Champions League Final

[ColinR]

i've certainly no love for arsenal, and at the start last night wanted barca to win, but in the end i was really hoping for an arsenal equaliser.

if barca are the best club team in the world, then its a bad state of affairs for football - i thought they were awful. they lost all their shape in the second half and resorted to 'middlesboro' style football and larsson came to their rescue.

arsenal, i thought were amazing, brilliant defending with 10 men, henry despite his miss was absolute class ( i used to be one who said he never showed up in a big match ) , and toure was my man of the match. They ripped barca to shreds on the counter, and looked more likely to score until the equaliser. hard luck gunners.

one point no-one seems to have mentioned - should eboue have got a second yellow if the ref had have realised he dived for the free?

oh and deco - still a diving git!

[joeSoap]

I have some sympathy for Arsenal....it would have been personally unbelieveable for Sol Campbell to scvore the winner in a CL final after his year of hell, and theres no doubting Henry deserved a medal for just being Henry.

However, I don't think I could have taken the smug, smarmy grin that would have been on Ashley Coles face. To say I hate him is an insult to those I truly hate. He is a smarmy obnoxious excuse for a human being.Why did Wenger pick him ahead of Flamini?? I remember an interview with the great Arswipe, sorry Arsene earlier in the season where he stated that only players fit to play a full match should be on the bench...If that was the case, Cole and Flamini should have been left out, or Flamini should have started. He's done a great job for them throughout the CL, and to be dropped for the final for a toerag like Cole beggared belief.Glad Cole got a roasting from whoever attacked him.

[Stuttgart88]

Regarding Henry's comments I'm delighted that on one channel he highlighted the impact of Larsson over the established stars. I wonder now will patronising ****s like Gary Lineker still think that he mightn't have cut it in the Premiership? Well done Henrik, a true great. 2 European finals, 2 major performances.

Very disappointed for Arsenal but compared to the pain I felt after dropping points in Tel Aviv, and other Ireland matches it's not too bad. In a way, as an Arsenal fan, I got far more than I ever expected from Europe this season and last night was exciting for me regardless. Under the circumstances they put in a great shift and passed the ball brilliantly at times.

I said above that Arsenal WOULD get chances & it was down to whether they took them. They did get them but didn't take them. I also thought that Barce were vulnerable from set pieces. But I was totally wrong about Valdes -he was excellent for Barca.

Arsenal nearly got away with it but it wasn't to be. Regarding Eboue's dive, at one point I asked myself was this the night that I finally got rewarded for suffering Eric Gerets' dive in Brussels in '81. Karma and all that.

Sadly I think Arsenal may have to wait an awful long time to get a shot at the CL final again, unless Henry stays. Last night suggested to me that he might though.

Regrading the ref: I think he should have let the goal stand but it's very hard to fault him for it. I do agree with Henry though that Barcelona could have had more yellows & marking Henry when you're already booked is a different proposition. In this way he had an effect on the game. But if Henry is to be genuinely critical, he should admit that if he had been more clinical the cup was Arsenal's. In that context however you can see why he was so frustrated after the game.

[drinkfeckarse]

I really thought Arsenal were a credit to their supporters last night, they were outstanding in the face of adversity. I thought Toure was brilliant but the whole team worked their socks off and were truely exhausted at the end. I wanted Barca to win but in the end I felt sorry for Arsenal for the effort they put in.

I must say I didn't really agree with Henry's comments (or outburst) after the final whistle but he's entitled to speak his mind and he was closer to the action than me I suppose.

The sending off was 100% accurate IMO, it was a professional foul and a clear goalscoring oportunity so there was only ever going to be one outcome.

Have to also say, I watched it on ITV and the commentator (can't remember who he was-probably Tyldsley) was an absolute joke and was doing my head in. I remember one incident in the 2nd half while Arsenal were still leading when Ronaldhino sidefooted that chance back the way it came from and his comments were "Best player in the world??....you're having a laugh!"

[eirebhoy]

I don't think he did commit one, though. I think the fact that Barca scored anyway meant that no clear cut scoring chance was prevented, which I think is effectively the definition of a professional foul.

It was a professional foul.

[Stuttgart88]

Seconds before Barcelona equalised David Pleat said "the sight is in end". I think I knew what he meant though. I have to admit that much as I dislike Tyldesly's perpetual jingoism I enjoyed listening to Pleat.

[Dodge]

On his own upfront with 10 men he caused Barca's defence more problems than they've had in the whole competition. He made Puyol & Marquez look like schoolboys at almost every opportunity. The run with pace and power, down the sideline where he skipped past Marquez and Puyol was majestic

Yes it was but he didn't get 3 other touches of the ball in the second half. Not his fault obviously as Arsenal defended far too deeply IMO

I may be mistaken but it also loked like he picked up the man of the match award when he collected his medal.

Eto'o got it. I'd have given it to Deco.

[Roo69]

The sending off was one of the only decisions the ref got right all night, he was fcuking terrible other than that, plenty of bad decisions for both sides.

The better team won on the night, Arsenal just kept getting deeper and deeper as the match went on, the 3 subs Barca made turned the game on it's head.

