Lyon 1-1 Real Madrid
Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea
Marseille 0-0 Manchester United
Inter Milan 0-1 Bayern München
Roundup
Another week of Champions League football has come to a close, and although this week lacked some of the excitement of last week’s games these first leg matches certainly set the tone for thrilling return legs in Madrid, Manchester, and Munich.
To my great pleasure, Manchester United were dull and uninspiring against Marseille, however I still don’t see the French side winning at Old Trafford. I can only hope that OM will seize a 1-1 draw to knock United out on away goals.
Much was made in the media about Chelsea’s trip to Copenhagen, where the home side was previously unbeaten in Champions League play. That statistic, combined with Chelsea’s abysmal form recently seemed to bode well for an upset. In all seriousness though, Copenhagen never stood a chance. There is a reason that this Copenhagen team is the first Danish side ever to reach this stage of the competition, and that is simply that they don’t have the quality of the world-class teams in the Champions League.
With that being said, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard, and Ramires were very impressive for Chelsea. Meanwhile, Fernando Torres is beginning to look comfortable playing with his new teammates (or maybe it was just weak opposition), but he still looks afraid to shoot. On numerous occasions Torres took one touch too many, allowing the goalkeeper or a defender to dispossess him before he could fire a shot. I won’t hide the fact that it pleases me immensely to see him struggle like this after all the drama of the January transfer window.
The rematch of last year’s final between Inter Milan and Bayern München was an exciting affair that could have easily ended 2-2 or 2-3 rather than 0-1. Both sides were aggressive and generally played well, however they also both lacked clinical finishing. Samuel Eto’o will certainly feel slighted to have not scored, as Thomas Kraft turned in an inspiring performance in goal for Bayern. The second leg in Munich stands out to me as the game to look forward to out of these ties.
For my opinions on Lyon vs. Real Madrid feel free to refer to my previous blog entry. Before I send you on to my team of the week I’d like to mention that Dirk Kuyt headed Liverpool into the Europa League round of 16 tonight. The mighty Reds will take on Sporting Braga of Portugal and their odd stadium that is built into a quarry.
That’s it for this week’s Champions League entry; sorry for the lack of pictures I’ve been busy. As for my next post, Liverpool is in action against West Ham on Sunday so expect a piece about that one.
Team of the week
Goalkeeper:
Thomas Kraft (Bayern München)
Kraft was outstanding in the first leg of Bayern’s tie with Inter Milan. This is a fixture that has received a great deal of billing, and rightfully so considering it is a rematch of last year’s final. The 22 year-old Kraft was unshaken by the pressure and played an immense role in Bayern’s close win, making numerous saves including a brilliant quick reaction to deny Samuel Eto’o, who made a case for man of the match himself despite not scoring.
Defenders:
Cris (Lyon)
Lyon’s captain and bruising center-half played an outstanding game against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Cris was integral in breaking up numerous attacks from Real, and even got himself an assist when he headed a free-kick down to Bafetimbi Gomis in the 87th minute. The Brazilian’s fiery personality was on full display when he got involved in minor confrontations with Xabi Alonso and other Real Madrid players throughout the match.
Aly Cissokho (Lyon)
If there is currently a more promising young tandem at fullback and winger in world football than Aly Cissokho and Michel Bastos at Lyon then I’d like to know about it. The 23 year-old Frenchman showed against Real Madrid that he is not only fully capable of competent defending, but also that he has a sensational understanding with his partner down the left flank. Cissokho found himself in numerous dangerous positions throughout the match, and will undoubtedly be disappointed to be without his partner in crime, Bastos, in the second leg after Bastos’ yellow card in Lyon.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
Always solid at the back (unless he’s facing Fernando Torres), Vidic put in a good performance for United in Marseille. I must admit however, that he made it into my team of the week as something of a token player from that unspectacular affair. Although neither club ever looked particularly threatening, Marseille looked the better side in terms of chance creation, and Vidic combined well with Chris Smalling at the back to ensure that United did not concede.
Philipp Lahm (Bayern München)
Germany’s captain was excellent in Milan. He eliminated the threat of opposite fullback Cristian Chivu, and came forward to provide a wide threat whenever Arjen Robben cut inside. Inter was able to create a decent amount of chances on goal during the game, however Lahm was certainly not to blame. He can thank Thomas Kraft for keeping the Germans in the tie, which they now stand as favorites to win bringing a one-goal advantage back to Munich.
Midfielders:
Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)
Zanetti has proven over the years that he is capable of excelling in defense or the midfield, and on this occasion his role as a ball-winning and ball-playing midfielder cannot be understated. The Inter captain neutralized Bayern’s Franck Ribery and was always looking to hit the Germans on a counter whenever he dispossessed his opponents.
Arjen Robben (Bayern München)
Perhaps the best performer of the week, Arjen Robben was simply too quick for Esteban Cambiasso and Cristian Chivu. The Dutchman looked the most likely to score of anyone on the pitch, and was unlucky when one of his shots went off the post. Robben’s tireless attacking mentality was rewarded indirectly in the 90th minute when Julio Cesar fumbled his driven shot into the path of Mario Gomes who scored Bayern’s vital away goal.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Lampard was the key to Chelsea’s dominant victory in Denmark. Yes, Nicolas Anelka did all the scoring (and got himself into the team of the week as well), but it was Lampard whose creativity in the midfield created numerous opportunities for the visitors. His wonderful assist on Anelka’s second goal rounded out a successful night on which Chelsea simply overmatched their opposition.
Ramires (Chelsea)
Ramires is proving to be an excellent midfield partner for Frank Lampard and Michael Essien. The Brazilian ball-winner showed a tireless work rate throughout the game, and was all over the park gaining possession for his team. Even though Chelsea are undoubtedly more talented than Copenhagen, they still need to perform to their standard of quality in order to win. In this instance, Ramires was a fine example of a Chelsea player stepping up to the occasion to perform at his best.
Forwards:
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
No one will be happier with the result of Real Madrid’s first tip to Lyon without losing than Karim Benzema. The former Lyon star was greeted with a heroes welcome upon being introduced in the 64th minute, and put his new team ahead just 42 seconds later with a collected finish to end a wonderful Real Madrid team move. He will be disappointed that his goal did not end up being the match winner, however the away goal with be a massive factor in the return leg at the Bernabeu where Jose Mourinho is yet to lose.
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Anyone who scores a brace in Champions League play is likely to find himself in the team of the week, and Nicolas Anelka is no exception. The French striker benefitted from a howling error by a former Chelsea player to score his first goal, and then from a sublime pass from Frank Lampard for his second. His goals against Copenhagen were his sixth and seventh in his last six Champions League games, certainly not a bad scoring record for le Incredible Sulk.
Substitutes
Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Souleymane Diawara (Marseille)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern München)
Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan)
Holder Badstuber (Bayern München)
No comments:
Post a Comment