#FCBayern set a new @championsleague record tonight (since detailed stats were taken in 2003/04) with a pass accuracy of 94.6%. #AFCFCB
Nah. They didn't "have" to start him. Pellegrini was just being stubborn. He wanted to play his boy Demichelis and it cost City dearly. He and Mancini seem to have had/have issues with Lescott but Pellegrini is going to learn the hard way that when Nastasic isn't available to partner Vince, Lescott is the best option. I'd rather see Nastasic or Lescott in the backline over Demichelis. They did but the "half decent center half" Nastasic was injured. I guess they need a proper decent center half until Nastasic regains his form. The "quarter decent center half" Lescott was on the bench as I said, Pellegrini did what managers and coaches in every sport do to their detriment at times and that was play his boy over a more suitable option. The formation wasn't a major issue until the red card. After City overcame the early spell in which they sat back too much, they got into their game quite alright until the red card. Agree that the Navas turnover was quite egregious but unfortunately Demichelis is the one that chose to tackle Messi at the edge of the box and mistime the tackle to compound matters. Stupid play.
Ho Lee Schiette... I can't wait for the end of the season when Liverpool will get rid of their Toure and Turtle. Those two are the worst defensive pairing in the PL. Kolo and Turtle, error after errorr, game after game... when will it end? Hope Agger comes back soon with Sakho. Henry better get rid of LFC's current management. Failed to address their needs during the January transfer. Should have left strikers alone and gone for more cover on CB. Anyway... lucky win today, but I'll take it. 4-3 Pool.
I did find it to be a small miracle that they actually won matches with Kolo and Skrtel together. Goodness, that combination should not be allowed to be together. One or the other should only be allowed to play at a time and it should be with Agger or Sakho. I guess the feeling from Ayre and LFC management was that Kolo would be adequate cover-experienced plus no transfer fee. Then they opened up the chequebook to sign Sakho and they figured with Sakho and Agger plus Skrtel and Kolo they would be fine. I'm sure they didn't figure Kolo would play this much already. Skrtel and Kolo, smh.
The sad thing is that Olympiakos was actually pretty pitiful with their finishes. They did a great job challenging balls and making some setup passes, but then their lack of touch or selfishness would either lead to a turnover or a weak shot. Their striker had one good turn and shoot but otherwise his best skill seemed to be falling down. If they had a decent finisher or two it could easily have been 4-0. United was terrible. Pathetic. Brit announcing team were besides themselves and the color guy (banking on his name right now but of course a former player) would let out a few exasperated laughs at the bad play. It was an enjoyable train wreck but bewildering at the lack of effort and concentration for a knockout CL game.
Hope Schalke doesn't embarass us tonight, but they always looked good in their international matches. A draw would be nice.
Schalke is playing like shiiiat today., unbelievable amount of intercepted passes and pizz poor attitude.
Gotta admit Madrid is playing exceptionally this past couple of month.. Hope that ends on Sunday. C'mon Atleti!!
