Europa Leauge 2012/13 - the last 32

National Glennographic wrote:Tottenham deserved to go through because both sides knew the rules before the tie.

IF, however, the away goals rule had suddenly been introduced for the first time and out of the blue at 120 minutes, that would have been very harsh on Inter.

True. I actually don't have a problem with the away goals rule.

I meant in terms of unlucky with not finishing gilt-edged chances, though I suppose you can only blame yourself for those. Just like Niang the other night.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

bluenine wrote:

Disco Benny wrote:I have already forgotten about that game. Who's up next?

Congrats Inter. Harsh in the end.

Congrats dude, you guys deserved to go through overall... go win it now!

Yes, as much as Inter did.

I will say, Inter were the unluckier of the two sides overall--the crossbar, Cambiasso etc.

In the end either team's progression is a fair result.

We had a lot of chances in the first leg too,and Inters third tonight was rather fortunate, but ultimately I agree, no complaints would have come from me if Inter had gone through.

I hope AVB learns from this. Firstly you can't play a 442 away from home without proper wingers, second Adebayor is a waste of space and like playing with 10 men (yeah Defoe was bad too but at least he makes runs) and thirdly don't play a high line unless the team is going to try and score. Seemed clear the gameplan was to hold the ball and not commit too many men forward, but Inter just won possession in midfield and kept putting balls over the backline and it worked. Not AVBs finest tactical game it must be said.

Inter vs Spurs, always a lot of goals, eh?

@OptaJoe: 1 - Newcastle have managed to score just one goal in their last four European games combined. Worry.

Terry scores with a near post header from a free-kick.

Makalele are down to ten as well.

Torres. Yawn, Chelsea through now and Rafa will get no credit of course.

RAFA FIXTURE CONGESTION

Suarez kicked him in the face while he was down as well, tut tut.

Torres scored the third and it looks like being enough to take them through. He's just missed a penalty as well.

Haha Torres. He's like the bullied kid that keeps on being even nerdier.

Newc0-0le going to extra time.

Nope.

Papiss

Great goal, last touch of the game.

Cisse scores with a header inside the six-yard box, after an excellent cross from Marveaux, with the very last touch of the game. We didn't deserve the win: the centre-backs, Elliot and Marveaux aside, we were abject, disgustingly bad and boring to watch; until the sending off we looked stretched at the back and were conceding chances and at the same time didn't seem to have anyone in the attack; the formation was hopeless, left Cisse isolated, and in general our attacking movement and our ability to hold the ball and pass it patiently is hugely lacking.

Good to see United are still in Europe

Hoping Lazio get Newcastle, Fener, Benfica, or Basel.

All these teams could/will pose problems, but they would be favourable draws on the whole.

Congrats Kimbo.

3 English clubs in the last 8. DECLINE!

...well someone had to say it

I am assuming this year now that Ingerlund has 3 representatives in the last 8, the Europa League is no longer a measure of a leagues strength in depth? It is instead a sign that the league isnt good enough.

Bashmachkin wrote:Cisse scores with a header inside the six-yard box, after an excellent cross from Marveaux, with the very last touch of the game. We didn't deserve the win: the centre-backs, Elliot and Marveaux aside, we were abject, disgustingly bad and boring to watch; until the sending off we looked stretched at the back and were conceding chances and at the same time didn't seem to have anyone in the attack; the formation was hopeless, left Cisse isolated, and in general our attacking movement and our ability to hold the ball and pass it patiently is hugely lacking.

I wouldn't say we didn't deserve the win, as that implies that we didn't deserve to go through, which implies Anzhi did, which they didn't. Anzhi are so fucking negative for the amount of money they've spent, it's embarrassing.

We've lacked any cohesion in attack though in our last few games which is worrying, but not surprising given our coach. It doesn't help having Cisse as a focal point, he's just not physical or athletic enough, or smart enough. I'm also sick of seeing him getting in confrontations with opposing players, it seems like it's every game now, we all know you're not going to do anything so shut the fuck up.

As for the draw, Basel are probably the most appealing, and Benfica the least appealing, though it would be nice if we didn't have to fuck off halfway round the world to play another Soviet team. We are probably seen as a favourable draw to the other teams left in the competition, maybe that is a good thing and we'll be underestimated.


