Going into the second leg of the Round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich, Arsenal found itself in a difficult situation. Starting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was red carded in their first match against Bayern, Jack Wilshere joined Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott on the list of notable absentees due to injury, and Mesut Özil was struggling for form. So to most this seemed done and dusted. Bayern was up 2-0 on aggregate, meaning Arsenal had to win by 3 goals away from home in arguably the most intimidating stadium in the world at the moment, Bayern's gorgeous fortress the Allianz Arena.
Arsenal started the game fairly well, pressing the Bayern midfield high and not letting them settle into the game, but the lack of real chances the Gunners failed to create would prove costly as Bayern calmed the play down and started to dictate the pace of the game. Arsene Wenger opted to shift Özil out wide in favor of playing Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain in the germans favored spot behind the striker. The Ox's pace proved difficult for Bayern throughout the whole game as he time and time again ran at Bayerns defense and caused havoc. But where he failed was the final pass, something Özil would have provided had he been played through the middle.
As the game progressed it seemed more than likely Bayern would take control, and in the 55th minute they did so through a couldn't miss chance from the returning Bastian Schweinsteiger. 3-0 up on aggregate and Arsenal having to score 4 goals in less than an hour against the recognized best team in the world looked too big of a task. But there was hope as Lukas Podolski scored 2 minutes later to even the game at 1-1 and reduce the aggregate to 3-1. But that would be it, as Bayern's midfield and defense never got rattled and held their ground perfectly. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery tormented the Arsenal flanks and Mario Mandzukic played his role perfectly as a target man/hold up striker.
So what does the end result mean for both teams? For Bayern it's business as usual. Marching on towards the Champion's League final in Lisbon to try and do what no team has done before, defend their crown as champions. They also are still very much alive for another treble as they will not be caught in the Bundesliga and the Deutscher Pokal is in the final stages. For Arsenal, it's a very different story. What seemed their most promising campaign has started to unravel. 7 points back in the Premier League and out of the Champions League their sole hope for a trophy is the FA cup in which they are now the odds on favorite to win. There are murmurs if Arsene doesn't deliver a trophy this year he may be on the way out, and I for one wouldn't be able to come to his defense much longer.
But the real story here is how far Arsenal still have to go to really challenge the elite while also showing just how good Bayern is. Arsenal is 1 or 2 really great players away from challenging every year for every trophy, while Bayern is looking like a well oiled machine poised for a long stay at the top of the football summit.
What are your thoughts? Can Bayern repeat as UCL winners? Will Arsenal break the drought? Let me know in the comments below.
Showing posts with label champions league. Show all posts
Showing posts with label champions league. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Bayern Survive Arsenal Scare
It was almost a disastrous day for FC Bayern Munich when Arsenal came to town for the second leg of their Champions League tie. The Gunners came in to this leg 1-3 down on the aggregate score and needed to win by 3 goals to progress to the next round of the Champions League.
The team Arsene Wenger put onto the field looked like he was throwing in the towel, but after 3 minutes it looked like Wenger knew exactly what he was doing. Arsenal took the lead 3 minutes in with a goal from Olivier Giroud and looked to be full of confidence in a game no one expected them to win.
Bayern did however settle in. Providing pressure for the rest of the game, it seemed as though the Bavarians would comfortably move on after a minor stumble, but Arsenal wouldn't go down without a fight. Even though Bayern bombarded the Arsenal goal with shot after shot, they just couldn't find the back of the net. And this almost cost them when in the 85th minute Laurent Koscielny headed home a Santi Cazorla header to tie up the aggregate score 3-3. But a 2-0 win wouldn't be enough to see Arsenal through and they needed 1 more to progress. Momentum was on the Gunners side, but Bayern kept their cool. Slowing play down, milking the clock, drawing fouls, Bayern knew time was on their side. And after 3 minutes of stoppage time it was over.
Arsenal fought valiantly and almost completed one of the most improbable comebacks of the year, but they couldn't put the last goal away.
Bayern now join Barcelona, Madrid, PSG, Juventes, Dortmund, Galatasaray, and Malaga in the quarterfinals with the draw on Friday.
Michael Ballack Bayern Munich (Google Affiliate Ad)
The team Arsene Wenger put onto the field looked like he was throwing in the towel, but after 3 minutes it looked like Wenger knew exactly what he was doing. Arsenal took the lead 3 minutes in with a goal from Olivier Giroud and looked to be full of confidence in a game no one expected them to win.
