Liga dos Campeões de futebol em Lisboa: Dog Days of Summer

Schnerres

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Diego (Ribas) was active and had a hand in most offensive actions. Now (60th min) Simeone takes him off...yes, Chelsea is playing better now after the half, but it´s still somehow weird.
 

Schnerres

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Well...Lampard handled the ball and Mikel received a yellow...So it´s not as if it was wrong to get Lampard sent off.
 

Snakebauer007

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Schnerres said:
Well...Lampard handled the ball and Mikel received a yellow...So it´s not as if it was wrong to get Lampard sent off.
The ball bounced onto his arm when he chest trapped it, that isn't a yellow card. Mikel got a yellow for the afters, despite someone grabbing Cesar by the neck.

4 players sprinting to the ref shouting for cards is another story
 

Schnerres

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I bet there have been refs who gave yellow for that hand-bounce-whatever.
And Gabi got his yellow after the situation, too.
 

bosox4283

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Bad result or good result? I'm not really sure. I just know that I'm definitely not working next Wednesday afternoon.
 
I'm a little concerned that Chelsea will get Eto'o and Hazard back for the next match, and maybe Oscar, too. I suspect these three players will allow Mourinho to employ a different strategy.
 
I watched the game with a Chelsea fan -- he commented often that Atletico lacked creativity. I agree, but I'll add the caveats that (1) Atletico is not a creative team, even though Diego Ribas and Arda Turan have creative talent and (2) Chelsea nearly perfectly played the game that Mourinho wanted them to play.
 
All Atletico needs is one goal...just one forces Chelsea to score two. 
 

bosox4283

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So, if I'm reading the news correctly, Chelsea will be without Cech (injury), Terry (injury), Lampard (yellow cards), and Obi (yellow cards) for the next leg. Is that correct?
 
Is this the project starting XI? I suppose Hazard fits in there somewhere.
 
Schwarzer
Azpilicueta - Ivanovic - Luiz - Cahill
Ramires - Hazard
Willian - Oscar - Schurrle
Eto'o
 
Edit: In my meager attempt to appease Snake...
 

bosox4283

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Snakebauer007 said:
Also ram wide and schurrle at holding mid? No
 
Cool story. lol. 
 
I don't follow Chelsea. I don't know anything about them except that Mourinho likes to piss off the Spanish press by not speaking Spanish in Spain.
 
You may have missed that I asked "Is this the starting XI" before posting my ignorant guess. 

Enlighten me. Who is the starting XI for the home leg?
 

Snakebauer007

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Depends on who is fit in time really. If Jt can't play you either slot Luiz or Ivan in at Centerback, the only two choices. I think Ivan is the safer bet because you can use azpilicueta and Ashley Cole at fullback still, and Luiz at holding mid with Ramires. And then get Oscar at the 10 with Hazard on the left wing if he is fit and Schurrle or Willian on the other wing.

But who knows who will be ready in time
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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1-0 Real Madrid at full time.  Great match that completely drained both squads and featured some interesting tactics by Ancellotti, who played a Christmas tree-esque formation in which Modric-Alonso-Isco sat in front of the back four and, with high-side help from the wingers, really helped neutralize Bayern's combination play on the wings while also providing enough quality to hold possession a bit.  It looked like Ancellotti would bring on Bale for either Isco or Di Maria, Pep preemptively moved Lahm out of midfield to fullback seemingly to combine with Robben and exploit the defensive weakness that having Bale or Ronaldo as winger on that side would bring, and then Ancellotti surprised everybody by taking off Ronaldo instead.
 
Both teams had chances and 1-0 to the home side is one of the more "even" scorelines you can get going into the second leg but I thought Real was the more impressive team overall and that Bayern should feel a bit fortunate to go back to Munich having only conceded one.  Bayern had more possession and more shots but Real had the best chances.
 

twoBshorty

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Rafiinha is not good enough to start at RB in a CL semi-final. Especially not when it pushes the team's world-class RB to DM and then Javi Martinez to the bench. I don't have a problem with Lahm at DM in theory and I think he's acquitted himself very well there this season, but he can't play two positions at once and Rafinha is simply not good enough to cover the gap in a match like this. Which is why he played about 12 total minutes in the knockout stages last year, and that only because the Barca tie was already sealed and Lahm was on 2 yellows. 
 
I don't get what Pep is doing with Javi. He was a force at DM last season and now he's wasting on the bench or at CB.  Ribery and Schweinsteiger being on crap form of late doesn't help anything, either.
 

teddykgb

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Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
1-0 Real Madrid at full time.  Great match that completely drained both squads and featured some interesting tactics by Ancellotti, who played a Christmas tree-esque formation in which Modric-Alonso-Isco sat in front of the back four and, with high-side help from the wingers, really helped neutralize Bayern's combination play on the wings while also providing enough quality to hold possession a bit.  It looked like Ancellotti would bring on Bale for either Isco or Di Maria, Pep preemptively moved Lahm out of midfield to fullback seemingly to combine with Robben and exploit the defensive weakness that having Bale or Ronaldo as winger on that side would bring, and then Ancellotti surprised everybody by taking off Ronaldo instead.
 
