I had the pleasure of watching Liverpool and Barcelona battle it out in the Champions League yesterday. Liverpool held a 2-1 advantage because of their win at the Nou Camp a couple of weeks ago - in itself a famous victory. They are only the second team to win there in the top-level European competition in 30 years - having been the last winners there in the '75-76 season. So they had gone in to play at Barcelona - current European champions and accorded as being one of, if not the best, teams in Europe. And they had played an all-action game, giving Barcelona no time on the ball and had won a great match.
The press reports were replete with dire predictions about how Barcelona could easily come back and win, about how they were capable of scoring three or four goals on any team in the world. But they hadn't counted on the tactical nous of Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool coach.
We finally saw John Arne Riise playing in his preferred position (at least by me and many other Liverpool fans) of left winger. And he did the coach proud, terrifying the Barcelona defense in the early stages of the game.
In the end, a single defensive lapse allowed Barcelona to score in the 75th minute - though it should be noted that Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi were all held scoreless - giving Barcelona a 1-0 victory. However, it was not enough to give them the victory over the length of the two game series and they lost the match on the "away" goals rule - goals scored away from home count more than goals scored at home - and Liverpool advances to the final 8 of the Champions League competition.
It's our only chance for trophies this season so the club is taking it very seriously. Two more home and home series to win (four games) before the Final. I'm eagerly awaiting Friday's draw to see who we match up against.
At this stage in the tournament, any team is capable of winning everything - yesterday Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona were all sent packing - so the next matches should prove just as interesting.
Especially now that the favorites to win it all, Barcelona, are out of it.
It's a good day to wear red.
Posted by artandscience at March 7, 2007 07:59 AM