Round of 16 - First legs III
Much Oddo about nothing
Celtic 0 - 0 Milan
The return of Rino Gattuso to Glasgow could scarcely have been more underwhelming.
A dire 0-0 draw that Milan may have edged but Celtic had the better chances. Nakamura's vicious swinging free kick, cleared by Zeljko Kalac at the near post, was arguably the pick of the bunch. Celtic came at Milan hard, knowing full well the value of the home tie. 3 times this season in the Champions' League, they have won at home and lost away. Having drawn here, and kept Milan off the score sheet, one wonders if they can travel to Italy and get the result they need. A win would be nice, failing which a scoring draw would do quite well.
Despite the performance, Gordon Strachan may be privately fearing that his side have lost their chance, having failed to hit the back off the net against a Milan side that has been underachieving this season and was reeling with injuries for their visit. Personally, I think Milan is ripe for the taking, lame at the back, lethargic at the front, only potent in the middle. In my opinion they should not have been let back into the Champions' League, despite finishing 4th after the points deduction the season before. But the power brokers of the club ensured that UEFA would be pressured into letting them back in and the latter saw fit to include a tainted team in it's competition. Their participation may continue for atleast another match but if they were to go on and win the title - it would reflect badly on the state of UEFA on the whole.
I'll take blatant dives for 400. Since Milan can't seem to score against decent opposition, it seems they have resorted to conning their way into the score books. It's evil enough to dive, it's criminally stupid to do what Alberto Gilardino did - choosing to crumple a full meter away from the nearest Celtic player and a full 2 seconds after the he had lost the ball. In that moment Milan displayed the sheer desperation that churns inside, they knew that they needed something extra to break Celtic - but instead of conjuring up magic like the great Milan sides of old - they chose to resort to devilry.
In retrospect, not starting Alessandro Costacurta and Cafu was wise by Carlo Ancelotti, knowing full well the lack of pace that would be exploited by Kenny Miller, Jan Vennegoor(of Hesselink) and Aiden Mcgeady. Having Kakha Kaladze, Milan's most consistent defender this season, shore up the backline with the ageless, but slow Paolo Maldini, made sense. With Massimo Oddo playing deeper than Cafu would at right back - Celtic's threat down that side was minimised. Additionally not having enough strikers, fit, available or otherwise, played into Milan's hands as it allowed them to deploy both Massimo Ambrosini and Gattuso in midfield while Kaka roamed upfield and Yohan Gourcouff sped down the right. It's a pity then that their strike force was as blunt and useless as Gilardino was on the day. It's always seemed that Gilardino is an unlucky striker, somehow unable to find the back of the net now matter how her tries - one hopes he doesn't add cheating to his list of options.
For Celtic, Evander Sno and Neil Lennon put in typically hardworking shifts in the middle of the park, the latter departing before destroyer in chief, Thomas Gravesen, arrived to kill any semblance of a chance that Milan may have had. For all their possession Celtic could only manage a handful of shots on goal - home advantage resulting in a performance that was more whimper than roar. Vennegoor and Miller should have done better when they sighted goal - but now have to repeat it on away soil. Celtic are notoriously poor travelers in Europe this season.
Entertaining after the first leg, both sides have it all to play for. Celtic need to be more creative and Milan more clinical when they meet again in a week's time.
All is not black and white.
Lille 0 - 1 Manchester United
Lille may have a point but have acted like novices.
No matter what happens - you cannot walk off the pitch. Displaying the mental fortitude of a 6 year old who's been pushed off his favorite playground slide, Lille walked off the pitch after Manchester United scored off a free kick. They may claim that quick free kicks are not allowed in France. Lille may claim that they were not ready or that they had not heard/seen/caught on to the fact that the referee had allowed a quick free kick. Nonetheless they have backed themselves into a corner by choosing to take matters into their own hands and trying to call the tie off. Whatever the rules in France, it does not matter, this is the Champions' League. And it's all a pity really, since Lille played rather well.
