Biggest difference between this week and last week was Lille letting us play out from the back. They hounded the shit out of us on that quagmire last week, forced us to play early and long, leaving Torres isolated, and forced us into errors. I actually didn't think we played that badly last week, we just didn't finish our few opportunities when we should have.
Similarly tonight, if Hazard scores when he's straight through on Reina (what a run that was by the way) then they're 2-1 up on aggregate with an away goal. The whole complexion of the game changes. Fine lines. Still... We're through and I thought we deserved it. In no small thanks to that walkign blonde orgasm up front. Jesus what a striker he is. I'm sick of saying this, but if he's fit all season long we're still in the Champions League, and in the top 4. Simple as that.
Different team from Monday night, but pleasingly the same movement in attack. Kuyt tucked in on many occassions to give us 3 across the middle to free up Babel. Torres held as high a line as possible to create space between midfield and attack, from which we took great advantage. Great palyers move well, and find space. Again, kinda what I've been banging on about all season, but Gerrard's movemtn in that first half was trememndous. Didn't see a lot fo the ball, but he created space for others. If the player in the hole moves from that gap, and it's filled by a midfielder running from deep (Lucas for the most part tonight) then that's a nightmare to mark and defend. Who picks him up? In the long run, it'll be Aquilani that's the benefactor of that space, tonight Lucas strode forward into it well on a few occassions. I'd like to have seen him do it more, but hey.
The first goal typified it. Superb bit of play from the Brazilian. He's a good player, I wish he'd take the game on a bit more than he does.
In the second half, Gerrard found increasingly more space as they had to go looking for a goal, and he became the dominant force on the pitch. He's unstoppable when you give himspace, which is why so many teams stick someone on him for 90 mins I suppose.
A final word for Dirk. As selfless a player as you're ever likely to get. Sticks his head where somebody's boot was on the corner of the box, breaks forward and wins it back for the third goal. Look at his workrate and endeavour for that goal, absolutely fantastic. Never gave up once. You don't get a statistic to your name for that, it's not an assist, but it wins massive respect from your teammates, and should do so from the fans too. Fantastic workrate.
Mascherano would have been my Man of the Match mind you. As solid a midfield performance as you'll see all season long.
Onwards and upwards.
Similarly tonight, if Hazard scores when he's straight through on Reina (what a run that was by the way) then they're 2-1 up on aggregate with an away goal. The whole complexion of the game changes. Fine lines. Still... We're through and I thought we deserved it. In no small thanks to that walkign blonde orgasm up front. Jesus what a striker he is. I'm sick of saying this, but if he's fit all season long we're still in the Champions League, and in the top 4. Simple as that.
Different team from Monday night, but pleasingly the same movement in attack. Kuyt tucked in on many occassions to give us 3 across the middle to free up Babel. Torres held as high a line as possible to create space between midfield and attack, from which we took great advantage. Great palyers move well, and find space. Again, kinda what I've been banging on about all season, but Gerrard's movemtn in that first half was trememndous. Didn't see a lot fo the ball, but he created space for others. If the player in the hole moves from that gap, and it's filled by a midfielder running from deep (Lucas for the most part tonight) then that's a nightmare to mark and defend. Who picks him up? In the long run, it'll be Aquilani that's the benefactor of that space, tonight Lucas strode forward into it well on a few occassions. I'd like to have seen him do it more, but hey.
The first goal typified it. Superb bit of play from the Brazilian. He's a good player, I wish he'd take the game on a bit more than he does.
In the second half, Gerrard found increasingly more space as they had to go looking for a goal, and he became the dominant force on the pitch. He's unstoppable when you give himspace, which is why so many teams stick someone on him for 90 mins I suppose.
A final word for Dirk. As selfless a player as you're ever likely to get. Sticks his head where somebody's boot was on the corner of the box, breaks forward and wins it back for the third goal. Look at his workrate and endeavour for that goal, absolutely fantastic. Never gave up once. You don't get a statistic to your name for that, it's not an assist, but it wins massive respect from your teammates, and should do so from the fans too. Fantastic workrate.
Mascherano would have been my Man of the Match mind you. As solid a midfield performance as you'll see all season long.
Onwards and upwards.
