Post Match Reaction - Round 31

[Nick@ManCity]

No Missing/Errors

[AB@Juventus]

Napoli 2 - 0 Juventus


Another dreadful result against a team we should easily be beating. We came into the game missing Mendes & Felix but felt we had enough cover after recalling our loans.

We expected C from Napoli and that is exactly what we got, giving up TA in the process.

A couple of penalty claims, one from each team early on then led to us controlling the game with the opening goal seeming to just be a matter of time but on 20 minutes Napoli stunned us as they took a surprise lead in the game.

They then dropped the D as we went A looking for a goal to bring us level in the game.
We continued to control the game but as half time came and went it felt like it might not be our day, capped off with a Napoli second with less than 15 minutes to play.

Statistically we battered them, 19 shots vs their 3. All 3 of theirs were on target and 2 found the back of the net. Not good enough from us.

We're now at the stage where we just can't wait for the season to end, it's looking like 5th of 6th for us and that isn't good enough.

Good game Chris.

[Sam@Bilbao]

Lisbon 1-1 Barcelona

"It's not a bad point to be honest, we potentially edged the game but it was always tight and both teams setup very similar, the thing I'm most pleased about is Jesus finding the back of the net, im hoping he mow hits form til the end of the season, weve managed to keep ticking over in the CL places and although we arent entirely happy with our sides balance, we are aware this is something we are going to be unlikely be able to rectify for the run in"

[JasonH@Wolfsburg]

AC Milan 1-0 Leverkusen

It was a result that we ground out, against a team who controlled the game. A lot of luck was rode and our keeper after having a stutter mid season came to the rescue with some of his early season form.

But these sort of games are ones where we need to perform better and more like a big team, our lack of goals is the one big criticism of our season.

Well played Chris and unlucky

[Derek]

Roma 1 4 PSG

With 30 minutes to go - we were well in control of this game. But Mendy got sent off and PSG scored 4 against our weakened defence.

Nothing we could do about that. With some of our other freak results looks like we are ending FFO with a whimper rather than a bang.

Hopefully the FFO gods will look more favourably on Hamza when he turns up to destroy the squad eos.

gg Simon

[Steve@Chelsea]

Lazio 0 - 2 Real Madrid

A very good victory over an improved Lazio side this season. The best team in Rome beat us at our own gaffe earlier in the season, so I was expected a tough game and that's what we got. Our class ensured that we edged a tight game stats wise with the two goals coming from defenders showing that we can share the goals around from all over the team, which enables us to get results in these tight games.

No rest for the wicked though, we go again on Wednesday, and then have a fast run in with 3 games a week and some very tough games that we will need to be at our best to get results from. But you know what? I think this team can do it!

[Ed@PSG]

Roma 1 - 4 PSG

We went into the game confident that we could get a draw. We decided to try something different in the hope of catching Roma off guard should they try their normal attacking formation. Our hosts were having very little joy penetrating our back line and they switched to the attacking style that we were ready and waiting for. Surprisingly they took the lead on the hour mark. We made a change bringing on the fresh legs of Raspadori and changed to attack ourselves. Shortly afterwards Mendy got a red card, which may have been the catalyst for us to stage a comeback, We managed to claw back level shortly afterwards and found ourselves in a A v N situation again. This time we took full advantage and got another two quick goals, before sealing the victory in injury time.
The roma manager will probably feel the Red Card changed the game, and he may be correct. But results are all that matter at this stage of the season.
GG Derek
I believe we are too far off the pace to challenge for the title, but 2nd place is important for the CL seeding. Perhaps Roma will do us a favour on Friday by beating Real Madrid, but it feels that their challenge is now over, and they will simply fade away.

[Marshy@Atletico]

Atletico Madrid 6 Borussia Dortmund 2

The inconsistent Atletico side picked tonight to come out, play and be clinical. 6 difference goalscorers from all over the pitch gave the home side their first victory after 6 winless fixtures. A shot count of 26-18 flattered Atletico but they wont grumble at improving the goal difference for the business end to the season.

Manager Simon Marsh commented "We have spent a number of weeks struggle to gain tactical advantage so decided to change ours every 5 minutes of the game. The result was a very open game as my players didnt really have a clue what was going on. Thankfully they were able to express themselves amidst the confusion so whilst it may look like a genius move to the fans the reality is it was sheer desperation".

No players have upgraded recently. Stevens still needs 13 minutes with on-loan Kilman a minimum of 41.

It has been confirmed that Nainggolan will leave the club this saturday in a £5.2m deal.

Stepanenko is believed to signed a new one-year deal to stay on next season following the realisation that he will have far reduced playing minute requirements next season.

Good game Niall