Post Match Reaction - Round 27

[Nick@ManCity]

Missing Sheets


Errors
rom
Error: The PK taker, Firmino wasn't listed in the teamsheet

laz
Error: V_Oshimen not in Roster

val
Error: J_L_Gaya is suspended

Error Points
Celtic - 3
Lazio - 3
Napoli - 4
Roma - 4
Valencia - 2

[Derek]

Roma 3 0 Monaco

We read old John-Boy like a book and were 3 up by half-time. Disappointed we didn't add to our tally. Only 16 shots which is poor by our standards.

MotM Muniesa enjoyed getting a game and with our suspensions will probably get plenty more!

We keep winning but can't shake off all these 2nd tier clubs.

Tough gig next away to the best club in Germany.

gg John

[Ed@PSG]

PSG 5 Atletico Madrid 2
We totally bossed them in the 1st fixure but had to settle for a draw, so wasnt going to let that happen this time. Getting my mojo back and decided to put a little effort into my sheet. Was surprised to face a defensive D, but we managed get on the score sheet after 11 minutes. Shortly afterwards they went into attack mode and we were happy to pick them off. We conceded 2 goals, but were never really in danger. Atletico are still above in the table and are no mugs, and will no doubt get stronger and stronger.
GG Simon

[JasonH@Wolfsburg]

Sevilla 3-3 Leverkusen

fantastic game between two sides battling out for the positions, we took the lead on all 3 occasions but never held it for long, with Sevilla looking the more likely to nab a winner.

Disappointed with a draw but to not lose against Sevilla was hugely important.

Great game Raingod

[AB@Juventus]

Inter Milan 3 - 2 Juventus

A defeat in this all Italian tie, we came into the game with TA however, it was the hosts who took the lead just 17 minutes into the game and after a change of tactics, Inter Milan doubled their lead just 3 minutes later with the help of VAR.

We threw everything at them at this point, gifting them TA but the scoreline read 2-0 at half time.

Into the second half and a moment that could have decided the game, Olmo's 49th minute effort was ruled out, and we instantly cut their advantage in half with a goal of our own....game on.

4 minutes later the scores were level at 2-2 and we were back in the game, however this only lasted for 6 minutes as Inter pulled ahead once again and that's how the game ended.

Statistically they were the better team so it's hard to complain. Good game GS

[Marshy@Atletico]

PSG 5 Atletico 2

Good game Ed

A rushed teamsheet at the 11th hour + a little more was never the best way to go into an away game against FFOs best side.
We threw in the first D of the season but its clear that we do not have the players to accommodate the tactic and it proved an error. PSG had 5 attacks in 11 minutes and scored with their first shot. Atletico moved two up front and went on the attack. From there on in it was a bit of ping pong match but PSG with home advantage had better players were always going to get more chances and the game became entertaining but likely only one winner.

Manager Simon Marsh added "Last season it was evident that we needed to score a lot more goals and also concede a lot less to get higher in the league because we were way behind some clubs. The signing of Fati along with the improvement of Diaby, Frimpong and Romagnoli has given us a better chance in front of goal and along with playing flair football we have achieved scoring more goals - 79 at present, the third highest in the league. Defensively we are worse. The decision to loan out Soumare to Monaco has reduced the shield we had available in front of the back 4, and playing mainly 4 defenders only for the majority of games has left us more vulnerable. Henderson's performance of 226-74 has simply not been good enough this season and we have leaked the 08th most goals. We could have brought Soumane back for the second half of the season but I do not like going back on deals and he is enjoying his time at Monaco so he will stay there regardless as agreed"

Meanwhile Atletico's wage bill has risen sharply since the start of the season.

Marsh added "When I took over we had the 13th highest wages in the league. Its now sitting at 05th. It is very close between 04th and 10th but we do have two players at 900k out on loan so it does look like the squad has been improving. We are handily placed for further investments with £159m so the future looks good for the club".

