Cavalieri
Darby Skrtel Agger Insua
Aquilani Mascherano
Benayoun Gerrard Dossena
Kuyt
Goals:
Benayoun 43’
Jorgensen 63’
Gilardino 90+2’
Well, that adequately sums up this year’s Champions League campaign.
Another below speed first half, but Liverpool went ahead thanks to Benayoun. Better play in the second half still saw Liverpool ship two goals, both on the break, including another injury time winner. At this point, it’s funny, right? I mean, this season’s been so implausible it has to be funny. This has to be a joke. I think Andy Kaufman’s writing the script.
The game started brightly enough given the circumstances and team sheets. Liverpool looked to attack, and Fiorentina, with two holding midfielders in Donadel and Montolivo, congested and stifled. The first forays forward came down Liverpool’s left – the best early on after Aquilani and Gerrard combined to put Dossena in space, with Kuyt unable to get to the cross. That’d be a recurring theme.
Ngog must have picked up a late injury, not even in the squad after doing the press conference with Benitez yesterday. Once again, Kuyt made no headway as a lone striker. Liverpool consistently had little presence in the box when crosses came in, and the Dutchman was offside five times in the first half (the referee played on once with Fiorentina in possession). That’s as bad as Cisse or Baros.
Hearts were in mouths in the 11th when Agger’s short back pass let Santana in, but Cavalieri came out to close down. As Liverpool proved unable to ask questions, the away side grew in stature. And it was Liverpool’s left that looked vulnerable when Fiorentina attacked.
In the 26th, Fiorentina had two chances down that flank, as De Silvestri’s cross just eluded Jorgensen before Gilardino reached a throughball at the byline, only for Jorgensen to sky the cutback. Seven minutes later, there were two more close calls in quick succession, as Cavalieri did well to tip over De Silvestri’s close-range header from a corner before the keeper caught Montolivo’s bouncing volley from the subsequent set-play.
That Torres warming up around the 40th minute drew the loudest applause summed up the first half to that point. But three minutes later, Gerrard won a free kick outside the box on the right, and the captain’s ball in was perfectly met by an unmarked Benayoun at the near post, his flicked header beating Frey low into the far corner.
From there, it should have been Liverpool’s game. And the team stepped it up in the second half, much better going forward and rarely threatened until exposed, once again, on the break. Seconds before Liverpool were to bring on Torres, Fiorentina charged down Liverpool’s left. An early ball was cleverly dummied to Gilardino, who found Jorgensen out wide when Darby was sucked inside. With an acre of space, the winger made no mistake. Naturally, Liverpool should have extended their lead less that a minute before, when Agger was an inch away from meeting Gerrard’s free kick. ‘Funny old game’ doesn’t even cover it.
Torres’ entrance – for Kuyt – livened Liverpool, and the home side had the better chances in an increasingly open game that both teams wanted to win. Fiorentina sent on heavyweights Vargas and Marchionni, but Liverpool responded with Gerrard shooting into the side netting after a scramble in the box and Dossena narrowly missing Torres’ cross.
Aquilani lasted 76 minutes, replaced by Pacheco (making his first appearance). It’s hard to divine much from Aqua’s performance; it was his first start in a new team, not even the first XI, after an almost yearlong injury. He had some clever touches, combining well with Gerrard on a few occasions, and some bad giveaways. He doesn’t spend nearly as much time on the ball as Alonso, but showed a similar range of passing and looked to push the ball forward instead of sideways or backwards. I wasn’t impressed by his tackling or tracking back, and would be incredibly surprised if he started on Sunday. It’s early days, but I didn’t see anything to change my initial impression. He’s a more attacking option, something different and with obvious talents, but we’re still going to see a fair bit of Lucas/Mascherano.