Lille took the game to their opponents and really had a go. Manchester United may be rolling over opponents domestically, but they once again they came unstuck against a team who were not afraid to play at them and attack United from the off. Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced shortly after an hour. Him, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Henrik Larsson and Ryan Giggs, as attacking a quintet as you will ever find, were restricted to one measly shot in the first half. Lille are a defensive, muscular team to being with, but United are supposed to be this unstoppable juggernaut of attacking football. They were generally outplayed by the plucky French outfit.
Thereafter, Lille tried to go for the jugular as it strove to impose its advantage on United but both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand held firm. Matthieu Bodmer, Lille main offensive fulcrum, came closest with two shots after the break but in general there was little to suggest that the deadlock would be broken. Bodmer's linkup play with the equally impressive Nicolas Fauverge was very good and should give Lille lots of heart for the return leg. Peter Odemwingie headed home but thanks to a gentle nudge in the back of an already flailing Vidic, the goal was correctly ruled out. Odemwingie should have realised that he would have headed the ball in anyway and need not have pushed the defender. Yet, sometimes enthusiasm overshadows endeavour and his push was really quite silly and totally unnecessary. The referee's call was correct but one wonders if he would have been as particular if the roles were reversed. It's a well known fact that United, like many big clubs, get better calls than their smaller counterparts. Would United have taken it in their stride if a goal was chalked off for a minor infraction and then they were sucker-punched by a quick free kick ?
If you look closely at the replay, there seems to be an exchange between, Giggs, Rooney and the referee - albeit very hurried. In what seemed to be a carefully rehearsed move, Rooney placed the ball swiftly but quickly and Giggs took a shot - deliberately aimed for the corner away from Sylva. Lille were not aware of what was happening and were caught cold. Yes it was unfair but it was legal. They have reason to feel robbed - but walking off and sulking in the corner is no way to even things out. One remembers a Champions' League tie between United and Lyon several years ago. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a hat trick of goals from offside positions. Despite the officiating, Lyon stuck to their task manfully and never gave up - or walked off.
Lille should regroup and grow up. This is a good team with a solid core. The next time they walk off they should try to do so as winners.
Much Oddo about nothing
Celtic 0 - 0 Milan
The return of Rino Gattuso to Glasgow could scarcely have been more underwhelming.
A dire 0-0 draw that Milan may have edged but Celtic had the better chances. Nakamura's vicious swinging free kick, cleared by Zeljko Kalac at the near post, was arguably the pick of the bunch. Celtic came at Milan hard, knowing full well the value of the home tie. 3 times this season in the Champions' League, they have won at home and lost away. Having drawn here, and kept Milan off the score sheet, one wonders if they can travel to Italy and get the result they need. A win would be nice, failing which a scoring draw would do quite well.
Despite the performance, Gordon Strachan may be privately fearing that his side have lost their chance, having failed to hit the back off the net against a Milan side that has been underachieving this season and was reeling with injuries for their visit. Personally, I think Milan is ripe for the taking, lame at the back, lethargic at the front, only potent in the middle. In my opinion they should not have been let back into the Champions' League, despite finishing 4th after the points deduction the season before. But the power brokers of the club ensured that UEFA would be pressured into letting them back in and the latter saw fit to include a tainted team in it's competition. Their participation may continue for atleast another match but if they were to go on and win the title - it would reflect badly on the state of UEFA on the whole.
I'll take blatant dives for 400. Since Milan can't seem to score against decent opposition, it seems they have resorted to conning their way into the score books. It's evil enough to dive, it's criminally stupid to do what Alberto Gilardino did - choosing to crumple a full meter away from the nearest Celtic player and a full 2 seconds after the he had lost the ball. In that moment Milan displayed the sheer desperation that churns inside, they knew that they needed something extra to break Celtic - but instead of conjuring up magic like the great Milan sides of old - they chose to resort to devilry.
