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!
Arsenal go to the Camp Nou today looking to pull out one of the biggest results in the club's history. It's 2-2 after the first leg. Here's hoping that the Gunners can do over the Catalan side and advance to the semis. Up the Arse!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:39 AM
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!
132 Comments:
The action in the Champions League starts early today with CSKA hosting Inter Milan. If you're at home today, it's on FSC from 12:30 EST. If not, join me on the blog for all the action.
Wesley Sneijder has shot Inter Milan into a 0-1 (0-2 aggregate) lead in Moscow after only six minutes. That's got to be about game over then.
I've got a nice P2P stream up:
http://livestream10.blogspot.com/
Half-time: Jose Mourinho will have an easy team talk at the interval. His Inter side are completely bossing this tie and look set to be first into the semi final pot.
The teams are back out at the Luhzniki Stadium. Inter haven't been intimidated by the plastic pitch as of yet. CSKA will need to score early to have any chance of turning this one around.
I agree with the commentators. CSKA have to throw caution to the wind. Inter are really only playing Milito up front. There's no reason to have four defenders marking him. Take one off, go with three at the back and throw another attacker into the mix. They need three goals!
Things go from bad to worse. Odaiah, who was one of the bright spots since coming on in the first half, goes diving in very late on Eto'o and gets a second yellow. He's off! CSKA down to ten men now.
This is fairly typical of Italian-based sides, and also of those coached by Jose Mourinho. It's noticeable that Inter are just basically dinking it about in midfield, happy to keep possession. They could at this point probably go on and score three or four against the ten men of CSKA, but they're thinking "why bother?" They're disgraceful.
Sneijder, who looks about the only enterprising Inter player right now, hits one that warms the keeper's hands.
Fifteen minutes of this one left. The commentator comments that if it were a boxing match, the ref would have called it off. Probably should have to. The stuffing has been taken out of this one by Sneijder's early goal. It's completely flat now.
CSKA have been particularly wasteful with their free kicks.
Inter have wrapped up a really dismal 0-1 win in Moscow. Honestly, FIFA should consider adding a "artistic merit" rubric to the Champions League judged by a panel of Ruud Gullit, Ossie Ardiles, and Kevin Keegan. That was a sheer disgrace.
The good news is the same link seems to be continuing through with the coverage of Barca-Arse on FSC. Marvelous!
I'll also be keeping a sneaky peek on Huddersfield v. Oldham. It's not the most important match in L1 but our west Yorkshire rivals could reduce the gap between 5th and 6th to six points with a win today.
Hi Bob,
I am here.
I just saw the last five minutes of the Inter game.
I hate the Special One. I don't want him to win this!
I now have the HD picture of the teams coming out at the Nou Camp on my MSG +
Come on you Arsenal!
The teams are coming out onto the pitch at Camp Nou.
Will Barac struggle without their two defenders and Zlatan?
Here are the line-ups:
Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Abidal, Milito, Marquez, Xavi, Keita, Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez, Messi, Bojan. Subs: Pinto, Iniesta, Henry, Maxwell, Toure, Fontas, Jeffren.
Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Sagna, Silvestre, Vermaelen, Diaby, Denilson, Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott, Bendtner. Subs: Fabianski, Eduardo, Eboue, Traore, Campbell, Merida, Eastmond.
Afternoon, Dave! Good to have you on board. Are you enjoying your break?
Hey Bob,
Yes I am!
I still have to teach tonight though!
It strikes me that Pep Guardiola is holding back a couple of players (e.g., Iniesta, Yaya Toure) for the Classico with Real at the weekend.
Did Kathy have the "Honey Do" list for you this week? Doing some DIY around the house?
I have one of the normal commentators (don't know his name) and Andy Gray as his partner
Kick-off time. The stadium and pitch look absolutely perfect. I'm hoping for a cracker!
Where's Arsenal's yellow shirts?
Have they worn white for the whole competition?
I've got the same thing on the FSC feed. Great stuff!
I'm not sure. Maybe....
How's that for a definitive response. Works for Chris Kamara!
Yes, WE are doing some stuff around the house. Kathy really isn't that kind of person with lists for me to do.
Cagey opening to this one. Very different from the match last week at the Emirates where they tried to bum-rush Arsenal from the off.