And it was Pacheco that nearly won the game with his first touch. Receiving the ball on the left edge of the box, Pacheco cracked a snap shot that Frey had to turn around the post. That would have been a hell of a way to debut. Chances continued, but none as good, as Liverpool remained just inches off. Another persistent theme this season. Twice more the team just failed to connect with crosses into the box – Torres a step behind Gerrard’s after a smart run and Dossena unable to make good contact jumping between two defenders.
And then, once again, Liverpool were punished. And, unfortunately, it’s down to Stephen Darby. I don’t want to blame a young player making his first start. I truly don’t. And it’s not as if the kid didn’t do admirably for most of the game. But when he dawdled in possession in the 92nd minute, the dangerous Vargas nipped in and stripped him. Charging down an open flank, it was easy for the Peruvian to center for Gilardino. 1-2. And with seven points and a -2 goal difference, Liverpool won’t even be seeded for the Europa League draw.
It’s deserved, just like Fiorentina deserves to top the group. I want to excoriate much of the performance – especially the first half and late goal – but I wrote that this was a "meaningless" game multiple times. The amount of changes to the line-up hopefully indicates that this will have little bearing on the team’s league form, which had improved through November before last Saturday’s poor draw. This Champions League’s been nothing short of awful. Let’s hope Liverpool’s exit from it marks the start of something different.
Showing posts with label Fiorentina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiorentina. Show all posts
09 December 2009
08 December 2009
Liverpool v Fiorentina 12.09.09
2:45pm, live in the US on DirecTV. Because it’s basically meaningless, it’s not on either FSC or Setanta. It’s on one of those stations (channel 462 in this case; 462-1 in HD) that show every Champions League and Europe League game. I sincerely apologize for rubbing it in if you can’t get or afford DirecTV, but I adore it.
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Blackburn (a); 2-0 Everton (a); 1-0 Debrecen (a)
Fiorentina: 2-0 Atalanta (h); 0-1 Inter (a); 1-0 Lyon (h)
Group Stage:
Liverpool: 1-0 Debrecen (a); 1-1 Lyon (a); 1-2 Lyon (h); 0-2 Fiorentina (a); 1-0 Debrecen (h)
Fiorentina: 1-0 Lyon (h); 5-2 Debrecen (h); 4-3 Debrecen (a); 2-0 Liverpool (h); 0-1 Lyon (a)
Goalscorers (CL):
Liverpool: Babel, Benayoun, Kuyt, Ngog 1
Fiorentina: Mutu 3; Gilardino, Jovetic 2; Dainelli, Marchionni, Montolivo, Santana, Vargas 1
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)
That’s an unfamiliar name. I think he worked the WC qualifier between Ukraine and England, which England lost 0-1.
Guess at a squad:
Cavalieri
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano Aquilani
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Ngog
Without a doubt, the least excited I’ve ever been for a Liverpool match. Other than the sheer delight of watching Liverpool, Aquilani’s first start seems the only enticement. I’m tempted to suggest even more changes, a la the Carling Cup, but the first team players aren’t going to hit any sort of stride by sitting on the bench, and only a few should be protected for Sunday’s match against Arsenal.
But, yeah, the big news is that Aquilani’s seemingly ready. I tried to rationalize his lack of appearances in the comments of Saturday’s match review – I do think there’s a rationalization – and I’m not surprised this is the match where he starts for the first time. He’s fit and familiar with Italian opposition, it’s an inconsequential match, and both Lucas and Mascherano could do with a rest. Lucas has started every single Premiership and Champions League match so far.
Which is half of the reason I’m suggesting Mascherano paired with Aquilani in the middle. Like Insua, who Benitez also mentioned today, Lucas is one of those players who’s started more games than Benitez probably wanted. The other reason is defense; yes, Fiorentina’s already qualified, but Mascherano’s holding abilities will still be more necessary than Lucas. Maybe we’ll see Spearing or Plessis, but I’d rather Aquilani partner someone he’ll be playing with regularly.
