Champions League Group Game 6 Post Match Reaction

[Johnboy]

No Missing

1 Error - Sou - M_Diaby suspended

[Steve@ManUtd]

MANCHESTER UNITED 4-2 Atletico Madrid

It was a game with one rule, better Romas result! That we did but made it hard for ourselves once more.

We knew Atleti was missing a few players, mostly in the attacking areas so figured we could go for the back 3 and it backfired in the second minute. But we fought back quickly thought and after a back and forth each lead 3-2 at half time with Atleti's old man Ansu Fati completing a hatrick to add. We finished the scoring in the second half through Kalvin Philips who has had a great scoring touch for us since joining.

It was a pretty even affair over the tie, a bit back and forth but we deserved the win over the tie, but we still do have defensive frailties.

We go through, we made it more difficult than it should've been at times in the group stage so hopefully we'll improve in the knock out stages.

[Marshy@Atletico]

Manchester United 4 Atletico Madrid 2

With Atletico missing three attacking chess pieces this was always going to be a difficult game. Faced with playing at least one pawn due to squad numbers Marsh tried to find away of scoring whilst staying compact. The plan didn’t go to plan with the side porous despite 9 players with 13-tackling and above.

Manager Simon Marsh commented “We gave it the best shot for 75 minutes and felt the number of defensive players could keep us in the game but Fati blew us away and with game closing we had tactics set to give a few fringe players some game time should we be losing heavily”.

Atletico will face either PSG, Leeds United or Inter Milan in the quarter finals of the champions league

[Ian]

Aston Villa 1 - 4 Real Madrid

The opposition ran away with this game in the end and we didn't really have an answer to that which is a shame from our point of view because up to this point we had kept in every game and given the strength of the group given a good account of ourselves leading up to this tie. Just League games for us from now so hopefully our form on that front will pick up, you never know.

[Ed@PSG]

Chelsea 1 - 2 PSG
We watched the other group game first, hoping for a 5 goal thrashing, meaning we could go through on goal difference with a single goal defeat. Unsurprisingly this didnt happen, but a Real Madrid victory meant that we could progress with a draw at Stamford Bridge. Knowing that they could go through themselves with a win, I expected a more attacking formation from our hosts. However, we stuck to our trusted formation. Unfortunately, just before the half hour mark we gave away a needless penalty, which Werner converted. We prodded and probed but weren't getting anywhere, so on the hour mark we brought on the Georgian and threw everything at them. Ramos got the all important equaliser 6 minutes later. We continued to attack and got our noses in front on 88 minutes. Ramos got his 7th Man of the Match award for his 19th goal, and Haaland is currently living in his shadow. We go through as runners up and will face either Atletico Madrid, Juventus, or Arsenal in the quarter finals. Whilst our records in cups isnt great, the extra £9m for progressing to the Quarter Finals will help to plug the gap in the massive gates v wages deficit for the season.
Good Game Andy

[Steve@Chelsea]

Aston Villa 1 - 4 Real Madrid

I'd like to firstly say, that it's been a really enjoyable group, so credit to all particpants including Chelsea, it felt like a real group of death and a battle to the bell of the 12th round.

Villa are former CL finalists, we know that because we beat them in said final, so we knew to give them the full respect and to prepare properly. That being said, they sprung a suprise on us with an E set-up. I didn't think they really had the players for a good E, and they might not, so I had discounted that option almost, especially as we often go A. However the luck was on our side as that and home advantage didn't seem to matter, perhaps if they had players more suited to E we could have been in trouble. Doku was the star man scoring twice, but in the second half we ran away with it really as we switched to N and retook the advantage away from Villla. A great performance from our team to win the group, and we go on to face one of Man Utd, Inter Milan and Leeds. Good effort Ian.

In the other games, PSG saw nervy times as they went behind to a penalty from Chelsea, but came back to win the game and they go through. Elsewhere of note I see Southampton turned out the lights out on Roma's dismal Champions League campaign once again. Maybe one day, Derek.

[AB@Juventus]

Juventus 5 - 5 Burnley

What a game to end the group with, a game with very little significance to us but with 2nd place still available to the other 3 teams in the group, we wanted to field a strong team to be fair to the other teams looking to qualify

I read the Bayern Munich-Leeds United game first and after seeing Leeds play D, I hoped Burnley would beat us and knock them both out.

We played P to be positive and try to earn some abs from being open, as expected Burnley came at us with A as they needed the result and just 5 minutes in they took the lead.
They stuck with A which was probably a mistake as we were level within 10 minutes of their opener.

A goal each in the 15th & 17th minutes put us at 2-2 and the game looked to be shaping up to be a classic.

On 21 minutes, Burnley matched up to us with a P tactic of their own and just a minute later took the lead for the 3rd time in the game.

Burnley once again switched to A on 37 minutes and headed into the break a goal to the good and heading through.

Into the second half and just 8 minutes into the second half we were level, then on 63 minutes we took our first lead of the game, could this be it for goals? No

Burnley were level on 76 minutes and were 5-4 ahead on 87 minutes but we broke Burnley’s hearts in the 95th minute to snatch a point and send Burnley out of the competition.

Statistically we were the better team so a draw really isn’t good enough, neither is the goalkeeping performance today however S_Gimenez scored another hat-trick proving why he’s remaining as club captain.

Good game Simon, unlucky in the end there.

Into the quarter finals for the first time with Juventus where we’ll face either PSG, Manchester United or Inter Milan, yikes.
Some big names missing from the knockouts, including a manager who keeps promising so much but keeps offering so little…

[Guest]

Inter Milan 2 - 0 Arsenal

Both teams came to play football, and when games are as open as this there is usually goals, both teams created chances but we scored a quick double before halftime and went onto the second half the stronger team but not scoring anymore goals and keeping a clean sheet, somewhat a surprise considering the line-ups, fair play to Arsenal they came to play with a full squad, came to attack and since our opening group game they have went undefeated and deservedly win the group, we squeeze through in second place where Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Real Madrid await us.

Just like to say fair play to Livi & Darren as well for fielding a full squad when they didn’t have to, in what was a competitive group. Best of luck for rest of tournament. Gg mate

[Livi@Liverpool]

Barcelona 3 Man City 3

A ding dong affair to finish the group as we finish bottom with a pathetic 4 point haul, nowhere near good enough.

In this one City will probably feel that they did enough to merit the win. They needed an emphatic victory to realistically give them a chance to go through and they really went for it both tactically and formation wise. We contributed to a good open game though but ultimately it's Arsenal and Inter that progress so fair play to both of them.

We need to make sure that we qualify again next season and make a much better fist of it. Good luck to the 8 qualifiers....well some of them

[Darren]

Inter Milan 2 - 0 Arsenal

With the group stage already secured we had nothing to play for in this one and could have easily given minutes to the squaddies and tick that box for the season but we opted against that because to keep it fair in the other fixture but none the less we were beaten against a decent side but its not the end of the world with the group stage already decided before the kick off.

In what was arguably the toughest group in this seasons competition, making it through is an achievement in itself so on that front I'm well chuffed and for the second sason on the trot we make it through to the knockout stages and will be hoping to get trough the next round.

Played GS