CL knock out stage

**Closed Account 2** · 12/03/2009, 10:13 PM

The only Arsenal penalty that really impressed me was Kolo Toure where he raced in from virtually the center circle and pinged it low into the corner. I think that approach is the best way for a non specialist to take a penalty, just lash it low hard and fast, that way - assuming it's on target - the keeper has to get a fair bit of his body behind it to stop it. I feel a bit sorry for Eduardo, he jittered to try and see which way Doni would go but the Roma keeper didnt commit himself - and he lost all momentum when it came to striking the ball as he'd paused his run up.

Of Roma's takers I thought Montella (right in the corner) Aquilani and Baptista (given his treatment by the crowd) hit good kicks.

**OwlsFan** · 13/03/2009, 9:07 AM

Don't remind me about keepers going the wrong way for penos. I will never forget Given going the wrong way for all 5 in Korea

**Pike B** · 13/03/2009, 9:22 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Don't remind me about keepers going the wrong way for penos. I will never forget Given going the wrong way for all 5 in Korea

Ya, what was that about?? I really fancied he'd stop a few. Oh well, he's still class.

**Closed Account 2** · 13/03/2009, 1:45 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Don't remind me about keepers going the wrong way for penos. I will never forget Given going the wrong way for all 5 in Korea

To be fair with Mendieta's he came so close to flicking it over with his shin...
I always think it's best if a keeper stays pretty central for penalties especially in shoot outs where, as you start getting down the order, the kickers are less and less set piece specialists.

If a keeper stays upright as long as possible he can try and see which way the ball is going, if it's either slow, or not right in the upper corners, he should be able to get something on it. Also shoot outs are where big keepers (physically tall etc) come into their own, Buffon, Der Saar, Kahn, Dida* all have big frames and all are good at saving PKs.

*Granted Dida is pretty crummy at conventional keeping...

**Steve Bruce** · 13/03/2009, 1:50 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

To be fair with Mendieta's he came so close to flicking it over with his shin...
I always think it's best if a keeper stays pretty central for penalties especially in shoot outs where, as you start getting down the order, the kickers are less and less set piece specialists.

If a keeper stays upright as long as possible he can try and see which way the ball is going, if it's either slow, or not right in the upper corners, he should be able to get something on it. Also shoot outs are where big keepers (physically tall etc) come into their own, Buffon, Der Saar, Kahn, Dida* all have big frames and all are good at saving PKs.

*Granted Dida is pretty crummy at conventional keeping...

Van Der Sar has never won a penalty shoot out competition when it's mattered until last seasons CL final.

He is woeful at penalties. But in general your point stands up. Pepe Reina is good at pens as well.

**Stuttgart88** · 13/03/2009, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

To be fair with Mendieta's he came so close to flicking it over with his shin...
I always think it's best if a keeper stays pretty central for penalties especially in shoot outs where, as you start getting down the order, the kickers are less and less set piece specialists.

If a keeper stays upright as long as possible he can try and see which way the ball is going, if it's either slow, or not right in the upper corners, he should be able to get something on it. Also shoot outs are where big keepers (physically tall etc) come into their own, Buffon, Der Saar, Kahn, Dida* all have big frames and all are good at saving PKs.

*Granted Dida is pretty crummy at conventional keeping...

Cech has a poor record in shoot outs.

Apparently Niall Quinn was superb at it.

**DeLorean** · 13/03/2009, 8:11 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Van Der Sar has never won a penalty shoot out competition when it's mattered until last seasons CL final.

Not true. Holland v Sweden Euro 2004.

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

He is woeful at penalties.

Ok this didn't really matter but still impressive enough. Hardly woeful anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXtiWM20O0M

**NeilMcD** · 14/03/2009, 1:45 AM

Originally Posted by BarelyLegal

Not true. Holland v Sweden Euro 2004.

Ok this didn't really matter but still impressive enough. Hardly woeful anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXtiWM20O0M

Ha ha classic fair play barely legal.

**Neish** · 14/03/2009, 10:46 AM

When is the draw for quater finals?

**Closed Account 2** · 14/03/2009, 2:38 PM

friday 20th lunchtime, same time as uefa cup draw.

**Mr Maroon** · 14/03/2009, 3:01 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Also shoot outs are where big keepers (physically tall etc) come into their own, Buffon, Der Saar, Kahn, Dida* all have big frames and all are good at saving PKs.

I'd say penalties are Buffon's only weak area. He saves relatively few considering how good he is overall.

**Closed Account 2** · 14/03/2009, 3:46 PM

He did alright in Euro 2008, saved from Mutu in normal time (the only regular penalty saved in the competition) and from Gueiza in the shoot out vs Spain. He saved Kaladze and Seedorf in the 2003 Champions League final...