It seems as if Torres will only be fit for the bench (which is good news; he’s improved enough to be involved, but Benitez won’t risk him from the start). In his absence and with the lack of goals, I’m tempted to suggest 4-4-2 with Kuyt and Ngog up top (Voronin hasn’t been in the squad since the draw against Lyon, and I haven’t seen any reports of injury), some combination of Benayoun, Riera, and El Zhar on the flanks (Babel’s still injured), and Aquilani and Mascherano in central midfield. I obviously think Gerrard needs the game off to further recuperate, but with Riera picking up a knock against Blackburn, I don’t know if that’s possible.
But if 4-2-3-1 is truly the way forward, Liverpool needs to use the system whether it’s the first team or the reserves. Arsenal plays like Arsenal whether they’re facing Chelsea or it’s the kids in the Carling Cup. Similar goes for United. That’s why I’m hesitant to suggest changes, although injuries have certainly limited Liverpool’s options. Maybe El Zhar will start on the right after his cameo against Blackburn, but El Zhar on the right means Kuyt’s probably out. We all know Kuyt’s never left out.
As with the rest of the line-up, I’m tempted to guess some reserves in defense. Cavalieri looks the most likely given the circumstances and Benitez’s aforementioned comments, along with Insua (with Dossena, also familiar with Fiorentina, possibly starting). But I’d rather the same backline for consistency. After such a shaky start, Liverpool’s kept three straight clean sheets with Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, and Reina.
How strong Fiorentina’s team will be remains uncertain. With a win, Fiorentina could top the group. A draw would do it if Lyon doesn’t beat Debrecen by at least two goals. But I imagine La Viola will be happy with qualification, rest players, and focus on the fight for fourth in the league (sound familiar? – except for the qualification part, of course). Jovetic, who scored twice in the last meeting, is fit again, but Adrian Mutu’s still out after knee surgery. Fiorentina’s starting XI over the weekend was Frey, De Silvestri, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual, Santana, Donadel, Montolivo, Vargas, Jovetic, and Gilardino.
After failing to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time under Benitez, it’s hard to argue that Liverpool doesn’t deserve their fate and this meaningless fixture. All I can hope for is no more injuries going forward. If the team continues the unbeaten streak started at the end of October, all the better for morale and momentum. But it’s this weekend’s fixture that truly matters.
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Blackburn (a); 2-0 Everton (a); 1-0 Debrecen (a)
Fiorentina: 2-0 Atalanta (h); 0-1 Inter (a); 1-0 Lyon (h)
Group Stage:
Liverpool: 1-0 Debrecen (a); 1-1 Lyon (a); 1-2 Lyon (h); 0-2 Fiorentina (a); 1-0 Debrecen (h)
Fiorentina: 1-0 Lyon (h); 5-2 Debrecen (h); 4-3 Debrecen (a); 2-0 Liverpool (h); 0-1 Lyon (a)
Goalscorers (CL):
Liverpool: Babel, Benayoun, Kuyt, Ngog 1
Fiorentina: Mutu 3; Gilardino, Jovetic 2; Dainelli, Marchionni, Montolivo, Santana, Vargas 1
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)
That’s an unfamiliar name. I think he worked the WC qualifier between Ukraine and England, which England lost 0-1.
Guess at a squad:
Cavalieri
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano Aquilani
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Ngog
Without a doubt, the least excited I’ve ever been for a Liverpool match. Other than the sheer delight of watching Liverpool, Aquilani’s first start seems the only enticement. I’m tempted to suggest even more changes, a la the Carling Cup, but the first team players aren’t going to hit any sort of stride by sitting on the bench, and only a few should be protected for Sunday’s match against Arsenal.
But, yeah, the big news is that Aquilani’s seemingly ready. I tried to rationalize his lack of appearances in the comments of Saturday’s match review – I do think there’s a rationalization – and I’m not surprised this is the match where he starts for the first time. He’s fit and familiar with Italian opposition, it’s an inconsequential match, and both Lucas and Mascherano could do with a rest. Lucas has started every single Premiership and Champions League match so far.
