The Soccer Blog: Match Preview: Liverpool v. Steaua Bucharest, 09.16.10

Wednesday, 15 September 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool v. Steaua Bucharest, 09.16.10

By: Ed | September 15th, 2010

Liverpool kick off the group stage tomorrow night at Anfield.

I’m a little out of sorts today—after an hour and a half at the walk-in clinic, I feel confident in saying that I left with more than just the bronchitis with which I entered.

But it’s good fortune for me that the Europa League is upon us, because the trend of me not knowing sh*t about the opposition continues. Typically I might try to feign knowledge, but my resources are depleted by fighting off the orgy of viruses floating around the clinic lobby.

Here’s what we know about Steaua—the side from Bucharest compete in the Romanian Ligue 1, where they’re currently in the third spot behind their Bucharestian(?) neighbors Dinamo and Rapid on goal differential. They lost to Unirea, one of Liverpool’s Europa League opponents last season, 1-0 last weekend, but they’ve managed to string together a solid start to their domestic campaign.

Liverpool and Steaua have met previously, in the 2003-2004 UEFA Cup, with Liverpool defeating the Romanian side 1-0 on the strength of a Harry Kewell goal that sealed progression after a 1-1 draw in Bucharest. This season’s version of Steaua have yet to feature in the competition, so it’s a little tough to get a read on how they’ll approach tomorrow’s match. Striker Romeo Surdo leads the squad with 3 goals in league, followed by Bănel Nicoliţă with 2 from the midfield. Possibly worth noting that they’ve only kept one clean sheet so far this season.

Is that enough to qualify me as somewhat informed?

Good, let’s move on to Liverpool.

1. Who will start for Liverpool?
2. What’s the most important factor for the Reds?
3. Who’s going to win and what’s going to be the scoreline?

Feel free to convey that you also know f*ck all about tomorrow’s match below.

1. Who will start for Liverpool?

Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Agger Kelly
Lucas Meireles
Pacheco Cole Babel
Ngog

—I don’t know why I draw these things up as any sort of discernible formation anymore. Above it’s a 4-2-3-1, but it could be 4-4-2 in 4-4-1-1 practice. That’s also assuming that this is anywhere near accurate.

—The talk about Ryan Babel proving something to the new manager has to play out at some point, so I’m guessing it starts tomorrow. I know the aforementioned talk also included a discussion of how his best position is up top, but I think Ngog gets the nod as a lone striker. If it’s actually 4-4-2, maybe they partner?

—I’m dying to see Dani Pacheco in meaningful action. He was fantastic the two times we’ve seen him in league (and could have very well had an influence against Birmingham on Sunday), and I’m hopeful that tomorrow is a chance at a start. He and Joe Cole have the potential to create some encouraging overlap across the front lines.

—I have no idea what the injury situation across the back line looks like, but I’m guessing that they don’t take any chances with Paul Konchesky after he came off injured against Brum. Hodgson said that Kuyt and Aurelio are the only two injuries, though, so maybe we see Konch after all. If that’s the case, I think Glen Johnson would be the odd man out, with Martin Kelly sliding over to right back.

2. What’s the most important factor for the Reds?

After Sunday’s performance, I think the entire squad, Hodgson included, has some convincing to do. Even at their “most talented,” Liverpool have looked off the pace and far too willing to allow opponents to dictate the pace of play. And that applies to nearly every match this season—home, away, domestic, and cup competitions.

I mentioned yesterday how this would very likely be a different approach in Europe than we’ve seen in previous years, and it seems that Hodgson has something similar in mind. But that doesn’t really matter, because regardless of who he decides to put in the starting eleven, the most important factor for Liverpool is that they’re able to play with confidence and as though they expect to win. The timidity and passivity with which Liverpool has played in recent weeks is plenty discouraging, but they’ve got more than enough talent to turn things around.

3. Who’s going to win and what’s going to be the scoreline?

I hope Liverpool break out in a big way tomorrow, but I’m not entirely sure—I think it ends 2-0 to the Reds. Not a great performance, but something to latch onto ahead of Sunday.

Tomorrow marks the start of DIRECTV’s coverage of the Europa League in the US, and it’ll be on FIVE in the UK. Streams and links up for the rest of us will be up tomorrow morning.

