Posts Tagged ‘Champions League’

My guys from Arsenal got their hands handed to them. It was more like AC Milan lopped them off. A daily double by Robinho, a PK by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and prize from Kevin-Prince Boateng showed why the Italians are superior club.

The Rossoneri won going away 4-0.

This devastating loss killed us.

The only chance we have is to score five goals and hold AC Milan to nada.

This isn’t going to happen.

My Gunners played with little emotion or guts. It seemed like the guys were sleep walking through the match. Even Robin Van Persie disappeared for most of the match.

The final scored should have been worse.

Thank God it wasn’t.

This loss was my Gunners worst away defeat in their storied Champions League play. We had our asses kicked by a good Italian squad. The Rossoneri are top dog in the Italian Serie A.

This classic butt whopping by AC Milan shown the light of truth on our weaknesses our back line sucks big time. If we can’t fix this problem and bring in a real fullback we will be cut to shreds by the likes of City, Man U, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and other top futebol clubs.

The UK Guardian Post wrote this- “This was Arsenal’s Mr Hyde side. Defensively abject, they were led a less-than-merry dance by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also ended his hoodoo of failing to score for Italian clubs in Champions League knockout ties. Milan played very well, as they sought revenge for the last-16 miseries visited upon them in recent years by Premier League clubs, but it was hard to spare Arsenal from stinging criticism. Their passing lacked accuracy and tempo, while there were smears for many reputations. The fight for the right to re-enter next season’s Champions League felt a little pointless after this.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/feb/15/milan-arsenal-five-talking-points?newsfeed=true

This is dead right on. I’ve been writing this same this for almost a year now.

The Irish Examiner money quote-“Arsenal’s Champions League dreams were shattered by a humiliating 4-0 defeat to AC Milan in the first leg of their last 16 clash at the San Siro tonight.”

The heaviest European away defeat for Arsenal will be a bitter pill to swallow, but Arsene Wenger must lift his squad again for what is now a crucial FA Cup fifth-round tie at Sunderland on Saturday ahead of the Premier League derby with Tottenham – when the Gunners will look to keep alive hopes of qualifying again for the Champions League with a top-four finish.”
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/arsenals-champions-league-dreams-shattered-539965.html

The Telegraph wrote this little diddy- Arsenal’s biggest ever defeat in European competition, and somehow that doesn’t do justice to how dispiriting that performance must have been for their supporters. They were embarrasses, entirely outplayed and barely even a bad imitation of a team that could challenge the big guns of this competition. Milan impressed but it’s similarly hard to see how they’d cope against Barcelona or Real Madrid. Not just because those teams are so much better, but because Milan aren’t that good. And they beat Arsenal 4-0. I will be interested to see how the second leg pans out. Over and out from me, thanks for your company.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9084633/AC-Milan-v-Arsenal-live.html

The Italians are that good. The Rossoneri have Robinho who is still one of the top players in the world as well as rising Brasileiro star Pato, and a solid defender in Brasileiro Thiago Silva.

It is time for Wenger to go.

Gunner for life.

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My guys from Arsenal and Chelsea are the only two sides left in the Champions League knockout phase. My Gunners have a hot date with AC Milan later today.

The Blues have their encounter with Napoli on Tuesday February 21^st.

Wenger said this about the upcoming battle with the Rossoneri “Of course you can make comparisons between the two leagues,” he said. “Let’s not forget that Napoli already knocked Man City out of the Champions League and we already knocked Udinese out.

“They are one of the better teams in the league. So yes, comparisons can be made after these games.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-ll-see-how-good-serie-a-is

The headman Wenger told the press that our guys are going to have to be careful of AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  “He is a great player,” said Wenger. “If you look at his record, at what he has won, he has his own personality based on a strong belief in himself.

“That is a quality at the top level that can sometimes be seen as over-confidence but I don’t think he is because he turns up with performances in the big games.

“That’s why I believe he was at the Arsenal training ground before his career. Before he moved to Ajax we were interested in him, and he made a great career.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-ibrahimovic-turns-up-in-the-big-games-

These are the cats that will play for my Gunners against the Rossoneri. It’s the usual suspects Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin, just to name a few.

Wenger hinted that Kieran Gibbs is physically and mentally ready to play huge role for the guys on “D” end of the pitch.