Which is half of the reason I’m suggesting Mascherano paired with Aquilani in the middle. Like Insua, who Benitez also mentioned today, Lucas is one of those players who’s started more games than Benitez probably wanted. The other reason is defense; yes, Fiorentina’s already qualified, but Mascherano’s holding abilities will still be more necessary than Lucas. Maybe we’ll see Spearing or Plessis, but I’d rather Aquilani partner someone he’ll be playing with regularly.
It seems as if Torres will only be fit for the bench (which is good news; he’s improved enough to be involved, but Benitez won’t risk him from the start). In his absence and with the lack of goals, I’m tempted to suggest 4-4-2 with Kuyt and Ngog up top (Voronin hasn’t been in the squad since the draw against Lyon, and I haven’t seen any reports of injury), some combination of Benayoun, Riera, and El Zhar on the flanks (Babel’s still injured), and Aquilani and Mascherano in central midfield. I obviously think Gerrard needs the game off to further recuperate, but with Riera picking up a knock against Blackburn, I don’t know if that’s possible.
But if 4-2-3-1 is truly the way forward, Liverpool needs to use the system whether it’s the first team or the reserves. Arsenal plays like Arsenal whether they’re facing Chelsea or it’s the kids in the Carling Cup. Similar goes for United. That’s why I’m hesitant to suggest changes, although injuries have certainly limited Liverpool’s options. Maybe El Zhar will start on the right after his cameo against Blackburn, but El Zhar on the right means Kuyt’s probably out. We all know Kuyt’s never left out.
As with the rest of the line-up, I’m tempted to guess some reserves in defense. Cavalieri looks the most likely given the circumstances and Benitez’s aforementioned comments, along with Insua (with Dossena, also familiar with Fiorentina, possibly starting). But I’d rather the same backline for consistency. After such a shaky start, Liverpool’s kept three straight clean sheets with Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, and Reina.
How strong Fiorentina’s team will be remains uncertain. With a win, Fiorentina could top the group. A draw would do it if Lyon doesn’t beat Debrecen by at least two goals. But I imagine La Viola will be happy with qualification, rest players, and focus on the fight for fourth in the league (sound familiar? – except for the qualification part, of course). Jovetic, who scored twice in the last meeting, is fit again, but Adrian Mutu’s still out after knee surgery. Fiorentina’s starting XI over the weekend was Frey, De Silvestri, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual, Santana, Donadel, Montolivo, Vargas, Jovetic, and Gilardino.
After failing to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time under Benitez, it’s hard to argue that Liverpool doesn’t deserve their fate and this meaningless fixture. All I can hope for is no more injuries going forward. If the team continues the unbeaten streak started at the end of October, all the better for morale and momentum. But it’s this weekend’s fixture that truly matters.
29 September 2009
Liverpool 0-2 Fiorentina
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Carragher Insua
Lucas Aurelio
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Jovetic 28’ 37’
Decisively and deservedly beaten. Out-Europed in Europe. Liverpool never got in gear and Fiorentina were fantastic, besting Liverpool at its own game in the first half and smothering the life out of them in the second.
Playing Aurelio in midfield was a gamble, and it absolutely didn’t pay off. Liverpool were rarely able to create any attacking cohesion or string more than four passes together (may be slight exaggeration), and came under increasing pressure as Fiorentina gained a foothold. Jovetic flashed a warning in the 16th, breaking down the left with Skrtel back to timely block his shot. The reprieve only lasted 12 minutes, when the same player beat the offside trap (two Fiorentina players were off, but it looked like Insua and Johnson played Jovetic on) and beat Reina.
Liverpool had no reply and Fiorentina kept up the pressure. All too often, Liverpool pens teams in. It’s not a pleasant sight seeing it happen to the Reds. Vargas forced a good save from Reina three minutes after Jovetic’s opener, and it was the winger’s dangerous low ball into the area that Jovetic redirected past Reina at the near post in the 37th. Down 0-2 and unable to sustain any attack. Awesome.
