Topic: Champions League Semi finals 2010:

[Chakan]

3 in 6 years though...

Nothing since 2002 though.... hopefully we get number 6 soon

[Cid]

People get fixated on names/charisma/hype I suppose.
Seen good tactics being messed by players infinite number of times.
This was decent/expected tactics being maximised by 10 brave and inspired players.

Indeed.  Funny thing is wherever Mourinho goes the players become brave and inspired.  That is his greatest strength, his motivational skills and the creation of a siege mentality.

Some people on here have developed a genuine complex in regards to Mourinho, it's a yawnfest, give credit where it's due lads.  Putting his personality aside (if you can, it may be part of how he does it), he is the best manager in the world for me. 

[LF]

They've got half of Europe to thank for not entering in the 50's and early 60's And Franco........

1955/1956 - Champions of Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Italy and France.

1956/1957 - Champions of Austria, France, England and Italy.

1957/1958 - Champions of Belgium, Hungary and Italy and runners up from Spain

1958/1959 - Champions of Turkey, Austria, France and runners up from Spain

1959/1960 - Champions of Luxerburg, France, Spain and Germany

1961/1962 - Champions of Hungary, Denmark, Italy and Portugal

1965/1966 - Champions of Holland, Scotland, Belgium, Italy and Yugoslavia.

That's the lot they beat for the shiny european cups. 

[KERRYKOP]

I love RAWK

[matchyg]

For me, Inter's march to the finally proves to me that Mourinho has a special ability to instil a winning mentality into any good  team.

Whatever Mourinho's goal is, I admit he has the ability to make happen it. I mean even the heavens assisted him this time around (the volcano). He is blessed with ability, charm and luck.

[Xxavi]

Fair play to Inter, I despise their players, Italian football and everything, but they defended like no other team did.

As for us, we did put a good effort. I fucking hated the spastic referee and I don't care that diving bastard Busquets gained advantage for Barca or not, the ref ruined the game. He gave free kick for everything. Absolutely everything to Inter. This helps a team who came to defend. I can't help but think that there is no one decent referee in Europe, or at least there hasn't been one game in Champions league knock out rounds I watched and thought it was good refereeing. He killed it for Barca with constant break up of play. We couldn't keep the tempo up, because the game was being stopped every minute.

Anyway, well done to the lads.

[Phil M]

Fair play to Inter, I despise their players, Italian football and everything, but they defended like no other team did.

As for us, we did put a good effort. I fucking hated the spastic referee and I don't care that diving bastard Busquets gained advantage for Barca or not, the ref ruined the game. He gave free kick for everything. Absolutely everything to Inter.

I know you're upset mate but the ref sent one of theirs off in the first half after all.
I mean Pep had 15 mins at half time to plan an assault which didn't really materialise until the final ten to fifteen minutes
when Bojan started to come into it despite it being 11 v 10. Inter had Messi and Xavi in their pockets which is no mean feat, they had their back four,
then a bank of two then another bank of two with even Eto'o tracking back, they wanted it badly and you could see it, credit
to the fans they created a wonderful atmosphere and backed their team brilliantly as you'd expect at Camp Nou, I think you have a right
to feel aggrieved about the disallowed goal but last year your team got the slice of luck they needed and this year it's Internazionale's turn. You still have La Liga to fight for.

[afcgooner]

When you allow an Italian team (with hardly any italian players lol) and a very good manager like Mourinho to take control of a tie, then you are asking for it when they come to your own ground because all they are going to do is swamp the penalty area and defend for their lives.

Another thing Barcelona missed was a Ronaldinho. People can say what they want about Messi but Ronaldinho always dominated these type of games. He would get on the ball and run at the FBs and defence and create havoc with his dribbling and vision and his general threat on goal.

Messi didn't do that and for me, it was a pretty awful tie for him by his standards.

Forgot to mention Bojans chance, that had to go in. If he puts that in, Barcelona could very well of went on and scored. I know you can never leave it too late in football but trying to score two goals past that Inter side in 5 minutes would be very hard.

[Xxavi]

I know you're upset mate but the ref sent one of theirs off in the first half after all.
I mean Pep had 15 mins at half time to plan an assault which didn't really materialise until the final ten to fifteen minutes
when Bojan started to come into it despite it being 11 v 10. Inter had Messi and Xavi in their pockets which is no mean feat, they had their back four,
then a bank of two then another bank of two with even Eto'o tracking back, they wanted it badly and you could see it, credit
to the fans they created a wonderful atmosphere and backed their team brilliantly as you'd expect at Camp Nou, I think you have a right
to feel aggrieved about the disallowed goal but last year your team got the slice of luck they needed and this year it's Internazionale's turn. You still have La Liga to fight for.

