QUOTE (fresh_prince7 @ Apr 23 2008, 08:33 PM)
LOVING the sig!
Full Version: [CL] Champions League 07/08
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LOVING the sig!
Messi out
Bojan in
Bojan in
QUOTE (dst @ Apr 23 2008, 11:15 PM)
He certainly has not choked today. He missed the penalty but he earned it himself and I think he's the most dangerous player on the pitch. People should not expect that he's going to do what he does against the lines of Derby... I think he knows it too, he seems to be more thoughtful than he was a year ago against Milan.
On the other hand what he does against mid and low table teams does not mean he's the best in the world. The best is he who makes the differences in big games not against weak sides... so I don't see why Cristiano deserves it and Torres or Toni don't.
So far no one has made a difference in these big games and there still are a lot of these to be played...
On the other hand what he does against mid and low table teams does not mean he's the best in the world. The best is he who makes the differences in big games not against weak sides... so I don't see why Cristiano deserves it and Torres or Toni don't.
So far no one has made a difference in these big games and there still are a lot of these to be played...
I do like Ronaldo. he really is a complete player [technically], but I'm not still convinced if he is the best in the world, despite scoring 38 (?) goals...
Barca 64% - 36% Man U
what a beautiful attacking football from Man U. 
what a beautiful attacking football from Man U.
unlucky barca somehow they didnt score but i think with messi being 100 percent next week they will be slight favourites
Hm disappointing result but next week will be good 
FT 0-0.
I'll start with a complaint; when Italian teams play like United did they get butchered by the press. I doubt we're going to read or hear any of that now.
Fair result I think. Barcelona were in control of the game. But I doubt they would have scored in another 90 minutes playing so slow... they only created something when they upped the tempo but that rarely happened.
It's still open. United now have the advantage but they have to beat Barcelona to go through... It will be a different game at Old Trafford. With Messi and Deco at 100% and Giggs on for United it's bound to be more exciting.
It's weird to see Henry on the bench. Any bench.
Weird refereeing for a CL game. He allowed hard play. There were many occasions where he should have shown a yellow card but thankfully he did not lost control of the game.
Cristiano was left all alone in the second half but even in the few times he received the ball he did not do anything. He should have been yellow carded too for bitching about every decision by the ref...
I'll start with a complaint; when Italian teams play like United did they get butchered by the press. I doubt we're going to read or hear any of that now.
Fair result I think. Barcelona were in control of the game. But I doubt they would have scored in another 90 minutes playing so slow... they only created something when they upped the tempo but that rarely happened.
It's still open. United now have the advantage but they have to beat Barcelona to go through... It will be a different game at Old Trafford. With Messi and Deco at 100% and Giggs on for United it's bound to be more exciting.
It's weird to see Henry on the bench. Any bench.
Weird refereeing for a CL game. He allowed hard play. There were many occasions where he should have shown a yellow card but thankfully he did not lost control of the game.
Cristiano was left all alone in the second half but even in the few times he received the ball he did not do anything. He should have been yellow carded too for bitching about every decision by the ref...
With all the collective attacking firepower on that pitch...NOBODY scored a goal? Dayum.
QUOTE (Tennie @ Apr 24 2008, 12:08 AM)
With all the collective attacking firepower on that pitch...NOBODY scored a goal? Dayum.It was somehow... boring! I must say Man U are really great in playing anti-football.
QUOTE (zdrossoneri @ Apr 23 2008, 11:40 PM)
It was somehow... boring! I must say Man U are really great in playing anti-football.
So this was anti-football but Liverpool at Emirates was not?
Come on, everybody plays like this every now and then, it's not anti-football.
I think everybody that plays away in the CL is like this, United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Milan, everyone.
I think everybody that plays away in the CL is like this, United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Milan, everyone.
it's called defensive football. and it just showed that it WORKS!!!
QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Apr 23 2008, 11:48 PM)
Come on, everybody plays like this every now and then, it's not anti-football.
Everyone plays like this every now and then and it IS anti-football, I don't see how the one contradicts the other...
