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Champions League, Day 2

February 25th, 2009 | By: Jan | 42 Comments »

You go to this Michelin star restaurant and you expect something. Expectations are high, actually. But they serve you a fatty steak, with a rancid gravy, undercooked potatoes and soggy veggies. Yuk.

Pas de deux

That’s how I felt watching the Merengues vs The Reds. I’m not against Liverpool, as you all know, but I love to see Real Madrid succeed, helping our Dutch boys along in their career.

But, despite the results lately in Spain, Real Madrid horrified me. Robben looked lively and tried to force something (half of the time making the wrong decisions and whining and play-acting again), Raul was invisible, Huagain was unlucky but the rest of the squad… Heinze, Gago, Pepe, Diarra… Hopeless. Even Sergio Ramos was appalling. What the f%$k??? And where was Wes? And Raf? Now they needed them…

It was clear from the outset (2 seconds in the game, Real is fouled for a late tackle and 5 seconds later Sergio Ramos showed he had too many ristretto’s) that it would be cagey, physical and tough… But it was hasty, sloppy and brainless at times. Twice, we saw Ramos waste cross opportunities. Set pieces – at both sides – going awry. I saw Gago asking for a red card. Diarra dribbling when he should just pass the ball. Heinze and Pepe clueless, totally clueless, when they stormed forward…

Pfff…. What a howler of a game…

Playing high-paced football is all good, but sometimes you can try to do too much and the pacey game becomes your enemy. Real Madrid needs to tone down on the testosterone and add some brains to their game.

And Liverpool? They didn’t play great, but they did play it smart. Patient. Resilient. Smart. 0-0 would have been good enough, but thanks to Kuyt (yes Tiju!), Liverpool got their goal. Kuyt couldn’t get to the ball, Heinze won the challenge but was a tad too aggressive. Kuyt read it well and made a meal out of it. Ref gave Pool the free kick. Undeserved, in my eyes, but Kuyt won it. Great cross in, and Israeli international Benayoun said thanks. The smallest attacker of The Reds headed the ball in.

And maybe to end the discussion on this blog… It’s true, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Robben, Afellay, Van Persie, they are all more skillful than Dirk. But in terms of value to the team, in terms of work rate, mentality and energy every team in Europe would want Kuyt in their ranks. Whether he has diarrhea, his wife cheats on him or his toe hurts, Kuyt will deliver. That is worth a lot. I enjoyed myself a lot with the Katwijker today and he deserves our respect.

How different did it go for Chelsea. Hiddink’s CL debut with the London club, they started alert against Juve. Good positioning, keeping the pitch wide, not a lot of senseless dribbles but passing. And Kalou’s through pass to Drogba early in the game put Chelsea in front: 1-0 at half time.

Juve started slow, uninspired almost, but as the first half progressed, Del Piero woke up and started to threaten The Blues. The game wenot on and off. Sometimes good football from both sides, sometimes not so good. But Guus seems to have rejuvenated Drogba, Kalou… Alex always liked Guus and that’ll pay off too. But…it’s still only 1-0 and in two weeks anything can happen.

Not with Sporting Lisbon though. They took a beating 0-5 at home against Van Bommel’s Bayern.

Henk ten Cate’s Panathinaikos drew 1-1 away against Villareal. Well done, Henk. The former Ajax man could progress to the next round with his squad.

Tags: Del Piero, Group C, Hiddink, Kalou, Kuyt, Liverpool, Robben, Van Bommel

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By goose | February 26th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

@Alex ; you cant blame Liverpool for not taken many risks at an away game in Madrid … i agree that Liverpool may not be the most attacking team around but they are a great side non the less

Posted from Netherlands

By Jan | February 26th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Good analysis Alex… I’ts funny how away games are easier these days. In the old days, playing away was tense and scary. But Twente, Ajax, Liverpool, etc etc all win their games away and lose them at home. Well, maybe not pool…

As for Real, in 90 minutes it’s obvious they get their chances, but I’d say it was despite of their efforts. Higuain and Robben created something every now and then, other than that it was sloppy and brainless. Sergio Ramos shooting on goal half volley from the flanks with 5 players in the box! I would have taken him off immediately.

