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2008-09 Football Thread - The Second Half
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That's nothing new
Terrible even for him!
Game over. Congrats Barça. Total domination.
Commiserations Silencio.
At least it gives Ronaldo the chance to have a practice at wearing all white and being surrounded by folk speaking Spanish...
Heh conclusive proof that I know nowt. That Fizzoid is just as bad as well.
At least it gives Ronaldo the chance to have a practice at wearing all white and being surrounded by folk speaking Spanish...
was the central midfield of manchester actual on the field in the second half ? apart of a brutal challenge of Scholes i haven't noticed them at all with Xavi and Iniesta playing around on their own
interesting also how with even 15-20 minutes still left Manchester looked like they had already given up
edit: irony is that Puyol who had the duty of playing defensively against Ronaldo had i think more goal chances in the second half than Ronaldo
interesting also how with even 15-20 minutes still left Manchester looked like they had already given up
edit: irony is that Puyol who had the duty of playing defensively against Ronaldo had i think more goal chances in the second half than Ronaldo
Well, unfortunately, it was the Man U that played Liverpool that turned up tonight, rather than the Man U most people were expecting. First 10 minutes was the game I expected to see, but it was just that, 10 minutes. Play poorly against Barca, you WILL loose!Commiserations Silencio.
Heh conclusive proof that I know nowt. That Fizzoid is just as bad as well.
Congrats to Barca, apart from the initial few minutes we didn't get a look in. Still if your going to lose it may as well be to Barca playing like that. Roll on next year (I suspect without Ronaldo and Tevez).
So many poor performances from Utd tonight, where to begin?
Carrick had an awful game. His passes were well off the mark. Park and Giggs provided little to nothing. Ronaldo tried to do way too much by himself, got frustrated and took himself out of the game. Vidic made a couple of egregious errors in defense. Even Rooney was well shut down. Was Berbatov even on the pitch? I'd say they really missed Fletcher, but he wouldn't have made a difference the way everyone else was playing.
Puyol is my man of the match. Brilliant game for him. Sylvinho also impressed. Guess the injuries and suspensions went in Barça's favor after all... Don't mind much losing to those guys, they are fun to watch - especially Iniesta.
If Carricks passing was on the mark Puyol would have been ripped to shreds he looked so vulnerable to the ball over the top. I thought his conduct as a professional was disgusting and to me highlighted everything that is wrong with Spanish football, the fact he was complaining to the ref after Ronaldo had already been booked really really irritated me! Ha erm sorry had to get that rant out of my system, he played well though. Fair result as well Man Utd really failed to perform
As a Man Utd fan, the lackluster performance i just saw made me sick to my stomach but i think it was the reality check that we needed. I never believed the whole 'champions are those that win despite bad performances' idea, you should win if you deserve it - pure and simple, not barely scrape by.
My main concern now is that we don't over-react to this defeat, some reassessing has to be done but nothing more than that i believe-no crazy summer shopping.
On another note, i couldn't help but think that if Liverpool had played Barca they would have had this game in the bag, particularly with their recent tactic and run of form, was that only me or did anyone else have get that feeling too?
My main concern now is that we don't over-react to this defeat, some reassessing has to be done but nothing more than that i believe-no crazy summer shopping.
On another note, i couldn't help but think that if Liverpool had played Barca they would have had this game in the bag, particularly with their recent tactic and run of form, was that only me or did anyone else have get that feeling too?
Meanwhile, our first batch of pre-season friendlies have been announced, and they include a couple of MacRumorstastic away trips to face Carlisle United and Sheffield Wednesday. The Brunton Park trip is on a week night so that one's out of the question, but a trip to visit the Wendies is tempting...
SAF's tactics were pretty awful. Don't know that it made the difference between winning and losing, but they didn't help. Ronaldo all alone up front and Rooney on the left? Only three midfielders to cope with Barça's world-best corps? Long balls galore? Should have stuck with what worked so well that got Utd to the finals in the first place...
Yeah, I don't think wholesale changes should be made in the offseason, but it's time to more aggressively promote the younger players and phase out the old guys. As much as I like Tevez, I think his people will want too much money for him, so let him go and sign up someone like Karim Benzema instead. I still think Antonio Valencia would be a nice addition, and not just because I'm a big Ecuador fan.
