Post Match Reaction - EFL Cup QF

[JB@Norwich]

No missing or errors

[Derek]

Roma 4 0 Juve

Utterly dominant again.

But for the first time this season, we actually scored some goals. Took until the 63 minute to score the first though.

We lost our GK to injury but the top class managers realise it's a squad game and buy-in cover. So that wasn't a major problem.

We are hopeless against Barca so need to avoid them in the semis if we are to progress to the final.

gg AB

[JasonH@Wolfsburg]

Leverkusen 3-1 Atletico

A cagey C v C affair with us going 1-0 down and squandering chance after chance left me with a similar feeling in my gut, a good performance but a lack of cutting edge to get a result. But a strong second half resulting in us scoring 2 goals and a penalty has taken us through to the semi finals for the first time.

Whilst it was a close game, I feel we edged it and ended up good value for the win. Good game marshy.

With Real Madrid out, Roma are surely favourites to win the trophy and I imagine the remaining 3 teams will all be hoping to draw Leverkusen. But we will not be going down without a fight.

[Steve@Chelsea]

Barcelona 4 - 3 Real Madrid

Even game on the stats it seems apart from our shots was mostly off target while Barcas got theirs on target, and that seems to have been the difference - especially early on as the hosts raced into a 3 goal lead. We did show some resilence in coming back into the game and when we made it just the 1 one goal lead in the middle of the 2nd half I felt like a 4th goal was coming. Alas it didn't though. Perhaps we missed the finishing of Rodrygo in this one. GG Livi once again our nemesis in the cups.

[Marshy@Atletico]

Leverkusen 3 Atletico Madrid 1

GG JH

Atletico headed into the game without Mancini and the manager personal life has been incredibly draining of late. They were hoping to advance to the semi-finals for the first time under Marsh but in truth the performance was poor both before and during the game. Leverkusen always looked the better side on the night and deserved to progress.

Manager Simon Marsh commented "I can only apologise for an error on my part that has played a huge part in our exit. I was never happy with the teamsheet we put in. We were indecisive as to what tactics to go with and they clearly were not working. In truth I just knew deep down there would probably be an error in there also because it was completed under heavy eyes. I am pleased for Jason Hopton who has dug deep and Bayer are having a good season. I hope they go on to win the cup. I need to go to sleep until the next game!".

The only positive on the night was good minutes for the squad.

[Livi@Liverpool]

Barcelona 4 Real Madrid 3

A classic El Clásico if ever there was with a genuine seven goal thriller to excite the full house in Camp Nou.

523P v 5104A set ups suggested a high scoring encounter would be likely and after only 18 minutes we'd raced into a 3-0 lead. Real Madrid aren't the best side in the EFL for no reason though and with us showing no intention of taking our foot off the gas they pulled one back to give themselves hope at HT.

Early in the 2nd half we went 4-1 ahead and under normal circumstances you would expect to be home and hosed but this Madrid side have shown they can score goals for fun and by the 63rd minute they had pulled it back to 4-3 and the mother of all comebacks looked possible. Both sides had plenty chances the rest of the way including a disallowed goal for us but 4-3 it finished in one of the most memorable matches at Camp Nou during my almost 4 years at the club.

Real are a credit to the game given the ambitious way in which they play and any time you can come out on top against them it feels like a bit of an achievement. Well played Steve.

Onto the semi finals and it's a nice mix of clubs. It'll be difficult whoever we get.

[AB@Juventus]

Roma 4 - 0 Juventus

As Derek said, dominated. However, I feel the scoreline flatters Roma a little bit considering the score was 0-0 on 63 minutes.

We knew C wouldn't work against the predictable 51004A from boring Roma, so we looked to keep things tight hoping we'd steal a goal and sneak through....It didn't work.

Obviously the stats say Roma were much the better team, and we come away with some decent defensive abs.

Good game Derek, yours to lose now.

[Bridgey@Stockport]

Sporting Lisbon 2 - 0 Sevilla

Needed some/any luck in this game away to a top side. Conceding in the first action with TA meant there was none available for another Sevilla caretaking game.

Honestly, not winning any game or even scoring in these games for the existing manager I feel I’ve let him down.

Ill see what I can do on Thursday but it’s another tough game at PSG.

Good game Windy, hope you’re good

[JasonH@Wolfsburg]

No easy games in the EFL, not like your prem league