UEFA Champions League Thread [Archive]

[Only_in_f1]

Theo's run for the goal, I can only describe it as Owen-esq. Showed alot of pace,strength and desire for the ball with a great cut back. Torres again comes up with a vital goal.

I see Liverpool winning this now.

 

[Dave A]

After watching the highlights I'm pretty sure it wasn't a penlty, it looked like Babel was turning back into Toure, Toure had his arms out and wasn't grabbing him at all. Babel tuned his shoulders which resulted in the contact and then he fell down. Then you look at Kuyt actually putting his hands on Hleb in the first game and nothing given.

Referees are so inconsistent, at the start of each season they need to look at all the big incidents in the last season and a panel of them needs to decide what should have happened, then that needs to be shown to all the referees along with the panels decision and thoughs behind that decision, then the referees on anindividual level need to keep to that standard the panel have set. The problem with referring is the inconsistency of the decisions imo, set a precedent before the start of each season and stick to it, any refs who don't should get demoted to a lower league and a pay cut to match.

I can see any of the likely 4 winning it, Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool or Barca, it's a pretty close choice of teams. But we've already beaten Liverpool twice this season, we've beated Chelsea twice and we've beaten beaten Arsenal once and drawn against them so our record in the big games is very good. I think the onus is on Man U to win the CL and the leage now.

 

[Only_in_f1]

any refs who don't should get demoted to a lower league and a pay cut to match.

No thanks, we dont want Rob Styles again. If they make a mistake why should they ref in a lower league? If they are in the wrong, fine them.

Man U have to beat Barca, if they do they will win it, but i can't see it happening. I hope it does.

 

[Mr. Boy]

Man U have to beat Barca, if they do they will win it, but i can't see it happening. I hope it does.

Unless we (barca) improve on our recent performances and Messi gets fit in time, I can see Utd cruising past us very easily.

 

[Rue]

I don't usually post in here, but I just want to vent this morning. Just how lucky are Liverpool? No pen for Arsenal in the first leg after a clear shirt pull by Kuyt in the area and now this - a non-existant foul by King Kolo, who had a magnificent game and a massively controversial decsion to give a pen by the ref. I am absolutely gutted that Theo's amazing run and setup came to nothing in the end. How do Liverpool get away with this, time after time after time? They say you make your own luck, but to outplay a team for good portions of a game (away too) and then be robbed by a shocking penalty decision is hard to swallow - and for Stevie Me to step up and score the penalty after doing NOTHING all game is just salt in the wounds. So, Chelski versus Liverpoo in the semis. At least one of the cheats will go out. I'm behind United now (can't believe I said that), in their quest for their only silverware of the season, of course!

btw, Arsene please let's lose Eboue...

 

[Touring Mars]

Great game, but I also thought the penalty spoilt it... but Walcott's assist was unbelievable... shame the celebrations were cut short, despite Wenger's visible attempts to tell his players to settle down!

 

[Alex.]

A fantastic game to watch. Yes Kuyt on Hleb in the first leg was a definite penalty, I have no idea how it wasn't given. I also Believe the Babel incident was a penalty. I havn't seen it from yesterday, but there was definetly some sort of contact between and the players. Although had we not scored the penalty or had it give, Babel did still score in the last minute which would have dramatically put us through anyway. (Although im not too sure Arsenal would have one man in defence should they already be winning)

Say what you wish, but Liverpool are in the Semi's with Chelsea yet again, should be a thrilling match 👍

 

[Rue]

Babel did still score in the last minute which would have dramatically put us through anyway. (Although im not too sure Arsenal would have one man in defence should they already be winning)

Glad you saw sense in your comment and justified it with the sensible words in brackets. There are many people that are saying the penalty was academic as Liverpool scored four anyway - which is clearly a daft thing to say! Not long til the Manu game, which I will be waking up bleary-eyed for. I'm hoping Roma are o nthe receiving end of a drubbing!

 

[Dave A]

Babel did still score in the last minute which would have dramatically put us through anyway. (Although im not too sure Arsenal would have one man in defence should they already be winning)

Say what you wish, but Liverpool are in the Semi's with Chelsea yet again, should be a thrilling match 👍

Like you said, Arsenal would not have had all but one man upfront if they were still 2-2 at that point. The bottom line is that Liverpool are through, but sadly the penalty ruined an otherwise great game. Maybe Liverpool would have still scored again and gone through anyway, but the bottom line is we don't know, but as it stood at the time of the decision the tie was Arsenals. It's never nice to see a game decided on a decision like that, it hurt like hell when Porto beat us in 04 when Scholes goal was ruled offside when it wasn't and then Porto scored from a free kick that wasn't a foul. I think eveyone has had decisions like that go against them at some point, it's not nice and it spoils what are often decent games.

 

[Alex.]

Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United the expected last 4. Gentlemen, place your bets.
👍

 

[Mr. Boy]

beware, he's coming. HE'S COMING!!!!!

 

[RouWa]

Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United the expected last 4. Gentlemen, place your bets.

I watched the Barcelona game and was quite disappointed. If they continue to play like today, they lose both games in the semi final.

My money is on ManU.

 

[Nitrof1]

ManU wil win the cup

 

[Muzaffar]

Well I just watched the match this morning.... (and I had to go to school that morning ) and I got to say.... AS Roma has blown it!!!! I really do support Man Utd, but I mean, how did De Rossi miss that penalty? Even the penalty was unfair to begin with. Wes Brown did clear the ball, and yet, his foot accidentally hit Mancini (and it was obvious he tripped on purpose) and the stupid referee gave a penalty! But still, Man Utd played well, with Hargreaves delivering a good cross to Tévez, that was the end for Roma....

The big challenge is the semis, facing Barcelona at Nou Camp (I think) But with the news of Ronaldinho and Messi injured, Man Utd may have a big chance of winning the game!!!! Bring on Ronaldo and Rooney and see what magic the can produce.....

I do wish of a dream finals between Man Utd and Liverpool. That would be awesome....

 

[Dave A]

beware, he's coming. HE'S COMING!!!!!

Beware, HE'S INJURED.


AGAIN.

 

[Mr. Boy]

Beware, HE'S INJURED.


AGAIN.

Well let''s see, he got injured on March 4, his diagnosis stated he'll be out for 6 weeks (42 days), so he should be declared fit april 15th, just in time to get ready for United.

 

[Dave A]

As good as Messi is, he's not a one man team. Ofcourse him being in Barca's lineup would be a boost to Barca, but I still beleive that if we go into thoes games on current form the tie is ours. Barca really need to get playing, they need to get defending too, their defence has been shocking lately. Sure Messi will help Barca create and convert chances, but he won't prevent Man U from making and converting them.

Still, that's not to undermine or play down Messi's talent, he is a very good player. Not the best in the world imo, ut up there.

 

[OZZYGT]

Well..I thought this day would never come, but I'm actually going to root for Man U this time. It's all because of the HATE that I have for Barcelona, I can't stand that team its players (with the exception of messi), its fans, colors, symbols, everything. The whole organization disgusts me and their attitude is ...ugh..
I really hope Man U destroys the team, and its gonna be harder now that Messi is back from his injury and eager to get this cup. The kid is only 20 yrs old and he is considered by most people the best in the world. The only problem is actually his age, individualism is all over him...that's also why full/center backs get tired of this kid and start tackling him harder than usual, hence his repeated injuries.
Also I think Man U has to worry not only about Messi, but this kid Bojan, I think Rikjaard is going to use him for these games. The kid is amazing, he moves masses, seriously. In only 5 games, he made as much as Thierry Henry did in Barca ever since he joined them. Samuel Eto'o seems to be back to his 100% as well, and Deco, Xavi, and Iniesta are also there too.

Dave, I don't know why you say their defense has been shocking lately, since I watch every game they play (cheering for the rival and hoping that they lose of course) and I see Milito, Thuram, Puyol and Zambrotta understanding eachother better, furthermore, Barcelona has not been beaten by more than 2 goals this whole season...neither the last one...so yeah...their defense is among the best ones in the world right now unfortunately hehe.

I hope Carlos Tevez, plays at his best, and it'll be fun watching him play against his fellow Argentine team mate Messi. I also hope either Evra or Neville break Eto'o's legs (just kidding) hehe, I just hate the guy's guts.


As for my champion pick, it goes to Chelsea. I'd love to see them win it.

 

[Muzaffar]

Don't forget Yaya Touré, hes on a roll....
But still, I want to see Barca lose!!!! I don't care by how much but please just let Man Utd go through the finals.......

As for my champion pick, it goes to Chelsea. I'd love to see them win it.

It will never happen 👎
Chelsea has met Liverpool 2 times before, and Liverpool beat them twice! Who's gonna bet that Liverpool will win again? I thought so.....
But really, I just want to see a Liverpool vs. Man Utd finals. I have made a promise to my friend....

 

[Rue]

Why the vehement hatred towards Barca, OZZYGT?

 

[Dave A]

Dave, I don't know why you say their defense has been shocking lately, since I watch every game they play (cheering for the rival and hoping that they lose of course) and I see Milito, Thuram, Puyol and Zambrotta understanding eachother better, furthermore, Barcelona has not been beaten by more than 2 goals this whole season...neither the last one...so yeah...their defense is among the best ones in the world right now unfortunately hehe.

I know they haven't conceeded loads of goals in each game, but they've been conceeding goals against bottom end of the table clubs quite regularly. Barring the nil nil draw against Getafe they haven't kept a clean sheet in La Liga since the first game in Feb. If that was Man U I'd be calling that shocking.

