I wonder how the media will react to it though?

PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal

 

 

Edison Mendez's sweet second-half strike gave PSV Eindhoven the advantage against a ragged Arsenal in their Champions League last 16 tie.

 

The Gunners had the better of the first half, with Tomas Rosicky forcing PSV keeper Gomes into a fine save.

 

But PSV improved after the break and Mendez beat Jens Lehmann with a fierce low effort from 25 yards on the hour.

 

Despite plenty of possession, Arsenal could not fashion an equaliser and must come from behind in the second leg.

 

It had started promisingly enough for Arsene Wenger's side, who kept PSV on the back foot in the first-half with their one-touch passing game.

 

Gomes pulled off a magnificent save from Rosicky after the Czech midfielder had exchanged a one-two with Thierry Henry and both Rosicky and Henry went close with 20-yard efforts.

 

As Arsenal pressed, PSV were relying heavily on the pace of Arouna Kone to ease the pressure but the striker was too often ploughing a lone furrow.

 

But after a half-time talking-to from Koeman,and no doubt encouraged by some sloppy Arsenal play, PSV began to commit more numbers to attack.

 

Kone had already made a mess of a volley when Mendez put the hosts ahead with a deadly low strike into the corner.

 

The PSV fans could barely believe their luck and after a quiet first-half, the Philips Stadion came to life.

 

Arsenal looked panic-stricken, with pass after pass going astray.

 

The sense of bewilderment was summed up when Philippe Senderos was booked for a pointless handball.

 

With his side in control, Koeman took the opportunity to create Champions League history by sending on Xiang Sun - the first Chinese player to appear in the competition.

 

And with Sun bolstering PSV's defence, Arsenal found chances hard to come by despite enjoying plenty of possession.

 

Henry sensed an opportunity when he was fouled 30 yards out but he was left shaking his head when substitute Julio Baptista stole in take the free-kick and put it straight at the keeper.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6371381.stm

Celtic 0-0 AC Milan

 

 

Celtic's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League hang in the balance after an intriguing chess-match draw with AC Milan.

 

Yoann Gourcuff squandered an opening and goalkeeper Artur Boruc's outstretched foot prevented Alberto Gilardino giving Milan an early lead.

 

Kenny Miller passed up a couple of half-chances for Celtic.

 

But Milan were the more dangerous and Rino Gattuso and Gilardino fired wide as Celtic avoided an away goal.

 

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had come through a late fitness test to lead Celtic's attack in the first leg in Glasgow.

 

He was partnered by Miller, with Craig Beattie and Maciej Zurawski having failed to recover from injury.

 

Darren O'Dea and Evander Sno came in for cup-tied pair Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley, while Aiden McGeady replaced Jiri Jarosik in midfield.

 

Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf failed his fitness test and joined Ronaldo and Filippo Inzaghi on the sidelines.

 

But Gilardino was passed fit to take a lone striker role.

 

He was supported by Kaka and the Brazilian playmaker was first to threaten, running at the Celtic defence but driving straight at Boruc from 20 yards.

 

Milan legend Paolo Maldini marked his 100th Champions League appearance by picking up the first booking after a strong challenge on Vennegoor of Hesselink.

 

Miller had Celtic's first opportunity but fired straight at Zeljko Kalac from a difficult angle.

 

But 2005 finalists Milan created the first clear-cut chance, but Gourcuff sent a weak 14-yard header straight at Boruc after being found unmarked by Kaka's flighted cross.

 

Kaka was again the creator, putting Gilardino clear behind the Celtic defence, but a touch off Boruc's outstretched foot was enough to turn the striker's effort just wide of the far post.

 

A Mark Wilson cross fell to Miller at the back post, but the Scotland striker miscontrolled and the chance was lost.

 

McGeady had the first effort of the second half but fired straight at Kalac from 22 yards.

 

But Milan were again the more incisive and Kaka picked out Gattuso, who fired wide of the post from just inside the box.

 

Celtic responded with their best move of the match, but a 25-yard drive from Lee Naylor curled wide.

