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thefootballobserver · 5 months

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April 17-19 European Roundup: Match Reviews

Comebacks and penalty shootouts galore.

What. A. Week. This week had a bit of everything as the semifinal ties were decided. Red cards, surprise comebacks, penalty shootouts - there really isn’t anything to complain about, especially for the neutral. Here’s a brief review of some of the biggest games. Note that I only got to watch the highlights of most of these games, so these are very brief summaries.

Barcelona 1-4 PSG (agg. 4-6): Rash Araujo Boost PSG’s Treble Hopes

Araujo’s red card resulted in a Barcelona collapse at home.

What would otherwise be a fun tie turned ugly thanks to an Araujo red card in the 29th minute thanks to a rash trip on Barcola right on the edge of the box, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Barcelona appeared to have firm control over the tie after Raphinha scored again after scoring a brace in the first tie, resulting in them going up on aggregate 4-2.

However, Barcelona imploded on itself after the sending-off, never recovering their early match form, with everyone in Blaugrana struggling to contain PSG from taking shots. Yamal had to come off for Martínez to come on, resulting in Barcelona losing much of their attacking threat. It only took the Parisians six minutes after the red card to score, with some lax defending from Cancelo resulting in former Barcelona player Dembélé scoring against them again.

This wouldn’t be the last red card, as Xavi got sent off for allegedly swearing at the referee for his decisions. This was sandwiched between a Vitinha and Mbappé penalty - Cancelo the man of focus again for a rash tackle in the box - to firmly turn the tie in PSG’s favour 4-5 on aggregate. Any lingering questions ended with a fourth for PSG that night. Mbappé scored after Barcelona failed to clear the ball after some brilliant saves from Ter Stegen to deny Mbappé and Asensio right before.

PSG’s treble hopes remain alive as they aim to win Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League. They’ll play three matches in Ligue 1 before playing Dortmund away for the UCL. For Barcelona, their once chance of winning a trophy has gone as they looked destined for a trophyless season, as Real Madrid remains firm favourites to win La Liga. They’ll face them for the El Clásico on the weekend.

This game hurts as a Barcelona fan, and if not for the card, Barcelona had a real chance of going into the semi-final. It's not a game any Barca fan will want to talk about. Also, the referee loved cards; two red cards and nine yellow cards in 100 minutes are not real.

My MOTMs: Raphinha (FCB); Mbappé (PSG)

Dortmund 4-2 Atletico Madrid (agg. 5-4): The Triple Comeback

Sabitzer was the hero for Dortmund, sending them into the semi-finals for the first time in 11 years.

Who knew this tie would be the best of the four quarter-final games? The game started quickly, with Sabitzer and Morata missing golden chances in the third and fifth minutes. Atletico came into the game with a one-goal advantage, but that quickly turned on its head in the 34th and 39th minute, as Brandt and Chelsea loanee Maatsen scored incredible goals to turn the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

An atrocious first half for Atletico resulted in Simeone doing a triple change during halftime. It paid off as poor Hummels turned the ball into his own net, and substitute Correa scored to once again turn the tie in Atletico’s favour - of course, not before missing a 1v1 identical to Morata’s, invoking a hilarious reaction from Simeone.

The poor man can only take one missed 1v1 per game.

The game was far from over, though, as Dortmund once again scored in quick succession in the 71st and 74th minute thanks to goals from Füllkrug (a beautiful, beautiful header) and Sabitzer again to end the tie 4-2 in Dortmund’s favour to book a spot in the semi-final for the first time in over a decade. Regardless of who went through in the League Underperformers™ tie, I don’t think it would have surprised anyone. But Atletico, this season, clearly has lost their defensive touch, which is usually so recognisable in a Diego Simeone team.

Dortmund have two challenging league games, facing League champions Leverkusen at home and Leipzig away before facing PSG at home for the Champions League. Atletico will have to work on securing UCL football next season with an extra slot out of the cards for La Liga and Atheltic Club breathing down their back. They’ll face them at home between games against Deportivo Alaves and Mallorca, both away.

My MOTMs: Sabitzer (BVB); Correa (ATM)

Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal (agg. 3-2): Bavarians End Arsenal’s 8-Year Awaited UCL Journey

Kimmich’s header was enough to seal the tie in the Germans’ favour.

