General Football Debates!

Escorpiius

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LOL I wonder why Nani hasn't played much? Or has he, but I never noticed :p

Rooney and Nani were in top class in that game over the weekend, in your case and every other Man U lets hope they stay like that.

Basel played great...lol there was a lot of jokes going around of how Man U was probably terrified by Basel kit colour thinking of Barca, seem like Vidic and rest of Man U have to wait until they face Barca anytime soon, as Vidic stated Man U is obsessed in beating Barcelona :p Basel is also getting cocky thinking they can beat anyone lol wait till they land Madrid or Barca the story will change.

Man U problem is there defence, they need to strengthen it especially since De Gea is new and still working on his skills, so he needs the support post importantly, rumours are going around that Rio and Evra may get transferred.

As far as signings go Man U still want Sneijder, they could have taken him over the summer, but didn't want to pay him 200 000 a week, so lets see if that changes now. Cavani is also on there list as well as Madrid's, Chelsea, and City, but Cavani has stated he is interested in playing in an EPL team...with him tho Herendez may have competition, Madrid were after him, so a move in near future there is also for Herendez, but his injury problems is effecting United. United also need defenders with Vidic out for the season, and Rio getting older, it's going to be difficult for them, Jordi Alba is also on the list of United who will be competing with Barcelona to sign him (he is a L/RB, also can play Midfield).

Ferguson said: "That [playing in the Europa League] is our penalty for not qualifying."

Platini responded: "The world does not revolve around England. The Europa League is a brilliant competition."

"I know Mr Ferguson would have preferred to be in the Champions League but so would many clubs who don't have that possibility."

lol Well United can win Europa and they will face off VS the winner of this seasons CL before the start of next season, so they can still prove themselves.

Quick things I'd like to point out on Classico - I think this was really the match for Barcelona to prove if they really are untouchable right now. Still, though they win, I don't think the part about being unreachable has been sorted out. Sure, they are a great team (the more efficient and in sync right now) but this match wasn't really the one to show that they are untouchable. Instead, Madrid's spirited performance showed lots of sparks. With some luck and precision, some other teams could well pull up an upset against Barca in CL. Specially pointing to the likes the ones who are used to CL now....

Also, as Mou said, this defeat of Madrid certainly don't put in doubts Madrid's quality. You certainly already read but I must agree with his points' analysis. Points and trophies are what'll matter in the end to prove the better side...

Well, Nani has been playing quite often but he still got the same problems as last seasons. That is the fluctuation between great and terrible performances.

The signings priorities is like this for me. An offensive Midfielder comes first.
Then a central defender. Afterwards, if possible, a Left Back (cause besides Fabio, Evra got no more players to replace him) and a striker with power, skills and good in header specially (cause with the exception of Berbatov who don't play - Rooney, Chicharito, Owen and Macheda are poor in header). Welbeck is passable but he needs to improve.

But still, even if some of those signings possibilities are not completed, recruiting a class-offensive midfielder is a task that should be completed (almost at any cost). I don't care from where they bring it but they better bring it. As for Ferdinand and Evra, I don't see Rio going since Vidic is out and he's the only experienced leader thus in defense. As fro Evra, though he is in much lower level that last years, he is so loyal to United that it'll need Ferguson to sack him; not a personal decision on his part.

And Platini can GTFO. May I remind him how many English clubs were in Semi-Finals in the last 5 competitions only!!!

English Clubs = 10 times in Semi-Finals Stage in Last 5 Comps.
Spanish Clubs = 5 times (only because of Barca's grace form)
Italian Clubs = 2 times
German teams = 2 times
French team = 1 time

So, yeah, the CL resolve around English teams and Platini, with the soon-to-come decreased revenues from TV views following United's elimination, you'll realize this at your expense.

But still, I think Ferguson is not really interested in winning the Europa League. The Thursday/Sunday schedule is delicate, the EPL is unpredictable and tougher, the teams needs moral boost and the squad needs reinforcements. Let's be optimist but let's not expect the moon.

Coming to Chelsea v/s City!

Well as hoped and expected, Chelsea pulled out a win. I guess, I won't really support Torres in my life or I did once perhaps when he was still playing in Athletico if I remember correctly (but that's been since a long time :p)

City started the match very well; both in play and with the goal. There was definitely a penalty not-given to Silva; which was a turning point. But that was the only mistake by the referee.

The red-card and penalty are both well-justified though. I must say that Chelsea coming back into the Mourinho style is not bad. With that, they just won their place against Valence and now, just ended the invincibility of City. The midfield is more near to the defense; with Drogba remaining in offense. Great match for Sturridge though. I must say, I thought Drogba was gonna get substituted at a point since he wasn't providing the impact over the crosses of Chelsea but his presence did prove vital in the last 10 minutes to keep the ball. Overall, a good match of him and Chelsea.

