There was a time when we could just enjoy exciting goalmouth action for what it is.
We could revel in the fact that we could barely breathe without a shot or a half-chance.
But then people tried telling us about a little thing called defending, and suggested frantic games with goal after goal meant the back-lines weren’t doing their jobs.
And, on a night where two last-16 games produced a combined 14 goals, you just knew what was going to follow.
Poor set-piece defending and a terrible goal keeping error cost Monaco this game
— Jonah (@ChikezieJonah) February 21, 2017
As Stefan Savic scores an own goal and Stones looks weaker than a newborn kitten, the ghost of Man City defending future clears his throat.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) February 21, 2017
He may have scored at the right end, but John Stones bore the brunt of the defensive criticism.
https://twitter.com/Priya8Ramesh/status/834147425333936130
John Stones defending pic.twitter.com/QdJlThkfYL
— Zito (@_Zeets) February 21, 2017
But Leverkusen’s defenders weren’t immune from it either.
Someone might want to tell Leverkusen that defending isn't optional…
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) February 21, 2017
Amateur defending. 2-0 Griezu
— Raphael Honigstein💙 (@honigstein) February 21, 2017
But wait, maybe abolishing defending might be – wait for it – a good thing?
not sure when FIFA outlawed defending but it was a good rule change https://t.co/Zm2RM3kU37
— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) February 21, 2017
Got to love it when both teams have no care in the world for defending #MCIASM
— Luke Strauss (@luke_strauss) February 21, 2017
At the very least it makes for greater entertainment.
https://twitter.com/ThatDamnYank/status/834149739109036032
There, it’s settled. Caring about defending is bad, watching an absence of defending and enjoying whatever ensues is now good once more.
imagine being one of those that enjoys solid and structured defending lol
— Gene Oliver (@genepoli) February 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/Ankaman616/status/834151887662350338
https://twitter.com/sewadyllo/status/834153993916014592
What odds on goalless draws in Monaco and Madrid in the return legs? No, you’re right, these teams couldn’t do that if they tried.
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
