***city v barca official match thread***

[zuricity]

I knew you couldn't possibly think that.
Many people think it's too harsh and that the law needs reforming but as it stands, that was a red card every day of the week.

Why are you labouring the point
?

I can accept the red card. I just don't like the ease with which the ref pulled the card out.
He was behind the play, didn't check with the linesman where the foul was made afterwards and automatically pointed to the spot. Very very poor.

However, i am very optimistic about the game at Barca. It will be different. We have no shackles , sorry demich !

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I knew you couldn't possibly think that.
Many people think it's too harsh and that the law needs reforming but as it stands, that was a red card every day of the week.

Why are you labouring the point
?

I can accept the red card. I just don't like the ease with which the ref pulled the card out.
He was behind the play, didn't check with the linesman where the foul was made afterwards and automatically pointed to the spot. Very very poor.

However, i am very optimistic about the game at Barca. It will be different. We have no shackles , sorry demich !

You've changed your tune from 'never ever a red card' to 'I can accept the red card'. Interesting.

[zuricity]

You've changed your tune from 'never ever a red card' to 'I can accept the red card'. Interesting.

Yes in my book never ever, but in today's world ... i can accept it , but for me , never ever a red. Now can you live with that ?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

You've changed your tune from 'never ever a red card' to 'I can accept the red card'. Interesting.

Yes in my book never ever, but in today's world ... i can accept it , but for me , never ever a red. Now can you live with that ?

Shame football doesn't run off your rule book.
That's the rule.
If it was the other way round you'd be screaming for a red, don't deny it.

[gillie]

You've changed your tune from 'never ever a red card' to 'I can accept the red card'. Interesting.

Yes in my book never ever, but in today's world ... i can accept it , but for me , never ever a red. Now can you live with that ?

I know what you mean mate we get punished twice/or any team in the same circs.If it's a pen then that should be sufficient and a yellow at most.

[zuricity]

Shame football doesn't run off your rule book.
That's the rule.
If it was the other way round you'd be screaming for a red, don't deny it.

No i wouldn't . I think a tackle from the side is quite legit . Demich was damn unlucky and just a shade too slow. Does that deserve a red ?
Edit :

Howard Webb. Rule bender extraordinaire.

[budfox]

Thought we were ok tonight but without question we gave them too much respect. I'm not convinced that were out yet though, plenty of football left in this. Sergio to return, and I think we will play with less fear at their place.

[judythehippy]

They were great with the ball, average without it.
2-0 flattered Barca.

Judy
xx

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

At least I got a free plastic bag sellotaped to my seat, so the evening wasn't a complete disaster.

[Breks]

At least I got a free plastic bag sellotaped to my seat, so the evening wasn't a complete disaster.

Damn I left mine under my seat.

[bayblue]

I'm happy with that, as long as Demi doesn't dive in we'll be fine.

Whoops!

[Grandad Rosler]

At least I got a free plastic bag sellotaped to my seat, so the evening wasn't a complete disaster.

And instructions on how to point it were provided which was a relief as I wouldn't of had a clue what to do otherwise

[Grandad Rosler]

Think that all in all that was a harsh result tonight, went to the game watched all the analysis (Keane and Co wankers as per) just watched the highlights all of which confirmed that was the case. We had far and away the best chances and had we stuck one away it's a different game. Yes they had shed loads of the ball but they did nothing with it. I thought when we pressured the ball they looked rattled and with 11 men in the second half we could have sustained it for longer periods and really put them under the cosh

[DoomMerchant]

Think that all in all that was a harsh result tonight, went to the game watched all the analysis (Keane and Co wankers as per) just watched the highlights all of which confirmed that was the case. We had far and away the best chances and had we stuck one away it's a different game. Yes they had shed loads of the ball but they did nothing with it. I thought when we pressured the ball they looked rattled and with 11 men in the second half we could have sustained it for longer periods and really put them under the cosh

why we didn't do that with 11 men to fucking start is the goddam mystery to me.

And no that doesn't mean playing 2 strikers.

Cheers

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Shame football doesn't run off your rule book.
That's the rule.
If it was the other way round you'd be screaming for a red, don't deny it.

No i wouldn't . I think a tackle from the side is quite legit . Demich was damn unlucky and just a shade too slow. Does that deserve a red ?
Edit :

Howard Webb. Rule bender extraordinaire.

IF A FOUL STOPS A CLEAR GOALSCORING OPPORTUNITY IT IS A RED CARD.
That's the rule. End of story. Like it or lump it.
Yes it does deserve a red. Doesn't matter how unlucky DM is. Or how slow he is. It doesn't matter if there was no malice in it or if DM's dog just died. It's a red card. The rule is clear.
Once again, check the rules.
I even posted them for you.
Clear red card.

[Grandad Rosler]

why we didn't do that with 11 men to fucking start is the goddam mystery to me.

And no that doesn't mean playing 2 strikers.

Cheers

No idea.. even vinnie said after the game that we gave them too much respect in the first half

Get tight, few hard tackles, press them and see the result. They fuck up every time as we could see at various points in the second half when we really got at them

[Blue Since 76]

No idea.. even vinnie said after the game that we gave them too much respect in the first half

Get tight, few hard tackles, press them and see the result. They fuck up every time as we could see at various points in the second half when we really got at them

I think the tactics were to keep it tight. I suspect Pellegrini would have taken a 0-0 before kick off and in the first half we showed too much respect but that didn't really create anything. Negredo should have at least put that header on target and who knows what would have happened if it'd gone in.

[Blue_Manc]

Good performance. We should have at least gotten a goal. I felt it was a bit too negative at the beginning, but then again you have to be defensive against them, otherwise Messi will slice your defence. I remember him having a decent chance which he fluffed so we should be thankful it's only 2-0 at half time. We loosened up after the red card. I know Demi and Clichy messed up for the 2 goals but whats done is done. There is now less pressure in the 2nd leg which will allow us to play freely. We all saw what happened in Munich when the pressure was off.

Positives for 2nd leg:
1. No Demi
2. Kun back in
3. Milner back in

Assuming we don't have any injury concerns, we can definitely give them a good fight in their own back yard. If not, I hope they get Bayern, who will definitely smash em in the next round.

[dikdok]

Just back from the graveyard that is the Colin Bell Stand. I'm hoarse from trying to get all the other old farts singing!

We were pretty tense for the first twenty minutes and then started to show well. Barca flattered to deceive IMHO. All fur coat and no knickers. Swop Messi for Kolarov and problem sorted.

Did not want Demi to start. Lescott is a better defender if given a chance and not half an hour with ten men against the best team in the world... (or so they say....)

Was happier with our ten men performance than with full team. We always do things the hard/entertaining way. I still believe we can do a 'moment' in Nou Camp with Aguero et al. It's not over til the fat lady sings. (I never did know what that meant.... )

[Bridge'srightfoot]

No idea.. even vinnie said after the game that we gave them too much respect in the first half

Get tight, few hard tackles, press them and see the result. They fuck up every time as we could see at various points in the second half when we really got at them

I think the tactics were to keep it tight. I suspect Pellegrini would have taken a 0-0 before kick off and in the first half we showed too much respect but that didn't really create anything. Negredo should have at least put that header on target and who knows what would have happened if it'd gone in.

Negredo was poor tonight imo. He wasn't helped by the lack of service or support but his first touch seemed to evade him and he never seemed to quite have control of the ball. He's looking very leggy and needs a rest imo. Dzeko was much better when he came on.