Comments on: Snore draw or interesting tactical battle? http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/ World Soccer views and news Tue, 7 Oct 2008 09:30:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Trailblazer http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/#comment-338193 Trailblazer Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:48:49 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/#comment-338193 Barca were great. They have problems with finishing, yes. But they deserved a 1-0 win. Barca were great. They have problems with finishing, yes. But they deserved a 1-0 win.

]]> By: Football Bets http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/#comment-338150 Football Bets Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:20:07 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/#comment-338150 Liverpool vs Chelsea = exciting. Barca vs Man U = Boring. Why? The Liverpool-Chelsea game had the fabulous atmosphere, it was played at a frantic pace, it had tension, it had some fantastic defensive displays (Javier Mascherano is a joy to watch). Oh, and it had a couple of goals. The Barca-Man U game had a missed penalty, had a couple of nice flicks by Messi, and, err, that's about it! The game was played at a snails pace. For all their passing Barca had no penetration at all, and Utd didn't even bother turning up. The return legs will both have plently of tension and suspense, which is about as much as you can hope for in a semi-final. I'm hoping for a Barca-Liverpool final, as an all english affair will be dour, and for some reason Liverpool always seem to do exciting finals (4-3 against Alaves, 3-3 against Milan, and 3-3 against West Ham). Liverpool vs Chelsea = exciting.

Barca vs Man U = Boring.

Why?

The Liverpool-Chelsea game had the fabulous atmosphere, it was played at a frantic pace, it had tension, it had some fantastic defensive displays (Javier Mascherano is a joy to watch). Oh, and it had a couple of goals.

The Barca-Man U game had a missed penalty, had a couple of nice flicks by Messi, and, err, that’s about it! The game was played at a snails pace. For all their passing Barca had no penetration at all, and Utd didn’t even bother turning up.

The return legs will both have plently of tension and suspense, which is about as much as you can hope for in a semi-final.

I’m hoping for a Barca-Liverpool final, as an all english affair will be dour, and for some reason Liverpool always seem to do exciting finals (4-3 against Alaves, 3-3 against Milan, and 3-3 against West Ham).

]]> By: Marcus O'Mard http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/#comment-338148 Marcus O'Mard Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:12:22 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/04/24/snore-draw-or-interesting-tactical-battle/#comment-338148 Snore draw, but United did what they had to do under the circumstances. They're playing what amounts to 3 finals in 7 days. Firt leg yesterday, Chelsea Saturday and the return leg on Tuesday. So they were forced to sit back for 65-70 minutes yesterday and absorb everything Barca threw their way. Which they did. Well. Barca dominated the ball, but only created 3-4 moments of real danger. With 15-20 min left, United actually decided to play. I imagine they'll play to win against Chelsea and then throw everything they have at Barca when they play at Old Trafford. Had Ronaldo scored, they would have been elated to escape with an away goal, but they have to like their chances of beating any team in the world at Old Trafford. (No, I'm not a United supporter either) Snore draw, but United did what they had to do under the circumstances.

They’re playing what amounts to 3 finals in 7 days. Firt leg yesterday, Chelsea Saturday and the return leg on Tuesday. So they were forced to sit back for 65-70 minutes yesterday and absorb everything Barca threw their way. Which they did. Well. Barca dominated the ball, but only created 3-4 moments of real danger. With 15-20 min left, United actually decided to play.

I imagine they’ll play to win against Chelsea and then throw everything they have at Barca when they play at Old Trafford.

Had Ronaldo scored, they would have been elated to escape with an away goal, but they have to like their chances of beating any team in the world at Old Trafford.

(No, I’m not a United supporter either)

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