Europa League 12/13

Cisse ends us through to the next round!!!!!!

A cracking night of footy in he Europa league! Drama drama drama!

Fantastic finish at St James's Park. I thought getting through against Metalist would have been a bonus but to beat both Metalist and Anzhi and qualify for the quarter finals, I am now very optimistic that we could actually win the Europa League.

Inter did well tonight but left themselves too much to do after the first leg. Cassano is awesome.

Nazio not doing too bad........

Go on Fener

Newcastle will struggle I think Taz, if it was just 2-1 then you'd have a decent chance but 3-1 will be tough. If only one of Cisse's two shots that hit the post had gone in, then you'd be in the driving seat most likely.

Chelsea will go through, Spurs/Basel could go either way imo.

I'm still keeping the optimism for the second leg!

I am still keeping the faith but I would be even more optimistic if only Cisse's efforts went the right side of the post. An early goal would really help but its keeping tight at the back which I am wary about as Benfica have got the ability to cut through the defence so keeping it tight at the back is a must but if we get the early goal, then we got every chance of pulling out the unlikely result a la Middlesbrough 2006.

Some of Boro's games were mental, McClaren's tactics just consisted of waiting until they were like 3-0 down on agg and then just throwing three strikers on. Although I can't say much as they knocked Roma out.....

Just to think that same summer he got the England job. Baffling.

Come on Newcastle!

I'm watching both!

Cisse!!! Come on we need one more!!

So close. We did well in this competition this year though.

Mi piace calcio wrote:

So close. We did well in this competition this year though.

Completely agree. It has been a great run in this competition and in the end we can be proud of our efforts. Glad to see Ben Arfa make his comeback tonight, he has been a huge miss but if i was Pardew, I would ease him in slowly as a fit Ben Arfa really does lift the team and with safety virtully secured, we should look towards getting a fully fit Ben Arfa for next season.

Yeah it was a good effort by Newcastle. Could have gone 2-0 up in the first leg, and gave it a good go last night.

Doubt it would have made a difference in the end but dunno what Haidara (think it was him) was doing for the goal, there was obviously gonna be somebody nearby!

I'll go for a Benfica-Chelsea final. Although Basel are pretty good.

Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 courtesy of a last minute Ivanovic goal. Even though Rafa has had a hard time, I think he can look back at his time at Chelsea and be happy by winning the EL and getting CL football. Will be interesting where he turns up next. For Benfica, a horrible week. Lost last night due to a last minute goal and lost the title to Porto on the weekend by conceding a last minute goal.

Yeah, Rafa's done well really. Dunno where he'll go next though.