QUOTE
Sneijder And Schuster Backing Barça
Wesley Sneijder and Bernd Schuster have both lent their support to Barcelona and revealed that they have feelings for the Catalan club despite being at Real Madrid now.
Barça take on Manchester United in the Champions League semi final on Wednesday evening and a number of Los Merengues squad will be backing Frank Rijkaard's side to do the business.
While Pepe, Raúl and Guti have voiced their support, Sneijder has revealed that he will be backing the Blaugrana as they were the team that he used to support when he was a boy in Holland.
"I want Barcelona to win the Champions League as they were always my favourite team when I was younger," he said.
Schuster has even stronger links to Camp Nou having played there during an illustrious career and as well as still being a club member, the German coach still has strong affections for the club.
"Something has stayed with me from my time at Barcelona and I know that they are having a difficult year," he admitted.
How the support for their arch rivals will go down with the fans is unknown, but among the players and coaches the rivalry appears to not be quite as strong as it used to be.
goal
Wesley Sneijder and Bernd Schuster have both lent their support to Barcelona and revealed that they have feelings for the Catalan club despite being at Real Madrid now.
Barça take on Manchester United in the Champions League semi final on Wednesday evening and a number of Los Merengues squad will be backing Frank Rijkaard's side to do the business.
While Pepe, Raúl and Guti have voiced their support, Sneijder has revealed that he will be backing the Blaugrana as they were the team that he used to support when he was a boy in Holland.
"I want Barcelona to win the Champions League as they were always my favourite team when I was younger," he said.
Schuster has even stronger links to Camp Nou having played there during an illustrious career and as well as still being a club member, the German coach still has strong affections for the club.
"Something has stayed with me from my time at Barcelona and I know that they are having a difficult year," he admitted.
How the support for their arch rivals will go down with the fans is unknown, but among the players and coaches the rivalry appears to not be quite as strong as it used to be.
goal
Rare to hear this.
Being good defensively isn't anti-football. 
If the other team is better than you and keeping the ball in your half, it's not something you can help to be honest. If you have tonnes of posession and do nothing, fair enough. But United barely even had the ball.
If the other team is better than you and keeping the ball in your half, it's not something you can help to be honest. If you have tonnes of posession and do nothing, fair enough. But United barely even had the ball.
As Zd said, it was boring .... Some moments of brilliance, but it was overall a boring game.
I think Barca has enough players to shift it's formation 4 or 5 times during play. I mean, when a superstar like Ronaldinho is not even on the bench (regardless of the differances between him and the club), this tells you how strong Barca are. But as dst said, they were too sloppy and missed several chances.
United will play Chelsea on Sat. and then on Tuesday Barca will visit Old Trafford. Who knows, but Barca need just one goal and it's all over. I believe Barca can do it.
I think Barca has enough players to shift it's formation 4 or 5 times during play. I mean, when a superstar like Ronaldinho is not even on the bench (regardless of the differances between him and the club), this tells you how strong Barca are. But as dst said, they were too sloppy and missed several chances.
United will play Chelsea on Sat. and then on Tuesday Barca will visit Old Trafford. Who knows, but Barca need just one goal and it's all over. I believe Barca can do it.
QUOTE (Rossoneri7 @ Apr 23 2008, 08:56 PM)
Who knows, but Barca need just one goal and it's all over. I believe Barca can do it.
I think Barca will score at Old Trafford, but United will go through.
QUOTE (dst @ Apr 24 2008, 12:13 AM)
So this was anti-football but Liverpool at Emirates was not?
Liverpool have NEVER claimed they play the most beautiful football in Europe
Nah ... I doubt United will go through. Barca will be playing for this cup and only this cup. United have Chelsea (difference of only 3 points between them) to think about. If they do what Wenger did and gun-hoo both titles, I think United will consider their season all but over.
United need to choose, it's teh CL or the EPL. Barca are most definitely out of choices and it's just the CL.
United need to choose, it's teh CL or the EPL. Barca are most definitely out of choices and it's just the CL.