 

[Alex.]

Allow me to say GOD 🤬 DAMN IT

 

[Mr. Boy]

Riise is such a tool. What was he trying to do, bending down so low to head the ball?

Anyway, on to tomorrow, GO BARCA!

 

[Dave A]

He had no choice but to go for the ball, it was a tap in for Anelka if he didn't touch it, but going down that low for the header was the wrong choice. The problem was he committed himself to a header too soon, the ball went lower than he probbly anticipated. If he'd have seen it dropping sooner he'd have had a better chance of clearing it with his foot.

Anyway, at least it means Livepool have to attack at Stamford bridge which should make it a better game. In 8 European meeting between the two clubs they nearly doubled the total number of goals scored in that one game.

Anyway the big one is tomorrow, I think the onus is on United to win the tie, it won't be easy but everything points to us being the better side at the moment. I expect us to win the tie, probably with a draw tomorrow, but I don't think for one moment it will be easy and there's going to be goals fro both teams imo.

 

[Muzaffar]

Forgot to comment about this earlier but.....

What the 🤬!!!!!!!!!!​

I'm just in utter disbelief when I heard that score! 1:1 and an own goal to be exact! Why!WHy!WHY! I know I don't support Liverpool (and I hate Chelsea Chelski a lot) but come on, what on earth? Riise needs to get shot in the buttocks when he headed an own goal at the last minute. I mean if he was gonna save the game, he could have done something..... Oh wait, he used his head instead of his brain! So he headed the ball "wrongly" and scored an own goal. He could just give away penalty or use his foot and kick the ball to the side, but I guess I could count Chelski as being "very lucky" indeed....... Just you wait for the 2nd leg, Liverpool will strike back!!!!!!

As for the Man Utd vs. Barca match later this night, yeah I can't wait! I know Man Utd could beat Barca with their current line up. Rooney, Ronaldo, Hargreaves and Teves are the one to watch. But I don't really know what line up has Barca has installed for us (Bojan, Henry, Messi? ) but I don't see how Barca's recent form is going to help them...... well I guess I'll have to wait until kick of time too see how Barca is going to match up against Man Utd.......

*sigh*

 

[Mr. Boy]

As for the Man Utd vs. Barca match later this night, yeah I can't wait! I know Man Utd could beat Barca with their current line up. Rooney, Ronaldo, Hargreaves and Teves are the one to watch. But I don't really know what line up has Barca has installed for us (Bojan, Henry, Messi? ) but I don't see how Barca's recent form is going to help them...... well I guess I'll have to wait until kick of time too see how Barca is going to match up against Man Utd.......


*sigh*

We'll probably line up like this:

-------------VV

Zambo-Marquez-Milito-Sylvinho

-----------Toure

------Xavi------Iniesta

-Messi---------------Henry

-----------Eto'o

Abidal's been **** and even said in the media that he wants to be benched, so Sylvinho to start. Marquez will likely start ahead of Thuram, Deco has no match fitness, and Henry will probably start ahead of Bojan because of his greater experience (although he's been poor recently).

 

[RouWa]

LOL, C. Ronaldo just missed a penalty...

 

[Mr. Boy]

Well, that was boring. We had all the possession but our lack of movement in the final third didn't help us. And I'm surprised United didn't go for an away goal, since it would make the second leg so much easier for them.

But you can't say this was a bad result for either team. I expect much more action in Old Trafford.

 

[Dave A]

It's a better result for us than for Barca since it was or away leg. Barca played well upto the final third but they couldn't break us down at all. We put together a couple of counter attacks but nothing vintage United. Our defence was brilliant. There was two penalties that should have been given that wern't, one for us and one for Barca. It was a clinical game, tactically brilliant at times, very disciplined and very professional. But it wasn't exciting. I'm suprised myself that we didn't try to capitalise on Barcas poor form of late and get that away goal, though you'd have put money on Ronaldo netting that penalty. If that went in I think we'd have seen a very different game and more goals from both sides. Still, not the most exciting game but an important one.

The second leg at Old Trafford should be better, we'll be far more attacking and I expect Barca will still try and come at us since we both need a goal to win.

 

[Muzaffar]

That match was sad.....
Man Utd should have easily won if Ronaldo had scored that penalty. Barca was really strong and had the possession for most of the game, but Barca was really seriously lacking that certain something. Sir Alex Ferguson should be ashame of himself of having that line up? A 4-4-2 formation with Ronaldo as a Forward Rooney as a winger and Hargreaves as a defender and not playing Giggs at the start? That was so 🤬 up. (I know they can change positions and all, but a 4-3-3 should have been better, with either Silvestre or O'Shea at the back replacing Vidic) It doesn't really matter now, the game is done and the 2nd leg begins next week with Chelsea and Man Utd having the home advantage.....