 

Gilardino appeared to be clipped by Wilson inside the box, but the Italian's acrobatic dive earned a booking.

 

The striker fired wide then forced Boruc into a save as he began to find more space in the penalty box.

 

Celtic substitute Thomas Gravesen sliced wide from just inside the box as Gordon Strachan's side had to be content with a creditable draw that keeps the tie alive for the second leg in Milan.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6371283.stm

Real Madrid 3-2 Bayern Munich

 

 

Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Real Madrid a narrow win over Bayern Munich in this Champions League first leg.

 

Raul got the better of Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn in a one-on-one encounter, before Lucio's header made it 1-1.

 

By half-time Real were 3-1 up as Raul scored with header, while Van Nistelrooy volleyed in, with David Beckham setting up both those goals.

 

Bayern were more cohesive in the second-half and with two minutes left Mark van Bommel fired in a half-volley.

 

Beckham's delivery at set pieces proved key to the nine-times European Champions' win, with the Bayern defence proving uncertain whenever the ball came into the box.

 

Given this display Beckham must be wondering why he has spent most of the season on the Real bench and is no longer deemed worthy of a place in the England squad.

 

Not that Beckham's performance was entirely blemish free.

 

Sent off on Saturday in a Spanish league match at times against Bayern in the first-half Beckham showed flashes of his temper, notably when he was riled by Van Bommel.

 

Early in the second half he set Gonzalo Higuain free with a raking diagonal pass before forcing Kahn into a fine save with a dipping free-kick.

 

Not that the Real defence were altogether comfortable at set-pieces as Fabio Cannavaro failed to pick up Lucio for Bayern's equaliser.

 

Real might also have done better for Bayern's second goal with Van Bommel punishing their inability to clear their lines.

 

Real's first goal was created by Van Nistelrooy, the Dutchman passing with the outside of his right foot to bisect the Bayern defence and release Raul.

 

Kahn got a touch as he came out to challenge Raul, but the rebound fell kindly to the Real striker, who sidefooted into the empty net.

 

At times Real's defence was equally uncomfortable at set-pieces as Cannavaro failed to pick up Lucio for Bayern's equaliser.

 

Lucio slipped free of Fifa World Player of Year to guide a header past Iker Casillas from Willy Sagnol's free-kick.

 

But Real were soon to regain their lead, Raul heading home on the line after Ivan Helguera had nodded Beckham's corner goalward.

 

Beckham and Helguera played a part in Real's third goal, with the Real defender flicking on the Englishman's free-kick.

 

And Van Nistelrooy provided the perfect finish, volleying past Kahn from close range.

 

Bayern tightened up defensively after the break and also improved offensively after Claudio Pizarro came on.

 

In the closing stages Pizarro's low left-footed shot was superbly saved one-handed by Casillas.

 

But Casillas could do nothing to stop Van Bommel's powerful shot as the Dutchman arrowed in a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6377889.stm

Poor old arsenal.

Lille 0-1 Man Utd

 

 

Ryan Giggs' late winner for Manchester United almost sparked a walk-out from angry Lille players at the climax of a controversial Champions League clash.

 

Giggs curled in a quick free-kick after 83 minutes while Lille were still assembling their defensive wall.

 

Lille players, furious that an earlier header by Peter Odemwingie had been ruled out, walked off the pitch as the last 16 first leg clash boiled over.

 

They eventually returned, and United held on for a crucial victory.

 

United were strengthened by the return of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar following a broken nose and Wayne Rooney after a domestic suspension.

 

But the main talking point of a drab first 45 minutes were the worrying scenes involving United's supporters, with too many appearing to be packed in lower tier of the away section.

 

Dozens of United supporters were concerned, and French police appeared to respond to a genuine security problem by firing off tear gas.

 

The situation was eventually resolved and the game continued.

 

United carved out openings near half-time, with Rooney shooting over the top and then seeing another attempt blocked from close range.

 

The England star burst into life again after 50 minutes, surging past three players - but Giggs was unable to turn in his cross at the far post.