[Livi@Liverpool]

Barcelona 5 Celtic 0

Expected a counter attacking approach from Sam but we went with our preferred passing approach anyway. As it is the Scots matched us tactically and it turned into a comfortable 90 mins for us. Celtic weren't helped by a red card at 2-0 but I don't think it made a huge difference to the final outcome. Raphinha the main man in this one with a hat trick.

We went full strength and thankfully avoided any injuries or suspensions ahead of the EFL Cup final. Bayern will be at full strength too and on paper it looks to be an exciting match up. They haven't been great this season but player for player you could certainly argue they have the edge so we'll need to be at our best.

Looking forward to it, we've lost the final twice in recent seasons so hopefully it's a case of 3rd time lucky.

[Guest]

Sevilla 3-3 Leverkusen

fantastic game between two sides battling out for the positions, we took the lead on all 3 occasions but never held it for long, with Sevilla looking the more likely to nab a winner.

Disappointed with a draw but to not lose against Sevilla was hugely important.

Great game Raingod

Yes well played Jason ... a good game for the neutral!

We conceded possession and are glad to take the draw ...

Nunez was MOM with a brace ... and Musso did well to save a pen as well early on ...

Good abs from 9 of the 11 starters ,, and good sub performances ...

.. but frustration overall .. strong side developed but not delivering ... increased squad size after queries last season - but no takers for loans and littler transfer interest in team... hopefully my interest will improve again soon ...

[Guest]

Inter Milan 3 - 2 Juventus

Juventus are a great side having an odd season and today was no different, we started so well racing into a two goal lead today and to be honest it should have been more but like all the previous games our backline fell asleep and let Juve back into the game conceeding two goals in less than 6 mins in a complete collapse, after this i feared the worst as we have squandered similar positions since my return but we managed to get a goal after substitutions and tactic changes and seen out the game.

Two goals from defenders today, we got the result and as Andy said we deserved it based on the attacking stats but the defence remains a concern. GG mate

[Steve@Chelsea]

Lyon 4 - 1 Real Madrid

Madrid were at 70% strength in this match with 3 of our starter outfielders missing through suspension (again). I still felt like we had enough to win this game though. With our main two strikers being 2 of the 3 players missing, the plan was to trust our strong defence, keeper and backup that we have bought and hope to score more goals than they did putting trust into Elliot and Sterling. Unfortunately the game went all Pete Tong from the very first minute. Lyon, who can be a dangerous team when they decide to turn up, scored with the very first attack in the 1st minute past our strong defence and keeper and immediately went for the D tactic. Somehow Lyon scored again while playing D but Madrid were given a lifeline when the home side had a player sent off and Elliot dispatched the penalty to make it 2-1. I was hoping we could press home the extra man advantage and make a comeback, but our hopes were dashed as Lyon still playing D, scored a 3rd and then a 4th goal to kick Madrid to the curb in style. We did had much the better of the stats, but we were just taken apart by Lyon on the scoreline and I have no answers for this one. We tried our level best but got duffed over. GG Jason, tremendous result for you.

Onto the next game, but against Bayern we will yep, have another 3 players missing through suspension. Our season is in danger of being wrecked by the suspensions. I knew we would lose points though with so many players out and still have faith that once we emerge from suspension hell we can put a run together to threaten the top of the league again. At least it's only Bayern next, one saving grace.

[Ray@Wolves]

Marseille 0

Booked: M_Pjaca (49), M_Simon (89)

Eintracht Frankfurt 4
F_Dimarco (5), S_Reguilon (43), C_Kouame (43 pen), J_Vallejo (77)

Injured: F_Dimarco (11)

MotM: S_Reguilon (Eintracht Frankfurt)
HT: 0-3

This was just the result we needed before we enter into a tough couple of games against some of the top sides. We knew that the French side would come at us from the start so we set up to combat that and it worked perfectly for us. Italian defender Federico DiMarco opened the scoring but sadly had to go off minutes later after he picked up a knock. From then on we dominated the game and never looked in trouble. So thankfully three welcome points haul us away from the drop zone and amazingly we are now getting ever closer to the teams sat in the DPT positions!!

