Champions League Group Game 1 Post Match Reaction

[Johnboy]

No Missing

No Errors

[Derek]

Burnley 1 1 Roma

We gave away a penalty and played half the match with 10 men so we'll happily take the point even though 10-man Roma edged the stats.

Not doing well with suspensions & injuries but we've plenty of strength in depth so will put out a strong side in our next match

gg Si

[Steve@Chelsea]

Real Madrid 5 - 2 Aston Villa

It's crucial to get off to a good start in the Champions League, and we did that here putting five past Villa. Always good to beat our number one critic Ian, however I must conceed it was a close game and was 2-2 until not far off the end. We then went into Hulk Smash mode and just slammed Villa into unconciousness with three goals in quick succession.

Nice to see our old boy Diaz. Wasn't nice he scored against us! But at least it didn't matter in the end.

GG ian.

[Marshy@Atletico]

Man City 0 Atletico Madrid 1

GG Nick

A trip to the Premier leagues best team led to a conservative line up from the away side. With 3 away trips in the first 3 games it was imperative not to lose too much ground before the return fixtures. A draw here would be seen as an heroic point. With Sessegnon injured, Glik was called into defence with Mbabu chosen to step into an unfamiliar defensive midfield position. Madrid would have the better of the early exchanges and deservedly went ahead when Sancho scored with his head. Atletico almost immediately retreated to try and protect the lead but this saw Man City have their best part of the game pushing for an equaliser. With 20 minutes left Atletico threw on 3 defensive squaddies to complete the double decker approach. The bus stood tall enough to complete the 0-1 victory.

Manager Simon Marsh commented "We stifled arguably the best side in FFO into a bit of a scrap. Sancho scrapped the goal and the lads dug in for a big win. We were hopeful of 3 points from the first 3 games so this gives us an opportunity to play some football at PSG and Tottenham now to try and gain another away win that would put us in a very strong position"

[Steve@ManUtd]

MANCHESTER UNITED 2-3 Arsenal

What appears a close game in the end, was over early doors as our set up was perfect for Arsenal who countered us all game and I believe they fully deserved the win. It was a bit naive but with only 1 striker available we opted for what we did and effectively it was the wrong choice, although I had a feeling they'd go how they did. Arsenal have a great gaffa, and an understated team, they've started slow domestically but that means nothing in my opinion they'll soon steam roll to the front.

We rallied late which wasn't enough but I don't think this was acceptable on the start we've had, so hopefully this is our wake up call and we'll get going again next game.

[Guest]

Inter Milan 2 - 1 Newcastle United

I think this may be the first time we have ever faced Chris and Newcastle so went into the game not knowing what to expect, thats what makes the Champions League special, facing teams and managers you don't usually and facing great teams.

We raced into an early lead through Olmo who rejoined us only months after leaving and we looked on the up but Newcastle scored to make it 1-1 just before half time, after that the game was even and was back and forth but Son popped up with what would be the winner on the 74th minute and we managed to see the game out.

as others have mentioned getting points on the board is crucial in this and we are off and running although our form is still not where i would like it as we struggle to put sides away, we have a tough group and Newcastle will pose everyone problems with such a quality squad. Next up will be Villa where im sure Ian will be trying extra hard to get a result. gg mate

[Ian]

Real Madrid 5 - 2 Aston Villa

An eventful game it has to be said, the home side were two up by the half hour mark and looked to be cruising but we did make a game of it and by the halfway mark had pulled the game back all square. It has to be said that Madrid did have the better of the game but for much of it we held our own while at times giving them problems. That was until the final stages of this tie in which the hosts scored a further three goals in what proved to be a devastating period for us. At the final whistle the Real Madrid manager was uncontrollable, running around like a headless chicken with his arms wildly thrashing about in the air. One onlooker was overheard commenting “look at him, he must have just won the most important game of his managerial career. Bless”

[Steve@Chelsea]

Nope. Most important was beating you in the Champions League Final.

[Ian]

Steve, do me a favour, contact the onlooker who was at the game and let him know he was mistaken. understandable mistake to make though.

[Steve@Chelsea]

Your last comment makes zero sense, to me at least.

[Eduardo]

Spurs 1 - 2 Parisiens

Dominant performance from the visitors but we almost snatched a point. A late goal from Achraf Hakimi won them the game on opening day of group stages. We never managed to come up to their level and we have to admit their a far better team than us.

Well played Ed!

[Livi@Liverpool]

Sporting Lisbon 1 Barcelona 1

In the immediate aftermath of reading the report this felt like a defeat given how long we led, how dominant we were and the fact they went down to ten men early in the 2nd half. However now that the dust has settled I suppose it isn't a bad result particularly away from home and it's something to build on.

Next up we play Lisbon again - this time at home in the league as we look to bounce back from the harsh defeat in Milan.

Played Gaz

[Darren]

Manchester United 2 - 3 Arsenal

A great result to get our Champions League campaign off and running and against a top side that has started the season well. In the toughest of the groups so any points will be hard to come by but today we got our tacvtics right and made a couple of changes from the defeat to Burnley in the last league game. Madueke with his first goals for the club that see him increase in main skill is a big bonus for us aswell.

Played Steve,.

[Ed@PSG]

Spurs 1 PSG 2
For the 3rd season in a row we are grouped with Spurs, and usually struggle. Today was no exception. We lost our best AM after 2 minutes but managed to get a very early goal. However, we were unable to capitalise and found ourselves pegged back on the half hour mark. Fortunately, we still had some quality on the bench and were able to turn the screw on 65 by switching to a more attacking approach, and sacrificing a DM for Kvaratskhelia. We got the winner not longer after. Strength in depth was probably the difference. We edged the stats so feel we were worthy of the win.
GG Eduardo

[Andy@Berlin]

Chelsea 1 - 4 Bayern Munich

The stats show us on top, but its goals that count, and we cant score for toffee. We must wake up in the group stages in the next match ,because you dont get many chances in the Champions league. Good game JB.