Soon after the second goal, Setanta flashed a graphic that said Liverpool had the edge in possession 53-47%. Ha. They did little with it. It took until the 35th minute for Liverpool to get a shot on target – a Gerrard effort from distance that tamely rolled to the keeper – and it was the only one in the first half.
Halftime prompted a decent response, and things could have gone differently had Benayoun cut it back instead of shooting in the 47th or Lucas’ header from the subsequent corner hadn’t been a foot over the bar. But after 10-15 minutes of pressure, Fiorentina frustrated the away side into going through the motions. Kuyt had the ball in the net in the 75th, and who knew what infringement the ref stopped play for, but he stopped play. And from there, we ended not with a bang, but a whimper. Babel and Voronin were sent on for Insua and Kuyt respectively, but the lone chances in the final 15 minutes were a few speculative Gerrard efforts and a Torres volley high and wide created by Skrtel of all people.
Gamberini and Dainelli doubled Torres throughout, preventing the striker from doing much damage, and Kuyt, Gerrard, and Benayoun were usually too penned back to offer much support. All three ended up dropping deeper and more central to compensate for the midfield. Special mention goes out to Gamberini and left back Gobbi, who were both excellent, but Fiorentina’s team defense kept Liverpool from settling in the slightest. The misplaced passes and heavy touches didn’t help, but Fiorentina earned their three points.
I absolutely hate bringing it up, seeing as I wrote it yesterday and take no joy from being “right” in this situation, but two of my biggest fears were realized. One, Jovetic caused massive problems, evidenced by his first half brace. His second goal was right place, right time striker’s luck in the box, but the first, beating the offside trap, was something Liverpool should have seen coming. I was similarly impressed as to how he dropped into midfield to defend and hold up play in the second half.
Two, as much as I like Aurelio as a player, this is why I didn’t want to see him in midfield. It’s one thing if Liverpool’s playing Portsmouth, where they’ll see most of the ball and Aurelio will be able to exploit his range of passing. Even though he’s a defender, he’s not a midfield destroyer. Liverpool needed a midfield destroyer badly today. While it limits his gifts, Gerrard has the ability to be a midfield destroyer.
No one escapes with any credit, but I was most disappointed in Benayoun, Skrtel, Aurelio, and Kuyt. I’ve condemned the central midfield more than is probably deserved, while Liverpool often hinges on Benayoun and Kuyt and neither could knit play together today.
The only sliver of optimism is that this result will put a chip on the team’s shoulders for the trip to Chelsea. That’s all I got. Well, that and the fact that Liverpool have four more group stage games to rectify this performance.
Johnson Skrtel Carragher Insua
Lucas Aurelio
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Jovetic 28’ 37’
Decisively and deservedly beaten. Out-Europed in Europe. Liverpool never got in gear and Fiorentina were fantastic, besting Liverpool at its own game in the first half and smothering the life out of them in the second.
Playing Aurelio in midfield was a gamble, and it absolutely didn’t pay off. Liverpool were rarely able to create any attacking cohesion or string more than four passes together (may be slight exaggeration), and came under increasing pressure as Fiorentina gained a foothold. Jovetic flashed a warning in the 16th, breaking down the left with Skrtel back to timely block his shot. The reprieve only lasted 12 minutes, when the same player beat the offside trap (two Fiorentina players were off, but it looked like Insua and Johnson played Jovetic on) and beat Reina.
Liverpool had no reply and Fiorentina kept up the pressure. All too often, Liverpool pens teams in. It’s not a pleasant sight seeing it happen to the Reds. Vargas forced a good save from Reina three minutes after Jovetic’s opener, and it was the winger’s dangerous low ball into the area that Jovetic redirected past Reina at the near post in the 37th. Down 0-2 and unable to sustain any attack. Awesome.
Soon after the second goal, Setanta flashed a graphic that said Liverpool had the edge in possession 53-47%. Ha. They did little with it. It took until the 35th minute for Liverpool to get a shot on target – a Gerrard effort from distance that tamely rolled to the keeper – and it was the only one in the first half.
