Champions League Thread (the dawn of time - 2014)

[sledger]

Decent result for Arsenal really, just a shame that the goal conceded was such a soft one. Thought Kieran Gibbs did a good job today as well, apart from the shot that hit the bar Ronaldo didn't have a lot of impact on the match and eventually switched to the left side of the pitch so all good there, thought Silvestre even looked reasonable at times, promising.

 

[Will_NA]

Lucky to only be 1-0 down. Big shame we didn't get the away goal. Adebayor didn't put in a shift, Walcott was ganged up on, Fabregas' passing was poor.

On a positive note, Gibbs did so well, Ronaldo switched sides, Song was good and we're only 1-0 down.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Decent result for Arsenal really, just a shame that the goal conceded was such a soft one. Thought Kieran Gibbs did a good job today as well, apart from the shot that hit the bar Ronaldo didn't have a lot of impact on the match and eventually switched to the left side of the pitch so all good there, thought Silvestre even looked reasonable at times, promising.

Excellent result for Arsenal, all things being said. We should've been three up at half time, but Aluminium played a blinder (not like him!!)

Lucky to only be 1-0 down. Big shame we didn't get the away goal. Adebayor didn't put in a shift, Walcott was ganged up on, Fabregas' passing was poor.

On a positive note, Gibbs did so well, Ronaldo switched sides, Song was good and we're only 1-0 down.

True, but no away goal and that's what usually comes back to bite us in Europe. I am fairly sure we will score at the Emirates: even a 2-1 defeat (a repeat of the earlier game at the Emirates) would be enough for us, as we'd go through on away goals. We let Arsenal off big time tonight, it could've should've been a repeat of that 6-0 we handed to you years back. Still, that was mainly down to the keeper: we only actually wasted one chance (Ronaldo's header. Tevez' shot doesn't count because we scored from the resulting corner) And what a shot by Ronaldo! That bar's probably got a dent in it now!

The really important thing is how we played: our passing was crisp, we had a great cutting edge and now look back to somewhere near our best. First half, at least, although we weren't terrible in the second half. Tevez showed, once again, why we should fight to keep him and what a finish from the boy O'Shea!

Should be fun at the Emirates...

 

[Will_NA]

First off, Almunia's a much improved keeper this year. 10 cleans sheets in 17 games.

Secondly, it was 6-1. Hardly makes a difference but meh...Plus, Almunia made 3 very good saves so you should have scored 3. Let's not get carried away saying you should beaten us by 6 or 7.

With Van Persie back, we will have someone who can play up front or at least closer to Adebayor so he's not isolated. It should also take the focus away from Theo so he doesn't always face 2 or 3 defenders. We will be more creative at the Emirates. I just hope we're more disciplined at the back.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

First off, Almunia's a much improved keeper this year. 10 cleans sheets in 17 games.

Secondly, it was 6-1. Hardly makes a difference but meh...Plus, Almunia made 3 very good saves so you should have scored 3. Let's not get carried away saying you should beaten us by 6 or 7.

With Van Persie back, we will have someone who can play up front or at least closer to Adebayor so he's not isolated. It should also take the focus away from Theo so he doesn't always face 2 or 3 defenders. We will be more creative at the Emirates. I just hope we're more disciplined at the back.

Fair enough, 6 was a bit of an exaggeration, but 4-0 would've certainly put this to bed. Aluminium is a much better keeper now, but he doesn't usually put in performances like that. Still, he's far better than that other guy you had (can't place his name).

And I agree with what you said, we will have to weather an early storm, but I think your defence will let you down again. Our defence looked solid tonight. Still, when's all said and done, whatever happens I'd rather see you guys win the CL than Chelsea. Or maybe even Barcelona. So, if you do get to the final, you will have my backing (provided it isn't down to some controversial incident(s) that may or may not happen at the Emirates.

Also, after seeing Chelsea v Barcelona, there wasn't anything there we need be scared of if we do make the final.

 

[sledger]

Fair enough, 6 was a bit of an exaggeration, but 4-0 would've certainly put this to bed. Aluminium is a much better keeper now, but he doesn't usually put in performances like that. Still, he's far better than that other guy you had (can't place his name).

And I agree with what you said, we will have to weather an early storm, but I think your defence will let you down again. Our defence looked solid tonight. Still, when's all said and done, whatever happens I'd rather see you guys win the CL than Chelsea. Or maybe even Barcelona. So, if you do get to the final, you will have my backing (provided it isn't down to some controversial incident(s) that may or may not happen at the Emirates.

Also, after seeing Chelsea v Barcelona, there wasn't anything there we need be scared of if we do make the final.

I find that a rather rash generalisation considering you have made that assumption based on one match where neither team were at their best.

