Even Looks a Bit Like Bale
European nights await in North London and Gelsenkirchen with today’s finales for Spurs and Schalke. White Hart Lane should play hostile to an AC Milan squad down an away goal in the tie along with most of its midfield. With Gattuso suspended, van Bommel cup-tied, and others injured, Meelan will indeed be up against it as Tottenham attempt to join Shakhtar Donestk and Barcelona in the quarterfinals.
As for the Royal Blues, Raul & Co. entertain Valencia–having earned an important away goal in the 1-1 tie at the Mestalla. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is unavailable due to injury and Lukas Schmitz is out due to suspension. Schalke’s gaffer Felix Magath looks to be leaving at season’s end, so what better way to plump your CV for that next job than by advancing further in the Champs League after destroying your club’s league aspirations, right?
Don’t sleep on the Prem encounter today though–Everton and Brum get crunchy at Goodison as David Moyes seeks to lead his Blues up to 8th position with a full 3 points. For Birmingham, Alex McLeish’s Blues are battling relegation and hope that the recently-won Carling Cup won’t be an albatross weighing them down to the Championship. Everton captain Phil Neville’s out for this one while Liam Ridgewell should be a go for Brum after getting injections in his groin.
Ugh.
Tottenham: Gomes; Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, BAE; Lennon, Sandro, Modric, Pienaar; VdV, Crouch
Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Silva, Nesta, Jankulovski; Flamini, Seedorf, Boateng; Robinho, Pato, Ibrahimovic
Schalke 04: Neuer; Uchida, Hoewedes, Metzelder, Escudero, Kluge, Matip; Farfan, Jurado; Raul, Gavranovic
Valencia: Guaita; Bruno, Ricardo Costa, Navarro, Mathieu; Banega, Topal; Joaquin, Pablo Hernandez, Mata; Aduriz
Haha so apparently Peter Walton forgot his red and yellow cards, so he just held his hand up as if he was holding an invisible one
fuck this sound being ahead of the picture. Muting finally.
Oh jesus Peter, learn to head the goddamn ball.
Oh. my. god. Crouch, come on. You were 3 feet from goal!
Dirty fuckin Eyetalians.
Chants for Bale.
This is more like it.
Total fucking handball. That’s another penalty. Fuck you, Belgian asshole ref.
Halftime, Everton the better side on the half, and probably should have the lead. Birmingham’s only chance ended up in the back of the net and they have only threatened 2-3 times
COYS.
BRING ON BALE
@ LE: Really don’t understand why ‘Arry didn’t to begin the 2nd half.
This is getting very nervousy. I want Bale.
Fuck you ref.
Crouch ends another good attack with nothing.
March madness in Gelsenkirchen! Ball hit inside both goal posts prior to rolling over the goal line. 2-1 Schalke now.
@OM: He’s gotta be more hurt than we think, otherwise it’s inexcusable.
@ LE: That, or ‘Arry’s waiting for Spurs to go a goal down prior to unleashing the Welsh God and his thunderpants.
Goal Schalke.
Allan Hutton needs to stop warming up right now.
Why the FUCK is Hutton warming up? Get your ass back on that fucking bench, Alan.
@Tno: Jinx.
Milan players are not even jumping with Crouch, they’re just backing into him.
Lennon’s crosses have been excellent today.
Another handball? Surely you won’t wave away 3 penalty claims that are all valid.
Not a handball for me.
Sandro is apparently having a fantastic game, hasn’t missed a tackle or interception yet.
@ Steve: Indeed he has–looked like a bit of an upgraded version of Palacios at times.
@Tno: On the replay, I agree. It looked legit live though.
.
@Steve: Agreed. I fucking love this little Brazilian.
Not offside! Bad call! Terrible fucking call! He’s like 8 yards onside.
Wow, BAE was 5 yards on side there.
Sandro’s game is really well suited to the continental style of play. He’s looking like a really good buy.
Valencia should have just leveled the match again but Neuer with a great save. Hoewedes and Metzelder have been pants–again.
How does that go against Crouch? Are you shitting me? I hate this man, I hate Milan. I hate everything.
Please make a sub, ‘arry.
Fuck you Flamini. Studs up asshole.
Flamini NTKOP.
Cmon seriously, why hasn’t Bale come on yet?
Here comes Bale!!
Bringing on both Hutton and Bale would really spice things up at both ends of the pitch
WELSH DONG GOD IS COMING!!! BE AFRAID ABATE, BE VERY AFRAID
Come on man, that is not a foul. IT’s not Crouch’s fault he’s tall. That’s absolutely getting ridiculous.
