I agree Terry (who did you used to be?), Barca's retention and use of the ball showed up all of the other three semi-finalists in this week's games. Can they really not do anything once they get in to the final third though or should we be crediting Man U's "shape" in limiting them?

A bit of both I thought (in response to Harry's last question). United were obviously set out to play on the counter - we just didn't remember to do an awful lot of countering. I suspect Ronaldo's early miss stuck in the collective mind of the team thereafter.

Also how much of a twat Ronaldo was being, after missing a PENALTY in the second minute, to continue twatting shots in when we got free kicks 35 yards out at ridiculous angles in the first half, is utterly baffling. STOP FUCKING SHOOTING ALL THE TIME YOU GREEDY LITTLE CUNT.

And whoever said Messi's all left foot... the same could be said of the man Messi is apparently the new version of, y'know.

Were the visitors auditioning for Sh1t on a Stick IV? Despite the luxury of being able to take to the field with Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Scholes, they showed no intent beyond wellying long balls to Ronaldo.

So, is everyone gonna go on about how dismal this match was, how Man U and Barcelona are a cure for insomnia, how this is supposed to be the pinnacle of European football, etc?

I mean, I'm just guessing from the reports. I watched Donnie Brasco instead.

Ferguson's tactics were laughable. Play your first choice striker on the wing and your winger upfront. You've got another striker but don't want to play him upfront - stick him in front of the defence. Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez and Park looked bemused last night by the roles they were playing, when they got the ball they didn't know what to do with it as everyone was out of position. I think they'll pay for it in the second leg.

Scholes was United's best player last night. He made a number of crucial interceptions and was the only player who had a decent pass success rate. Carrick was completely overrun beside him.

Ronaldo was caused a disgrace to football by Dunphy last night on RTE for his attitude to opponents, referee and teammates.

Today's well informed Guardian front page headline:

"United take a point after penalty miss"

Spearmint Rhino wrote:

QUOTE:
So, is everyone gonna go on about how dismal this match was, how Man U and Barcelona are a cure for insomnia, how this is supposed to be the pinnacle of European football, etc?

I mean, I'm just guessing from the reports. I watched Donnie Brasco instead.

Well, what I saw of the Liverpool-Chelsea game (last twenty minutes) holds up well against what I saw of this game (most of the second half (listened to the first half)). It's now up to Colm...

QUOTE:
So, is everyone gonna go on about how dismal this match was, how Man U and Barcelona are a cure for insomnia, how this is supposed to be the pinnacle of European football, etc?

No because at least one team played attractive entertaining football (even the team that were on the defensive played better football than Liverpool or Chelsea managed) and it was ten times more interesting and arresting than Tuesday night.

Stop being a sulky teenager, you sound like Leeds supporter.

Spearmint Rhino wrote:

QUOTE:
So, is everyone gonna go on about how dismal this match was, how Man U and Barcelona are a cure for insomnia, how this is supposed to be the pinnacle of European football, etc?

Well I only caught the last half hour, but based on that, the other semi-final was a veritable feast of attacking football. Man Utd were even worse than Liverpool and Chelsea at retaining the ball.

And both teams last night (for the last half hour) were incredibly unambitious. Fair enough, Man Utd were obviously going for the clean sheet with their two solid lines at the back never more than five yards apart, and never attacking in numbers, but I can't understand Barcelona's apparent reluctance to have a real go. The just stroked the ball from side to side, while the situation was crying out for someone to make any sort of penetrating run in between Man Utd's defence and midfield to open things up a bit. I was surprised and disappointed about the lack of movement.

So yeah, shit on a stick basically.

Otto, did you see Messi or at all? Or did your tuning in coincide with him coming off?

Ronaldo was caused a disgrace to football by Dunphy last night on RTE for his attitude to opponents, referee and teammates.

Oh, Dunphy's such a tiresome, headline seeking twat. "Disgrace to football" my arse. I'm far from being a fan of Ronaldo, but I thought he was justifiably frustrated last night. Zambrotta got away with fouling him pretty much at will, including one unpunished foul where he was going round him on the outside that turned into a full-on wrestling match. Marquez took him out in the penalty area for a penalty that wasn't given. Abidal's lunge in the second half was arguably another penalty. He was pushed and shoved off the ball all over the pitch.

Meanwhile, Deco (someone high on my list of players I'd like to see punched really hard - ideally right in the middle of one of those eyebrows-raised pained looks he does) slumped to the floor every time he was in danger of losing the ball, or in a likely-looking position, and got a free-kick every time. He even did that "yellow card" gesture after one challenge and wasn't booked for it. Xavi and Iniesta were almost as bad (Iniesta - I think - also nastily left his foot in on Hargeaves when the ball was already out of play).

Under the circumstances, you could see why Ronaldo started to get pissed off, what with not getting decisions that others were getting: it must have been difficult, finding himself in the situation that opponents of Man Utd have to cope with every week. But that's the trouble when you play a bigger club, away from home.

I thought Ronaldo's performance was positively Ibrahimovicesque.

Wes Brown- the worst player to ever play in a CL semi final?

At least David May had a song.

I know what you mean. The dramatic appeal to the gods of football on high was obviously inspired by the work of the master.



[To UA, obviously]

QUOTE:
But that's the trouble when you play a bigger club, away from home.

Ouch!

QUOTE:
He even did that "yellow card" gesture after one challenge and wasn't booked for it.

Very few people seem to be, the rule/directive to do so seems to be observed about as much as the goalkeeper's "seconds" rule.