Halftime prompted a decent response, and things could have gone differently had Benayoun cut it back instead of shooting in the 47th or Lucas’ header from the subsequent corner hadn’t been a foot over the bar. But after 10-15 minutes of pressure, Fiorentina frustrated the away side into going through the motions. Kuyt had the ball in the net in the 75th, and who knew what infringement the ref stopped play for, but he stopped play. And from there, we ended not with a bang, but a whimper. Babel and Voronin were sent on for Insua and Kuyt respectively, but the lone chances in the final 15 minutes were a few speculative Gerrard efforts and a Torres volley high and wide created by Skrtel of all people.
Gamberini and Dainelli doubled Torres throughout, preventing the striker from doing much damage, and Kuyt, Gerrard, and Benayoun were usually too penned back to offer much support. All three ended up dropping deeper and more central to compensate for the midfield. Special mention goes out to Gamberini and left back Gobbi, who were both excellent, but Fiorentina’s team defense kept Liverpool from settling in the slightest. The misplaced passes and heavy touches didn’t help, but Fiorentina earned their three points.
I absolutely hate bringing it up, seeing as I wrote it yesterday and take no joy from being “right” in this situation, but two of my biggest fears were realized. One, Jovetic caused massive problems, evidenced by his first half brace. His second goal was right place, right time striker’s luck in the box, but the first, beating the offside trap, was something Liverpool should have seen coming. I was similarly impressed as to how he dropped into midfield to defend and hold up play in the second half.
Two, as much as I like Aurelio as a player, this is why I didn’t want to see him in midfield. It’s one thing if Liverpool’s playing Portsmouth, where they’ll see most of the ball and Aurelio will be able to exploit his range of passing. Even though he’s a defender, he’s not a midfield destroyer. Liverpool needed a midfield destroyer badly today. While it limits his gifts, Gerrard has the ability to be a midfield destroyer.
No one escapes with any credit, but I was most disappointed in Benayoun, Skrtel, Aurelio, and Kuyt. I’ve condemned the central midfield more than is probably deserved, while Liverpool often hinges on Benayoun and Kuyt and neither could knit play together today.
The only sliver of optimism is that this result will put a chip on the team’s shoulders for the trip to Chelsea. That’s all I got. Well, that and the fact that Liverpool have four more group stage games to rectify this performance.
28 September 2009
Liverpool at Fiorentina 09.29.09
2:45pm, live in the US on Setanta.
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 6-1 Hull (h); 1-0 Leeds (a); 3-2 West Ham (a)
Fiorentina: 1-0 Livorno (a); 2-0 Sampdoria (h); 1-3 Roma (a)
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Carragher Insua
Lucas Gerrard
Benayoun Kuyt Riera
Torres
Sky Sports certainly threw a spanner in the works this morning, announcing that neither Benayoun nor Mascherano traveled to Italy because of an injury and illness respectively. A couple of hours later, Benitez corrected the Murdoch outfit’s typical piss-poor “journalism.” Mascherano is out because of a tight hamstring, but Benayoun’s in the squad. Phew. That eases a few of the concerns.
After being relegated to the bench on Saturday, I thought Mascherano was a certain starter both here and on Saturday. Let’s just hope the injury heals quickly, because his ability to break up opposition attacks will be crucial against Chelsea. Unless Benitez decides to truly blood Spearing – and this match would be a baptism by fire – Gerrard will remain in central midfield paired with Lucas. I doubt we’ll see Aurelio in midfield for the second time in a week; for all his gifts, he’s too one-footed for this role against most sides.
Had Benayoun not been available, Benitez would have had to choose between Babel and Voronin, and the change in tactics each would entail. As Benayoun seems likely to play, it should be the same line-up as against Burnley, Debrecen, and Hull. Chances are there’ll be a slightly different result given the class of opposition. Hopefully not too different.
