2011/2012 UEFA Champions League

[Starvinho]

Barca have been pegged back in injury time too, it's 2-2.

FT now.

Edited September 13, 2011 by Starvinho

[stokeriño]

33,820 in the end. Heh.

The first half was some of the best football I've seen Chelsea play. I was just so utterly impressed. Despite the lack of a goal, I struggle to contain the superlatives. Even better because so often Chelsea are sluggish in the first half and have to get slapped into playing in the second. We found it a bit more difficult after half-time when Leverkusen changed their style and we tried a more counter-attacking method. But persistence paid off and we got a win, with two Torres assists to boot!

For MOTM, there isn't a hair's breadth between Mikel, Mata and Torres.

[IAceI]

Just got done watching the Champions League goals from last night and I have to say, Hulk's freekick was superb (as was Villa's) - you could almost say it made me green with envy.

Also I just love that APOEL Nicosia first goal where in the build up you just think "this is going to be spectacular", only for him to spaff the ball sideways and the striker scores from a few yards out. Still, the build up for both their goals was particularly tasty. And there's just something particularly fun about a Russian team travelling to Cyprus for a Champions League match, I guess that's what is all about.

[Lineker]

The Dortmund fans were amazing!! The Emirates stadium might actually have an atmosphere in the return game!!

[Starvinho]

United team vs Benfica: Lindegaard, Fabio, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Fletcher, Park, Rooney

Subs: De Gea, Jones, Anderson, Nani, Owen, Berbatov, Hernandez.

City team vs Napolo: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Yaya, Barry, Silva, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko

Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Savic, Clichy, K.Toure, Johnson, Tevez

Edited September 14, 2011 by Starvinho

[Guest flierthananostrich]

My prediction for tonight is that Rooney will get booked and score a goal tonight.

[Starvinho]

Good first half, Benfica are proving to be good value. Ryan Giggs never ceases to amaze me, just before his goal I was thinking to myself that he was having one of the worst games I've seen him play for a good while.

Second half we just need be a bit quicker with our passing and find that final ball and a few more goals should follow. I'd take 1-1 as full-time right now though if it was being offered...

[MJB]

Good first half, Benfica are proving to be good value. Ryan Giggs never ceases to amaze me, just before his goal I was thinking to myself that he was having one of the worst games I've seen him play for a good while.

Second half we just need be a bit quicker with our passing and find that final ball and a few more goals should follow. I'd take 1-1 as full-time right now though if it was being offered...

Giggs is still having a poor game, aside from the goal and our other best chance. I'm being serious

Carrick is useless, can't run, is too weak and can't pick a pass tonight, useless all round.

Shame to see Valencia come off because I think he's been our best player. Good to see Chicharito come on though to give us another attacking option, I'll be happy with a point though. Lindegaard has done okay, good save in the 2nd half but distribution is poor. Hope De Gea plays against Chelsea.

Oh and City are 1-0 down

Edited September 14, 2011 by MJB

[MJB]

Well they were 1-0 down.

[Hobo]

Not anymore. 1-1 between City and Napoli.

[MJB]

Luisao is MOM by a country mile.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

I actually thought Lindegaard's distribution was very good actually and he had an all around great game. Dealt with everything bar the goal, made a cracking save too, very good all around.

Fair result really, felt we could of nicked it, but they could say the same I guess. Was tough in the first half just playing Rooney up top, we were so short up front. Hopefully Jones starts at RB on Sunday too, brilliant when he came on.

[Starvinho]

Very happy with the point, Lindegaard impressed me alot tonight. Smalling and Evans played well as did Jones when he came on, the midfield was a bit slow and weak but can't complain much, Benfica were just far superior in that area of the pitch tonight.

[MJB]

De Gea will start on Sunday. And the ITV interviewer holds her own against SAF

[Johnny Latino Heat]

Good game, I thought. Could go either way, and both teams had good chances, and though I'm biased (Benfica all the way), I think we actually had more chances, but like I said, could have gone either way. I'm glad with the tie, though, as I thought we were going to get slaughtered tonight, especially considering Manchester's Premiership form.

[Guest flierthananostrich]

Impressed by Lindegard, really optimistic that we have two potential world class keepers in our ranks.

[jack95]

I thought Benfica-United was a cracking match, really open and an excellent goal from Ryan Giggs (and a good finish from Cardozo as well.) Lindegaard looked solid in goal, and I liked the looks of Pereira and Nolito for the home side. Both teams should coast through to the 2nd Round.

[Colly]

De Gea will start on Sunday. And the ITV interviewer holds her own against SAF

It was Kelly Dalglish wasn't it? Breaks the scotsmans union if he boots off at her.

[MJB]

I don't think it was. I'm sure Chiles mentioned her name but I hadn't heard of it. He was probably wrong though

[Baddar]

Yeah, Kelly Cates - she's married now.

A decent point last night. A typical away European performance. It's kind of what I was expecting, and that's why I stayed away from betting on it.