Match Review: Ajax 2-1 Barcelona

When Ajax were paired with Barça for the first time, who would have thought that Ajax would win in Amsterdam? Ajax were wonderful in the first half and Blind is slowly winning me over in the #6 role. I shouldn't have been too critical on Frank De Boer probably, after all he does know a bit or two about fullbacks doing well in midfield. Now after watching Blind play in that midfield role consistently, he does seem to be adapting well. Not sure how much benefit that would make for his role as LB for Oranje though. After 40 mins, Ajax had 55% possession and completed more passes than Barça and what more, the possession wasn't sterile but actually created some goal scoring chances. Thankfully there were no stupid comments like “wow, look at all these teams learning from Barça” as my broadcast had Russian commentary. The performance wasn't that surprising though – Ajax held their own comfortably at Nou Camp before Duarte (who joined from Heracles and was making his CL debut) gave away a cheap foul vs Messi around HT. Before that, Barça had no clear chances to score while Valdés made two excellent saves to deny Ajax taking the lead. With Messi and Valdés absent, it was more relaxing for Ajax this time. Of course Barça were missing other players just like Ajax were missing their own Sigþórsson, Krkic (on-loan from Barça but allowed to play against them), Siem de Jong. Boilesen was brilliant as LB before getting injured. Impressed with how quickly Blind adapted to a completely new role within the same game (moving from #6 to LB). There was Poulsen for an hour and still Barça couldn't test him [:p].

Neymar was the biggest attacking threat from Barça while Fabregas and Pedro were almost non existent. Irritated me with their petulance too. Fabregas unnecessarily fouling (and throwing the ball at Poulsen) and Pedro waving that card in ref's face after Veltman's foul on Neymar. The crowd really didn't like Neymar for the exaggerated reactions to each foul. For every tackle, he makes it look like a near death experience for him. They did make sure everyone knew their feelings but jeering and whistling every Neymar touch after that. Anyway, apart from that little annoying trait, he's a very good player. Liked his runs from the wide areas to center dragging Van Rhijn away but luckily for Ajax, it was Montoya and not Alba running into that vacant space. Masch and excessive talking to referees. Pique running all the way across the pitch to participate in handbags. Some things never change eh? :)

Ajax side are not exactly famed for their defensive nous though. The Cruyffian ideology asks for ball playing defenders and not exactly players who play with blood and thunder. The majority of the tactics is to defend by denying opposition the ball and winning back the ball with heavy pressing. Last ditch tackles are not exactly their forte. Not really bothered with whether you guys agree with this style or not, but it has its own charm. So it was pleasing to see the other side of their game yesterday. Didn't get scared after the red card and held their own well in a 4-4-1 formation, even turning to a 4-5-0 after Hoesen got subbed with Duarte.

Ajax side cost 11m Euros with an avg salary of 700,000 Euros a yr. Of the 36 members in the match day squad for both sides, 23 came through either La Masia or De Toekomst. What was that article about "not so wonderful academy of Ajax"? Beating Barça at their own game. That's how wonderful Ajax academy is. As a Spanish paper put it (I forget which one), Ajax showed their technique in first half and courage in second. Now all they need is a win in San Siro to progress. How bloody good that would be! :)

Special mentions to Viktor Fischer, who suddenly seemed to have found his mojo back last week. Davy Klaassen, who is now part of senior side after getting promoted from A1. But my man of the match is Thulani Serero – a frail midget with ill fitting shirt but what a match he had. Ghosted past everyone for the first goal and dominated the midfield throughout. Almost makes me feel even I could have made it.

PS

Pep is playing Lahm at CM and De Boer is playing Blind as #6. At least Pogba should now see why Fergie played Rafael at CM 24 months ago. Too blind to recognize SAF as a visionary. Only joking of course.

Match review: Borussia Dortmund 0-3 Bayern München

Felt the score line was harsh on Dortmund and it flattered München a little. Dortmund were missing their first choice back four: Piszczek-Subotic-Hummels-Schmelzer and hence played Großkreutz-Sokratis-Friedrich-Durm. München started the match better but Dortmund wrested control in the middle period of first half and yet München finished the half stronger. Robben is having a bit of renaissance in 2013. He was benched a lot in first half of 12-13 season but the unfortunate injury to Kroos meant Müller moved to center with Robben occupying right wing. He scored the only goal in Dortmund’s 1-0 defeat in DFB Pokal quarters, scored two in CL final, scored again in Dortmund’s DFB Super Cup win. I don't remember whether he played in that drawn Bundesliga match between these two sides last time but 4 goals in 4 games is a pretty good record against a bogey team.

