Sandro > you
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 12:47AM It wasn't pretty. To be honest, it was unexpected. I didn't think the balance and tempo would be so one sided. Be it plenty of hot steam rather than a pummelling. Didn't think the game would be orchestrated by a Milan side that decided to actually turn up and play.
This was not vintage. It was Glory Glory, in the end, tinged with spirit and guile rather than assured swagger. Altogether a different facet to this quite extraordinary European journey. Backs to wall, defending our lead. Mindset: You shall not pass. Actually more like you'll pass but you wont get past.
Some things didn't quite work out on the night. We rode our luck. Grinded it out. But amongst men stood giants. We never stopped believing, even with the uncharacteristic lack of swashbuckle confidence.
Heart in mouth. Nerves ruined. That sick, gut wrenching feeling that consumes you. You don't enjoy everything that came before until the final whistle is blown. That sick gut wrenching feeling we all endured for ninety or so minutes? It's the emotional side-effect, the relentless desire to avoid the devastation of defeat. The tension engulfing. And yet somehow, it makes you feel completely alive. I could get use to feeling this sick.
Gallas. Dawson. Sandro. My God.
Sandro.
Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro. Sandro.
Beast. What a prospect.
How many superlatives have we produced in performance during this competition? Memories, moments.
Goodbye Milan, your sister awaits you. She also left North London broken hearted.
They said we wouldn't qualify. They said we wouldn't get out of the groups. Out of our depth they said. The Rossoneri would be too strong. Not quite.
0-1. 0-0. Cancelled out. Apart from that one gem of a counter in the San Siro.
Love this club. Best Champions League début ever.
Lest we forget Defoe the philosopher. He predicted this.
COYS.
Full match report in the next day.
Reader Comments (41)
c.o.y.giants!
I could not bring myself to watch the last 15 minutes. Resorted to stacking dishes in the kitchen. lol
Fantastic - Sandro brilliant - but the best statistic for me is that no Spurs player was booked in either leg. That shows management of the highest order, a superb collective team spirit, and an understanding of not only now but of the future. The future is bright, the future is Spurs.
Excellent job! Kudos to Gallas for saving our butt by clearing that crucial ball off the line!
And Sandro, Sandro, Sandro. Either him or Hudd with Modric with Bale and Lennon by the sides. Keep this group for a decade and we'll see results just like Manure in the 90s.
We hurt them out there, make no mistake. We were supposed to be the cannon fodder, the also rans. Copenhagen, that team that Christian Gross blagged in from Zurich.
They came at us tonight with everything they had available... And at one point I turned to a regular match buddy I was watching with and we counted that they had 6 in a line up front.
Daws, Billy, Charlie and BAE were like the Spartans in 300, fighting off wave after wave. Daws grew about 10 years tonight and played like the England captain we always knew he could be - Gallas offered just a bit more than a journeyman on a pay day would and I think he felt good for it.
Our scouts have taken a basing on here and other sites recently... But I think we should all send a message of thanks to the scout that found Sandro. This guy is the stuff you build championship winning teams on.
At the end of 90 mins I got a text from my Dad. He's 85 and was born in Islington. He grew up on Herbert Chapman and the Compton brothers at Highbury. He just said 'A job well done'. And that's what it was.
Well done Spurs, you made me proud tonight.
Sandro = An absolute Gem. We have no reason to fear anyone! Further than Le Arse! HAHA sounds sweeter every time I say it! Tottenham Hotspur - Champions league last 8. Sounds wrong. Anyone know when the draw is?
Sandro was unbelievable. He's not a fast exciting winger like Bale, he's a destroyer. His performance was every bit as good as Bale against Inter but in a different way. He broke up everything. He kept the ball. He ran the ball out of defence to relieve pressure. Interceptions, tackles, headed a brutal shot out on the near post. If he can keep this form up and Bale can get back on form, 4th can be ours.
"I could not bring myself to watch the last 15 minutes. Resorted to stacking dishes in the kitchen."
