Arena "The Beautiful Game" - The Official JCC Football (Soccer) Thread.

Everton and yankee8255 - as the resident footie thread sock username code crackers, can either of you confirm whether Diggy is Iggy?

 

You could just ask me.

 

But then I don't get to mock Everton and yankee.

 

Really? There is no other reason to mock Everton? FFS, he supports NEverton. And Yankee? Well...dunno who he is, so you're on your lonesome.

 

Hey, I'm the one who took most of the move to realize you and epic had swapped names.

 

Yes, that's where the mocking comes in.

 

That Bale bloke's a bit good

 

lol @ Arsenal

 

So the summer Arsenal finally have cash to spend (according to reports) they'll most likely finish 5th. Ha ha.

 

Interesting battle for the CL spots, if City drop points Spurs could even nab second place.

 

Everton are only 2 points behind, I'll be hoping for 6th. LOL.

 

There's a German equivalent to Zonal Marking called "Spielverlagerung", they had interesting stat from the match: Barca's possession was 78%, passing accuracy 90%, but 38% of their possession was in their defensive third, 53% in midfield and only 18% in Real's third. Jonathan Wwilson had a good column on "Possession vs Position" in the guardian last year, this match really shows how Barca's obsession with possession sometimes causes them to forget that position matters too.

 

So, who will emerge victorious tonight?

United will find it tough against Madrid I think, especially without Jones who has proved excellent in the defensive midfield role. Why Ferguson has chosen not to play Vidic in either leg of the match I am not sure, he is the captain and best defender.

 

The only way I can see Real going through is if they score an early goal, after that they can sit deep and wait for a counter.

 

Madrid could easily scroe several goals.

United have to be attacking, playing for 0-0 is foolish. But Madrid like to counter-attack so they want United to commit players forward.

 

I could see a real slugfest with 4-6 goals scored. Madrid needs to attack, ManU very shaky in back. Honestly, I don't see Madrid scoring less than 2.

 

Real has trouble creating chances when they face an opponent that sits deep (see the second half of the first leg as an example). So I do think sitting deep and counter is the best way for ManU to approach the game.

 

United have to counter-attack without exposing themselves to counter-attack by a team with a supeior midfield and the second-best player in the world.

I think a 4-3-3 formation like United had against Norwich might be the best solution. It can morph more easily into a 4-5-1 if United have to defend and it allows more rotation of players when attacking (Kagawa can come forward and inter-change with Rooney while RVP goes out wide which confuses Madrid defenders).

Ideally United need to get the first goal, that would leave Madrid with more to do as they have to score 2 goals anyway (one would level the goal-difference and only lead to extra time if United score)

 

It will be 4-3 for Utd with Ronaldo getting a hat-trick for Madrid.

 

Much as I like the British teams to go through, my mother-in-law will be insufferable if United win. But she'll be even worse if they win on Sunday, so I hope United win today, but lose on Sunday

 

Plus Chelsea do really need to win a trophy


Rooney on the bench, bit of a risk I think. Nani starts too, lets hope he delivers this time.

 

ManU are defending excellently and had the better chances, Real Madrid is pretty much ineffective they need space and they're not getting any.

ManU are 45 minutes away from the semi-final, at this rate they'll definitely hold on.

 

Getting a round ahead of yourself there, Omega.

Dortmund taking Donezk apart, 2-0 at the half. In case anyone is interested.