Thursday, August 11, 2005

Match Report 050810 at CSKA Sofia: Nando finally scores!

3-1 and it's really nice to see Nando scored a brace. As Rafa said if we provide enough service to Nando he will score. We are now in a commanding position to be back to where we should be.

We started the match a bit reserved and invited Sofia to control the game, but once again Stevie G is the catalyst to the team. His 3 superb assists tells you the story. The worrying point is when we were 2-0 up a moment of lapse of concentration by Hyypia and Warnock let Sofia to score on crucial goal right before half time, but fortunately we regained control in 2H and Nando sums up with a nice taken goal.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Make one good save but otherwise just a perdestrian
Warnock:6 Partly at fault for the goal conceded
Carra: 7 Carra as usual
Hyypia: 6 A bit too slow to let the goal conceded
Finnan: 6.5 Tried hard to help the attack
Gerrard: 8 Three excellent assists
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Work hard
Alonso: 7 Doing well in midfield
Riise: 7 Above average performance
Morientes: 8 Could have scored 5, but the most important thing is he's finally back on the scoresheet
Cisse: 7.5 Lively performance and a well deserved goal

Substitutions:
Sissoko: 6.5 Show one moment of flashes when he passed 3 defenders
Hamann: 6.5 Not much to do
Barragan: Not enough time to impress, but looks positive

CSKA Sofia: They controlled the game well in the first 20 minutes, but as soon as Cisse scored, they cannot cope with.

Rafa: 7 His insistance on Nando finally pay off. But he need to work harder on the defense.

Man of the Match: Gerrard/Morientes. Both deserve credit for their contributions to the victory.

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