 

[PhilD123]

Not a great game, shame we didn't get another one after going a goal up. However, I'm very pleased with that result, the away goal can be crucial in Europe, and if it's a close game next week, we've got a pretty good chance of going through. We'll probably need to score there, but I'm confident we can do that, might be a bit more of an entertaining game next week.

 

[Will_NA]

It's not anything personal but I hope Rio's injured. United clearly aren't as organised without his awareness. I just hope we can get a lead of 1-0 going in at half time.

 

[PhilD123]

He'd be a big loss. Definitely out for Saturday and very much a doubt for next week is what's been said, so that doesn't look promising.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I find that a rather rash generalisation considering you have made that assumption based on one match where neither team were at their best.

Well, Chelsea did a job on Barca, that's why they weren't at their best. We can do the same thing (remember who removed them from the tournament last year). We got a 0-0 in Nou Camp (and Ronaldo missed a pen) and then ground out a 1-0 at Old Trafford.

It's not anything personal but I hope Rio's injured. United clearly aren't as organised without his awareness. I just hope we can get a lead of 1-0 going in at half time.

I think you need to shut us out to win the tie. If we score, I reckon we'll win.

He'd be a big loss. Definitely out for Saturday and very much a doubt for next week is what's been said, so that doesn't look promising.

What sort of injury has he got? I thought it was just an impact injury that he could shake off, but obviously it's a lot more serious? Typical, just as we're getting back on the rails again. Still, we should take 'Boro on Saturday, but it's a bad thing that he could be out for next week: we need Rio and Vidic going into the Emirates. As Hoddle said, if we go out, we'll have that 30mins tonight, where we really should've buried the tie, to blame.

MasterBlaster76 added 15 Minutes and 27 Seconds later...

Anyway, I'm just relieved we didn't concede an away goal. There have been so many times I've seen Utd go out on away goals, at least that can't happen this time round!

 

[PhilD123]

What sort of injury has he got? I thought it was just an impact injury that he could shake off, but obviously it's a lot more serious? Typical, just as we're getting back on the rails again. Still, we should take 'Boro on Saturday, but it's a bad thing that he could be out for next week: we need Rio and Vidic going into the Emirates. As Hoddle said, if we go out, we'll have that 30mins tonight, where we really should've buried the tie, to blame.

Rib injury apparently, just hope he hasn't broke them.

 

[sledger]

Well, Chelsea did a job on Barca, that's why they weren't at their best. We can do the same thing (remember who removed them from the tournament last year). We got a 0-0 in Nou Camp (and Ronaldo missed a pen) and then ground out a 1-0 at Old Trafford.



I think you need to shut us out to win the tie. If we score, I reckon we'll win.



What sort of injury has he got? I thought it was just an impact injury that he could shake off, but obviously it's a lot more serious? Typical, just as we're getting back on the rails again. Still, we should take 'Boro on Saturday, but it's a bad thing that he could be out for next week: we need Rio and Vidic going into the Emirates. As Hoddle said, if we go out, we'll have that 30mins tonight, where we really should've buried the tie, to blame.

MasterBlaster76 added 15 Minutes and 27 Seconds later...

Anyway, I'm just relieved we didn't concede an away goal. There have been so many times I've seen Utd go out on away goals, at least that can't happen this time round!

Probably right, but it's hardly impossible, was it not for a fluke of a deflection Arsenal would have shut Man Utd out last night as well.

sledger added 0 Minutes and 52 Seconds later...

It's not anything personal but I hope Rio's injured. United clearly aren't as organised without his awareness. I just hope we can get a lead of 1-0 going in at half time.

Yes, I would have to agree, Rio missing will increase Arsenals of chances of winning significantly, no two ways about it, he would be a big loss for Utd.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Rio seemed happy to go back on the pitch though so hopefully it's not very serious. A win is a win but it should have been around 3-0. A few great chances for us that we didn't take, but a lot of credit is due to Almunia. He played very well. Fletcher played very well again I thought, he wasn't afraid to make some good runs forward. He's been a very good player for us this season.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Should have been more but still a cracking result for us at the end of the day. Leaves us a lot of options for the replay although we will undoubtedly just sit back and defend.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Probably right, but it's hardly impossible, was it not for a fluke of a deflection Arsenal would have shut Man Utd out last night as well.

I'd hardly call it 'a fluke of a deflection'. Even the guys in the studio were remarking on what a good finish it was, especially considering it was by a defender. It was no fluke. The ball came to him, he lashed it home, it was very similar to one he scored at Anfield a few years back. It was really bad defending, but no fluke.

Also, regardless of what Arsenal do, I fully believe we will score at the Emirates and I can't see Arsenal beating us by more than 2-1 for example, which will not be enough for them.