Champions League Semi Finals Barca v Inter/B Munich V Lyon

[Minder]

You would think it was a team of Sunday League players Mourinho moulded into a Champions League finalist the way some of you are getting on.

[Doogie Browser]

Just means we all support Munich in the final now! 
Barcelona are still the best club team in the World by a country mile, credit to Mourinho for organising his defence so well though.  Zanetti is a class act yet.

[Billys Boots]

Mourinho obviously calculated that Inter had done enough to win in the first leg, i.e. Barca wouldn't score two if his defence did their job.  He was proved (only just) correct; even though his defence was impressive they relied on a referee mistake (the handball) to go through.

It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal.  When the Inter keeper had the ball, he was content to kick it out of play inside the Barcelona half. 

The final is unlikely to be much of a spectacle - I think Inter will do enough to win.

P.S. the referee was very, very poor indeed.

[paco]

What age is Javier Zanetti now? Really doesn't get enough credit for the standard of performances he's been putting in over the years. Showed massive commitment staying there so long, especially in today's game. Dissapointed in the result, but happy to see him getting a chance in the final.

[mountainboii]

Mourinho obviously calculated that Inter had done enough to win in the first leg, i.e. Barca wouldn't score two if his defence did their job.  He was proved (only just) correct; even though his defence was impressive they relied on a referee mistake (the handball) to go through.

It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal.  When the Inter keeper had the ball, he was content to kick it out of play inside the Barcelona half. 

The final is unlikely to be much of a spectacle - I think Inter will do enough to win.

P.S. the referee was very, very poor indeed.

In fairness to Inter, the first leg showed that they can play a bit when they want. I'd fancy them to have a good go at Bayern's dodgy centre backs and then maybe sit back if they get a goal or two up.

Had to laugh at Ronnie Whelan going on about Inter being a typical Italian team, they may play like one but there's not an Italian in sight. Has a club ever played a Champions League final without a single home grown player?

[A Quinn Martin Production]

What age is Javier Zanetti now? Really doesn't get enough credit for the standard of performances he's been putting in over the years. Showed massive commitment staying there so long, especially in today's game. Dissapointed in the result, but happy to see him getting a chance in the final.

Born 10 August 1973...so 36.

Since leaving Argentina in 1995 he has only played for Inter and has played under 15 different managers!!  Has played 136 times for Argentina but currently out of favour with Maradona and appears unlikely to be in the squad for the WC.  Although as we know Maradona is a madman so anything could happen.

[Billys Boots]

a typical Italian team

I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics).  They certainly knew how to play the ref.  I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.

[paco]

He really is a class act. Read an article in fourfourtwo a few months back about how they keep their players going so long in Serie A, Maldini, Costacurta, Cafu, etc., so we could be seeing Zanetti around for a few more years yet!

RE: Maradona, it's a shame he's in charge, so many talented players, but he doesn't have a clue. The likes of Zanetti and Riquelme won't be playing in SA, which is ridiculous. He just isn't cut out for such a career, hope he proves me wrong though.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Mourinho obviously calculated that Inter had done enough to win in the first leg, i.e. Barca wouldn't score two if his defence did their job.  He was proved (only just) correct; even though his defence was impressive they relied on a referee mistake (the handball) to go through.

It was extremely poor to watch; the possession statistics tell it all - Inter weren't interested in playing. For the last 30 mins, everytime I counted they had all their players behind a line 30m from their own goal.  When the Inter keeper had the ball, he was content to kick it out of play inside the Barcelona half. 

The final is unlikely to be much of a spectacle - I think Inter will do enough to win.

P.S. the referee was very, very poor indeed.

Would have to agree with all of this Billy, though I think over the two games Inter probably just shaded it.  I've always been against video replays in soccer as I don't think the games lends itself to this being a help, but the standard of refereeing is getting shocking.  Now I realise Thiago Motta had been booked already but if that hand off was a straight red card then there is no hope for soccer.  In 10 years it will be a non-contact sport and games will be finishing 9-8.

Oh for back in the day when you could go through the back of your man "just to let him know you were there"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t_5sZ4-LRA

[Boycey]

Just means we all support Munich in the final now! 
Barcelona are still the best club team in the World by a country mile, credit to Mourinho for organising his defence so well though.  Zanetti is a class act yet.

Big statement, tis not even confirmed they are the best team in Spain yet

[bingobus]

Not pretty to watch but at a semi-final with a 2 goal lead it wasn't going to be any other way! Typical Mourinho display, whens he's yours you must love him but from the outside he's an awful p***k. Even after the game it was all about him in his interview - "i'll never manage barca now, I'm the most hated man in Barca even above Figo....". Still he gets results.

Final won't be a thrill a minute thats for sure.

Cambiasso was different class and the keeper pulled off one of the great saves of all time in first half from Messi.
Ref was shite, thought Barca had a great shout in second for peno after about 15 mins. Defender just jumped in back of attacker from wrong side, no attempt at ball.

[BennyHarp]

After all the stick that Arsenal get for having no english players on their team, i was interested to see that Inter had no Italians no their starting 11 last night!

[Norf Tyrone]

I wonder will Valdes get a ban for his behaviour at the final whistle? Will Barce get a fine for the missles that was threw at the Inter team for several minutes after the final whistle.

Jesus norf Tyrone will you lose the chip on shoulder over Chelsea
Jose was inciting the crowd. If a Barca fan ran from the crowd
and clocked him the club would be looking at serious trouble from UEFA.
Valdes in my book was doing the right thing by getting his away from them.
Its always all about Mourinho. That act last night
was more for the Madrid directors. Look what I do here
"Come and get me"

Sorry? José had just qualified for a final and was celebrating in front of his own fans. Is he not allowed to do so?
A wee bit like this chap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp0VWxcsjZ8&feature=related was allowed to do so last season.

[Main Street]

a typical Italian team

I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics).  They certainly knew how to play the ref.  I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.

It was a classic Italian Catenaccio, brilliantly executed by excellent defenders, but brought to cynical ugly extremes (the Mourinho factor) with things like time wasting from the first minute.

Not much in it at the end, Barca's disallowed second goal was a close enough call.

[BennyHarp]

a typical Italian team

I'd have said they're a typical Mourinho team, rather than Italian (though there are some common characteristics).  They certainly knew how to play the ref.  I thought they were lucky not to concede a few penalties last night - Lucio seemed to be continually putting his hand on the back of attackers while jumping.

It was a classic Italian Catenaccio, brilliantly executed by excellent defenders, but brought to cynical ugly extremes (the Mourinho factor) with things like time wasting from the first minute.

Not much in it at the end, Barca's disallowed second goal was a close enough call.

Except it was a Portugese manager and no Italian players?