QUOTE (zdrossoneri @ Apr 24 2008, 12:02 AM)
Liverpool have NEVER claimed they play the most beautiful football in Europe
I think that's irrelevant.
QUOTE (dst @ Apr 23 2008, 08:37 PM)
FT 0-0.
I'll start with a complaint; when Italian teams play like United did they get butchered by the press. I doubt we're going to read or hear any of that now.
Fair result I think. Barcelona were in control of the game. But I doubt they would have scored in another 90 minutes playing so slow... they only created something when they upped the tempo but that rarely happened.
It's still open. United now have the advantage but they have to beat Barcelona to go through... It will be a different game at Old Trafford. With Messi and Deco at 100% and Giggs on for United it's bound to be more exciting.
It's weird to see Henry on the bench. Any bench.
Weird refereeing for a CL game. He allowed hard play. There were many occasions where he should have shown a yellow card but thankfully he did not lost control of the game.
Cristiano was left all alone in the second half but even in the few times he received the ball he did not do anything. He should have been yellow carded too for bitching about every decision by the ref...
I'll start with a complaint; when Italian teams play like United did they get butchered by the press. I doubt we're going to read or hear any of that now.
Fair result I think. Barcelona were in control of the game. But I doubt they would have scored in another 90 minutes playing so slow... they only created something when they upped the tempo but that rarely happened.
It's still open. United now have the advantage but they have to beat Barcelona to go through... It will be a different game at Old Trafford. With Messi and Deco at 100% and Giggs on for United it's bound to be more exciting.
It's weird to see Henry on the bench. Any bench.
Weird refereeing for a CL game. He allowed hard play. There were many occasions where he should have shown a yellow card but thankfully he did not lost control of the game.
Cristiano was left all alone in the second half but even in the few times he received the ball he did not do anything. He should have been yellow carded too for bitching about every decision by the ref...
Thats true. The performance will be called "gritty", but if it was an Italian team you would hear "dull, boring, defensive" etc
QUOTE (dst @ Apr 24 2008, 01:12 AM)
I think that's irrelevant.
No it's not. that's the style of Liverpool. it has always been [at least since Benitez's arrival]. what do you think is the reason of their success in Europe, and not EPL?!...
I thought Barca played well, it was too bad they lacked a goal. Eto'o had a great chance but he was a little too indecisive before he passed it to Messi. Zambrotta had a great game I thought.
QUOTE (Darunia @ Apr 23 2008, 10:15 PM)
Zambrotta had a great game I thought.
Same here, better tonight than he has been recently, which is good for us!
Ronaldo played awful, to be honest.
Blowing that penalty was bad enough, and he kept complaining to his team-mates, the ref and the Barca players...you could see his tear glands swelling by the minute.
Blowing that penalty was bad enough, and he kept complaining to his team-mates, the ref and the Barca players...you could see his tear glands swelling by the minute.
QUOTE (Locke Lamora @ Apr 23 2008, 10:27 PM)
Ronaldo played awful, to be honest.
Blowing that penalty was bad enough, and he kept complaining to his team-mates, the ref and the Barca players...you could see his tear glands swelling by the minute.
Blowing that penalty was bad enough, and he kept complaining to his team-mates, the ref and the Barca players...you could see his tear glands swelling by the minute.
I've noticed the pressure has been getting to him recently. Usually he's quite cocky and calm, but even against Blackburn at the weekend he just wasn't himself.
Where's Portinho been recently? haven't see him post much on here lately.
I was a little surprised, but datasport did player ratings for the two semifinals. They didn't have individual comments, but here's how they saw it in Italy:
LIVERPOOL
Reina 6
Fabio Aurelio 6
Carragher 7
Arbeloa 5.5
Skrtel 6.5
Mascherano 6.5
Gerrard 6.5
Riise 4
Alonso 7
Benayoun 5.5
Kuyt 7
Torres 6
Babel 7
CHELSEA
Cech 8
Ferreira 6
Terry 5
Cole 5.5
Carvalho 6
Malouda 5.5
Cole 5
Lampard 5.5
Ballack 5.5
Makelele 5
Anelka s.v.
