The European Leagues & Competitions Thread V2

[xPetrCechx 13,565]

HEAD BALL, NOT HAND BALL:

[Special Juan 27,621]

Unreal result, I hope to god Milan can see it through as this would cripple UEFAlona..

[Milan 17,894]

No one will sue anyone okay? It's my name so my rights, understand?

  On 20/02/2013 at 21:49, CHOULO19 said:

After seeing the replay of @milan.cech's ( ) first goal. And I have to say the ref was spot on. The ball took a deflection at a very high speed 1 meter from Zapata. Never a hand ball.

  On 20/02/2013 at 21:56, dave30 said:

YESSSSS get in Milan.

Lovely, I have to enjoy this!

[Jase 43,479]

  On 20/02/2013 at 22:45, Rmpr said:

But it is exactly because of that.

I am not taking anything away from Milan, they were fantastic. However, Barcelona has been constant suffering in Liga BBVA because their defence is shit; they are always in need to turn things around. Also, Pep's team had amazing movement and even with that they lost to us. Take that movement away and you get no infiltration. Add all of that to a totally forgetable day for Messi and you have Milan 2-0!

I agree Milan did a better job than we did (our game was an exam for heart attack), but the Catalunians had a major blame...

Yes, Guardiola's Barcelona had amazing movement but that's kinda like the basic aspect that every team should have, no? Regardless of the team, if you don't offer movements going forward, you're not going to penetrate the opposition. Barca may have an off day of sorts but Milan made it very difficult for them to penetrate by remaining discipline, tight and compact. They denied them the space in which Barcelona likes to play in.

[Special Juan 27,621]

Pazzini was brilliant last night, proper team performance and work rate through the roof.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:25, BluesMaster said:

Yes, Guardiola's Barcelona had amazing movement but that's kinda like the basic aspect that every team should have, no? Regardless of the team, if you don't offer movements going forward, you're not going to penetrate the opposition and Milan made it very difficult for them to even do so by remaining discipline, tight and compact. They denied them the space in which Barcelona likes to play in.

Basics? Far from it. That's the difference between a good team and a world-class team. Look at us, we have been lacking proper movement since Carlo's first season and no manager has yet been able to fix that.

[Jase 43,479]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:29, CHOULO19 said:

Basics? Far from it. That's the difference between a good team and a world-class team. Look at us, we have been lacking proper movement since Carlo's first season and no manager has yet been able to fix that.

By basics, I meant teams aren't going to penetrate and score if their attacking players don't offer movement going forward. Doesn't have to move all over the pitch like Barcelona do.

As for us, yes, it is a problem with us right now. Though some things have to be pointed out. Things went stale under Ancelotti in his second season. AVB arguably tried to implement the movement etc but didn't have the right players to do so. We saw those attacking movements under RDM earlier this season but backfired in other areas. Under Benitez, not so much movement that is partly down to his style of play implemented on the team and the fact that his main focus is always remaining solid and organized defensively more than anything else.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:39, BluesMaster said:

By basics, I meant teams aren't going to penetrate and score if their attacking players don't offer movement going forward. Doesn't have to move all over the pitch like Barcelona do.

I wasn't talking about basic stuff like full backs making over lapping runs but about the kind of runs that Barcelona used to do under Pep.

[Jase 43,479]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:49, CHOULO19 said:

I wasn't talking about basic stuff like full backs making over lapping runs but about the kind of runs that Barcelona used to do under Pep.

That wasn't what I was referring to when I made the point earlier.....................

[CHOULO19 24,332]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:53, BluesMaster said:

That wasn't what I was referring to when I made the point earlier.....................

Well that is what Rmpr was referring to in his original post...................................

[Jase 43,479]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:56, CHOULO19 said:

Well that is what Rmpr was referring to in his original post...................................

Understood what he said then. Of course teams like Barcelona and some others do it better and effectively more than others. Was just making the point offering basic movement attacking generally.

Sheesh!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

  On 21/02/2013 at 10:00, BluesMaster said:

Understood what he said then. Of course teams like Barcelona and some others do it better and effectively more than others. Was just making the point offering basic movement attacking generally.

Sheesh!

Well don't do it again!

[Xisco 8]

Well done Milan! I hate Barça!

Messi 3 goals(on penalty) in 11 matches against Italian teams. :D

[bushman 2,043]

Oh boy. Was I wrong to predict Barca to advance easily ?

I believe AC just might squeeze it in Barcelona.

AC young players are showing the character of Milan. I hope, AC will prevail & advance.

[Rmpr 8,977]

  On 21/02/2013 at 09:25, BluesMaster said:

Yes, Guardiola's Barcelona had amazing movement but that's kinda like the basic aspect that every team should have, no? Regardless of the team, if you don't offer movements going forward, you're not going to penetrate the opposition. Barca may have an off day of sorts but Milan made it very difficult for them to penetrate by remaining discipline, tight and compact. They denied them the space in which Barcelona likes to play in.

No, far from basic stuff!

In a normal team, the striker can get out of the box and by doing that he drags a defender with him. This opens the oppostion's line and makes it easier for diagonal infiltration, leading to a good goal possibility. They also cant cross because no one is taller than 180cm. Barcelona doesnt have those weapons, it either rellys on Messi to finish with the game or thier through balls have to work. Pep's team had an incredible movement (ball and players), even with a good back 4, teams would suffer. Tito's team, on the other hand, looks very static. This is good training sessions and tactical ability (Barcelona would always change to 3-4-3 when the game was too one sided), something people dont give Guardiola credit for.

Look at their game in 2011:

Now look how they were yesterday (watch the first 30sec):

EDIT: Add what Choulo said!

[Backstreet09 499]

Forza Milan :heart:

[Milan 17,894]

Great days

[Milan 17,894]

Lyon lead against Spuds 1-0 and this result would mean Tottenham out. Of course I would enjoy them being knocked out but I'd rather them going further because of the fight for the top 4. The more they have to play, the better for us.