Both teams had chances and 1-0 to the home side is one of the more "even" scorelines you can get going into the second leg but I thought Real was the more impressive team overall and that Bayern should feel a bit fortunate to go back to Munich having only conceded one.  Bayern had more possession and more shots but Real had the best chances.
 
I don't know, Gotze had a tremendous chance and although not a Peno, that was an awfully good chance as well in the dying embers.  All in all, Bayern created bunches of half chances but couldn't find their way through or get the right bounce.  This happens against a bus.  I thought Madrid did an exceptional job of doubling up on Robben, ensuring he always had to pass the ball and couldn't go on one of his weaving runs that turn defenders and create opportunities.  In theory, when you do this, you really leave yourself exposed to Ribery, but aside from some really early interchange between Ribery and Alaba he never really got going either.
 
I think I've read way too much this morning about Pep being outclassed tactically.  It seems silly to me.  I don't know if last season's Bayern would have ripped apart this season's Madrid, but that's a match we'll never get to watch.  Pep sent a solid side out there and had over 70% possession against Madrid and took 18 shots.  They had 15 corners.  If the other team wants to sit deep and try to defend, all you can do is attack and usually you get the goal you need.  To me, this is far more on the players than the tactics, which produced plenty of goal scoring opportunities...sometimes they just don't go in.
 
In terms of Javi Martinez, I don't watch enough of Bayern (MUFC of Germany, i'm glad they lost) to really have an opinion, but I thought bringing him on really hurt Bayern last night, they seemed to struggle to win the ball back and ended up chasing the match much more.  I think the starting XI was much more effective as a unit than the team that ended the match.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Did they really produce good chances though? Gotze's chance was huge but I'm struggling to think of other great chances. Madrid, in contrast, had Benzena's goal, Ronaldo's flub when alone with the keeper, Di Maria blazing over from six yards out, and a late chance where if Bale converts a relatively simple pass then Benzema has another tap in.

I thought it was a classic sort of game where one team has most of the possession and lots of shots that arent really goal scoring opportunities while the other team creates the best chances of the match on the counter. As an Arsenal fan, I'm unfortunately all too familiar with that dynamic.

I agree though that Pep didn't get badly out coached or anything.
 

sdiaz1

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Yeah, this was one of those times that the traditional end of match statistics are incredibly misleading. Bayern had over 70% of possession, 15 corner kicks, and 18 total shots (twice as more as Madrid). However, (and I should note that I only watched the first 80 minutes and missed the pen appeal) Bayern never tested Casillas, never had a clear chance on goal, and were continuously left frustrated as they could barely get a free touch in a scoring zone.
 
Madrid on the other hand scored the goal, somehow missed two golden one on one opportunities, forced Neurer into making two excellent saves , and had two other shots which should have been hit better, but were sent straight to the Bayern keeper's chest.  The match should have ended more in Madrid's favor.
 
Everything is still left to play for, and I must admit that I don't like Real's chances. Germany is a place of only heartbreak, sorrow, and anguish for los blancos, and I fear that we will rue those missed opportunities.
 

Schnerres

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I did not see the match.
 
I was in the cinema and then saw the interviews postmatch. It was ridiculous, what Sammer said in german tv. He was cutting off the interviewers questions when he asked about the bad result and if Bayern now face a hard 2nd leg. Sammer answered Bayern was dominating, absolutely dominating this match @ Real Madrid, can you believe this! He spoke like they won 5-0...One a** (Hoeness) is gone, the other (Sammer) takes over more and more the role of loudmouth.
 
Just based on what i read: Bayern dominated possession (was to be expected) and Real wanted to go for the counter-attack. Nothing to be surprised about or to see Pep out-coached. I also think Lahm should have played as right back. Ribery is not at his best right now (also seen in Bundesliga)...Let´s see how this ends in Munich.
What was missing for Bayern was the last pass. A single goal and everyone is happy and says they played a perfect match. Real played a nice defensive match, it seems, but i doubt they will play like this in Munich (remember Dortmund?). A single (early?) goal and they are done...They were even running forward (penalty) in Dortmund, and when they missed their early chances and Dortmund scored, they broke down. Their defense is not a strength, although they might have played a great game in 1st leg.
 
Bayern has to really watch for the counter-attacks. Problem is: they trail "only" 1-0, Dortmund had to go for a 1st half goal, maybe even an early goal and Bayern (no, Pep) may think: we play our usual game, pass-pass-pass-pass-pass, dribbling Robben/Ribery-pass-pass-... and someone will have to score some time. If they play like this and play more careful because of Reals superb offense/counter, they are in danger of underachieving and still risk counterattacks (like @Madrid). If Bayern comes out more offensive-minded, you risk more attacks from Real...
 
