UCL Final - Barcelona vs Arsenal (p+r)

Shindig · May 18, 2006

I'd have went 3-4-2 at that point. Arsenal played too defensive.

In effect, the ref let Arsenal off lightly. We see delayed bookings all the time in the Premiership. If the ref applied that letter of the law, the game would've been over before it began.

Mishkin · May 18, 2006

bjmenge said:
That actually made me laugh.

Me too =D

Can't stop the rush... · May 18, 2006

Congrats to Barcelona. :jap:

We should have signed Eto'o. :nape:

Sevillista · May 18, 2006

Congratulations to Barcelona and the fans. I just got done watching the match on tape and I thoroughly enjoyed the comeback. I felt so happy for Belletti! I can't even imagine what it would feel like to score such an important goal. I look forward to the Sevilla - Barca Supercopa de Europa

.

nird · May 18, 2006

deserved win, horrific ref.

Zlatan · May 18, 2006

Until the first goal of Barca Arsenal were the better team. I like the way how both teams play football so congrats Barca!

Oh and have you heard the story that the UEFA found 3 Norwegian tourists in Paris yesterday?

panxoman · May 18, 2006

Almost everything has been said but I want add my 2 cents:

Fisrt of all I’m very happy. I have to admit that I suffered a lot and that in the minute 70 I thought there was no way to score a goal. Arsenal defence was so solid!

The substitutions made the difference. Iniesta added the creativity the midfield was lacking of, Larsson became the reference for the attack and Belletti added depth on the right side attack.

Etto was the MVP of the game for UEFA, but I think on Barça side Víctor Valdés and Larsson were key players. Valdés saved many great chances for Arsenal.

For Arsenal Henry was as good always in everything but in definition. He failed some good chances. On the other hand, he was the only Arsenal attacker and that’s not easy. I was really impressed by Eboué.

Congratulations to arsenals fans for they attitude. With this young team they have a bright future ahead .

Barça squead is also very young so we can still improve a lot.

Pontiakos · May 18, 2006

Congrats to Barcelona

Gnidrologist · May 18, 2006

Congrats to Barca!
I'm rejoicing together with all the barca fans as I've been one too since I've started to follow football closely. Glad that team that plays exciting, attacking minded football won for a change.
I think that complains towards the ref are exaggerated. He made a few questionable calls in favour of both teams, but this match is far from being ruined by bad officiating. It suffered from a bit boring and kinda static pace and lack of chances more. Ronaldinho wasn't even close to he's best, but the fact that Barca played decently and still won shows, that it's a balanced team overall. Nice farewell present from Larrson to he's team and himself.

Keep the beautiful game beautiful! (Y)

Luis Ah-Hoy · May 18, 2006

Barcelona - best club team in the world :Bow:

Arsenal - if at least they could keep Henry, they would probably be the English Champions next season... whatta team!!! :rockman:

Dream Team · May 18, 2006

At last.

This is how I lived it.

Barça can't do it easy, it has to happen something, always. Barça had the chance to be 1-0 up, but the ref denied us the goal. Not only that, a few minutes later Arsenal scored after a dive. Fear. Goals in the final are not easy and Barça were not playing very well. Valdés was man of the match.

At half time I was really mad at the ref and Rijkaard. Poor defending in the free kick. Besides I didn't understand why the midfield that was working was changed for the final. The substitutions were great, of course, but instead of entering in the second half, Iniesta should have started the game in the first place and maybe Barça would have been better in the first half. Van Bommel is useless building up and Deco is not a great passer. It was obvious that we needed someone like Iniesta. But it was obvious before the game. Rijkaard gave them 45 minutes of advantage.

The second half was a torture. I was losing hope and then.. Eto'o. Oh. I think I cried. Everything changed. I knew we would win. I guess the torture was for the Arsenal fans for the rest of the game.

I think the ref spoilt the spectacle. Lehman helped him. After the 0-1 for Arsenal, the game was a diving show.

I hope Henry hates Barça now. I don't want him to come. Justifying the game with some yellow cards is a poor excuse. I didn't see any offside. He didn't see Eto'o and Ronaldinho? well, definitely it wasn't Ronaldinho's night. Eto'o didn't participate in the game as much as Henry, but he was more effective. 3 actions. 1.he provoked Lehman's red card 2.he hit the post 3.he had the chance and he didn't miss. Decisive. Henry missed about 3 one-on-one against Valdés. I think if you change papers, imagine Eto'o is who missed so many chances and then he says all that. All the people who are praising Henry would be laughing at Eto'o. Henry is a loser and Arsenal didn't win because Víctor owned him. I agree about Larsson, he was great. This year Larsson has been amazing. We'll miss him.

I couldn't be happier. All the Barça fans and players deserved this. Barça deserved this. This season has been amazing.

Thank you Barça.

0le_Spain · May 18, 2006

Dream Team said:
At last.

This is how I lived it.

Barça can't do it easy, it has to happen something, always. Barça had the chance to be 1-0 up, but the ref denied us the goal. Not only that, a few minutes later Arsenal scored after a dive. Fear. Goals in the final are not easy and Barça were not playing very well. Valdés was man of the match.

