Wednesday, February 25, 2009

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-ROUND OF 16

















A NIGHT AT THE BERNABEAU
I felt for Riyad Loonat last night, the Madrid man invited all of us over to the Santiago Bernabeau in Ormonde.We had a full house there watching the Madrid ,Liverpool game and catching a odd glimpse of the Juve game.
It was a s@#t game to be honest and when Benayoun scored late for a precious away goal the lads were going mad, including my oom Ebie Loonat, a Heavy Liverpool supporter. Riyad was heartbroken as you can see in the picture lambasting Heinze for causing a unnecessary and stupid foul. The delivery was perfect and with Madrid defence it was a perfect result I think to take to Anfield. We couldn't ask for anything more.
Reyna was superb and Benitez ignited the fire again by taking off Torres and bringing on Lucas. When he brought on Lucas with all but 3 minutes to go the lads were fuming.
Just a point about Xabi Alonso, A few guys that went to Anfield and saw the man live commended his remarkable vision. It showed yesterday when he almost beat Cassilas spectacularly from the half way line. if it was any other keeper that was in.
On the whole though Liverpool fans can only be happy taking a precious goal with them at the Bernabeau
Joy turned to despair when my Juve went down to Chelsea. Someone let the Drog out and we down 1-0, needing 2 in Turin. Can we do it. Its gonna be a tough task. I didnt watch the game, just the highlights but Juve almost got the crucial away goal at the death, a deflection of a Nedved shot.
Amauri also cam close when he should have burried a header but Gus has navigated a tricky tie and Chelsea have the upper hand in Turin.
Villareal drew and Killa , your Bayern Munich were rampant led by Ribery in a mesemerising assault of Sporting Lisbon in Lisbon. They have surely qualified and lie in wait for the rest.
We watched the game last night with Mo Cassim and Seth, with me and Mo obviously punting for Inter. Shakes I agree, not dull..dull in a sense that a game of that magnitude I wanted to see goals.The MANCS deserve to be at least three up in the first half. Penaltino looked menacing and for a man of Ryan Giggs calibre he had to make the best of the two chances that he had in the game.

I cant understand how this Inter Team is leading Serie A. After half time Mourinho must have given them a pep talk of some sort as they came out with a little vooma. Adriano the culprit on a few occasions. But 0-0 I think the MANCS should be happy with that result. My panel on the night stated clearly that it will be difficult for Inter to come to Trafford and get victory.

But if they nick one , and they have the firepower to do that, then its a whole different story.
For me the man of the match was Cesar. He kept an amazing Penaltino header out and at the death with that ball swerving around he kept the MANCS at bay.

I asked the guys about Fergusons tactics of not playing a 4-4-2 with Rooney and Berbatov upfront. I met get lambasted but the toppie could have gone more attacking with a 4-4-2 and an in form Wayne Rooney. I was just baffled a bit.

I dunno I guess I expected Inter to really force the pace. The MANCS were so comfortable at times , its as if they were playing at Old Trafford and not the San Siro.
So who should feel better, Inter or Man Utd. Its that away goal thats a scary prospect

Barcelona, surprisingly drew away to Lyon, and it was Lyon who took the lead. Interesting away leg looms for Lyon. Arsenal , beat Roma surprisingly. I expected Roma to produce the goods. But credit to Arsenal for not conceding and going a goal up. Porto were also happy that they got two important away goals.

As for tonight......I dont think the Juve vs Chelsea game will yield a big scoreline from both teams. Its gonna really tight with two coaches that boast an array of tactical prowess. So if Juve nick an away goal Im sure we will snuff them out at the Bridge. The thing that worries me though is that under Hiddink, we are facing a rejuvenated Chelsea. Im gonna go for 1-1 at the Bridge

As for Liverpool, many said that better Real madrid in the round of sixteen than any other team. But that was when Madrid were s3$te. Now they are in rampant form. What can I say. Rafa knows his place in Europe. I think wel beat Madrid by two goals. Tonight we will see!

