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UEFA Champions League: Your Running Commentary

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The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 resumes today with two intriguing matches, including one featuring the defending champions.

FC Barcelona takes on VfB Stuttgart (2:30pm, Fox Sports Espanol) in Germany, while Olympiakos plays host to French champions Bordeaux (2:45pm, Fox Soccer Channel).

If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below (Jonathan Spector's West Ham is facing Manchester United at 3pm on Setanta USA so feel free to share your thoughts on that match as well if you are watching).

Enjoy the action.

Comments

  1. well, we can differ on that one. I think it’s a gesture that shows a feeling of entitlement by the player AND a belief that waving like that (in either sport) will have an impact on the resulting call. I just find it tiring.

    Regards,

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  2. Just looked much better containing Valencia. Spector is not West Ham’s problem. MFU is West Ham’s problem. I think the other side of the defense has more problems, as Michael Owen just showed.

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  3. I’d be ok with that against England. The back line has got to be as solid defensively against England as it can be. Whoever the best four defenders are, they need to be in the back line. IMO offensive production from the back is secondary.

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  4. Diamanti has started the 2nd half playing farther back. I think Spector was doing his job and Diamanti wasn’t. Have to know what the coaches are telling them to know for sure.

    If Spector had stayed with Valencia, Rooney would have been even more unmarked. It was just a good play by MFU,

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  5. I think taking themselves out of the play is punishment enough. Agreed, though, that it’s annoying — in the same family as diving.

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  6. Would anybody else like to see yellow cards given to players when they raise their a hand claiming offside, handball, etc? It’s kind of like in American football when the idiots start making the first down/possession signal when there’s a pileup around a fumble.

    It’s just so tiring that nearly EVERY player does it now and it was not always that way, even 15 or 20 years ago.

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  7. Spector is playing superbly. He had not chance at stopping that goal bc he is not getting any support from Giamanti. I dont there is any doubt that he should be starting in the World Cup.

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  8. It would be more correct to say he didn’t do anything about it. Spector’s drifting too far into the middle, leaving his side wide open.He should have passed off Rooney a step or two earlier.

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  9. When Spector pinches into the box, Diamanti (LM) needs to come back and pick up Valencia.

    Pretty awesome volley-assist by Valencia.

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  10. So much for Spector’s strong start. Sticks with Rooney too long, gives Valencia too much space and Rooney still finds open space. Not the first time that Spector drifted too far in to the middle and left the defense exposed. Green saved him the first time.

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  11. Stuttgart had a very slow start to the season, but they have been playing very well of late, and Cacau is coming off of a four goal performance this weekend. These guys are not flukes, and will be a tough test at home for anyone.

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  12. Puyol plays neither the ball, nor the man and Cacau scores. Marquez, Sergio, Yaya, and Ibra should have stayed at home. I hope Bradley sees how easy it is to knock Rafa off the ball. Sergio is giving his impression of Kjlestan the turn-over machine. Pep needs to bring in Pedro or Henry to spread the Stuttgart defense.

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  13. I hope Bob is really watching this. I know, I know, Spector provides excellent service from the right flank and that service is all but gone when he plays on the left, but who would you rather have against England? Spector or Bornstein? Yeah I’m going with Spector, and with Dolo on the right.

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  14. Is Barcelona drunk? They look terrible. Lots of sloppy play. Stuttgart looking solid, though. Could see them adding a 2nd here before halftime.

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  15. Has to be said that Spector is having a fantastic game so far, Valencia and Berbatov haven’t been able to do anything against him. He’s also been getting up into the attack, almost had a breakaway on the end of a Franco thru-ball, would have been nice.

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  16. Of course it’s not a handball. It’s Barca in the CL. We get quick replay and another that didn’t show it hit the hand.

    Maybe Barca DOES have a chance this year if they get Ovrebo-like officiating AGAIN.

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