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.
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,
I don’t think it’s anything like that at all acually.
interesting play
Good effort by my boys. Unlucky to not win to be honest.
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.
Spector beaten again for the second goal. Just started watching the game, how is he doing otherwise?
Agreed, DCD. Why in the world they want to disrupt their stride to appeal to the linesman is beyond me.
But it hardly affects the game at all. Now a dive….that’s different.
Well, Spector got pretty torched there. But who’s marking in the box?
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.
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,
Anyone else feel that Lehmann is capable of snapping at any moment? The guy is just plain crazy.
I think taking themselves out of the play is punishment enough. Agreed, though, that it’s annoying — in the same family as diving.
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.
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.
That would be one view. Or, maybe Spector shouldn’t be pinching that far inside….
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.
When Spector pinches into the box, Diamanti (LM) needs to come back and pick up Valencia.
Pretty awesome volley-assist by Valencia.
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.
Unbelievable goal between Valencia and Rooney, Spector couldn’t do anything about that
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.
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.
Obvious that the plan is to force Valencia inside, and Spector is doing it.
Spector lost track of Valencia for a moment and it almost resulted in a goal. I think Diamanti was supposed to track back.
Agree 100% plus as Spector plays in the PL he knows what to expect against England
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.
West Ham almost scored, would have been a Spector assist
Is Barcelona drunk? They look terrible. Lots of sloppy play. Stuttgart looking solid, though. Could see them adding a 2nd here before halftime.
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.
And yes, clearly I’m still bitter about last year’s semifinal. 🙂
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.
STUTTGART! Great work leading up to the goal. The cross was perfect.
Goal Stuttgart!
Spector starting at LB. Just blocked a very good opportunity by Valencia.
Allez Bordeaux.
Arsenal fans, it’s your chance to see Chamakh in action.