Good game Euan.

Next game sees us entertain PSG who will no doubt prove a very tough test for us.

Breaking News: DiMarco's injury has now been assessed and fortunately for us and him he will be available for the PSG game. Which is just as well as he starts to home in on becoming 19 rated.

[Gary@Millwall]

Valencia 0 Sporting Lisbon 1

Sporting Lisbon went to the MestallaStadium looking to secure their 5th League win on the bounce against bottom placed Valencia hoping to keep on the coat tails of Roma and Real Madrid.

Sporting Lisbon went all out attack from the first whistle while Valencia played counter attacking to secure home and tactical advantage.

Despite their advantage Sporting Lisbon seemed to be having more of the game but it was a tactical change by Windebank in the 20th minute that ended up creating a good opportunity for Matteo Politano seventeen minutes later. Rick Karsdorp crossed the ball and Matteo Politano saw his shot via a bicycle kick beat Alex Remiro, the ball hit the inside of the post striking Remiro in the goal and Matteo Politano easily tucked in the ball to give the Portuguese side a deserved lead.

A formation change by Windebank followed and the half ended 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon, however Valencia had James Milner sent off in the 43rd minute and had to play the 2nd half with only 10 men.

Sporting Lisbon controlled large periods of the 2nd half as their passing style frustrated the home crowd and Valencia players and having 10 men really affected Valencia's counter attacking style.

The full time whistle went with Sporting Lisbon recording their 5th win in a row and 18th League win of the season as they jumped above Real Madrid who got battered away to Lyon. The Roma machine won again following a great 3-0 victory against Monaco to stay at the summit on goal difference.

Sporting Lisbon had 64% possession and created 10 chances of which 6 were on target. Valencia despite chasing shadows created 7 chances with all 7 being on target.

Windebank's Post Match Comments

Another great performance from the boys today and the players should be so proud that they have secured their 5th win in a row. We have played four away games over the last six so to have earned 16 points over that period is a fantastic return.

This result see us jump one place to 2nd with 57 points but the goal difference to Roma is massive and that means that we know we need to earn one more point than Roma and match the points total haul in the last 15 games of the teams below us if we are to have any chance of winning the League.

We have 15 games left and they are all cup finals for us, it is my job to make sure the players only focus on one game at a time and hopefully we win enough games to shock not only the FFO world but quite frankly me and the players as well.

What I can say is we are really having fun in Lisbon and embracing each and every game and challenge that comes our way, we dont have the resources of the tier one clubs and managers but we have a unity and self belief that hopefully will continue to show in the final fifteen League games of the season.

Good game Matt and best of luck for the season mate.

[Drum@Villa]

Lazio 0 - 0 Rangers

what can I say……… I’LL TAKE THAT.

with a top defender out and the goalkeeper out after a stupid red card.

we went in with no hopes for anything.

so we gave up everything just to nick a point, and we took a point,
mug was damage limitation at its finest.

now we have a full side available for our next game, so we can revert back to our normal style of play.

Burrows is a clever manager and has rangers purring in a tough division, and he’ll be unhappy at not taking more than a point.

Fabinho was our best player.

gg burrows

[Johnboy]

Roma 3 - Monaco 0

Disappointing performance all round from Monaco, that said the first game in a while where we haven't really turned up as a team!

Predictable squad and tactical outlook maybe, but let that not takeaway from the squad of players that Roma have assembled, realisticcally not one of the Monaco squad walks into the Roma XI that we faced today and when you look at it in that context we've not embarrased ourselves.

We fell behind inside 15 minutes and despite changing a few things around conceded a second and a third before half time to go in at the break 3 behind, we came back out with a more defensive outlook and managed to not concede further leading to a final score of 3-0, not the best result but also far from the worst.

A little disappointed in some of our squad players, 3 substitutes came on and played nearly 30 minutes each but their grand impact between them was one tackle which isn't good enough at this level.

Good game Derek, good luck in your title push.