British Clubs in Europe- Part 1!

British Clubs in Europe- Part 1!

So the first group games of the champions league have been played with very mixed results. Some I was surprised at and one I was thinking- are you taking the piss???

Champions League

Man City- LOST 2-1

I was slightly disappointed in City losing to Juventus at home- those sort of games you need to win. But I think the turning point came when Kompany who has been epic this season so far came off injured. That is a big worry for city especially when it was 1-1 and the game was tight. After that Juve smelt blood. Could be tricky for them.

Man UTD- LOST 2-1

The other Manchester Club also had the same result but it was even worse for them as Luke Shaw who has been decent for them so far broke his leg in two places. Ouch. Van Gaal says he might be back in March but I doubt it. He won't feature in euro 2016. Anyway Man Utd did dominate but in the end PSV won the game thanks to some fantastic skill. Utd must learn to close the game when dominating!

 Chelsea-Won 4-0

Not the hardest game for Chelsea but to there credit they played with a near enough full strength team.(well they couldn't go any lower could they!!). Yes Maccabi Tel Aviv are not a force in Europe and Hazard's penalty made me think of the Rugby world cup but they got the result they needed. The champions league could be an escape for Jose and the fans this year.

Arsenal- LOST 2-1

While Jose did everything right, Wenger did everything wrong. Playing a second string team in the FIRST group game!! And a group with Bayern Munich in???? What a stupid idea. Again. Yes they have Chelsea on Saturday but Chelsea fielded a near main team (with the exception of Remy). Giroud again has made things worse for being sent off!!! Well done!!! With 4 english teams in europe in Jeopardy unless english teams have a decent run this year this was EXACTLY what we all didn't want to see. If Arsenal finish 4th and the right is taken away for them to be in the champions league they can blame themselves.

Champions League

Celtic- Drew 2-2

Celtic have issues in the Spl do not get me wrong- five points behind Aberdeen??? I hope they haven't carved their name in the Spl trophy already. However against Ajax they were decent tonight!! I thought they were unlucky to draw but when Izaguirre got sent off for a second yellow (something that was coming) I knew that Celtic weren't going to keep their lead. And so it proved. But getting a 2-2 draw away from home is a good result especially with the favourites in the group Fenerbahçe losing!!

Liverpool- Drew 1-1

I was a little gutted at Liverpool tonight- fielding a weakened team wasn't great but I thought they were decent again with attack. Once again though it was our defence that let us down. (I am getting bored of that saying!). However if we win all our home games and draw all our away games that's 12 points and should get us out of the group!

Tottenham- Won 3-1

Out of all the british  teams in europe this week Spurs arguably had the easiest game. Spurs true to form in the europa league put a weakened side out and within ten minutes Trippier lived up to his name and conceded a penalty!! Thanking Son 20 minutes later scored a quick brace to make it 2-1 but Spurs let Qarabag in much more than they should. Danny Rose in particular had a poor night as did Lamela but the sight of Kane on the field after 75 minutes did lift the team and Lamela did get the final goal but to be frank Spurs should on paper won by quite a few more goals.

So Overall A bit like last season- Disappointing in the champions league but a lot better in the europa league- even if Saints and West Ham decided that they didn't want to be in it!! Hopefully a couple of these sides will have a decent Run in and even possibly reach the final!!! (well there is always hope. Maybe more in the europa league- Spurs vs Arsenal final???)