Oh boy, we had some serious football going on midweek with both the away teams establishing their complete dominance over the opponent. It was a joy to watch as Rooney and Messi both lived up to the No 10 performances expected of them, but in different ways. But all together it was a feast of some real soccer out there.
The first match between Manchester United and Schalke should have been actually billed Man Utd vs Manuel Neuer. Because the first 20 minutes really showed us a glimpse of the modern era reincarnation of Peter Schmeichel. Neuer was simply playing on a different planet altogether. The audacious cross from Rooney in the 3rd minute was met with an inhuman dive from the goalie to keep out a sure goal from Hernandez. That was just the beginning of what was to come. It seemed like the German resilience was a true thing. For the first half, Utd should have been 5-0 up but Neuer had different plans of his own. He kept out every single shot, cross, 1-on-1 thrown on him as if he can do all that in his sleep. But those 45 minutes he may not replicate again but what a performance. United were left scratching their heads and at half time it still read 0-0. Some respite but SAF was not your sit back and wait type manager. The tempo was raised and United were offensive from the word GO in the second half. But history (read first 45 minutes) does not repeat. Neuer was abandoned fighting a lone battle against Rooney and Co. Rooney was playing as if he were no mere mortal, he was everywhere and I would say the reverse pass to pick out Giggsy was simply breathtaking. From here on it was the usual for United , ending up 2-0 victorious on away grounds breaking the long standing German jinx. But it was a match where Rooney showed why is a bulldozer on the field, Neuer showed the German resilience and we got a perfect match.
The second match between Real Madrid and Barcelona was one of the most ill tempered El Classico's in recent history. It was Messi all the way playing silky sublime football as compared to Rooney's determined football. Messi was simply untouchable and the second goal of the night just showcased the gulf of class between him and the defenders on the pitch. The match did have its moments. Pepe getting a straight red, which I think should have been a yellow. The fight at the half time which saw Pinto get a red, Mourinho being banished into the stands. But again Mourinho has not been wrong as he had said earlier, he plays against Barcelona with 10 men and it seemed the referee obliged him. Real Madrid were not intended on playing any football other than physical football and Barcelona took it as a blessing in disguise crying like babies every time they are hit. Come on, you are playing football not some court games where the opponents don't touch each other. Pedro and Busquets in particular need to keep their crying at home. Look at Messi, what may come he still stands. Football wise, this match was boring I would say, tackles flying, cards being brandished (Ramos will miss the second leg) and Barcelona playing their possession football without even going forward. It is beautiful but boring. But yeah Messi did get what he deserved, 2 goals on the night to take an almost book their place at Wembley.
Both matches are poised at surety that its Man Utd vs Barca in the finale. But this is Football, next 90 minutes will decide who it is going to be. Raul will definitely like to feature in another finale while Mourinho would like to repeat what he did with Inter at Camp Nou. Next week decides the Wembley occupants.
The first match between Manchester United and Schalke should have been actually billed Man Utd vs Manuel Neuer. Because the first 20 minutes really showed us a glimpse of the modern era reincarnation of Peter Schmeichel. Neuer was simply playing on a different planet altogether. The audacious cross from Rooney in the 3rd minute was met with an inhuman dive from the goalie to keep out a sure goal from Hernandez. That was just the beginning of what was to come. It seemed like the German resilience was a true thing. For the first half, Utd should have been 5-0 up but Neuer had different plans of his own. He kept out every single shot, cross, 1-on-1 thrown on him as if he can do all that in his sleep. But those 45 minutes he may not replicate again but what a performance. United were left scratching their heads and at half time it still read 0-0. Some respite but SAF was not your sit back and wait type manager. The tempo was raised and United were offensive from the word GO in the second half. But history (read first 45 minutes) does not repeat. Neuer was abandoned fighting a lone battle against Rooney and Co. Rooney was playing as if he were no mere mortal, he was everywhere and I would say the reverse pass to pick out Giggsy was simply breathtaking. From here on it was the usual for United , ending up 2-0 victorious on away grounds breaking the long standing German jinx. But it was a match where Rooney showed why is a bulldozer on the field, Neuer showed the German resilience and we got a perfect match.
The second match between Real Madrid and Barcelona was one of the most ill tempered El Classico's in recent history. It was Messi all the way playing silky sublime football as compared to Rooney's determined football. Messi was simply untouchable and the second goal of the night just showcased the gulf of class between him and the defenders on the pitch. The match did have its moments. Pepe getting a straight red, which I think should have been a yellow. The fight at the half time which saw Pinto get a red, Mourinho being banished into the stands. But again Mourinho has not been wrong as he had said earlier, he plays against Barcelona with 10 men and it seemed the referee obliged him. Real Madrid were not intended on playing any football other than physical football and Barcelona took it as a blessing in disguise crying like babies every time they are hit. Come on, you are playing football not some court games where the opponents don't touch each other. Pedro and Busquets in particular need to keep their crying at home. Look at Messi, what may come he still stands. Football wise, this match was boring I would say, tackles flying, cards being brandished (Ramos will miss the second leg) and Barcelona playing their possession football without even going forward. It is beautiful but boring. But yeah Messi did get what he deserved, 2 goals on the night to take an almost book their place at Wembley.
Both matches are poised at surety that its Man Utd vs Barca in the finale. But this is Football, next 90 minutes will decide who it is going to be. Raul will definitely like to feature in another finale while Mourinho would like to repeat what he did with Inter at Camp Nou. Next week decides the Wembley occupants.
so u have started a blog ha....cool....
ReplyDeleteyeah man both the matches were classy... it's definately barca vs utd in the final....
and let there not be a repeat of 2009 final... rather united should win it this time
ReplyDelete