Champions League — Semi-Finals: 1st Leg

Bit of a daft routine.

Surely offside.

Shearer says "It's tight"...

It's bloody obvious.

Just what I was thinking, Michael.

Yep, Michael, I spotted it at the time. But to give offside straight away spoils the drama.

Whatever happens this summer - I just want to see players of pace and talent on our flanks. Cagey game today but when Doue, Barcola, Kvicha and Dembele start running and interchanging its a pleasure to watch.

If those posts are refering to Arsenals ‘ goal’ it’s definitely offside but it’s a pity that VAR couldn’t have a look at the free kick that was given for from which the goal came from.

Nevertheless what an exhilarating game of football, only one goal but it was breathless entertainment for me, enjoyed it immensely.

I thought Arsenal were very poor tonight, and that it was possibly a game too many, for a team that is playing without a recognised centre forward?

PSG, are very fluent especially when they’re allowed to play the game at their own pace, and this is something I thought Arsenal allowed them to do all night.

Jeez, Dave @ 6.

“Breathless entertainment”?

I fell asleep!

News: The Athletic reports that Everton head of recruitment Dan Purdy is leaving. He was supposed to be a big part of our summer squad rebuild, but he has decided to move on.

His credits include the signings of Ndiaye, Onana, Garner and Alcaraz.

Still in the balance, but for me PSG are probably the best team in Europe right now. I like their use of attacking full-backs.

For me, one of the best sights in football is seeing an adventurous full-back on the overlap. It always puts the opposition defence on the back foot.

Another chunk of news from The Athletic.

Paddy Boyland reports that we will again have a DoF, or rather a Director of Football Operations. Recruitment for that position is being handled by Nolan Partners, the executive search firm that pulled in our new CEO Angus Kinnear.

I'm still startled by Dan Purdy's reported departure, which I guess in the blind that the club will announce in the morning. The Friedkins showed Thelwell the door, but the report says they kept Purdy on to work as Head of Player Identification under Kinnear, Moyes and the rumored new trading chief Nick Hammond.

I mean, how often does a young scouting director of 31 get the opportunity to help rebuild a Premier League squad almost from the ground up?

And he's walking away. Didn't want to work with Moyesie? Or Hammond? WTF?

Interesting times.

I've just been to do an early morning shop. I know I shouldn't listen, but I had TalkSport on. Some irritating Arsenal supporter wouldn't shut up and let anyone get a word in.

Five minutes in, I realised it was Piers Morgan. Enough said.

I like the DoF, or Director of Sport as it is sometimes called on the continent, Mike. I have no idea what structure our owners will settle on, but one thing is for sure: change is happening and the manager, whoever that is, won't hold all of the keys to the kingdom.

I called it when PSG taught our neighbours a lesson in football. I'll go and watch tonight, but it's a PSG v Barcelona final for me.

Les (8),

Fair enough. I watched a game that was end-to-end, full of attacking football, with both ‘keepers making great saves, midfielders tackling well and making good runs, wingers up and down their flanks, and full-backs doing the same.

Possibly the game showed me what I've been missing for a good few years.

Arsenal won't win anything under Arteta. He's naive when it comes to in-game management and reading of the game.

I mean, who brings on Ben White with 10 minutes to go when you're looking for a goal? Why not give the other younger lad, Ethan, 15-20 minutes to see if he can make an impact in the final third? Mind-boggling decision-making.

Arsenal should go big in the summer for a proven manager, but they won't; they'll stick with Arteta — which is why won't win the Premier League or the Champions League again next season.

Bit of luck, Bilboa for the Europa League, and PSG or Barca for the Champions League.

Kunai 14,

Arteta has already won the FA Cup as Arsenal manager.

Ian, are your choices influenced by your Spanish/ French heritage?

I want to see a PSG and Barca final too.

Potential to be a sensational game.

I have to agree with Dave 13, that last night's game was a cracking watch.

Arsenal weren't at their best and PSG were excellent, but there were 22 players of the highest standard, all knowing their roles, working to a plan and trying to win.

Yes, there could have been more goalmouth action, but it was fascinating for me to watch the way these 2 teams tried to out think each other. Those 2 small midfielders for PSG, Vitinha (25) and Joao Neves (20) are amazing young footballers.

Just like their style of play, and can't stand Arteta's antics.

Yes Jeff, correct. That was largely Wengers team with Aubamayang and Lacazette spearheading there attack.

When you look at what he's spent though, which is well over £750 million, it's not a great return in five seasons for consecutive second place finishes.

I'm looking forward to tonight's match and also want a PSG v Barcelona final.

On Arteta's antics, he's trying to be Pep. He needs to calm down.

Take a leaf out of serial winner Ancelotti's cup. Stay calm and sip coffee.

Moyes does have a glass ceiling. He might have had the unenvious task of following Sir Alex, but when given the platform many suggested if only he was given a big club (Everton are), he failed miserably. He lasted 8 or 9 months and took the reigning champions to 8th place.

He may have his attributes, but success isn't one of them.

Here's one to set the cat amongst the pigeons. Arsenal start next season as the nearly men again. Everton get off to a horrendous start (I genuinely hope not).

Moyes, now aged 62 takes early retirement and Mikel comes back to Everton. There's a scenario for you.

Not for me Danny.

I'd like us to move towards somone like Oli Werner at Werder Bremen or Toppmoller at Frankfurt once Moyes decides to leave.

Mike #11, or got a better offer elsewhere.

Eric #24, certainly possible.

