Cures for the Post-Match Hangover

By: Taylor Rockwell | May 6th, 2009

I started to read some bits of news about today’s tie between Chelsea and Barcelona, but I just couldn’t do it. I felt like I would be cheating on last night’s match if I were to just move on to another one. Instead, I’ve decided to stop playing the field, stay at home, and spend some time better acquainting myself with yesterday’s victory. If you’d like to do the same, then here are some pretty good outlets for that desire.

ESPN’s The Insider with a lovely piece on the role Slave played in destroying a competent Arsenal team. Love him or hate him, that freekick yesterday pretty much defined his career in a nutshell. Arrogant, fundamentally brilliant, skillful, and… petulant? Well, perhaps not a complete definition, but still a rather good one.

Wayne wasn’t the only person who was a touch upset by Fletcher’s red card (although most other angered parties wouldn’t have mentioned that anger over three different blog posts). After yesterday’s match, Fergie took time to discuss the Fletcher situation. “He’s distraught,” said Ferguson after being unable to console the Scotland international in the dressing room. “He’s really disappointed and he is entitled to be. He’s one of the most honest players in the game and for him to miss the final will be a tragedy.”

Fergie isn’t alone in his frustration with the lack of an appeals process. The Guardian’s Paul Heyward notes that, while a bit clumsy, Fletcher’s tackle is deserving of either compassion or review… or both.

Those United fans out there who are still struggling with the fact that one of our more deserving players won’t see the pitch on May 27th can still take solace in the fact that United hurt Arsene Wenger deeply last night. The Arsenal manager (and, to be fair, all of their fans) was respectful of a talented United squad and was gracious in defeat. Instead, he turned his angst inward… towards his own squad. “I don’t want to blame anyone,” stated Wenger. He then paused, realized his team had essentially been eliminated in the first 11 minutes because of two mistakes by two players, and then continued, “We were really up for the fight, ready for the game, but after the first 10 minutes it was impossible.” So, essentially, Almunia and Gibbs… Wenger would like a word.

Lastly, here’s the link to The Guardian’s post-match interviews and press conferences. Worth it for the following reasons: 1) Slave has acne, 2) Wenger blaming the referee, 3) Fergie speaking with the joy of a doctor telling a family that their son died in surgery, and 4) Wenger, albeit graciously, wishing United good luck in the final while simultaneously turning, ostensibly, to go find Gibbs and punch him in the face.