An Italian Job half done and an intriguing Iberian return fixture
A job well begun is half done. Arsenal have begun their quarter-finals tie in the best possible fashion by slotting two crucial goals and equalling a record 7-match successive clean sheets record of AC Milan. Touted as Fabregas vs Vieira, after seeing the way Fabregas squeezed his passes through the Juve midfield like threading a needle,it was easy for people to judge who won. Vieira is not going to get a chance to make amends as he is missing the return leg due to suspension.
Slowly but surely, Francesc Fabregas is stepping out of the shadows of Vieira and Gilberto and is estabilishing a niche for himself in the Arsenal midfield. Though not as celebrated as Rooney or Messi are because of the fact that he plays in a relatively deeper role, Fabregas is a star for the future coming out of the Barcelona stable. I would be happy to be proved wrong again by the gunners when they play at the Stadio Delle Alipi in a week's time.
A dogged Benfica keeps the Iberian tie alive.They've already surprised many with their good run in this year's competition.But will Ronald Koeman's Eagles be able to flourish in the electrifying atmosphere at Camp Nou? Do they have what it takes to upset the Catalan applecart? Answers in a week's time.
A job well begun is half done. Arsenal have begun their quarter-finals tie in the best possible fashion by slotting two crucial goals and equalling a record 7-match successive clean sheets record of AC Milan. Touted as Fabregas vs Vieira, after seeing the way Fabregas squeezed his passes through the Juve midfield like threading a needle,it was easy for people to judge who won. Vieira is not going to get a chance to make amends as he is missing the return leg due to suspension.
Slowly but surely, Francesc Fabregas is stepping out of the shadows of Vieira and Gilberto and is estabilishing a niche for himself in the Arsenal midfield. Though not as celebrated as Rooney or Messi are because of the fact that he plays in a relatively deeper role, Fabregas is a star for the future coming out of the Barcelona stable. I would be happy to be proved wrong again by the gunners when they play at the Stadio Delle Alipi in a week's time.
A dogged Benfica keeps the Iberian tie alive.They've already surprised many with their good run in this year's competition.But will Ronald Koeman's Eagles be able to flourish in the electrifying atmosphere at Camp Nou? Do they have what it takes to upset the Catalan applecart? Answers in a week's time.
posted by Marauder | 10:10 AM
3 Comments:
I guess Arsenal will make it to the finals...then, anything can happen. Kudos to them for having played wonderfully well. Juventus definitely don't deserve to go through. I could not believe Barca missed so many chances...the keepers of both teams put up a great performance, setting up an intriguing 2nd leg at the Nou Camp.
I'm constantly updating, the photo especially. I was actually taken aback on seeing the scoreline at bbc.co.uk. Clean sheet,against Zlatan and 'Cobra' Trez,against a team which has scored as many goals as Barca in this year's CFL is no mean feat. They still have to come thru the drill at Turin when Del Piero and Nedved will test the resolve of Arsenal defenders. But their right side is in a total mess after two avoidable red cards. Camoranesi will be missed.
Capello is right when he said Arsenal were fresh b'coz of the postponed clash at Fratton Park. But even if they had played, gunners will have not been as tired as Juve because they are full of young legs unlike Juve whose youngest player's age (Ibra, I believe) would be the average age of the gunners' team.
Now that Fabregas is showing what a world class playmaker he is, I see no need for Wenger to go in for Rosicky. Another rock is needed in the midfield, maybe Makelele once Ballack comes to Stamford Bridge....
Barca should be on the vigil. Marquez, Puyol, Edmilson , all should be ready and kicking. This Benfica team is going to fight till its last minute in the competition.
Makalele will be in Chelsea...Arsenal just have to keep Henry and add another solid midfielder if they have to challenge for the league title next season.
Barca will be without Marquez for more than a month...2nd leg shd be interesting...hope Messi is it!
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