“To be a player is to come in and show how good you are when you get your chance,” said the manager.

“I will find the most natural [solution], which means I will put Vermaelen back in the middle. Gibbs looks to be ready so I might look to start him but I have not decided completely yet.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-gibbs-is-physically-and-mentally-ready-

This is a huge match for the guys. We need to come away with points. The guys need to get that all-elusive away goal.

Gunner for life.

www.palu.org

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Sir Alex and the boys stunk the joint out big time. Man U crashed and burned against an inferior Swiss side Basel.

Basel won 2-1.

The Red Devils gave up two really stupid goals to Marco Streller in the 9^th minute and Alexander Frei in the 84^th minute.

The mighty boys from Old Trafford were not ready to play.

Man U made way too mistakes in the back line.

When the Red Devils had a chance to score or create scoring chances they turned the ball over or made really stupid passes.

This serves them right.

Man U has been playing on fumes all year.

The blow out at home against Man City exposed the Red Devils as pretenders.

This was Basel’s first trip to the Champions League knockout stage.

The Swiss side kicked Man U’s ass big time.

Congrates to Basel for their huge win.

Man U has won a title and been to the Champions League finals three out of the last four years.

Man City scored two goals to beat Bayern Munich 2-0.

The Citizens needed Villarreal to beat Napoli.

Not on this day.

Napoli defeated the Spanish side 2-0.

Bayern and Napoli advance out of Group A.

Real Madrid moved on as well as Inter Milan, Benfica, and Lyon.

The big question remains is this is Man U really that a bad?

Man U has scored only one goal in a  match since City clobbered them.

The Red Devils have heap big problems.

Yes, the guys lost a great keeper and their defense is very suspect.

So now Sir Alex and the boys need to step it up big time if they want to catch City in the EPL title chase.

Gunner and Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

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Liverpool shot themselves in the foot big time. The Reds had a chance to move up the table.

All Liverpool had to do was beat Fulham on Monday.

Not on this day.

A questionable red card and a goal by Clint Dempsey in the 85^th minute sent the Reds crashing.

Liverpool dropped to seventh place with 23 points.

The Cottagers are now in 13^th place with 15 points.

In Champions League play on Tuesday, my guys from Arsenal are on to the knockout stage.

The Blues scored three goals to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions league.

The daily double by Drogba assured Chelsea advances.

Ramires scored in the 22^nd minute for the Blues.

Chelsea defeated Valencia 3-0.

Genk and Bayer Leverkusen tied one all.

The Blues win Group E.

My guys from Arsenal lost to Olympiakos 3-1.

The result didn’t matter for the guys are into the next round.

Arsene Wenger rested the big guns.

My Gunners win Group F with 11 points.

Marseille defeated Dortmund 3-2.

The French side finished second with nine points.

Barcelona destroyed Bate 4-0.

AC Milan and Viktoria Plzen tied two all.

Both the Catalans and AC Milan advance.

Man U takes on Basel.

The mighty boys from Old Trafford have to win this sucker to advance.

It is as plan and simple as that.

Both Benfica and Man U are tied with nine points.

Basel has eight points and Otelul Galati is whale dung with zero points.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.aspn

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The daily double from Robin Van Persie sent the guys through to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Arsenal won 2-1 over Borussia Dortmund.

My Gunners gave up a late goal in the 92^nd minute but we were never in danger of losing this sucker.

It sure looks like the guys are finding their stride.

The pieces are starting to gel.

RVP has scored 30 goals on the season.

This is the second straight double for Robin Van Persie.

The other match of interest saw Barcelona beat AC Milan 3-2.

The Catalans twice took the lead only to lose it to the Italian side.

This puppy was a dogfight.

Messi, Xavi, and own goal by Milan’s Mark Van Bommel were the difference in the match.

Barca won Group H.

Chelsea lost to Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.

The Blues are in danger of not making it out of Group E.

My Gunners won Group F with 11 points.

Second place belongs to Marseille with seven points.

Olympiacos is third with six points.

Second place is up for grabs.

Barcelona won Group H with 13 points.

AC Milan is second with eight points.

In Group E Bayer Leverkusen is top dog with nine points.

Chelsea is second with eight points.