As Aurelio seems likely to come back in against Chelsea, he may get a start here so Stamford Bridge isn’t his first start of the season at left back. But I still think it’s going to take a few good performances to dislodge Insua from that role.
Having seen four of Fiorentina’s games so far this season (both legs against Sporting Lisbon, Roma, and Livorno), I’m better qualified to opine on the opponents than usual in CL competition. Fourth in Serie A, they’ve had a relatively strong start to the season, thumping league-leading Sampdoria at home five days ago. Frey is a talented keeper, and did very well against Livorno, but defensive frailties led to all three of Roma’s goals in that match, while the whole team was unconvincing against Sporting (winning on away goals).
19-year-old Stevan Jovetic has scored their key goals, and will star with Gilardino suspended and former Chelsea man Mutu a more peripheral figure since that enormously unfair CAS verdict against him. Jovetic has the makings of a top talent, and the defense will obviously need to cease the silly mistakes to keep him under wraps. Vargas at left back will also pose a threat, and I think we’ll again see Glen Johnson in a more defensive role regardless of who starts on the right wing. Plus, Vargas isn’t too shabby at set plays (gulp).
No matter the lure of Europe, Chelsea on Sunday is a more tantalizing proposition. But we’ve seen Liverpool’s success in Europe push them on in the league before. Another win here – which would be the seventh in a row – is exactly what the team needs to keep momentum going.
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 6-1 Hull (h); 1-0 Leeds (a); 3-2 West Ham (a)
Fiorentina: 1-0 Livorno (a); 2-0 Sampdoria (h); 1-3 Roma (a)
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Carragher Insua
Lucas Gerrard
Benayoun Kuyt Riera
Torres
Sky Sports certainly threw a spanner in the works this morning, announcing that neither Benayoun nor Mascherano traveled to Italy because of an injury and illness respectively. A couple of hours later, Benitez corrected the Murdoch outfit’s typical piss-poor “journalism.” Mascherano is out because of a tight hamstring, but Benayoun’s in the squad. Phew. That eases a few of the concerns.
After being relegated to the bench on Saturday, I thought Mascherano was a certain starter both here and on Saturday. Let’s just hope the injury heals quickly, because his ability to break up opposition attacks will be crucial against Chelsea. Unless Benitez decides to truly blood Spearing – and this match would be a baptism by fire – Gerrard will remain in central midfield paired with Lucas. I doubt we’ll see Aurelio in midfield for the second time in a week; for all his gifts, he’s too one-footed for this role against most sides.
Had Benayoun not been available, Benitez would have had to choose between Babel and Voronin, and the change in tactics each would entail. As Benayoun seems likely to play, it should be the same line-up as against Burnley, Debrecen, and Hull. Chances are there’ll be a slightly different result given the class of opposition. Hopefully not too different.
As Aurelio seems likely to come back in against Chelsea, he may get a start here so Stamford Bridge isn’t his first start of the season at left back. But I still think it’s going to take a few good performances to dislodge Insua from that role.
Having seen four of Fiorentina’s games so far this season (both legs against Sporting Lisbon, Roma, and Livorno), I’m better qualified to opine on the opponents than usual in CL competition. Fourth in Serie A, they’ve had a relatively strong start to the season, thumping league-leading Sampdoria at home five days ago. Frey is a talented keeper, and did very well against Livorno, but defensive frailties led to all three of Roma’s goals in that match, while the whole team was unconvincing against Sporting (winning on away goals).
19-year-old Stevan Jovetic has scored their key goals, and will star with Gilardino suspended and former Chelsea man Mutu a more peripheral figure since that enormously unfair CAS verdict against him. Jovetic has the makings of a top talent, and the defense will obviously need to cease the silly mistakes to keep him under wraps. Vargas at left back will also pose a threat, and I think we’ll again see Glen Johnson in a more defensive role regardless of who starts on the right wing. Plus, Vargas isn’t too shabby at set plays (gulp).
