Champions' League - Gameday 3
Yes, chaps, it's that time again when the big clubs in Europe strut their funky stuff to the delight of their supporters and the gangsters from Setanta. There's a full schedule today and tomorrow starting with Arsenal kicking off in a few minutes in Moscow against CSKA and ending tomorrow with the marquee match-up of Chelski vs. Barca, which I assume will be carried by ESPN 2 if they have any nous about these things at all.
Oh, and by the way there's a full schedule of Coke matches today, so I'll have the cheerful proposition of following my Leeds boys as they struggle to let in fewer than four goals today against Leicester at Elland Road. (sigh)
posted by gatorbob @ 1:12 PM
31 Comments:
Looks like I bollixed up the time difference with Russia. I thought they were set to kick off at 1:30 EST but as I check 365, I notice that it's nearly half time between Arsenal and CSKA and - no doubt to the horror of Gooner71 - CSKA are one up!
Football 365 comments:
"Half-Time: Arsenal trail 1-0 and deservedly so but they did flicker into life in the final five minutes of the half. They need to continue that improvement after the break."
The Arsenal are apparently improving in the second half and starting to spray some passes about in the time-honored Wenger manner, but CSKA still hold on to their lead and could easily add to it on the break.
75th minute: Arsenal still trailing 1-0. The Gooners have never loved these away Champions' League fixtures to Eastern Europe and it's proving a sticky wicket again today. They've got fifteen minutes to pull it out.
The Arse are piling it on with Fabregas at the helm. Henry has been a shadow tonight. Adebayor and VP are both on and a goal must come in the next five minutes or the Arse will suffer their first CL defeat this season.
Theo Walcott is on for Rosicky. It's hero time, Theo!
Henry is furious with the ref after his goal is ruled out for handball. It's one we'll have to look at on replay. In any case, it's still 1-0 CSKA.
Full-time: 1-0 CSKA - a bad loss for the Arse that will put some pressure on them to win the remaining matches at home and to pick up more points on the road. Shame about Henry's disallowed goal.
Here are the remaining fixtures, due to kick off in about fifteen minutes:
Group F:
Celtic vs. Benfica
Man Utd vs. FC Copenhagen
Group G
FC Porto vs. Hamburg
Group H
Anderlecht vs. AC Milan
Lille vs. AEK Athens
Group E
Dynamo Kiev vs. Lyon
Steaua Bucuresti vs. Real Madrid
Let's spare a thought for the Leeds for a moment. They start the day today on 10 points from 11 games. We're still with a caretaker manager as no one seems to be stepping forward to take on the job and Captain Birdseye doesn't seem to be in a hurry to fill it. It goes without saying that we could use a good win against Leicester today.
ManYoo start their match against Copenhagen in a few minutes with this side:
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Saha, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Smith, Solskjaer, Richardson, Fletcher, David Jones.
Davey, if you're coming in from school, join me for the match. I'll be monitoring it until my 4 o'clock class.
The matches have kicked off and ManYoo almost jump into an early lead, Rooney feeding Saha who shoots straight at the keeper.
He's likely to be a busy boy tonight as Ronaldo (boo!) is returning from injury and is looking lively so far.
Barnsley have taken an early lead in the Coke against newly promoted Plymouth.
I know it's merely a statistical function of Sheffield Wednesday not playing today, but it's reassuring to see my Leeds boys out of the relegation zone on eleven points.
Real Madrid have gone one up in Bucharest.
The Tractor Boys have scored an early goal against Preston NE.
Rooney and Ronaldo are tormenting the Danish defence and a goal for United should be coming soon.
Arsenal nearest Group G rivals Porto are one nil up against Hamburg.
Derby have taken the lead against QPR, which is good news for us since they're just above us on 13 points.
Twenty minutes in, and the initial burst from ManYoo has been weathered by the gritty Copenhagen defence.
Bugger! QPR have leveled it up. Wolves have also taken the lead. Leeds still 0-0 with Leicester.
Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! Leicester have predictably taken the lead at Elland Road. If only there was a manager in charge to sack. Whose head do the rioting fans call for after the match?
Lyon have taken an impressive away lead to Kiev. They are a tasty side.
If Hull get anything out of their match today, we'll be dead last in the Coke - our worst league position in club history!
Real are now 2-0 up in Bucharest.
Sunderland are now one nil up at Stoke. Also a good result for us as Stoke are now on 12 points.
ManYoo have taken the lead against Copenhagen, and not before time. That'll settle the Old Trafford nerves.
Ipswich are 2-0 up now to Preston.
Lyon are 2-0 up in Kiev. Wow!
Half-time whistles going around the country. ManYoo fans are happy; Leeds fans - not!
That is the traditional cheer at the Elland, sometimes sheepishly (no pun intended) as we've had our fair share of racist thugs at the club. But after Revie introduced the all-white Real-inspired kit, the Elland Road faithful did adopt that cheer.
I'll return the favor - come on you Hammers!
So, Trev, should Pardew stay or should he go?
Well, with the exception of the Arse, the British clubs did well today with 3-0 spankings of their opponents.
Not so for the Leeds - another dismal performance in which Matthew Kilgallon managed to get himself sent off and we lost 2-1 despite a late charge. That leaves us with ten points from twelve. When do I really start worrying?
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