Topic: Liverpool vs AS Roma, Uefa Champions League Sem-Final 1st leg

[RedSince86]

Same Ref as vs City at Anfield..Felix Brych.

He's a classic homer ref.

He showed that in our game away at Seville where he gave them everything in that 2nd half when they were 3-0 down.

The Real PSG game had the PSG complaining about him.

And City should have had a penalty against us,also helps he's German as well with the Klopp factor.

This will give us the edge for Tuesday with a raucous Anfield as well.

[Crimson_Tank]

Excellent write up Al.

Bring them on!

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Was having a quick browse of Roma fan sites and news - they've been keeping up with us as well

One had a report on the West Brom game, highlighting a potential weak point from set pieces and Karius potentially not sweeping up, Defrel and Karsdorp had specialised training programs, the rest were divided between gym work,pitch and recovery for those who played SPAL, conference will be the coach and Kolarov, most of their sites have them in their 4-3-3 but you can't rule out a surprise with Di Francesco, bar any early game changing events it'll be a solid, well prepped side.

[jillcwhomever]

Was having a quick browse of Roma fan sites and news - they've been keeping up with us as well

One had a report on the West Brom game, highlighting a potential weak point from set pieces and Karius potentially not sweeping up, Defrel and Karsdorp had specialised training programs, the rest were divided between gym work,pitch and recovery for those who played SPAL, conference will be the coach and Kolarov, most of their sites have them in their 4-3-3 but you can't rule out a surprise with Di Francesco, bar any early game changing events it'll be a solid, well prepped side.

Don't doubt that for a second, with the traditional Italian coach they have.

[Skrtelonparole]

Brilliant write-up Al!

We’re never gonna stop..

[gray19lfc]

Is a bus greeting planned or have the authorities stopped this??

https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=315738.msg15998680#msg15998680

[PhaseOfPlay]

Here are the average positions for Roma's last four away games in the Champions League:



From those, we can gather that Dzeko will stay central as a target, their fullbacks play high and wide, their central defenders split and the #6 drops in, their midfield supports the wings, and their wingers have a lot of work to do getting up and down the field. They don't make a large amount of clearances per game (about average) so they'll definitely try to bring the ball out. They have a high amount of passes per game in away games, so they'll be almost an ideal opponent for us at home. If we're on our game, we could have this particular game won at half time. As long as we keep Dzeko and his supply line quiet, we should be able to end the game with no away goals against.

[4pool]

Referee
Felix Brych (GER)

Assistant referees
Mark Borsch (GER)
Stefan Lupp (GER)

Additional assistant referees
Bastian Dankert (GER)
Marco Fritz (GER)

Fourth official
Markus Häcker (GER)

[LFCEmpire]

Referee
Felix Brych (GER)

Assistant referees
Mark Borsch (GER)
Stefan Lupp (GER)

Additional assistant referees
Bastian Dankert (GER)
Marco Fritz (GER)

Fourth official
Markus Häcker (GER)

Satisfied with that, Felix Brych is top quality referee.

[4pool]

Roma away matches this season in the CL

FC Qarabag 1-2
Chelsea 3-3....Chelsea 2-0 up, then went 2-3 down before levelling.
Atletico Madrid 2-0

Shakhtar 2-1

Barcelona 4-1

[jillcwhomever]

Here are the average positions for Roma's last four away games in the Champions League:



From those, we can gather that Dzeko will stay central as a target, their fullbacks play high and wide, their central defenders split and the #6 drops in, their midfield supports the wings, and their wingers have a lot of work to do getting up and down the field. They don't make a large amount of clearances per game (about average) so they'll definitely try to bring the ball out. They have a high amount of passes per game in away games, so they'll be almost an ideal opponent for us at home. If we're on our game, we could have this particular game won at half time. As long as we keep Dzeko and his supply line quiet, we should be able to end the game with no away goals against.

Getting a clean sheet again could prove key going into that second leg. We need to remain compact when we don't have the ball, but also ruthless when we create our chances. I would love another quick start, an early goal and then put the squeeze on them.

[Circa1892]

What a night that 2002 game was - was on the Kop with my dad as a teenager and never experienced anything like it. Heskey was an absolute colossus that night.

Onto this game, hopefully the disappointment and slackness of the last 15 from Saturday is out of everyone's system. Robertson and Trent will be massive upgrades on the flanks.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Pressure them from the beginning and strangle the confidence out of them, come on you reds.

