We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Manchester United did so much damage in the Olympic Stadium last week, that Sir Alex Ferguson has decided to rest Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo for tonight's second leg clash at Old Trafford. On paper it sounds like a stroll in the park for the Red Devils, but they still have to play the match.
posted by gatorbob @ 2:34 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
133 Comments:
Here are the sides for tonight:
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Pique, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Hargreaves, Park, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Tevez. Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes, O'Shea, Welbeck.
Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Cassetti, De Rossi, Pizarro, Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini, Vucinic. Subs: Curci, Cicinho, Aquilani, Giuly, Esposito, Tonetto, Brighi.
Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)
Over in Spain, Barcelona bring a 1-0 advantage and an away goal with them to tonight's fixture with Shalke at the Nou Camp.
So, you'd have to predict a United vs. Barca semi-final to go with yesterday's Chelski vs. Pool semi. But, as they say, it's a funny old game.
UEFA are getting very gladiatorial with their choices of anthemic music to greet the sides. You'd half expect Russell Crowe to walk out in his codpiece rather than a couple of football teams.
It's a distinctly defensive line-up for United tonight with Tevez up front alone, Giggs providing width on the left and Park, Anderson, Carrick and Hargreaves doing the ball-winning in the middle of the park.
Wow, the moment of silence was broken by chants of "Vafonculo!" from the Roman fans, which the United fans then booed. I haven't heard that happen for a long time. Yesterday's moment of silence for UEFA administrator Matthew Springer was impeccably observed at Anfield.
Owen Hargreaves whips in an excellent ball from the right and Mexes looked as if he'd turned it into his net but it's marginally over.
Taddei tries an ambitious effort from forty yards that flies well wide. Worth an early pop, though.
Roma got caught napping a bit there and Park slipped into the channel and whipped a shot just wide. Nice opportunity there for the Korean.
United are raiding at will now, with Park knocking a lovely ball in that Tevez nods just wide. Looking good for SAF's men.
Giggs plays a corner over and Wes Brown was wide open but heads over. He didn't get over the ball properly there. Shame.
Ooh, Hargreaves had the best chance of the evening, one on one with the keeper who does well to save with his legs. United should easily be one or two up already. I can't really tell what Roma thought their strategy would be tonight but it's throw to the wind now.
It looks as if everyone on the United side bar Van der Sar fancies getting on the scoresheet tonight.
Roma get their first chance of the evening, with VDS saving well from Mancini. It just impresses that this isn't entirely an academic exercise. If a Roma goal went in, there might be some nerves in the crowd.
Brilliant sweeping move from United involving Tevez putting Park through to cross ends with Giggs making Doni work.
Hey Bob, I am here.
I haven't missed a goal yet.
Glad to see Rio in the line up.
I guess were resting Ron and Roon is okay. As long as we get through.
Consumate defending there from Rio who's just back from injury. With Vidic out, he's the glue holding the backline together.
Afternoon, Dave. You lot have been terrific so far. Should be one or two up easily.
You'll see Roon and Ronny off the bench if things get tight in the second half. You do have Arsenal on Sunday, after all.
Hargreaves nearly in there again. It's difficult to figure out exactly where he's playing. He's popped up wide right and left and there he was in the center forward channel. It's real "Clockwork Orange" total football from Owen.
United are having some chances. I put it back and saw Hargreaves with another chance.
Anderson with a nice shot that the keeper almost spilled.
I disagree with Tommy Smyth. Hargreaves has been good but I reckon that Park and Tevez have been even better.
We need a goal!!
If Roma knick one then it is itchy bum time
You should watch the move involving Tevez pulling it down, spreading to Hargreaves who crosses for Giggs. Great move and great save from Doni. Marvelous football.
COME ON UNITED!!
We were three up last year watching this game in Portsmouth
If I had to guess, I'd say that that move was at the seventeen minute mark.
I am going to quote you about UNITED FOOTBALL
"BRILLIANT" and "MARVELOUS"
Maybe you're seeing the light.
KING ERIC!!!!!
True - even Smiffy scored last year!
