Men Versus Boys
// November 30th, 2009 // Uncategorized
There was a moment in the 74th minute of the Arsenal-Chelsea game yesterday, the summed up the match for me. Branko Ivanovic was dribbling up the right wing when little Andre Arshavin attempted to tackle him head-on. Instead of causing the right back any trouble, little Andre kind of bounced off of him and went flying backwards. (I couldn’t find a clip, but if you saw the game you’ll remember it — it was pretty shocking.) I hate to say it, but it was a sad and pathetic scene. As was the match. Chelsea were just physically too much for Arsenal. Yes, Arsenal were unlucky at times, but their little magicians could not hold up against the Essien, Mikel, Terry and Ivanovic types. Oh yeah, and Drogba and Anelka – they’re big, too.
We saw a little bit of the same thing in the Barcelona-Madrid superclasico last night. The first half was a real physical war, with the newly athletic Madrid — Cristiano, Diarra, Higuiain, Kaka (one forgets how big and strong he is) — out-muscling Barca. But then Barca brought on its Big Boy Zlatan, who did his thing, as well as The Most Elegant Large Man in the World, Yaya Toure. (Sometimes I wonder if Yaya does everything with unnecessary elegance. Does he brush his teeth with just his thumb and forefinger holding the toothbrush, pinky finger sticking up in the air, perhaps?)
Barca actually went down to ten men for the last 30minutes, but it didn’t matter, because they had played the first 50 minutes with ten men plus The Walking Corpse of Thierry Henry. Jeez, it must be tough playing soccer with a giant fork sticking out of your back. He is completely useless. Luckily, Madrid decided to play with ten men of their own for the final stretch — they brought on Raul, who is aaaalllllmost as bad as Henry at this point.
Posted by Lazar
17 Responses to “Men Versus Boys”
Leave a Reply
- Alain said: Lazar, agree with you that Big Mo is going to have...
- victor said: I believe that Real Madrid is missing a center for...
- john@York UK said: Well, Ronaldo will have plenty of time for normal ...
- admin said: ab, it is kind of uncanny about Nasri......
- Lazar said: Ramos was teeeewwwible today. I've never understoo...
- Mark said: Slightly off topic but, guess who is a clue/answer...
- Welcome to Manchester
- The Most Important World Cup Lineup of All
- 'Hand of Frog' - Understanding the Backlash
- Men Versus Boys
- Shame On You, On-ye-wu
I knew it wouldn’t be hard for you to throw some Henry-hate into this post …
Ha. But he’s done!
Also, I believe it was Vermaelen vs. Traore.
Done? No way … just waiting for the 2010 WC to get his second (third?) wind.
found it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHt53Yi8N60
traore vs drogba, rather
that clip is great.. but why does every soccer video on youtube have to have gaaaaayy music playing?
ohh and VISCA BARCA!
I actually had a good friend and giant madrid supporter tell me that he was happy with the way the game turned out.. i guess after a 2-6, anything is better.. even a loss.
ps.. that 3 in a row
embarrassingly, this was the first time i’d ever watched barca or real in a liga match and i’ll definitely make it a point to be back for the sequel. i keep reading about ibrahimovic’s goal, which was nicely done, but the pass from dani alves was what really impressed me. and what impressed me even more was another pass from alves late in the game where he set up messi for what should have been the second goal. it was such a clever and perfectly placed pass, it’s too bad it wasn’t converted so i could actually find a highlight clip of it.
ah, found it: 2:56 in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4zMOvx3PXE
The Traore-Drogba clash was another good example, but I was thinking of something different, definitely between Ivanovic-Arshavin on 74 mins. But the whole game was like that. Chelsea just bullied them out of the game.
The Barca goal was great — one other note is that the reason Ibra was open is becasue center back Pique had come up the center channel and both Madrid center backs hads gone to him. Sergio Ramos, as usual, decided not to cover anyone.
Madrid were definitely outclassed but I could see why their fans wouldn’t be too put out by losing 1-0 at Barcelona with Ronaldo just returning and obviously not fit. It isn’t as if they were humiliated at home (like Arsenal was).
On another subject: I’m going to Barcelona in January (dates uncertain) and hoping to see a game at Camp Nou. The team website says there are tickets available to Sevilla and Villareal matches but I was wondering if it’s best to buy through the website or some other channel. Anyone know?
Er Pupone.
I’m pretty sure, out-side of CL, you will be OK just to turn up at the Nou Camp as long as you look like and behave as an “away” supporter, pay cash and get in. (Now if you want a super duper vantage point, then website please.)
Good luck and enjoy !
The last time I was in Spain was three years ago and you still couldn’t buy tickets a) in advance or b) anywhere but at the stadium. Oh yeah, and you can’t get a meal anywhere between the hours of 4pm and 8pm. Spain sticks to its traditions, for better or worse.
Lazar, & Er Pupone.
I’ve just received an e-mail back from a friend of mine in Valencia (and yes he is wanted by the FBI, Interpol, etc.)
He reckons, as it isn’t Real Madrid, you should be able to pay cash for a ticket at the ground.
I appreciate the uncertainty of when your travelling, but when you do know, my associate, Jimmy Hoff.. , believes you can now buy on-line.
I’ve bought tickets from the website before and it worked out great. You collect them at little ATM-like machines near the stadium. For me it was comforting knowing that I had a guaranteed seat with a good vantage point. They usually only release seats to the public 3-4 weeks before the match, giving members plenty of time to buy their tickets. This might have changed though. Man, those are going to be 2 great matches. I am extremely jealous!
I don’t know if I would say Madrid was outclassed by Barca. They certainly had their chances and the score line could have gone the other way had it not been for a super human performance by Puyol. I really hope Pep gets the Yaya situation sorted. In situations where Iniesta is pushed up as more of a forward, I’d love to see a midfield of Xavi, Keita and Yaya. I just don’t rate Busquets yet. He still suffers from the occasional case of extreme boneheadedness (see silly handball from Sunday). I think he needs more time to mature.
Thanks for the advice, guys. I’ll probably try the website as soon as my dates are sorted out, just to be absolutely certain of a ticket before I go.
When I visited Buenos Aires a few years back, I was walking near La Bombonera on my first day there and saw people streaming towards the stadium. Lamely, I decided to go another day as I was exhausted from an 11-hour flight, but Boca didn’t have another home game during my entire visit and I’m still mad at myself for missing out.
That breaks my heart. When I was in BsAs I extended my stay to see a Boca Juniors game and I was so glad I did. La Bombonera is such a great stadium. Nothing like it in the world.