You're not alone. During the same time I somehow "had to" make coffee and then tea, and then peaked at TV from the kitchen. lol
I was bitching for some time against HR decision to prefer donkey Jenas over Sandro. This BS clearly cost us points at Blackpool and Wolves.
Anyway, Spooky, I'm glad that you gave proper cudos to Sandro. Soon, there will be many clubs knocking on Spurs doors with the intent to pry him off. I wonder how we are going to keep him, Modders, Bale and VdV if we don't resolve our Catch22 (increase wage limitation with no increases in gate revenues).
May I be another joyous Yid to point out that this takes us further than the 'you'll burn in the qualifiers' Gooners. Step aside, you young gentlemen, and you Chelsea with your OAPs, there's finally a real team representing London.;)
Sandro was immense tonight. Felt for crouchy tonight being constantly backed into. Ref not strong enough again. We could of had two or three pens tonight through fouls and a hand ball. Shame Bale didn't really have a run at them but great result. The draw is on friday. Hope we're away first leg again!!
Defoe did predict this all (personally my memory had it down as either Kaboul or the cheeky Gallas) but it was JD who said we would go further than Arsenal in Europe and further we did go!
Pleased for the team, we did deserve it and we did it all in style I thought. First leg we stood firm and following a counter-attack we won. Second leg we stood firm and... stood firm. It was enough.
Sandro. I went to the match against Arsenal in the Carling Cup in September where he made his debut - didn't give them an inch. At the time, following his performance and news that he had been seeing a psychiatrist prior to his move to England (so as to facilitate his continental shift), I told friends and other Premiership-lovers that he was going to be special. Sadly his games against Bolton and [other team I'm failing to recall at time of writing] went against him and I put this down to him "adapting". Others, such as the people I had spoken to (including pessimistic Spurs fans) put it down to him being a rubbish import. Then suddenly he shines against Sunderland, even more against Milan in Milan, dropped inexplicably against Blackpool away, once again shines (brighter) against Wolves, and tonight illuminates against Milan once more. He was class. Immense. Top-class. Quality (...ad nauseum).
Proud of the Lilywhites tonight, they stood up and were counted and, as a result, are now looking forward to a Champions League Quarterfinal Draw. Win or lose, they have done Spurs proud in their maiden season in Europe's top competition. One of the best 8 in Europe - classy.
Totally agree with N14 7DH, when i saw that interview with Sandro and pictures showing that on flights to Copa Libertadores games he was studying English, going to a psychiatrist prior to his move and also saying he didnt expect to start right away but would prove himself i felt we were onto something special. He looks a top quality player, would love to see the stats on him tonight.
Whole team fantastic, Pienaar started great i thought but faded, Modders a bit out of sorts but thats allowed after the way hes been performing.
We fucking did it boys! Come on you Spurs, what a club.
great post, Mes.
If I was a Milan fan, I'd be feeling pretty gutted because they made/missed a load of chances. Anyway, poke that. Yes, we rode our luck - about time we had some - but we played like lions and we absolutely 100% deserved the result. Sandro was just jaw-droppingly good. Daws and Gallas as perfect in central defence as you'll ever see. Actually they all had their moments. Even Crouch - and I'll never be Pres of his fan club - won everything in the air and played like a hero on his own up front. Yes, should've scored - but that's Crouchie. And he did win the tie for us. Anyone except Barca now...
Passion. The Spurs way. Bottle it up and sex up your life.
Took about four years of my lifespan this game , we should have gone at them but we made it in the end ... Next round i hope to see our Tottenham again.
Do not yet realise that we are in the QF ...
Sandro MOM without a doubt , if he improves his passing game he will be the missing link in midfield. Biting ankles , blocking and passing all while keeping his head up and not getting lost in pointless battles or arguments with the opponents - seen that Gattuso ? Thats a defensive mid for ya
Gooner troll Fatyidc*nt in 3..2..1...
LMFAO
I say again. BOTH Milans.
Immense, mature performance. A bit last ditch at times, VDV unfit and off-key but job done. Sandro immense, the end for Palacios?
So, which team was the first English team dumped out of the CL this year?
