Fair enough.
mildly is an understatment:eek:
This guy was fucking brilliant. I’m glad he (presumably) won’t be featuring for Italy against us in a few weeks. 5 foot 4 1/2 inches and to come on and play like that against Terry, Alex etc.
Should’ve been on from the start, I thought.
I think United are going to get knocked out tonight, we had that stat a while ago about how 4 of the last 5 champions have been eliminated at this stage the following season or something like that. United probably have the players to hurt Inter, but for all their supposed domination 2 weeks ago, what precisely is their excuse for not being able to score so much as one goal? Inter showed enough in the first leg to suggest they are capable of soaking up a bit of pressure, and if they score first, ideally anytime in the last half hour, I think it will be curtains for United.
Of course United might hit them for 2 goals in the first half, and it would all be over, but fuck it I’ll stick ny neck out. I was wrong about Madrid putting it up to Liverpool last night but I don’t think anyone expected Liverpool to have it as easy as they did in the end.
As I said on the travel thread a few weeks back I was at a Sporting Lisbon game in early Feb and their defence was an absolute shambles against a weak Portugese team. Myself and my mate were laughing as they were heavily advertising tickets for the Bayern game and we were convinced Bayern would destroy them. Didn’t expect 12-1 on agg though!
So to tonights games. I stick with my original predictions. Looking forward to see Arsenal cut loose tonight.
[quote=“Sledgehammer”]I think United are going to get knocked out tonight, we had that stat a while ago about how 4 of the last 5 champions have been eliminated at this stage the following season or something like that. United probably have the players to hurt Inter, but for all their supposed domination 2 weeks ago, what precisely is their excuse for not being able to score so much as one goal? Inter showed enough in the first leg to suggest they are capable of soaking up a bit of pressure, and if they score first, ideally anytime in the last half hour, I think it will be curtains for United.
Of course United might hit them for 2 goals in the first half, and it would all be over, but fuck it I’ll stick ny neck out. I was wrong about Madrid putting it up to Liverpool last night but I don’t think anyone expected Liverpool to have it as easy as they did in the end.[/quote]
Inter missing a few at the back though. United not scoring an away goal is a worry certainly but I cant see Inter keeping a clean sheet. I can only hope Inter are not as bad again. If Ferguson plays the likes of Fletcher and Park he will give Inter more of a chance than they deserve.
I think Arsenal could win very comfortably. 3-0 I reckon.
I’d be shocked if Arsenal scored three tonight. I would imagine they’ll get a draw. Teams in general don’t score 3 goals in 90 minutes of CL knockout football very often, Arsenal even less often.
The counter attacking will suit them plus Roma are a mess at the back with clowns like Mexes.
Foot loose?
I really hope Juan is fit because Simone Loria was beyond shocking in the first leg and it’s a bit of a balls up the way Panucci and Spalletti have resolved their row (for now) and he’s back playing in Serie A but he can’t play tonight because he was removed from the 25-man squad listing ahead of the knock-out stages when their row was at its most intense in January.
Mexes has a tendency to self-destruct alright, even when he’s playing well. For example, he was holding the defence together without much help in the first leg and then dived in and gave away the penalty. He’s prone to regular bouts of stupidity like this - he fisted a cross away at the weekend against Udinese that should have resulted in a penalty but got away it. Still, I was wondering if he’s just incapable of being steady and consistent.
I’d probably play Diamoutene alongside Mexes tonight if Juan’s out and it’s hard to predict the rest of the team but Roma have a chance with Totti and Vucinic in the final third and Marco Motta bombing on from right back.
[quote=“Bandage”]I really hope Juan is fit because Simone Loria was beyond shocking in the first leg and it’s a bit of a balls up the way Panucci and Spalletti have resolved their row (for now) and he’s back playing in Serie A but he can’t play tonight because he was removed from the 25-man squad listing ahead of the knock-out stages when their row was at its most intense in January.
Mexes has a tendency to self-destruct alright, even when he’s playing well. For example, he was holding the defence together without much help in the first leg and then dived in and gave away the penalty. He’s prone to regular bouts of stupidity like this - he fisted a cross away at the weekend against Udinese that should have resulted in a penalty but got away it. Still, I was wondering if he’s just incapable of being steady and consistent.
I’d probably play Diamoutene alongside Mexes tonight if Juan’s out and it’s hard to predict the rest of the team but Roma have a chance with Totti and Vucinic in the final third and Marco Motta bombing on from right back.[/quote]
I look forward to your end of match opinions this week Bandage. As an Arsenal fan I thought your analysis on the 1st leg was quite amusing.
Glad to be of service Phil. I’ll venture a prediction and that’s 3-1 to the Giallorossi on the night, with Vucinic the hero. I’m basing this on his form this season and his goals in the past at the Stadio Olimpico against Manchester United and Chelsea. It should make a huge difference having him upfront as Julio Baptista was better for Arsenal in the first leg than he ever was when he actually played for them. Forza Roma.
Are you still gutted about not getting that away goal that Roma deserved in the 1st game… as you said?
NCC seemed happy with the performance from Roma too. Gas
[quote=“Phil Leotardo”]Are you still gutted about not getting that away goal that Roma deserved in the 1st game… as you said?
NCC seemed happy with the performance from Roma too. Gas[/quote]
Roma were comfortable last week & a 1-0 deficit can be overcome quite easily
[quote=“Phil Leotardo”]Are you still gutted about not getting that away goal that Roma deserved in the 1st game… as you said?
NCC seemed happy with the performance from Roma too. Gas[/quote]
I don’t recall saying Roma deserved an away goal but they had a couple of efforts that were close to providing one alright. Maybe I did - I’ll have a look on the thread in question. I’m not particularly gutted about it as I feel the tie is retrievable, but I could of course be proved wrong. Arsenal should have brought a bigger lead to Rome but for bad finishing though Loria’s individual errors to provide those chances (fresh airing a header for Ebou’s one on one, for example) were catastrophic and he won’t be featuring tonight hopefully.
Roma are shite, can’t believe anyone would back them
Phil Leotardo’s Tabloid Style Misrepresentation of My Original Quote:
I never said Roma deserved an away goal. Take it back, Phil. Take it back. Tack it back now:
Roma will be disappointed not to have scored an away goal tonight but Arsenal deserved their 1-0 victory.
Nicklas Bendter is a truly woeful footballer and missed a couple of good chances for them.
Roma had spells of possession and Riise nearly scored late on. Young Marco Motta was really good at right back.
Roma should be stronger in two weeks time when Totti, Vucinic and Juan should be fully fit after niggles and strains, whereas Arsenal’s injured are more long term absentees.
De Rossi got booked and will crucially be suspended for the return leg. Clearly, an away goal would make it a very uphill struggle.
i plan to buy a nice Chianti, some Pasta Arrabicia & some bruchetta to have while im watching my beloved Roma
KIB, MBB Puke & the other anglophiles will be digging into chip butties ,jellied eels & warm bitter
cant wait for the game to begin but as a natural pessimist I fear my beloved Roma will go out
Forza Roma