There’s nothing more satisfactory than passing judgement and giving grades, ultimate sign of some foreign authority anyone can hold by the hand. Lost? Follow me.
Manchester United: Van Der Sar – Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra – Fletcher, Scholes, Park – Valencia, Rooney, Nani
Milan: Abbiati – Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski – Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini – Borriello, Huntelaar, Ronaldinho.
Milan: Abbiati – Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski – Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini – Borriello, Huntelaar, Ronaldinho.
Old Trafford is excited, packed. Everyone stands when Beckham walks in during the Champion’s League anthem (scene stealer) and Ronaldinho shows us his big tongue… Things start off with Milan’s flimsy defense: Marek looses out to Nani, Rooney tries his luck from the D, twice that is, Neville too. Manchester take benefit of the freedom left by the Rossoneri’s midfield in the air and on the ground, the ball possession is theirs. At the eighth minute though, everyone appears to have a déjà-vu. From a free kick on the right side, Pirlo delivers the ball in the box, Nani heads it away poorly to Ronaldinho, who puts his big ugly forehead to the ball. Breaths are held in, hands go to heads, but it’s wide. Ronaldinho continues his encouraging start by sending a beautiful ball over the defence, which falls to Huntelaar, but the Dutchman’s foot is a post and Van Der Sar can safely pick up the ball after a horrible control from his fellow citizen. The game is now at cruise speed. Within the same minute, Nani eats Abate, unleashes a shot well saved from Abbiati, from the corner Vidic heads it high (eleventh minute). After another horrible clearance from Bonera, Scholes picks up the ball in midfield, switches the game to the right side (again) where Neville, free from any marking, sends a perfect cross to Rooney. Header, Bonera nowhere to be found, Abbiati is beaten, goal, 1-0 (thirteenth minute). Milan now needs three goals to go through. The first reactions come from Ronnie with his usual deep passes, low or high, and Pirlo’s floating shot saved by Van Der Sar (nineteenth minute). Valencia is faster than Jankulovski, Ambrosini is old, Flamini fouls Scholes, Evra tames the left side, Neville re-attempts his cross unsuccessfully four times, Fletcher wins every header, Abate is lost and Pirlo makes Park dance a little. Milan now circulate the ball around but much much to low to worry the Red Devils’ defence, Manchester calmly wait for the counter attack. Vidic and Flamini go head to head (literally). The first half ends with Fletcher’s shot just wide of Abbiati’s goal (forty-fifth).
Check the scores. “1-0 for Real, game dominated, probably will be a piece of cake by the end of it”…
Seedorf for Bonera, Ambrosini playing center back, Milan is ready to go ruthlessly on the attack. But things turn the other way: Pirlo’s pass to Thiago Silva crosses the whole midfield, the central defender’s control is no good, Nani intervenes and dashes to the Milan goal on the left flank followed by the guilty, outside of the foot pass to Rooney who beats Abbiati. Too easy, 2-0, forty-sixth minute. With three goals Milan would now only get the extra time. But that’s out of the question, the Rossoneri are completely under shock and can’t align three passes without running into each other. It takes ten minutes to see Huntelaar head an Abate cross high from the penalty spot. Milan is now in Manchester’s half, but the pitch is overcrowded with motionless Rossoneri and with the speed that Nani and Valencia bring, Thiago Silva and co. seem about to break at every opportunity. After Abbiati had to save his teammates by deflecting a cross, Park adds to the bill after Scholes sends him deep in Milan’s box. 3-0, fifty-ninth minute. Milan now needs four goals and extra-time is impossible. Beckham makes his entry for Abate, Berbatov for Rooney, Rafael for Neville and Inzaghi for Borriello. Flamini finally tests Van Der Sar without any luck and Beckham almost gives Nani the 4-0 ball. Milan create nothing and none of the six offensive players get chances. After Beckham’s and Rooney’s, Scholes receives his very own standing ovation, a gala night. Beckham pays tribute to red headed midfielder by unleashing a volley from outside the box, but Van Der Sar is there (sevety-fourth). Flamini finally gets a yellow card, Park is still running, Gibson shoots it high, Huntelaar is so weak, Berbatov is a crooner, Pirlo looses the ball inside his own box and Ronaldinho is a burden. The finising blow comes from Fletcher, who beats Abbiati with a header after receiving a good cross from Rafael. 4-0. Inzaghi can’t even score anymore. A lesson from the Red Devils.