You know what, I hated to see that. Busquets pisses me off with his faking injury. "Get the fuck up and act like a man you pussy" I say many times.

But when I saw a red card, I had flashes of Bayern Munich - Lyon match and I was screaming "NOOOOO". I knew referee would want to even out, like that ref did to Toloulan. Since Barca players were careful, he was giving every free kick to Inter. I hate these refs. The Bayern Munich-Lyon one too. If you have balls to give red card, stand by it and don't let it influence you. If you are not sure, don't give red card. Very simple.

He made football absolutely ridiculous. The amount of times Inter players, Sneijder, Milito, Lucio, Chivo etc. were waiting for a little contact or even not any contact to go down was disgraceful. They will say "so did Busquets", and they will be right, but I can say I hate Busquets for that and them, too. Fucking can't believe what he made football today. Barca couldn't press and make it difficult for Inter because ref was stopping and giving free kicks all the time.

Come on, Bayern Munich! Fuck those corrupt bastards!

And BTW, the major positive thing was to see that bastard Motta go off. He clearly learned tricks from Figo. That's why I hate these "loyal Brazilians", they are good only when you have them, become despicable bastards as soon as go out of the door.

[Xxavi]

I also have to tip my hat off for the best defender in the world - Piquenbaur. He is a cracking footballer, I have a feeling he is not only the best Barca defender, but also the best Barca striker when he goes up. How many goals he created in crucial matches? Unbelievable.

[Oingy Boingy]

Fair play to Inter, I despise their players, Italian football and everything, but they defended like no other team did.

As for us, we did put a good effort. I fucking hated the spastic referee and I don't care that diving bastard Busquets gained advantage for Barca or not, the ref ruined the game. He gave free kick for everything. Absolutely everything to Inter. This helps a team who came to defend. I can't help but think that there is no one decent referee in Europe, or at least there hasn't been one game in Champions league knock out rounds I watched and thought it was good refereeing. He killed it for Barca with constant break up of play. We couldn't keep the tempo up, because the game was being stopped every minute.

Anyway, well done to the lads.

Loads of freekicks only helps the defending team if you don't make the best of your set plays...i agree though it's horrible and frustrating to watch when it's your team behind...The french ref we had in Madrid last week was the first i've seen in a long time who seemed wise and brave enough to distinguish between a proper foul and play acting for both teams.

[Phil M]

When you allow an Italian team (with hardly any italian players lol) and a very good manager like Mourinho to take control of a tie, then you are asking for it when they come to your own ground because all they are going to do is swamp the penalty area and defend for their lives.

Another thing Barcelona missed was a Ronaldinho. People can say what they want about Messi but Ronaldinho always dominated these type of games. He would get on the ball and run at the FBs and defence and create havoc with his dribbling and vision and his general threat on goal.

Messi didn't do that and for me, it was a pretty awful tie for him by his standards.

You say that but we nullified the threat of Ronaldinho quite comfortably home and away in 2007 by employing a similiar tactic,
 Messi was man marked and even double marked at times in both games, he is the main threat and you don't need to be a genius coach to work that out, they knew if they could isolate and try to cut off his main suppliers, chiefly Xavi and stop him receiving the ball to feet in the final third they had a big chance and that's what materialised, you saw very few attacks attempted on Maicon's flank in the first half for example, this led to Messi drifting inside but that made it even easier for Cambiasso and co. as they had him playing in front of them and not trying to get to the byline
where he can cut in and shoot and create havoc as we know. They showed serious determination and the frustration began to show in the Barca players as the game went on.

[afcgooner]

You say that but we nullified the threat of Ronaldinho quite comfortably home and away in 2007 by employing a similiar tactic,
 Messi was man marked and even double marked at times in both games, he is the main threat and you don't need to be a genius coach to work that out, they knew if they could isolate and try to cut off his main suppliers, chiefly Xavi and stop him receiving the ball to feet in the final third they had a big chance and that's what materialised, you saw very few attacks attempted on Maicon's flank in the first half for example, this led to Messi drifting inside but that made it even easier for Cambiasso and co. as they had him playing in front of them and not trying to get to the byline
where he can cut in and shoot and create havoc as we know. They showed serious determination and the frustration began to show in the Barca players as the game went on.

Ronaldinho was gone as the player we all know around 2007. Around the 2004 to 2006 period, Ronaldinho destroyed his Chelsea sides, single handly at times. They didn't have that sort of player in this tie, who would make something happen on his own, be a bit selfish, go on a run and try to make it happen yourself. Messi should of been that man but like i said, a poor tie by his standards.

