FT 1-1 Not a good game. We were technically better but it doesn't matter b/c we wasted too many excellent chances in front of goal. We should defo be going back home with a win. So we've left ourselves no trivial task in the 2nd leg... at home... in Greece!
I have absolutely no doubt now that Willian has a consistent minutes clause in his contract. Kia and Willian need to be blacklisted from our club.
So a draw isn't a bad result, especially for the road leg of a match where the team didn't play their best. Plenty on which to improve but they're in a fair position. Now to survive the Citeh match without injury (physical or to the team's psyche) and complete the deal next week.
Yesterday was an "away" match for us even though it was a neutral venue. And so we scored an away goal. Next week is a "home" match for us even though it's at another neutral venue. p.s. In between those matches we have Citeh, and I've now come to the conclusion that we should pick a compromise XI for that match which gives us the ability to play our absolutely strongest XI against Benfica in Greece. IOW, forget about Citeh, we don't really have a prayer against them. Unfortunately, I think MA8 will not share my view, partly due to the immense pride he must have when facing Pep.
I don't think we have a chance against City either,they are on a roll at the moment, we are still hit and miss. You have to be careful though, if you put out too weak a team you could be in trouble with the PL for not being competitive.
Yeah, and then we come back to our fortress for the home leg where the atmosphere alone will surely keep them from scoring... . . . . . . . . . .
I really thought last year was peak away goal insanity (giving the road team in the second leg 30 more minutes to score an extra away goal). Until now.
Yet another of the insane but true aspects of the rule. FTR, we went out on away goals to Olympiacos when they scored their second away goal in extra time. (Both matches ended 1-0 to the away side, we scored first in extra time to make it 2-1 on aggregate, the equalized shortly after to make it 2-2 and that second away goal settled the tie.)
Not sure. I remember being stunned when this happened (because I assumed that they must be disregarded once extra time is reached), but I can’t say if the rule was ever different.
It's not as bad as the League Cup used to be, I say used to be because I don't know if it's changed, I remember losing a semi to Wigan because away goals count double but only if the game goes to ET, so Wigan beat us on away goals.