European doubts lift as Rafa’s Reds on rampage
Someone took the trouble to explain I’d written mine before the Champions League game. Whether this was a courtesy to the reader or a pop at me for doubting Rafa’s attacking instincts after we’d wiped the floor with PSV, I couldn’t say.
Not that anyone else was impressed. Fair enough, Eindhoven were there for the taking — but we took them and that hasn’t always happened on our travels.
I especially enjoyed the wistful reverie of numerous Arsenal sympathisers, given their exit to the same team.
Clearly it wasn’t quite the same personnel, but the Reds also gave the Gunners a taste of the same medicine and they’ve just lost to West Ham so incredulity ill becomes them.
Koeman had a cunning plan. What had worked against Arsenal, and what he’d conjured up for Benfica against Liverpool last season; ain’t broke, don’t fix. That takes ‘pushing your luck’ to Heather McCartney levels.
Once the away goal went in PSV saw the task ahead and visibly wilted. They took some fearsome criticism afterwards, yet it’s been conveniently forgotten that an average Benfica side knocked Liverpool out by three clear goals. That didn’t make us a bad team. The first goal’s a killer, even at this level.
European success relies on luck and timing. No use showing good form in January when you need it in March. And you don’t sit back on one goal. Thankfully Liverpool didn’t. Early in the second half there were so many yellow shirts in their half I was convinced PSV had caved completely and organised the obligatory shirt-swap during half time.
Riise picked up the ball in an area of the pitch he had no right to be in. Control and execution were impeccable. In 2005 our main man was Garcia, this time the Norwegian looks capable of scoring at will.
TV footage of Rafa at 3-0 made me laugh till my face throbbed. So much for lacking a mean streak: he didn’t look that angry in Lisbon.
Shame about Aurelio. Defensively he lacks concentration, but he was looking the part going forward. He’ll be missed, particularly as he’s a reminder to Riise to get off his backside and participate. Better than using a golf club anyway.
As the only English victors last week we expected more attention than usual. We should know better.
Events in Rome and Seville overshadowed everything. Anyone who revelled in the echoing crack of Mancunian skull should think again. There’s always been a scandalous disregard for the victims of Italian excess — unless you’re a referee or a Sicilian policeman. It may be United’s turn but ours is never far away.
Don’t get me wrong. I hate crocodile tears. I could barely keep my lunch down as one wretch after another pleaded innocence.
Manchester’s propaganda war against Scousers, a stereotyped mishmash of violence, theft and self-pity, means we’re immune to the notion they’re superior. They yowled like scalded kittens. The stench of hypocrisy clogged the nostrils.
And we can’t forget the cowardly beatings dished out to us in Rome ‘84 were kept secret, culminating in the bubbling brew of readiness and vengeance that came to be known as Heysel.
If the latest outrage in Rome chilled the bones a similar attack in Seville put them in cold storage. It has an all too familiar feel. After the debilitating effects of the ban, English teams are ready to dominate again.
Damn that deadline, but I’ll be amazed if all three teams aren’t in the semi-final and that means jealousy (especially in Italy) will reach boiling point.
I imagine United, once beaten, twice shy, will gear themselves up for a higher state of preparedness should they go to Milan or Athens — but let’s climb those Perspex fences when we come to them.
By comparison a trip to Berkshire seems mundane. In comparison to anything, if we’re honest. We might have been 3-0 up against a weakened PSV with Anfield still to come but let’s not be reckless.
The team selection gave it away. Bellamy, Hyypia, Mascherano and Sissoko — you can set your alarm clock by it.
Just make sure someone you trust can tell you what happened once you wake up. I was pleased to hear we won and Kuyt finally scored again. I’m annoyed I missed the pitch invasion by that fleet of kangaroos though.
The long ball to Bellamy didn’t work too often but with Reading so toothless it wasn’t a strenuous day.
Crouch looked understandably frazzled but Bellamy was replaced first. It’s not a good sign especially since transfer rumours have plagued him from arrival onwards.
Sissoko kept up his season average of a foul a minute and Arbeloa hasn’t had a bad game for us yet. Otherwise, snoozeville.
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