As the start of the knock-out stages of the worlds premier club competition get ever closer, I look back at what was a group stage to remember, both Manchester clubs not getting through, Lyon managing a 7 goal swing on the last day to gain second place and of course APOEL (what do you mean you've never heard of them?) becoming the first Cypriot side to qualify for the knock-out stage, where the battle to be crowned Europe's best club really starts to heat up. I will assess the ten best goals of this seasons group stage, from free-kick thunderbolts to passing mastery, this lists got it all...
Ivan PERISIC vs Arsenal Matchday 1
An absolute peach. In the 88th minute Ivan Perisic (no 44 ironically), clearly a graduate of the Paul Scholes school of volleying, produced a moment of magic worthy of any Europe's top clubs and announced the fact that Dortmund where back in Europe. A good delivery from a free-kick but the header is well won by Kieran Gibbs, Perisic sets him self and catches the volley perfectly sending it flying into the top corner, salvaging a point for Dortmund, a sensational strike. Szczesny doesn't even move.
Cristiano RONALDO vs Ajax Matchday 2
One touch passing at it's very best, leading to a sublime team goal. Great tackle by Romas who gives it to Ozil, who gives it to Ronaldo, plays a beautiful one-two with Kaka before playing it to Ozil, Benzema is charging down the wing and Ozil picks him out first time, Benzema then (also first time) drives a lovely cross across the box for Ronaldo to hammer the ball home back across the keeper. Really was pure gold.
Bafetimbi GOMIS vs Dinamo Zagreb Matchday 2
No commentary to the video but if there was it would go something like this. "Oh and there been a mix-up in the Dinamo midfield and its set Gomis on his way... the chip and what a goal that is what a goal that is. A quite fantastic goal from outside the area, to get that much elevation and to get it back down..." it just says it all.
HULK vs Shakhtar Donetsk Matchday 1
Despite what the commentary says you can't actually blame the goalie for this thumper. Summoning the spirit of Roberto Carlos, this is basically a carbon copy of that goal. Hulk leathers it and bends it around the wall, in fact you should commend the keeper for actually getting hands to it. But the shot just has so much power in it, and it was going extremely close to the post, the keeper can only succeed in redirecting it into the top corner.
Kevin-Prince BOATENG vs BATE Borisov Matchday 3
The first of two goals from the Prince of Milan, a good cross field ball looking for Taiwo is beautifully pulled down by Boateng instead, and with hardly any back lift he sends it flying in off the crossbar, one of those "Don't even bother goalkeeper..." moments.
Alan DZAGOEV vs Inter Milan Matchday 2
A very clever free-kick. The young boy from North Ossetia is already making a storm in his homeland and the free-kick is one of his may talents. The man targeted by Chelsea gets the most incredible bend and swerve, Julio Cesar in the Inter goal thinks the ball is heading for the top corner but the bends whips it back across him into the roof of the net past his flailing hand as he justs acts as spectator to a fantastic free-kick. A shot Russian missiles boffins would have been proud of.
Oscar CARDOZO vs Manchester United Matchday 1
Man U where hoping for a good start to there Champions League campaign but one of Europe's most lethal marksmen, Oscar Cardozo was thinking differently. Nicolas Gaitan on the far side, gets the ball and sends and incredible pass with the outside of his boot to pick out Cardozo. Who controls with chest, sublimely turns Johnny Evans before sending a fierce dipping shot back across Lindegaard into the bottom corner. Man U crashed out of Europe and this was the first wound that led to there collapse.
Jelle VOSSEN vs Bayer Levekusen Matchday 6
Racing Genk actually acquitted themselves quite well in there first season in the Champions League (they did lose 5-0 and 7-0 though) including an incredible draw with Chelsea. Genk where out of Europe all together on the final matchday, but Jelle Vossen saw them out in style. A powerful low cross from the wing that looked destined to miss everybody was incredibly turned in on the volley that flew into the bottom corner. Vossen somehow contorted his body to fire the ball home brilliantly.
Kevin-Prince BOATENG vs FC Barcelona Matchday 5
Somehow controlling a ball with his foot that Peter Crouch wouldn't be able to reach, on the edge of the area, Boateng pulls the ball down, bamboozles Abidal with a lovely piece of skill before smashing the ball in at the near post. Goalkeeping maybe questionable but still a wonderful goal.
Mathieu VALBUENA vs Borussia Dortmund Matchday 6
Marseilles (yes the ones in the orange) needed a win on the final matchday to go through. With scores locks at 2-2 Valbuena produces a goal of incredible skill to send Marseilles into the knock-out stage. A throw in from the right, Valbuena weaves passed one player, performs a lovely drag back to get past the second and into box takes a touch and curls/fires a magnificant shot into the top corner.
So as the train of footballing time trundles on toward the next station of the 2011/2012 UEFA Champions League Knock-Out stage and Man U and Man City stand on the last platform having got off at the last station, this is where the competition really starts. A cracking group stage, lit up with some fantastic goals. The top ten are.
Ivan PERISIC vs Arsenal Matchday 1
An absolute peach. In the 88th minute Ivan Perisic (no 44 ironically), clearly a graduate of the Paul Scholes school of volleying, produced a moment of magic worthy of any Europe's top clubs and announced the fact that Dortmund where back in Europe. A good delivery from a free-kick but the header is well won by Kieran Gibbs, Perisic sets him self and catches the volley perfectly sending it flying into the top corner, salvaging a point for Dortmund, a sensational strike. Szczesny doesn't even move.