Third place sits Valencia with eight também.

It will come down to this for the Blues.

Chelsea –Valencia match on Tuesday December 6^th will decide who advances to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Arsenal, Barca, and AC Milan are through to the next round.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Man U is finding new ways to stink the joint out at home in the Champions League Group. The mighty boys from Old Trafford are in danger of not making it out of the Group stage for the first time since the Civil War.

Just kidding folks.

Actually Man U has made to the last three out of four Champions League finals.

Two bone headed plays cost Sir Alex and the boy’s big time.

Benfica and Man U tied two all.

Both sides sit atop Group C with nine points.

An own goal by Phil Jones 3^rd minute and  really stupid defending by the entire Man U back line gave Benfica’s Pablo Aimar an easy point blank chip shot into the back of the net to level this sucker two all.

This brain fart by the Red Devils call me stupid back line came eight minutes after Darren Fletcher tap in rebound goal gave the guys a 2-1 lead.

FC Basil defeated Otelul Galati 3-2.

Basil now has eight points.

The two sides that will make to the knockout stage will come down to the final matches of Group C

Man U has to win against FC Basil on the road.

Benfica takes on bottom feeder Otelul Galati.

These matches will take place on December 7^th.

Napoli defeated Man City 2-1.

Edinson Cavani hit the daily double for the Italian side.

Mario Balotelli scored for the Citizens.

City is in third place in Group A with seven points.

Bayern Munchen is top dog with 13 points.

Second place belongs to Napoli with eight points.

The Citizens need to beat Bayern Munchen to advance to the knockout stage on December 7^th também. 

Real Madrid destroyed Dinamo 6-2.

This puppy was over at the twenty-minute mark of the first half.

Los Blancos scored four goals before anyone could catch their collective breaths.

Flamenguista and Gunner for life.

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The mighty boys from Old Trafford put a ton of pressure on Otelul Galati but it took a while before the Red Devils could put this sucker out of reach.

Valencia ripped the twines in the 8^th minute.

This puppy was set up by a great dribble drive to right byline by Phil Jones.

Jones fired a pass across the crease.

Valencia was camped near the left post.

He deposited this puppy into the open net.

Man U was up 1-0.  

Sir Alex and the boys couldn’t get the clincher until Wayne Rooney fired a hope and prayer shot from thirty yards out. The ball was redirected by the Galati defender into the back of the net.

The Rooney man was credited with the goal in the 87^th minute.

Game, set, and match to Man U.

Otelul Galati had their chances but they couldn’t find the back of the net.

Man U is the pole sitter in Group C with eight points.

Benfica is second with eight points também but Man U is a plus four compared with Benfica’s plus 3.

Benfica and FC Basil tied one all.

FC Basil is third with five and Otelul Galati is a zero.

Man City shut out Villarreal 3-0.

Yaya Toure led the Citizens with the daily double.

Mario Balotelli added a goal vai PK in the third minute of injury –first half.

Bayern Munich edged Napoli 3-2.

Group A shakes down this way.

Bayern Munich is the top dog with ten points.

City is in second place with seven points.

Napoli is third with five and Villarreal brings up the rear with a big fat bagel.

Real Madrid shut out Lyon 2-0.

The fake Ronaldo ripped the twines for Los Blancos.

Ajax destroyed Dinamo Zagreb 4-0.

Real Madrid is riding high in Group D with 12 points.

Ajax is second with seven points.

Lyon is third with four points

Dinamo Zagreb is whale crap with nada or bupkis.

Gunner and Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

My guys from Arsenal battled with Marseille. Both sides ended in a nil-nil draw at the Gunners house-Emirates.

The guys had a ton of chances but once again we came up with bupkis.

Still a tie doesn’t hurt us too bad.

But we still have to wait a week to see if we’ll advance to the knockout stage.

Sure Arsenal didn’t start Robin Van Persie or Andre Arshavin but jeaze guys a score would have been nice.

Arsenal is still top dog in Group F with eight points.

Marseille is second banana with seven points.

Dortmund is third with four points.

Dortmund defeated Olympiakos 1-0.

Chelsea had their chances but the Blues could only manage a one all tie with Racing Genk.

Group E is still a wide-open affair.

Valencia beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1.

Three points separate the top three clubs.

