Inter v Barcelona part III - Champions League Semi Finals

So Inter meet Barcelona for the third time of this year's Champions League after having faced one another during the group stages - a draw at the San Siro and a Barcelona victory back in Spain. Now both clubs face each other for a chance at getting to the finals in Madrid.  To many these games are just a simple victory lap for the defending European Champions on their way to a back to back title...not so fast!

This game does hold many story lines - starting with Eto'o and Ibra playing their former clubs. Throw into the mix the Special One looking to secure his first Champions League title since he won it with Porto and you have a the making of a good match up. So what should we expect?

First, an underlying story - the volcano in Iceland has forced Barcelona to bus its way to Milan. Granted the trip, according to Google maps is only a 9 hour trip. However I am sure most of these players have not had to take a bus on such a long away trip since they were kids. With an already packed calendar the extra travel time could have an impact on the game.

I also agree with the Bleacher Report that Barca might underestimate their opponents, slightly. Barcelona is playing very well, Espanyol tie aside. With the last memory of Barcelona in the Champions League of Messi completely taking apart the North Londoners it is hard to imagine how Inter will slow down the offensive juggernaut that is Barca.



However this is not Arsenal, this is Milan who will play their usual Italian style of tough defensive football. I think the key will be how they slow down Xavi - therefore try and cut off the service to Messi and Ibra. Barca is without Iniesta which takes away their 2 headed midfield attack. Inter will probably throw a combination of Chivu and Cambiasso to break up the midfield flow. This could cause some problems for Barca. The other interesting story line will be how the 2 attacking full backs - Maicon and Alves influence the match. Neither is really known for their defensive ability but more for their forays into the offensive side of the pitch. With Barcelona missing Abidal it will be interesting to see how the defensive mates of Alves cover his offensive runs.

I think in the end, the match at the San Siro will be a very cautious affair. Inter will want to avoid giving up the away goal and will probably be content to head back to Barca with a 0-0 draw or at best a 1-0 lead to defend. I am sure that Mourinho will "muscle" up Messi and Xavi see if they can cut off the center of the Barcelona park.

I see this match ending 1-1 with an early goal from Ibra only to see Inter equalize late via a goal from Maicon. This will set up an interesting return leg to Barcelona.

The Frog tries his hand at a Podcast

The Bean Town Frog will now also offer its infinite footie wisdom in a podcast!!! I am joining up with my friend Sam to bring  you our thoughts and views on the world of footie please check it out on iTunes at "Frog and Gooner" you can also go to the landing page.

Enjoy

Domenech throws down the gauntlet, but will he follow through?

So Domenech made some noise and came out with a bold statement about players that are not in form and playing will NOT go to South Africa with Les Bleus. As the article points out, what does this mean for his captain Titi Henry? What about Benzema? How about former captain Vieira? According to Domenech he would select Vieira...hmmmm. Why? Because he would have a month to get ready....um okay. While I praise Domenech for the statement, I doubt he will abide by his words. Let us look at the case of Henry. He is clearly firmly planted to the Barcelona bench, which is not what you want from a player you expect to contribute at the World Cup. Yet he is the French captain. Add into this equation the fact he would like to play on the left where you already have Ribery and Malouda who are more deserving of holding up the position. We are a month away from when Domenech has to make his official decision of who will go to South Africa. I am sure that Henry will be on that list.

I hope that he has the back bone to make the correct decisions with regards to the older players and those that are not up to snuff. Unfortunately he has done nothing during his tenure to demonstrate an ability to lead and manage with intelligence and conviction.

Bordeaux drop more points...Allez PSG!!!

So the defending French champions enter Parc Des Princes and leave with their tails between their legs after suffering a 3-1 loss to PSG. How the mighty have fallen! Bordeaux, who a few weeks ago were in the running for the Champions League and League Cup, now find themselves holding on to some hope for repeat title - they are 4 points behind leaders Auxerre but with 2 games in hand. Granted OM is in second place, 1 point off the pace and also has 2 games in hand.

So where did this season all go wrong? Granted if Bordeaux find a way to retain their title it should be viewed a success, but after such a strong start to the Champions League many were viewing Bordeaux as a team destined for more than 1 piece of silverware this season. To me it all starts and ends with Gourcuff. The break out player from last season has, at times, labored this season. I am sure it is the combination of increased scrutiny, having played the most games of his career last season coupled with greater number of games this season. Throw into the mix the fact he is now France's uncontested "#10" and you add that pressure to his slight frame. Last year he appeared to play with a much more easy and carefree manner associated with a player that is not the focal point of a nation as he is today. This is all part of player learning to assume greater responsibility and how to manage himself during a strenuous season for an ambitious club. So I am not entire surprised at his drop off - now mind you he still has had some great performances but is just not being consistent. Off the pitch, I think the constant rumors of Blanc leaving and taking over Les Bleus could not be good for the squad. This team appears to be a flux even before the end of the season and before anyone has left the club.

Bordeaux should not be count out of the title chase, but the sledding will be more difficult, especially considering OM and Lyon seemed to be hitting their strides at the right moment. Now granted PSG beat a 10 man Bordeaux, who were forced to play their 3rd string keeper. But those are 3 points that might come back to haunt Les Girondins.