What about that run by Walcott last night? I think it was number 1 on ESPN's top ten. Torres was in there too.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!
That was never a penalty
Oh dear, what's that? It's a penalty! Brown did catch Mancini but got the ball. What do you think, Dave?
Rossi misses! Unbelievable! What a miss!
JUSTICE!!!!!!
I wonder if the Patriots are going to sign him!!!
SAF is having a go at the fourth official. I don't know why he's upset now. Everything's back to normal.
Oh, I was leaping off the couch at Theo's run - it was magical. I look forward to seeing him do the same for England.
I've got a conspiracy theory about penalties. Whenever they do that weird camera angle from behind the player as they did there, he misses. See if you don't think I'm right.
Come on United get your finger out!!
United are certainly giving Roma every encouragement now. Are you nervous?
Sounds right to me.
Should have had that angle last night
De Rossi tried a bit of Ronaldo there but it didn't come off.
I have always been nervous
I was still celebrating the Adebayor goal when Babel went over in the box. A bit dodgy, that penalty.
As I typed yesterday, at first I thought it was and then thought maybe not
The nerves are definitely getting the better of United here. They were hoping to stick an early one in to ease the pressure, but now they're under the cosh.
Cardiff have taken the lead against Ipswich.
Barnsley have taken the lead at Watford
What about that penalty - are you changing your mind. I think it was a decent shout. He definitely caught the foot.
Of course, Roma do need three
Fergie needs to calm down - he's going to be sent off for an early bath before long.
Rio looks hurt
Or two to draw and take you lot of penalties - although, after seeing that De Rossi effort, you might not fear those.
Yeah, Rio will have to come off. Piquet can play in the middle with Brown and Neville can shift over, right?
A bit of a knee in the back from the Orange there.
I want Rio for Sunday
Why can't Brits pronounce the name Esposito properly?
Why did SAF play Rio tonight?
Hey, give Rio a bit of the Bob Marley aroma therapy and he'll be right as rain.
Because you are a bit thin in the back. Roma aren't complete pushovers.
That's an interesting fact... never lost by two clear goals at home in Europe. Long may it continue
Barca have taken the lead
Still 0-0 at the Nou Camp. All Shalke need is one in off the bum from Kevin Kuranyi and they could force penalties there.
Derek Rae also mentioned that no side has ever lost after winning 2-0 away at this stage of the Champs League. He is a master of the stats, even if he is a fake Scotsman.
2029: GOAL Barcelona 1-0 Schalke (agg 2-0)
Bizarre goal and not really deserved either. Bojan's cross flicks off defender Marcelo Bordon and is headed off the line by Mladen Krstajic - but Yaya Toure is on hand to tap in.
Shut up Derek
Kolo's brother Yaya Toure with the goal for Barca. He's having a better day than Kolo had yesterday.
Half time at Old Trafford.
We're half way there!!
Half-time: It really should be something like 4-1 United, but somehow after a thrilling and absorbing first half, they somehow conjured up a 0-0 scoreline.
The bottom line is that Roma need to score twice in the second period in order to even get to extra time. Tall order.
From the Beeb
2035: Schalke have had a hatful of chances but find themselves behind. Manchester United could have scored 10 - but would have been behind were it not for Daniele de Rossi's awful, awful penalty. Strange game.
Pretty hilarious goal there for Barca.
Do you think Rio will be back?
He is.
He must be okay
He is back - I'm surprised. What a trooper!
And we're off.
Quick goal by the team in red please
That's an interesting angle for ESPN2 - the Rio ankle cam.
Come Carrick, knock in a couple like last year
Silly sod, Tommy. They're trying to kill the game off.
Tommy, United aren't Chelski or Costa!!!
That was an unconvincing clearance there from Rio. He really should go off.
GORDON BENNETT
HOlD ON TO VDS!!!
Ooh, that was a bit precarious. VDS bobbling it and Rio tried to clean it up.
Rio definitely hobbling now. More of the ESPN2 Rio ankle cam.
2051: Eric Cantona gets a huge ovation from the fans as he takes his seat for the second half at Old Trafford.
