Ajax 1 - 2 Arsenal
I didn't manage to watch the game and as such could only draw conclusion that:
1. Freddie's 80 seconds' goal was a typical Freddie's classic which started from Flamini's good work in disposessing an Ajax player. Flamini then fed Reyes who made bursting run into the box and spotting Freddie's movement, our no.9 passed to Freddie who controlled the ball well, advanced and as the keeper went down, chipped the ball pass the keeper.
2. Reyes was again instrumental in our second goal. He was tripped by Ajax's makeshift keeper and Reyes being Reyes, he went down and the referee awarded the penalty which Pires, who otherwise didn't seem to do much, converted. Reyes probably wouldn't get the penalty if the ref is a EPL ref who knows him well but even without this goal I believe we had the quality to win this game.
3. Ajax's only reply wasn't Almunia's fault because Lehmann would probably have conceded all the same. Ajax wouldn't concede two goals if their no.1 is playing though. Well, probably. I rate him highly.
4. We earned the three points thanks to our solid defending rather than clinical finishing. Sol Campbell was again majestic at the back.
5. Flamini and Cesc didn't have excellent game but they seemed to improve as they play. Hleb was impressive but he really needs to play in the centre midfield where he will get more ball and bring more damage.
So overall, a good professional performance by our young squad inspired by our veteran fighter Freddie Ljungberg. Ajax may well be depleted but so were we. We've fought even worst team in CL and came back with one point. Let's hope that Wenger has really learned how to win CL games. The league appears to be somewhat beyond us at the moment. The cups are the only realistic hope.
By the way, the Mancunian captain seemed to be prepared to leave. He is no longer the fiery general who dominates the midfield so I don't think that makes a whole lot of diffferences. Now if only Man Utd's no.7 says he wants to leave.
1. Freddie's 80 seconds' goal was a typical Freddie's classic which started from Flamini's good work in disposessing an Ajax player. Flamini then fed Reyes who made bursting run into the box and spotting Freddie's movement, our no.9 passed to Freddie who controlled the ball well, advanced and as the keeper went down, chipped the ball pass the keeper.
2. Reyes was again instrumental in our second goal. He was tripped by Ajax's makeshift keeper and Reyes being Reyes, he went down and the referee awarded the penalty which Pires, who otherwise didn't seem to do much, converted. Reyes probably wouldn't get the penalty if the ref is a EPL ref who knows him well but even without this goal I believe we had the quality to win this game.
3. Ajax's only reply wasn't Almunia's fault because Lehmann would probably have conceded all the same. Ajax wouldn't concede two goals if their no.1 is playing though. Well, probably. I rate him highly.
4. We earned the three points thanks to our solid defending rather than clinical finishing. Sol Campbell was again majestic at the back.
5. Flamini and Cesc didn't have excellent game but they seemed to improve as they play. Hleb was impressive but he really needs to play in the centre midfield where he will get more ball and bring more damage.
So overall, a good professional performance by our young squad inspired by our veteran fighter Freddie Ljungberg. Ajax may well be depleted but so were we. We've fought even worst team in CL and came back with one point. Let's hope that Wenger has really learned how to win CL games. The league appears to be somewhat beyond us at the moment. The cups are the only realistic hope.
By the way, the Mancunian captain seemed to be prepared to leave. He is no longer the fiery general who dominates the midfield so I don't think that makes a whole lot of diffferences. Now if only Man Utd's no.7 says he wants to leave.
posted by phoenix chix at 9:35 AM
1 Comments:
cool.
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