[Gazza-LFC]

I know it's stupid but can't believe we are in a Champions League semi, just sinking in. The atmosphere at City was amazing but I am expecting even more noise. See yous at The Arkles! Come on Red Men.

[killer-heels]

Roma away matches this season in the CL

FC Qarabag 1-2
Chelsea 3-3....Chelsea 2-0 up, then went 2-3 down before levelling.
Atletico Madrid 2-0

Shakhtar 2-1

Barcelona 4-1

They were not that good against Shaktar. They were good however against Chelsea (although they looked quite porous) and Barcelona away.

[LondonLFCFan]

Roma do play counter pressing and won't give us time on the ball. They have been successful this season following Klopps style of play. The do however have a great goalie. They are also lethal with set plays esp. corners and free kicks. They are tall and strong and physical and hungry.

However, they do not have the clinical finish of Salah, Firmino and Mane.
But we really need TAA, Henderson, Ox, Milner and Andy Robertson to be at their best. Van Dijk and Lovren have to deal with all the high balls and commanding the off side trap, and Karius has to stay calm with lightning quick responses keeping the ball out of our goal mouth.

Winning this leg and keeping a clean sheet depends entirely on our whole team being there to win first or second balls. It relies on our supporters to cheer them on to be a bit quicker, and clinical.

I am actually glad that we had the WBA game on Saturday. We know where we need to do better, and what happens if we are not 'playing football' as klopp so often retorts.
Just like the Man U game where we were exposed,  before we slammed Man City 3-0 at home 

We also have a brand new bus that we can park across our goal mouth as well if we choose to do so 

If we play it right, it would be 5-0 and Arriverderci Roma 

[Trendisnotdestiny]

Roma do play counter pressing and won't give us time on the ball. They have been successful this season following Klopps style of play. The do however have a great goalie. They are also lethal with set plays esp. corners and free kicks. They are tall and strong and physical and hungry.

However, they do not have the clinical finish of Salah, Firmino and Mane.
But we really need TAA, Henderson, Ox, Milner and Andy Robertson to be at their best. Van Dijk and Lovren have to deal with all the high balls and commanding the off side trap, and Karius has to stay calm with lightning quick responses keeping the ball out of our goal mouth.

Winning this leg and keeping a clean sheet depends entirely on our whole team being there to win first or second balls. It relies on our supporters to cheer them on to be a bit quicker, and clinical.

I am actually glad that we had the WBA game on Saturday. We know where we need to do better, and what happens if we are not 'playing football' as klopp so often retorts.
Just like the Man U game where we were exposed,  before we slammed Man City 3-0 at home 

We also have a brand new bus that we can park across our goal mouth as well if we choose to do so 

If we play it right, it would be 5-0 and Arriverderci Roma 

This is my main concern.  That we concede an early restart goal ---- and have to chase the game.  You know, something that happens to every team now and then. 

The other concern is not taking our chances against Alisson.

Otherwise, Spanish Al has me fired up and ready for this.  Go you reds!  ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ!!!!

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Was having a quick browse of Roma fan sites and news - they've been keeping up with us as well

One had a report on the West Brom game, highlighting a potential weak point from set pieces and Karius potentially not sweeping up, Defrel and Karsdorp had specialised training programs, the rest were divided between gym work,pitch and recovery for those who played SPAL, conference will be the coach and Kolarov, most of their sites have them in their 4-3-3 but you can't rule out a surprise with Di Francesco, bar any early game changing events it'll be a solid, well prepped side.

would expect 352 like with barca

[Trendisnotdestiny]

They were not that good against Shaktar. They were good however against Chelsea (although they looked quite porous) and Barcelona away.

But who really was?

[scouse neapolitan]

Just reread Joe Fagan's half time notes from 1984 final. "Don't give free kicks away outside the box". Read reread and reread those wise words. What Joe said 34 years ago needs to be drummed into our boys' heads.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Do whatever it takes, everything comes down to this now.

[Barneylfc∗]

Class video of a collection of photos from the final in 1984

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/7F7hDYDzwU4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/7F7hDYDzwU4</a>

[Qston]

Great OP. Thanks for that.

Well fellas. 3 games from greatness. Cannot wait for the game and despite the usual caveats about Roma being a dangerous opponent, which they are, there is nothing wrong with confidence. We have nothing to fear and have one of the best, if not the best, forward line in the world. Time for the players to add their names to our great history and become legends. It starts Tuesday night.