That's just Rafa being Rafa

Sigh, poor Rafa, he is the poor man of England without sufficient funds at Liverpool. Someone please get me a tissue so I can wipe my tears away. Clearly the Spaniard is setting up his exit this summer whether he leaves on his own or gets canned. Maybe Rafa needs to do some self reflecting before he starts whining about his "lack of funds." Granted

Hicks and Gillett have done a mockery of owning this side, gambling on being able to secure a new stadium, leveraging the club to repay their debts and overall underestimating the blind loyalty of the fan base. Unlike owning the Texas Rangers or the Dallas Stars, owning a club like Liverpool carries a very steep history that is ingrained in the fan base -  a fan base that is much more sensitive to every action you take and is less forgiving if it perceives your actions to be focused on lining your own pockets with cash rather than winning silverware.

But Rafa, once again, cannot hide behind these two bumbling owners for he is also to blame. Ryan Babel for 11m pounds? Robbie Keane? Aquilani? Kuyt? Not having sufficient strikers last season. Relying entirely on Gerrard and Torres for all your scoring. The list goes on. As I have stated before, were it not for 15 crazy minutes in the Champions League finals, Rafa would have been shown the door years ago. I will not shed a tear that Liverpool has wasted away seasons under the Spanish "genius" but the Reds' fans deserve a gaffer that can give them a better chance rather than spending his time whining about no funds and any other excuse he can muster to cover his poor performances.

Steve Nicol anyone?

Wenger v Domenech: rearing its ugly head again

After last week's Champions League battle between Arsenal and Barcelona, which saw Gallas taken off the pitch on a stretcher after re-aggravating his calf injury, France's fabulous gaffer came out and attacked Wenger's decision to play the French international. Granted Gallas had been battling to regain fitness from this injury for 7 weeks, however he was declared fit to play and this was no simple match versus Burnley. Wenger was well within his boundaries to play his central defender. Was he suppose to hold him out for fear that Gallas might not play for France in South Africa? Then should not play any member of his squad that might appear for their nation this summer? Absolutely not. For once I will side with the club in the battle of club vs country. Arsenal is Gallas' employer, and they have just as much interest as France does to see that Gallas is not injured, does it help Wenger's chances for a Premier league title that his central defender is now out for the remainder of the season?  Of course not.

Wenger is trying to win games and silverware, as is Gallas when he puts on the Arsenal kit (as well as the France kit). Players need to play through injuries and sometimes they run out when they might not be 100% and understand the risks they assume. Would it have been "acceptable" had Wenger allowed Gallas to train in order to gauge his fitness and he had picked up the injury there?

Domenech clearly has an ax to grind with Wenger and saw an opportunity to fire a shot at the Arsenal manager. Unfortunately, as usual, Domenech demonstrated his complete lack of grasp with the reality of the situation. Once again Domenech looks like the fool in this situation.

Arsenal's title hopes take a hit

Ouch....Cesc and Gallas ruled out for the season? That puts a serious dent in the slim chances Arsenal had for a run at the Premier League title. I think the Cesc injury might be less painful than the Gallas one, why? Nasri could slot into the Spaniard's role in the midfield. As long as Arshavin is back healthy, Wenger has some options for the midfield. Central defense, that is another story...without the Frenchman Arsenal might need to lean more on Campbell and Silvestre...neither of which conger up feelings of confidence.

Hopefully these injuries do not bleed into the World Cup since both Gallas and Cesc were regarded as key members of their national sides. Unfortunately for Les Bleus, they do not  have much cover for Gallas, whereas Spain could do without the Arsenal captain assuming Xavi and Iniesta are back to full form.

Inter get the essential and Arsenal scrap back - Champions League Day 2

I will admit when Arsenal went down 2-0 I stopped paying attention to the match...my fault. First, the Special One made sure of the essential against CSKA by securing the 1-0 victory. A small margin heading to Moscow but the essential is done and Inter did not concede the dreaded away goal. All this came after Mourinho took away the spot light from his squad by saying he did not like Italian football. Okay. He did preface by saying he like Inter, I would hope so since they pay him a handsome salary...not sure if this was the Special One making outlandish comments to take the pressure and attention away from his squad prior to a big match or just his massive ego that once again was unleashed on the public. I would opt for the latter. Inter should be confident heading into next weeks match, it will not be an easy trip, but their 1-0 lead is something to defend and one thing the Italians are known for is the catenaccio!

The second match was much more entertaining....for those who did not turn away after the former Inter man - Ibrahimovic got his brace on a cheeky pass and finish. After watching the first half where Almunia, yes Almunia, saved the house for Arsenal making at least 3 world class saves in a matter of minutes.



Granted he went back to his old self on the first Ibra goal where he made the cardinal sin of hesitating on the ball. Rather than hold his line he timidly went out to meet a through ball and rather than continue at full speed to cut down the ball he stopped and started retreating allowing Ibra to chip him for the first goal. The second was a lightening bolt that Lev Yashin would have been hard pressed to get a finger tip to, let alone hope to stop it.

All the credit to the rest of Arsenal for then fighting back, the insertion of Walcott paying dividends with his goal for Arsenal. One could argue that Valdes should have done better with the low shot, but that is what good goal scorers do - take their chances even if they are not the perfect shot and force the other team to defend it. Arsenal would equalize on a penalty from Cesc....which is interesting because I had always understood Wenger's policy was if you were the cause of the penalty you did not take the kick. What made that play even more pivotal was that Cesc seemed to aggravate his knee on the shot and Puyol was shown red for his foul to get the penalty. Meaning Cesc might be out for a while and Puyol will miss the return leg next week.

Arsenal deserve credit in fighting back. However the task will me monumental next week - Cesc is out (injury or not he got another yellow card meaning he is suspended), Arshavin had to come out so not sure if he can play, Gallas re-injured his leg and Arsenal while level did give up 2 dreaded away goals. At least Arsenal have a better chance than they appeared to have with 30 minutes left in the game!