Liverpool played it smart. Again, look at how Kuyt “fixed” the free kick that resulted in the goal… Italian style

By Caleb | February 26th, 2009 at 4:57 pm

@Finnster – I’m not saying there is something wrong with parking the bus and packing the midfield (well, other than it being terribly boring), but to do that, get the lucky goal and then to say that Liverpool outplayed Real Madrid – that’s what I have a problem with.

You’re certainly right about how RM is going to have a real difficult go of it in a fortnight though.

@Jan – yeah, I saw that Ramos “shot” as well… man that was terrible! What the hell was he thinking??

Posted from Canada

By Jan | February 26th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

And it’s funny, I also liked him! He’s a great player. Defensively, offensively, but in this match in the first ten seconds he came in as a brute in a challenge (Riera) and I said to my mate: this doesn’t look good. First Raul’s challenge right after kick off, then Ramos. Didn’t spell good things. They were over enthused, I’d say. Hasty. Sloppy. Like 8 Drenthe’s minus Robben, Casillas and Higuain. Oh, and Raul was sleeping, I think.

Co Adriaanse should be the new coach at Real Madrid!!

By finnster01 | February 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

@Caleb: My friend, I don’t think you will find anywhere in my posts that I ever said Liverpool outplayed Real. What I did say was I think they stuck to the game plan, did a much better coacing job and hence in the end deserved the win in my opinion. I don’t think that is taking too many liberties now is it?

By Andrew | February 26th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

Jan hit it, RM was “sloppy and brainless.” Its what happens when your two central midfielders are Lass and Gago. Zero creativity. Defense first. Robben will have his moments (many in some games) on the wings, but that depends on his brilliance, and there is no consistent build up through he middle What they ought to do is play Wesley nominally as the right wing, but let him drift and go wherever he wants to behind the strikers. (Think Ronald De Boer in the ‘98 team.)If they need width on the right, Sergio Ramos can come up. With both Lass and Gago in the center they have plenty of cover. Juande Ramos won’t do it, though, and they’ll likely go out at Anfield. And, hey, as much as I want the Dutch players to succeed, its okay by me. Never been a fan of RM.

…and speaking of Liverpool v. RM, anyone else remember ‘81? A great day in Paris.

Posted from United States

By Carlos | February 26th, 2009 at 7:45 pm

In EPL Arsenal is my team followed by Pool, but had hoped for a good showing by RM, Pool had a plan and they stuck with it 0-0 is what they wanted but they got a bonus. Sometimes the bottom line dictates what your product will look like. I think they deserved the win, RM were unitedly hopeless and could have done with one of our creative midfielders. The telling part of a disorganized bunch came towards the end. How does the shortest guy on the field get a free header away in front of goal ? The amount of times Kuyt was in the thick of things was amazing especially when you watch the game a second time. I guess Benitez sees it the way we do too.

Posted from Singapore

By Miguel Rosado | February 26th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Having 2 holding midfielders like Diarra and Gago was a bad decision. I’d have used only Diarra and an attacking midfielder like Guti, Sneijder or Vaart.
Robben played OK but couldn’t do much because the game was too tight.

Posted from Mexico

By finnster01 | February 26th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

At home you don’t play for a draw because you will not beat Liverpool at Anfield. So you have to go balls out at home. Ramos didn’t and he will be fired by summer.

By tiju | February 26th, 2009 at 10:54 pm

@finni-good superb prediction on junade-he will be sacked in summer,
ramos diddnt attacked and if attacked they would have won by miles

Posted from India

By Jan | February 27th, 2009 at 4:19 am

Yep. I think most of us agree actually. Ramos failed. Benitez will take over in Summer. He’ll take Kuyt with him .

Casillas
Sergio Ramos Cannavaro Pepe Drenthe
Kuyt Vaart Sneijder Robben
Huntelaar Van Nistelrooy

Haha .

Still, Madrid can win at Anfield. Liverpool will have to entertain the fans. They can’t play an Italian game. There will be space for Real and it will be Rafael’s night. Believe you me. I kid you not.