 

He then set up Ronaldo three minutes later, but Lille keeper Tony Sylva made a crucial block.

 

Lille were sparked into action, and only Van der Sar's outstretched leg stopped Bodmer from close range.

 

And there was a highly-debatable incident after 61 minutes when Odemwingie wheeled away in celebration after heading home - but referee Eric Braamhaar ruled the goal out, presumably for a push on Nemanja Vidic.

 

United boss Ferguson made a subsitution almost immediately, sending on Louis Saha for Ronaldo.

 

Saha could have made an instant impact, but shot straight at Sylva from only 10 yards.

 

Henrik Larsson had been quiet, but he almost conjured up a moment of invention to break the deadlock, chipping inches over the bar after Sylva failed to gather Rooney's driven cross.

 

Lille substitute Johan Audel then turned a good chance over the top as both sides pushed for the winner.

 

United took the lead with seven minutes left - in an incident that brought the atmosphere inside the ground to boiling point.

 

Giggs whipped in a 20-yard set-piece as Lille were still organising their defensive wall - and with keeper Sylva scrambling hopelessly out of position.

 

Lille were furious, and it appeared they were on the point of walking off in protests as several players walked towards the dug-out.

 

They eventually returned, but even then there were ugly scenes as United's players, including Gary Neville, were pelted with missiles.

 

But they remained calm and held out comfortably to set the platform for progress in the second leg at Old Trafford.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6371329.stm

What a joy it was to see ex-Barca man Van Bommel score against Madrid and then give the crowd the fuck off sign :laugh4: Legend.

Poor old arsenal.

yes poor old Arse

yes poor old Arse

 

Oh dear, Man Utd. Fans have really yet the image of english football down :(

 

so what exactly happened then, any incidents involving united fans?

 

i read that they let too many man united fans in but i cant quite see why this would let the image of english football down?

 

they showed real madrid- bayern over here, so i've only seen a short summary in which they didnt even mention this.

I know, the Lille fans has damaged the image of french football fans with the missiles at the end of the match.

Come on the Celtic...score-draw or win and we go through! Nothing to lose now! Bring on the San Siro! :D

^:D Forza Milan! wasted wayy too many chances

 

I'm so happy Mendez scored for PSV! ecuadorian pride :dance:

Barca- Liverpool tonight.

 

God I'm nervous/excited! :D

News is that the crime rate in Barcelona has increased by double for the past couple days when Liverpool supporters are in town. :rolleyes:

News is that the crime rate in Barcelona has increased by double for the past couple days when Liverpool supporters are in town. :rolleyes:

It will triple once the team arrives. :rolleyes:

Uefa launches Man Utd crush probe

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6380837.stm

News is that the crime rate in Barcelona has increased by double for the past couple days when Liverpool supporters are in town. :rolleyes:

 

surley everyone in the city's a criminal.:dozey:

 

anyway i'm really excited about the game tonight. comme on liverpool!

News is that the crime rate in Barcelona has increased by double for the past couple days when Liverpool supporters are in town. :rolleyes:

 

Are you suggesting all the hub caps have been disappearing from the city's cars??:P

Barca- Liverpool tonight.

 

God I'm nervous/excited! :D

 

i'm more nervous than excited considering our awful form...

 

BUT

 

Messi's back!!! :dance:

Messi & Saviola should start imo. Their speed will be a huge problem for Liverpool.

 

Anyway, Van Bommel brought back some memories last night :laugh4:

 

Messi & Saviola should start imo. Their speed will be a huge problem for Liverpool.

 

Anyway, Van Bommel brought back some memories last night :laugh4:

 

 

seeing that live was the best thing of this week for me so far :laugh3:

 

go go MvB!

 

though i'm for 99% sure, UEFA will suspend him...

Is there a video of this thing Mark van Bommel did?I wanna see it...:dance:

DEECCCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes Déco is hot......ahahhahaahah....(oh no I spammed this thread now....:bigcry:...sorry)