As for City - yes, this defeat doesn't nullify all their merits till here but still, apart from the win against United, they didn't prove their mettle against big teams. Yes, they won against Tottenham but that was during the start when the Spurs were not ready yet. If they draw or lose against Arsenal, that'll pretty much question their performance against big teams.

Coming to the last matches of 2011, there'll be 2 interesting matches in the form ManCity v/s Arsenal (a draw or defeat by City that'll turn the league completely opened again) and a vital Tottenham v/s Chelsea for the 3rd place (significant of being a probable contender for the title still...). City got another match which interest me. Against Stoke City. Myth or luck but Stoke, this season can claim to have drawn against Chelsea and United and defeated Tottenham and Liverpool which is pretty interesting indeed...
 

Michael92

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Lyon - APOEL
Napoli - Chelsea
Milan - Arsenal
Basel - Bayern München
Bayer Leverkusen - Barcelona
CSKA Moskva- Real Madrid
Zenit - Benfica
Marseille - Inter

So... what do you guys think about the Champions League Round of 16 draw?:p
I'm pretty excited about the bolded ones, but the rest are more neutral and/or one-sided.
 
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Escorpiius

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Lyon - APOEL
Napoli - Chelsea
Milan - Arsenal
Basel - Bayern München
Bayer Leverkusen - Barcelona
CSKA Moskva- Real Madrid
Zenit - Benfica
Marseille - Inter

So... what do you guys think about the Champions League Round of 16 draw?:p
I'm pretty excited about the bolded ones, but the rest are more neutral and/or one-sided.
Perhaps, it's time that I scream that Platini might really be boycotting English teams now :p

Seriously, that's really 2 tough gifts for Chelsea and Arsenal to receive Napoli and Milan AC. Still, it's a double-edged sword as none of the Italian teams got easy matches of you see it from another point of view. Chelsea and Arsenal have the advantage of having the return match in Home land which is not bad...

So yeah, the other fixtures do seem pretty one-sided indeed. Though nothing is won in advance...I say one of the favorite trio to win the Cup (Barcelona, Madrid and Bayern) will face hectic situations to pull out a victory. Let's see whose bad luck that will be...

Oh yeah, Europa League fixtures (Posting it just because of United obviously :p Though the cup doesn't really interest me)

EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 32 DRAW​

FC Porto v Man City

Ajax v Man Utd


Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao

SV Salzburg v Metalist Kharkiv

Stoke City v Valencia

Rubin Kazan v Olympiakos

AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht

Lazio v Atletico Madrid

Steaua Bucharest v FC Twente

Plzen v FC Schalke

Wisla Krakow v Standard Liege

SC Braga v Besiktas

Udinese v PAOK

Trabzonspor v PSV

Hannover v Club Brugge

Legia Warsaw v Sporting

Ties scheduled for 16 and 23 February

EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 DRAW

SV Salzburg/Metalist v Rubin K/Olympiakos

Legia W/Sporting v Porto/Man City

Steaua/Twente v Plzen/Schalke

Wisla K/Standard L v Hannover/Club Brugge

Stoke/Valencia v Trabzonspor/PSV

Az Alkmaar/Andrelecht v Udinese/PAOK

Lazio/Atletico M v SC Braga/Besiktas

Ajax/Man Utd v Lokomotiv M/Ahtletic B

Ties scheduled for 8 and 15 March

Man.City v/s Porto is pretty much a CL caliber fixture (kinda the early face-off between the 2 that were the favorites to clinch the Europa League...) That will be a heck of a match.

The match against Ajax for United won't be easy; especially since there's 80% chance that most of United players for that competition will be youngsters and B-Squad players.

The Lazio v/s Atl.Madrid is interesting though I rarely watch Europa league matches.

Club World Cup news!

As expected, Barca got a final against Santos.

Barcelona crushed Qatar's Al Sadd 4-0 while Santos defeated Japan's Kashiwa Reysol 3-1.

But the sad news is the broken leg injury of David Villa ( & )

He'll be out 5-6 months as heard (pretty much for the whole season).
 

