Good Evening.
I believe that every move made by a team on a football field should be in the pursuit of scoring a goal. To that end I was treated to 2 games this weekend that were just like that.
In the first, the two Milanese teams played an exhilarating game of football; played at breakneck speed - end to end, with every moment spent in the attainment of another goal. Inter played like true favorites, destroying Milan early and going 3 - 0 up. While Seedorf pulled one back for the Rossoneri, Inter then went and scored another goal to make it 4 - 1 but then had Materazzi promptly sent off. Milan then actually had a go and nearly pulled level - only to lose by one goal eventually: 4 - 3.
7 goals in a Serie A match - every moment spent in attack. Fantastic.
Observations:
The goalies were NOT at fault for the high score - if anything they prevented further goals from being scored with some top notch saves. If anything - the defending was diabolical.
Inter are finally playing without the chip on their shoulder - Milan are out of the title race but let's be honest - they should never have been in it.
and yes, Stankovic DID score.
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In the other game - Arsenal spent the entire game in the opposing half - rifling in 27 shots and over 65% possession - every move they made was in search of a goal - sadly all too often it appeared they were in search of the perfect goal. Despite the 16 corners to Everton's 1 - they drew 1 - 1. Still, such a sumptuous buffet of attacking football must warm the cockles of the neutrals' heart.
Much can be said about Arsenal's inability to shoot - I would disagree - they are shooting more and shot enough in this game. What failed them was their timing - perhaps shooting just a little too late and the fact that Tim Howard played a blinder. Arsenal's real problem is and has been since the double season of 2001-2002 - lousy set pieces. They cannot defend them and rarely score off of them. THIS is what has and will continue to handicap the Gunners.
Pity really, they're easily the game's best looking team... but like Brazil of '82 and '86 may not win the title.
Finally - Even though the ball hit Phil Neville's upper arm - he MOVED that arm into the path of the ball. That's a penalty.
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The biggest irony was that on a day when 2 of Man United's ex players combined to deny the Gunners a victory, their biggest rivals (United) annhilated Arsenal's arch-nemesis of reent years (Bolton) away from home.
United may not be as artistic as Arsenal or Barcelona, but they are arguably as powerful going forward and as dominant when on song.
I had expected this game at Bolton's Reebok stadium to be a stern test of United's title credentials but Man U passed it with plenty to spare. They shoot early, cross often and simply barrel their way into the opposing net. Carrick's first pass to Rooney was a little flukey but the latter's finish was clinical. Rooney's second was even better as he swept it home from outside the box. Ronaldo's goal was simple off a perfect setup from Saha and Rooney's third was classic finishing from a centre forward - powering into the net, smashing it home close range.
Yes, United were overpoweringly good but let's face it, Bolton were lousy - very effete, nervous and generally rubbish. 2 goals came off Bolton miscues and before people start waxing lyrical over Rooney's second strike - be reminded, it could easily have gone just outside the post or into the goalie.
There was little to choose between United's shooting and Inter's this weekend - both were direct and shot a fraction too early to give the goalie a look in. Arsenal on the other hand, may have delayed for a crucial second or two, far too often.
-----------------------
How did I do ?
Predictions: Actual Result:
Italy
Udinese 2 - 2 Roma 0 - 1
Spain
Athletico 1 - 2 Zaragoza 0 - 1
Getafe 0 - 1 Deportivo 2 - 0
Racing 1 - 2 Valencia 1 - 0
Celta 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 2 - Baiano missed a penalty !
England
Bolton 1 - 1 Man U 0 - 4
Germany
Nurnberg 2 - 1 Dortmund 1 - 1
Bayern 3 - 0 Frankfurt 2 - 0
Bochum 2 - 1 Wolfsburg 0 - 1
France
Nantes 2 - 1 Monaco 1 - 0
PSG 2 - 1 Rennes 1 - 0
I believe that every move made by a team on a football field should be in the pursuit of scoring a goal. To that end I was treated to 2 games this weekend that were just like that.
