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04-09-2008, 04:50 PM
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Pretty predictable stuff as far as the games today were concerned....
Man Utd 1 Roma 0 (aggregate 3-0)
A stroll in the park for Man Utd, as they booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals. Roma had a chance to make a game of it, but Daniel de Rossi blasted a shocker of a penalty over the top. After that it was pretty much Man U in control with a diving header from Tevez sealing the deal. This makes it 3 out of 4 semi-finalists from the English Premier League, which in my opinion can claim to be the toughest and best league in Europe and perhaps the world.
Barcelona 1 Schalke 0 (aggregate 2-0)
A scrappy game overall with Barcelona getting a scrappy goal through Yaya Toure who was at the right place at the right time to slot home a clearance off the goal line.
This sets up a classic Champions League semi-final match up between Man U and Barca with the first leg at the Nou Camp. I can't wait for this one!
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04-09-2008, 04:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thackattack
I'm interested to see how Chelsea's goalkeeping situation plays out. Cudicini goes down midway through the first half and they're not sure how long he'll be out (maybe a month). Cech has surgery to repair his facial cut and they don't know how long he'll take to return. Hilario comes on and looks very questionable playing the ball with his feet, but makes some outstanding saves to preserve the lead until Lampard's late-game goal. Hilario no doubt gets the start against Wigan in the league, but what about April 23 at Anfield? I would assume either Cech or Cudicini will be back for their first leg game against Liverpool.
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Yes, Cech is likely to be back for the semi-finals against Liverpool. |
04-09-2008, 05:02 PM
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Poison in a Pretty Glass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzman
Yes, Cech is likely to be back for the semi-finals against Liverpool.
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I don't know if you watched the game yesterday, but when Cudicini went down, they panned to Cech, who was seen getting up from his seat and heading out of the stands. Commentators made a joke about him being called down to the pitch. Funny stuff.
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04-09-2008, 05:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzman
Pretty predictable stuff as far as the games today were concerned....
Man Utd 1 Roma 0 (aggregate 3-0)
A stroll in the park for Man Utd, as they booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals. Roma had a chance to make a game of it, but Daniel de Rossi blasted a shocker of a penalty over the top. After that it was pretty much Man U in control with a diving header from Tevez sealing the deal. This makes it 3 out of 4 semi-finalists from the English Premier League, which in my opinion can claim to be the toughest and best league in Europe and perhaps the world.
Barcelona 1 Schalke 0 (aggregate 2-0)
A scrappy game overall with Barcelona getting a scrappy goal through Yaya Toure who was at the right place at the right time to slot home a clearance off the goal line.
This sets up a classic Champions League semi-final match up between Man U and Barca with the first leg at the Nou Camp. I can't wait for this one!
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The United game was a pretty much what I thought it would be. Roma would try and push forward with no real convictions so as to not get caught on the counter. United put out not the most skillful side possible but a side that will run after everything. Schalke's magic ran out and now we have a classic match up.
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04-09-2008, 05:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmporter
The United game was a pretty much what I thought it would be. Roma would try and push forward with no real convictions so as to not get caught on the counter. United put out not the most skillful side possible but a side that will run after everything. Schalke's magic ran out and now we have a classic match up.
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Agreed....the contest really needed de Rossi to put that penalty away. But overall Man U is just too complete of a team. It's gonna be hard for any team to beat them in the Champions League. They are certainly the favorites from here IMO. |
04-09-2008, 09:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thackattack
I don't know if you watched the game yesterday, but when Cudicini went down, they panned to Cech, who was seen getting up from his seat and heading out of the stands. Commentators made a joke about him being called down to the pitch. Funny stuff.
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No, I did not see that part. That's hilarious or crazy, I'm not sure....cannot think of him getting onto the pitch hours after surgery! He better have some darn good insurance! |
04-10-2008, 07:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzman
Agreed....the contest really needed de Rossi to put that penalty away. But overall Man U is just too complete of a team. It's gonna be hard for any team to beat them in the Champions League. They are certainly the favorites from here IMO.
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I really like there chances. The only real issue is the first leg at the Nou Camp. Get out of there with a draw or a narrow loss with a goal scored and I will be extremely happy. A win there would be just too much to ask for. That would almost have me jumping for joy. Barca will still be a little light for that game. No Ronaldinho, Messi a possibility but it will be his first start or so coming off injury, and Eto and Henry don't seem to play well together. I like the chances there. Then either of the other 2 teams are well known and I would rather see Liverpool than Chelsea. |
04-10-2008, 09:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmporter
I really like there chances. The only real issue is the first leg at the Nou Camp. Get out of there with a draw or a narrow loss with a goal scored and I will be extremely happy. A win there would be just too much to ask for. That would almost have me jumping for joy. Barca will still be a little light for that game. No Ronaldinho, Messi a possibility but it will be his first start or so coming off injury, and Eto and Henry don't seem to play well together. I like the chances there. Then either of the other 2 teams are well known and I would rather see Liverpool than Chelsea.
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I don't think Barca have played at all the way we are accustomed to seeing them play over the years. It certainly hurts that Ronaldinho has been ruled out for both legs of the semis, and Messi's not gonna be 100% even if he comes back. Without these guys they certainly haven't controlled midfield at all. Eto and Henry have been abysmal playing together up front. For Man Utd, I am not completely happy with the defense without Vidic in the center of defense. I thought there were some weaknesses there even against Roma, but they (Roma) didn't have the personnel to take advantage.
I think it suits Man U that the first leg is at the Nou Camp...especially when Barca's not playing with much flow and key players are recovering from injury. As of now I think it's ADVANTAGE MAN U by a bit.
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04-10-2008, 03:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzman
I don't think Barca have played at all the way we are accustomed to seeing them play over the years. It certainly hurts that Ronaldinho has been ruled out for both legs of the semis, and Messi's not gonna be 100% even if he comes back. Without these guys they certainly haven't controlled midfield at all. Eto and Henry have been abysmal playing together up front. For Man Utd, I am not completely happy with the defense without Vidic in the center of defense. I thought there were some weaknesses there even against Roma, but they (Roma) didn't have the personnel to take advantage.
I think it suits Man U that the first leg is at the Nou Camp...especially when Barca's not playing with much flow and key players are recovering from injury. As of now I think it's ADVANTAGE MAN U by a bit.
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People said that Tevez and Rooney couldn't play together and were wrong. Many of the same people said that Henry and Eto couldn't play together and were right. Henry and Eto might be 2 of the best at what they do, but what each one does hurts the other. Henry likes to have the ball at his feet and play facing goal and Eto is more a classic CF in that he wants service over the top for him to control and turn. So when they are both in there the rest of the team doesn't seem to know how to play in the final third. Both like to take a good number of shots and get better as they have more chances. Barca midfield without Messi is just not the same from a creative standpoint. Barca also play a 4-3-3 which leads to problems against teams that will go with 4 or 5 in the midfield as Man Utd will do. Yaya Toure and Iniesta just can't hold the middle of the pitch. i can't wait for these games.
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04-11-2008, 01:15 PM
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Injury update on Barcelona.....
Messi is likely to win his fitness battle to play in the first leg of the semi-final against Man U. He may get a few minutes in the upcoming La Liga tie against Recreativo Huelva on Saturday.
As has been feared for the last few days, Ronaldinho has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn thigh muscle.
Deco is likely to return for the fixture against Man U. He has missed the last month due to a calf injury.
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