Maher was in the right place at the right time for each shot but that's all that can be said. The first Buffon save was excellent the 2nd routine. Agree with DRB that otherwise he has done nothing of note.
Van Persie on the bright side was very good. Which is nice. Excited to see de Guzman coming on, wish we could see how he'd do with vPersie.
I agree but I'd argue that Maher's role in this game is not to orchestrate. He's playing a very advanced role, helping link up play between midfield and attack and also having freedom to float in and around the box to play his teammates in and also pop into the space in the box to have shooting opportunities. Thought he did all of that well.
I don't find Maher as bad as you make him out to be DRB. He had some good control in accepting passes, found space in tight areas and had some good passes. Messed up enough as well obviously.
Negative comments about Ola make me conclude that he's lucky to be at Benfica. At least the Portugese give their youngsters time to develop. Pirlo is by far the best man on the pitch. Second is Van Persie. And by god we need a decent left back soon. The Italians clearly aren't trying and our qualifying group is very weak so unfortunately it's a long way off before the Dutch population at large get a reality check. On the plus side Van Persie seems to have a good understanding with Maher, Krul is doing well, as is BMI.
Ahahaha, Robben and his right foot. Searching for left, searching for left, searching for left ..... damn can't find.
Maybe I focus too much on him. Or expect more of him. I think it is that I often point to the weak point in his game at AZ and everybody talking over it. His unsuccessful delivery completion I mean by that. He sees the opportunity, but he messes up so often the perfect delivery, also the easy ones.
Obviously Benfica paid 9 million for John because he is a naturally gifted footballer who learnt nothing from his seven years at the frankly rubbish Twente youth academy. What a lot of undoing they have to do over there in Portugal.
Did you see how Lens was tracking back to help out Janmaat? Blind could have used that kind of help from Ola.
As ever you were trying to slag off Twente. That's getting old. The Twente youth academy managed to produce a two-footed left winger good enough for Benfica. Ask yourself when the last time was that Ajax did that.
I don't think it's Blind's responsibility to cover Abate. If it's a quick counter then ok I get it maybe Ola is out of position to help out...but there were like 3-4 consecutive moments when Abate was sitting in miles of empty space out with nothing but time to get in crosses from the right side with Ola nowhere to be seen.
De Vrij also profits from the wet field. He makes those body movements all the time tricking attackers all the time and when they adjust they often slip, giving him time.
Unbelievable the difference. Now were back to sprinting from one box to the other like headless chickens.
Ola had a nightmare of a game. You won't hear me deny that. I'm not really sure why you think that makes up for Blind's weaknesses though. Note that I don't think Blind is a bad footballer. To Dutch league standards, he's pretty good, and he's having a very good season domestically. I just don't think he has international quality.
That moment there. Low handling speed Maher in 16 and a bad pass on Kuyt. Bit too hard for my liking. Not to nitpick, but to point out what annoys me.
I see future for De Vrij in Oranje. He's not nearly as dumb as he looks. And got a lot of confidence on the ball. Martins Indi I'm less excited about.