Champions League drama
Last updated: 4th October 2007
This week's UEFA Champions League games provided some great results for the British teams but who did you think were the stand-out performers?
Rangers were surprise 3-0 winners at Lyon but what did you make of their victory? Does the triumph set them up to go on and qualify from their group?
How did Celtic's 2-1 win over holders Milan compare? Did the incident with the fan and visiting keeper Dida take the shine of their display?
What about Chelsea? Does their win in Valencia - and the return of Didier Drogba - signal a change in fortune for new boss Avram Grant?
Arsenal continue to go from strength to strength following their latest victory over Steuau Bucharest while Manchester United also recorded a 1-0 win over Roma. Are both sides now set up to qualify for the knockout stages?
And what about Liverpool? Has Rafa Benitez paid the penalty for tinkering with his team or can the Reds bounce back and get out of their group?
Let us have your thoughts on all these games and any other Champions League performances using the form below.
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Comments
Ann Lynch says...
from what i saw the numpty gave Dida a wee tap tap on the jaw??? get a grip...Benny hill tapped his wee baldy pal harder and he never took a dive..milan are in the coulda shoulda woulda mantality
Posted 03:22 7th October 2007
David Hendry (Celtic fan) says...
I don't think that Celtic should be punished because of the actions of one stupid supporter and the incompetence of the stewards, i think the maximum punishment should be at least a fine and nothing like the rumours going about like the next home games being played behind closed doors or anything like that, i just hope UEFA agree.
Posted 16:23 5th October 2007
Ants Mcnicol says...
i know the guy who ran on the park and he is celtic mad, i think he just got carried away with the drama and excitment of the game and while i dont condone his actions or the fact he touched the goalie, i do think he deserves some credit for doing the right thing and handing himself in to celtic. i think the right thing for uefa to do would be to give celtic a monetery fine and let that be the end of the matter for them, as for dida, well i think he should take a long hard look at himself and admit he tried to cheat, hail hail
Posted 15:44 5th October 2007
John Cairney (Celtic fan) says...
I've been reading your comments over the last couple of days now. They emphatically address the cheating of Dida. Much mention is also made of the over excited fan and his moment of craziness. As a lifelong Celtic fan, it's nice to see true fans from many other teams echoing the same sentiments - deal with not only the fan but surely Dida too. If UEFA don't, then we must expect more of the same type of play-acting to come. I watched the game in a Winnipeg bar and my Canadian friend could not believe his eyes. I was so disappointed in the fan and Dida but more worried about the repercussions towards Celtic after such a glorious victory. I watched the tough play of the seventies by most Scottish teams and rarely seen if ever at all any play-acting, however I cannot say the same for some of the European teams. Celtic and Rangers have always played hard and for the most part fair. There is a real concern when a player ends up on the ground for an extended period of time. UEFA - have leniency on Celtic, their security should be beefed up but it was not the Celtic players who were at fault. Great shame Dida must have brought on Milan and the greatest ever Football nation - Brazil. C'mon Celtic go all the way this time.
Posted 15:04 5th October 2007
Sandy Dance (Arsenal fan) says...
I agree totally with you all - Dida is a big girls blouse and has definitely brought the game into disrepute, much the same as Rivaldo in the last world cup! Watching the footage it would seem the Celtic "fan" hardly touched him, and Dida even ran after the guy before falling to the ground in apparent agony! Shame on the Milan for pandering to all of this - it seems to me tha because they lost the match, they are simply looking for a way to get Celtic thrown out! If it were up to me, I would fine Dida and Milan, although I agree that Celtic should be fined for allowing a "supporter" to get on the pitch. Throwing Celtic out of th competition would be very harsh indeed.
Posted 13:50 5th October 2007
Pat Brazzier says...
I think that the Celtic fan was harshly dealt with by Celtic. When a player scores and then removes his shirt he gets booked but it still happens. The fan also lost his head but I'm sure he did not go to the ground to get on the pitch. The fan obviously became over-excited for a few moments came on the pitch, commiserated with Dida and then ran off. I agree there should be a ban but not for life. At Hull City this week two players fought each other were sent off and will serve a short ban and be fined - surely this was a far worse incident - if one of these had hit Dida he would have been carried off in a coffin.
Posted 13:01 5th October 2007
Alexander Sinclair says...
I am currently in utter, total and complete disgust of Dida's behaviour I think he should be banned from all Champions League matches in Europe for a minimum of 10 years, he should be publically flogged and made to apologise to all Celtic fans in the centre circle at Celtic Park wearing a headless chicken outfit with a placard saying " I am a Cheater a Coward and a Loser". His years salary should be recinded and given to the Brazilian people who are more deserving and Dida should face FIFA charges for bringing the game into disrepute. My wife is Brazilian and she is also in a state of complete revulshion.
Posted 12:13 5th October 2007
Allan Duffy (Celtic fan) says...
One other thing - what about all of the Milan backroom staff who pandered to Dida's antics? They were also part of the act - will there be any repercussions for them? Despite everything the Champions of Europe say about not making a fuss with UEFA, they were part of the act.....
Posted 09:27 5th October 2007
Johnny August (Rangers fan) says...
Fantastic results for Scottish football. Well done Aberdeen, Celtic and Rangers. It's a shame that the bloke from the old Tango adds decided to turn up at Celtic Park though. If common sense prevails then he'll get a life ban, Celtic will get a fine and Dida will get a 2 match ban and an Oscar.
Posted 07:05 5th October 2007
Marko Bhoy says...