Bayern should play like this:
Neuer - Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba - Schweinsteiger, Martinez - Robben, Kroos, Ribery - Mandzukic.
Bring in Götze for Ribery some time and Müller for Martinez and shift Kroos back next to Schweinsteiger if the game is still at 0-0, 1-1 or 2-1.
I think Pep will play Kroos as a #6 next to Schweinsteiger and Müller or Götze will start, while Martinez will sit on the bench.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Schnerres said:
It was ridiculous, what Sammer said in german tv. He was cutting off the interviewers questions when he asked about the bad result and if Bayern now face a hard 2nd leg. Sammer answered Bayern was dominating, absolutely dominating this match @ Real Madrid, can you believe this! He spoke like they won 5-0...One a** (Hoeness) is gone, the other (Sammer) takes over more and more the role of loudmouth.
 
I'm glad insane comments from people in the sport cuts across cultural boundaries. 
 

SoxFanInCali

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So assuming Bayern don't pull off a miracle, it's either a Madrid derby or Jose and Carlo against their old teams in the final.
 

cromulence

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Can anyone explain Ronaldo's celebration to me? He looked like a preening douche, but then again he always does.
 

teddykgb

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Jesus.  Never expected this.  Bayern getting crushed.
 
Also, i've really tried with Gus, i thought it was important to give him plenty of time.  It just doesn't work, i can't fathom why he can't pronounce half these names.  It's just not working.
 

cromulence

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Vinho Tinto said:
 
He scored his 50th goal in Europe. 
 
OK, I figured it was some milestone. I was ready to shit on him for thinking about a personal achievement but that's a big one and the game is over anyway. Damn.
 

cromulence

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teddykgb said:
Jesus.  Never expected this.  Bayern getting crushed.
 
Also, i've really tried with Gus, i thought it was important to give him plenty of time.  It just doesn't work, i can't fathom why he can't pronounce half these names.  It's just not working.
 
Ribbbbbery bugs me the most. I don't care that you're American, pronounce his name correctly. I don't need proper French pronunciation - just Ree-bur-ree. That's all.
 

cromulence

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Really? This shit has to happen with a lead of this size? It's embarrassing for the sport.
 

bosox4283

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Really foolish by Alonso to get a yellow. I don't think Illara or Isco can really replace him on the pitch.
 

PedroSpecialK

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teddykgb said:
 
Also, i've really tried with Gus, i thought it was important to give him plenty of time.  It just doesn't work, i can't fathom why he can't pronounce half these names.  It's just not working.
 
He really is the worst, and has no feel for the game to boot
 

cromulence

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The question is whether Fox will do the right thing and have the balls to bail on Gus being the #1 guy for the 2018 World Cup. Yes, he'll be pretty seasoned by then...but still. That would be disastrous.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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SoxFanInCali said:
Well, Alonso missing the final eliminates the only reason I would have for hoping Real wins it.
 
Lets all pray that its against Atletico.
 
I'm not sure that I could stomach the self-satisfaction of Mourinho if he wins another CL final, against Real to boot.  La Decima is coming eventually and while I basically despise Real I think that I might just prefer to get it over with rather than Mourinho/Chelsea winning.
 

SoxFanInCali

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Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
 
Lets all pray that its against Atletico.
 
I'm not sure that I could stomach the self-satisfaction of Mourinho if he wins another CL final, against Real to boot.  La Decima is coming eventually and while I basically despise Real I think that I might just prefer to get it over with rather than Mourinho/Chelsea winning.
True.  If it's Real-Chelsea, I probably won't even bother watching.
 

Vinho Tinto

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cromulence said:
 
OK, I figured it was some milestone. I was ready to shit on him for thinking about a personal achievement but that's a big one and the game is over anyway. Damn.
 
50 in 50 since joining RM is pretty stunning. 
 
Teddy: Coentrao is on RM to help Ronaldo count. Gives him ten extra fingers to use. 
 

cromulence

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OK, Gus Johnson must have heard Eric Wynalda sitting right next to him say "Ree-bur-ree". Is it just arrogance? It drives me absolutely fucking crazy. This is an international sport. It's really not acceptable.
 

teddykgb

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Vinho Tinto said:
 
50 in 50 since joining RM is pretty stunning. 
 
Teddy: Coentrao is on RM to help Ronaldo count. Gives him ten extra fingers to use. 
Coentrao and Pepe joined in on his celebration, they were prepared
 
I just hope Coentrao repeats his last WC performance
 

sdiaz1

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Vinho Tinto said:
 
Teddy: Coentrao is on RM to help Ronaldo count. Gives him ten extra fingers to use. 
 
That is hilarious. I have always wondered why Coentrao was signed, of course other than the fact that Mendes is his agent.
 
Anyways, I think that was best performance that I have seen Madrid give in the past 10 years. They dominated this match from the get go, and after the first Ramos goal it was all but over as a contest. It is a pity though that Alonso will miss the final, I think that Isco will be given a run next to Modric for the match.