No matter the lure of Europe, Chelsea on Sunday is a more tantalizing proposition. But we’ve seen Liverpool’s success in Europe push them on in the league before. Another win here – which would be the seventh in a row – is exactly what the team needs to keep momentum going.
27 August 2009
Champions League Group Stage Draw
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debrenci VSC
Group E awaits. Not the easiest group (Groups G or H), but it’s not Groups A, C, or F either. Neither Lyon nor Fiorentina will be easy matches, but they’ll be interesting pairings against prestigious teams, while Debrecen’s a completely unknown quantity. But days out in Lyon, Florence, and Budapest (I'm pretty sure that's where Debrecen's CL games will be played) are mouthwatering; I’m incredibly jealous of the traveling Kop this year.
I saw both of Fiorentina’s qualifying games, and they were honestly lucky to go through against Sporting. Mutu and Gilardino are excellent strikers, but they’re definitely beatable. Lyon hammered Anderlecht in the last round, but have lost Benzema and were knocked off the top of Ligue 1 for the first time in a dog’s age last season. However, Lisandro Lopez, Bastos, and Gomis are all dangerous players; Lyon are definitely one of the stronger teams out of Pot 2. Debrecen are Hungarian champions, but this is the first time the Hungarian champions have made the group stage in 14 years.
Barca v Inter is the tastiest tie on paper, while Group A is probably the toughest top to bottom. Also, I’d like to delight in Manchester’s trips to Moscow and Istanbul; hopefully one of them will come right before the 10/25 match at Anfield. Plus, the reigning German champions as the fourth seed. The Mancs look likely to win all their home matches, but won’t have one easy away game. Arsenal should walk their group though, while Rangers will never have a better chance to make it to the knockout rounds.
The first group stage game will be September 15 or 16.
Draw in full:
Group A:
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa
Group B:
Manchester Utd
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg
Group C:
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
FC Zurich
Group D:
Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL
Group E:
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debreceni VSC
Group F:
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Dynamo Kiev
Rubin Kazan
Group G:
Sevilla
Rangers
Stuttgart
Unirea Urziceni
Group H:
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiakos
Standard Liege
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debrenci VSC
Group E awaits. Not the easiest group (Groups G or H), but it’s not Groups A, C, or F either. Neither Lyon nor Fiorentina will be easy matches, but they’ll be interesting pairings against prestigious teams, while Debrecen’s a completely unknown quantity. But days out in Lyon, Florence, and Budapest (I'm pretty sure that's where Debrecen's CL games will be played) are mouthwatering; I’m incredibly jealous of the traveling Kop this year.
I saw both of Fiorentina’s qualifying games, and they were honestly lucky to go through against Sporting. Mutu and Gilardino are excellent strikers, but they’re definitely beatable. Lyon hammered Anderlecht in the last round, but have lost Benzema and were knocked off the top of Ligue 1 for the first time in a dog’s age last season. However, Lisandro Lopez, Bastos, and Gomis are all dangerous players; Lyon are definitely one of the stronger teams out of Pot 2. Debrecen are Hungarian champions, but this is the first time the Hungarian champions have made the group stage in 14 years.
Barca v Inter is the tastiest tie on paper, while Group A is probably the toughest top to bottom. Also, I’d like to delight in Manchester’s trips to Moscow and Istanbul; hopefully one of them will come right before the 10/25 match at Anfield. Plus, the reigning German champions as the fourth seed. The Mancs look likely to win all their home matches, but won’t have one easy away game. Arsenal should walk their group though, while Rangers will never have a better chance to make it to the knockout rounds.
The first group stage game will be September 15 or 16.
Draw in full:
Group A:
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa
Group B:
Manchester Utd
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg
Group C:
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
FC Zurich
Group D:
Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL
Group E:
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debreceni VSC
Group F:
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Dynamo Kiev
Rubin Kazan
Group G:
Sevilla
Rangers
Stuttgart
Unirea Urziceni
Group H:
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiakos
Standard Liege
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