I notice the Goons are quiet on this one....mugs!
Huge last night, huge performance. I didn't enjoy any of it until the whistle went.......then all hell broke loose. QF boys, QF!!!!
COYFS!
sandro was amazing, he was all over the place - absolutely amazing.
Scored at their place; kept a clean sheet at home. Isn't that the paradigm of the perfect CL performance?
Sandro looks as though he could be better than Viera in his pomp.
We saw with Fabregas and VP on Tuesday and Bale and Vdv last night that you play players who aren't fit at your peril. So only downside: no match time for Niko K.
Sandro was immense for sure, Modric brilliant in possession and Gallas oozed belief and composure. Wonderful display be it not the type we love to love. Can't wait for the draw.
I guess it's the next round where we finally get shown up for being out of our depth?
DAWSON - GALLAS = DALLAS
Immense
Anyone else pick up in the first half Tottenham reject The Gateux Kid fell to the ground everytime he felt someone was encrouching on his personal space? Wonder how his crew feel about him being so intimidated by the physical force that is Azza
Anyway, enough of that, we've gone a stage further than predicted, again and our bonus european holiday continues. There's no chance of two all English Semi finals now and the dream of beating chelsea in the semis and arsenal in the final is over so for me, its a matter of playing the biggest and best clubs while we have the chance, bring on Barca.
also, according to sky, Micheal Dawson is an anagram of Showed AC Milan
'Depth', the distance between two points, normally upper and lower.
I can't get my head round how and why we continue to underperform against lower league teams and ship goals like Wet Spam on a bad day and yet go 180 minutes against the current Italian League leaders (by a mile) without the net bulging once.
I would say Spooky, we are out of our depth in the Premier League, but Europe holds no fear!!
I can see it now, we will finally step out from under the spell UTD hold over us to knock them out of this competition.
Finished.
Over here they showed the other game this morning and had to wait for highlights. Of course the studio boys didn't give the score. So I watched and after a minute I'm thinking Christ! Milan are having a few chances. Thank God for Gallas! More highlights..I'm starting to cringe every time the ball is going to their end thinking we are going to concede. Then finally 0-0. First thought..relief. After a couple of minutes...well fuck we're in the quarters. FUCK WE'RE IN THE QUARTERS!!!
Watched the replay tonight. Shit! They through everything including the kitchen sink at us. But we ground them out. Something I didn't expect, but like eveyone else very grateful, relieved and excited.
The first thing I mentioned in my last post was wanting Sandro to start. After San Siro, I thought this guy has something about him. Not quite sure what it is, but for an inexperienced youngster in his first year a long way from home and his fourth start in such a big game he showed steel. Resolve. Coolness.
After watching him in this leg, I know what it is. It is very similar to what happened to Bale. It's called self-confidence from sensing one's own strenghth.
I agree with you Spooky, he is a Beast. But he won't be a beast for that long.
He is going to be a MONSTER.
We have to keep Bale, Modric and VDV as our midfield nucleus. We must now include this lad.
NOT TO BE LET GO UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
COYS!!
Sandro seems to be a more refined Palacios, he's got more pace, accurate passing, better defensive skills and a better sense of going forward.. Definitely looks like a future star!
Yesterday's game turned me into an emotional wreck, I couldn't bear to watch for periods of more than about five minutes! Can't wait for the next round, i'm gonna put my neck out and predict we get Chelsk/Manure or Inter again...
Sandro. Can't think of how to sum up the confidence I felt every time he had/was chasing/intercepted the ball. MickfromOz says it perfectly - the lad has realised just how good he can be, a la GB, and was relishing the role.
Downside? For me, where does that allow THudd to return?
Discuss......
Watched the game starting at 4am. Very nervous throughout because they kept coming in waves.
Good to see Corluka, Bale, VdV back.
Tactics not what was desired, but at the end we got lucky and or displayed a resilience not typically shown by our lot.
Agree that Sandro is very good. He should play when we need to destroy game play. Immense performances from everyone. Thought that Crouch a bit unlucky with some of the decisions, maybe the continental referees arent used to his style.
