Europa League!

Last night was the first time I have ever looked forward to the Europa League, Spurs travelled to Germany to face the tournament favourites Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool and Manchester United faced off the first time in Europe at Anfield.



Dortmund 3 - 0 Tottenham -

Let's start with the early kick off in Germany, where Spurs had the daunting task of trying to get a result against a very good Dortmund side. The Germans started off on the front foot and dominated much of the first half and if it wasn't for some good goalkeeping by Hugo Lloris and an offside goal, it could've been an even more of a difficult game for Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino made a lot of changes and while some will say that he has done a brilliant job this season and has the right to pick a weakened team, I disagree because what's the point of getting to this stage of the competition and just essentially giving up? I know Spurs are in the title race and they want to win their first league title in many years but they play Aston Villa on Sunday and to be honest, if they don't beat them then Spurs don't deserve to win anything this season. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang caused allsorts of problems for the Tottenham back four and it felt like a matter of time before he finally got his goal and it came on the half hour mark with a lovely header into the bottom corner. The second half, Spurs were a little unlucky not to win a penalty after Son Hueng-min went down from a tackle from Hummels but the referee waved it away. Marco Reus made 2 nil just after the hour mark when blasted the ball into the roof of the net which left Spurs a massive mountain to climb. He also grabbed the third with a superb volley after a lovely move from Dortmund, Spurs tried to get an away goal by bringing on Harry Kane but it was too late. I think Spurs will get a goal next week but I just cannot see them not conceding one against a Dortmund who are a class act and if they go on and win it then it wouldn't surprise me.





Liverpool 2 - 0 Man United -

Liverpool took control of this last 16 tie as they breezed past a very abject Manchester United last night. This was the first ever meeting between these two English giants and the atmosphere was amazing and the rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone by the Liverpool fans before kick off was breath-taking. Man United nearly went ahead in the first 30 seconds when Memphis crossed the ball towards Marcus Rashford but he didn't seem ready for it. Liverpool pretty much controlled the game from then on and won a very soft penalty when Depay brought down Nathaniel Clyne in the 20 minute. Daniel Sturridge made no mistake as he stroked the ball past David De Gea, although the keeper did get a hand to it. Manchester United were truly awful last night and they only created one chance and if it wasn't for De Gea, this game would have been about 5 - 0.  I had a lot of sympathy for Marcus Rashford, who is an 18 year old with so much potential but too ask a kid to lead the line in a game of this magnitude is nothing short of inept from a manager who again has shown he is not up to the job. Another person who was shambolic last night was Marouane Felliani who was lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to elbow Emre Can at the end of the game but the referee didn't see it.  He was all over the place and was completely and utterly hopeless. I don't want to appear that I am picking on Man United but they used to have players who had passion and fight and I don't see it from a single one of the current crop. I have said it numerous times this season, Louis Van Gaal has got rid of so many players and spent an awful lot on bringing players in but how many of these players are better than the ones he let go? You cannot let Hernandez, Van Persie and Welbeck go and not bring in a recognized centre forward. This is by no means a dig at Anthony Martial, who I think is a massive talent but once again last night, he got zero service so he couldn't get into the game. Louis Van Gaal came out at full time with the excuses of the penalty was soft and the second goal was offside but it was atrocious defending from Michael Carrick which allowed Firmino to ping it past De Gea. It was like the United team had never met before and just rocked up to Anfield and not even taking into account that they were playing against their arch rivals which means everything to the fans. I have seen a lot on social media regarding certain chants that were coming from the away end, sadly a few idiots will ruin it for everyone else, I have a lot of Man United friends who don't like Liverpool but would never sing songs regarding Hillsborough or any other horrific tragedy. There are idiots at every club and if you're one of these people that sing nasty songs whether it's racial or mocking dead people and you ever happen to read this then do us all a favour.....stay at home and let real football fans enjoy the game,  


Hopefully going to be recording the first ever Weekly Strike Podcast very soon so keep your eye's and ears peeled!

Laters!