Post Match Reaction - Round 1

[Nick@ManCity]

Missing

Errors
Leipzig - Lepenant spelt wrong

[Sam@Bilbao]

Celtic 1-3 Leipzig

Hammered Leipzig from start to finish but we got that roll of the dice we can never seem to shake regardless of division, I know the team deserved more and to be honest we will just move on from that quickly.

[JasonH@Wolfsburg]

Juventus 0-1 AC Milan

Well, a fixture that I have not looked forward to. Away against AB being my first game in charge of Milan, my bogey team, my nemesis.

For the first 15 minutes it looked liked a disaster. Attack after attack from juventus, but we got a goal and juventus changed tactics which opened up the game.

A red card followed for juventus and this led to a big first 3 points as AC manager. Ideal start to the season.

Good game AB

[Steve@Chelsea]

Rangers 0 - 7 Real Madrid

We played Rangers recently in the pre season tourney and beat them 4-2 at a neutral venue. So we knew we stood a good chance of a win here, but playing away from home is always a different matter and I expected a tighter game to kick off the new season.

That said, everything clicked here, Rodrygo was on fire with a hat trick and at half time it was already 0-6 to Madrid. As these things do when a team romps away with it in the first half, the second half is often much tighter and La Real added just one more goal through new signing Tadic, from Roma, who came on as a sub to score on his debut to make it a seventh heaven start for Real Madrid.

Madrid unfortunately drew a bye for the 1st round of the EFL Cup. Steven K. stated that he would much rather play the game and have a chance of getting knocked out, than go through with no game and no effort.

[The_Innocent_One]

Lazio 0 - Sporting 1

A fairly even affair where we managed to grind out a result on the road. It is a result that harkens back to my days at Palermo and Modena where we had sides that managed to get points any way they could. Hardly the most impressive three points but a win is a win.

[Ed@PSG]

Paris Saint Germain 2 - 1 Inter Milan
I cannot recall the last time we beat Inter Milan. Last season they were the only team that we failed to beat over the 2 games. We also played them in the recent pre-season competition, where they raced into a 3 goal lead before we were able to peg them back. Consequently, i wasnt very hopeful going into this game. As seems to usually be the case, we conceded first and were left chasing the game. G_Ramos managed to pull us back level before half time. We then did our customary subsititution on 55 minutes, being able to introduce 21-19 rated ESR, and we were able to turn the screw. Eventually, with his 7th attempt, our talisman, EBH broke our visitors hearts with 10 minutes go, and we took all 3 points. Vitinha and the Georgian were both able to get the passes they needed to hit 22 ratings, and our keeper actually had a decent game for once, saving 90% of shots faced. We are wanting to try a few new things this season once we are in front, but with only 10 minutes, we didnt get chance to analyse any meaningful statistics. In other games, all the other other big teams managed to win, so it is great to get this tough game out of the way.
Unlucky Garysean

[Marshy@Atletico]

Napoli 1 Atletico Madrid 3

The season got off to a stinker when Sadio Mane opened the scoring after only 10 minutes
Vinicius grabbed the leveller but it was not until the 60th minute sending off of Okore when Atletico managed to gain control of the game and take all three points.

Manager Simon Marsh commented "Always good to start the season with the points, particularly away from home. We were perhaps a little fortunate with the red card. There were some big wins for the big contenders - outrageous wins really and it just shows we are still a fair way off the pace. We managed to sneak some minutes for the fringe players - interestingly very few teams did so it will be something going forwards to see how and when other managers manage their squads".

[AB@Juventus]

Juventus 0 - 1 AC Milan

After I called on the lads to make a strong start to the season, we fall at the very first hurdle in a game that we really should be winning.

We expected C from the visitors so we were shocked to see they matched us with P and as Jason said, the first period of the game was 1 way traffic but with their first action of the game AC took the lead forcing us to go on the hunt for the a goal to bring us level.

We continued to control the half but went into the break a goal down and with plenty of work to do.