Danny #22, I can see a possible rough start next season -- bedding in a bunch of new players, maybe a front-loaded schedule to launch the new stadium -- but it's hard to imagine Moyes departing so soon.

And I definitely can't see Arteta here. Ever. His ego would never tolerate a move down the table. And by the time we're above them, we won't want him.

I wouldn't want him, Mike. It was just an observation on a potential scenario playing out. I agree, very doubtful, but who knows in football?

They once gave us Sam Allardyce.

Nice little backheel puts Inter in front after ~30 s.

OMG, brilliant acrobatic goal for Inter.

I thought Braca were the favourites?

What crap defending from inter

Another brilliant goal from Yamal puts Barca back in it!

This is already a cracker after 25 minutes!

Some games this. Some amazing goals!

And almost another!

Astounding skill.

Great skill from Yamal both times

Is no one going to tackle yamal?

Dumfries. Remember him being linked with us??

Wasn't up to it according to Rafa. Just like Lucas Digne

And there's the equalizer.

So simple.

4 brilliant goals, breathtaking football.

Not enjoying it though as defensively suspect all round.

Jeez, what a match and what a thunderbolt own-goal.

We were once ever so slightly linked to him back in the day.

What a great game of footy!

Barella in midfield for Inter is a cracking player

That's a scandalous offside.

Never in a million years!

We should go all out for him, Liam. We have the resolve and sponds.

Mkhitaryan. I had forgotten about him. He played for Man Utd didn't he, not Chelsea?

Dumfries fluffed a hat-trick. Inter giving a class in playing away. That Barca line is stupidly ridiculously high

It was off, Hewey, by a silly small margin.

Mkhitaryan played for Arsenal too.

These small margins, where's the simultaneous graphic of the ball leaving the crosser's foot? Shown on a split screen to avoid doubt.

It needs to be that forensic.

Cheers, Jeff.

He must be getting on a bit.

Trying to work while watching this game is a losing battle.

I hate VAR but at least this automated offsides gives you consistency and alacrity.

Instead of some nob from Slough who has never played football drawing lines.

Liam, wouldn't it be a slob from Slough?

Inter v PSG final methinks.

Better two teams in semis, Barca crap defensively.

Hell of a game. Can't wait for next week.

That high line might be suspect but it's central to the Barca pressing game. Unless they play high they can't be all over the opposition like they do.

It's just that Inter are also a top side who can pick off on the counter and break the press.

A truly brilliant game of contrasting styles, superb players and tactical innovation.

One of the best 45 minutes of football I’ve ever seen.

I wouldn't rule out Arsenal, and think they will be a completely different team with Thomas Partey back.

Barella is well beyond us now, unfortunately. But these players all start somewhere.

Take the Inter starting XI tonight. Lots of these players were very "gettable" at different stages in their careers - especially:

Sommer
Bisseck
Dumfries
Calhanoglou
Thuram

It takes time to assemble a squad – but we should be able to pick up good players this summer as long as we can spend some money.

I'll be watching the second legs next week and all 4 teams are still in it.

All the coaches are sophisticated enough to put in place tactics and counter-tactics to expose and nullify the opposition.

Both games could be completely different from the first legs.

Work out a system, then find the players that will really suit that system.

I liked the way we played at Anfield in the first half, and believe that finding players who can play football on the counter might just really help complement a squad that isn't that far away defensively.

I just saw a picture of that semi-automated offside decision – it's that tight, people are always going to argue and disagree whatever way it's given.

It was a fantastic game and great to see the fans responses on here as well who understand the tactics used by the four teams still in the competition.

While I'm not up to their standards on tactics, I think we will see entirely different methods used — more defensive in the second legs?

Whatever, they use, I'll be glued to my iPad watching them.

It was a great spectacle of the beautiful game. That Yamal is some player. This Barcelona team is very young and on course to beat Carlo to La Liga this season.

I love football when it's played this way. No fear and a desire to win. How the game should be played.

Denzil Dumfries. Although it may have been him not wanting to come to Everton when we were rumoured to be linked, we missed a trick in not pursuing the Dutch right back when he was still playing in the Eredivisie. Inter got him for a snip at about £10M.

What a game that was! I thought both teams did credit to the name of football. Each had totally different but totally effective strategies.

Barcelona, much like PSG, play delightful football and have a dazzling youngster in Yamal. In contrast, Inter looked like they would score everytime they attacked. 3-3... not sure who I would put my money on but I think it would have to be Inter… but I will certainly tune in to the second leg!

ps: The only downer was looking at the quality of players on display and thinking how far we have fallen. (That hurts!) At this rate, Wrexham might give us a game in a couple of years!

Danny,

I love football when it's played this way. No fear and a desire to win. How the game should be played.

The movement, generally accurate passing, and sheer audacious rampant skill on display were breathtaking.

But there's clearly a few who saw this as a display of defensive inadequacy. Even I became aware that there was little to no pressing from either side… no low block that would have stopped this goal-scoring markely dead in its tracks???

No, I don't believe it either.

That goal scoring is the bane of football.

Be better off without it.

Come on united and Spurs. Let's get an all English final 🤞

Awe inspiring scenes at the San Mames before KO in Bilbao.

Hope we can get that atmosphere at our place. It has a similar feel tbh, having been to it. Great support though. Wonderful place Bilbao.

Hope they give Man U a spanking

Well that ground only holds 52k and it's hosting the final. BMD might get the final one day hopefully

The top 5 will be:

Liverpool,
Arsenal,
Man City,
Newcastle Utd,
Aston Villa.

Shocking Liam, absolutely shocking! 🫣