@MP
Don’t even joke of such things.
Holy shit that was scary as balls.
Gomes, settle down dude, settle down.
VDV started the problem by quitting on the play after he got out-hustled to the ball.
Pienaar in the hole?
COME ON YOU WELSH GOD
I don’t think VdV has been happy with this team performance tonight. His body language was down even before he left down the tunnel.
I can’t believe Flamini actually tried to pull out of that challenge.
VdV can get a bit sulky. Not at Torres levels though.
@ TNO: He’s got Sylvie to go home to–that automatically reduces his sulky level from Torres proportion.
Gomes is auditioning for a spot as an NFL replacement QB.
Twitterverse says Jenas is coming on.
Does Crouch now how to settle the ball with his chest? Is that a skill he learned ever?
JJ for who? Unless it’s Pienaar, do not want.
Ok, I’m fine with this. The original model is better than the knock off version anyway.
Is it bad that I’d rather see Jenas than Pienaar?
@ Steve: Absolutely not. Like LE said–I’ll take the original model.
Mancini special. Left back switch while down.
I hope Lennon kills Antonini again like he did last leg.
Can Spurs defend well for 20 minutes?
Gomes, your distribution is godawful.
My stream died and the one I’m on now looks like I’m watching the game through a grease covered window.
Apparently Milan is just allowed to use their hands in the box.
Kevin Prince Boateng, 75 minutes, 0 broken legs. Disappointing performance from him, I’d say.
I love Sandro.
I hate Pato. Fuck that was close.
Spurs are conceding before the 80th minute, no way around it.
Don’t say it Steve! Believe! COYS!
Phil is right. Jenas is way too indecisive to ever be an effective center mid.
How does Jenas not anticipate/spot Bale’s run? Twice. Is he fucking retarded?
15 seconds more and I’m wrong.
Fuck. I have to leave work. COYS. Fuck off Milan.
Pavs coming on I think.
I don’t know if it was you, OM, or Phil or Bill, but that yankee yiddos “Supercalifragilisticromanpavyluchenko” tweet from the other day was absolutely fantastic.
@ Steve: It was one of the “ils” as I was on vacation last week. Just now getting back into the groove.
Goddammit, Corluka, stop getting hurt!
If this game ends without a goal, Sandro easily MOM.
Have to agree–really, hadn’t counted on the lad having another solid Champs League performance.
Well this is a welcoming bootroom haha
@ Orr: Flamini’s off, you’re on–it’s more welcoming now.
I was worried about you earlier, Orr, but OM said you were probably working. Glad to have you here!
“Rodney”? Really?
If Inter catches us for the scudetto, send some help Steve. I had a bad feeling about this tie as soon as it was announced.
Remember that time Man City bought Robinho for 30 million? That was funny.
/Please don’t score
COYS COYS COYS
Tottenham’s through. Wow.
Levy should send Wenger a complimentary ticket to the quarter final match at WHL.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
SPURS ARE ON THE WAY TO WEMBLEY
TOTTENHAM’S GONNA DO IT AGAIN
YOU KNOW YOU CAN’T STOP ‘EM
THE BOYS FROM TOTTENHAM
THE BOYS FROM WHITE HART LANE!
Well, a very disappointing result from my persepctive obviously. Honestly thought it would be a way more entertaining tie overall also.
But credit to Spurs, you lot just make sure you get into the tournament next year for a rematch!
@ Orr: Do have to agree with you there–don’t think anybody predicted this one to end in a single Crouch goal over 2 games. I’ll take it though–even if the lanky sod can’t convert in the league.
Schalke also going through. 3-1 now.
Sandro MOTM easy.
Orr with today’s installment of “Backhanded Compliments”
Just got back to my computer. I’m excited to see the result but I have a hard time bragging about a 0-0 draw no matter what it means on aggregate (laughing).
@MP – Perhaps a little. But I’d much rather remedy the situation next year than have Spurs stay at home.
Oh, and how much for that Sandro fellow?
We won this tie with a goal scored by a forward who doesn’t play in the league anymore, and with arguably two MOTM performances from a guy who rarely makes the bench for EPL games.
But, the league is the focus, right Harry?
I can’t believe we get to play more CL. Bring on Barcelona!!
I think everyone here would LOVE to see the Welsh Wizard tear Alves a new one.
Randomly watched the Schalke game at my mom’s internetless abode on a somehow free FS+. Glad I didn’t trudge to Starbucks in the rain to stream a goalless draw, but awesome for you Spurs fans. I hope you get Barcelona if only because your heads will explode if you somehow manage to beat them