Just ignore him. He's trying to be a clever sod as well as being insulting to the dead (RIP 96). No need for it. Childish.

C Ronaldo - What a goal! A stunning strike; I want a 2-2 go to Penalties match but I think Man Utd with the extra two days rest plus Ferdinand back in Defence will get through this tie in 90 minutes.

 

 

Absolutley stunning strike from Ronaldo - why can't he always play like this?

Good display from United tonight. Credit must go to Fergie as his team selection was spot on tonight. Just goes to show how solid our whole defensive backline is when Rio plays. John O'Shea (prone to the silliest of mistakes) had Hulk in his back pocket all night, Vidic was showing the world class form again that proves he's certainly one of, if not THE, best centre back in the world and Evra didn't do too much wrong despite the odd wild challenge. Rooney was sensational on the wing, Anderson did everything expected of him and the Ronaldo strike speaks for itself. We may not have put out the most exciting of performances but every man (minus maybe Berbatov) put everything into the match tonight and got the job done when it mattered, something extremely difficult against Porto esp at home. I'm more than happy with tonights performance but Arsenal can't be counted out for the semi's. Another good win and team performance from them tonight by all accounts.

 

Nice to see we're guaranteed an English team in the ECL final for the fifth year running though, excellent advertisement for English football.

^ Pretty much agreed with everything there.

 

Great performance tonight, just goes to show United can still pack a punch when it matters.

Good display from United tonight. Credit must go to Fergie as his team selection was spot on tonight. Just goes to show how solid our whole defensive backline is when Rio plays. John O'Shea (prone to the silliest of mistakes) had Hulk in his back pocket all night, Vidic was showing the world class form again that proves he's certainly one of, if not THE, best centre back in the world and Evra didn't do too much wrong despite the odd wild challenge. Rooney was sensational on the wing, Anderson did everything expected of him and the Ronaldo strike speaks for itself. We may not have put out the most exciting of performances but every man (minus maybe Berbatov) put everything into the match tonight and got the job done when it mattered, something extremely difficult against Porto esp at home. I'm more than happy with tonights performance but Arsenal can't be counted out for the semi's. Another good win and team performance for them tonight by all accounts.

 

Nice to see we're guaranteed an English team in the ECL final for the fifth year running though, excellent advertisement for Enlgish football.

 

Yep, good summary there. They may not have been as free-flowing in attack as we've seen earlier in the season, but tonight United were rock-solid at the back and never looked like yielding a goal to Porto. Vidic was absolutely superb and I was impressed with Rooney's performance out on the right.

Good win for Arsenal too! The semi finals will be intriguing:

 

Barcelona v Chelsea

 

Chelsea have a slight advantage with the second leg at home. Although Barcelona have to be the overwhelming favourites to progress on paper; the tactical genius of Guus Hiddink should not be underestimated. I foresee a very tight game but I think Chelsea will just edge it.

 

Man Utd v Arsenal

 

This will be the first meeting between these two in the Champions League; surprising considering both teams have been protagonists on this stage for the best part of a decade. The record between Ferguson (14 wins) and Wenger (15wins) in all competitions is pretty even; which way this one will swing? Not much between them; Man U are coming through a sticky patch, while Arsenal are vastly improved following the return of several key players from injury; it will come down to the two performances on the night. Far too close to call.

I think Chelsea need Bosingwa fit again for the first leg to have any chance of stopping Messi. With Cole suspended, Bridge sold and Ferreira injured for the season they've got to have someone out of position at LB. If Cole had been available I'd have said Chelsea might win...

The Chelsea-Barca match will be interesting. Barca have a brilliant attack, but they're quite vunerable in defence with a liability of a keeper, whereas Chelsea are both good at attacking play and solid in defence. Obvious problem for Chelsea is Messi. Especially considering Cole's suspended for the first leg its gonna be difficult to contain him and the Nou Camp. Cech looks vunerable though, and going up against a big, strong centre forward such as Eto'o is gonna be a test for him. Stopping Iniesta and Xavi getting a hold of the game is going to be a big ask no matter how good Essien, Lampard and Ballack are. I have the feeling Barcelona will win though. I can see them winning quite well at the Nou Camp, but it being very tight at the Plastic Factory.