Bayern did however settle in. Providing pressure for the rest of the game, it seemed as though the Bavarians would comfortably move on after a minor stumble, but Arsenal wouldn't go down without a fight. Even though Bayern bombarded the Arsenal goal with shot after shot, they just couldn't find the back of the net. And this almost cost them when in the 85th minute Laurent Koscielny headed home a Santi Cazorla header to tie up the aggregate score 3-3. But a 2-0 win wouldn't be enough to see Arsenal through and they needed 1 more to progress. Momentum was on the Gunners side, but Bayern kept their cool. Slowing play down, milking the clock, drawing fouls, Bayern knew time was on their side. And after 3 minutes of stoppage time it was over.
Arsenal fought valiantly and almost completed one of the most improbable comebacks of the year, but they couldn't put the last goal away.
Bayern now join Barcelona, Madrid, PSG, Juventes, Dortmund, Galatasaray, and Malaga in the quarterfinals with the draw on Friday.
Michael Ballack Bayern Munich (Google Affiliate Ad)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Are Bayern the team to beat after dominating Arsenal?
Yesterday's marquee match-up in the Champions League saw two teams headed in completely different directions. Bayern met Arsenal at the Emirates stadium on Tuesday and thrashed the Gunners 3-1.
Bayern looked dominant in the first leg against Arsenal.
From the get-go it looked to be a long night for the London side, as the Bavarian's controlled the tempo of the game. It didn't take long for Bayern to rip the Arsenal defense to shreds, as Franck Ribery played a magnificent ball to Toni Kroos at the top of the penalty box, the German international then struck it on the half volley past Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny. That was only 7 minutes into the game. From then on Bayern continued to pound the Arsenal defense only for Thomas Müller to score of a muffed save by Szczesny. It didn't look all bad for Arsenal though, as they pulled one back after halftime through a Lukas Podolski header, but Bayern would soon regain control. Terrific build-up play saw Mario Mandzukic score a circus goal to end the night 3-1 and virtually knock out the London side.
Are Bayern the team to beat? Their sound dismantling of Arsenal in this first leg leave little questions as to how strong Bayern can be against teams outside of Germany. Sure, Arsenal aren't flying high right now, but the England is a country in which German sides don't usually do well, and Bayern handled this game like it was just another game and not a Champions League game. Looking comfortable in a hostile atmosphere, controlling the tempo, and not even being at full strength (defenders Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng did not play) Bayern seemed in their element the whole game. Manuel Neuer looked to be in control between the sticks for Bayern, Phillip Lahm and David Alaba did a great job of bombing down the wings and getting back on defense when needed, Kroos controlled the attacking play while Schweinsteiger and Martinez commanded the midfield.
Bayern look poised to make another Champions League run.
The recipe for success was evident last night for Bayern, and while they have their flaws they seem to be able to mask them fairly easily. So what team is able to beat Bayern right now over 2 legs? The only team I see is Barcelona. Should we read into a 3-1 romping of a 5th place EPL side too much? No, of course not, but if you look at their body of work, the Germans are more than formidable and a daunting opponent for any team to face. In recent years Bayern have become a team very much under the radar even though they are one of the top 5 clubs in the world. Having made 2 of the last 3 Champions League finals Bayern knows how to get there. Finishing the job has been another thing for them, but this team looks poised to roll into a third Champions League final in 4 years.
What are your thoughts? Are Bayern a tournament favorite? Who do you think can beat the Bavarians?
EA FIFA Soccer 13 Playstation 3 19757 (Google Affiliate Ad)
From the get-go it looked to be a long night for the London side, as the Bavarian's controlled the tempo of the game. It didn't take long for Bayern to rip the Arsenal defense to shreds, as Franck Ribery played a magnificent ball to Toni Kroos at the top of the penalty box, the German international then struck it on the half volley past Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny. That was only 7 minutes into the game. From then on Bayern continued to pound the Arsenal defense only for Thomas Müller to score of a muffed save by Szczesny. It didn't look all bad for Arsenal though, as they pulled one back after halftime through a Lukas Podolski header, but Bayern would soon regain control. Terrific build-up play saw Mario Mandzukic score a circus goal to end the night 3-1 and virtually knock out the London side.
Are Bayern the team to beat? Their sound dismantling of Arsenal in this first leg leave little questions as to how strong Bayern can be against teams outside of Germany. Sure, Arsenal aren't flying high right now, but the England is a country in which German sides don't usually do well, and Bayern handled this game like it was just another game and not a Champions League game. Looking comfortable in a hostile atmosphere, controlling the tempo, and not even being at full strength (defenders Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng did not play) Bayern seemed in their element the whole game. Manuel Neuer looked to be in control between the sticks for Bayern, Phillip Lahm and David Alaba did a great job of bombing down the wings and getting back on defense when needed, Kroos controlled the attacking play while Schweinsteiger and Martinez commanded the midfield.