Uchiha seeker

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Lyon - APOEL
Napoli - Chelsea
Milan - Arsenal
Basel - Bayern München
Bayer Leverkusen - Barcelona
CSKA Moskva- Real Madrid
Zenit - Benfica
Marseille - Inter

So... what do you guys think about the Champions League Round of 16 draw?:p
I'm pretty excited about the bolded ones, but the rest are more neutral and/or one-sided.
omg Napoli vs Chelsea gonna be epic lets see if Chelsea can handle their strikers vise versa..... first time i typed vise versa dont even know how to spell it xd
 

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The clásico was more of a game to see how Madrid have improved rather than if Barcelona are unreachable or not. Barcelona like others had to have consistency in order to get to the top were they are today. Madrid defeating Barcelona in the future is inevitable, but even if Madrid (currently) get this years success it still wouldn't put them on the same page as Barcelona until we see consistency from them.

Luck never plays its part. Mou before the interview you posted, said, "Barcelona had luck on their side this game."

I personally have recently walked away in believing good or bad luck, because its a term/word with no definition. The team that is meant to win (or destined) it will happen, reason for some bad calls during games. This I don't only mean game wise, but in overall life, whats meant to happen will happen. A few guys I know believed Gatafe giving Barcelona their first loss was pure luck, but it wasn't clearly Barcelona didn't take the game seriously, which ended in a goal going in on a set play which is Barcelona weak spot and after that Barcelona couldn't finish, no luck in that game, well deserved victory and Barcelona loss.

This clásico, brazilian Ronaldo (#9) stated recently that Barcelona dominated the game VS Madrid. I agree, sure when you look at stats Barcelona had more possession, and more shots on target, while all Madrid did was take more shot, but Madrid kept Barcelona around at bay, it took slight moments were Barcelona rose and got there chances (two goals came from counter attack). They were clearly more deadly in front of Madrid, while Madrid missed opportunities, so it wasn't Barcelona luck, but more Madrid inconsistency in Barcelona net. This match was a deserved victory for the winners. If Mou really wants to speak about luck, than neither Xavi, Inesita, or Messi were performing top class and they made tons of mistakes during that game. I don't mean to take credit from Madrid they had some beauty tackles made and intercepted correctly. So, Madrid should consider themselves lucky now that Messi wasn't performing as well or Xavi/Inesita? The first goal itself was a lucky one too than right? Nope, mistakes happen and times you pay for it, Barcelona made mistakes in the start they paid for it, Madrid, never made the most of their chances on net, Barcelona did. No good or bad luck pure mistakes, which were paid for heavily.

It's clear at the end, currently Barcelona have dominated Madrid. Mou little philosophy on titles, well the past 3-4 years Barcelona have dominated over Madrid not only titles, but in confrontations also.

I think Nani just needs more playing time, in order to fit in.

They need more than an offensive midfielder, but I agree with that being the first one on their list.

As I said SaF should focus on Europa, City are, so why aren't you? If you don't manage to somehow win EPL this season, than it will look bad upon the club, due to the fact of not taking the Europa league seriously and resting starters and eventually not winning EPL either. As I said Europa league champs face CL champs, so SaF should put that in consideration, than being worried about the elimination in CL.

City signing a lot of players it will only be time before Man U also start, and they will bring good reinforcement.

I agree City have struggled, but they are still under construction, only near the end of the season we will tell, what they are really capable of.

Well, recently Madrid fans haven't been too kind to CR7 with his fail performance against Barcelona. This year Madrid don't win much, expect exits from a lot of people either willingly or forcefully, Ronaldo maybe on the radar and SaF actually has his eye open for this one, but also Mou hasn't been to happy with Ozil saying he needs improvement which SaF is also watching.

Chelsea recently are after Barcelona youngsters...Well who blames them Barcelona have produced some of the best players in this world. In CL group stage game six Barcelona lined up their B team and tons of scouts (from various clubs) were present at the game.

Torres is supposedly said to be on sale and Barclona/Madrid both rejecting him, but than recently it is said that they weren't selling Torres and again Torres was offered to Barcelona, with Villa's absence could there be a chance? If he does come to Barcelona will his performance improve? That we will have to wait and see what really happens.

De Rossi is also being linked to Man U, but he wants a good payment, also Higuain is being linked with Chelsea move. David Villa was also linked with 4 EPL teams (liverpool, Chelsea, and both Manchester's), but his injury will now only delay this, and possible no offer will be made in future depending on his results.

Arsenal have been put on alert after FC Koln striker Lukas Podolski.

Barcelona also need a sign this season for Villa replacement, so expect a club to miss a huge signing lol (Tevez being on there radar).

- Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has told BBC Sport he believes Sir Alex Ferguson should look to sign Barcelona's Andres Iniesta

This is funny^^LOL

Recently now, which I just read SaF says Man U won't buy in January.

Villa's incident was terrible to see, I watched it and you could literally see him break his leg, and he remained pretty calm about it lol This could change his life for the better or worst (in most occasion is for the worst). Spain now will face striker problems, with Torres flopping and Villa's injury.