 

The Man U-Arsenal game I am not too sure about. Both teams have something to play for in the league still (Arsenal will want 3rd place imo, as it means automatic qualification this year, as opposed to going through a lot more qualification rouns if you finish 4th). If Vidic and Ferdinand are both kept fit then it'll be tough for Arsenal but I can't tell the outcome of this game. It could go either way it's that open.

I like the

 

GROUP E

 

Manchester United

Villarreal

Celtic

Aalborg

 

 

Not bad last night - should of converted the chances in the first half but ALAS, not an impossible task :o

I hope Adebayor gets swine flu. Cunt.

Not bad last night - should of converted the chances in the first half but ALAS, not an impossible task :o

 

If it was not for the Arsenal goalkeeper the tie would have been over at half time IMHO.

 

Anyway this might be worth discussing:

Manuel Almunia: Arsenal's Spanish 'keeper who would be England’s No 1

 

The answer to England’s goalkeeping problems may be Spaniard Manuel Almunia, soon to qualify for a British passport, whose stellar performance at Old Trafford against Manchester United in their Champions League semi-final first leg kept Arsenal in the tie.

 

Daily Telegraph.co.uk

By Steve Wilson

Last Updated: 11:17AM BST 30 Apr 2009

 

Under Fifa residency rules Almunia, who features below Iker Casillas and Liverpool’s Pepe Reina in the Spanish reckoning, will qualify for the England national team before the 2010 World Cup rolls round.

 

How does he qualify?

Almunia joined Arsenal as an unknown quantity from Celta Vigo in 2004, and under residency laws would soon be eligible to apply to become a naturalised British citizen. After living and working for five years in this country the process could be started with the official paperwork likely to be rubber stamped at the beginning of 2010.

 

Does he want to play for England?

Almunia has always insisted he would be willing to consider playing for England, were the option available, after being over looked back home in Spain, who have the world’s best goalkeeper in Casillas.

 

“People are asking this question now because I have been in England for five years and am able to apply for a passport,” Almunia said recently. “I am taking in the information, what I need to do for a passport. I think, for January next year, maybe I can have the permission. Maybe I will get a passport, then after, if I get the call-up (from England), I will think about this.”

 

Would Fabio Capello pick him?

Goalkeeping is a problematic area for Capello, who has selected David James to start every competitive match since he took charge of the national team, despite some reservations about the Portsmouth goalkeeper’s reliability. He rates both Ben Foster and Joe Hart but is also a stickler for only selecting players who are fit and playing regularly for their clubs – as both David Beckham and Michael Owen have discovered in the past.

 

So a player with extensive Champions League experience who is in the form of his life would undoubtedly tempt the Italian. If he is prepared to pick a 20-year-old Peterborough United goalkeeper, Joe Lewis, for a double header of friendlies against USA and Trinidad & Tobago, we can be pretty sure all options are on the table.

 

Is he better than what’s currently on offer?

James, who had been enjoying something of an Indian summer with Portsmouth, has not had as good a season this year as last and though he remains supremely fit his advancing years mean he won’t be around forever. Joe Hart’s development has been hampered by Manchester City signing Shay Given and Ben Foster is a Carling Cup specialist at Manchester United.

 

Robert Green is the only English goalkeeper with any chance of playing in Europe as first choice next season, with West Ham, but both Paul Robinson and Chris Kirkland’s stars have waned. Until Foster or Hart mature or Green builds on a solid couple of seasons at Upton Park, Almunia would be first choice on talent and experience.

 

What would the fans think?

The watershed moment of Sven Goran Eriksson being appointed England manager, the first foreigner to do so, was met initially with some opposition but after the failure of Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello was welcomed warmly – especially as he has got the team winning. But accepting players under a flag of convenience is still seen as the preserve of smaller nations and though it might improve the team it would be a blow to credibility.

 

Fans groups may see the move as another nail in English football’s coffin – but if the 2010 World Cup could be won, all would be forgiven.

