Champions' League 2013/4

[DeLorean]

I'm not sure what the sanction would have been had Ozil completely stopped. I think it would have been a yellow and (if he had struck the ball after stopping) a re-take of the penalty.

That's exactly what would have happened going by this...

[pineapple stu]

I don't know why some commentators go to such contorted lengths trying to pronounce Ozil's name. Just say Ozil.

Eh? His name isn't Ozil. It's Özil. It's really not that difficult to pronounce.

No difference between Ozil and McGraff or Moe-ran or Kin-SEL-la other annoying mis-pronunciations.

[Charlie Darwin]

Eh? His name isn't Ozil. It's Özil. It's really not that difficult to pronounce.

No difference between Ozil and McGraff or Moe-ran or Kin-SEL-la other annoying mis-pronunciations.

Or John Carew.

[Stuttgart88]

Regardless of whether it was a goal scoring opportunity, I don't like the red card rule because it doesn't discriminate between cynical and non cynical. That was just a natural coming together, each player making an honest effort to play the ball, a penalty would have been suffice, imo.

Brilliant first goal by Bayern, the cut back was just met perfectly by Kroos.
All 4 seeds were well superior (varying levels of) to their opponents, so far in this CL last 16.

Pep must be earning a bit more with Bayern seeing as he's no longer wearing that jacket with the elbow patches.

I agree. Examiner had a good piece on it today:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...sh-259423.html

Kroos' goal was a joy to watch from the north stand angle, as was his guided shot that hit the post. Kroos completed more passes than Arsenal.

I do think that 0-1 would hvae been an OK result to take to Munich but 0-2 is too much.

I think Wenger's weaknesses are becoming evident again. Sanoko was not ready for this type of game. Though is finishing isn't too reliable Giroud's hold up play is superb. Ozil has looked physically spent for weeks now and his confidence is low but Wenger plays him for every minute of every game almost. He needs a rest. His penalty was a shocker but the drop in the rest of his game is understandable. Not having a mobile forward to feed also restricts his impact. Ozil should have been subbed after the red card last night and he could have gone off without losing face. The game suddenly required harder working players and Cazorla was looking the sharper of the two anyway. Wilshere is playing a very ordinary game at the moment but he can be better.

They sorely miss Walcott and Ramsey who can get between defensive lines.


Bayern's ownership of the ball and use of the full width was very impressive but the first 20 mins showed they might still be vulnerable to being raped by a team like Chelsea.

[geysir]

Eh? His name isn't Ozil. It's Özil. It's really not that difficult to pronounce.
No difference between Ozil and McGraff or Moe-ran or Kin-SEL-la other annoying mis-pronunciations.

Yeah I do realise the O is not an Ö , don't you think I might be aware of the Ö seeing as I live in Iceland?
If it's so easy to pronounce, why is it that it's so rare (if ever) to hear it pronounced correctly by English or Irish commentators/pundits/journalists? and considering all the botched attempts, why not just go with Ozil? Many English commentators/pundits/journalist already have a problem with pronouncing the r and for some bizarre reason they want to insert a couple of r's into the pronunciation of Özil.
The botch is just plain corny and awful.

[Stuttgart88]

How is it pronounced then? Spell it phonetically please.

[pineapple stu]

meːzut øːzil

The phonetic guide at the link has the initial letter sounding like the u in hurt. The rest is straightforward.

Giving up and falling back on "Ozil" is just ignorant.

[geysir]

How is it pronounced then? Spell it phonetically please.

Spell it phonetically for yourself

[geysir]

meːzut øːzil

The phonetic guide at the link has the initial letter sounding like the u in hurt. The rest is straightforward.

Giving up and falling back on "Ozil" is just ignorant.

Ignorant My my, you do love the high horse,
just how does the u in hurt, sound like the Turkish Ö in Özil?

[Charlie Darwin]

I regret to say I find this discussion shallow and pedantic.

[geysir]

I just don't know how Liam Brady tolerated all those ignorant Italians pronouncing his name the Italian way.

[pineapple stu]

My my, you do love the high horse,

From you! That's some compliment.

I gave a link; did you not click on it? Or is the International Phonetic Alphabet not quite up to your standards?

[Charlie Darwin]

Manchester United 2-0 down after an hour at Olympiacos, looking clueless. This could be the first - and who'd have forecast it? - home win of the knockout stages so far.

[DannyInvincible]

I don't know if it's comical any more. It's tragic. I almost feel sorry for them.

[Charlie Darwin]

How is that going down in Manchester, Danny?

[Stuttgart88]

3 games, no goals for EPL teams so far in the last 16.

[Closed Account 2]

Olympiacos have done well to avoid a potential banana skin tonight.

[DannyInvincible]

According to Joey Barton on Twitter, Vidic doesn't even change with his United team-mates any longer: http://balls.ie/football/joey-barton...mours-twitter/

rumour he changes in a separate changing room and refuses to be part of group anymore, all down to how contract was handled.

[Charlie Darwin]

Surely his team mates aren't to blame for that? Although the way he was passing last night, I wouldn't be surprised if it was the first time he's met them this month.

[OwlsFan]

None of the teams in the "best league in the world" managed a win. Not often I say this but Roy Keane was right when he said it was the best promoted brand but not the best league.