Santos VS Barcelona this sunday will be explosive can't wait to catch it although I think it will play at 5AM here lol

Well, Chelsea VS Napoli and Arsenal VS AC Milan are going to be great fixtures, Barcelona and Bayer is going to be interesting to watch also.

Madrid seems like they got a easy fixture, but playing in Russia at this time, will be difficult for them, the cold, slight chance of snow.

Porto VS City will be explosive, both had bad CL rans, so will see how this league goes for them with Porto being the defending champs.

United VS Ajax will be a great test and Yes, i hear SaF will be playing bench/B team.

A. Madrid VS Lazio will be a good one too.
 
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Uchiha seeker

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all i can say is Chelsea need some spanish players like Mata Torres barely plays... chelsea has alot of strikers that want to play alot Drogba already wants to leave, torres might leave cause he barely gets to play and Sturridge is gonna be happy cause if they do he can play everygame alongside Malouda and Anelka is going to a chinese club? that guys supposed to be awesome he pwned in chelsea for 1 season and set up torres for a goal and he is going now he was my favourite so its sad:(
 

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Perhaps, it's time that I scream that Platini might really be boycotting English teams now :p

Seriously, that's really 2 tough gifts for Chelsea and Arsenal to receive Napoli and Milan AC. Still, it's a double-edged sword as none of the Italian teams got easy matches of you see it from another point of view. Chelsea and Arsenal have the advantage of having the return match in Home land which is not bad...

So yeah, the other fixtures do seem pretty one-sided indeed. Though nothing is won in advance...I say one of the favorite trio to win the Cup (Barcelona, Madrid and Bayern) will face hectic situations to pull out a victory. Let's see whose bad luck that will be...

Oh yeah, Europa League fixtures (Posting it just because of United obviously :p Though the cup doesn't really interest me)

EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 32 DRAW​

FC Porto v Man City

Ajax v Man Utd


Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao

SV Salzburg v Metalist Kharkiv

Stoke City v Valencia

Rubin Kazan v Olympiakos

AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht

Lazio v Atletico Madrid

Steaua Bucharest v FC Twente

Plzen v FC Schalke

Wisla Krakow v Standard Liege

SC Braga v Besiktas

Udinese v PAOK

Trabzonspor v PSV

Hannover v Club Brugge

Legia Warsaw v Sporting

Ties scheduled for 16 and 23 February

EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 DRAW

SV Salzburg/Metalist v Rubin K/Olympiakos

Legia W/Sporting v Porto/Man City

Steaua/Twente v Plzen/Schalke

Wisla K/Standard L v Hannover/Club Brugge

Stoke/Valencia v Trabzonspor/PSV

Az Alkmaar/Andrelecht v Udinese/PAOK

Lazio/Atletico M v SC Braga/Besiktas

Ajax/Man Utd v Lokomotiv M/Ahtletic B

Ties scheduled for 8 and 15 March

Man.City v/s Porto is pretty much a CL caliber fixture (kinda the early face-off between the 2 that were the favorites to clinch the Europa League...) That will be a heck of a match.

The match against Ajax for United won't be easy; especially since there's 80% chance that most of United players for that competition will be youngsters and B-Squad players.

The Lazio v/s Atl.Madrid is interesting though I rarely watch Europa league matches.

Club World Cup news!

As expected, Barca got a final against Santos.

Barcelona crushed Qatar's Al Sadd 4-0 while Santos defeated Japan's Kashiwa Reysol 3-1.

But the sad news is the broken leg injury of David Villa ( & )

He'll be out 5-6 months as heard (pretty much for the whole season).
Yeah, didn't bother to post the EL fixtures myself:p
Have you heard the latest insane news btw? It was all over the net today, that Man U might take Basel's spot in the match against Bayern:eek:

Not sure what I'm thinking about this. Good for the contest, unfair for Basel. Don't really know too much about what the club Sion had been doing with transferring players illegally and so on, but punishing all the clubs in Switzerland and disallowing them to play in CL/EL is a very tough decision indeed - If it happens that is. We'll see soon enough.

The Switz football association had until Jan. 16th or so to punish Sion or, Basel will be out of CL - or so it seems.
 
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Barcelona VS Santos --- 4-0

Well, I wasn't surprised of the outcome, so congrats to Barcelona who were rightfully crowned, and I'm sure Villa must be really happy to see this.

Scorers: Messi (2), Xavi, Fabregas

Assists: Dan Alves (2), Xavi (1)

This game wasn't what I expected, as I desired to see a much more hungrier Santos side VS Barcelona, but just minutes into the game you already saw Barcelona dominating, after the first goal (Messi), it was over in my eyes, which followed by the second (Xavi) a few minutes later, declared the match already and just before half the third one went in (Fabragas), it was only about time to see if Santos would get thrashed in this game.