Also, unlucky Lewis, I notice you've abandoned this thread.

Mata has 18 goals and 23 assists this season Lord have mercy!

Romford Pele wrote:Mata has 18 goals and 23 assists this season Lord have mercy!

WPOTY!!!

I thought Anzhi played reasonably well and threatened in the first half tonight; but over the course of the two games I agree, Kimbo, I don't think they were significantly better than us, and don't think either side performed particularly impressively.

Cisse has scored a few important goals recently, which have served to cork the torrent of abuse I've been inclined to give him for a long string of poor performances. I'm not happy with him and I'm not happy with the service he is getting. He is obviously displeased with the service; but I think he has had a bad season, seems far too temperamental, and whilst he does sometimes run the channels I don't think that, overall, he puts sufficient effort in, physically or mentally.

Really the lack of quality throughout the game tonight wound me up so that I was relieved rather than inclined to celebrate the last-second goal. More positively, again, the two centre-backs played superbly well and they seem to complement each other (Taylor obviously ought to be in the England squad, but I'm not personally fussed about that); Elliot's performances suggest he is a very strong back-up goalkeeper; and Marveaux had a good game, was the only player putting some thought and skill into the attack.

Romford Pele wrote:Mata has 18 goals and 23 assists this season Lord have mercy!

Yeah, but it's okay - we signed Lewis Holtby

In all seriousness:

a) Mata has been severely undervalued as a POTY contender

b) Holtby was garbage coming on today. I do hope we haven't been sold a dud. Willing to give him time of course, but I compare his performances to date VS Dembele's (don't know if you noticed, but I was quite a big fan) and I iz not amused. Granted, Dembele was already an EPL player when he joined us, but given what I've seen and heard of the Bundesliga, I was expecting Holtby to have had a greater impact by now. Still plenty of time though.

c) Newcastle doing England proud. COEFFICIENT POINTS!

I already told you Holtby would be a flop twerp. AVB doesn't trust him.

christmasborocooper wrote:I already told you Holtby would be a flop twerp. AVB doesn't trust him.

Not sure about that. AVB had Lloris on the bench for long period. More likely that AVB is looking to phase him in gradually so he doesn't disrupt the unity of the squad. Learnt his lesson from Chelsea in that regard. It's how he also handled Sigurdsson, who I personally think has been our 3rd best player over the last 3 weeks behind Bale and Dembele.

Spurs players racially abused by Inter fans.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/15/tottenham-racism-internazionale-europa-league

Let me make some political capital here. Have you ever heard Milan fans racially abusing players?

No. Inter, Juventus (Balotelli this past weekend), Lazio etc. have this covered.

Sure, we 're owned by a convicted criminal, but our fans are honorable.

Any team that turns up at the San Siro with players like Brad, Gallas and Livermore, then plays Naughton out of position and sticks Dembele on the wing AND also plays two up top in a flat 4-4-2 with a highline is asking for it. And we got everything apart from the final facial/creampie shot. So very lucky.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:Spurs players racially abused by Inter fans.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/15/tottenham-racism-internazionale-europa-league

Let me make some political capital here. Have you ever heard Milan fans racially abusing players?

No. Inter, Juventus (Balotelli this past weekend), Lazio etc. have this covered.

Sure, we 're owned by a convicted criminal, but our fans are honorable.

And his brother is a (insert expletive of choice) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/9851766/AC-Milan-vice-president-Paolo-Berlusconi-Silvios-younger-brother-in-racist-taunt-at-Mario-Balotelli.html

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:Spurs players racially abused by Inter fans.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/15/tottenham-racism-internazionale-europa-league

Let me make some political capital here. Have you ever heard Milan fans racially abusing players?

No. Inter, Juventus (Balotelli this past weekend), Lazio etc. have this covered.

Sure, we 're owned by a convicted criminal, but our fans are honorable.

It's become such a recurring theme now especially with us I can't even be bothered to get worked up about it. The World is a fucked up place. As always, UEFA will hand out a petty fine, and it will continue to occur.

Obviously we "ask for it", the punchbags of Europe I believe the more distasteful elements of our English opposition fans call us. There were Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham fans on twitter yesterday proclaiming it was just a shame no Spurs fans got beaten up this time.

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