04/18/24
April 06, 2004
LIVE! Arsenal v Chelsea (Champions League quarterfinal, 2nd leg).: New English Premier League record holders (30 games unbeaten and still counting) and heirs apparent, Arsenal, take on London neighbors Chelsea in a bid to salvage their season (just joking, Gunners fans). A win here will take the Arsenal into the CL semi-finals, keeping them on course for an EPL and CL double. After their FA Cup semifinal loss to Man U this weekend ended their treble hopes, Arsenal will have extra incentive to make punching bags of their city rivals. Chelsea, the only other team who can also complete the EPL and CL double, are poised to strike a telling blow, with the tie poised at 1-1 from the first leg.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 12:49 PM - 39 comments
Man, I was sick of this fucking thing yesterday!
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:02 PM on April 06, 2004
*collapses into a sobbing heap*
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:17 PM on April 06, 2004
Arsenal are pissing all over Chelsea, really. They should be about 3-0 up, not just 1-0
posted by dng at 01:45 PM on April 06, 2004
No offence intended, wc2002 old chap, but we have suffered from a bit of overkill over here.
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:52 PM on April 06, 2004
make it 1-1.
posted by lilnemo at 01:56 PM on April 06, 2004
I will not think about this match. I will not think about this match. I will not think about this match. Dammit that didn't work. C'mon you Gunners!
posted by trox at 02:05 PM on April 06, 2004
The longest 2 minutes seem to be the time it takes the BBC text commentary to refresh. Damn I wish there was a reliable way to listen to these matches on the radio.
posted by scully at 02:13 PM on April 06, 2004
Bugger this match, with 15 minutes left it is Monaco 3 Real Madrid 1, making it 5-5 on aggregate. Game well and fucking truly on!
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:13 PM on April 06, 2004
I meant to say Internet radio.
posted by scully at 02:17 PM on April 06, 2004
2-1 chelsea.
posted by lilnemo at 02:32 PM on April 06, 2004
*sniff* :(
posted by scully at 02:36 PM on April 06, 2004
Jesus H Christ. Jesus H Christ on a chuffin bike in fact. Arsenal out, the poor media luvvies who support them will be beside themselves, was it really only 4 days ago that they were so convinced of the treble? Astonishingly, Real Madrid out. Who would have believed it, I am absolutely pissing myself.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:42 PM on April 06, 2004
Well, well, well. Arsenal's season continues to unravel. Lost two key matches to their top rivals in the past week. And they've got more grinders coming up. Maybe Liverpool will end the Gunners' unbeaten run.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:42 PM on April 06, 2004
Now your being stupid!
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:48 PM on April 06, 2004
I thought that drawing Chelsea in this round would spell trouble. Getting a result in five straight matches against ANY team in a single season is almost impossible, especially if they're a quality side like Chelsea. Oh what a difference a week makes. wc2k2, Fooker, et al. Game on for Friday! (I mark the start of Arsenal's collapse last year with that 90th minute equalizer against Liverpool.)
posted by trox at 02:53 PM on April 06, 2004
Chelsea, who I fucking detest, it must be said, were magnificent the second half. Arsenal just completely disappeared - as they did second half against United on Saturday, too. Best team ever my fucking arse. Also: Real Madrid - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - fuckers. Especially amusing that Morientes scored crucial goals in both legs, as he's still officially a Madrid player.
posted by dng at 02:58 PM on April 06, 2004
*absolutely collapses into a sobbing heap*
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:47 PM on April 06, 2004
I wonder what odds I could've got on a Chelsea v Monaco semi? I love football. What a fucking night.
posted by squealy at 04:41 PM on April 06, 2004
I agree with squealy. Goddamn fucking football. Can always manage to make me smile.
posted by dng at 06:07 PM on April 06, 2004
My boys Chelsea pulled through. Unbelievable!
posted by blarp at 08:58 PM on April 06, 2004
Terrapin, you know this game was shown live on ESPN2 right? Sorry I didn't post this earlier but I AM WORKING NOW!!! And treble, well dreams are just that and this one turned to nightmare for Mr. Wenger. Think this will lead to another late season collapse and Chelsea getting double silverware?