27 comments:

  1. Come on Swoosh, 0-0 it may have been but it was anything but dull. Must admit we should have sealed it in the 1st half with at least one goal if not more. The 1st half was a shambles. Inter were all over the place and not for lack of trying but rather from brilliance from Julio Ceasar and some poor decisions we failed to score.

    He's in great form the Inter keeper, his performance against Milan was good but last night he was inspirational and kept Inter in the match.

    Swoosh for a Juve supporter you brought up too much on all action Premiership football. The 2nd half saw a better Inter and credit to them for upping their game. The 2nd half was a typical Italian game, a tactical battle where any mistakes were punished with a loss of posession. No kick and run and if your fisrt touch was weak the ball was lost.

    It was an absorbing match and from a footballing perspective better to watch when both teams were in it and playing and far from dull.

    It seems the amazing Barca are struggling of late too. This years Champs League looks exciting and everyone of yesterdays ties are still wide open. You would expect Barca to win at the Nou Camp and with an away goal it is advantage Barca, but stranger things have happened. Porto are looking good against a struggling Atletico.

    Did you see the howler by Helton? Makes you wonder if Julio Ceasar really is Brazilian considering Helton last nite and even Gomez at Spurs and even Dida when he would play.

    Arsenal have a small advantage, but that game is too close to call coz just like United, Roma could find themselves in trouble if they concede in the 2nd leg.

    Swoosh any predictions tonite? Chelsea - Juve? Madrid - Liverpool?
    I say Juve will force a score draw and Madrid to win by the odd goal 1-0 or 2-1.

    Shakes

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  2. united will be disappointed in not getting the victory.

    it's going to be tough at old trafford without a doubt.

    carrick , park & fletcher were outstanding.

    "go"

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  3. Man of the match should have gone to the 18 year old champions leauge debutant.

    A hundred stepovers but ronaldo could not get passed him. All he did was watch the ball. What a performance.

    So many freekicks in good areas... one would expect ronaldo to at least score one???


    ABR

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  4. there is only 1 abr and he luvs ronaldo!

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  5. the special one is not special for nothing! gave them a lambasting and inter were much better 2nd half. made the change at the back as well which helped.

    jose is still the boss!

    gaan maro

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  6. If you look at Ronaldo's shorts its alays dirty, every other players shorts are clean

    The DIVER

    Oh and ABR you beauty

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  7. abr, there you go talking k@k.

    ronaldo was breaking all the time on the wing. he watched the ball once & did well.

    all ronaldos free kicks were from far out , & he wasn't very far off the target. he hit the upright & the keeper made some good saves, most of them reflex saves.

    "go" get to your optometrist

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  8. the only time he got passed his marker is when he played a one two.

    that stepovers didnt bother the lity at all. Ronaldo could not expose him at all.

    im sorry "go"
    i should have said : congrats to Rolando for almost scoring his first champions league goal???

    ABR

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  9. Why no mention of the legendary team's fixture tonight.

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  10. I can like to know why is there no Super 14 roundup

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  11. Ronaldo Honours:

    - UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament
    - FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06
    - Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2006–07
    - UEFA Team of the Year: 2003–2004, 2006–07, 2007-08
    - FIFPro World XI: 2006–07, 2007–08- PFA Young Player of the Year: 2006–07
    - PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08
    - PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08
    - PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
    - FWA Footballer of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08
    - Barclays Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08
    - Barclays Player of the Month: November–December 2006, January 2008, March 2008
    - Barclays Golden Boot: 2007–08
    - Barclays Merit Award: 2007–08
    - European Golden Shoe: 2007–08
    - UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2007–08
    - UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2007–08
    - FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2007–08
    - Ballon d'Or: 2008
    - FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008
    - FIFA Team of the Year: 2008

    Awarded to him by committees made up of footballs leading authorities and heads ... but he still gets doubted and criticised by the average man on the street who assumes to know better ...

