Post Match Reactions - CL Round 3

[JB@Norwich]

Post Match Reactions - CL Round 3

Errors

[Jason@Lisbon]

I have no idea wat i gotta do to get a win in ever here and in the league

[AB@Juventus]

Juventus 2 - 2 Real Madrid

A frustrating result after we led twice in the game in a must win game I guess. Both teams came into the game cautiously, much like in the league game earlier in the week.

After a quiet start, it was N_Gonzalez who was missing in our recent defeat to Madrid who gave us the lead. We tried to shut up shop but Madrid saw that coming and came at us with an E tactic.

17 minutes later, RM were level after a deflected goal and they stuck with E as we switched back to C and the half ended at 1-1.

Into the second half and we wasted little time as we pulled in front again just 2 minutes after the restart but this time as we switched to D, our visitors switched to A.
We seemed to be getting the better of the game but with 20 minutes to play it was 2-2 and we had it all to do again.

With Madrid sticking with A, we had TA as we switched back to C but we couldn't take advantage of this and the game ended in a draw.

Statistically we were second best in this one, much like the last game against Real Madrid so a draw was a god result for us.

Good game Ian. I think our Champions League campaign has come to an end after just 2 points from our first 3 games.

[Ian]

Juventus 2 - 2 Real Madrid

Second game against Juventus in a matter of a few days again saw a fairly cagey game played out. On this occasion it was Juve who nudged ahead just past the quarter hour mark and then promptly shut up shop in an attempt to keep us out. We managed to hit back though shortly after the half hour point but again the home side nudged ahead this time into the second period and again immediately parked the bus. Again we got back on level terms but this time continued trying to force the issue with the latter stages becoming a little more open as our play also afforded the home side some space in behind. Neither team could mage a further breakthrough and it ended up all square giving us three draws from three group games which is far from ideal. Still plenty to play for though even if there is a bit of ground to make up.

[Steve@ManUtd]

Barcelona 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED

Not a great performance at all, but job done. We came into the tie missing our best defender, and we knew Barca would opt for a back 5. We didn't get going really and got countered for the bulk of the game. But, late on we found 2 gaps at the point we started to commit men forward with 2 defenders Porro and Barca old boy Nacho coming up trumps for us. We don't care about the performance in the rand scheme of the competition, we needed a win to stay alive and its what we got. Hopefully the result now wakes us up and kicks us into gear. We can do better but finding a way to win isn't a trait to be frowned upon.

[Darren]

Inter Milan 0 - 2 Arsenal

A crucial game for both Inter and ourselves with both sides going into this with maximum points from our opening two group games so a chance to build a gap and also extend it with Utd and Barca who played in the other game.

Made a slight change in formation for this one and picked up a really solid win against Inter who have started the season well in EFL1 with goals coming from Pino who is set to leave the club this week and a second and from young freebie Houben who came off the bench to secure the win late on. Three group games and three wins is above what we expected when the groups were announced which makes a nice distraction from the league in which our form is a bit stop start right now.

A few changes on the way with Pino, Kubo and Botmann all set for moves away in the next week.

Played John.

[Steve@Chelsea]

Chelsea 1 - 0 Newcaatle Utd

The first of the triple header in as many weeks against the Geordies goes the way of the Spice Boys by the smallest of margins. In what was a tight game Bobby Firmino scored his first goal for the club early on and there was no further goals in a game in which the shot count was 14 - 9. An important win at this stage of the Champions League groups. The win see's Chelsea sitting in 2nd place but Newcastle will have a chance for revenge next at St James Park in a big group game 4 for the blues.