posted by billsaysthis at 09:30 PM on April 06, 2004
that was a great game. as an aside can anyone comment on the galacticos having a sieve-like defense? i mean giving up 5 against monaco and 4 at old trafford last year doesn't sound like a top notch defense. even if those games are against some of the top teams around.
posted by gspm at 01:27 AM on April 07, 2004
dng - you the same dng on monkeyfilter? None of the Gooners I know have ever talked about the treble - it's all been tabloid tales. I'm reaching new depths of guttedness that I didn't know existed and I'm very worried about Liverpool and Newcastle coming. But IF we end up winning the Premeirship this year we'll still be exceeding expectations. Last night was down to a small squad hitting the wall. We were magnificent in the first half and had nothing left by the end of the second.
posted by dickdotcom at 02:31 AM on April 07, 2004
Henry is crocked.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:21 AM on April 07, 2004
Can't say I really cared who went through out of Chelsea and Arsenal. In the end, I decided to (marginally) support Chelsea on the grounds they had a few more British players. Re Real Madrid. It's no surprise to me that they are out, although I did think they would reach the semis. The problems they had were glaringly obvious to everyone right at the start of the season: no central defenders or right-back, no midfield enforcer, no depth in any positions except attacking midfield. When they sold Makalele and didn't replace him I knew the jig was up. I thought Monaco were terrific - Guily is playing about as well as anyone in the world right now. Chelsea should not be regarded as overwhelming favourites.
posted by salmacis at 04:13 AM on April 07, 2004
dng - you the same dng on monkeyfilter? Yeah, I am. Hello.
posted by dng at 05:28 AM on April 07, 2004
The irony of Madrids defensive frailty is that Queiroz was credited with sorting out Man U's defence last year, in fact was brought in to do that job. It's time the manager was left to build a team at that club, rather than an egocentric chairman. Chelsea might learn something from last night too.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:41 AM on April 07, 2004
So, the question becomes then should The Galacticos really be going after Own, Henry or RVN this Summer, or figuring out who the best central defender is with money no object?
posted by billsaysthis at 12:46 PM on April 07, 2004
Can lightening strike thrice! Deportivo lead Milan 3-0 at half time, making it 4-4 on aggregate but giving them the game on the away goal. Thus far.
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:48 PM on April 07, 2004
Looks like all the top teams are running out of steam at the right time (or peaking at the wrong time, depending on who you support). Blame it on the grueling domestic, Euro and international schedules, which naturally affect the top teams most. Based on this, lightning will strike four times! Liverpool will trash Arsenal on Friday. Henry's crocked, the side is looking tired, they are reasonably demoralized, so I still think it's doable. Go Reds!
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:58 PM on April 07, 2004
The champions league has gone insane this week. Deportivo La Coruna are currently 3-0 up against Milan, and going through on away goals. Fuck me. (There's still 30mins left though)
posted by dng at 01:59 PM on April 07, 2004
Depor won 4-0 in the end. Fuck me. Thats the biggest upset and comeback I can ever remember, basically. Fucking hell.
posted by dng at 02:42 PM on April 07, 2004
Holy crap. No Arsenal, no Real, no Milan. What the hell is going on this year? Anyone else pulling for Porto?
posted by trox at 02:50 PM on April 07, 2004
I gotta pull for the English side. But still... Deportivo were incredible. What was up with Milan? 31 goals (by my reckoning) in the 8 quarter final games. I thought this stage of the Champions League was supposed to see boring defensive football? This year is really open. I could see any of the last 4 winning it. On the form I saw tonight, Deportivo are the best side in the competition overall, but Monaco have the best attack, and Chelsea the best defence.
posted by salmacis at 03:01 PM on April 07, 2004
Monaco beat deportivo 8-3 earlier in the tournament, too.
posted by dng at 03:08 PM on April 07, 2004
And what odds of Deportivo beating Monaco in the final? Shades of the 1954 World Cup, methinks.
posted by salmacis at 03:09 PM on April 07, 2004
Shit. I can't believe I missed Deportivo kicking Milan out of the competition. No bleeding highlights programme either. Bastards. Errrr, go Chelsea, I guess.
posted by squealy at 03:45 PM on April 07, 2004
It was ace Squealy, old chap, ace. You would have enjoyed it.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:52 PM on April 07, 2004
I'm wondering if we can't finally get SpoFi a mention during a Guardian commentary.