Neil Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs. Beautiful. In terms of defending at Camp Nou, it was a lesson in tactical discipline and concentration, I agree. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Barca just ridiculous again, incredible team. Arsenal good defensive but nobody can cope against a performance like that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 @Persie_Official Robin van Persie Thanks all AFC fans 4 tonight played vs a great team and a even better ref. He had a absolute shocker tonight think we all agree on this 1 Yes, Robin. The ref was crap, he completely missed a blatant pen for Barcelona. He did and he made lots of odd decisions that went against both sides. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 My only regret over the two-legs is that Barcelona didn't absolutely destroy them goalwise as much as they did performance wise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs. Beautiful. Actually the best footballing side I've ever seen. Inter had more luck than Terry Mac in the first leg. Barca wrongly flagged offside twice, Inter's 3rd a mile offside but not flagged.......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment. Like I said, they've got their ready-made excuse now. It'll forever be there to justify the inadeqacies of the English side in this case. In fact, this is exactly the same thing that happened after the WC (and every England exit from a major tournament in history). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs. Beautiful. Actually the best footballing side I've ever seen. Haddaway man, an incredible example of tactical dicipline, organisation and commitment. But Beautiful and an example 'footballing' greatness? Not for me like, and this coming from an Inter sympathiser. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucaAltieri Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game. Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight. Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed. There's no way they were robbed man, for one thing the referee missed at least two penalties they should have had. They defending bravely, but last-ditch defending for 90 minutes is never going to get you through. It isn't a game plan either. First leg they did the same thing. Contain Barcelona, let them have their fun, then strike in the second half when they lose interest. Definitely game plan there. Once again we saw Barcelona score first, then in the second half Arsenal were getting back into it. Must have missed the second penalty shout, only saw the Messi foul... which was right on the edge of the box. Even if the ref had called it a foul it would be a legitimate coin toss as to whether it was a penalty or not. Also Bendtner broke into the box and was sandwiched by 3 Barcelona players (they can't all have won the ball)... it's all ifs and buts when it comes to penalty decisions. However, regardless of whether or not you approve of, or recognise, Arsenal's tactics the fact remains they had their noses in front and a very bad refereeing decision changed the outcome entirely. Had RVP stayed on the pitch I would have fully expected Arsenal to go through. Just because they were playing negatively doesn't mean there's no injustice. Arsenal's attempted to contain, yes, but they didn't do it very well. Time and time again Barca opened them up and Arsenal were incredibly lucky not to have conceded more over the course of the 2 legs. Nah. Think about Arsenal playing in the Premier League. It's a constant complaint that they dominate games but struggle to finish most of their moves. Do they get any sympathy? Do they shite... and quite right. The aim is to put the ball in the net. Against Barcelona it's a role reversal. Barcelona get into the Arsenal box but get crowded out by a very well organised defence. Barcelona kept trying the same moves again and again, practically passing it into the net, and had little joy most of the time. Difference is, Barcelona get the sympathy there where Arsenal having the same trouble against Wolves simply wouldn't. I think there's an element of "but it's Barcelona" when you're evaluating this. No different to the Sky Sports wanking over the "big 4". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.' Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.' Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant. Ah is that who the co-commentator was. I was wondering. Yeah it was when he said that I just cringed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gash Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.' Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant. Got any more commentary transcripts? I enjoyed those ones... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game. Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight. Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed. There's no way they were robbed man, for one thing the referee missed at least two penalties they should have had. They defending bravely, but last-ditch defending for 90 minutes is never going to get you through. It isn't a game plan either. First leg they did the same thing. Contain Barcelona, let them have their fun, then strike in the second half when they lose interest. Definitely game plan there. Once again we saw Barcelona score first, then in the second half Arsenal were getting back into it. Must have missed the second penalty shout, only saw the Messi foul... which was right on the edge of the box. Even if the ref had called it a foul it would be a legitimate coin toss as to whether it was a penalty or not. Also Bendtner broke into the box and was sandwiched by 3 Barcelona players (they can't all have won the ball)... it's all ifs and buts when it comes to penalty decisions. However, regardless of whether or not you approve of, or recognise, Arsenal's tactics the fact remains they had their noses in front and a very bad refereeing decision changed the outcome entirely. Had RVP stayed on the pitch I would have fully expected Arsenal to go through. Just because they were playing negatively doesn't mean there's no injustice. Arsenal's attempted to contain, yes, but they didn't do it very well. Time and time again Barca opened them up and Arsenal were incredibly lucky not to have conceded more over the course of the 2 legs. Nah. Think about Arsenal playing in the Premier League. It's a constant complaint that they dominate games but struggle to finish most of their moves. Do they get any sympathy? Do they shite... and quite right. The aim is to put the ball in the net. Against Barcelona it's a role reversal. Barcelona get into the Arsenal box but get crowded out by a very well organised defence. Barcelona kept trying the same moves again and again, practically passing it into the net, and had little joy most of the time. Difference is, Barcelona get the sympathy there where Arsenal having the same trouble against Wolves simply wouldn't. I think there's an element of "but it's Barcelona" when you're evaluating this. No different to the Sky Sports wanking over the "big 4". But Barcelona get the goals eventually - surely this is the difference? Nothing to do with sympathy. Barcelona didn't draw 0-0 tonight, so I don't see where the relevance of your comparison here is. If you mean periods within a game, then yes, Barca can overcomplicate things and try to pass it into the net, just like Arsenal, so there is a similarity there, to which the response would be the same: just have a bloody shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.' Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant. Got any more commentary transcripts? I enjoyed those ones... Congratulations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment. Like I said, they've got their ready-made excuse now. It'll forever be there to justify the inadeqacies of the English side in this case. In fact, this is exactly the same thing that happened after the WC (and every England exit from a major tournament in history). Spot on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucaAltieri Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game. Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight. Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed. There's no way they were robbed man, for one thing the referee missed at least two penalties they should have had. They defending bravely, but last-ditch defending for 90 minutes is never going to get you through. It isn't a game plan either. First leg they did the same thing. Contain Barcelona, let them have their fun, then strike in the second half when they lose interest. Definitely game plan there. Once again we saw Barcelona score first, then in the second half Arsenal were getting back into it. Must have missed the second penalty shout, only saw the Messi foul... which was right on the edge of the box. Even if the ref had called it a foul it would be a legitimate coin toss as to whether it was a penalty or not. Also Bendtner broke into the box and was sandwiched by 3 Barcelona players (they can't all have won the ball)... it's all ifs and buts when it comes to penalty decisions. However, regardless of whether or not you approve of, or recognise, Arsenal's tactics the fact remains they had their noses in front and a very bad refereeing decision changed the outcome entirely. Had RVP stayed on the pitch I would have fully expected Arsenal to go through. Just because they were playing negatively doesn't mean there's no injustice. Arsenal's attempted to contain, yes, but they didn't do it very well. Time and time again Barca opened them up and Arsenal were incredibly lucky not to have conceded more over the course of the 2 legs. Nah. Think about Arsenal playing in the Premier League. It's a constant complaint that they dominate games but struggle to finish most of their moves. Do they get any sympathy? Do they shite... and quite right. The aim is to put the ball in the net. Against Barcelona it's a role reversal. Barcelona get into the Arsenal box but get crowded out by a very well organised defence. Barcelona kept trying the same moves again and again, practically passing it into the net, and had little joy most of the time. Difference is, Barcelona get the sympathy there where Arsenal having the same trouble against Wolves simply wouldn't. I think there's an element of "but it's Barcelona" when you're evaluating this. No different to the Sky Sports wanking over the "big 4". But Barcelona get the goals eventually - surely this is the difference? Nothing to do with sympathy. Barcelona didn't draw 0-0 tonight, so I don't see where the relevance of your comparison here is. Point being that Arsenal looked competent in the main. Barcelona had more possession and got in behind a few times but Arsenal defended well. Lost count of how many times Messi & co had the ball stolen off their toes just when they thought they were in. Some of Arsenal's defending was just as great to watch as Barcelona's attacking. Just because Barcelona were dominant doesn't automatically mean goals were going to follow. You mention "over the two legs" but how many chances in the first leg did Barcelona really squander? That Messi one-on-one is about the only clear cut chance they had that you'd expect them to have buried. Negative though it was, Arsenal had a game plan for the these games and got 3/4 of the way to the next round. A piss poor sending off cost them the game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment. Like I said, they've got their ready-made excuse now. It'll forever be there to justify the inadeqacies of the English side in this case. In fact, this is exactly the same thing that happened after the WC (and every England exit from a major tournament in history). Spot on. The last time I've known anyone other than the FA/The Manager/The Players to be blamed is when England lost to Holland before the '94 WC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Football's a strange game though. Despite being thoroughly outplayed, if it had been Van Persie rather than Bendtner on the end of that chance in the final few minutes, he'd have probably scored and Barca would have gone out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs. Beautiful. Actually the best footballing side I've ever seen. Haddaway man, an incredible example of tactical dicipline, organisation and commitment. But Beautiful and an example 'footballing' greatness? Not for me like, and this coming from an Inter sympathiser. Only conflict here is between our interpretations of what is 'beautiful football'. No worries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Snrub Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Football's a strange game though. Despite being thoroughly outplayed, if it had been Van Persie rather than Bendtner on the end of that chance in the final few minutes, he'd have probably scored and Barca would have gone out. And if Messi's perfectly legal goal in the first leg would have stood it wouldn't have mattered if Arsenal scored that chance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Football's a strange game though. Despite being thoroughly outplayed, if it had been Van Persie rather than Bendtner on the end of that chance in the final few minutes, he'd have probably scored and Barca would have gone out. Indeed. This is one of the big issues I have from a purely competitive perspective with this Barcelona side. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 if, but, if, but, if, but... such a hypothetical outlook is utterly irrelevant Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Football's a strange game though. Despite being thoroughly outplayed, if it had been Van Persie rather than Bendtner on the end of that chance in the final few minutes, he'd have probably scored and Barca would have gone out. True. Also if Villa had a more decisive game it could of been 5 or 6 to Barca. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Iniesta's contribution to both open play goals...kinky as fuck. Amazing player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.' Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant. how are the decisions irelevant Barca deserved the win, no doubt it was a fucking dommination, but as Luca has pointed out if Arsenak did this in the Premiership (dominated the game withought puting there chances away) and then eventualy win partly due to an awful decision, there would be uproar about how it's just the usual refs favouring the big team, and the little team was robbed. Again not taking anything away from Barcelona's performance, but you cannot discount the sending off just because of this dominance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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