 

Stranger things have (almost) happened

Back in 2004 as Eriksson picked through the ruins of the failed Euro 2004 campaign, he instructed David Davies to inquire about the possibility of four leading players switching their nationality to play for the England national team.

 

Davies wrote in his subsequent autobiography that “very serious consideration” was given to Eriksson’s idea, despite the obvious public outcry it would have provoked.

 

The four players in question were Carlo Cudicini – another goalkeeper, then of Chelsea – Louis Saha, Steed Malbranque and Edu.

 

Davies wrote: “’I like Carlo Cudicini’, Sven told me. However, our goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence was particularly concerned, insisting to Sven it would destroy our keepers. ‘Can you also find out about Malbranque, Edu and Saha?’ Sven asked me. I wasn’t sure what the public reaction would be to an Italian, a Brazilian and two Frenchmen coming into the squad but I did Sven’s bidding.

 

“However, all my discreet enquiries to clubs and agents led to nothing. Miraculously, the moment our interest became known Saha and Edu were called up by their own nations, making them ineligible.”

 

Shouldn't be allowed

 

Only indigenous people should play for England or foreigners who have an English parent (Kevin Pietersen for example at cricket who has an English mum)

 

If players can't get in their national side tough $h!t, they have no ties to England other than as taxpayers

 

To me someone is only English if they are born here or have at least 1 English parent

 

Before anyone says I am being biased as the guy is a gooner I would say the same thing about Cudicini and Steed who both have recent ties to Spurs ^_^

Edited April 30, 200916 yr by B.A Baracus

Shouldn't be allowed

 

Only indigenous people should play for England or foreigners who have an English parent (Kevin Pietersen for example at cricket who has an English mum)

 

If players can't get in their national side tough $h!t, they have no ties to England other than as taxpayers

 

To me someone is only English if they are born here or have at least 1 English parent

 

Before anyone says I am being biased as the guy is a gooner I would say the same thing about Cudicini and Steed who both have recent ties to Spurs ^_^

 

Well if Croatia are able to have 4 Brazilians play for them in the match that cost England a Euro 2008 Finals place; then I have no problem having Almunia playing for England as he will have spent 5 years in the UK paying British taxes and would be eligible to pick up a British passport.

 

Therefore to not allow him to be eligible to play for England would be a breach of European Laws and a restraint of trade.

 

Besides he is better than any English goalkeeper around at the moment (certainly better than Calamity James); and as an England supporter I'm sick to death of England losing out to misfortune; penalties and cheating in major tournaments; so it is about time we push the rules to the limit rather than behave like Pre-Second Waorld War Old Etonian/Corinthian twits. Besides we have got an Italian manager; so why not utilize a Spanish goalkeeper.

Well if Croatia are able to have 4 Brazilians play for them in the match that cost England a Euro 2008 Finals place; then I have no problem having Almunia playing for England as he will have spent 5 years in the UK paying British taxes and would be eligible to pick up a British passport.

 

Therefore to not allow him to be eligible to play for England would be a breach of European Laws and a restraint of trade.

 

Besides he is better than any English goalkeeper around at the moment (certainly better than Calamity James); and as an England supporter I'm sick to death of England losing out to misfortune; penalties and cheating in major tournaments; so it is about time we push the rules to the limit rather than behave like Pre-Second Waorld War Old Etonian/Corinthian twits. Besides we have got an Italian manager; so why not utilize a Spanish goalkeeper.

 

Sets a dangerous precedent though

 

I can see a situation in 10-15 years time where the England team is like Arsenal where the team will be full of young Spaniards, French and so on and there is a token guy that was born in England, mark my words it will happen, the floodgates will open if this is allowed to happen, every European guy that can't get in his national team will chance their arm in England and it will lead to young English talent not getting in the England team because Carlos Kickaball has taken his place

 

I would rather see a moderately successful England team that is made up of English people than the situation I forsee of a successful team made up of 10x Carlos Kickaball and 1 English guy, it will happen :(

Edited April 30, 200916 yr by B.A Baracus

Sets a dangerous precedent though

 

