Robbery at the Emirates!!

Arsenal against the Catalan Giants was a match I really thought I wouldn't want to watch. But to my amazement me and my sister sat, glued to watch them play, my sis being in two minds, which cutie to support, Fabregas or Messi. (ME=Barcelona!!)

The match being at the Emirates was an advantage to the Gunners and with the news of their Captain Marvel 100% fit, added more to their hopes of taking a first leg lead. But Barca made it look so simple (NO WONDER THEY ARE REGARDED AS THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD!!). They had the maximum possession all through the game (First half, 39-71 in Barca's favor!) and it was clear who the dominant force was. Ibrahimovic, Xavi and Pedro all coming close to scoring, but up stood Almunia, the Salvager (Last weeks Easter gift to Birmingham was still fresh in his mind). He pulled, what I can say was the best performance by a keeper off late. 0-0 stood the score at the first 45.

At the commencement of the second, when I saw the Arsenal body-language, it depicted as if they had bowed down to the Euopean Champions, walking tamely down the field. Barca on the other hand came all guns blazing and yes the first half pressure finally paid off.

Gerrard Pique, the ex-Manchester United man (Wonder why Fergie let him go??), put a cutting looped pass that tore the Arsenal defense, and Ibra finished it with a neat lob over Almunia. There was nothing the keeper could do about it. The Catalan Giants put on the accelerator and were on the score sheet again, another from the Swedish striker, finishing off a brilliant ball through Pedro. Scoreline :- Arsenal 0-2 Barcelona.

Though I am a United faithful, there is one thing I admire about Arsene's boys, they have tremendous fighting spirit, they just don't give up. I guess that is what makes them Arsenal!! (Yeah this coming from a RED DEVIL, will sure seem an amazement, but soccer is what WE admire!!)

Wenger then used his trump card and bought THE-OOOO!!! Walcott joined Nasri and Fabregas in the mid-field and with his first touch, almost provided a ball to Bendtner, but Valdes picked it clean. Nicklas Bendtner had a super opportunity to draw blood. He met Clichy's cross decently but hit it straight to Valdes who made a fair save. Barca still with the lead.

With the England coach in the stands, Walcott sure must've wanted to make a mark on the game, and so he did. A nicely waited ball by the lanky Denmark striker to THEO and a nice little cut-through finish. Arsenal reduced the deficit to just one goal. :(

Though Barca had the major possession, it was Arsenal who were up and gung-ho. The referee (He seemed a Devil in Black), was lashing cards after cards and produced one for Cesc, who unfortunately misses the next match!! But that didn't stop him from making a mark. A delicate chip by Eboue, Bendtner tapped it into Fabregas's feet. Here the story took a turn. What looked to be a penalty, wasn't one, as Fabregas's feet tangled between his counter-Captain's legs and the referee(The poorest official  I've seen till now), pointed to the spot. What was more silly, he showed a red card to Carles Puyol. Up stepped the young Arsenal torch-bearer and with his trademark right-cornered shot, he drew level (Of course he didn't celebrate against his boy-hood club..RESPECT!!)

What looked like a mauling by Barca now stood an EARNED draw for the Gunners!! (But yes, Barca were robbed off their victory!!) (PLEASE DON'T KILL ME FOR THIS, YOU GOONERS!!)

But nevertheless, all to play for next week with the return leg, Arsenal without their Captain and ditto for Barcelona. I hope there is no theft this time (Appoint some brainy officials UEFA!!)

DEVIL FOR LIFE!!!

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Allianz Arena sings MUNCHEN Anthem!!

30th March,2010.

It was about 12.15 and I was busy searching for my United shirt (The last time I wore it, United wearied Liverpool!!). As the whistle blew for the start of the first Q/F encounter between Bayern Munchen and Manchester United, I kissed the badge with my favorite thump,"GO WIN IT FOR US!!" It was a fantastic weekend for the Red Devils, thrashing Bolton with four. Coming into the Champions League, United looked a strong unit, thanks to the sound news of ROO-NALDO and the $29.1m defender, RIO.

The game started bright for United. Nani winning a free kick inside the first minute, he took the ball in his stride to deliver a cross(I wonder why he does that, his balls don't even rise above the waistline). But to my amazement, the ball struck Olic on its way and laid straight to Rooney, who quietly finished it with his left. Demichilis who was man -marking with his ZORRO MAsk was left red-faced!! One up with 88 minutes,plus added time to go. Fletcher switched places and started attacking from the left. He played a superb left-footer for Rooney who slammed it against the Bayern keeper. This miss was sure going to haunt us.