Not as entertaining as i expected but still not the worst game of football ever. The big players never really turned up, Henry and Ronnie were both very poor, i was seriously impressed with Inesta (spelling) when he came on.

[Réiteoir]

I think this was Hauges weakest CL match this season. BUT: That is only because the mistakes made had the worst possible consequences. I honestly don't think there were more mistakes made in this game than in any other game.

1) Send-off/advantage: When the incident occurs, the Barca player is outside and to the side of the penalty area, and an Arsenal defender is on his way into the penalty area. I don't think Hauge even registered that an advantage could follow, and chose to blow quickly to avoid any incidents around the free kick and send-off. In hindsight, an obvious bad decision, but understandable. After he had made the error, I think explaining, apologizing and calming the players down before administering the send-off and free kick was wise. No need to give cautions for dissent when you know you've made a match changing mistake. It took quite some time to restart the match because Arsenal had to substitute a player for a goalkeeper. You can hardly blame Hauge for that.

2) Free kick before Arsenal goal. Bad decision by Holvik. He was fooled, unfortunately. No yellow. Amusingly, Sundet (who was the one appointed to replace Borgan) had a much better (in fact excellent!) day on the job than Hauges regular assistant.

3) Cautions. Hauge penalized persistent dangerous sliding tackles (very wet and slippery grass) with cautions. I thought that was OK. Larsson caution is obvious. Henry was first on the ball, but dangerous tackle.

4) Deco dive. There is contact, but he dives. No caution, no free kick. Correct decision.

5) Off-side before the equalizer: I honestly couldn't tell from the replays. Play is extremely quick, and I prefer the AR to keep his flag down if uncertain.

6) General decision-making: Very good. Let the players play if possible, was not fooled by cries for free kicks or dives except for the situation leading to the first goal.

7) Man management: Good. Cool, non-confronting and quiet. Could have chosen to dish out cards for dissent, chose not to. Handled the last 72 minutes (plus 7 minutes added time) well.

8) Positioning: Well posistioned for most decisions. Narrow, modern-style diagonal that puts him close to incidents in front of the penalty area, which led to good decisions.

Over all, a quite standard game for a good referee, where he is unlucky that his glitches came at the wrong times.

[razor]

Sending off was correct and the whistle had been blown before the ball reached Giuly so no problems there.
As Karlos said I did think the ref was very inconsistent in his decisions. Barca players were getting away with tackles Arsenal players were getting booked for. Puyol came through the back of Henry at one stage and because Henry didn't act like he'd been shot in the chest no card was produced. Henry then goes in for a tackle wins the ball, Van Bommell catches Henry late and then rolls and gets him booked, crazy stuff. Surely if yer man is good enough for the CL final then he'd be off to the World Cup.
Henry showed his brilliance at times last night but his finishing should have seen them home and dry and it didn't, Ronaldinho was ordinary and at times didn't look all that interested. Larsson was the difference.
Would like to see the 1st Barca goal in slow motion and see if Etoo was offside.Disgrace anyone but Ljungberg getting MOTM last night, he ran himself into the ground, immense.

[Stuttgart88]

Not as entertaining as i expected but still not the worst game of football ever.

It started really well, wide open, quality passing etc.

But once Lehmann got sent off I thought it remained a compelling game, just in a different way. I thought Arsenal reacted brilliantly to the adverse circumstances. It became a totally different type of contest & Arsenal really threw the gauntlet down to Barcelona. My mate was there & he commented that even when the rain came there was hardly a case of a miscontrol all night. Fabregas' ability to protect the ball under pressure is amazing, especially for one so young.

Remarkably few offsides all night too. Whatever about Eto's goal being offside (I'm not sure it was despite UK TV) but Arsenal were unlucky in the sense that it'd be given as offside 8 times out of 10. It's the kind of decision that always seems to go AGAINST Ireland.

[Dodge]

I thought Arsenal reacted brilliantly to the adverse circumstances. It became a totally different type of contest & Arsenal really threw the gauntlet down to Barcelona. My mate was there & he commented that even when the rain came there was hardly a case of a miscontrol all night.

Barca would argue that Barca reacted brilliantly to going a goal down (when they should've been one up) by continuing to play their passing, probing game. Nobody has mentioned Alumunia's brilliant save from Eto in the first half (when eto'o turned Campbell brilliantly)

Whatever about Eto's goal being offside (I'm not sure it was despite UK TV)

In fairness Sky paused it and he was just level. All their panel said he was onside "Yeah, even as a Gooner... its onside" was Merson's comment.

I thought Toure was Arsenal's best player (by a mile) but overall I'd give MOTM to Deco. I disagree with those who say Fabregas had a good game. Thought he was anonymous for long periods. No doubt his time will come though

[Stuttgart88]

Barca would argue that Barca reacted brilliantly to going a goal down (when they should've been one up) by continuing to play their passing, probing game.

My point was more that it remained a really compelling game. I think it was Geysir who said above that it was a worthy final, and I agree. It wasn't like the FA Cup Final, or last season's final, but I thought there was quality all over the place. Barcelona didn't panic and their substitutions made the difference.

