1st Leg Semi Final Wrap Up Extravaganza
The home sides got the job done this week in the 1st leg of the semi-finals. Chelsea and Manchester United will be taking a one goal lead when they travel next week, but only a fool would discount AC Milan and Liverpool at this point. The reason being that a single goal is not insurmountable in the Champions League - especially when the trailing sides will have their crowds behind them for 90 minutes or more.
Another reason is that Chelsea and Manchester United are in a must win situation for the rest of the EPL season. Neither side can afford to slip up on Saturday and neither side can let the sharpness they exhibited in mid-week go dull. Plus, they have just a few days rest before traveling to hostile grounds with a chance to go to Athens and compete in the final. The managers, their squads and their fans will be short of sleep for the next week.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and AC Milan can rest players on the weekend as they have nothing to play for in the league. Both are playing out the string and the focus should be to stay fit and begin thinking about what they have to get right in the home leg. Considering how tight the matches were, I would offer that they don't have much more that needs to be corrected, instead they need to up the intensity and do everything in their power to not get hit in the counter attack and concede.
United could do nothing to slow Kaka. Both the Brazilian's goals were wonderful and while the Milan defense was, as expected, less than perfect were it not for one of the most atrocious performances by a goalkeeper at this stage of the Champions League one could surmise Milan would be carrying a two goal lead to the San Siro. Quite frankly, Dida was a disaster. It wasn't so much he scored an own goal, his positioning on that set piece and all others was woeful. Then, to get beat near post in added time is just unacceptable. Dida let his teammates down after they fought tooth and nail for a 2-2 scoreline. True, it could be said the entire squad fell asleep at the end but I think it comes down to the 'keeper.
Chelsea meanwhile managed a single goal against Liverpool. Considering they did this without Michael Essien, me thinks the 'Pool could be in serious trouble heading back to Anfield. The defending on Drogba was miserable when he broke down the wing and delivered a perfect pass to Joe Cole. And the marking on Cole as he drove into the box to score was even worse. Pepe Reina had as great of a match in a losing effort as Dida's was pathetic. He carried Liverpool and were it not for him Chelsea would be 3 goals to the good and thinking of hoisting another trophy.
It should be noted that Petr Cech was equally brilliant. He didn't face as great of an attack, but when called upon he more than came up big. I don't know that Gerrard's shot was destined for goal at the end, but Cech's diving effort made sure it was not going to level the score. Shevchenko went missing once again, but Joe Cole and Didier Drogba dug deep in their reserves to cause all kinds of chaos.
I think Rafa Benitez is a good enough manager to take this next week and compile a game plan that can see Liverpool win 2-0 at Anfield. Much like they did during the domestic fixture. I also think Jose Mourinho can inspire his team to either score an away goal or keep the match scoreless.
The weekend's league matches could go a long way towards revealing what to expect in the 2nd legs next week.
Another reason is that Chelsea and Manchester United are in a must win situation for the rest of the EPL season. Neither side can afford to slip up on Saturday and neither side can let the sharpness they exhibited in mid-week go dull. Plus, they have just a few days rest before traveling to hostile grounds with a chance to go to Athens and compete in the final. The managers, their squads and their fans will be short of sleep for the next week.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and AC Milan can rest players on the weekend as they have nothing to play for in the league. Both are playing out the string and the focus should be to stay fit and begin thinking about what they have to get right in the home leg. Considering how tight the matches were, I would offer that they don't have much more that needs to be corrected, instead they need to up the intensity and do everything in their power to not get hit in the counter attack and concede.
United could do nothing to slow Kaka. Both the Brazilian's goals were wonderful and while the Milan defense was, as expected, less than perfect were it not for one of the most atrocious performances by a goalkeeper at this stage of the Champions League one could surmise Milan would be carrying a two goal lead to the San Siro. Quite frankly, Dida was a disaster. It wasn't so much he scored an own goal, his positioning on that set piece and all others was woeful. Then, to get beat near post in added time is just unacceptable. Dida let his teammates down after they fought tooth and nail for a 2-2 scoreline. True, it could be said the entire squad fell asleep at the end but I think it comes down to the 'keeper.
Chelsea meanwhile managed a single goal against Liverpool. Considering they did this without Michael Essien, me thinks the 'Pool could be in serious trouble heading back to Anfield. The defending on Drogba was miserable when he broke down the wing and delivered a perfect pass to Joe Cole. And the marking on Cole as he drove into the box to score was even worse. Pepe Reina had as great of a match in a losing effort as Dida's was pathetic. He carried Liverpool and were it not for him Chelsea would be 3 goals to the good and thinking of hoisting another trophy.
It should be noted that Petr Cech was equally brilliant. He didn't face as great of an attack, but when called upon he more than came up big. I don't know that Gerrard's shot was destined for goal at the end, but Cech's diving effort made sure it was not going to level the score. Shevchenko went missing once again, but Joe Cole and Didier Drogba dug deep in their reserves to cause all kinds of chaos.
I think Rafa Benitez is a good enough manager to take this next week and compile a game plan that can see Liverpool win 2-0 at Anfield. Much like they did during the domestic fixture. I also think Jose Mourinho can inspire his team to either score an away goal or keep the match scoreless.
The weekend's league matches could go a long way towards revealing what to expect in the 2nd legs next week.
posted by Anonymous at 8:16 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home