A rugged road to Paris via Spain
The Champions League semifinals kicked off on Tuesday and Wednesday. London and Milan were the venues for the two cracking matches.
San Siro was the witness to the glamour tie between Milan and Barcelona. Barcelona travelled to Milan without Larsson, Messi and the suspended Deco. Giuly, who hardly gets a start nowadays was the obvious replacement in the right side. He scored a very important goal when he guided a perfectly weighed lob from the Brazilian Wizard, Ronaldinho into the back of the net.
The match started with Milan creating more chances and Barca enjoying good possession. Milan's failures in not converting the scoring opportunities were going to cost them dearly. Ronaldinho was already keeping Gattuso at bay. The impending goal arrived in the second half. Milan again did not make use of the limited opportunities it got in the second half and Barca were deserved winners as the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of the Catalans.
The other semifinal between Arsenal and Villareal unfolded on the expected lines. The last European night at Highbury ended with kolo Toure's goal separating the two teams. Villareal must've come to London with a modus operandi of parking the bus in front of goal and hoping for a gift in the form of an away goal.They should have got one, but a legitimate penalty appeal was turned down. In a tense night at Highbury, the referee was also feeling the heat.A disallowed goal, poor decisions with regard to offside calls and fouls ensured a dramatic day. But one thing which made me feel totally disgusted was Villareal's play-acting. This particular incident deserves mention. Alessio Tacchinardi, Villareal's most experienced Champions League player, fell to the ground after conceding the ball, waited to see if a counter-attack was happening, and when he found it was, again fell to the ground in order to break the play. Unfortunately, he still has a long way to go in his attempts to emulate Rivaldo's antics in WC '02. He was not alone in these cheap tricks. For even the slightest scratch on their bodies, Villareal made a hue and cry about it, again in an attempt to disrupt play. The frustration was showing in Henry's and Ljungberg's faces. 5 minutes stoppage time was another testimony.
Villareal, I believe, played 7-1-2, rather than 4-4-2. The threat of Riquelme was quelled successfully by Gilberto. Further, the ploy to clog the middle of the pitch with its midfielders to close down Arsenal acted counter to Villareal in the sense that Riquelme could not get more space to move around freely. A narrow Highbury turf hardly helped matters either.
Barcelona already have one foot in the finals. Milan will have to show a lot of character if they're going to make a match of it at the intimidating Camp Nou. They must be seriously hurt by the loss. They've won 13 of their previous 14 European matches at San Siro.
Arsenal will have to endure another restless night at El Madrigal. Their defence was slightly jittery yesterday. With a boisterous crowd backing, Villareal are more than capable of overturning the goal deficit. But they have not banged in a barrage of goals in the entire season. They don't have the vital away goal. Arsenal, traditionally have done well in Spain. They've even won a match at Camp Nou, I think. Here are my predictions.I feel there is a 40% probability of Arsenal winning at Villareal, 40% chance of penalty shootout, 10% chance of a goalless draw, 10% chance of a Villareal win. Though not as comfortable as Barcelona are, Arsenal are surely in the driver's seat.
The Champions League semifinals kicked off on Tuesday and Wednesday. London and Milan were the venues for the two cracking matches.
San Siro was the witness to the glamour tie between Milan and Barcelona. Barcelona travelled to Milan without Larsson, Messi and the suspended Deco. Giuly, who hardly gets a start nowadays was the obvious replacement in the right side. He scored a very important goal when he guided a perfectly weighed lob from the Brazilian Wizard, Ronaldinho into the back of the net.
The match started with Milan creating more chances and Barca enjoying good possession. Milan's failures in not converting the scoring opportunities were going to cost them dearly. Ronaldinho was already keeping Gattuso at bay. The impending goal arrived in the second half. Milan again did not make use of the limited opportunities it got in the second half and Barca were deserved winners as the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of the Catalans.