Into the second half and the visitors came out fighting, taking the game to us resulting in M_Simakan seeing red on 57 minutes taking us down to 10 men. Clearly he's developed a discipline problem whilst at Arsenal which we'll have to work on.

As a result of losing a man, AC controlled the rest of the game and ran out 1-0 winners giving us plenty to think about moving forwards.

Statistically it was an even game, which mauy have been a draw had we kept all 11 men on the pitch. Good game Jhop

[Guest]

Paris Saint Germain 2 - 1 Inter Milan

One of those games, as Ed says we have always been positive against PSG and have reaped the rewards as we did here in the 12th minute but PSG were soon back level , we were playing quite well but the red card to Shaw in the 55th minute ended the game for us, we lost control of the match with the referee being card happy and PSG started to put the pressure on us and got the goal to win them the game on the 80th minute via Haaland, all in all the positive signs are they we held our own against the champions and the match only turned in their favour after the red card. We have Torino in the cup next where we must travel away and win after a couple bad cup runs in recent seasons. GG mate

[Derek]

Dortmund 0 5 Roma

We've been advised by those more knowledgeable that we'll suffer playing with 3 out & out strikers. And will need to sell Ben Yedder. We seemed to do ok against a weak Dortmund side who look like they'll have a long season ahead.

We'll face tougher games but nice to see Mbappe start with a hat-trick.

gg Niall

[Livi@Liverpool]

Barcelona 4 Marseille 1

Suicidal style set up from the visitors and yet we only went in goalless at half time. Thankfully we finally took advantage of the numerous chances we were creating in the 2nd half but we walk away feeling a little bit underwhelmed at the outcome. The likes of Roma would have hit double figures against this type of kamikaze approach.

Shouldn't moan I suppose but this game tells us nothing really, a testing trip to Atletico on Friday will give me a better idea of what kind of a season we're likely to have.

Before that a tricky cup game against Fiorentina. Under no illusions what kind of challenge that will be against an experienced and very capable manager particularly as we'll be without our star striker after he stupidly got himself sent off right at the death.

[ChrisS]

Bayer Leverkusen 3 - 2 Monaco

Off to a decent start with my new club. Despite us jumping ahead twice, Monaco managed to equalize. Man of the Match Oyarzabal put the match away for good at the 57th minute with his 2nd goal of the evening. Almost had a 4th on 62 minutes but it was ruled out. Statistically, we had the lion's share of possession and created more chances. Monaco hung around and if were not for their keeper Gollini making 10 saves it could have been a lopsided match.

After losing out on safety due to goal differential on the last match day, we will be keeping an eye on those missed chances.

Good game John.

[Freddie]

Sociedad 3-1 Bayern Munich

Cracking win to start the season against a far superior side. We were clinical in front of goal and that is what matters as Munich had more of the possession. Great to see two great performances from debutants Nathan Tella and Luke Ayling. The duo each got a goal and the latter got the MoTM award. Our final goal came from Diogo Jota who we've become very accustomed to seeing hitting the back of the net.

One game in so no point getting ahead of ourselves but very pleasing victory.

Played John.

[Burrows@Rangers]

Rangers 0 - 7 Real Madrid

Arse is still sore after this game knew it would have been a hard game but not a romping like that

Saying that I did make a mistake by sending my gk on as a sub for a defender blame that on the new years

[Steve@Chelsea]

Only just noticed this today. Was already 6-0 by then though, so your GK as a DF helped keep the score down in the 2nd half much better than your first team defenders! lol

[Guest]

Celtic 1-3 RB Leipzig

Fantastic opening day victory for us here, a prime example of setting up well and taking your chances when they are presented to you. As the game ebbed and flowed, it did feel like we always had that slight tactical advantage against our opponent, which was pleasing to see. Looks like Milik is going to be a key player for us this year with his goals, 2 on opening day is a great start. Some good defensive performances also, tackles flying in.

Good game Sam.