[Phil M]

Messi should of been that man but like i said, a poor tie by his standards.

He tried but as I stated above he was facing a brick wall time after time, there are few teams who have the
defensive capability that Inter showed in both legs and the commitment to carry out the tactics required to shut a side
like Barca out, Ronaldinho would have been snuffed out just as easily, even in his prime, but at the end of the day that's
all hypothetical.

[manifest]

The ref made football absolutely ridiculous. The amount of times Inter players, Sneijder, Milito, Lucio, Chivo etc. were waiting for a little contact or even not any contact to go down was disgraceful.

 Fucking can't believe what he made football today. Barca couldn't press and make it difficult for Inter because ref was stopping and giving free kicks all the time.

That's rich: Barca are the primary team in the world that practices contact with feathers. The ref blowing at minimal contact should help the spanish team, not the italian. To say otherwise is absurd. So the ref played to spanish rules, not the european standard, which would have let much more contact go.

I find Barcelona thoroughly boring to watch, and I think that the " drogba" standards of contact that the spanish league have adopted absolutely serve this current version of Barca. It prevents any team in the league from playing physical football that most of the rest of the world plays, and certainly the football that Rafa's Valencia played. Under the current standards, Rafa would never have won La Liga.

I find them unwatchable, because they almost never get stretched in a meaningful contest. What's the point when they dominate so? I like the struggle of football. Barcelona are football without the Pain, and consequently I spent most the game hoping for Xavi to be kicked up in the air. Inter, for all their mourinho inspired bollocks,  represent something closer to real football, certainly anything that English fans would recognise as football; dirty, ugly, sweaty, passionate, with occasional moments of light and brilliance. I know it's level 3 heresy, but for me "football" was the winner with Barca's exit. Now we might get a proper football match for a final instead of a procession of tiddly-winks toying with the opposition.

I also hope that the guardiola balloon has burst.......totally over-rated, as this train wreck of tactics should demonstrate to everyone. Taking Ibrahimovitch off? The only player who could physically stand up with the inter defense. Priceless. Jeez, it's even got me wanting the ladyboy to win La Liga. 

[BlaugranaPride]

You have to be with your team in the good moments, but even more in the difficult times, FORÇA BARÇA, Fucking proud of this team

[toshi]

Jose Mourinho, April 2005 : Only one team trying to win the game.... 

[KERRYKOP]

You have to be with your team in the good moments, but even more in the difficult times, FORÇA BARÇA, Fucking proud of this team

Trust me these aren't difficult times.

[stevensr123]

Trust me these aren't difficult times.

I know made me laugh as well 

[MidwestWool]

I'll disagree with you on Messi, afcgooner. Yes, he should have done more but was let down by his teammates. All the pressure was on him and Xavi to create something, and they failed due to some brilliant defending by Inter. However, none of the other Barca players stepped up to take responsibility. If you noticed, Messi fell back and tried to help out Xavi with assisting the other players but other players did not take advantage of the chances they were creating.

Messi crossed a very good ball for Bojan to finish, which he failed to. Then, he played a lovely through ball for Dani Alves, who instead of trying to get the ball, decided to dive and ask for a penalty.

It's also unfair to put the blame on Messi for not taking complete responsibility. I think the likes of Xavi, Ibhrahimovic, Alves (who was awful) among others, failed to step up and deliver.

I think Barcelona have missed Iniesta a lot. It would have been difficult for Inter to mark three players without leaving others open. Iniesta's injury definitely affected Barca's chances of winning the European Cup once again.

[BlaugranaPride]

Cibeles after barça defeat, at least they have something to celebrate

[MidwestWool]

They remind me of Everton.

[skipper757]

I'll disagree with you on Messi, afcgooner. Yes, he should have done more but was let down by his teammates. All the pressure was on him and Xavi to create something, and they failed due to some brilliant defending by Inter. However, none of the other Barca players stepped up to take responsibility. If you noticed, Messi fell back and tried to help out Xavi with assisting the other players but other players did not take advantage of the chances they were creating.

Messi crossed a very good ball for Bojan to finish, which he failed to. Then, he played a lovely through ball for Dani Alves, who instead of trying to get the ball, decided to dive and ask for a penalty.

It's also unfair to put the blame on Messi for not taking complete responsibility. I think the likes of Xavi, Ibhrahimovic, Alves (who was awful) among others, failed to step up and deliver.