In the first, the two Milanese teams played an exhilarating game of football; played at breakneck speed - end to end, with every moment spent in the attainment of another goal. Inter played like true favorites, destroying Milan early and going 3 - 0 up. While Seedorf pulled one back for the Rossoneri, Inter then went and scored another goal to make it 4 - 1 but then had Materazzi promptly sent off. Milan then actually had a go and nearly pulled level - only to lose by one goal eventually: 4 - 3.
7 goals in a Serie A match - every moment spent in attack. Fantastic.
Observations:
The goalies were NOT at fault for the high score - if anything they prevented further goals from being scored with some top notch saves. If anything - the defending was diabolical.
Inter are finally playing without the chip on their shoulder - Milan are out of the title race but let's be honest - they should never have been in it.
and yes, Stankovic DID score.
--------------------------------
In the other game - Arsenal spent the entire game in the opposing half - rifling in 27 shots and over 65% possession - every move they made was in search of a goal - sadly all too often it appeared they were in search of the perfect goal. Despite the 16 corners to Everton's 1 - they drew 1 - 1. Still, such a sumptuous buffet of attacking football must warm the cockles of the neutrals' heart.
Much can be said about Arsenal's inability to shoot - I would disagree - they are shooting more and shot enough in this game. What failed them was their timing - perhaps shooting just a little too late and the fact that Tim Howard played a blinder. Arsenal's real problem is and has been since the double season of 2001-2002 - lousy set pieces. They cannot defend them and rarely score off of them. THIS is what has and will continue to handicap the Gunners.
Pity really, they're easily the game's best looking team... but like Brazil of '82 and '86 may not win the title.
Finally - Even though the ball hit Phil Neville's upper arm - he MOVED that arm into the path of the ball. That's a penalty.
-------------------------------
The biggest irony was that on a day when 2 of Man United's ex players combined to deny the Gunners a victory, their biggest rivals (United) annhilated Arsenal's arch-nemesis of reent years (Bolton) away from home.
United may not be as artistic as Arsenal or Barcelona, but they are arguably as powerful going forward and as dominant when on song.
I had expected this game at Bolton's Reebok stadium to be a stern test of United's title credentials but Man U passed it with plenty to spare. They shoot early, cross often and simply barrel their way into the opposing net. Carrick's first pass to Rooney was a little flukey but the latter's finish was clinical. Rooney's second was even better as he swept it home from outside the box. Ronaldo's goal was simple off a perfect setup from Saha and Rooney's third was classic finishing from a centre forward - powering into the net, smashing it home close range.
Yes, United were overpoweringly good but let's face it, Bolton were lousy - very effete, nervous and generally rubbish. 2 goals came off Bolton miscues and before people start waxing lyrical over Rooney's second strike - be reminded, it could easily have gone just outside the post or into the goalie.
There was little to choose between United's shooting and Inter's this weekend - both were direct and shot a fraction too early to give the goalie a look in. Arsenal on the other hand, may have delayed for a crucial second or two, far too often.
-----------------------
How did I do ?
Predictions: Actual Result:
Italy
Milan 2 - 1 Inter 3 - 4 - Picked Stankovic to score though.
Fiorentina 2 - 2 Palermo 2 - 3 Udinese 2 - 2 Roma 0 - 1
Spain
Athletico 1 - 2 Zaragoza 0 - 1
Getafe 0 - 1 Deportivo 2 - 0
Racing 1 - 2 Valencia 1 - 0
Celta 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 2 - Baiano missed a penalty !
England
Bolton 1 - 1 Man U 0 - 4
Germany
Nurnberg 2 - 1 Dortmund 1 - 1
Bayern 3 - 0 Frankfurt 2 - 0
Bochum 2 - 1 Wolfsburg 0 - 1
France
Nantes 2 - 1 Monaco 1 - 0
PSG 2 - 1 Rennes 1 - 0
Burn ! Although in my defence - there were 3 upsets and 3 games which were awfully close.
Overall, an interesting weekend.
Cheers.
Overall, an interesting weekend.
Cheers.
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