My dad forbid me rooting for any of the big Serie A clubs. My parents are from near Napoli, so it was all about them.
Having said that, I have a soft spot for Serie A. I watched it intently during its heyday of the late 70's and 80's. So I hope Juve hangs in there and makes the return game have some suspense.
game time favorites for this match. They really shouldn't try to "hang in there", but score more goals and end this one before they travel to the Bernabeu.
I only caught the second half due to work, but from what I can gather Ancelotti got it wrong today. Ramos in midfield made sense against Atletico, an opponent who didn't really want to try to score outside of set pieces. But against a Juve team fielding Pirlo, I would have put more emphasis on closing him down and trying to dispossess him in order to create counterattacks. Benzema would have been helpful in this role, but a deep lying Ramos (whose passing looked like it was coming from a CB) wasn't the answer.
2-1 is a good result for Juve, but they could have gotten more. I don't think I'd play Pirlo in the second leg.
RE: If you're going to give the penalty, it should be a definite red Â
...But against a Juve team fielding Pirlo, I would have put more emphasis on closing him down and trying to dispossess him in order to create counterattacks. Benzema would have been helpful in this role, but a deep lying Ramos (whose passing looked like it was coming from a CB) wasn't the answer.
2-1 is a good result for Juve, but they could have gotten more. I don't think I'd play Pirlo in the second leg.
Interesting analysis, GT, and the first part led me to be surprised by your last comment, unless it's tactical to anticipate what Ancelloti will do. I had a similar thought watching 2H, more along the lines of wondering how much he has left. He's been superb in his career, clever, a subtle and sometimes deadly game changer, but he had a near devastating giveaway late and had little left in the last 15 minutes to try to disrupt RM's possession up along and around the 18. My view, fwiw, and for all I know he may not be in form due to injury.
that is amazing...took a few seconds for me to realize what was being shown (as I was assuming the simplicity of what I saw real time) and see what the red boot was doing to preserve the lead.....very cool, thanks
Barcelona are heavy favorites for today's match against Bayern Munich. With Robben out for the season and Ribery not fit, I don't see Bayern having enough pace up front to trouble Barcelona's high defensive line. Link - ( New Window )
but that was before Robben got hurt and Lewandowski had his face destroyed. It's going to take quite a job from Guardiola to get Bayern through. The form that Messi and Suarez are in...I fear for Bayern today.
In the other tie, I can't shake the feeling that Juventus will regret not leaving with more than a one goal advantage from yesterday.
link - ( New Window )
Having said that, I have a soft spot for Serie A. I watched it intently during its heyday of the late 70's and 80's. So I hope Juve hangs in there and makes the return game have some suspense.
Link - ( New Window )
2-1 is a good result for Juve, but they could have gotten more. I don't think I'd play Pirlo in the second leg.
2-1 is a good result for Juve, but they could have gotten more. I don't think I'd play Pirlo in the second leg.
Interesting analysis, GT, and the first part led me to be surprised by your last comment, unless it's tactical to anticipate what Ancelloti will do. I had a similar thought watching 2H, more along the lines of wondering how much he has left. He's been superb in his career, clever, a subtle and sometimes deadly game changer, but he had a near devastating giveaway late and had little left in the last 15 minutes to try to disrupt RM's possession up along and around the 18. My view, fwiw, and for all I know he may not be in form due to injury.
Amazing - ( New Window )
Wow.
They are my favorite team; I hope they can get Pogba back next week.
Bayern Barca today!
Link - ( New Window )
In the other tie, I can't shake the feeling that Juventus will regret not leaving with more than a one goal advantage from yesterday.
Champions League, to me, is the sport played at the highest level in all of sports. Can't wait to get home and watch today's game.
Bayern (4-1-3-2): Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Benatia, Bernat; Xabi Alonso; Lahm, Thiago y Schweinsteiger; Müller y Lewandowski
Bayern will be looking for Thiago to create.
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As for Messi, wow. Anyone that thinks Ronaldo is or ever has been better is high.