Arsenal waited eight years to return to the Champions League and bow down to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. In all honesty…wasn’t that great of a match. Both sides looked like they could but never would score. Of course, until Kimmich pealed away from Martinelli to send a header past Raya.

It was a pretty unmemorable match, but Arsenal definitely should have killed it off in the first leg at home as Bayern walked away from the tie with a deserved win (xG 1.33 versus 0.39 says it all). It's too bad that Harry Kane didn’t get another, but that Eric Dier performance was enough for my Spurs heart to be happy about, besides Arsenal going home.

Bayern Munich only have the UCL to fight for, with Leverkusen winning the league last weekend. They’ll play Union Berlin away and Frankfurt at home before facing Real Madrid at home for the semi-final. On the other hand, Arsenal still have the Premier League title to fight for in a three-team race, as they face Wolves and Spurs away and play another London derby against Chelsea at home in between the two games.

My MOTMs: Kimmich (FCB); … (ARS) (literally no one deserves it from Arsenal)

Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (agg. 4-4) (pens 3-4): City Loses Their Treble as Real Madrid Goes for Their Own

Manchester City couldn’t get past Real Madrid’s low block…or Lunin, Madrid’s hero of the night.

What a horrible week to be a Barcelona and Premier League fan. Anyway, Real Madrid scored 12 minutes through Rodrygo, thanks to Walker's poor position in his first game back from injury. After that, it was all City, and they missed several decent chances to go level in the tie, with Real Madrid defending diligently. The game was borderline unwatchable for me (thanks, Walker) and very one-sided, although it was evident that that was what Real Madrid wanted. Alas, Man City did find the breakthrough, and it was star man Kevin de Bruyne to bring the game 4-4 on aggregate.

Of course, it went into penalties. Lunin would save Silva (never let the man take a penalty again) and Kovacic’s (apparently Rüdiger told Lunin which directly he’d shoot) to make Ederson’s save of Modric’s shot (a bit tame from the veteran) useless and send Real Madrid to the semi-final at the expense of the current holders.

Real Madrid will aim to add the La Liga and UCL trophies to their current Supercopa one to win the treble. As stated above, Real Madrid will play the El Clásico at home this week - should they win, La Liga will be virtually secured unless they collapse right after. Then they’ll play Real Sociedad away before returning to the UCL to play Bayern at the Allianz Arena. Manchester City may not have back-to-back trebles, but they can still go for the double and a fourth consecutive league title. They play Chelsea at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final this weekend, then Brighton and Nottingham Forest away in the league.

If nothing else from this match, I’ll keep that Ederson penalty in my mind for a while. @ Pep, how about trying him as a striker ahead of Haaland and Álvarez for a change?

My MOTMs: de Bruyne (MCI); Lunin (RMA)

Marseille 1-0 Benefica (agg. 2-2) (pens 4-2): Normal Time Hero Trubin Can’t Save Benfica on Pens

Trubin had to make many, many saves in normal time just to keep Benfica in the tie.

I don’t follow most of the teams in Europa and Conference, so I’ll primarily be skimming through the following matches.

This game was virtually all Marseille - with Benfica goalkeeper Trubin having to make some wonderful saves to protect their advantage - until the 70th minute or so when Benfica finally did something of note to trouble the Marseille goal. Unfortunately, this didn’t translate into any momentum as Moumbagna headed a cross from Aubameyang that went under Trubin’s legs and into the goal to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.

Extra time wasn’t enough to decide the tie, and it went into penalties. Somehow, Di María missed his shot as it bounced off the post (perhaps he’s not as immune to the French air as his Argentine counterpart Otamendi) and Antonio Silva’s shot was also saved, making Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez the hero as Henrique scored the final penalty to send the French side into the semi-final of the Europa League, where they’ll face Atalanta.

Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg. 3-1): Nuñez-ed Liverpool Limp Out of Europe

It seems like Nuñez-ism has indoctrinated everyone.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Liverpool hasn’t recovered from the Manchester United draw two weeks ago, the 0-3 first-tie loss, the Crystal Palace game last weekend (where they lost 0-1 at home) and Salah’s early penalty (from a Ruggeri handball) wasn’t enough to send them into the semi-final as they limped out 3-1 on aggregate.