Hadn't Barca gone close already in the first leg?
Not much happening so far
No? You're lucky, mate!
Oh yeah - they could have had three by now at the Emirates.
Messi with a crack that the cameras almost missed
Nice save Manuel
That was a bit dangerous from Messi. Well turned around by Almunia.
Walcott is the only scorer from the first leg on the pitch
I want Arsenal to wipe those smug smiles off of Barcelona!
I really dislike this pace of the match so far. Almost Italian. Walking pace in the midfield
That was nasty by Diaby!
His foot STAMPED down
Alves falls on top of Bendtner and gets a free kick
Arsenal not passing very well!
Where is there beautiful football?
They NEED to score a goal!
The walking pace has to suit Arsenal though. Their game plan has to be to soak up the pressure in the first half and then try to strike through someone pacy like Walcott in the second half.
Nice shot by Messi
Just over the top!
Oh - sloppy from the Arsenal defense. How can they allow the ball to trickle to Messi at the top of the box. That's just insane.
I don't think the English sides like to play at that pace though
True. But I just wonder if Barca aren't a bit distracted by the upcoming Classico at the weekend?
Nasri's got some trouble here with his ankle. That's the last thing Arsene needs.
Nasri back on now. Let's hope he can continue long term. He's been in good form recently.
Sergio with an acrobatic dive there in midfield. What's the point of that?
Bendtner seems up for a real scrap tonight. That's good to see.
YES!!!!!!!!!
ARSENAL SCORE!!!
Why did Walcott pass?
Good job by Bendtner!
I thought the chance had gone!
GOAL!
I've just frightened my next door neighbor here at work by screaming in joy as Theo sprints through and sets up Nik Bendtner for the sucker punch goal.
0-1 Arse!
I was typing before the goal
Sergio dives.
FIFA should really cut that out by banning them
ooh,
Diaby should have fed Walcott!
I'm with you - I thought that Theo should've been greedier. I worried that the pass to Bendtner wasn't good enough but didn't Nik do well to get up off the turf and tuck it home.
Oh dear - Diaby could've fed Theo again but he went with Nasri instead. Barca are rocking on their heels here.
Messi scores a rifle of a shot but what a gift!!!
CLEAR THE BLOODY BALL!
Arsenal just needs to score again!
GOAL! Messi with an immediate response. Messy defending but you can't fault that finish. What a rocket!
Useless by Sivestre
This match is wide open now!
Stupid challenge by Mikel there. Could have given away a penalty
Some tenacious tackling from Arse. Somewhat clumsy from your boy Silvestre.
Corner flicked on but no one at the back post
I always have someone stay at the back post for garbage.
Vermaelen could have done better there from the corner.
Pedro wastes the quick break for Barca.
The Beeb says that the fans are getting frustrated with the Arsenal fouling
Has Arsene told the players to put the boot in to stop there passing???
Arsene, Don't complain about the Premier League teams that do the same to you!
ONLY ANTI-ARSENAL COMMENT OF THE NIGHT!
Promise
Vermaelen's getting close to a yellow now.
Sergio should have gone in the book there
I think Arsenal are doing exactly what they have to. Those aren't dirty challenges like that one from Barca. They're just quick into the challenge and making sure that Barca don't have any room to play their game.
That was a fair tackle and Messi rolls on the ground and that gets a card!
WASN'T TOUCHED!
That's ridiculous. Denilson won the ball cleanly and Messi made a complete meal of rolling about on the turf Argie style.
I agree but that is what teams in the Prem have to do to Arsenal.
Arsene shouldn't complain when it happens
Free kick opportunity way out for Barca. Alves to take - rips one but it was covered by Almunia.
I agree with you on that. Arsene expects every side to run out like West Ham and try to play on a level field and lose 6-0. It's hypocritical. Every manager when they know they're mismatched will do this.
Arsenal are still very much in this one.
He could have been on there!
That was tight on the offside call.
GOAL! Dear oh dear - they ripped them apart there. Messi with the killer blow.
2-1 Barca!
2-1 and Messi is there again
WHY DON'T THEY HAVE SOMEONE STAY WITH HIM!
He was wide open when he made the pass and then no one followed him!
Arsenal's task hasn't changed though.
They still need to score!