I can see a situation in 10-15 years time where the England team is like Arsenal where the team will be full of young Spaniards, French and so on and there is a token guy that was born in England, mark my words it will happen, the floodgates will open if this is allowed to happen, every European guy that can't get in his national team will chance their arm in England and it will lead to young English talent not getting in the England team because Carlos Kickaball has taken his place

 

I would rather see a moderately successful England team that is made up of English people than the situation I forsee of a successful team made up of 10x Carlos Kickaball and 1 English guy, it will happen :(

 

Yes, but if they are alowwed to qualify for a British passport because of the amount of time you have spent in the country, then surely you have earnt the right to play for England if they good enough.

 

After all this nation is becoming more multicultural by the day.

 

Personally, I think the only way to stop this occurring is for the UK to be less generous regarding who and how many immigrants allowed to come into the UK to eventually settle.

 

In short blame the Labour Government for allowing 3.2 million net migration between 1997-2007. But don't blame professional footballers plying their trade. Besides if we had a world class goalkeeper which England manifestively do not possess then this discussion would be irrelevent.

 

But I guess you'd rather lose another penalty shootout in South Africa 2010 to some South American or African immigrant playing for a European nation scoring the deciding penalty.

Yes, but if they are alowwed to qualify for a British passport because of the amount of time you have spent in the country, then surely you have earnt the right to play for England if they good enough.

 

After all this nation is becoming more multicultural by the day.

 

Personally, I think the only way to stop this occurring is for the UK to be less generous regarding who and how many immigrants allowed to come into the UK to eventually settle.

 

In short blame the Labour Government for allowing 3.2 million net migration between 1997-2007. But don't blame professional footballers plying their trade. Besides if we had a world class goalkeeper which England manifestively do not possess then this discussion would be irrelevent.

 

But I guess you'd rather lose another penalty shootout in South Africa 2010 to some South American or African immigrant playing for a European nation scoring the deciding penalty.

 

Would they feel the pride and passion of wearing the three lions on their shirt that an English guy would though ? would they passionately belt out "God Save The Queen" at the top of their lungs before the game ? would they have the same desire in that very penalty shootout you mention ? or would they just see it as a job, I think the latter whereas an English guy would have all the things I mentioned before that, would you ever see a Spaniard who is playing for England as a career move punch the air like Stuart Pearce did ? would he carry on in a pool of blood like Terry Butcher did ? I really would question the desire and patriotism out on the field of a non English guy in an English shirt

 

 

Let's look at the squads for Euro 2008.

 

Portugal had Deco who was born in Brazil and played for Portugal after having lived (and worked) there for 6 years.

 

Switzerland had Johan Djorou who was born in the Ivory Coast to Ivorian parents. Was able to play for Switzerland after his father's second wife (who was Swiss) adopted him.

 

Turkey had Colin Kazim-Richards. English but had a Turkish Cypriot mother.

 

Austria had Gyorgy Garics, born in Hungary but moved to Austria aged 14 enabling him to play for them.

 

Croatia had Josep Simunic, born in Australia but played for Croatia because of Croation parents. He's still never lived in Croatia.

 

Germany's front two Podolski and Klose were both born in Poland.

 

Poland had Roger Guerrerio, a Briazilian who had fast-tracked Polish nationality after living there for a year and a half so he could take part in the tournament.

 

France... where do you start? :rolleyes: Vieira & Evra (both Senegal), Makalele (DR Congo)

 

Greece had Loukas Vyntra, born in Czech Republic but eligible to play for Greece due to his mother's nationlaity.

 

Russia had Sergei Semak, a Ukranian.

 

Spain had Marcos Senna, Brazilian but given Spanish citizenship after four years at Villareal.

 

Sweden had Tobias Linderoth, French born but with a Swedish parent.

 

The remaining four teams (Czech, Italy, Holland, Romania) didn't use any rules such as the above. If so many teams (including many of the Worlds best) can do this then I certainly don't see why England can;t.

would they passionately belt out "God Save The Queen" at the top of their lungs before the game ?

 

If they so much as moved their lips they'd have done more than half of the current players...