08/09 Champions League - First Knockout Round [P+R]

[Sevillista]

I thought it was pretty weak that only one CL game thread was created so far, so I thought a general CL thread for the round might generate more discussion.

Today:
Lyon 1 - 1 Barcelona
Inter 0 - 0 Man U
Arsenal 1 - 0 Roma
Atletico 2 - 2 Porto

Tomorrow:
Madrid - Liverpool
Chelsea - Juventus
Sporting - Bayern
Villareal - Panathanaikos

For those in America, Chelsea vs Juventus will be on ESPN2, Madrid vs Liverpool will be on ESPN deportes and on ESPN Classic on tape delay (5pm eastern).

Weigh in on the matches played so far and feel free to make some predictions.

 

[Socrates]

Jesus, Inter vs Man Utd was pretty boring and holy crap do Inter suck. Adriano, Muntari, and Rivas should never play this game again. Adriano is fat and useless, very useless. I can't beleive he played as long as he did. Rivas...who the **** is he? the guy was crap. Muntari lost the ball 80% of the time. Seriously, for being the home side they were really crap and lucky that Ronaldo's headers did not go in, fantastic saves from Julio Ceasar. I also don't get why your attacking line basically never closed down on the Man Utd defence, they just walked away from everything. On the Man Utd side, Ronaldo was very good and Berbatov was very lazy/useless. He needs to put more effort into his games. I also don't get why Tevez did not start?

If people want to see some hilarious keeping just watch the Atletico - Porto, LMAO. Anyway, bye bye Atleti, you guys will never be anything.

Also Valdes had a major **** up yet again for Lyon to score but that was kind of expected. Especially when Juninho is the player he is up against.

 

[Sevillista]

I had a job interview so I was only able to watch the first half of Lyon Barcelona, but it was a fascinating match. Lyon were all over Barcelona in the first half hour or so but were only able to produce one goal. Barca settled the match down and started doing their thing before the end of the half and controlled the second half, scoring a deserved equaliser.

I've gotta say, I was impressed with Lyon in the first half. They went on the attack without worrying about Barcelona's counterattack... and justifyably so as they quenched nearly every offensive opportunity they had. Can't wait for the second leg.

The Anglo-Italian matches produces a total of one goal, on a penalty no less. Big surprise. I said it ages ago, the Inter - ManU matchup would be boring, but everybody was too excited to have two big names playing each other.

Atletico - Porto riddled with defensive errors. An interesting match for all the wrong reasons it seems.

My predictions for the second leg:
ManU 1 - 0 Inter
Roma 2 - 1 Arsenal
Barca 2 - 0 Lyon
Porto 3 - 1 Atletico

My predictions for tomorrow:
Madrid 2 - 2 Liverpool
Chelsea 0 - 0 Juventus
Sporting 1 - 1 Bayern
Villareal 3 - 1 Panathanaikos

 

[Coruja]

Porto ruled the match, A. Madrid defence is really bad, if they had a decent one, i think they would get far in any competition. Hulk is a beast, so young and so talented.

I hope that Sporting can get a positive result against Bayern.

 

[Arnau]

Porto ruled the match, A. Madrid defence is really bad, if they had a decent one, i think they would get far in any competition. Hulk is a beast, so young and so talented.

I hope that Sporting can get a positive result against Bayern.

yes i agree, atleti where lucky to dont get a 2-6. leo franco save his asses must improve in defense if they wanna do something in do dragao

 

[Johnny_Big]

VAMOS SPORTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I may go to the stadium, not yet decided, but hell yeah, we have a chance. Bayern is in bad shape, and we need to make use of it. The team is confident after 3-2 win against eternal rivals Benfica and with the presumption that today history can be made. Bayern is favourite, no doubt, and I am quite scared of their powerful physical (and aerial) ability.

I would bet on this formation:

----------------Tiago-----------------
--Grimi-----Polga-----Tonel-----Abel---
------------------Roca----------------
------Izmailov-----------Vukcevic-----
---------------Moutinho---------------
-----------Liedson-----Derlei----------

Pereirinha can also be in the 11-lineup, from what I heard. In that case, Roca leaves and formation becomes:

----------------Tiago-----------------
--Grimi-----Polga-----Tonel-----Abel---
---------------Moutinho---------------
------Pereirinha-----------Izmailov-----
---------------Vukcevic---------------
-----------Liedson-----Derlei----------

VAMOS!!

 

[Arnau]

whats wrong with veloso? his performace last season was so good and sometop clubs want him but now, he even isnt in the line up this season.

 

[Johnny_Big]

Veloso is a great player and with enormous potential, and in top condition would play in Roca's position. However, he has some problems with the coach Paulo Bento, and wants to leave Sporting. For me he is nothing but a cry-baby. But will be in the bench, and will be an option for the 2nd half, that I am sure.

 

[Arnau]

roca its rochembacki guess...xD come one he isnt a half good of veloso.

btw paulo bento its the ex- oviedo right back or another man with same name???

 

[Johnny_Big]

Yes, it's Rochemback. Roca is quite slow, but has a great vision and long range. He's as good as Veloso.

And yes, you are right about Paulo Bento.

 

[night]

I watched the Inter-Man Utd game last night and I must admit that Inter are crap! How are they top of Serie A is beyond me. We could've easily scored 2 or more goals but we either narrowly missed or Julio Cesar saved their asses.
I'm really looking forward to the Real Madrid-Liverpool clash today..

 

[Arnau]

i guess because serie A its crap... i just cant watch more than 20 minutes of an italian league match.

 

[thelordspawn]

I watched the Inter-Man Utd game last night and I must admit that Inter are crap! How are they top of Serie A is beyond me. We could've easily scored 2 or more goals but we either narrowly missed or Julio Cesar saved their asses.
I'm really looking forward to the Real Madrid-Liverpool clash today..

man u shouldve scored like 6 goals.

 

[SCP19O6]

But will be in the bench, and will be an option for the 2nd half, that I am sure.

Miguel Veloso is injured (or at least he claims he is) and will not play tonight.

 

[Jaboldinho]

Adriano... Man, what a useless mother****er...

He gets a great pass 8 meters from the goal and misses by atleast as much. He gets a lob ball from the right he could easily hit, but he decides to go for the dive. He doesn't run for anything, and generally, does nothing.

As already said, the match was pretty boring, for a neutral, atleast. No pressure whatsoever put on the opponent's defence on either sides, mostly easy, safe passing and occasional goalscorin opportunities and set pieces. Other than that, not much in it. It was the kind of match which makes people think football is a boring sport.

 

[Arnau]

dont worry, next season kun will be the inters 10...

 

[Mus]

I watched the Inter-Man Utd game last night and I must admit that Inter are crap! How are they top of Serie A is beyond me.

You couldn't beat them and you are on top of the EPL...

 

[Pogba4Now]

They had the advantage of being at home.

 

[Mus]

So? Can't you beat crap teams when you have to travel to their home stadium?

You couldnt score agaisnt them and if they are so crap and if the whole of serie a is so crap then what the hell is wrong with Man U? They should have been able to breeze past Inter

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Can we set up a Quarter Final thread? Because Bayern is through!