Eduardo made a costly error in the 2′ of Arsenal’s Champions League group stage opener Wednesday night at Standard Liege which gave the home side an early 1-0 lead. Eduardo tried to be fancy as he flicked the ball off his back heal from an Arsenal clearance. He absolutely missed the whole idea on the play and gave Standard a gift look at goal, which they converted.
Note to Eduardo: When on defense, get the ball he hell out of there!
It didn’t get much better for Arsenal as they conceded a penalty kick three minutes later. We were only five minutes into the game and Standard was already up 2-0! The Belgian champs then ‘bunkered’ down the rest of the half frustrating the Arsenal offense. However, Nicklas Bendtner managed to put one in for the Gunners in the 45′ which made Arsenal only one down going into halftime.
Arsenal kept pressing throughout the second half and finally found the equalizer as Belgian international, Thomas Vermaelen, snuck in a controversial goal which looked to be offsides in the 78′. It was three minutes later that Eduardo would redeem himself as he volleyed in a Cesc Fabregas corner off the knee for the game winner. It wasn’t the most impressive goal but it should do Eduardo and Arsenal good in the confidence department.
Arsenal still would have been fine if they lost this game, but coming back from two quick goals on the road shows the great team morale they have. That’s a lesson to all those coaches out there that like bunkering down after taking an early lead. It doesn’t work! Final possession tally: Arsenal 71% Standard Liege 29%.
EDUARDO’S GAME WINNER
Bayern Munich took care of Israeli champs Maccabi Haifa 3-0 Tuesday night in Israel. Both Ivica Olić and Danijel Pranjić started for the Bavarian side. Pranjić was moved to left back so that Bastian Schweinsteiger could pay his natural position as left wing midfielder. Will we ever see Pranjić back at left mid- at club or international level?
Olić once again worked hard and created chances. It’s good to finally see him and Pranjić in a Champions League match. Bayern should get out of group stage where we can finally see what these two can do against Europe’s elite clubs.
Ognjen Vukojević and Dynamo Kiev came back from a 1-0 first half deficit to beat Russian champs Rubin Kazan 3-1 Wednesday night. Vukojević played the entire game as he helped Dynamo contain Kazan’s offense as the Ukrainian champions stuck three goals in the back of the net during the last 19 minutes of play.
Goran Sablić was not part of the squad for this match.
EUROPA LEAGUE TOMORROW
Everyone,
Please sign up as a member of Croatian Soccer Report right under our poll on the far right. I know we have at least 50 people that comment regularly. Also, by looking at the number of hits we should be at least 100 deep in members.
Ante and I are trying to bring Hajduk and/or Dinamo to North America and 18 members just won't cut it.
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From what I've seen of Dinamo in recent seasons, they have decent enough players(obviously a few have been excellent) but they're so used playing against crap in the HNL every week that when it's time to play real opponents in Europe, they've difficulty adapting to the requirements. Its probably a strange experience for many of the players who are used to getting lots of time on the ball and dominating proceedings. The results they've gotten in recent years shows the have the ability but I believe there's more frustration in store if only because they're forced to play in the HNL every week.
@dinamofan I'm sure Mamic knows Sammir is not good enough. He's probably hoping he has 1 or 2 good games in Europe so he can sell him. If they let him go they would have to pay out his contract and get nothing in return. I would much rather see other players in that position myself. Didulica would be useful for Dinamo for a year or two. It was difficult for them to get Delac because it looks like Chelsea is paying a reported 3 million euro for him. Definitely want to see Tomecak and Kramaric get more playing time.
I watched the game and was dissappointed once again. Anderlecht was mediocre and Dinamo was lacking creativity in the last third of the field. Dinamo just didn't look dangerous when coming close to Anderlecht's goal. There were a couple of bad non calls by the referee. I think Mandzo should have gotten a pk in the 21st minute. Quote of the day by the Anderlecht coach "We scored two goals from one chance."
Jelavic has been producing in Europa League play consistently this season. I'm interested to see if he is the real deal.
Hamburg is a weird squad.
They'll win 3-1 one week, then lose in Europe, lose in Bundesliga then win 3 in a row.
