Monday, February 18, 2008

UEFA Champions League 19/2/2008 - Liverpool vs Inter Milan

In the first of four UEFA Champions League live commentary and play by play soccer match that are featuring English Premier League clubs, Liverpool face off at Anfield with Inter Milan in what could ultimately prove to be Rafael Benitez's last match in charge. In fact, Benitez should long have gone from Liverpool if he was a smart man, and if Liverpool fans were themselves clever enough to recognise that this stubborn manager only knew how to handle Europe, but did not have a clue as to what to do in the English Premier League despite having had at least three years to experiment with and in the process, pissing away the Anfield club's money, then they wouldn't have a club now sinking into debt and perhaps relegation next season after failing to qualify for the Champions League next season by missing out on fourth spot this term. The American owners, despite undermining Benitez in public, aren't even the real problems, as they bankrolled Benitez's flops so they had all the right in the world to do what they wanted to the manager. Don't even start to argue that the players did fine - Babel scores but unimportant goals, he couldn't even get past Barnsley most of the match. Skrtel was found out by a bunch of rubbish collectors and teachers. Benayoun is terribly inconsistent. Kuyt is nothing but a hardworking grafter. Torres is useless if he keeps sitting on the bench. Pennant is a headless chicken. And there's more where that came from.

Surprisingly, this live commentary and radio broadcast soccer match in the UEFA Champions League between Liverpool and Inter Milan at Anfield might actually provide an upset in the form of Liverpool going through to the next round. Liverpool have done well whenever they have been underdogs, and that's the legend of the club. Inter Milan has had it easy throughout the season in the Italian Serie A, and have not impressed considerably in the earlier rounds of the Champions League. This live commentary and TV telecast UEFA Champions League soccer match might actually show up a few of Inter Milan's flaws in that they lose concentration at times every match and have not had to go beyond first gear in most league matches so far, which would be in contrast to a match like this when they would need to be at their best throughout. Benitez has also, to his credit, shone on the European stage, but honestly, that is not enough for Liverpool. What Liverpool needs is a league title after almost two decades without one. And the horrible truth is that if Benitez manages to go and win the Champions League title, it might just cover up the cracks and lead to a even worser future for the club.

Again, this live commentary and radio broadcast soccer match in the UEFA Champions League between Liverpool and Inter Milan is a hard one to call under the circumstances as Liverpool would be desperate to do well since this is their last chance of a trophy this season although not a realistic one given the quality of the opposition left in the competition and if Manchester United does not get knocked out, then there is simply no way Liverpool can overcome that hurdle. Inter Milan has a better team and form but they have not been sufficiently challenged in the past two years and remember they actually struggled last season in this tournament. The most logical way this live commentary and TV telecast UEFA Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Inter Milan will go is that of a low scoring draw, but do not be shocked if many goals result from a desperate team, on the right end or not.

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