Where is Pique playing? He was the center forward for that cross
Park... you tosser
Park should have hit that first time. He dwelt on it and the chance disappeared.
Glad to have Silvestre back.
He could take Vidic's place
Looks like Cassetti will have to come off. I don't know why he'd fake this. They need every second that they have.
That's right, you should shift Silvestre over and Neville could take his place. They said earlier that it would be the Neviller's 99th CL appearance if he gets on.
He's not faking. I first thought he fell and was having a hissy fit.
Why boo this guy - he's eating up the clock for you? Typical Mancunian logic!
Barnsley have scored a second at Watford. That would put Leicester in the drop zone
Great block there from Silvestre.
They're getting closer.
Bloody HELL!!
COME ON UNITED!!
I knew this wouldn't be a walkover
I warm up just like that
Ronaldo doing a bit of Michael Jackson crotch grabbing calisthenics on the touchline there.
With the tight stretchy pants and all?
Rio looks okay. He does his best Walcott impersonation
Blimey, Park does run all day long as if there's a lovely bowl of puppy stew at the end of a string that he's chasing.
2103: Well, I'm not sure who's coming on for United. Now Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are warming up on the touchline. Maybe Fergie's just showing off...
Roma just seem to be so bloody measure in their approach play. I reckon it's about time for some Route One stuff - they have to score twice in thirty minutes just to draw!
What has happened to Watford.
Three nil to Barnsley
Doni's just a bit big isn't he?
2107: Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol will miss the first leg of the semi-final after he is booked for clattering into Gerald Asamoah.
Odejayi has scored twice for Barnsley.
Why couldn't he have slotted in the one on one at Wembley?
I think he was onside
Did you see that woman yelling at the linesman?
You are making harder work of this match than I'd expected. One free header and the last quarter of a hour could be agonizing.
Just over 20 minutes to go.
COME ON UNITED!!
YES!!!!
TEVEZ!!!
GOAL! Lovely glancing header from Carlito. The ball in from Hargreaves was delicious too.
Great cross, great header
Phew
"Feliz Bumpie Ariel" on Tevez's shirt? "Happy ????"
Help out - you took Spanish.
Dahlgren words about MANCHESTER UNITED
"Brilliant, Marvelous, Lovely, Delicious"
He is finally seeing the light
Fergie's saying - "Job over - I'm off for the Pick 'n Mix."
I took Spanish with Mr. Cardenzona!!!!
Why is Roon coming on? It's not needed.
Listen, I've never said that you were a rubbish side. With all the money that you've spent on this side, it should be good. You've got £50 million + just hanging out on the bench. I'd say the same thing about the rest of the top four.
I just think you should share the wealth - salary cap, anyone?
Rooney shoots horribly.
TAKE HIM OFF
And you know I rate Tevez - I was singing his praises back before the 2006 World Cup when he was still lighting it up for Corinthians.
Ipswich have tied it up
Blow up, ref. This match is over.
I didn't think Tevez would fit with Roon. They do
2116: Bojan is taken off at the Nou Camp - prompting booing and more hanky-waving. Frank Rijkaard looks a bit sheepish.
Neville to come on for United after over a year out.
He was fouled by Gary Speed and has never been back
He will get a big round of applause
Standing ovation
Rio's giving him the armband.
Good job Rio
It gets harder to heal when you get that old. Welcome back, the Neviller.
Neville trying to score!!
That shot was closer than his penalty!!
Derek Rae with a bit of a Karl Marx reference - "dustbin of history."
Ever the intellectual...
great goal by United
No weak links in the United squad? Ooh, I'm not sure about that. Wes Brown, John O'Shea, old men Giggs and Scholes.
Park should have scored again!!
Park was offside there.
That's it.
United in the Semis BRING ON BARCA
I am off for birthday dinner for my newest 12 year old Matt
Great to spend the afternoon with Bob.
Talk to you on the weekend.
Dave
Full-time: 3-0 United on agg.
There were some dicey moments tonight but it was never really in doubt.
Now on to Barcelona in the semis.
Have fun with Matt tonight. See you this weekend!
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