Grades
Milan – 3: Ok, there wasn’t much to do against Manchester tonight, but not even the faintest idea of how to bring the danger to Van Der Sar’s net. Nobody saw them in the eighths of final, let alone the quarter, at the beginning of the year, but what a catastrophic exit.
Abbiati – 3: I will not talk about the saves, not when there are four goals, but if you look closely, everyone of his clearances with his feet went straight to throw in… fantastic!
Abate – 4: Has played right back unnaturally for a while now, suffered immensely against Evra and Nani. Not one good cross.
Bonera – 3: A poor performance even though not many mistakes, just invisible on the first goal and horrible at directing the game. Is not Nesta he who wants to.
Th. Silva – 4: Unfortunate game for Emiliano: forced to push up to help his team offensively which lead to many risky situations and a goal.
Jankulovksi – 3: Didn’t cross it in once, time to hang up man.
Ambrosini – 3: Overtaken in midfield, clueless as centre back.
Flamini – 5: One of the only good performances on the Milan side, made the right decisions and pushed relentlessly, physically too.
Pirlo – 4: With only one shot and one good deep pass.
Ronaldinho – 2: Because it’s easy to get idolized when you play well, it should be just as easy to be rated so poorly when you make all the wrong decisions at wrong time. A waste.
Borriello – 5: With Flamini, the only to challenge the Brits (probably because of the physicality of his game), but Marco is no mystery solver, did his best.
Huntelaar – 2: Offered nothing offensively and the only time he did, he missed the target. If you want to be a finisher it’s ok not to participate in the team’s play, but you have to score.
.Seedorf – 5: Technically perfect as usual, found himself left with no space and no initiative.
.Beckham – 4: Gave his whole heart to the game with a lot of intensity which lead him to do good (his shot and crosses were of the only potable ones tonight) as well as some bad (his back passes are always intercepted).
.Inzaghi – 3: It’s not the same anymore Pippo, sarebbe l’ora di tornare a casa?
Abbiati – 3: I will not talk about the saves, not when there are four goals, but if you look closely, everyone of his clearances with his feet went straight to throw in… fantastic!
Abate – 4: Has played right back unnaturally for a while now, suffered immensely against Evra and Nani. Not one good cross.
Bonera – 3: A poor performance even though not many mistakes, just invisible on the first goal and horrible at directing the game. Is not Nesta he who wants to.
Th. Silva – 4: Unfortunate game for Emiliano: forced to push up to help his team offensively which lead to many risky situations and a goal.
Jankulovksi – 3: Didn’t cross it in once, time to hang up man.
Ambrosini – 3: Overtaken in midfield, clueless as centre back.
Flamini – 5: One of the only good performances on the Milan side, made the right decisions and pushed relentlessly, physically too.
Pirlo – 4: With only one shot and one good deep pass.
Ronaldinho – 2: Because it’s easy to get idolized when you play well, it should be just as easy to be rated so poorly when you make all the wrong decisions at wrong time. A waste.
Borriello – 5: With Flamini, the only to challenge the Brits (probably because of the physicality of his game), but Marco is no mystery solver, did his best.
Huntelaar – 2: Offered nothing offensively and the only time he did, he missed the target. If you want to be a finisher it’s ok not to participate in the team’s play, but you have to score.
.Seedorf – 5: Technically perfect as usual, found himself left with no space and no initiative.
.Beckham – 4: Gave his whole heart to the game with a lot of intensity which lead him to do good (his shot and crosses were of the only potable ones tonight) as well as some bad (his back passes are always intercepted).