In retrospect, not starting Alessandro Costacurta and Cafu was wise by Carlo Ancelotti, knowing full well the lack of pace that would be exploited by Kenny Miller, Jan Vennegoor(of Hesselink) and Aiden Mcgeady. Having Kakha Kaladze, Milan's most consistent defender this season, shore up the backline with the ageless, but slow Paolo Maldini, made sense. With Massimo Oddo playing deeper than Cafu would at right back - Celtic's threat down that side was minimised. Additionally not having enough strikers, fit, available or otherwise, played into Milan's hands as it allowed them to deploy both Massimo Ambrosini and Gattuso in midfield while Kaka roamed upfield and Yohan Gourcouff sped down the right. It's a pity then that their strike force was as blunt and useless as Gilardino was on the day. It's always seemed that Gilardino is an unlucky striker, somehow unable to find the back of the net now matter how her tries - one hopes he doesn't add cheating to his list of options.
For Celtic, Evander Sno and Neil Lennon put in typically hardworking shifts in the middle of the park, the latter departing before destroyer in chief, Thomas Gravesen, arrived to kill any semblance of a chance that Milan may have had. For all their possession Celtic could only manage a handful of shots on goal - home advantage resulting in a performance that was more whimper than roar. Vennegoor and Miller should have done better when they sighted goal - but now have to repeat it on away soil. Celtic are notoriously poor travelers in Europe this season.
Entertaining after the first leg, both sides have it all to play for. Celtic need to be more creative and Milan more clinical when they meet again in a week's time.
All is not black and white.
Lille 0 - 1 Manchester United
Lille may have a point but have acted like novices.
No matter what happens - you cannot walk off the pitch. Displaying the mental fortitude of a 6 year old who's been pushed off his favorite playground slide, Lille walked off the pitch after Manchester United scored off a free kick. They may claim that quick free kicks are not allowed in France. Lille may claim that they were not ready or that they had not heard/seen/caught on to the fact that the referee had allowed a quick free kick. Nonetheless they have backed themselves into a corner by choosing to take matters into their own hands and trying to call the tie off. Whatever the rules in France, it does not matter, this is the Champions' League. And it's all a pity really, since Lille played rather well.
Lille took the game to their opponents and really had a go. Manchester United may be rolling over opponents domestically, but they once again they came unstuck against a team who were not afraid to play at them and attack United from the off. Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced shortly after an hour. Him, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Henrik Larsson and Ryan Giggs, as attacking a quintet as you will ever find, were restricted to one measly shot in the first half. Lille are a defensive, muscular team to being with, but United are supposed to be this unstoppable juggernaut of attacking football. They were generally outplayed by the plucky French outfit.
Thereafter, Lille tried to go for the jugular as it strove to impose its advantage on United but both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand held firm. Matthieu Bodmer, Lille main offensive fulcrum, came closest with two shots after the break but in general there was little to suggest that the deadlock would be broken. Bodmer's linkup play with the equally impressive Nicolas Fauverge was very good and should give Lille lots of heart for the return leg. Peter Odemwingie headed home but thanks to a gentle nudge in the back of an already flailing Vidic, the goal was correctly ruled out. Odemwingie should have realised that he would have headed the ball in anyway and need not have pushed the defender. Yet, sometimes enthusiasm overshadows endeavour and his push was really quite silly and totally unnecessary. The referee's call was correct but one wonders if he would have been as particular if the roles were reversed. It's a well known fact that United, like many big clubs, get better calls than their smaller counterparts. Would United have taken it in their stride if a goal was chalked off for a minor infraction and then they were sucker-punched by a quick free kick ?
If you look closely at the replay, there seems to be an exchange between, Giggs, Rooney and the referee - albeit very hurried. In what seemed to be a carefully rehearsed move, Rooney placed the ball swiftly but quickly and Giggs took a shot - deliberately aimed for the corner away from Sylva. Lille were not aware of what was happening and were caught cold. Yes it was unfair but it was legal. They have reason to feel robbed - but walking off and sulking in the corner is no way to even things out. One remembers a Champions' League tie between United and Lyon several years ago. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a hat trick of goals from offside positions. Despite the officiating, Lyon stuck to their task manfully and never gave up - or walked off.
Lille should regroup and grow up. This is a good team with a solid core. The next time they walk off they should try to do so as winners.
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