Honestly, I have nothing to say about his game (really, Liverpool?), but it’s now very much possible that Klopp leaves Anfield with just a League Cup this season, given Liverpool’s tough form. Honestly, he deserves more, but everyone appears to be possessed by the soul of Nuñez and is unable to score. No comment, honestly.

Credit to Atalanta, though.

Roma 2-1 AC Milan (agg. 3-1): De Rossi, What Are You Cooking?

Again, De Rossi has cooked for Roma. Mourinho who?

AC Roma fully dominated Milan - even after Celik was sent off for a tackle, which, if you ask me, really didn’t have any venom. Every goal got a gasp out of my mouth. I’ll be rooting for Roma in the Europa with Liverpool out if nothing else.

West Ham 1-1 Leverkusen (agg. 1-3): Leverkusen Keep Their Unbeaten Streak Alive

Sighs, can Leverkusen lose already?

Can you tell I hate success? Okay, I don’t hate success; I hate it when it’s too much though. I can handle a treble, but an unbeaten streak and a treble? Call me jealous because I just looked at my forwards and sighed. Yes, Leverkusen kept their unbeaten streak alive through another late goal.

Honestly, it looked like a fine game. Both were evenly tied, and a draw was fair for this game. Of course, Leverkusen deserved to pass through this tie for their home performance and is a strong favourite to win the Europa and the treble.

Lille 2-1 Aston Villa (agg. 3-3) (pens 3-4): Martínez Sh*thousery as He Breaks French Hearts Again

You have got to love Martínez…unless you’re French.

Emi Martínez played the hero for Aston Villa as they went into penalties against Lille, and the Argentine pulled off some wonderful saves and some dance moves to secure the Villans’ spot in the Conference semi-finals.

It just had to be him in a green kit in front of the Lille fans.

#european football #champions league #europa league #europa conference league #match reviews #manchester city #real madrid #fc barcelona #liverpool fc

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fossadeileonixv · 2 years

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Milan 4 Dinamo Zagreb 0

Big game. Big win

Milan are firmly in second place in Group E in Champions League and will only need a draw vs Salzburg at the San Siro next week to stamp their ticket to the knockouts...the first time since playing Atletico Madrid during the 2013-14 season. But before that, Torino this weekend, and even before that, Milan x Dinamo Zagreb ratings...let's get started...

TATARUSANU 7 Was busy early with a lot of buildup by Dinamo and a few decent shots on goal but did his job and a clean sheet to boot

KALULU 7 Solid game and you could tell Pioli asked him to hang back. Whenever Milan got forward and Dinamo won the ball back and tried to go over the top it was usually Kalulu back there. And man, that cross from 30yds away in the first half to Giroud during the run of play...*chef's kiss*. Love this kid

KJÆR 7 Solid game and had a few decent long passes, which is one of his strengths particular with Tata in goal because, well, that is NOT one of his strengths...

GABBIA 8 Co-MOTM Solid all game and a perfectly timed run and perfectly timed dive and perfect header on a perfect ball from Tonali. Best dead ball play of the year for Milan

HERNÁNDEZ 7 Solid all around. That's it. That's all I got

TONALI 8 Co-MOTM Did everything well this game. Positioning, tackling, passing. And oh man. That cross on the dead ball that found Gabbia. Man. What a beaut. I shared this in the chat yesterday but as Ray Hudson said, "that was a shot glass dropped in a glass of beer at the other end of the bar". Yep. Pretty much

BENNACER 7 Solid. Just like Theo. Yeah

REBIĆ 7 Not perfect by any means, and probably...no, did cut in too much. But, BUT! You can see what quality wingers do to the attack when both are threats. CDK really should have taken advantage of this since the defense all of the sudden kept having to shift their gaze to each flank. Love the runs he made into the box but needs to balance that more with keeping the width and banging in crosses, particularly when the defense is packed in. It's one of his jobs out on the wing to keep the width and jeopardize the defense's lines

DE KETELAERE

GIROUD 7.5 One of his better games of the last month and has been money in the bank on PKs (I probably shouldn't jinx him, huh?...sh*t, I did already...I know I jinxed him. God damn it...). Oh, a few of you mentioned this in the chat yesterday: NO MORE FLICKS. Just receive, settle, and distribute Giroud. Come'on, man. Gotta keep that possesion

subs

KRUNIĆ 6.5 My favorite kind of Krunić. The kind we only see when Milan is up 2-0 and just need him to make tackles and break up the opponent's play