Jelavic scored against Hamburg in Rapid Vienna's 3-0 win, good to see Jelavic playing well but I'm kind of surprised Hamburg couldn't hold their own in that match considering how they've been playing in the Bundesliga so far this season.
Perhaps not tonight but Butina was awful against Hearts and i do not rate him for a long long time. We need a new keepster. Mandzo prob had an off night which happens, but Papa's lack of goals in general is a problem. Mandzo and Morales shouldn't be the only one relied on to score.
Regards Sammir, i don't like when he plays right wing as he's not agressive or mobile enough as a right winger. I'd prefer we got one of the wide wide men like Tomecak, Etto onto right wing or moved Morales right and put Ibanez on left.
I dont think you can blame Butina for the two goals today. The first goal was a result of Selpicka jumping out of the wall, nothing Butina could do with that. 2nd goal was not his fauly either.
Cufre was good all game.
Mandzo can't finish, he had all the chances.
Vrdoljak got out hustled on that second goal.
Sammir played good all game, he helped create a lot of chances.
They just can't finish and that's their same story week in and week out in Europe.
As a fan i think you start the season wanting to be optimistic but during the course of Euro campaign so far, we've seen that several players are below par. I think our keeper Butina is poor and ready for a free transfer (sign Didulica), Lovren remains good one moment and disorganised the next, Kovac passed it now at this level, Vrdoljak and Sammir both not good enough. Papadopoulos has disappointed me so far. I think he prob can get better, but we signed him for goals. I don't blame Mandzo. He's scored enough this season, its Papa that's not scoring. Cufre was an improvement at left back from the reports i've read. We need a new centre back, a new keeper, a new defensive midfielder and a new striker. I have no idea why we keep fielding Sammir. We have other options we should try.
Typical result for dinamo….they dont have the quality for the Europa League and anyone who thinks they do is fooling themselves.
Just watched th eDinamo game vs Anderlecht. Mandzukic keeps proving that he cant finish a one touch shot in the box off a cross. Just like that corner in the England game.
hrt 2 link on saan.tv alot better then free streams !like cable tv! dvd quality!
1pm EST. DINAMO ZAGREB-ANDERLECHT
ON HRT 2 LIVE
OTHER LINKS:
http://www.ab3.be/uefa/default.aspx
http://www.justin.tv/sportatv
http://www.atdhe.net/9319/watch-dinamo-zagreb-vs-anderlecht
Listen, Yes, it was a lazy back pass by Eduardo. However, Fabregas still had a chance ti mop it play some defense, he didnt. Also, the goalie is beaten to his near post from outside the box. Allot of the players could be blamed for that goal.
@Ivica….easy there….dude scored an easy goal that any one of us could have scored. Plus, he is the reason Arsenal went down 1-0. Da Silva wont be starting every game for Arsenal, Wenger will be roating his forwards.
WATCH DINAMO ZAGREB LIVE TODAY
1 PM EST TIME LIVE ON HRT 2
HRT 2 LIVE STREAM @
http://www.saan.tv
NOTE : MUST REGISTER WITH CROATIAN ADDRESS IN CROATIA ONLY! and its only 7dollars for 30 days use live
hrt 1 hrt2 nova tv and rtl tv live and repeat archives amazing quality!
just remember to register a croatian address use relatives if u have to ! on main page go to za korisnike then go from there ! must do it right or wont get password. also http://www.nettvplus.com broadcasts HRT2 LIVE TOO ! ENJOY!
WATCH DINAMO ZAGREB LIVE TODAY
1 PM EST TIME LIVE ON HRT 2
HRT 2 LIVE STREAM @
http://www.saan.tv
NOTE : MUST REGISTER WITH CROATIAN ADDRESS IN CROATIA ONLY! and its only 7dollars for 30 days use live
hrt 1 hrt2 nova tv and rtl tv live and repeat archives amazing quality!
just remember to register a croatian address use relatives if u have to ! on main page go to za korisnike then go from there ! must do it right or wont get password. also http://www.nettvplus.com broadcasts HRT2 LIVE TOO ! ENJOY!
Eduardo is going to to big things this year. He has already started. By the end of the season he will be regarded as one of the world's top strikers. mark my words