As Ibrahimović himself once said: "To be honest, though, I don't think that you can score as spectacular a goal as those of Zlatan in a video game, even though these games are very realistic these days ..." A magical player.
They have thrown money at non-factors like Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia and still they can't bring in a half decent center alongside Kompany. Demichelis is trash. I knew Pelligrini would regret that decision. I'd have played ****ing Lescott. Strange formation too. Koralov in midfield? 4-4-1-1? Not going to work to slow down Messi when you put a piece of **** like Demichelis back there. And now I hear they're still after Isco. WHY? Navas, Nasri, Silva, Toure, Jovetic, Aguero, Dzeko, Negredo isn't enough? They better bring in Mangala FFS.
Kompany played a killer game. Had to feel bad for him. Demicheles was scared early and then stupid. The commentators here were trying to say he had to make a quick decision on that Messi break (and his defensive breakdown) but when is conceding a PK and drawing an obvious red card ever a good idea for a game with 40 minutes to go?
You give up that ****ing goal and you live with it. You don't dive in feet first at Lionel ****ing Messi just inside the ****ing box. That is horse****. Pelligrini blamed the ref because he's covering his own ass because he brought the ****er in and started him against ****ing Barcelona. You don't play scared as **** and start older players with less talent as some tribute to their past successes. Kolarov and Clichy don't need to be on the field together. What Kolarov can add with his crosses and free kicks is nice but Clichy is just more disciplined and can deliver a pass as well. I'm baffled you try and leave Silva on an island against the Barca centers. Pique ain't having that ****. Alvaro Negredo isn't as dominant as he should be yet. He plays much better along side Aguero who commands attention because his quickness in the box and finishing is better than anyone outside of Messi and Luis Saurez.
Well said.. I just finished watching the game and for the people blaming the ref.. There were 3 controversial calls. 1st..Clichy's handball in the first half inside the box . Penalty not called. 2nd. Demichellis foul on Messi and red card. Clear foul outside the box so no penalty but as last man and obvious scoring opportunity, it warrants an automatic red. 3rd. Pique's goal.. There was no offside at all on this play. Goal should have been allowed.
Exactly. Especially because you never know and Messi vs Hart on a break has better odds for City than Messi PK. Rox1 - it wasn't obviously outside the box. In replay you could see that initial contact was barely outside and follow through was in the box but live it looked like it was clearly in the box. Can't fault the ref for that. Agree with moes about Silva as well. City's strategy was basically to force him to create something by himself. Before the game Roberto Martinez and Robbie Keane were talking about what a strange and dangerous (for City) lineup and formation it was. I don't care about city so am not upset by the loss and they had more chances I. The Barca game than the first Chelsea game where they looked like garbage. Just City being City. What they need is another striker!
Arsenal would need to get players back and round back into form to be a challenge. They are a different team right now. I think it is probably just PSG and Barca right now unless some team goes on a magical Chelsea run.
Don't think Arsenal are contenders, their defense just ain't on top tier level. Only teams I fear are PSG and Barca, although Barca could face problems vs. elite offenses.
They can have all the possession they want as long as it looks like this, hehe. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000350/match=2009609/postmatch/statistics/index.html
Well, even better, I don't want to see people whining and blaming the ref. Arsenal can't hang with the big boys.. No love for Madrid? Isn't Man City an elite offense? I know they didn't have Aguero but still... Not funny...
I felt the Barcelona/City was fairly even up until the penalty. Barca dominated possession, but City had the 2 best scoring chances up to that point. People are focusing on Demichelis tackle but what is forgotten is the horrible play by Navas that lead to the turnover and the quick outlet that sprung Messi. Navas was boxed in by 2 defenders near the sideline and tried to do something but wound up losing possession. Navas is equally to blame for the 1st goal as Demichelis, but Demichelis' poor decison to tackle Messi is the sole reason why we won't advance in the tournament.
All Arsenal had to do was hold on for 2 more minutes and it would have been a good result for them. Played too aggressive on that free kick.