Kalou 7
Drogba 6.5
BARCELLONA
Victor Valdes s.v.
Márquez 6.5
Abidal 5.5
Milito 5
Zambrotta 7
Xavi 6.5
Deco 6
Iniesta 6
Toure` 7
Krkic 5.5
Messi 6.5
Henry 7
Eto`o 6
MANCHESTER UNITED
Van Der Sar 6.5
Ferdinand 7
Brown 6.5
Evra 6.5
Carrick 6.5
Hargreaves 5.5
Park 5
Nani 5
Scholes 6
Giggs s.v.
Rooney 6
Ronaldo 4.5
Tevez 5
LIVERPOOL
Reina 6
Fabio Aurelio 6
Carragher 7
Arbeloa 5.5
Skrtel 6.5
Mascherano 6.5
Gerrard 6.5
Riise 4
Alonso 7
Benayoun 5.5
Kuyt 7
Torres 6
Babel 7
CHELSEA
Cech 8
Ferreira 6
Terry 5
Cole 5.5
Carvalho 6
Malouda 5.5
Cole 5
Lampard 5.5
Ballack 5.5
Makelele 5
Anelka s.v.
Kalou 7
Drogba 6.5
BARCELLONA
Victor Valdes s.v.
Márquez 6.5
Abidal 5.5
Milito 5
Zambrotta 7
Xavi 6.5
Deco 6
Iniesta 6
Toure` 7
Krkic 5.5
Messi 6.5
Henry 7
Eto`o 6
MANCHESTER UNITED
Van Der Sar 6.5
Ferdinand 7
Brown 6.5
Evra 6.5
Carrick 6.5
Hargreaves 5.5
Park 5
Nani 5
Scholes 6
Giggs s.v.
Rooney 6
Ronaldo 4.5
Tevez 5
I find it funny they gave Valdes a s.v. even tho he played the whole game
This is an extract from "The Fiver" a Guardian.co.uk daily article (they usually mock everything)
QUOTE
WILL FERGIE'S CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROAST?
If there's one thing we learned about Manchester United's manager from last night's cowardly display in Barcelona it's that Sir Alex isn't as adventurous on his travels as you might expect from a man whose name is an anagram of 'Rail $ex'. Of course, anyone who's watched United in Europe this century already knew that - their win percentage in the away leg of Big Cup knock-out ties is the second worst of any of the regular participants since 2000 and a catenaccio-inspired victory at Totti-less Roma can't hide that fact.
Having said that, given that the world and his shopaholic mistress knows that Barcelona's defence is about as solid as urine, even the Fiver didn't foresee Manchester United tip-toeing into Camp Nou with Wayne Rooney as a frustrated full-back and Carlos Tevez as a confused holding midfielder. "We had lots of possession and created more chances than Barcelona," lied Cristiano Ronaldo today. Unfortunately for The Best Player in the World, the stats show Barca had 73% of possession to United's 27% and six shots on target to the visitors' one, suggesting Ronaldo's appraisal was even wider of the mark than his penalty.
United's shameful approach has emboldened Barca, who today called on Chelsea to make the second leg even easier for the Catalans by roasting Fergie's chickens on Saturday. "We are very aware that between now and the second leg United are playing to potentially win or lose the league," cheered Gaby Milito. "They'll have no chance to rest because Chelsea will give them a really tough match," he continued, taking out his mobile phone to record the happy slapping.
If there's one thing we learned about Manchester United's manager from last night's cowardly display in Barcelona it's that Sir Alex isn't as adventurous on his travels as you might expect from a man whose name is an anagram of 'Rail $ex'. Of course, anyone who's watched United in Europe this century already knew that - their win percentage in the away leg of Big Cup knock-out ties is the second worst of any of the regular participants since 2000 and a catenaccio-inspired victory at Totti-less Roma can't hide that fact.
