Frantic but exciting start to the United-Wolfsburg match, 1-1 after 15 minutes as LVG goes to the very aggressive pressing tactics that he employed last spring in the 2-1 vs Liverpool.
San Siro's Siren Call: 2015-16 UEFA Champions League
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
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Wolfsburg could be up 4-1 by now. Draxler, who has had a great match otherwise, just blew a golden chance.
This looks nothing like every other Manchester United match this season - wide open and end-to-end.
This looks nothing like every other Manchester United match this season - wide open and end-to-end.
It seemed like the flag was late going up but the call was definitely correct. He was five yards offside and right in the path of the ball so it doesn't matter if he touched it or not.
CSKA might still do United a solid here and beat PSV. 0-0 at the half and it doesn't look like either side has really been on top.
It would be just like United to get trounced by Wolfsburg but luck into the knockout stages cos CSKA grab a goal in injury time to beat PSV 1-0.
He wasn't in the the path of the ball and it was 30 seconds between net and flag.
Don't make me advocate for United, you jerk.
He absolutely was involved in the play. The GK waits to dive into the path of the shot because he's waiting to see whether Mata is going to redirect it on net.
You don't need to advocate for United. This was a very clear call with the new rules.
Great saves on both ends! This might be the most entertaining match I've seen United play under LVG.
Edit: And another fantastic save from De Gea.
Edit: And another fantastic save from De Gea.
City has a chance to win their group with if they can find another goal against Gladbach and the 1-0 Sevilla-Juve scoreline holds.
As it stands, PSV would advance over United, both on 8 points but with better h-2-h. If United ties it up against Wolfsburg, then PSV needs to win to advance.
They did one better than that. Of course Llorente ruins it for Juve.
Such a different performance from what I've become used to this season. The Naldo finish was exquisite and Draxler is a stud but United were all over the place. It's too bad because if you told me before the game they'd score 2 in Germany I'd have taken it in a second.
Hope Smallings injury isn't serious as its looking unlikely United will put some separation between them and the other teams battling for 2nd-6th.
Hope Smallings injury isn't serious as its looking unlikely United will put some separation between them and the other teams battling for 2nd-6th.
Already conceded the title to Leicester, huh?
The result is bad (although I was rooting for it) but I thought United's young players acquitted themselves pretty well. The young fullbacks played really well given the kind of match into which they were thrust and I thought both Martial and Memphis were good.
Hindsight is 20/20 but taking off Mata for Powell after 67 minutes was puzzling given that (a) Mata had been in the thick of most of United's good attacking moves and was playing very well overall and (b) you're using your last sub pretty early so if somebody gets hurt (as happened to Smalling) you're in trouble. LVG makes some weird calls with substitutes.
I agree MMS. I thought Bosworth Jackson did well but was puzzled by Young not coming on. I actually felt the opposite about Varela though...he looked overwhelmed and intimidated. Martial and Memphis are starting to click which is enjoyable.
Powell is such a weird story. I'm not sure if you're familiar with it but essentially he was signed as future midfielder for the club then was loaned out and shined as a striker. He returned to the club and over the past few years injuries have derailed his career to the point where there were reports that he was considering retiring because he was bored with football. When he came on I actually thought it was going to be written in the stars that he scored the winner.
Powell is such a weird story. I'm not sure if you're familiar with it but essentially he was signed as future midfielder for the club then was loaned out and shined as a striker. He returned to the club and over the past few years injuries have derailed his career to the point where there were reports that he was considering retiring because he was bored with football. When he came on I actually thought it was going to be written in the stars that he scored the winner.
Shouldn't all fans of BPL teams be rooting for United, and by extension, those two horrible London teams playing tomorrow?
How close is the England v. Italy thing for the fourth UCL slot thing right now?
EDIT: here is a link that explains it: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11945/10093292/europa-league-success-could-save-premier-leagues-fourth-champions-league-spot
The summary is that a team that wasn't likely to win in the UCL round of 16 matched up against a group winner is probably better off going to Europa glory where they would face a Europa group runner up. ManU probably fits that definition.
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Huh, I didn't realize that whole backstory about Powell. Maybe LVG strongly believes in his talent based on his observations in practice. But if he hasn't played much in the last couple years that just makes the switch even more confusing.
Hey, who knows? May be United dropped into the Europa League so that they could get closer to Harry Kane, who they are rumored to fancy.
Fire up the klaxon! Julian Green is starting for Bayern against Dinamo Zagreb. Bayern are already assured of first place in the group, but I didn't expect him to be part of even a "play the backups + kids" lineup.
Arsenal don't look up for this at all. Sloppy passing, getting outhustled, etc. Not a good start.
Costa get a yellow against Porto after an exchange with Casillas. I guess Costa wants to show Atletico fans that he still hates Real Madrid.
And Giroud scores as I watch on a crappy stream because my cable provider's feed randomly cut out. I'll take that tradeoff.
Arsenal really picked it up in the last 20 minutes of the half and are deservedly ahead (and could have had another, with Flamini hitting the bar). But Olympiakos have had some good chances as well.
Still all to play for. Although I have a sinking feeling that Ramsey is going to pick up a stupid second yellow and get himself sent off.
Still all to play for. Although I have a sinking feeling that Ramsey is going to pick up a stupid second yellow and get himself sent off.