Almunia's save was excellent alright, and his handling through the second half was impeccable & very reassuring for his defenders. I wouldn't fault him for being beaten at his near post for Eto's goal & I think he was a bit unlucky for the winner, though his positioning was definitely questionable. I felt sorry for him.

Just a thought: with all the stuff going on in Italy, what chance of Vieira returning to Hiughbury?

[NeilMcD]

I cant believe that everybody is slagging the ref and not mentioning Lehmann. The guy is a cheat and he got his just rewards last night. He tried to stop a guy scoring a legit goal in a champions league final by fowling him. I think the ref should have sent off Lehmann and given the goal. That would have been fair as that was a great piece of play by barca. It was Ronaldinhios only positive impact on the game.


There is no doubt that the incident changed the game but a lot of the Arsenal players and manager are hinting that somehow the ref was not on their side. The ref bottled the game in my view but he did not effect the result of the game in favour of Barca. Henrys comments about ETo and Ronaldinhio after the game saying they were not proper players or proper people was bang out of order an in my view he was sore after the game and should have kept his comments to himself. In relation to comparisons to Roy Keane, I think Keane usually had comments about his own players after a game so that comparison is not fair to Keane.

If we are to judge Ronaldinhio on one game last night well then there are numerous examples of Henry not playing well in a big match. He was pretty crap in the Ireland match in Paris in 2004. Ronaldinhio was rubbish last night Larsson was absolutely top class but my man of the match if possible is Iniesta. Even though he only played a half he was fantastic.


All in all a game that could have been so much more if it had not been for Lehmann and is abilitly to cheat. Lets get one clear it is him that ruined the game as a spectacle not the ref as was said by ITV and Sky Sports.

[NeilMcD]

Just a thought: with all the stuff going on in Italy, what chance of Vieira returning to Hiughbury?[/QUOTE]

not a chance as it was Wenger who let him go so that the likes of Fabregas could grow in the midfield . Wenger was of the view that to keep Viera would hold him back as he needed matches and the time was right for Fabregas.

[OwlsFan]

All in all a game that could have been so much more if it had not been for Lehmann and is abilitly to cheat. Lets get one clear it is him that ruined the game as a spectacle not the ref as was said by ITV and Sky Sports.

Agreed. No one forced Lehmann to commit the professional foul. He got himself sent off or as SKy said "sacrificed himself for the cause "
As ever the pundits, as ex-players, blame the referee. Lehmann deliberately as last man back pulled down the forward - sending off.

The Arsenal goal - I am not sure if there wasn't some contact with the Arsenal defender but the linesman gave it anyway, not the ref.

We all look for a scapecoat after a defeat - and it's usually the ref. Most of the questions to the Arsenal players after the game from the UK press were "Did the ref cost you the game ?" The answer to that was, no Lehmann did. I thought his replacement could have done better for both Barca goals.

I really enjoyed the game. No sure it would have turned in to the classic people say it would if it remained 11 vs 11. If it stays 0-0 for a while both teams become afraid of commiting mistakes and become cautious.

Henrik got Celtic though to the group stage because Barca won so even now he still weaves his magic for them.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Lehmann committed himself to get the ball but Eto was too quick, so saying that he was cheating is extreme. As an ex-keeper I can tell you categorically that it's easy to bring a guy down even when you're doing your damndest to get the ball. He made a split second decision to dive at Eto's feet & it cost him. It was hardly premeditated. Lehmann has done nothing in his career to endear himself to opposition fans, especially Spurs fans, but what happened last night was just one of those things that happens goalies. It was no more cheating than Petr Cech's foul in last year's CL semi at Anfield.

Edit: I'd concede however that once it was obvious that he had missed the ball & bringing Eto down was inevitable I think he made sure it was outside the box. No question it merited a red card, but cheating? No more than tugging a guy's jersey from behind is cheating. Eboue's dive was far more of a cheat.

Tell me honestly Neil, is your dislike of Lehmann (which I understand) directing your opinion on this? If it was Shay Given would it have been one of those things that can happen a 'keeper or the actions of a cheat?

[Dodge]

In fairness he grabbed Eto by the ankle. It wasn't just momentum carrying him into him.

Oh and I like Lehmann by the way and thought his after match interview was excellent

[tetsujin1979]

On the punditry last night, the bar I was in (Fitzsimon's in Temple Bar) had Sky Sports on and all Andy Gray kept harping on (and on, and on, and..) for the entire first half was how "the referee has ruined this as a spectacle by not allowing the goal". Not mentioning any of the play, or how the game was progressing. Oh, and for those who watched the build up on Sky Sports, there were 20 other players involved in the game, not just Ronaldinho and Henry

[Roadend]

Andy Gray is a godawful pundit, absolutely terrible. He was biased beyond reason last night. Alas flicking over to RTE for post, half-time and post match comments really was a waste of time. Dunphy (Who obviously never watches spanish football) calling E'to overated? Barca a one man team? Talking about Bellini at right back for Barca. The man is a clown.