https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football ... uel-azeez/

Didnt realise his contract was running out this summer. Cant lose this boy as well.

Of course, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

I think we'll do well against Benfica. Just an inkling. Storied club. I wish I was around for the days they were one of the best in Europe. Saw a few videos, heard a few stories. One of my best friends in LA and I are planning a trip to Lisbon. She's thinking of moving there permanently one day and I want to get the feel of the place. If I end up there I'm sure I'll be going to a few Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and even Porto matches. Especially in the Europa and CL games.

Ah...yes. We were linked to him off and on, weren't we? At that time we were pretty stacked. Not a bad player, a small and demure but decent player.
I met one City supporter years ago in LA. He was part owner I think of a bar/club I used to frequent once in a while. They weren't good then I recall. He and the guys from Oasis are the only people I've heard linked to them.

I can only imagine what Manchester must have been like in '67 and '68.

I suppose Luiz will start but I am always concerned when he is in the team. Should be an easy win really but let’s see how we set up.

Hi Gaz,

Why do you think it should be an easy win?

We have the away goal but home advantage is voided by it being at a neutral ground without fans and Benfica are no mugs. On their day they could trouble most teams so if we are not on our game anything could happen. It only takes an early sending off, some poor refereeing or bad defending or a couple of worldies from Benfica.

On the basis of the first leg I would expect us to progress but no two games are ever the same.

You've somehow managed there to sound like both Bernard and AG. I like it.

Clearly you didn't watch Arsenal in November.

The only possible advantage in today’s game formally being a home tie is scoring in the away leg. If Benfica score, that advantage disappears. If they score twice, it becomes a huge problem. The last thing this game represents is an easy tie. I make us favourites to progress, but that has more to do with my expectations of our players’ quality than anything else.

and with that away goals rule (which really should have been scrapped for neutral ground ties) it is unlikely that we're ever going to be in a 'comfortable' place during the game unless we get 3-0 up.
Its said 2-0 is always a dangerous lead, 1 goal back and their tails are up and then you know 1 more goal sends them through, not just stealing a point like a league game.

Wonder how many test matches are won (and lost) in less than two days? India beat England by ten wickets in the third test of the series just after the tea break on the second day.

The stories from Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano's podcasts are great!

I saw a list of them online (cant find them again) but in the history of all tests it was only about 25-30 matches concluded inside 2 days - a lot of those were in the 1800's and from memory there was only about 5 or 6 matches since the turn of the century decided in 2 days.

I suppose we are lucky to see any cricket at the moment, but that was a scandalous wicket for a Test match!

1Leno
2Bellerín
23David Luiz
6Gabriel
3Tierney
8Ceballos
34Xhaka
7Saka
11Ødegaard
32Smith Rowe
14Aubameyang

Substitutes
9Lacazette
12Willian
17Cédric Soares
18Partey
19Pépé
21Chambers
22Marí
25Elneny
30Nketiah
33Ryan
35Martinelli
44Hein

Sad to see no Balogun

He must be off.................

Strong starting 11. And rightly so. This midfield is interesting.

Nasty, dirty challenge by Taraabt

Lovely goal

Nice one!!!

Aubameyang. Super pass by Saka.

He’s past it

He’s lead footed

He doesn’t care since his new contract etc etc

Wonderful build up to the goal. Saka beautifully weighted assist. Glad Aubameyang buried that. Will boost his confidence.

Give it a rest

Enjoy the game

Saka really is a superstar in the making, so consistent.

Always dangerous, no matter what the opposition it seems.

Benfica went into the game having to score, but hopefully they'll push forward a bit now. That back three is slow.

Yes, I can’t see how they think playing that high line is a good idea. It’s literally our only way to get our best goal scorer chances.

Damn. Away goal for them.

Silly foul by Ceballos, and a great free kick. Damn.

A foul won rather than a foul committed. A ‘modern era’ foul.

It was a brilliant strike though. You don’t save them.

Nerve wracking situation now, if they nick another it's trouble.

Right before half time. We don’t half concede goals at awful times in games.
This is where the away goal rule becomes a farce. We’re in a precarious position now.
Remember we were the seeded team and that meant home advantage for the second leg. If this goes to extra time they get an extra half hour to score away goals

That was a beautiful free kick

We win the game we go through, and we should really win this game. That free kick goal is just tough luck, it can happen to anyone, but again we're not nearly dangerous enough going forward. Too reliant on Saka making things happen for us considering the attacking talent we have on the pitch.

This is going to be horribly nervy.
They score again we are in big trouble and they know it

Shh, they might not have noticed.

Can anyone tell me why this commentator is winding me up?

Aubameyang sharp. But not as sharp as the lino unfortunately.

That's more like it. Great through ball from Ødegaard, Aubameyang just offside.

Turned out to be closer than it seemed in real time. Very marginal (a bit like his goal was).