I feel we had a good, solid, resilient result against Valencia, a champions league side, but it wasn't quite as good performance as the result stated; we started off very well, in the first 10 minutes, we got our goal through big Andy, which required some luck from Raul's mistimed back pass and further luck when it hit the keeper, then the post for Carroll to get on the end of and rebound into the back of the net. After that it was very even, neither team got a hold of the game, we were slightly better but it was close.
Second half was played in a similar nature, we were the slightly better side but it was close. Lucas made a big difference in the second half - won a lot of tackles and made 2-3 top quality passes, that one pass to Kuyt, after he successfully tackled the ball was sublime, Dirk really should have done better with that opportunity.
I am slightly worried by the fact we didn't really create anything - we never had any chances, never looked a big threat with the possession we had, never created anything which is slightly worrying.
Defensively we were much better and throughly deserved our clean sheet, we only let Valencia have one shot at goal whole game, which in their point of view, is shocking with quality players like Mata and Hernandez in their side, their only shot was only a long range shot which showed no threat what so ever.
Should give us much need confidence coming into the season.
« Last Edit: Aug 06, 2011 10:36:40 pm by lfc_ynwa »
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