From The Fiver, the Guardian's teatime football email
Uhm this season... not very many high points, I guess qualifying for the Champions League. Low point, being taken apart by United at home without really getting a chance to have a go at them.
Optimistic about next season as always.
I was thrilled with Wednesday night's game, made me very very happy watching Barcelona show that you can win with amazing, pretty football.. something for Arsene to aim towards. The personnel isn't there at the moment but that is obviously the ultimate goal, playing like that. A defense is needed, and a midfield partner for Fabregas.. and preferably Adebayor sold and a... err.. better.. striker bought.
About Wednesday again - weren't Iniesta and Xavi brilliant? Loved watching them all game. Along with Messi's stunning control, and speed - especially when dribbling with the ball. They are a brilliant team.
Uhm this season... not very many high points, I guess qualifying for the Champions League. Low point, being taken apart by United at home without really getting a chance to have a go at them.
Optimistic about next season as always.
I was thrilled with Wednesday night's game, made me very very happy watching Barcelona show that you can win with amazing, pretty football.. something for Arsene to aim towards. The personnel isn't there at the moment but that is obviously the ultimate goal, playing like that. A defense is needed, and a midfield partner for Fabregas.. and preferably Adebayor sold and a... err.. better.. striker bought.
About Wednesday again - weren't Iniesta and Xavi brilliant? Loved watching them all game. Along with Messi's stunning control, and speed - especially when dribbling with the ball. They are a brilliant team.
Indeed, Brown was interviewed yesterday and was asked about his immediate plans and long term goals. He stated that the plan next season was one of consolidation, and further into the future his ambition was to aim for Europe. However, a number of news sources unsurprisingly reported it as if he said we were aiming for a top six finish next season. Not the case at all.From The Fiver, the Guardian's teatime football email
There's nothing wrong with setting yourself goals – all football managers do so and Brown is no different from the rest in this regard. The only difference is that, so far, you would have to say he's met all of his.
Finally some voices of reason. If you listened to the english media about the Champions league final they would have you believe that Barcelona played at a level above the rest of the world and it was a spectacular game.
Far from it, Barcelona were average and in general the game was average at best. Manchester United were missing in the game, I think they began to believe the hype and just assumed that they would win somehow.
I believe that any of the top teams in Europe could've beaten Barcelona based on that performance (of course it would've been a totally different game). I also believe that the bottom teams in Europe could've beaten United on that performance.
Also the fact that Barcelona are the first team to complete the Spanish treble went missing in the general press.
Classic footballing press, just wait until the Summer transfer we just made this up so we can write something talk swings in to full force.
Far from it, Barcelona were average and in general the game was average at best. Manchester United were missing in the game, I think they began to believe the hype and just assumed that they would win somehow.
I believe that any of the top teams in Europe could've beaten Barcelona based on that performance (of course it would've been a totally different game). I also believe that the bottom teams in Europe could've beaten United on that performance.
Also the fact that Barcelona are the first team to complete the Spanish treble went missing in the general press.
Classic footballing press, just wait until the Summer transfer we just made this up so we can write something talk swings in to full force.
Listening to national radio news today
"Later on we have the FA cup final between Everton and Chelsea, the last time the blues won was two years ago"
Everton - The Blues
Chelsea - The Blues
Of course we know which blues he is talking about but come on
"Later on we have the FA cup final between Everton and Chelsea, the last time the blues won was two years ago"
Everton - The Blues
Chelsea - The Blues
Of course we know which blues he is talking about but come on
Everton's primary nickname is 'the Toffees' though, rather than the Blues. But yes, it is a daft statement really.
I'm hoping for an Everton win but I think a Chelsea victory is more likely. A 1-0 parting gift from Mr Hiddink, but given how accurate my Champions League prediction was I wouldn't go putting your mortgage on it.
I'm hoping for an Everton win but I think a Chelsea victory is more likely. A 1-0 parting gift from Mr Hiddink, but given how accurate my Champions League prediction was I wouldn't go putting your mortgage on it.
I have to agree on that.
The only thing to Everton's advantage is that noone really expects them to win, so the pressure is completely off, while the Chelsea players have to win to save the season, sort of speak...
Pity Øvrebø isn't refereeing...
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