The other semifinal between Arsenal and Villareal unfolded on the expected lines. The last European night at Highbury ended with kolo Toure's goal separating the two teams. Villareal must've come to London with a modus operandi of parking the bus in front of goal and hoping for a gift in the form of an away goal.They should have got one, but a legitimate penalty appeal was turned down. In a tense night at Highbury, the referee was also feeling the heat.A disallowed goal, poor decisions with regard to offside calls and fouls ensured a dramatic day. But one thing which made me feel totally disgusted was Villareal's play-acting. This particular incident deserves mention. Alessio Tacchinardi, Villareal's most experienced Champions League player, fell to the ground after conceding the ball, waited to see if a counter-attack was happening, and when he found it was, again fell to the ground in order to break the play. Unfortunately, he still has a long way to go in his attempts to emulate Rivaldo's antics in WC '02. He was not alone in these cheap tricks. For even the slightest scratch on their bodies, Villareal made a hue and cry about it, again in an attempt to disrupt play. The frustration was showing in Henry's and Ljungberg's faces. 5 minutes stoppage time was another testimony.
Villareal, I believe, played 7-1-2, rather than 4-4-2. The threat of Riquelme was quelled successfully by Gilberto. Further, the ploy to clog the middle of the pitch with its midfielders to close down Arsenal acted counter to Villareal in the sense that Riquelme could not get more space to move around freely. A narrow Highbury turf hardly helped matters either.
Barcelona already have one foot in the finals. Milan will have to show a lot of character if they're going to make a match of it at the intimidating Camp Nou. They must be seriously hurt by the loss. They've won 13 of their previous 14 European matches at San Siro.
Arsenal will have to endure another restless night at El Madrigal. Their defence was slightly jittery yesterday. With a boisterous crowd backing, Villareal are more than capable of overturning the goal deficit. But they have not banged in a barrage of goals in the entire season. They don't have the vital away goal. Arsenal, traditionally have done well in Spain. They've even won a match at Camp Nou, I think. Here are my predictions.I feel there is a 40% probability of Arsenal winning at Villareal, 40% chance of penalty shootout, 10% chance of a goalless draw, 10% chance of a Villareal win. Though not as comfortable as Barcelona are, Arsenal are surely in the driver's seat.
posted by Marauder | 9:27 AM
5 Comments:
The game played in Spain is very different from the English one...they are not accustomed to such physical approach and hence, Villareal players were looking for a foul whenever they were robbed off the ball. Villareal have less than 10% chance of progressing...Arsenal have a mighty defence in place in Europe and Villareal are yet to win a match away.
Ronaldinho was as awesome as ever...he has proved he can turn the game in one moment of magic. AC have a tough job in the Nou Camp.
Everton, United, Rangers are said to be more physical compared to Arsenal. And who was the the epicentre of the cheap tricks?An Italian, who's just into his second season in Spain. I do know a thing or two about Spaniards. But what we were treated to was an overdose. Maybe, the absence of two key defenders led Pellegrini to chalk out a modus operandi involving such dirty acts.
Its been a really long time since Villareal won by more than a goal margin. If I'm correct beating Barca 3-0 last season. They've scored just 8 goals in 11 matches. Arsenal have conceded only two in their 11 matches. Villareal winning the match in their home is extremely difficult. With a biased umpire and a little luck, they may be able to progress, that too only on penalties.
Ronaldinho reserves his best for Milan, I believe. It was evident last season when he scored the wonder goal, cris-crossing Nesta and Stam. Gattuso was the hapless victim this time around.
I think Arsenal will get the away goal. It wont be easy though.another pt...I was pissed off with Andy Gray and MArtin DArke. They were commening as if gunners had lost.Could nt quite understand .The guardian has a very good article on this.
Abt the barca game, u write off Milan at ur own peril.I have a sneaking suspicion that they might do something special come wednesday.
Gray and Darke were both not upto the mark. They were very much pro-Arsenal in the first half."Should Villareal have had a penalty, maybe". In the second half, "Villareal will be very happy with this scoreline". They let emotion overshadow professionalism and neutrality associated with the commentators at times.
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