Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wednesday Backpasses: Why weren't Roma in a line?


If, like me, you missed the Roma-Arsenal penalty shootout (and judging by the thread, most of you did), here is the video.

The We're-not-in-FIFA World Cup is set to become an annual event. Here's a breakdown of this year's field [SoccerLens]
Kris Boyd always seems to hurt his vagina while on the bench [BBC]
Why Becks leaving is good for MLS. Keep telling yourself that, WWL [ESPN]

Finally (because I'm too busy trying to remember Statistics class):

The five most overpaid players in MLS. Some of us have a problem with the last entry [Soccer Tickets Online]

18 comments:

Soccer Gundu said...

Unlbelievable scenes in Rome.. Hope this is just the apetizer for what is to come in for the final

www.socccercrazee.blogspot.com

Eladio said...

Was it just me, or was last night the first time I've ever seen Almunia save a penno? I mean, it WAS the first time I'VE seen him save one...but has he ever saved another?

Looking at the remaining 7, here are my preferred quarterfinal draw picks, in order from most favored to oh-fuck:

Villareal
Porto
Liverpool (yes, I'm crazy, but I want fucking payback for last year's quarterfinal. Still wasn't a fucking penalty, it was a foul outside the box.)
Chelsea
Bayern Munch
Barcelona
ManUre

Draw is next Friday, I believe.

Eladio said...

Oh, I might add: the Gunners are probably fucked no matter who they face, unless Cesc and Ade can make it back by April 7.

Unknown said...

Eladio: I think if you're honest, you'll admit that you really don't want to face Liverpool. After all, Rafa is the king of Big Cup. Look what he just did to Real!

Precious Roy said...

Eladio: He saved one at home against Villa this season. The Gunners lost anyway, but he actually had a decent match or that line score would have been worse.

Now, what would be awesome is if 4th place came down to GD and Arsenal nipped Villa by a single goal. He could point to that PK save as the difference.

Precious Roy said...

Oh, and LB, yes, look what he did to 'Boro.

Unknown said...

Mr. Precious: but this is Europe! It's different. After all, look what we did to you last year.

Precious Roy said...

Yes,I remember (as does Eladio). You got a bogus penalty shout after Arsenal not getting a legitimate PK at home. And no, I'm not likely to let that go for at least a couple of more years.

I'll gladly take 'Pool before United or Spartak. But I'd also rather have Bayern Munich before any Prem team.

I actually wouldn't mind Barca if only because the scorelines might be like 6-4 and 4-3.

Unknown said...

I know you won't!

Re: Barca
Call me crazy, but you could beat them. They leak goals like no-one else. 4 to Atletico, and even when cruising against Lyon, they were letting 'em in with a sniff.

They're like Brazil '82. Phenomenally talented going forward, abyssmal at the back. If you score one, they'll score three.

Problem is, that approach won't work all the way through the tournament. Any team with a competent defense could dump 'em out of the CL, and I reckon Arsenal could.

Precious Roy said...

Exactly my thinking.

And, even if we lose, there wold be open attacking—dare I say 'liquid'?—football and goals, goals, goals.

I'd rather go out on a 10-9 aggregate than sit through something like the return semi-final with Villarreal a couple of years back.

Unknown said...

True, plus if you did lose, you'd have the "well, at least we lost to the best, went out honourably", etc.

That said, the more I think about it, the more I reckon you could take 'em if that's how the draw shakes out.

With the exception of maybe Bayern, I could easily see all 4 EPL teams making the semis. AGAIN.

Unknown said...

And yes, the phrase "liquid football" is always allowed

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

What's up with the "You 404'd It" on the MLS Salary link?

The Fan's Attic said...

uh...i don't think Arsenal will want to face Villareal. Marcos Senna will destroy the Gunners midfield.

Unknown said...

Good eye, Magnakai. It's fixed now.

Jacob said...

@Mag-
Looks like I blew the URL. Fixed now.

BackBergtt said...

I WANT HOLYFIELD!

Email us at said...

Please tell me the Biafran Football Association badge is the Dead Kennedys logo.