Having said that, given that the world and his shopaholic mistress knows that Barcelona's defence is about as solid as urine, even the Fiver didn't foresee Manchester United tip-toeing into Camp Nou with Wayne Rooney as a frustrated full-back and Carlos Tevez as a confused holding midfielder. "We had lots of possession and created more chances than Barcelona," lied Cristiano Ronaldo today. Unfortunately for The Best Player in the World, the stats show Barca had 73% of possession to United's 27% and six shots on target to the visitors' one, suggesting Ronaldo's appraisal was even wider of the mark than his penalty.
United's shameful approach has emboldened Barca, who today called on Chelsea to make the second leg even easier for the Catalans by roasting Fergie's chickens on Saturday. "We are very aware that between now and the second leg United are playing to potentially win or lose the league," cheered Gaby Milito. "They'll have no chance to rest because Chelsea will give them a really tough match," he continued, taking out his mobile phone to record the happy slapping.
Yeah, Ronaldo and United had a "bad game" and now he's a crap player playing on a coward of a team.
And what did Barca do with all of that posession and all of those star players? Yawn.
And what did Barca do with all of that posession and all of those star players? Yawn.
QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Apr 25 2008, 10:28 AM)
Yeah, Ronaldo and United had a "bad game" and now he's a crap player playing on a coward of a team.
And what did Barca do with all of that posession and all of those star players? Yawn.
And what did Barca do with all of that posession and all of those star players? Yawn.
no kiddin eh. Shame the divin **** foreward didn't do anything. I would like to see rooney and tevez back in the front instead of the defence but knowing fergie it wont happen.
QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Apr 25 2008, 07:28 PM)
Yeah, Ronaldo and United had a "bad game" and now he's a crap player playing on a coward of a team.
You should know already that the journalists' favorite hobby is enthroning players... and bringing them back down again!
Rooney and Vidic didn't make it. GOoo Barca!
Van De Sar
Hargreaves Ferdinand Brown Evra
Nani Scholes Carrick Park
C. Ronaldo Tevez
Valdes
Zambrotta Puyol Milito Abidal
Xavi Y. Toure Deco
Messi Eto'o Iniesta
Van De Sar
Hargreaves Ferdinand Brown Evra
Nani Scholes Carrick Park
C. Ronaldo Tevez
Valdes
Zambrotta Puyol Milito Abidal
Xavi Y. Toure Deco
Messi Eto'o Iniesta
Shame for Man U, not only did they lose the game on Saturday, but lost two key players.
Forza Barca!!!
Tonight, I want to see Ronaldo CRY.
Tonight, I want to see Ronaldo CRY.
Cry for me Cry for me Ronaldo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOOOOOOOOOOOL
Odd looking back 4 for United: Hargreaves Ferdinand Brown Evra. Which side does Messi usually run at? One of those backs may end up having a very busy day. (A pity for United that Vidic is unavailable).
Messi usually plays on the right - which means he'll be attacking the left of United. Which is good news for Man U, since they have a decent left back, it's their right side of Hargreaves and Brown which is the worry!
Forza Barca!!
Scholes 1:0 
Goal Scholesy!
That little ginger f@cker...
What a goal
Scholes is one of two United players I like (the other one is Giggs). Him I'll cheer for.
QUOTE (Locke Lamora @ Apr 29 2008, 07:00 PM)
That little ginger f@cker...
yeah +1
Ginger f"cker !!!!
BTW that foul on Messi on the first minute should have been a penalty for Barca. It was inside...
Barca are playing great. more pressure and Man U will break.
EXACTLY. from all Man U players I only like Scholes and Giggs.
QUOTE (Tennie @ Apr 29 2008, 10:35 PM)
Scholes is one of two United players I like (the other one is Giggs). Him I'll cheer for.
EXACTLY. from all Man U players I only like Scholes and Giggs.
Fvck. Nani nearly scored on header.
Barca's garbages so far: Eto'o / Abidal.
HT. 1-0
I think Barca were better and had more chances. but they really lack something up front.
I think Barca were better and had more chances. but they really lack something up front.
A draw would a fairer result, both team have had chances. Zambrotta big mistake 
but hes recovered from that and has done well on Ronaldo.
but hes recovered from that and has done well on Ronaldo.
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