Again, really poor defending from both Vermaelen and Silvestre.
BBC Sport's David Ornstein at the Camp Nou: "Who said Arsenal had nothing to lose? Arsene Wenger is doing a superb impression of Basil Fawlty right now, his anger with the referee almost uncontrollable. He's dancing around the technical area with rage. Walcott cynically fouled during a counter-attack, no booking. Messi cleanly tackled, booking for Nasri.
I've noticed that too. Even at corners, he's just wandering around for fun at the top of the box. I know that they don't have Song about tonight but someone should have that assignment. Maybe Denilson?
I like the analogy of Arsene with Basil Fawlty. That's nice.
Still - that goal doesn't really change the job. One more goal for the Arse and we're going toward extra time and pens.
Messi with a hat-trick!!
WHY IS NO ONE MARKING HIM!!!!!!
GOAL! Messi with the hat-trick! A cheeky little dink over Almunia for #3. But again - miles of space to run into.
What happens when he scores three???
2024: Infostrada Sports, take a bow: Lionel Messi has scored in 83 Barcelona games and they have only ever lost one - 4-3 against Atletico Madrid on 1 March, 2009.
Notice the crowd reaction to the replay. They're in awe!
22 years old!
I've heard that he isn't that like in Argentina!
Struth...he could have been in again!
I think all this talk about Messi being the "most talented player of his generation" is a bit premature. A player only rises to that stature in my book when he wins the World Cup for his country the way that Diego did for Argentina in '86.
Can Messi win SA 2010 this summer for Argentina? Not sure.
It's that he left Argentina really early and doesn't play very well for the national side. He's all about Barca.
Well...how old is Wayne Rooney?
Hey
Arsenal were two goals down in the first leg with a lot less time to go than this!
Giving Barca a false sense of security
I'm off to set up my class, mate. I'll be back.
Older
Not sure how old he is
Half time
Off to shave and get dressed for class
Second half underway
Messi is starting to be like Brazil! Everyone going gaga over him!
Huddersfield are winning 1-0
Messi almost with number 4
SOMEONE MARK HIM
I'm back. Huddersfield onto 68 points then, three points above Colchester in 7th.
Arsenal seem to be constantly playing themselves into trouble here.
Bojan off and Yaya Toure on.
A goal off the backside is all Arsenal need right now and then it would be back on
Bendtner should have done better there!
I agree. It could all change.
I've lost my link temporarily...
under 30 to go
Beautiful HD for me!
Arsenal attacking more in the last few minutes
Eboue coming on for United Reject Silvestre
How things have changed over the past year!
Chelsea would have and should have beaten Barca in last season's semi final but for a last second goal puts them through.
In the Final, United were favorites in the Final and dominated for 10 minutes AND THEN Barcelona are the greatest team in the World!
Sergio down like a baby again!!
20 to go
This is when Arsenal started playing last leg
Same again please
Quick free kick by Mess but hit wide by some other bloke
ooh, Bendtner hits the post and can't get the rebound but it was offside anyway!
Eduardo on for Rosicky
Sergio is quite the baby, in't he?
My commentary has turned Spanish all of a sudden. Que pasa!?
Not much of a second half here
How cool is Pep Guardiola? He's standing there in a sharp cut suit, merino wool sweater, tie, slacks, three days of stubble, looking like a million bucks. Wow!
No - I was just thinking the same thing.
Barca have fallen back into defensive mode. They don't want a repeat of last week's heroics.
The Gooner told me earlier that he'd booked in for a beer tasting session for tonight. He'll need it!
10 to go
The Gunners need to score right now!
Messi taking on the whole Arsenal side again. Nearly got through them too.
Theo...only a mile offside. Rockets a shot off the angle in disgust.
Just think of what United did in this stadium 11 years ago... plenty of time for two
I'm off for my class, mate. Better luck for your lot tomorrow, eh?
Number 4!!!
I hate him!
Take care Bob
First time he has scored four goals in a match
What will the Special One have up his sleeves!
Andy Gray has made a good point
He named all the players missing for Arsenal and commented that was a heck of a line up missing!
Barcelona and Inter will meet in the Semi Final
They were in the same group during the group stages
That is it!
Take care everyone
I am already nervous for tomorrow
TTFN
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