1. Bayern’s intense start pays dividends
FROM THE KICK-OFF, Bayern pushed high into the Porto half and effectively penned the Portuguese side inside the 18-yard line. They strangled them, desperately seeking a first goal that would unsettle their guests and give them an impetus. Once Thiago found the net on 14 minutes, you feared the worst but no one could’ve predicted the ferocity of Bayern’s approach from there on.
They were certainly helped by a poor goalkeeping performance from Fabiano. He was initially embarrassed when allowing Jerome Boateng’s tame header squirm inside the far post but he failed to deal with a long-range effort from Thomas Mueller on 36 minutes that made it 3-0. By that stage, Porto were stunned and had little in the way of a response.
Still, we’re used to seeing a calm, composed and methodical approach from Bayern with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery providing the flashes of high energy. Last night, the hosts still excelled in wide areas with Lahm and Bernat providing the width and proving critically important in pinning Porto back. But this was a hungry home team that had little interest in patient build-ups and meticulous approach play. It was direct and high-octane and so effective.
- Eoin O’Callaghan
2. David Luiz epitomises PSG’s woe
It was Roy Keane who perhaps delivered the most withering put-down of all when it came to David Luiz’s hopelessly inept performance against Barca last night.
Rather than simply slating the defender, he said he “felt sorry” for the Brazilian international and added that “doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing”.
Luiz’s supporters claim critics go overboard in pouring scorn on the defender and there is no doubt that the centre-back is an easy target with his unconventional looks and penchant for the type of flair not usually associated with defenders.
Nevertheless, much too often, he comes up short in big games. In both legs against the Catalan side, he has made some basic errors that would be derided at League One level, let alone a Champions League semi-final. Moreover, Germany versus Brazil in the World Cup, the infamous 7-1 game, was another instance in which he patently underperformed (albeit, he was far from the only player out of his depth that day).
While PSG have delivered some great performances over the course of this season, most notably the last-16 second leg against Chelsea, their recent meetings with Barca illustrate that they are not quite ready to compete at the very highest level currently.
Instead, too many of their players, while looking very good in the French league and up to a certain point, do not have the necessary quality to succeed at the absolute pinnacle of the game — the Champions League.
Luiz, who cost an incredible £50million from Chelsea, in particular is a prime example of a player who struggles when the going gets tough.
- Paul Fennessy
3. The still kind-of underrated Thomas Mueller was a joy to watch (again)
He doesn’t carry the same kind of profile as other German players but Mueller continues to intrigue. I watched him closely at the 2012 Champions League final against Chelsea and I noticed he was constantly moving — it didn’t matter where but he wanted to give his marker something to think about constantly. That night, Gary Cahill was shadowing him and found it tough to get close enough.
But as much as being a defender’s nightmare, he also is a relentless goalscorer and still so young. Last night, he got lucky with his goal. It took a deflection and Fabiano really should’ve dealt with it but his all-round contribution was terrific and his touch to tee up Lewandowski for his second was delightful.
Though it was scrappy, his goal was his 27th in the Champions League — the highest ever tally by a German in the competition. Muller is still just 25.
Having come through the academy, the club means so much to him and you could see how much the result meant to him in the immediate aftermath of the full-time whistle. Relatively, it’s only a minor detail but he’s passionate about the club and plays like it.
Cristian Nyari / Twitter
Cristian Nyari / Twitter / Twitter
- Eoin O’Callaghan
First published at 23.30 on 21 April
They have some neck.
@Patrick Breen: Could still go to the DRA after this and maybe even a court case, who knows?
@Patrick Breen: they’re dead right. Why not just replay the last free again, the idea they have to replay the whole game is a fair solution is madness.
@Paul Mallon: the fact that they blatantly cheated and think they should get away with it is madness.
@Paul Mallon: replay the last free, seriously. So we’ll just make up a new sport..
@Patrick Breen: the more I think about this I’ve changed my mind from it’s 100% a replay to it only warrants a fine! Realistically the chances of a goal with the last kick of the game is unlikely, especially when it’s a 45 with the packed defence fully set up. And it’s telling that the referee allowed the 45 to be taken before the substitutions had been complete properly – Kilmacud will argue that as the subs were not being managed correctly! Players off players on before 45 can take place – clearly ref was going to allow it be taken quickly which added to the panic & confusion. In my view KMc won this game and an extra man on for 24secs over 70+ mins had NO bearing on the outcome. If this was reversed I don’t general public wud be questioning if Glen won it
@BMJF: It’s not really about the likelihood of a goal. Nobody knows what effect the 16th player had, direct or indirect, even as a distraction to the player in possession. The real issue is what happens if there’s no real sanction. Teams will be making substitutions and making sure the player being replaced is at least very slow leaving the pitch. Now we see Glen have pulled out of the appeals process because a replay is unworkable.
@BMJF: especially when it’s an overpacked defence.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: don’t be silly. The GAA will simply learn to make substitutions like every other sporting organisation!! That’s what will happen. Play will pause before a free is taken etc and Players will have to come off before the replacements go on and ref won’t restart the game until they’re in position. It’s not rocket science. GAA should have accepted some responsibility, read their rules and issued a hefty fine the next morning and that would have been the end of it
I’d watch a live stream of that hearing
Hope they throw the book at them and just award the final to the other team.
@Reggie: haha, don’t know about that now Reg. Certainly interested to hear what their grounds for appeal will be though…..seems cut and dried to me that the rule was broken and one of the consequences have been invoked.
The tone of the anti Kilmacud comments is telling. An anti Dub vibe off them. I’m guessing that If this was reversed and Glen had 16 men for 24secs over a 70+ min game, defending a 2point lead with last play of the game, the general public wud be saying that on balance Glen should remain the winners, and that the extra man for 24 secs didn’t really impact the outcome! But because it’s a big Dub club everyone has knickers in a knot!!
If GAA had issued a fine quickly I think Glen would have accepted the result , as their manager did straight after the game
@BMJF: I would say the opposite, the Ulster team (as always) are being portrayed as the bad guys here… maybe I’m wrong
Kilmacud won fair and square on the field of play. Glen will be looked upon as sore losers. There’s no way Kilmacud will replay the match. They are prepared to hand the cup over to Glen. If the Glen club wants to avoid the lasting legacy of poor losers they really should withdraw the objection and gear themselves up to trying to win the title next year on the field of play. That would give the club a lot of respect.
@Brendan Daniel Naughton: ‘fair and square’, hahahaha, are you well.
Great stuff