Tottenham Hotspur's comeback win over Ajax on Wednesday was incredible, but it was no "Miracle of Anfield" from the day before.
That was the consensus of fans The Straits Times spoke to, who pointed to Liverpool's 4-0 thumping of Lionel Messi-led Barcelona as being more impressive than Spurs' 3-2 win in Amsterdam.
Both English sides had trailed 3-0 in their respective ties, but overturned the deficit to book their spot in the June 1 final at the Wanda Metropolitano Arena in Madrid.
Elliott Danker, senior presenter on Money FM 89.3, said: "Even as a Manchester United fan, I have to give it to Liverpool.
"When you consider they're also fighting for the Premier League and that race has gone down to the wire, and with the thought they might end the season empty-handed at the back of their minds - to overcome that is so impressive.
"The moment I went into office the next day and saw a few of my colleagues who are Liverpool fans, I had to tell them: Respect."
Arsenal fan and Singapore Management University undergraduate Victoria Lim, 23, added: "We got to see the power of Liverpool playing at Anfield.
Other great recoveries
2016-17 LAST 16
Paris Saint-Germain, up 4-0 from the home leg, collapsed at the Nou Camp. Barcelona won 6-1 to advance 6-5 on aggregate, only to be eliminated by Italy's Juventus.
2005 FINAL
Liverpool, 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan, scored thrice in the second half. The English side went on to win the shoot-out 3-2 after Jerzy Dudek saved the final penalty from Andriy Shevchenko.
2003-04 QUARTER-FINAL
Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna lost the first leg 4-1 to defending champions AC Milan but won 4-0 at home to qualify for the semi-finals, where they were stopped by eventual champions, Jose Mourinho's Porto.
"They played with so much passion, grit and belief. It was a great match and comeback, regardless of which club you support.
"When they sang (club anthem You'll Never Walk Alone) after the match, I got goosebumps."
A Twitter poll conducted by STsportsdesk saw almost three quarters of the over 600 respondents pick Liverpool's result as the more impressive of the two ties.
United fan Vighnesh Vasanthanathan, 25, said the quality of opposition was what made the Reds' triumph more remarkable.
"At the end of the day, Ajax are a team still growing in maturity," said the Republic Polytechnic student. "They had youth everywhere on the pitch and, when it mattered most, Spurs had the experienced players to give them the edge."
The final will be the first between two English teams since 2008, when United beat Chelsea on penalties, and Newcastle United fan Irfan Rahman, 32, believes it reflects the current strength of the league.
"To me, it shows the Premier League is the best in the world," said the assistant executive. "When you consider Liverpool and Spurs have both not won the Premier League title but are now in the Champions League final, it shows just how competitive the league is."
Whether the EPL is the best in the world is debatable, said Danker, 37, but it is "the most entertaining and most talked-about".
He added: "An all-English Champions League final, and Liverpool making their second in a row, will make (that reputation) better.
"Plus, last year England reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990. Maybe fans can now expect Ballon d'Or winners and other world-class players moving to the Premier League soon."
- Additional reporting by Xener Gill
LONDON (AFP) - Mesut Ozil will return to the Arsenal squad for Saturday's (Dec 22) Premier League visit of Burnley, with manager Unai Emery saying he believes the midfielder has a future at the
Returning Ozil has Arsenal future says Emery | The Guardian
The time off comes before Emery starts to prepare his charges for the Europa League final against Chelsea at the end of this month in Baku, Azerbaijan. A victory will mean the Gunners can claim a Champions League berth for the upcoming season and in terms of silverware it means it will be a profitable season for the Emirates Stadium outfit.
Unai Emery continues to make Arsenal defy expectation and
Football: Solskjaer makes dream start as Man United thrash Cardiff Solskjaer praises buccaneering Man United players after stylish win to put the seal on an emphatic win. The result and
Solskjaer reacts to 17-year-old's display in Man United's 2-0
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital. By AFP Neymar has paid a visit to Brazilian football legend Pele, who has been in hospital in Paris since April 3.
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/08/neymar-visits-recovering-pele-in-hospital/
Paris (AFP) - Neymar has paid a visit to Brazilian football legend Pele, who has been in hospital in Paris since April 3. The Paris Saint-Germain forward posted a photo on his Instagram account on Monday of himself alongside a smiling Pele in his hospital bed with the two holding hands.
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital - msn.com
(Reuters) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave the club if he wants to but the Italian hopes the forward stays at Stamford Bridge. Hazard has been linked with a
Chelsea News: Eden Hazard is free to leave if he wants, says
LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk is back in training but remains doubtful for the Premier League leaders' home match against Leicester City at Anfield on Wednesday.
Van Dijk a doubt for Leicester game - Klopp
Spurs, Man United, Juventus and Inter heading to Singapore for International Champions Cup Twelve teams will take part in the ICC tournament across venues around the world as teams build up
ICC Singapore 2019 : Man United, Juventus, Spurs, and Inter
futbolita.com/2019/03/28/icc-singapore-2019-man-united-juventus-spurs-inter-set-take-stage/
Singapore, you about to be *shoooooketh* AF for the #ICC. Juventus, Man United, Tottenham, and Inter have all been confirmed to play here in the summer! ⚽️ Watch my highlights for more 😎 PS : Not everyone is fortunate enough to travel or watch their fav teams play, so this one's for them.
Man Utd to play Inter and Spurs to face Juve in International
PSG Coach Thomas Tuchel Hits Out at Neymar after Fan Attack Neymar awaits punishment from France Football Association after he was seen hitting a fan after the French Cup final. AFP
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack
Davinson Sanchez is confident Tottenham's squad is strong enough to mount a Premier League title challenge despite injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Spurs squad can cope without Kane and
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli - Sportstar
Messi notches 400 Laliga goals. Lionel Messi scoring Barcelona's second goal against Eibar at the Nou Camp on Sunday. It was his 400th LaLiga goal after just 435 games.
Messi notches 400th La Liga goal - Nigerian News Direct
Trains London to Derby - Train Timetables & Cheap Tickets
Guardiola to make late decision on Silva for Palace trip (Reuters) - Manchester City linchpin Bernardo Silva faces a late fitness test before Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, his
Solskjaer trusts De Gea, Football News & Top Stories - The
More than 3,000 bid farewell to Sala in Progreso, Football
0 comments:
Post a Comment