Javier Mascherano

[CaptainXabi]

That tackle on Kaka when he sprinted 30 yards to the left fullback position and nicked it with his toe as Kaka was cutting into the box was f***ing class. Sign him up, I don't care what it costs.

[richt71]

That tackle on Kaka when he sprinted 30 yards to the left fullback position and nicked it with his toe as Kaka was cutting into the box was f***ing class. Sign him up, I don't care what it costs.

 

world class tackle that if a thing exists. I agree the lad was immense. He sorted Kaka a number of times..no fuss just did what you want from him and at 22 as well. Not better than Mullins though!

[Zoob]

world class tackle that if a thing exists. I agree the lad was immense. He sorted Kaka a number of times..no fuss just did what you want from him and at 22 as well. Not better than Mullins though!

 

For me, he was man of the match. Think it was unfortunate that he went off instead of Alonso. Not sure Kaka would have had the time and space to slip the ball through to In(credibly-lucky)zaghi had Mascherano still been playing.

[Roarcelona]

Probably our best player today. Fantastic game.

[CaptainXabi]

I really think his substitution was Rafa's one true mistake on the night. Kaka wouldn't have gotten that kind of space with Masch around. Anyway, no point harping on that.

[Guest JV]

I really think his substitution was Rafa's one true mistake on the night. Kaka wouldn't have gotten that kind of space with Masch around. Anyway, no point harping on that.

Puzzled me aswell. He was easily our best player.

[Guest Gazzla]

For me, he was man of the match. Think it was unfortunate that he went off instead of Alonso. Not sure Kaka would have had the time and space to slip the ball through to In(credibly-lucky)zaghi had Mascherano still been playing.

Couldn't agree more, Mascherano was world class tonight and made probably the worlds best player look destinctively average. How the hell he couldn't get a game at West Ham is a mystery even Hercule Poirot wouldn't solve. Do you think Curbishley watched the final still thinking 'He played alright but he's no Nigel Quashie'

Edited May 23, 2007 by Gazzla

[Guest Linton]

He was but Rafa had to take a gamble and it didn't work this time. Anyone else not feeling too beaten down after all? I'm really proud of the boys, they gave their all but it wasn't our night.

[Guest Greasy Belcher]

Mash could not get a game at west ham because they knew it was a bogus deal. Rafa's only mistake was taking off Mash instead of alonso, but I can't blame him for that. Raf was obviously considering the facts that Mash has never scored and alonso is a creator, also it would have been saying to alonso, I no longer feel you are a match winner and your free to leave us for spain.

 

 

I would have liked to see Bellamy on for Zenden and stuck out on the wing, that would have caused milan huge problems. Then bring off alonso, move gerrard back into the middle and throw crouch up with kuyt.

 

I also think one of our defenders could have chased back for the second goal.

 

All that said, we had a debt to destiny after istanbul, and tonight that debt was paid. I'm confident we will win the league next year and return to the champions league final in 2010.

[RedNik]

If Xabi isn't going to help us win the game more than Masher, then Xabi should be the one taken off. If for this reason, he chooses to go to spain, then so be it.

 

I truly doubt Rafa thought Xabi might get the wrong message if taken off.

[Guest Derrick]

Sign him up.

[Mike S]

Mash could not get a game at west ham because they knew it was a bogus deal. Rafa's only mistake was taking off Mash instead of alonso, but I can't blame him for that. Raf was obviously considering the facts that Mash has never scored and alonso is a creator, also it would have been saying to alonso, I no longer feel you are a match winner and your free to leave us for spain.

I doubt he was thinking that at all. I agree Masch was our man of the match but I also thought alonso played very well and didn't deserve to be subbed either

[lfc003]

The guy is a monster, So impressed with his performance tonight, Hope he stays with us for along time.

[Romario]

Thought Alonso should have went off and left Masch do the covering while Gerrard ramped forward.

 

Who knows...What if it went to penos....

[downunder]

i think it was Alonso is more likely to score and that was why he stayed on.

[Runehammer]

Fair points regarding Xabi staying on but I think that yellow card was also a factor.

[CaptainXabi]

i think it was Alonso is more likely to score and that was why he stayed on.

But realistically, Xabi isn't going to score a goal in 15 minutes is he? I think we'd have been far better off leaving Mascherano on and setting Gerrard loose.

[downunder]

But realistically, Xabi isn't going to score a goal in 15 minutes is he? I think we'd have been far better off leaving Mascherano on and setting Gerrard loose.

 

I don't understand, using the cliche ....it only takes a second to score.

[CaptainXabi]

I don't understand, using the cliche ....it only takes a second to score.

I mean that Xabi a) doesn't score that often and b) isn't one to score a goal by sheer will in the dying minutes of a match.

[Ginu]

It was quite obvious why Masch got subbed. He offers far more at the back than going forward and Rafa wasn't going to take off Pennant, Harry, Stevie or Dirk. At that point we needed 2 goals so Rafa took off the player that offered the least going forward. He was absolute quality today but the substitution logically made sense.

[RedNik]

I thought we were only down 1 at that point

[stressederic]

Xabi is more likely to score, not just from open play but from a free kick as well, and with his passing was more likely to spread the play, stretch Milan and find an opening.

 

Leaving him on was the right choice.

 

That tackle on Kaka when he sprinted 30 yards to the left fullback position and nicked it with his toe as Kaka was cutting into the box was f***ing class. Sign him up, I don't care what it costs.

 

That whole little passage of play, with Kaka's skill and then Mascherano's tackle was brilliant. Really top level football all round.

[downunder]

Just gos sent a whole report on a West Ham Fans meeting with their Board, and this quote can't be true - their loss!!!

 

Pardew didnt play Mascharno for whatever reasons Curbs didnt think he was fit. NO financial or contractural reasons just footballing from managers.

[floyd the barber]

Mascherano - amazing really....6 months ago we were all freaking out when Sissoko was out injured...now and errmmm well maybe we now realise that sissoko ISNT at the level we thought he actually was, Momo has great potential, but is nowhere near the level of Masch...both at a similar age i believe too.

 

not saying that we should get rid of momo, just stating its great to have 2 similar players...who can hopefully challenge each other and improve.

 

I love our midfield right now, we have fantastic options and i wouldnt wanna get rid of any one of Gerrard,alonso,sissoko and mascharano.....Cant see how we can improve on that 4 to be honest.

[Nebraska Red]

Mascheran owas great today and he should not have been taken off.

 

At the time, I thought we could have taken Finnan off and played 3 across the back, it's not like Milan were atatacking us at will.

 

Maybe the yellow card was a factor, but Rafa could have taken off Pennant or Finnan without affecting us too much.