At half time I was really mad at the ref and Rijkaard. Poor defending in the free kick. Besides I didn't understand why the midfield that was working was changed for the final. The substitutions were great, of course, but instead of entering in the second half, Iniesta should have started the game in the first place and maybe Barça would have been better in the first half. Van Bommel is useless building up and Deco is not a great passer. It was obvious that we needed someone like Iniesta. But it was obvious before the game. Rijkaard gave them 45 minutes of advantage.

The second half was a torture. I was losing hope and then.. Eto'o. Oh. I think I cried. Everything changed. I knew we would win. I guess the torture was for the Arsenal fans for the rest of the game.

I think the ref spoilt the spectacle. Lehman helped him. After the 0-1 for Arsenal, the game was a diving show.

I hope Henry hates Barça now. I don't want him to come. Justifying the game with some yellow cards is a poor excuse. I didn't see any offside. He didn't see Eto'o and Ronaldinho? well, definitely it wasn't Ronaldinho's night. Eto'o didn't participate in the game as much as Henry, but he was more effective. 3 actions. 1.he provoked Lehman's red card 2.he hit the post 3.he had the chance and he didn't miss. Decisive. Henry missed about 3 one-on-one against Valdés. I think if you change papers, imagine Eto'o is who missed so many chances and then he says all that. All the people who are praising Henry would be laughing at Eto'o. Henry is a loser and Arsenal didn't win because Víctor owned him. I agree about Larsson, he was great. This year Larsson has been amazing. We'll miss him.

I couldn't be happier. All the Barça fans and players deserved this. Barça deserved this. This season has been amazing.

Thank you Barça.

Very well put. Valdes definitely deserves more praise as he made some very crucial saves especially the first one where he was very alert.

I think we started very nervous and it showed i didnt like how we started defending, always back-peddaling and giving them spaces which they thrive on but then even though Ronaldinho wasn't at his best he did have some moments and the first one was to give that ball to Eto'o which resulted in Lehmann's sending off.

Very disappointed in Henry. Not his game because he is a great player even though he missed some clear chances but his attitude afterwards. I'm with you there i didn't think we really needed him before but now i really hope he stays where he belongs.

Larsson is class and happy for Belletti who hasn't had a great season but helped us get the Cup. Iniesta calidad.

Visca el Barça!

ogsimon · May 18, 2006

Congrats to Barcelona, you guys deserved it for you great season, and you guys have a great team right now. I hope arsenals chance comes soon, maybe next season, I believe Arsenal to be a great side too and in the near future this Arsenal side will do great things, hopefully with Henry leading us.

Regarding Henry's comments those were made in the heat of the moment, sure it is not gracious in defeat but it is so hard losing a final like that the biggest in club football, My own team recently lost a final and it was the hardest thing for me, I refused to watch them lift the cup and went into the changing room changed and went home!

Hopefully Arsenal can sign Ribery and Martins and this team will be ready, for honours next season

Sundsvall · May 18, 2006

while talking about larsson, i got a question..you know im from sweden, and of course they have a tendency to praise him more then he might deserve sometimes...so..is larsson that important for barca as they say in sweden, and will you miss him or do you just think its goot that the oldie leaves?

ManU2000 · May 18, 2006

solaimaa said:
you must not have seen very many barca games recently then. don't make such accusations on only one game. everyone and their dog was lying on the floor yesterday. over the course of this season, Marquez has been a phenomenal defender. he's been so solid along with puyol in the back that i'm not even going to say anything further to defend him. if you'd actually seen barca games, you'd know what i'm talking about.

Couldn't have said it better myself, I'm not going to sit here and deny the fact that Rafa went down rather easily yesterday but who didn't go down easily yesterday? I didn't realize that after one game people could be labeled divers, this has never been much of an issue with him compared to other players.

panxoman · May 18, 2006

Dream Team said:
At last.

This is how I lived it.

Barça can't do it easy, it has to happen something, always. Barça had the chance to be 1-0 up, but the ref denied us the goal. Not only that, a few minutes later Arsenal scored after a dive. Fear. Goals in the final are not easy and Barça were not playing very well. Valdés was man of the match.

At half time I was really mad at the ref and Rijkaard. Poor defending in the free kick. Besides I didn't understand why the midfield that was working was changed for the final. The substitutions were great, of course, but instead of entering in the second half, Iniesta should have started the game in the first place and maybe Barça would have been better in the first half. Van Bommel is useless building up and Deco is not a great passer. It was obvious that we needed someone like Iniesta. But it was obvious before the game. Rijkaard gave them 45 minutes of advantage.

The second half was a torture. I was losing hope and then.. Eto'o. Oh. I think I cried. Everything changed. I knew we would win. I guess the torture was for the Arsenal fans for the rest of the game.

I think the ref spoilt the spectacle. Lehman helped him. After the 0-1 for Arsenal, the game was a diving show.