    The boy had a good game last night, is that so hard to admit. Yes we should have scored, but coming away from the San Siro without conceding is an achievment in its own right.

    VIVA RONALDO !!!

    PS. Forget Chelsea, Juve, Liverpool and Real - THE TIGER MAKES HIS COME BACK TONIGHT !!!

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  12. "GO"
    Why dont you shut the hell up ?
    U say Ronaldo came close ,but a
    miss is as big as a mile .....
    ..............................

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  13. shoobs tiger will never be the same, you wont see what you have witness for the last few years again! me thinks he has peaked, he will win, but he wont dominate like how he has been in the past!

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  14. viva ronaldo!
    viva ronaldo!

    abr, you fucken mugg? you need to be fucked up! you are now becoming irritating with this constant shit talk about the best player in the world! i think you secretly want the guy, you faggot!

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  15. and you're still a doos gaan maro

    fuck off doos

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  16. Shoobs, its good to see your knowledge of wikipedia and attaining info on Ronaldo.

    Fair enuf the lad is damn talented. But i feel that if he doesnt show on the international stage, where it really matters, then he is fuckall..

    Up until then, he will NEVER be a Maradona, Pele, Zidane, Beckenbauer, Best, Buffon etc..

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  17. Errmm ... thanks Hargreaves of Bayern, that's what Wikipedia is for.

    Fair enough Portugal has not tasted World Cup or European glory but faired pretty well in the 2006 WC, reaching the semi-finals. Ronaldo scored a goal in this tournament and played an important part in the National Squad.

    Portugal also reached the Quarter finals or Euro 2008. Ronaldo also had a decent run for the team and added another international goal to his count. Let's not forget Euro 2004 when Portugal lost to Greece in the final. He was applauded for his performance and finished off the tournament with a couple of goals.

    But if we're talking performing on the big stage, you'll recall Ronnie scoring in the 2008 CL Final in Moscow. Granted it is only a club competition, but only the biggest, most prestigous club competition in the world. Yes he missed the penalty, but his input to the game vital, as it was the entire season.

    Bottom, as a complete neutral, MUFC fan or not, you've got to give the boy his due. No one ever said he is a Zidane or Maradona ... but at 24 he's proved his worth and is by far class above most others in the EPL ... be honest, compare him to Stevie G, Lamps, Cesc, Barry and co and he is difference class. At present, there is only him and the Messiah that are setting the standard. He may not be a great yet, but as long as he remains under SAF he has the makings of a legendary footballer (agreed there needs to be more humility on his side which I am hoping will come with age)

    He plays on the left, he plays on the right. That boy Ronaldo, made England look shyte !!!

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  18. I will be better than I was.........

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  19. Mini

    Don't talk shyte here! I f**ked Leo and his Barca superstars up single handedly.

    We'll go to the Nou Camp and whip them in front of 98 000 Catalans and then we'll see who's the world's best!

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  20. Last night Lisbon..

    Cometh the end of May.. We conquer ROME !!

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  21. We got gaan maar'd last night

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  22. madrid were bad last nite! scousers got the better of them!
    juve were atrocious! but most important the drog is back!

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  23. hey jurgen,

    rudi voeller was better then you!
    jurgen a ? for you, why so few germans in italy, england, spain, ?

    back in the day most of the top teams had at least 1 german in there sides? is this a reflection of the sorry plight of german football?

    marty mcfly
    "back to the future"

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  24. Jurgen

    You were kuk.The only thing of note you contibuted to football was in celebration(THE KLINSMANN DIVE)

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  25. I am the only German of NOTE!

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  26. Man United are the best and you scousers think that beating a 3rd grade team that never went past the last 16 in 4 years is good then I must say that you are right. Coz scousers are 3rd grade themselves. Try beating everton and then talk!!!!!!!!

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  27. Swoosh. What kak are you talking. Killa the MUGG was Liverpool since nappy days. Since when is it "his Bayern"

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