The recipe for success was evident last night for Bayern, and while they have their flaws they seem to be able to mask them fairly easily. So what team is able to beat Bayern right now over 2 legs? The only team I see is Barcelona. Should we read into a 3-1 romping of a 5th place EPL side too much? No, of course not, but if you look at their body of work, the Germans are more than formidable and a daunting opponent for any team to face. In recent years Bayern have become a team very much under the radar even though they are one of the top 5 clubs in the world. Having made 2 of the last 3 Champions League finals Bayern knows how to get there. Finishing the job has been another thing for them, but this team looks poised to roll into a third Champions League final in 4 years.
What are your thoughts? Are Bayern a tournament favorite? Who do you think can beat the Bavarians?
EA FIFA Soccer 13 Playstation 3 19757 (Google Affiliate Ad)
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Real Madrid v Manchester United
Could you have asked for a more exciting matchup this early in the group stage of the Champions League? Real Madrid and Manchester United are set the square off this week, and on the field will be a plethora of the games biggest stars. The amount of story lines involved in this matchup are endless.
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to face former club Manchester United.
What will Ronaldo do in his return to Old Trafford? The man some say is the best in the world returns to face his former employers this week. Will United's slippery defense be able to stop CR7? Ronaldo tuned up for this weeks game by putting in a man of the match performance against Sevilla, bagging a hat trick. United will have a tough time against one of the best players on the planet this week, I expect at least a goal from CR7.
Can Real Madrid stop Robin Van Persie?
On the other side of the field, can Real Madrid stop Robin Van Persie? Heck can ANYONE stop RVP right now? The Flying Dutchman is on course to eclipse his goal tally from last season and is the main reason the Red Devils are in prime position to win the EPL. Madrid have faced world class strikers before, having to face Lionel Messi multiple times a season, but RVP's game has evolved beyond last season. His attack positioning and spectacular playmaking and shot making ability will be tough for Real Madrid to handle.
And lastly, is this a try out for Jose Mourinho? With all the speculation that The Special One may be canned by Madrid at the end of the year, a likely landing spot for him is at Old Trafford. Having been at United's game against Everton this weekend, it seems a job at Man U may be on Mourinho's mind.
What do you think is the most interesting story line of this matchup? Leave a comment below!
Taggies Little Fun Shapes Goal Soccer Ball (Google Affiliate Ad)
What will Ronaldo do in his return to Old Trafford? The man some say is the best in the world returns to face his former employers this week. Will United's slippery defense be able to stop CR7? Ronaldo tuned up for this weeks game by putting in a man of the match performance against Sevilla, bagging a hat trick. United will have a tough time against one of the best players on the planet this week, I expect at least a goal from CR7.
On the other side of the field, can Real Madrid stop Robin Van Persie? Heck can ANYONE stop RVP right now? The Flying Dutchman is on course to eclipse his goal tally from last season and is the main reason the Red Devils are in prime position to win the EPL. Madrid have faced world class strikers before, having to face Lionel Messi multiple times a season, but RVP's game has evolved beyond last season. His attack positioning and spectacular playmaking and shot making ability will be tough for Real Madrid to handle.
And lastly, is this a try out for Jose Mourinho? With all the speculation that The Special One may be canned by Madrid at the end of the year, a likely landing spot for him is at Old Trafford. Having been at United's game against Everton this weekend, it seems a job at Man U may be on Mourinho's mind.
What do you think is the most interesting story line of this matchup? Leave a comment below!
Taggies Little Fun Shapes Goal Soccer Ball (Google Affiliate Ad)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Liverpool match involved in fixing scandal.
A Champions League match between Liverpool and Hungarian side, Debrecen, is under investigation for match fixing.
Dirk Kuyt scores the lone goal vs Debrecen for Liverpool. The match shown here is under investigation for match fixing.
Liverpool is not under investigation at the time, just the match. It is suspected that Debrecen took a bribe from a Croatian-led crime group to throw the match 3-0. The match did end up in only a 1-0 defeat for the Hungarians, however.
This match is the only one highlighted, so far, of the 680 matches that Europol, the European Union's police organization, is investigating.
More info on this is sure to come, but for now let me know your thoughts!
Do you think Liverpool's win is tainted by this if the allegations are true? Do you think Liverpool could have been involved? Leave comments below.
Franklin Pop-Up Junior Soccer Goal (Google Affiliate Ad)
Liverpool is not under investigation at the time, just the match. It is suspected that Debrecen took a bribe from a Croatian-led crime group to throw the match 3-0. The match did end up in only a 1-0 defeat for the Hungarians, however.
This match is the only one highlighted, so far, of the 680 matches that Europol, the European Union's police organization, is investigating.
More info on this is sure to come, but for now let me know your thoughts!
Do you think Liverpool's win is tainted by this if the allegations are true? Do you think Liverpool could have been involved? Leave comments below.
Franklin Pop-Up Junior Soccer Goal (Google Affiliate Ad)
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