Cristiano RONALDO vs Ajax Matchday 2
One touch passing at it's very best, leading to a sublime team goal. Great tackle by Romas who gives it to Ozil, who gives it to Ronaldo, plays a beautiful one-two with Kaka before playing it to Ozil, Benzema is charging down the wing and Ozil picks him out first time, Benzema then (also first time) drives a lovely cross across the box for Ronaldo to hammer the ball home back across the keeper. Really was pure gold.
 |
| Pure gold, ironic considering the Real Madrid's colours... |
Bafetimbi GOMIS vs Dinamo Zagreb Matchday 2
No commentary to the video but if there was it would go something like this. "Oh and there been a mix-up in the Dinamo midfield and its set Gomis on his way... the chip and what a goal that is what a goal that is. A quite fantastic goal from outside the area, to get that much elevation and to get it back down..." it just says it all.
 |
| Damn I shouldn't have come out... |
HULK vs Shakhtar Donetsk Matchday 1
Despite what the commentary says you can't actually blame the goalie for this thumper. Summoning the spirit of Roberto Carlos, this is basically a carbon copy of that goal. Hulk leathers it and bends it around the wall, in fact you should commend the keeper for actually getting hands to it. But the shot just has so much power in it, and it was going extremely close to the post, the keeper can only succeed in redirecting it into the top corner.
Kevin-Prince BOATENG vs BATE Borisov Matchday 3
The first of two goals from the Prince of Milan, a good cross field ball looking for Taiwo is beautifully pulled down by Boateng instead, and with hardly any back lift he sends it flying in off the crossbar, one of those "Don't even bother goalkeeper..." moments.
Alan DZAGOEV vs Inter Milan Matchday 2
A very clever free-kick. The young boy from North Ossetia is already making a storm in his homeland and the free-kick is one of his may talents. The man targeted by Chelsea gets the most incredible bend and swerve, Julio Cesar in the Inter goal thinks the ball is heading for the top corner but the bends whips it back across him into the roof of the net past his flailing hand as he justs acts as spectator to a fantastic free-kick. A shot Russian missiles boffins would have been proud of.
Oscar CARDOZO vs Manchester United Matchday 1
Man U where hoping for a good start to there Champions League campaign but one of Europe's most lethal marksmen, Oscar Cardozo was thinking differently. Nicolas Gaitan on the far side, gets the ball and sends and incredible pass with the outside of his boot to pick out Cardozo. Who controls with chest, sublimely turns Johnny Evans before sending a fierce dipping shot back across Lindegaard into the bottom corner. Man U crashed out of Europe and this was the first wound that led to there collapse.
 |
| And what happens next...Man U out of Europe!!! |
Jelle VOSSEN vs Bayer Levekusen Matchday 6
Racing Genk actually acquitted themselves quite well in there first season in the Champions League (they did lose 5-0 and 7-0 though) including an incredible draw with Chelsea. Genk where out of Europe all together on the final matchday, but Jelle Vossen saw them out in style. A powerful low cross from the wing that looked destined to miss everybody was incredibly turned in on the volley that flew into the bottom corner. Vossen somehow contorted his body to fire the ball home brilliantly.
Kevin-Prince BOATENG vs FC Barcelona Matchday 5
Somehow controlling a ball with his foot that Peter Crouch wouldn't be able to reach, on the edge of the area, Boateng pulls the ball down, bamboozles Abidal with a lovely piece of skill before smashing the ball in at the near post. Goalkeeping maybe questionable but still a wonderful goal.
Mathieu VALBUENA vs Borussia Dortmund Matchday 6
Marseilles (yes the ones in the orange) needed a win on the final matchday to go through. With scores locks at 2-2 Valbuena produces a goal of incredible skill to send Marseilles into the knock-out stage. A throw in from the right, Valbuena weaves passed one player, performs a lovely drag back to get past the second and into box takes a touch and curls/fires a magnificant shot into the top corner.
 |
| A goal so good, you can almost excuse the shirts...almost |
10. Oscar CARDOZO vs Manchester United
9. HULK vs Shakhtar Donetsk
8. Jelle VOSSEN vs Bayer Levekusen
7. Kevin-Prince BOATENG vs BATE Borisov
6. Alan DZAGOEV vs Inter Milan
5. Mathieu VALBUENA vs Borussia Dortmund
4. Kevin-Prince BOATENG vs FC Barcelona
3. Bafetimbi GOMIS vs Dinamo Zagreb
2. Critiano RONALDO vs Ajax
1. Ivan PERISIC vs Arsenal
So Ivan Perisic's stunning volley win this weeks Friday Top 10. I for one can't wait for a knock-out stage filled with drama, pain, happiness and of course great goals. I will bring the list for the whole champions league after the final in Munich on the 19th of May. If you don't agree with the ranking or can suggest another goal that should have been included please comment.
Next weeks Friday top ten (though it will be posted in Wednesday as I'm in DUBAI on the Friday) will be Top 10 Mad Referee decisions, so stat tuned for the 6 yards goal line, the worst dive ever and of course, the horrible CURSE OF THE STANCHION!!!
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