Seems to be an echo here with the sentiments surrounding Dida and the clown that entered the field of play. My fear is that if this gbloke can lay out a 6'4" athlete in peak condition, surely the world should be terrified of what he is capable of? On a serious note, Dida shouldn't be banned, merely ridiculed for his performance between the sticks and his ridiculous play acting. The "assailant" (sorry. I laughed out loud there!), well, at least he had the balls to hand himself over to the police today. We'll no doubt get hit with a hefty fine, which Celtic should pursue from the chancer by any means necessary. As we say op here, a great night spoiled by one incidence of bawbaggery.
Posted 23:00 4th October 2007
Mike Rizzo (Manchester United fan) says...
it's no wonder that Milan are not protesting. they know if they take it further dida will be in more trouble that he already is. to go down like a sack of spuds by that touch, he must be made of jelly beans. what a joke. full marks go to Celtic for their fighting spirit which got them their deserved win
Posted 20:47 4th October 2007
Scott Thesnot (Rangers fan) says...
Well done Celtic & Rangers. Let's not the idiot fan overshadow a great team performance. I'm a Gers fan but Scottish football needs a strong European performance from all the participants, including Aberdeen tonight. To Gers fans - don't try and point score over the idiot on the pitch. All sides have idiots and it will impact Scotlands, and not just Cetics, reputation. It is the idiots fault and not the clubs. Ban the guy and distance themselves from him is all Celtic can do.
Posted 20:40 4th October 2007
Nick Devers (Celtic fan) says...
What can i say the idiot who has ran on the pitch and stroked Dida's face should have hit him a lot harder and made it worth while because this could get Celtic in trouble with UEFA, Dida's acting display was as bad as his goal keeping let's hope UEFA take give us an easy ride C,mon the Hoops!
Posted 20:38 4th October 2007
Valerie Thomas (Manchester United fan) says...
I watched the Celtic and Milan game last night and while others say that a fan running on the pitch marred the evening. The only thing that really marred it was Dida's...........delayed reaction to a pat on the shoulder. I hope he gets to see a replay of it and has the decency to apoligise!!
Posted 16:49 4th October 2007
Jim Dunlop (Celtic fan) says...
I was up from Burnley to see the match last night and was perfectly placed to see the incident from the south west corner of Celtic Park. The idiot in question ran out of the crowd directly in front of us and his "assault" on Dildo was nothing more than a stroke. The look on the idiot's face was not one of snarling rage, rather a broad grin. Now then, this being said, there is absolutely no excuse for encroaching on the pitch during a match. When found, he should be prosecuted for the most serious crime possible under the law. He should also be banned for life from all stadia worldwide, difficult I accept, but an example should be made of these morons as a deterrent to other like-minded Neanderthals. On the long drive back south after the game, sadly, most of the conversation did not revolve around a stunning result, but the potential for all the good work done on the field to be potentially ruined by a single dickhead. One simple comment is appropriate in relation to Dildo's antics. It was all summed up by Angelotti and Seedorf in their interviews. They were clearly embarrassed by his reaction and I think they both gave answers about the incident which were balanced and designed to distance themseves from Dildo but also maintain a level of disdain for the moron. As a lifelong supporter, let's hope UEFA see their way to remembering the better behaviour of our wonderful support in past years.
Posted 16:06 4th October 2007
Fergal Sharkey (Celtic fan) says...
Celtic's result was excellent, however the whole evening was spoiled by the ludicrous behaviour of both the supporter who ran on the field and by Dida for his antics following the incident. His performance will win him and Oscar surely and there was clearly no need for him to be strectchered off (was this a ploy by Milan to gain more injury time?) I believe that Celtic should be fined for the incident, if the attack had been on the ref then fair enough take our points away...Dida should also receive an automatic ban from UEFA for his actions, as per what Mikoliunas (Lithuania) received recently.
Posted 15:24 4th October 2007
Giovanni Fanzo says...
What more can we say about Dida ? The over-rated goalie who gifted the 2005 C League to Liverpool with school-boy errors and has cost AC Milan countless points in Serie A. Milan know he is a liability yet continue to play him. Last night's Oscar-worthy performance was pathetic ! At least when he was hit by a firework a few seasons ago in the C League, it was legitimate. Simulation needs to be stamped out of the game - in all countries.With the video evidence available this should be an easy incident for FIFA / UEFA to rule on.
Posted 15:01 4th October 2007
Franky Bonfanti (Celtic fan) says...
I was behind the goal for Celtics winner and didnt even notice (due to celebrating like a madman!) what had happened until I saw Dida sprawled on the turf as if he'd been poleaxed. I though he might of hit his head of the post or something trying to save the goal but alas having seen the footage it is disgusting that players feel they can get away with this nonsense. The guy who went on the pitch is undeniably stupid and reckless but common sense must be applied. Luckily looks like AC Milan might let it go but as for UEFA well I'm not holding my breath. I think Ancelotti showed some class when he shrugged off the incident, admitting that his team had lost the game fair and square. a shame Dida aint as classy....Hail Hail!
Posted 14:57 4th October 2007
Pamela Donnelly says...
I, in no way agree with the way the Celtic fan reacted last night, but for goodness sake, Dida should get a Grammy for that performance, for a start he started running after him then thought better of it and fell to the ground like a sack of spuds holding his face, he should be in Hollywood not goalkeeping for AC Milan.
Posted 14:17 4th October 2007
William Grant (Rangers fan) says...
I think Celtic will get off with a fine or having to play behind closed doors in the rest of their group home games. But in the past clubs have been hammered for this sort on incidents so even although Milan are saying it doesn't affect the result, uefa might not look it that way. So Celtic could lose the points which would be a disaster not just for them but Scottish football as a whole.
Posted 14:03 4th October 2007
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