What happened after that was sheer class shown by, unn unn... Bayern Munchen. United switched off after scoring, and as Mr. Clive Tyldesley promptly says in FIFA,"They have to concentrate and consolidate their lead!!", it seems words to United. They lacked concentration, lacked focus and just weren't any better.Bayern had the majority of the possession right throughtout and it was showing when Olic tried to pull one back with a brilliant shot. Hamit Altintop had a great game for Bayern and was almost on the scoresheet after his twists and turns had United defenders in a swirl. But Van Der Saar was upto it. He pulled some terrific saves to keep the lead intact. United went into the break with a crucial away goal.

Another 45 minutes with one goal and United would've taken that, but it was not to be. Bayern constantly played a pressing game and had numerous shots on target. Van Der Saar needed some help from his defenders. Balls flying from one flank to another, awesome crosses, fullbacks running through United defence, Bayern were all over. This compression was sure to bore results.

Captain charismatic, or I should call him foolish today, RED-NEV stopped the ball with his hands, gifting Munchen an unwanted free-kick. Up stepped Ribery and what happened was disastrous for me and for all United fans. The free-kick wasnt by any means the best, but it struck the heel of Rooney and flew to the right of Van der Saar...Arrrgghh...1-1..Was damn frustrating!!

Bayern constantly kept attacking while United were busy finding ways to stop them. Coming to the end of the game, United looked to salvage a decent draw, despite their below average performance. But this was not to be. Evra(God knows what he was trying to do), was busy fiddling with the ball, when Olic - who was undoubtedly my man-of-the-match - took it away from him, beating Ferdinand and smartly finishing it.  __________________ My beats went, we lost the match. And to make matters worse, Rooney limped off after twisting his ankle.

To sum it up - "God was a Bayern Munchen adherent tonight"

(Hitler must be mighty pleased with his German brigade!! \m/)

Still a RED DEVIL!!


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They came, they painted the town RED!!!

Saturday, 27th March, 2010

After an exhausting game of Cricket, I was heading home when a pal of old caught my sight. He was jumping with joy singing anthems(not national of course) and yes teasing me. Well he is no MAD-MAn, but a Gooner (GUNNER). Arsenal were playing Birmingham that day while my team, Manchester United (GGMU) were up against Bolton Wanderers. The reason he was so ecstatic was that he heard experts saying,"The White Pele is being rested!!" Yeah, he was referring to Mr. Wayne Rooney. He was so confident about Arsenal knocking Birmingham with at least half a dozen goals and United not being at their best without their prolific goal scorer.

I reached home pretty late and swiched on to watch the Arsenal game. Nasri opening the scoring, I bet my amigo was high with confidence. But yes as they say,"The match is not over until the final whistle is blown!!" And so it proved. Almunia made a horrendous error and gifted a goal to the BLUE's, Arsenal droppping 2 points straight. And yes, no guesses to who was filled with bliss.. (heheaahahaha!!!)

United played Bolton at the Reebok later and I was glued to the TV. Not watching Rooney play was a little let-down feeling since he had scored the majority of the goals this season for us(33 to be precise). Berbatov was the lone striker up front and I was a little surprised, perhaps apprehensive, Fergie opted to play him alone.

Bolton started brightly and United were gifting possession every now and then. This was a tad frustrating to see players who have won three straight league titles playing a lacklustre game. Elmander had a shot on target but Van Der Saar is not a keeper to be beaten on the near post. The best chance fell to Muamba who took a slap-shot that Van Der Saar (The Saviour) tapped out. I must say to watch a 40 year old make such brilliant saves is an encouragement for us youngsters. Vidic, was leading a lone defensive army and was an absolute  joy to watch (He is one Serbian Boxer, up for action anytime!)

The omen at Bolton had to come through Samuels who beat his own keeper trying to clear the ball. (I wonder what was he doing when he placed the ball straight into the corner!! Who cares, we were up!!)

Half-time report, Andrew Leci threw a question at Steve Macmohan,"Do you think United are missing a little bit extra effort??" "They are missing a little Rooney!!" Pop came the answer from Macca! I couldnt stop laughing at this. Yeah we were missing him, but United isn't a name for individuals but a TEAM!!

Second half, United must have got a sound hearing from the Scottish Magician. No wonder they put up a show. Nani, with his poor run of form for many-a-years has been playing some memorable games and yes he provided two brilliant balls, one for Berbatov and another for Gibson who was a late substitute. "Berba-king-tov" scored two and was at his best, the same he was at White Hart Lane.

Bolton were thrashed a whopping 4 goals to nil by the team they call UNITED (And not Man U)!!

And yes with this win, United were back to where they belong - TOP OF THE TABLE!!!   

Glory Glory Man Utd, Red Devil for life!!!