Back with the UCL

I haven't blogged in a while, but I just have to this time because of I just watched two Champions League matches: Liverpool vs Barca and Arsenal vs PSV.

First thing I got to say is well done to Liverpool! Okay, being a Liverpool fan I shall be defensive here. There have been criticsm about the team because they lost the home leg 0-1. And then when they beat Barca overall, Stevie G comes out to say they can beat anyone. Critics rush to claim that how can - when you lose a home game 0-1 - claim to be able to win the Champions League. They called Liverpool defending with 11 men and offered nothing but hard work.

Well, firstly, effort wins you games. Skill does count, like when Luis Garcia won some games on his own in last year's competition. But effort does count. And although Liverpool lost the home leg, they were clearly playing like they were 2-1 up - which they were. Obviously, in a normal one-legged game, if you are losing 1-0, you throw everything you got at the opposition to chase the game. But in this case, it is more important to defend for if you concede another goal, you lose. So wasn't it more important to defend your away goals lead?

So we beat Barcelona over two legs, not just over one match!


As for Arsenal, I think they are rubbish. I think they play attractive football at times, but most of the time it's just frustrating. Without van Persie and a full fit Henry, they can't score. Julio Baptista, a highly-rated player he is, doesn't seem to fit into the Arsenal style of play.

And quite so often, Arsenal are playing one pass too many, trying to dribbling once too many times, and often try their flicks and tricks when it's not warranted. Today, I saw the Arsenal team playing with the ball in the PSV penalty box, short passes and dribbling when they should just try to take a shot - afterall, you are chasing the game! Leave the showboating when you are up by 3 or 4 goals!

Anyway, enough ranting for now. It's only a matter of time before I start complaining about the postmatch comments!