I hope Henry hates Barça now. I don't want him to come. Justifying the game with some yellow cards is a poor excuse. I didn't see any offside. He didn't see Eto'o and Ronaldinho? well, definitely it wasn't Ronaldinho's night. Eto'o didn't participate in the game as much as Henry, but he was more effective. 3 actions. 1.he provoked Lehman's red card 2.he hit the post 3.he had the chance and he didn't miss. Decisive. Henry missed about 3 one-on-one against Valdés. I think if you change papers, imagine Eto'o is who missed so many chances and then he says all that. All the people who are praising Henry would be laughing at Eto'o. Henry is a loser and Arsenal didn't win because Víctor owned him. I agree about Larsson, he was great. This year Larsson has been amazing. We'll miss him.

I couldn't be happier. All the Barça fans and players deserved this. Barça deserved this. This season has been amazing.

Thank you Barça.

No I don't agree with you in many points.

First, Van Bommel instead of Iniesta was a big surprise but Rijkaard decided this to have a stronger midfield and someone who is in theory more able to score a goal. In fact, he has opted for a stronger midfield in many games and it has worked. It's very easy to critizise now.

And about Henry: his words were obviously wrong and because of a heat moment as ogsimon said, but I still want a player like him in my team. He, with no help, was able to create a lot of problem to Puyol and Marquez. A player who is able to do that must be very good. He missed the goals but first you have to crecate the chances, and he did... he's f*cking good

I have the team very close to my home now , so I go to give them a look :rockman:

#1 Stunna · May 18, 2006

Dreath said:
Henry's Interview

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry was far from happy with the referee after Arsenal's UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

After having Jens Lehmann sent off early in the first half, Arsenal went ahead through Sol Campbell.

But second half strikes from Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti handed the Catalan giants victory.

Henry refused to blame match referee Terje Hauge for defeat, but he was less than pleased with his performance.

"I think we can be proud of ourselves and I don't want to start any arguments, but I don't know whether the referee had a Barcelona shirt on or something - in the first half they kicked me all over the place," he told Sky Sports.

"They are not used to the pace of The Premiership or maybe the desire, I thought they were harsh - I told the ref, 'If you don't want us to win it, just tell us from the start.'

"I don't think he cost us the final, you can't say that because we were one-nil up, and you know against a team like Barcelona - doing what we did for a very long time was more than difficult, but on the other side - next time I might learn how to dive maybe, they tried to kick me in my knee, from behind on my ankle but I am not a woman so I try and stay on my feet - but I always expect the ref to do his job, but today he didn't.

"At the end of the day they [Barcelona] can be happy, but we have played at ten for the whole game."

Henry insists that Swedish legend Henrik Larsson changed the game as he had a hand in both Barca goals.

"People always talk about Ronaldinho, and everything but I didn't see him today - I saw Henrik Larsson," he said.

"Two times he came on - he changed the game, that is what killed the game - sometimes you talk about Ronaldinho and Eto'o and people like that, you need to talk about the proper footballer who made the difference and that was Henrik Larsson tonight because I didn't see no Ronaldinho or no Eto'o or a proper referee also."

The French international again refused to be drawn on his future.

"I said I didn't think about it, I will start to think about it tonight," he said.

"I am just upset about the match we did - I can't complain about Jens's sending off, I am sure if you look at the game again Puyol should have got a yellow card, so many times Marquez came from behind to take my ankle and he didn't get a yellow card and I am sure if you are playing against me with a yellow card it is not the same game anymore.

"But we can be proud of what we did, I am upset for the Arsenal fans who came - but at the end of the day we made ourselves proud and the English game proud and I am a just a bit strange, but you know that is how it is."

That made me think of this...

Dreath said:
...so many times Marquez came from behind to take my ankle and he didn't get a yellow card and I am sure if you are playing against me with a yellow card it is not the same game anymore.[/I]

He'll be seeing more of that May 27th in that same stadium... France vs Mexico, Henry vs Marquez Pt 2 (H)

pede54 · May 18, 2006

Spot on.......... (Y)

untouchable · May 18, 2006

rofl

Dream Team · May 18, 2006

panxoman said:
No I don't agree with you in many points.

First, Van Bommel instead of Iniesta was a big surprise but Rijkaard decided this to have a stronger midfield and someone who is in theory more able to score a goal. In fact, he has opted for a stronger midfield in many games and it has worked. It's very easy to critizise now.

And about Henry: his words were obviously wrong and because of a heat moment as ogsimon said, but I still want a player like him in my team. He, with no help, was able to create a lot of problem to Puyol and Marquez. A player who is able to do that must be very good. He missed the goals but first you have to crecate the chances, and he did... he's f*cking good

I have the team very close to my home now , so I go to give them a look

I criticized the change before the game and I criticize the change after the game as well. I was shocked when I saw the line-up. It was so UNFAIR to Iniesta. Iniesta has been the player in better form in the last couple of months. Van Bommel strong.. well, he's tall if that's what you mean. Iniesta can play more defensive than van Bommel. Motta would be strong.

It's not that I don't want Henry for what he said. I don't really care. I had doubts because he's between the top5 players in the world and it's hard to say 'no' but I always thought we don't need him. Now I think that he would ruin the great atmosphere that there is in the squad. We need another Larsson, not another ego with big mouth.

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