Good afternoon all. Today's slate of Champions League matches is about to begin and I figured since many of you will be watching several of today's eight matches it would be a good time for a running commentary post.
I will be watching Rangers-Barcelona and doing a commentary off it. If you are watching another match, be it via satelitte TV or internet, feel free to chime in on what's happening in the match you are watching. The same goes for those of you watching Rangers-Barcelona like I am.
Enjoy the action.
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FINAL-And it's 0-0. Yes, I fell asleep watching this one.
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82nd minute- Giovany Dos Santos comes in for Henry.
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80th minute- Rangers in control since Beasley came in and now Barca is giving away corners.
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78th minute- I have to say that Gabriel Milito has been a bit of a disappointment for Barca, at least in the games I've seen. I really thought he'd be a force.
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77th minute- Beasley strips Henry and gets to midfield before being fouled by Henry. Nice play for him so early.
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72nd minute- And here comes DaMarcus Beasley in for Nacho Novo.
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69th minute- WOW, Rangers comes very close to finding a goal but nobody can latch onto an inviting ball through the area. Unreal that Barcelona is outshooting Rangers 15-2 but they feel like the ones in danger.
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67th minute- Okay, I'll stop ragging on Rangers. They get credit for being defensively sound and for being somewhat effective on the counter.
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64th minute- So Arsenal is crushing Slavia Prague 6-0 and Man U is throttling Dynamo Kiev 3-1 but we're stuck watching a painful encounter. Actually, watching Barcelona is still fun but a Barca goal would make things VERY interesting.
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62nd minute- The linesman blows a call against Barcelona and the ref compounds it by giving Abidal a yellow card for dissent or time wasting. Too bad the officials aren't rewarding the team actually playing soccer today.
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46th minute- The second half is under way. I'm going to step away so feel free to post your own comments on this match.
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HALFTIME- We're scoreless and Rangers are lucky not to be down at least a goal. The home team isn't putting much forward but when they do get in on the counter they put pressure on Barca. You get the feeling Barcelona will break Rangers down but I think we're headed for a pretty drab second half unless Barca scores one and forces Rangers to open up.
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45th minute- Rangers in full bunker mode and the referee is starting to lose it a little.
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41st minute- Puyol with a header forcing a good save from Rangers' goalkeeper. Barcelona gets some chances on the corner, including a wide-open shot from Ronaldinho but Alan Hutton stops it with his hand. The referee missed that one.
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37th minute- Ronaldinho fires it off the wall. Barcelona still looking for that goal.
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36th minute- DANGEROUS free kick for Barcelona.
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33rd minute- I'm not saying Rangers is playing for a tie but this match has that 0-0 feel to it despite Barcelona's efforts to create.
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31st minute- Rangers is losing the possession battle but that won't matter as long as they stay disciplined in the defensive third.
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27th minute- I'll tell you who has been invisible today. Lionel Messi. That said, he's always lurking.
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24th minute- Another Barca free kick for Ronaldinho and Rangers' goalkeeper tips it off the crossbar. Great save.
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19th minute- Rangers showing some life in their attack finally. Nacho Novo starting to cause problems and now they have a corner.
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16th minute- Ronaldinho sends the kick way over the bar.
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15th minute- For those of you wondering, Beasley is on the bench for Rangers.
Barcelona with a free kick.
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14th minute- Barcelona comes close but Messi's shot/cross is cleared out. Barca has settled down a bit and are starting to find their rhythm.
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11th minute- Carlos Puyol is very involved in the action so far, coming forward and doing his part defensively.
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9th minute- Rangers with a a dangerous ball into the area but no one could latch on to it. Barca's defense looks thoroughly vulnerable.
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7th minute- Barca comes close with a corner but can't put the header on frame.
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5th minute- Rangers with a dangerous free kick on the left side of the penalty area. Valdes handles it.
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4th minute- Now I'm not saying I want Henry to have a big game today but given the way people responded to my placing him in my Top Five best players list let's just say I wouldn't mind it.
2nd minute- Ronaldinho's first pass goes to nobody. We're off to a slow start as Barca knocks it around the park.
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PRE-GAME- How about Eidur Gudjonnsen playing a holding midfield role today?
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PRE-GAME- Bad news U.S. Soccer fans, no Beasley in the starting lineup for Rangers.
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I like how Rae says Conrad Plautz
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 02:44 PM
No Beas
Posted by: Jon G | October 23, 2007 at 02:48 PM
This is the first time I'm actually watching Barcelona this season, so I've been looking forward to it for awhile.
Posted by: Dan | October 23, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Who forgot to mark the Icelander on that one. Close one for 'Gers.
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Cesc just scored from 10 yards out on the right side, sweet shot off of good work on the sideline by a teammate, not sure who.
Posted by: Dominghosa | October 23, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Looks like the flubber in Moskva did not bother Inter like it did for England.
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Kanoute scores for Sevilla. Fantasy Points for me
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Does anyone want to hear the update on United or should we just keep quiet since it is going to be on ESPN Classic at 5?
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Good move by Messi, but no one there to knock it home
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Free Kick about 30 yards
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Wow little too much weight on that one Ronnie
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:00 PM
over the bar on the free kick ronnie
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Nacho Novo has come alive in the 19th minute
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Dave, too much duplication
Posted by: Ives | October 23, 2007 at 03:06 PM
Actually, keep it up. I'm stepping away for a bit.
Posted by: Ives | October 23, 2007 at 03:07 PM
anyone know if beas' injury has to do with him not starting (maybe he foot/ankle cant handle 90 minutes) or is it just the managers choice because he didnt start this weekened either and from the couple rangers games ive seen he has been one of their most dangerous players.
Posted by: Ryan | October 23, 2007 at 03:08 PM
22nd minute ronnie with another free kick from about 25 yards
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:08 PM
That was a great free kick off the bar by Ronnie
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:09 PM
Ryan, I think it's fair to say Beasley isn't fully recovered from the ankle injury.
Posted by: Ives | October 23, 2007 at 03:10 PM
For anyone who cares Sevilla are up 2 nil and Sporting and Roma are tied at 1-1
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:10 PM
It is only a matter of time before Barcelona put one in the back if the net.
Posted by: scott | October 23, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Unbelievable that Barca couldn't score on that.
Posted by: Dan | October 23, 2007 at 03:25 PM
This is what happens when you are trying to play for a tie against Barca. They are breaking rangers down.
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Who said defenders didn't have any skill.
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Actually, Ives I think Beasley is Ok, but Nacho Novo is a legendary figure at Ibrox, and he played well this weekend in the Old Firm with 2 goals.
Rangers did well for the first 30 mins, but the possession edge began to tell at the end of the half. Look for Beasley to come on mid second half to give some life. Probably for Novo.
Posted by: YankatOxford | October 23, 2007 at 03:39 PM