.Inzaghi – 3: It’s not the same anymore Pippo, sarebbe l’ora di tornare a casa?
Manchester – 7: A very solid performance tonight, with an über-direct style, also never stopped attacking even after leading 3-0.
Van Der Sar – 6: Good saves and reassuring aerial exits, Van Der Sar proved that he can be counted on (right Abbiati?). Needs more opposition to really excel.
Neville – 6: A decisive pass and a ruthless style for the aging right back, whose experience reveals itself precious in these games.
Rio Ferdinand – 5: The Milan plays were quite predictable and when they did overtake him, they failed. Not glorious and a bit lucky.
Vidic – 6: Even after smashing his face, pulled out some good stuff, he’s coming back!
Evra – 6: Constant, solid, just, durable, best left back around?
Fletcher – 6: I shall call him metronome again tonight, ruled the airs.
Scholes – 6: Stuck to his role, but oh how he did so well.
Park – 6: Park is still around and probably will be for a little while: restless, generous even got to score! Nani, Valencia – 7: It might just be because they are quick (and quick feeted) but both wingers performed well tonight with decisive movements and constant toubling of the Milan defense (which wasn’t worth much tonight anyways).
Rooney – 7: 4 goals in two games speak for themselves but don’t say it all: a real team worker, sacrifices himself constantly.
.Berbatov, Gibson, Rafael - 5: It is not hard to come in when Milan is already demoralized, but continued to push well.
Van Der Sar – 6: Good saves and reassuring aerial exits, Van Der Sar proved that he can be counted on (right Abbiati?). Needs more opposition to really excel.
Neville – 6: A decisive pass and a ruthless style for the aging right back, whose experience reveals itself precious in these games.
Rio Ferdinand – 5: The Milan plays were quite predictable and when they did overtake him, they failed. Not glorious and a bit lucky.
Vidic – 6: Even after smashing his face, pulled out some good stuff, he’s coming back!
Evra – 6: Constant, solid, just, durable, best left back around?
Fletcher – 6: I shall call him metronome again tonight, ruled the airs.
Scholes – 6: Stuck to his role, but oh how he did so well.
Park – 6: Park is still around and probably will be for a little while: restless, generous even got to score! Nani, Valencia – 7: It might just be because they are quick (and quick feeted) but both wingers performed well tonight with decisive movements and constant toubling of the Milan defense (which wasn’t worth much tonight anyways).
Rooney – 7: 4 goals in two games speak for themselves but don’t say it all: a real team worker, sacrifices himself constantly.
.Berbatov, Gibson, Rafael - 5: It is not hard to come in when Milan is already demoralized, but continued to push well.
Real Madrid - Lyon
It was our guilty pleasure: each one of us secretly dreamt that the Galacticos 2.0 wouldn’t have made it far in this year’s Champion’s League, and so it has happened. 250 millions Euros down the drain and a big smile on all non-Madrid fans. I did not see the game (with love, from America) but I can relate what happened overall. The first half is 100% Madrilenes. It took 17 seconds to see Kaka force Lloris to a save and 6 minutes for Cristiano Ronaldo to bring both teams back to parity. At this pace, everyone (me included) thinks the job will be done soon and that the result will be of the 5-0 margin (like I predicted yesterday). But no can do. At the image of Higuain who hits the post while the goal is wide open, Madrid cannot convert their obnoxious domination of the first half in a second goal. Time flies through the second half with less chances and more solid defending from the Lyonnais. The shock comes at the 75 minute when, after a couple of risky situation, Pjanic scores on a counter attack. Casillas can win his further one-on-one duels, Ramos can play fantastically, but The White House cannot score. Three whistles (the ref’s) amongst other (the fans’), and Real Madrid are out of the Champion’s League at this stage for the fifth consecutive year... That’s for the game, and I’m sure you can catch highlights somewhere. Now let’s try to see what we can make of this.
