The main character is, of course, Marcus Merck. If not for him, I would have to watch this nightmare for another three minutes, or even four. But the German whistled, and an institution called "Green Longing" closed. The players, who, apparently, were also tired of doing nonsense, were terribly happy and began to congratulate each other. Arsene Wenger, who had sat motionless on the bench for the whole match, smiled and headed for the press conference. There, English journalists were waiting for him, whom the coach vigorously promised on the eve of playing for the victory. “Gunners” enthusiastically took the mentor’s mood and hit the goal three times in the entire match. Once even hit the target.
Wenger was not going to make excuses. After the whistle of Merck he was asked a lot of questions, including unpleasant ones. The coach answered everything. Quickly, correctly, in good English, which completely did not spoil the light smacking accent characteristic of the French. Yes, they played unsuccessfully. Porto are a great team. The last 10 minutes? Of course, they didn’t attack. They were afraid to miss. The owners - too, because it turned out what happened. In general, they achieved the result, so what else is needed?
And really, why? Arsenal could not afford to leave the group after last year’s final. One of the journalists, unable to bear it, asked how Wenger would comment on the full predictability of the result. They talked about a draw, possibly zero - and here it is ...
- I do not see anything serious in this. 0: 0 - the score is common. In the second half, everything could change. You saw that the bar helped us. Twice, - having excused himself, benevolently smiling coach of “Arsenal” rose from his chair and retired.
Gesualdo Ferreira took his place. If the Frenchman managed to cope with a dozen questions, the Portuguese had time for three. But each answer took from 5 to 10 minutes. Ferreira made whole speeches, ignoring the frightened looks of the translator. In a similar manner, by the way, Paulo Bento from Sporting also communicates. Apparently, this is a national one. The general meaning of the matches of Ferreira is as follows: his team completely deserved to leave the group (who would argue!), With which he, Ferreira, congratulates the players.
- Did you tell the players what happened at the meeting between Hamburg and CSKA?
- And why, if they could all see on the scoreboard, was it worth only raising his head?
... It was interesting even before the game - training for the press, interviews, forecasts. As for football itself, it almost never happened. Two teams entered the field of the luxurious stadium “Dragau” who needed to play a draw. Drawn and parted. True, “Porto” perked up a little after the break. But Quarezhma twice hit the post, and Elder Poshtiga was slightly injured.
“Arsenal,” along with Henry, who lost all aesthetic aspirations, almost did not attack. The last 10 minutes, the teams roamed the field and rolled the ball. Mostly near their gates. The stands applauded. So I liked it.
Getting mad at Arsenal and Porto is pointless. Everyone goes to the goal as he sees fit. If you want to pull the cat by the tail for 90 minutes - please, if the opponent does not mind. The rules are not prohibited. The main thing is not to depend on others. If someday everything turns upside down, and CSKA is already able to control the football fate of the British or Portuguese, it will be possible not to cross the middle of the field at all. In order to show that experience is learned.
In general, there would be less such pragmatic matches in the future. And then the last ideals of childhood crumble. And to Marcus Merk, who for once managed without cards, - thanks.
Vladimir STOGNIENKO, Porto