I think Barcelona have missed Iniesta a lot. It would have been difficult for Inter to mark three players without leaving others open. Iniesta's injury definitely affected Barca's chances of winning the European Cup once again.

Agreed.  Multiple times he went past several defenders only to run into another horde of them.  There wasn't enough incisiveness from Barca in general.  Messi didn't play well but the rest of the team was poor too.  Alves' crossing, for one, was an embarrassment.

[Juan Loco]

They remind me of Everton.

The most successful club in European football Everton, or the one in Chile?

[MidwestWool]

The most successful club in European football Everton, or the one in Chile?

The obsessed ones, whichever they are.

[Una cerveza, por favor]

We are being involved in legendary games in Champions League anyways. Madrid players can watch it on TV

hehe

[firing squad]

Cibeles after barça defeat, at least they have something to celebrate

SMALL TIME.

[medley]

I'd love to punch busquets right square in his face

[Una cerveza, por favor]

fail...

At least I got one right..

[Chivasino]

When you allow an Italian team (with hardly any italian players lol)

Because Arsenal are full of English players. lol

[hooded claw]

Peter North just out of shot?

Quality 

[Chivasino]

Peter North just out of shot?

Superb, Juan.

[Una cerveza, por favor]

Friend sent me this - Barcelona completed 555 passes compared to Inter’s 67, and produced the most dominant display of possession in European competition this year, 86%. And yet, for all that – how many times did they actually get the ball into serious goalscoring positions?

[scatman]

well the south americans went through, disappointed with their antics, in comparison i can't believe a post i read on the last page saying the barca players were falling everywhere, did that guy think Barca were playing in white? fair dues for pointing out Alves and Busquets, but Lucio, Chivu, Sneijder were serial offenders.
Nevermind, I expect a lot of money to be spentin the summer by Barca.

[scatman]

Friend sent me this - Barcelona completed 555 passes compared to Inter’s 67, and produced the most dominant display of possession in European competition this year, 86%. And yet, for all that – how many times did they actually get the ball into serious goalscoring positions?

come on mate, we know you love Real Madrid, but even we at Liverpool had plenty of games like that last year, if there's 8 men in that 18 yard area, you are going to be reduced to long shots and a lot of passing around looking for an opening. I think people forget quite a few instances in the game such as when Jeffren put that ball across the box and Bojan just missed it, the missed Bojan chance, his disallowed goal, Pique's goal, and that block on Pedro, that's still quite a few opportunities there.

[thom]

Anti football from Inter as expected, this will be the first European Cup final for a long time that I won't watch.

[Una cerveza, por favor]

Anti football from Inter as expected, this will be the first European Cup final for a long time that I won't watch.

As a defensive player myself, one thing that really pisses me off is people using the term 'anti-football' when talking about a defensive side. Is defending not part of the game? Should Inter have gone 4-3-3 away at Camp Nou to a Barcelona side despite having a 2 goal lead just to appeal to the masses. This is not FIFA '10 mate, football is about tactics; Mourinho got his spot on.

come on mate, we know you love Real Madrid, but even we at Liverpool had plenty of games like that last year, if there's 8 men in that 18 yard area, you are going to be reduced to long shots and a lot of passing around looking for an opening. I think people forget quite a few instances in the game such as when Jeffren put that ball across the box and Bojan just missed it, the missed Bojan chance, his disallowed goal, Pique's goal, and that block on Pedro, that's still quite a few opportunities there.

Not having a go at Barca, just mentioning a stat I found shocking and the fact that passes and possession means nothing if you are up against a well set-up zonal defense.

Call me crazy, but I prefer to analyze these type of defensive games rather than the 4-4 draw with Arsenal we had last season. It was a beauty to watch Inter's defense.

[yorkykopite]

How on earth did Ferguson let Pique go? The best centre back in the world.

[thom]

As a defensive player myself, one thing that really pisses me off is people using the term 'anti-football' when talking about a defensive side. Is defending not part of the game? Should Inter have gone 4-3-3 away at Camp Nou to a Barcelona side despite having a 2 goal lead just to appeal to the masses. This is not FIFA '10 mate, football is about tactics Mourinho got his spot on.

I don't care if Mourinho got his tactics spot on, last night there was only one team playing football and that was Barcelona and if you play in a Champions League semi-final there sould be two teams on the pitch to play football.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Anti football from Inter as expected, this will be the first European Cup final for a long time that I won't watch.

Rather harsh considering the circumstances of the game.

And for the next tit who uses the term "anti-football"...  football is about defending as well as attacking.  Superb defensive display from Inter. Monumental performances from Samuel and Zanetti and a stunning save from Cesar.