Santos, with the little possession they had was great because they made the most out of it, with Neymar having at least 3 chances, 2 on target, with a player at his caliber (or hype he's getting) it should have been in it was him VS Valdez a chip was all that was needed, but instead he lowered the shot and tried curling it, but Valdez had it. He had a header also with the defender behind him, which went over the bar. Borges (#9) also had a brillant chance with him also a chip was needed or a higher shot, but he hit it low for Valdez to make the save. Santos had a few plays in and out, but Barcelona defenders got to it, or Valdez did.

Messi played marvelously in this game, in Fabregas goal he got fouled in the box could have gone down for the PK instead stay up got around the defender after being fouled took a shot which the GK saved eventually Fabregas after Alves got the rebound.

Alves has been a huge part in Barca offensive game, ever since in Madrid were he played amazing offense he has been like that since. I hope to see him keep the same pace and form after the holidays.


City got a tough victory over Arsenal, you kind of start thinking they won't keep this for too long.

Liverpool got a victory so still near Chelsea and Tottenham's reach.

Man U also won to continue chasing City.

Inter shockingly are 5th in Serie A after coming from 18th place...they've been able to squeeze one goal in for themselves every game.

Juventus keep their unbeaten streak still a live and Milan chasing after them.

Roma got a victory over Napoli.

Raul got a hattrick with Schalke.
 

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As far as Man U returning, I highly doubt it if anything it maybe a possible forfeit and Bayern moves on, they already have everything set up for CL and Europa to make alterations again by going thru trouble and other clubs complaining about it. I think Basle will be there for the game anyways (they'll pull something).

Today FA gave Suarez a 8 game ban and a 40,000 euro/pound charge for his racism on Evra. I think Terry should get a lifetime ban than (with all his racism charges), I mean come on thats a bit too harsh Liverpool top player out for 8 games. I was told that Evra had barely any evidence except for his word and neither his teammates or the ref in the game really heard the racism from Suarez. I mean Rooney assaults a guy in front of the cameras, but gets 1 match ban lifted (I think assault is worst than verbal), but than FA go and screw Suarez/Liverpool over. They barely let Suarez even present his case, as per I heard from liverpool site. I'm not saying Suarez wasn't racist or forgive all racist people, but FA needs to punish all equally. This 8 game ban is too much and it can pretty much take away Liverpools hope of trying to make it in the top 3-4 place. I mean reduce it to 2-3 games and the fee charge stays, but Suarez got a harsh call there.
 

Uchiha seeker

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As far as Man U returning, I highly doubt it if anything it maybe a possible forfeit and Bayern moves on, they already have everything set up for CL and Europa to make alterations again by going thru trouble and other clubs complaining about it. I think Basle will be there for the game anyways (they'll pull something).

Today FA gave Suarez a 8 game ban and a 40,000 euro/pound charge for his racism on Evra. I think Terry should get a lifetime ban than (with all his racism charges), I mean come on thats a bit too harsh Liverpool top player out for 8 games. I was told that Evra had barely any evidence except for his word and neither his teammates or the ref in the game really heard the racism from Suarez. I mean Rooney assaults a guy in front of the cameras, but gets 1 match ban lifted (I think assault is worst than verbal), but than FA go and screw Suarez/Liverpool over. They barely let Suarez even present his case, as per I heard from liverpool site. I'm not saying Suarez wasn't racist or forgive all racist people, but FA needs to punish all equally. This 8 game ban is too much and it can pretty much take away Liverpools hope of trying to make it in the top 3-4 place. I mean reduce it to 2-3 games and the fee charge stays, but Suarez got a harsh call there.
ah Suarez owns! feel sorry for that guy and even today he didnt play that well and he was pissed off at himself
 

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ah Suarez owns! feel sorry for that guy and even today he didnt play that well and he was pissed off at himself
It maybe his last game and than after that i guess his 8 days start after the breaks, unless FA reduce it.

Also John Terry got fined I think 2800 euros? compared to Suarez 40,000. This is the amount i heard last time I checked. The further punishment for Terry is still pending.
 

Uchiha seeker

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It maybe his last game and than after that i guess his 8 days start after the breaks, unless FA reduce it.

Also John Terry got fined I think 2800 euros? compared to Suarez 40,000. This is the amount i heard last time I checked. The further punishment for Terry is still pending.
whew i sold him on fantasy premiere league for Ivanovic.... sheesh Terry can find that money in his pocket
 
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