ARSENAL Seaman Luzhny, Keown,Campbell, Cole Wiltord, Gilberto Silva, Vieira, Ljungberg Bergkamp, Henry Subs: Taylor Jeffers Lauren Cygan Pennant Kanu Touré
BORUSSIA DORTMUND Lehmann Evanilson, Madouni, Metzelder, Dede Kehl, Frings, Fernandez, Heinrich Koller, Ewerthon Subs: Weidenfeller Reuter Herrlich Reina Oliseh Odonkor Leandro
A Swedish crew works tonights match: Referee: Anders Frisk Assistant Referee: Kenneth Petersson Ingemar Larsson Fourth Referee: Jonas Eriksson
Random thoughts -Why do you get 7 subs in the CL but only 5 in the EPL? -Why no Edu - is he hurt? -I'm a bit worried about Freddie getting the start - kind of feels like he's being rushed. -Anders Frisk is supposed to be one of the best in the world. He's that blond guy who looks like a surfer. -Anyone see Dortmund this past weekend? Did you notice the hard shove that Metzelder got from his teammate after playing a lazy ball that led to the Schalke goal? I hope he gets a few more shoves tonight.
Of note: Freddie Ljungberg gets a surprise start for Arsenal, while Matthias Sammer's club will not only be without Tomas Rosicky, who did not make the trip, but also Christian Worns, who they had hoped would come back quickly from a knock on Saturday v. Schalke.
Did I miss the memo? On the uefa.com Matchday 1 live coverage, Arsenal's coach is listed as Fred Donnely.
Lauren returns from a knee injury, but only as far as the subs bench. Stuart Taylor is the backup keeper, and Jermaine Pennant dresses in Edu's place. Soccernet says Edu took a knock against Charlton. *** It's going to be very frustrating to try and do PBP if these server problems persist.
Apparently, Dortmund is as poor as we are on the road in the CL, not having won a match since 1997 in this competition.
Take one for the team. *** Interestingly, in the other match, PSV will be missing Van Bommel (suspension) and Auxerre apparently will be without Djibril Cisse.
They better not break that streak at Highbury. I smuggled my jersey in today and am wearing it under a sweater at work (we're not allowed to wear sports jerseys, but since it has a collar, the sweater works perfectly). Now only if it wasn't 85 degrees outside.
Sorry, that should have been Fred Donnelly (with two ls, not one). And I have to agree with Ian, that's the perfect coach driver's name. Looks like UEFA.com have changed their match tracker a bit. Two years ago it was minimal updates showing all the day's matches on one side with detailed goals and card info near the bottom. Last year it was that plus a larger PBP window. This year it looks like it's just the PBP window. Or am I just missing something?
click on the match pass banner and it will launch audio. I think this is a teaser for a subscription service they are starting. I'm listening to pregame audio right now with a rundown and reports of all the games. I'm not sure if they will pick a game to broadcast, though.
I think this ref is the only ref to give Paddy a yellow last season. He got 2 and both by this ref, obviously in seperate matches since he's never been sent off in an European club match.
1st minute So it's the German champions and UEFA Cup runners-up against the English Double Winners. Dortmund kick off.
Have to admit that I'm a bit nervous about Freddie getting the start. In any event, COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
2nd min. Henry tries to round Metzelder, who goes to ground. Henry's claim for a handball & a penalty falls on deaf ears.
3rd & 4th mins Dede fires high and wide with the first attempt at David Seaman's cage. Wiltord at the other end mishits a pass to Henry, but it caroms to Bergkamp, whose shot had no weight behind it and Lehmann saves easily.
7th- 10th mins Bergkamp sends Wiltord down the wing, but Madouni challenges him and gives up a corner. Campbell gets a head to it, but Dortmund clear. Now Ljungberg wins a corner.