At the same time, Inter will beat Man United. They’ll have it comin’.

Chelsea will go through, The Gunners too. Arsenal – Inter. YEAH!

By finnster01 | February 27th, 2009 at 5:45 am

@Jan: A little too much Moroccan black tonight was it? Liverpool and Man U out of CL… I hope you are not operating any heavy machinery right now…

By Miguel Rosado | February 27th, 2009 at 10:46 am

—————Casillas————–

–Ramos—Cannavaro–Pepe–Marcelo–

–Robben–Diarra–Vaart–Sneijder-

———–Higuain—-Raul———

Heinze is a good defender but he can’t attack at all that’s why I’d use Marcelo as left back instead of winger and with another attacking midfielder like Guti or Vaart you have more options to score.

By Caleb | February 27th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

I don’t think Benitez will be head coach at Real Madrid.. not in the summer, not ever. The fans would never stand for his defensive and boring tactics. That’s also what I’ve been hearing from other RM fans. Juande should take note – it was good to shore up the defence when he came in because RM looked utterly unstable, but now it’s time to shift towards more attacking play. RM fans do not want to watch Italian style defensive play… like playing 2 defensive midfielders with now attacking ones!

Posted from Canada

By Caleb | February 27th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Also I just heard that some guy at Liverpool Benitez was clashing with just left, which means Benitez is more likely to sign that contract extension now.

Posted from Canada

By Caleb | February 27th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

“like playing 2 defensive midfielders with now attacking ones!”
That should be “with no attacking ones!”

Posted from Canada

By finnster01 | February 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

@Caleb: As much as I like Liverpool, I am fully convinced that Rafa Benitez is legally mad and I would love him to go back to Spain.

By Andrew | February 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

@Finn, but why do you think Benitez is legally mad? And as they say, there might be method to the madness. I’d agree that his rotation plan makes me scratch my head sometimes, but I can’t argue with his results, nor his getting the players prepared and the effort he draws out of them.

Posted from United States

By Caleb | February 27th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Well, he’s certainly good at getting results in the CL, but his record in the league is pretty dismal – which I’d say is the result of his crazy rotation system. Some rotation is needed when a team plays so many games, but there has to be some stability as well, as that is what creates consistency. League competition tests consistency, and I believe that’s where Rafa’s madness shows.

Posted from Canada

By finnster01 | February 27th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

@Andrew: Liverpool haven’t won the League in 20 odd years. CL is grand, but if you ask most fans they rather want to pip Man U for the league if they had to pick one. I know I would. I also find it somewhat disturbing that you show up at a press conference with a fully prepared rant list of everything bad Sir Alex has ever done in his life. Especially when the press conference has nothing to do with Manchester United at all. That is not very sane in my book. A bit obsessive at best.

By Andrew | February 27th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

@Finn, Caleb…well, if you guys are going to cite facts and specific examples…;) Seriously, fair points all around by the both of you.

My rebuttal is that he hasn’t been the coach for the 20 years since the Reds won the title, he’s actually stabilized a very proud franchise that had , before he got there, showed real signs of drift, and CL results are nothing to sneeze at. And…they might still get their shot at Man U in the CL (very disappointed it didn’t happen last year) this year…but yeah, the Ferguson rant, kinda hard to argue that one…maybe I can plead “temporary insanity” on his behalf on that one?

Posted from United States

By finnster01 | February 27th, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Just to make my point again: Last time Liverpool won the league, It was still called the English First Division, Jamie Carragher was an Everton supporter, Maggie Thatcher was the Prime Minister, and the Berlin Wall had just come down.

It’s been a while…

By sonneveld | February 27th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

I think they can easily beat liverpool. Over the last while many of the top english sides have gone there and one. All Madrid need is not to miss to many chances. Liverpool will score one at the most so two is all they need to go through.

By sonneveld | February 27th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

and gago isn’t in the sqaud for the next game so maybe sneijder will play centrally

By Miguel Rosado | February 27th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

Drenthe didn’t make the trip to Barcelona.

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