 Chelsea is in the pole position with eight points.

Leverkusen is second with six points.

Valencia is third with five points.

There are two matches left in Group play.

Barcelona defeated Viktoria Plzen 4-0.

So the fun will continue later today when Man U and Man City have their turn in the Champions League Group play.

The Red Devils battle Otelul Galati at Old Trafford.

City has a hot date with Villarreal at the Spaniards house.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

The mighty boys from Old Trafford escaped from Bucharest with 2-0 win over Otelul Gatati.

This baby was touch and go for a long time.

Man U needed two PK’s from the Rooney to get the precious “W”.

A red card was given to Nemanja Vidic in the 66^th minute.

This was not a heave-hoe card but a yellow.

This almost cost Sir Alex and the boys big time but Rooney and company stepped up and slammed the door shut.

This was the Red Devils first win in Group play.

The guys had two ties going into this sucker.

The major problem is that Man U wasted many opportunities to salt this puppy away.

This could come back and bite them in ass big time.

Man City needed a late goal by Sergio Aguero in the 93^rd minute to propel the Citizens to a 2-1 win over Villarreal.

City was given a gift in the 43^rd minute when Villarreal’s Carlos Marchena deposited the ball into his own net.

Not good garoto.

Real Madrid destroyed Lyon 4-0.

Goals by Sergio Ramos, Sami Khedira, Karim Benzema, and an own goal by Hugo LIoirs spelled doom for the French side.

In Group C, Benfica is top dog with seven points. Man U is in second place with five points. FC Basel is third with four points and Otelul brings up the rear with zero points.

In Group A, Bayern Munich is in the pole position with seven points. Napoli is second with five points. City is third with four points and Villarreal is dead last with zero.

Real Madrid has runaway with Group D. Los Blancos has nine points. Ajax and Lyon each have four points and Dinamo Zagreb has a big fat bagel.

Gunner and Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Home pitch has its advantages. My guys picked up a nervy 2-1 win over Olympiakos.

Arsene Wenger was banned from the touchline. Robin Van Persie sat until the 71^st minute. Thus newcomers Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Andre Santos proved their worth for the Gunners.

Both men nailed the ball for twine rippers in the 8^th and 20^th minutes. Chamberlain said this about his goal- quotes taken from www.france24.com  “It was a really good experience,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said after becoming the youngest ever English goal-scorer in the Champions League.

“It’s a big step up, but I want to play at the top level and I have plenty more time to play in the Champions League.

“It’s my first time in the Champions League and I’m glad we’ve achieved three points.”

The Greek side Olympiakos cut the gap to 2-1.

David Fuster found the back of the net in the 27^th minute.

Olympiakos almost found the equalizer in the 64^th minute.

Vasilis Torosidis fired a ball buster the almost found its mark.

Kerr plunk the ball flies off the cross bar.

My Gunners keeper Szczesny can thank his lucky stars the woodwork was there to save his silly ass.

The guys have three points.

The UK Guardian wrote this- Arsène Wenger will take what he can get at present. This narrow victory over arguably the poorest team in Arsenal‘s Champions League group sufficed to keep the wolves from the door for another day, although it did little to portray the club as credible contenders.

Chelsea almost had a win but a dumbo play by Salomon Kalou gave Valencia new life. The Spanish side converted the PK in the 87^th minute to earn a one all tie with Chelsea.

Roberto Soldado nailed the PK to save their butts.

Chelsea was in control of this puppy for 86 minutes then one stupid mistake cost them big time.

Just like Man U the Blues gave this baby away.

Valencia’s keeper Diego Alves made a key save down the stretch to save the day.

Barca destroyed BATE Borisov 5-0.

The Russian club never had a chance.

Lionel Messi hit the daily double.

Pedro and David Villa each tickled the twines.

The Russian dudes gave up an own goal in the 19^th minute by Aliaksandr Valadzko to seal the deal for the Catalans.

This baby was never in doubt.

My Gunners are in second place in Group F with four points.

Marseille is top dog with six points.

Group E has Chelsea in the pole position with four points.

Bayer Leverkusen is in second place with three points.

Barca is the pole sitter with four points.

AC Milan has four points também,

The Catalans have a plus five while AC Milan is a plus two.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/