Bring on anyone

[lgvkarlos]

Do whatever it takes, everything comes down to this now.

Just reread Joe Fagan's half time notes from 1984 final. "Don't give free kicks away outside the box". Read reread and reread those wise words. What Joe said 34 years ago needs to be drummed into our boys' heads.

With loadspeakers to Milner, playing well at the moment but loves a pointless foul from behind.

[TepidT2O]

I’m shitting myself....


Hopefully I will be better by Tuesday though..

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I’m shitting myself....


Hopefully I will be better by Tuesday though..

by Tuesday you'll drown in your own shite 

[lgvkarlos]

I’m shitting myself....


Hopefully I will be better by Tuesday though..

Me too, can't believe how bad I was for the City games.
Think I'm getting worse as I get older.

[lessthanmatt]

Same Ref as vs City at Anfield..Felix Brych.

He was great. He let us press and scrap for possession fairly

[alonsoisared]

Home for a funeral, have to be back by wednesday morning for work so im on a flight during the first half hour. Probably good for me that i wont be watching because i was enough of a mess for the quarters. Plus I hate flying so my nerves may be used up by that. Hoping to land, switch my data on and see the reds are 3 nil up. Too much to ask?

[daggerdoo]

Home for a funeral, have to be back by wednesday morning for work so im on a flight during the first half hour. Probably good for me that i wont be watching because i was enough of a mess for the quarters. Plus I hate flying so my nerves may be used up by that. Hoping to land, switch my data on and see the reds are 3 nil up. Too much to ask?

I hope your head doesn't fall off.

[TepidT2O]

Me too, can't believe how bad I was for the City games.
Think I'm getting worse as I get older.

No, I really am shitting myself...

Hideous bug I’ve caught... I don’t recommend it!

[daggerdoo]

And sorry for the bad news my friend.

[PhaseOfPlay]

I remember the 84 final. It was the first Euro final where I knew Liverpool and who all the players were. Loved Brucie too (which is why I'm so hard on him after the betting thing. Let my young hero-worship down big time!). Spaghetti legs was all the craze for a few weeks after that, in parks football after school.

But that 2002 Ged return one - Loved Ged and what he was bringing back to Liverpool. We had a spiffing team then, and once he appeared on the touchline, I think we all knew we were going to win. Just like when we played Barca in 01, once the first goal went in, that was it - they weren't breaching our defences.

This tie will be a good one too, I think. The noise at Anfield, hunting them down in packs, scaring the bejesus out of them, and then controlling the game in Rome. That's how it should work out. As long as we win it well at Anfield, we can be happy.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

would expect 352 like with barca

Interesting call. Di Francesco's just talked about that in an interview to the Guardian as well, saying it could be useful in giving a bit more physicality in Europe, and to counter certain players.

[hoppyLFC]

Class video of a collection of photos from the final in 1984

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/7F7hDYDzwU4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/7F7hDYDzwU4</a>

Boss !  And George has just confirmed that he will be playing it on Tuesday 🔥💪⚽️

[Barneylfc∗]

Boss !  And George has just confirmed that he will be playing it on Tuesday 🔥💪⚽️

Just seen that on Twitter. Cracking 

Is it too early for omens?

The last 3 times Liverpool have reached the European Cup Final, 2007, 2005 and 1985, Man United have played in the FA Cup final.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Interesting call. Di Francesco's just talked about that in an interview to the Guardian as well, saying it could be useful in giving a bit more physicality in Europe, and to counter certain players.

If they do that, then they're either going 1v1 at the back, or they are going 5v3 at the back

1v1 will play right into our attack, as Salah and Mane will outrun any markers, and Firmino's movement will drag the central defender all over the place

5v3 controls our attack a little, but it depletes their attack, which means we might get the clean sheet that is so important in the home leg.

If they're all-ends-up about which way to play, then it could get a bit crazy for them in the first half.

[Chris~]

Interesting call. Di Francesco's just talked about that in an interview to the Guardian as well, saying it could be useful in giving a bit more physicality in Europe, and to counter certain players.

How often has 3 at the back stopped  us though? Did Swansea play it when we lost there?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I've started drinking already, too early?

[gamble]

No need to guess, that’s probably our best line up (plus can is injured). Just need to do what we did against city. But no needless fouls or set pieces. I like karius so not having a go but his doesn’t have good decision making with balls in the box. Always goes for it, doesn’t know when to stay on his line