BALLO-TOURE 6 Was fine. Didn't do anything great but didn't bone the sofa cushion either. Yeah, I don't know what that means

POBEGA 6.5 Decent if unspectacular outing and almost had a goal

MESSIAS 6 More of a cameo. A winger coming in when you're up 4-0 doesn't leave much for them to do other than to track back and defend

ORIGI NA Didn't get enough for me to grade him but I'm still not sold on him. Some of you, *cough* Frank *cough*, are aroused by Origi but I am still not seeing why...

coaching

PIOLI 9 You win 4-0 at a place where the opponent beat an-albeit-out-of-form Chelsea last month and hadn't lost in like 22 (maybe it was 24) straight home matches, I'd say you got it right.

Pioli also FINALLY started Rebić at RW and boy did it pay off. The attack was dangerous from both sides and while not exactly clinical, just the mere threat of Rebić made Dinamo have to respect Milan's right side. The subbing was great, both in the starting selection (and accompanying tactics for a slower CB pairing) and pulling guys out to rest. Bravo, Sig. Pioli

THOUGHTS

Ok, so the two big storylines coming out of this involves something good and something bad. Let's get the bad out of the way...

The Bad...

CDK. Charles. Dude. That was UGGGG-LY. On a day when Milan was firing in attack and ends up winning 4-0 and you have arguably your worst game of the season. Yikes. I think it's safe to say he has the yips.

For those of you who don't follow or play golf, the yips happen when a player misses a few VERY short putts, something that should be routine, in a relatively short amount of time, and now trembles when over the ball on short putts and every short putt is a mental safari ripe with risk, fear, and perspiration. There's a version of this in baseball too when a fielder can't make an accurate throw to first base on routine ground balls. He sails them over the head, throws it short by 10ft, or is off 5-10ft to the right or to the left. But basically, like in golf and the short putt, every routine ground ball is an adventure. So in a nutshell: the yips are overthinking the task at hand.

There were numerous times in the first half where CDK was caught between ideas, and so in the end he ended up making the wrong decision, no decision, or the right decision too late which ended up making it the wrong decision.

The concern if CDK really does have the yips is that it's really hard to overcome. This type of thing can ruin careers. It's going to take A LOT of practice to get back to instinctively playing the game AND with smart, knowledgeable decision-making. For all of our sakes, Milan and us fans, I hope he's up to it.

The Good...

Rebić at RW to start! Yay! Pioli finally did it! Yes, I know he was partially forced into it due to injury but who cares, it's here. And I'll tell you what, this might end up being the go to, maybe in general, but at least when Milan is short on bodies. No more of this Krunić at RW nonsense, or taking Brahim out of the middle, sticking him at RW while an all-thumbs player is put in the #10 position.

Ok, so what was different with Rebić out there? As mentioned above, he was cutting in a lot, with and without the ball. Sometimes these runs, particularly without the ball, were awesome and made the defenders have to leave their dug-in position. This created movement and space within the box for others to navigate and take advantage of during the run of play. Other times however, his run crowded the box and evaporated any width Milan had particularly with Kalulu staying back. This had the opposite effect and caused congestion and left the attack without lanes to move, pass, or shoot. This will improve with Calabria back (when he returns) and having the RB up more on overlapping runs and helping to bang in crosses, while Kalulu and Tomori can protect the counter and over the top attempts by the opponent.

I think the more Rebić plays out at RW the better he'll become and the more balanced, and therefore higher scoring, Milan will be. Get him firing, along with a hot Brahim, and Leão being Leão, I think Milan will find themselves scoring 3-4 goals a game on average when they're in all there. That's no guarantee, but I wouldn't bet against it.

Next Match

Alright, Milan is flying high and have a tricky match vs Torino this weekend before taking on Salzburg in a CL match where they need at least a draw. Pioli will need to keep his men on their toes and ready since the top of the league table is so packed.

What are you guys thinking? About the match yesterday, this weekend, Salzburg, CDK, Rebić, whatever!

Forza Milan

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