Why it sucks: the first and foremost reason would be from a purely theatrical point of view. Many of you hate him (rightfully or not), but it is, I think, a shame that we won’t see Cristiano Ronaldo in Champion’s League this year. Who wouldn’t want to see the playboy go up against Vidic in a UCL semi? In Madrilènes terms, no explanation is required. Perez’ project has sunk, and badly so, in a year where the final of the UCL will be at Bernabeu. All the promises of a new Galactic era have vanished with this elimination. Criticism will fly, heads will fall, excuses will be given and death might occur. Might also suck because Pelligrini might loose all credibility, and although it is true he hasn’t found the right recipe, he probably does not deserve half the criticism he will receive. Let us not forget the players are on the field and the coach only there to show the way, not to play.
Why it’s awesome: as I said before, who didn’t wish this to happen to Madrid? With their bully tactics and big checks, they only get what they deserve. As I have just read: “ROFL MADRID”. It’ll teach them. Hopefully this will make club owners think a lot more before taking the cash out (hint hint Manchester City). This comes as a perfect message to modern soccer. To all those who have been claiming for years that money isn’t enough, tap yourself on the back, tonight you are king. This elimination also gives us the right, for the next couple of month, to turn to any Madrid supporter and finally have proof that there team isn’t much this year. Take advantage Real Madrid haters (although I suspect this will make Barcelona fans twice as aggrevating). Finally, might also push Florentino the President to spend even more and reunite Kaka, Ronaldo with Ribery and who knows, Rio and Terry... Other than that, anyone who even barely follows football understands why it is super awesome Madrid are out of the Champion's League at this stage. It even feels good to say it: Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated,...
What else: well, maybe it doesn’t really matter. It is just the first year and with a reshaping of the team this dramatic (only four players remain from last year’s eighth of final against Liverpool) I don’t think it was very realistic to aim for the final this year. Who could have really bet their money safely on them this year? Still, against Lyon…
Why it sucks: the first and foremost reason would be from a purely theatrical point of view. Many of you hate him (rightfully or not), but it is, I think, a shame that we won’t see Cristiano Ronaldo in Champion’s League this year. Who wouldn’t want to see the playboy go up against Vidic in a UCL semi? In Madrilènes terms, no explanation is required. Perez’ project has sunk, and badly so, in a year where the final of the UCL will be at Bernabeu. All the promises of a new Galactic era have vanished with this elimination. Criticism will fly, heads will fall, excuses will be given and death might occur. Might also suck because Pelligrini might loose all credibility, and although it is true he hasn’t found the right recipe, he probably does not deserve half the criticism he will receive. Let us not forget the players are on the field and the coach only there to show the way, not to play.
Why it’s awesome: as I said before, who didn’t wish this to happen to Madrid? With their bully tactics and big checks, they only get what they deserve. As I have just read: “ROFL MADRID”. It’ll teach them. Hopefully this will make club owners think a lot more before taking the cash out (hint hint Manchester City). This comes as a perfect message to modern soccer. To all those who have been claiming for years that money isn’t enough, tap yourself on the back, tonight you are king. This elimination also gives us the right, for the next couple of month, to turn to any Madrid supporter and finally have proof that there team isn’t much this year. Take advantage Real Madrid haters (although I suspect this will make Barcelona fans twice as aggrevating). Finally, might also push Florentino the President to spend even more and reunite Kaka, Ronaldo with Ribery and who knows, Rio and Terry... Other than that, anyone who even barely follows football understands why it is super awesome Madrid are out of the Champion's League at this stage. It even feels good to say it: Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated, Madrid eliminated,...
What else: well, maybe it doesn’t really matter. It is just the first year and with a reshaping of the team this dramatic (only four players remain from last year’s eighth of final against Liverpool) I don’t think it was very realistic to aim for the final this year. Who could have really bet their money safely on them this year? Still, against Lyon…
1 comment:
Je n'ai plus de suffle! I am out of breath just reading about it!
If only this could count as exercise.
ALA
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