It was a very cagey match reminding me of that 1-0 Dortmund win in Apr 2012 [that game where Robben missed a penalty and Subotic mocked him]. I thought both sides were fairly matched in terms of goal scoring chances. Götze came as a substitute and Dortmund fans let us know their feelings with Götz€ banners. I think it was written in the stars for him to break the deadlock and it was such a beautiful goal too. Collecting Müller's pass at the edge of the box, he beat Weidenfeller with a shot from outside of his foot. He didn't celebrate but the entire München side mobbed him (except Neuer). Dortmund tried their best but Neuer saved a Reus left footed shot. Boateng kicked away the ball at the edge of box before Dortmund (Reus again?) could think of taking a shot. Mkhitaryan took an extra touch instead of heading the ball. Aubameyang's shot was saved. There were chances galore but Dortmund couldn't quite score. What's worse, München went on counter attack with 2 vs 1 advantage and Robben scored from a nice chip. 2-0 and game over. Only, it wasn't yet. There was still time for Robben to slip a pass to Lahm whose low cross was finished by Müller for a 3-0 win. This ends München’s 6 game winless streak against Dortmund in league [4 wins in back to back title winning campaigns under Klopp with last two matches finishing as draws]. Robben scored his 5^th goal vs Dortmund this calendar yr.

Despite all the boring football talk [I tend to be one of them occasionally], it is always interesting to see Pep's tactical changes whether they work or not. The match started with Javi Martínez playing behind Mandzukic with Lahm and Kroos staying deep. Götze came on for Mandzukic making a slight 4-6-0 system. When Dante got subbed for Thiago, Martínez went to the opposite side and started playing CB with Thiago playing CM. Then Van Buyten came on for Rafinha moving Lahm to RB (which is when he assisted the 3^rd goal I think) and Martínez to midfield. So in effect, Martínez played 3 different positions during the course of the match.

Dortmund have now lost 3 games in a row scoring just 1 goal. They were a bit unfortunate in those games [0-1 Arsenal, Wolfsburg 2-1, 0-3 München] and they look to bounce back against Napoli in crucial CL match tomorrow. At least Piszczek is back.

PS

A very well written article on Erik Durm from Bundesligafanatic.

Match Review: Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Iceland-Croatia, started 45 mins earlier than the other 3 UEFA playoffs and hence I was able to watch them first. Also helps that Ajax's Kolbeinn Sigþórsson is their main striker and vice-captain. Both the teams started with two strikers but implemented them differently. While Iceland deployed Eredivisie duo Sigþórsson and Finnbogáson along side each other, Croatia used Mandzukic as CF and Eduardo on the wing. In addition to two strikers, the midfield two of Iceland had Gylfi Sigurðsson who is not actually a central midfielder. This meant Croatia had an extra man in the middle and they dictated play from the center. Modric in particular was the man responsible for this. The first 10 mins was all Croatia with the home team hardly getting the ball and even when they got the ball, they gave it away with poor touch. I guess the occasion caught up with them. But once they stabilized themselves, Iceland had the better chances. The most clear cut chance of the half was Guðmundsson's volley whose shot was so bad it went opposite to the Croatia goal instead of towards it. I think Pletikosa got the record number of caps for Croatia with this match being his 108^th.

In first half, Croatia found joy on the wings with particularly Perisic on the left side but all the crosses were comfortably held by keeper Halldórsson. Mandzukic did nothing for most of the half. The first half ended pretty badly for Iceland as Ajax’s Sigþórsson got injured and was replaced by Eiður Guðjohnsen at the break. With the introduction of Eiður, Iceland now matched Croatia in the center and the match was fairly equal for a while. This is when Perisic mistakenly thought that Croatia is in Latin America instead of the Balkans. A slight touch from Skúlason is all that’s required for the big man from Croatia to go tumbling and the referee promptly sent off Skúlason. The home crowd repeatedly booed the referee in the first half as he consistently got the calls wrong and gave too many in Croatia’s favor. The red card only brought out more ire from the stands.

Iceland played with 10 men for nearly 40 mins and thwarted every Croatian attack. Vedran Corluka who partnered Dejan Lovren in central defence had a good game from the back as he didn't have anyone pressuring him constantly for the ball [WhoScored man of the match]. Iceland sacrificed Finnbogáson after the red card and Guðjohnsen was the furthest Icelandic player. Modric was Croatia's best player being at the heart of every attack but he was also their worst player in a sense as every time he gave the ball away, Iceland had a chance to break on counter attack. Both the keepers were hardly forced to make any saves though. Bayern München's Mandzukic had a frustrating match as he hardly got a touch entire game. Iceland comfortably held out for a 0-0 draw at home against better opponents and will now need a scored draw in Croatia to progress. 10% of Iceland’s population applied for the tickets at Reykjavík. Croatia used Srna as RB, Simunic as LB, Rakitic-Modric-Pranjic as central midfield with Perisic and Eduardo on wings.

Man of the match: Eiður Guðjohnsen. Best technical player on the pitch.

Hoping for Iceland to go through after 2^nd leg.