which created so much, yet provided no ultimate result.
23 seconds into the second-half though and Pique knocked the ball forward to an on-running Ibrahimavic who calmly lobbed the stranded, previously faultless, Almunia, to give the away side an indisputably deserved 1-0 lead. Barcelona may have eased off slightly but Arsenal were no nearer to getting back into the game than they were to the actual football.
Arsenal broke from a tame Messi freekick with the ball been chipped in by Clichy to an on-coming Bendtner, who should have scored with a free header but Valdes saved. In true Barca style, 20 seconds later the ball was crossed onto the free head of Xavi, but his header was equally as poor.
58 minutes in and the game was well and truly over – so it seemed. The Arsenal defensive line stood still, Xavi chipped a ball over it, leaving Ibrahimavic to look up and pick his spot before firing the ball into the top corner for his second of the game.
Theo Walcott was brought on for Sagna in a bid to change the fortunes of his side. And it wasn’t long before the pace of the Englishman was utilised yet his cross could only find the arms of Valdes. 2 minutes later though and the Gunners played Walcott inside the full-back Maxwell again and his soft sidefoot crept under the arm of Valdes to bring the Gunners back into the tie.
For the first time in the game, Arsenal looked dangerous. Passing the ball like the whole of England knows they can, getting the ball to a rampant Walcott. Pique then got booked on the edge of the area having brought down Fabragas on the edge of the area, meaning the ex-Manchester United centre-half will miss the second leg. His free-kick was however, rubbish.
Either side of an Eboue and Diaby booking, with 14 minutes left on the clock, THE number 14 of Arsenal football sauntered onto the pitch wearing the Barcelona number 14 on his back. The return of Thierry Henry came with rapturous applause from the Arsenal fans.
And then the UNBELIEVABLE occurred. Walcott was once more the instigator, giving the Barcelona defence nightmares with his pace. The winger placed a deflected cross into the area, where it found the cool head of Bendtner, who put the ball on a plate for the Arsenal captain. However, Barcelona’s captain had something to say about that, running into Fabregas. A red card was shown to Puyol and a penalty awarded. The Arsenal captain got up and powered the ball home, injuring himself in the process.
Arsenal had used all their subs, so Fabregas hobbled on, whilst Lionel Messi was substituted for a centre-half. From looking dead and buried, Arsenal were raised to life by the speed of Theo Walcott. Surely he is a must now for South Africa.
2-2 was how the score ended, even with both sides opting for a “gunhoe” approach for that third potentially decisive goal. How Arsenal were still in the tie is still a mystery, but they are by no means certain of even a chance of making the semi-final of the Champions League, as they second leg at the Nou Camp without their captain awaits. However, hopefully the likes of Walcott and Clichy will emulate their attacking prowess, bettered only by the wing-back play by Alves and Maxwell for Barcelona. All four players demonstrated the benefits of playing with pace and width. You can only hope the second leg lives up to the hype as much as the first one did.
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