Disappointed that Jenas came on instead of Krancjar, I'm worried that Niko will want to leave, regardless of what happens.
Whatever else happens, or whatever anyone thinks, I believe we have showed the rest of Europe that we earned our place in the Sun, and we delivered a breath of fresh air to this competition.(ironic statement considering we qualified after the most negative performance so far this season)
Roll on West Ham. COYS.
Just checked the fixture list and can't find Rag Arse Rovers anywhere.
Think we froze a little last night and seemed afraid to commit players forward.
Don't think we set out to play that defensively but adapted and did what we had to do.
Despite that, Crouch should have scored at the start of the second half and we could have had a penalty for Seedorf handball.
Sandro is only 21 so still has plenty of time to get even better.
The draw for the next round is on the 18 March and the quarter final matches are played in the first 2 weeks of April, so we should have a few more players available and VDV and Bale fit.
Dear all
We would like to quash rumours that all is not well in the Wenger household. It has been alleged that Mrs Wenger has started to get fed up of her husband’s promises to bring home some cups to replace the broken china (this occurred when she found out that it was only his team who can’t score away from home).
On another note, to replace the Champions League anthem for the remainder of this season’s matches we will be playing the great Simon and Garfunkel number, “The Sound of Silence”. Champions League football is still available if you go up the Sevens Sisters Road.
Best Regards
Arsenal FC
PS. “Choke” does not refer what happened at the Camp Nou, it is just the word “joke” when said in a Dutch accent.
Sorry, my English is not perfect. I am a hungarian YID, and support the Spurs 7 years. Well, i was not nervous, because the score was not inside of Milan. They did not believe wining. Our team never forgot the their trust in absolveing, and never got panic. This very important, because sometimes i see panic on PL matches.
I am talking about defense of course.
A little ITK re Sandro. My lovely wife comes from Porto Alegre in Brazil. She and all her family are fans of Internacional the team from which Spurs bought Sandro and with whom Spurs have an agreement to share resources etc., the first of any such agreement between an English club and a Brazilian club and possibly the whole of South America. What many over here don't appreciate is that Internacional are a very high level club in terms of success. They have won the Copa Libertadores (the S.American equivalent of the Champs League twice in the last few years and have gone on to beat Barcelona in the World Club Championship which is taken very seriously outside the UK. In short in recent years Inter and Sandro have often been playing at a higher level than Spurs (which I acknowledge as a lifelong Spurs fan). My point is Inter and their best players are not the innocents that condascending ignorants over here presume. Sandro was one of Inter's best players according to my relatives. Also Inter play more in a European pressing fast tempo style that the stereotype of the 1970s and 80s beautiful game. It's not such a surprise that Sandro is adapting to the still faster European and even more so English game. Daniel Levy & Co have been guilty of numerous dubious dealings but here agan they should be congratulated for reaching an accord with one of the best suited south american teams to supply players appropriate to the English/European game. Inter is also where Pato made his name. Too many (including lots of Spurs fans) were ready to write Sandro off before he even had a chance (including idiots like Hansen). It shows that these players need more support and understanding from us and the club to give them a proper chance to prove themselves.
Nice one Gertcha. He's definitely looking the part. Ironic we left him out of the group stages, although possibly the best option at the time to aid with him settling into UK life. A full season of him at the Spurs? He'll turn from beast to monster.
Have Inter got any decent forwards we could perhaps sign?
Good question Spooky
I shall have to monitor and report back. Bit delicate with my inlaws as it's all a bit like colonial exploitation but money talks and other players are sure to follow Sandro. Amusingly the deal is that Spurs mentor Inter on how to develop their commercial business - DVDs methinks - so another reason my inlaws may rue Inter's liason with Spurs. Having said that it's law of the jungle and there's still some deference to the "first world" so they will also be proud of their boys succeeding in Europe.
Thanks for the link re Bale animation - can't wait to show my 9 year old boy tmw. What a time to be a Junior Spur after the previous bleakness.
Can't disagree with that. COYS.