Weekend matches, 09/09-09/11

Schnerres

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2009
1,554
Germany
Manchester United - Manchester City 0-2 so far.
The buildup for the 2nd goal was beautiful, starting from their own box, but it was just bad from United who pressed only halfheartedly in the wrong areas. They should press harder in the midfield areas and then be closer to the opposition. Instead they chased City in their half while being undermanned and ran into trouble.
And someone slept in their box, so Iheanacho was onside while being unmarked right in front of the goal.

This could be a first smack in the face for either coach. Either Jose loses bad or he comes back and then Pep loses points after leading by 2.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
SoSH Member
Mar 24, 2008
7,203
Very lucky goal for United. What do they do from here? Pogba has been pretty much invisible. Zlatan seems like he might be able to do something when he gets the ball, but no one else on top seems to have that capability today.
 

Schnerres

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2009
1,554
Germany
-a lot of intensity in this match, but City just had more speed up the field, while United lacks it
-City was much better, but in the end after Ibrahimovic made it 1-2, City can be happy they lead at the half, as Zlatan missed those other two big chances (one on Bravo´s save, on the other he was hurrying with Bravo out of goal) in the last 2+minutes.
-Pogba sleeping on the 1st goal - if he marks KDB closer, he doesn´t go into a one-on-one, but still a great, confident finish.
-Bravo doesn´t look settled.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
United looking dangerous to start the second half, mostly due to Rashford.

Then Zlatan picks up the douchiest yellow ever.
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2004
27,164
Cambridge, MA
I can see an argument for a penalty and maybe a yellow with his trailing foot coming in high, but he got the ball with first contact and it wasn't nearly cynical enough for a red IMO. Ultimately I think the non-call was correct
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
SoSH Member
Mar 24, 2008
7,203
De Bruyne's runs without the ball have been gorgeous today. Really just a great job of what to do in space. I'd love to have him on my team.
 

Clears Cleaver

Lil' Bill
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2001
11,370
This game has been so much fun, so much skill.

so where is City going to find a keeper who is not a total disaster?
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
This game has been so much fun, so much skill.

so where is City going to find a keeper who is not a total disaster?
I see Joe Hart doing the Jon Lovitz-as-Dukakis bit: "I can't believe I lost my job to this guy." His distribution is shockingly bad.
 

blueguitar322

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
1,104
The footage of Sir Alex shaking his head "no" from the stands as (only) five minutes of added time is given at Old Trafford is priceless.
 

blueguitar322

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
1,104
Jose is the master of simultaneously throwing his players under the (parked) bus while simultaneously sounding like he is taking full responsibility as manager.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 2, 2006
22,345
Philadelphia
Was it really different from LVG? Lofted long balls for Fellini to try to head down was the entire tactic
I didn't think they were very good at all tactically. But they played with heart in the second half, which didn't seem to happen too often under LVG, and, more importantly, there is clearly just more talent there with the summer additions.
 

blueguitar322

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
1,104
I'd be crying if I wasn't laughing. Oh, Arsenal.

(That goal was essentially created from a goal kick. Awful defending.)
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
Was it really different from LVG? Lofted long balls for Fellini to try to head down was the entire tactic
Entire is a bitch of a stretch. City were obviously the better team though I'm encouraged Bravo is a liability. De Bruyne was fantastic throughout. Motm.

Was happy with Shaws performance defensively as City looked to be targeting him early but he dealt with it well. He was really the only one who performed well. De Gea with a few good saves. Rashford looked lively when he came in but Lingaard looked overwhelmed by the occasion.

I was fine with the no penalty call on Bravo. I do think if that's outside the box it's a foul but I'm fine with plays in the box needing to be more clear cut to get one.

It was an exciting match. Glad to see Jose and Pep step aside and let the football do the talking.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
I'm watching Middlesboro-Palace. Very entertaining. Both look like good sides.
 

blueguitar322

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
1,104
Arsenal very fortunate that (1) the ref didn't stop play despite an injury to Koscielny's face, (2) the ref gave a penalty that could very well have been ignored.
 

blueguitar322

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
1,104
Despite dominating possession, I don't think Arsenal deserve the three points. But Cazorla bossed the game. Immense on both attack and defense.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
SoSH Member
Mar 24, 2008
7,203
I don't think the call at Giroud was for the initial back and forth, which I think was pretty equal on both sides, but once the ball dropped and Giroud turned back to get it, it seemed pretty clear the feet purposely and into the air to trip him.

Totally a missed call stepping on Long's foot.

I wouldn't call it a pathetic performance by Arsenal. I think the first twenty minutes were bad, but they were the clear better team the rest of the game. The goal was a bit flukey. There was contact on the shin, but also maybe embellishment. Should have been a foul not a card. Cazorla was great. Ozil was good overall, but had an unusual bad first touch about two or three times that was only noticeable because it was him and the moments it happened. I don't want to see Walcott play outside of FA matches. Ox should clearly be ahead of him on the depth chart for wing, and I'd even be interested in seeing Lucas and Giroud on together in a slightly offset formation that removes Walcott as well and pushes Ox to the bench to see what it looks like.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
SoSH Member
Mar 24, 2008
7,203
It's a fairly difficult schedule to kick off the season, but where does Leicester finish this year? Bottom ten? Fighting to stay up?