Match Day 2:
Barcelona/Lyon. This would have been a dream match 2 years ago. Lyon has lost too many key players and with that the illusion of actually being able to compete in Europe. For the first time since I can remember watching the, they resorted to playing a very defensive/counter attack tactical gam and after the first 20 minutes it was pretty obvious they were going to clog the middle and wait for Barca to bring it to them. Frank smartly pushed the lines forward and covered all the small spaces with Zambrotta/Abidal very alert and picking their attacking spots.
Not only is Ronaldinho not the best player in the world, but frankly he's not even the best player in the team. Messi once again created all the danger. If it wasn't for the erratic first touch on a couple of plays, and Clerc saving the potential second goal, he would had a perfect game. Henry looks horrible out there, altho he had a couple of nice plays and the gimme goal at the end. Deco was very servicable, Xavi was "meh" except for abilitating Messi on a great pass in the second half. Toure is the backbone it'd be great if he adventured himself and went forward to join the attack.
Similar to Manchester from what I've seen from them, Barcelona seems to have gone into a lazy mode where everyone expects the ball at their feet and nobody looks for space(off the ball). When another team puts a bus in the back it's pretty much impossible to break them by trying to go one on one.
Sporting/Manchester: Utd looked really ordinary. So many new faces and options, and then injuries and suspensions to all the people who would have made the transition smoothest. It's sort of baffling how you can add Nani, Anderson, and Tevez to a squad and only lose Smith, Solskjaer, Heinze and suddenly you lose all end product.
Arsenal/Sevilla: The score is a bit deceiving unless you watch the game(both teams created lots of danger, Arsenal just converted on their chances.. Probably the most entertaining game of the fixture. Cesc is now deserving of all the press he got 2 seasons ago. First goal was very "Lampardesque" and the defense put themselves in a hole covering the second goal off a the set piece. |