Have a good day everyone, let’s hope for some good action in the Champions League.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.26.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Birmingham City, 09.12.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.19.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. West Bromwich Albion, 08.29.10Squad Announced; Fernando Torres Has Been Paying Attention

Category: Europa League, Match Previews, Team News

Tags: Dani Pacheco, Daniel Agger, David Ngog, Dirk Kuyt, Europa League, Fabio Aurelio, Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole, Lucas, Martin Kelly, Match Previews, Paul Konchesky, Raúl Meireles, Roy Hodgson, Ryan Babel, Sotirios, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Steven Gerrard, Team News
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chupNo my friend, you're not informed about your opponent. That link is crap, since our star player and goalscorer, Bogdan Stancu, is missing. The two you mentioned, Surdu and Nicolita, aren't even in the usual first 11.

Steaua have featured in the competition, having played against Grasshopper Zurich in the qualifying round. (1-0, 0-1 and we won after the penalties).

I know you don't give a damn about your third world opponents (neither does Hodgson, mentioning at the press conference a player who doesn't even play for Steaua anymore), but if you're keeping a blog, at least try a bit harder to get your readers informed. It's the internet age, you've got all kinds of football websites and blogs and Google Translate.

I know it isn't very likely to happen, but man do I wish the boys will give you something to remember tonight. I really want to see Hodgson and everyone else pay for their ignorance. You may be Liverpool FC, but you're not Gods.

Now if you want to see a likely formation for tomorrow, it will be something like this:

Tatarusanu-Latovlevici, Geraldo, Abrudan, Emeghara-Apostol, Angelov (or Bicfalvi)-Tanase, Stancu, Radut - Kapetanos.

They may not be a strong team, but there is some talent in there. Stancu, Radut, Tanase, Bicfalvi and the injured Matei are all young, talented players and they have already played for Romania's national team. Also, Stancu is the type of player who can change a game in a moment of brilliance. And Kapetanos is sometimes able to pull goals out of his ass. One interesting fact is that our defense is weak. You should have no problem in scoring at least one goal. We'll see how it goes.ChrisReina
Johnson Soto Agger Kelly
Meireles Lucas
Maxi Cole Babel
Ngog

I'd like to see us control possession and create scoring chances...novel concept. Take the game to the opposition. If Babel plays well, maybe he earns a spot on Sunday?
The final score will be 3-1, good guys....with Meireles, Babel, and Ngog scoring.steven.paging Joe Cole! Joe Cole to the spotlight, pleeeeeaaaaasssseee?GalahadThreepwoodHere we go:

1. Reina
Kelly Kyrgiakos Agger Konchesky
Meireles Lucas
Maxi Cole Babel
Ngog

Notes: This is assuming Konchesky is ready to go. He may very well be out, and in that case I think Kelly moves over to left back and Johnson takes his usual spot at right back (as you had it, Ed). I would prefer to see Pacheco on the right wing, but I think Roy will probably keep him as a sub and start Maxi instead.

2. Attitude, definitely. I want to see the Reds come out with verve, pace, and a will to win. No more of this cautious, defend-deep-and-hold-your-shape stuff we've seen up to this point.

3. 2-0 Reds. I think we will see an improved link between the back four and the midfield with Carra on the bench (assuming he doesn't start). I love his dedication and commitment, but I'm beginning to think he's past his prime. We'd definitely have a more cohesive attack without his constant hoofs up the pitch. I'm hoping to see a better, more creative passing game with Meireles and Cole in, leading to more chances for Ngog.

As always, Come on you Reds! YNWA
GrubbToo short on time to respond to the article sorry Ed, but I thought I would share this as it gave me an almighty chuckle.

http://assets.liverpoolfc.tv/uploads/103892173ap025_liverpool_tr.jpgKatieHahahahahahaaha that made me laugh too. Thanks for that!

GrubbWhat's not to like about Soto bouncing on a big ball? I wish I had the time to photoshop a trident into one of his hands.Noelhttp://i53.tinypic.com/zv3bth.jpgblog comments powered by Disqus

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Wednesday, 15 September 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool v. Steaua Bucharest, 09.16.10

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