Champions League 12/13

[Cruijffista]

Finally got around to watching the Shakhtar highlights and what a beauty of a goal that Willian scored.

 

[MagIX]

It didn't need defending or justifying, there's nothing wrong with it. You don't get to re-define football just because there are forms of the game that you don't like. The idea that the only reason people praised Chelsea was because they were sick of Barca borders on the egotistical. People praised them because they were an inferior team that overcame their disadvantage through pure spirit and hard work. They could have easily crumbled at many points in the campaign but stuck with it and got their rewards. If Barca had shown a fraction of that resolve and efficiency in front of goal then maybe it would have been them lifting the trophy instead.

Dont make me laugh!!

It’s not a question of redefine football or spirit and hard work, but a question of not take the people the piss.

We are talking abount Cheslea, one of the richest club in the world which spend 1 billion in the last years! And you play like third division team ? are you joking ?simply ridiculous and shameful.

I justify and understand that really inferior team like Osasuna or similar (last WC Switzerland vs Spain 1-0) plays with 11 defender, but for sure not a team like Chelsea. And even inferior teams do not play always with 11 defender but they try to attack us because they have a proud and they prefer to die with honor than die (or live) like shit.

 

[ivan22]

Give Luiz Adriano the Fairplay Award!

 

[Jenks]

IMO, the only players that actually deserved the Champions League with Chelsea were Mata, Petr Cech, and Ashley Cole. Not even Drogba. He dove at least 10 or 15 times throughout both legs and conceded penalties against us and Bayern Munich. Chelsea were defended well but it was mostly the most lucky champions league run ever. They are technically the "european champions" but it disgusts me to say that as they were at no point clearly superior to their opponents. Barcelona in 2011 dominated Arsenal, Shakhtar(once again proving they are legit), Real Madrid, and Manchester United.

I would agree with Cech and Cole, and would probably throw in Ramires and maybe even Lampard, but Mata? Naa. He was anonymous for large portions of the campaign, especially against Barcelona. The style change didn't suit him and he went missing quite a lot.

Dont make me laugh!!

It’s not a question of redefine football or spirit and hard work, but a question of not take the people the piss.

We are talking abount Cheslea, one of the richest club in the world which spend 1 billion in the last years! And you play like third division team ? are you joking ?simply ridiculous and shameful.

I justify and understand that really inferior team like Osasuna or similar (last WC Switzerland vs Spain 1-0) plays with 11 defender, but for sure not a team like Chelsea. And even inferior teams do not play always with 11 defender but they try to attack us because they have a proud and they prefer to die with honor than die (or live) like shit.

You? I have nothing to do with Chelsea. I don't even particularly like Chelsea. I just recognise that they were massive underdogs and so adopted a different style of play to overcome a superior team, and people tend to like underdog stories. As for Osasuna, they finished 7th in La Liga last season. Chelsea finished 6th in the Premier League. They were in crisis last year, and if it wasn't for the Champions League win they wouldn't even be in the competition this year. They're more comparable than you're willing to admit.

 

[Ode to Django]

Jose sticking it to Mancini saying "it's not normal for them to not qualify twice in a row, they certainly wont qualify" i would laugh hard if City were to beat them & it goes down to the final match day. Mourinho classy as always.

 

[cloned warrior]

Jose sticking it to Mancini saying "it's not normal for them to not qualify twice in a row, they certainly wont qualify" i would laugh hard if City were to beat them & it goes down to the final match day. Mourinho classy as always.

Its funny how Mou has given every madridista an excuse for not qualifying earlier in this group

 

[footyfan]

If City and Dortmund win today, Madrid can finish no higher than 2nd. The list of teams Madrid could potentially face if they finish 2nd in the group:

Porto/PSG - both are probably on an equal level. I would like PSG to finish top though.
Schalke/Arsenal - C'mon Arsenal, get up on to 1st.
Shakhtar/Juve - Hope Juve beat Shakhtar and finish top.
Bayern - Hell yes.
Man Utd - Hell yes.

 

[xaviniesta]

i saw the luis shaktar incident vs nordjelland. i mean luis adriano is the biggest cunt in football now in my eyes. not only he scored that goal where he should've gave the ball back to them, he was actually the one who prevented nordjelland for scoring a goal back . they started and went to score a goal back, it looked like shatkar team let them score back, but it was the same guy, luis adriano, who went rushing there waving his arms to stop the attack and prevent them to score a goal back. i mean this is just unbelivable.

 

[PearLBLacK]

If City and Dortmund win today, Madrid can finish no higher than 2nd. The list of teams Madrid could potentially face if they finish 2nd in the group:

Porto/PSG - both are probably on an equal level. I would like PSG to finish top though.
Schalke/Arsenal - C'mon Arsenal, get up on to 1st.
Shakhtar/Juve - Hope Juve beat Shakhtar and finish top.
Bayern - Hell yes.
Man Utd - Hell yes.

Over two legs, I don't think Arsenal (in this form they're in), Schalke, Porto and PSG (they're nothing sans Ibra) would pose a real threat. United is a dangerous threat offensively, but their defense & midfield is horrible at best. Theoretically speaking, I don't see them beating us over two legs as well. Juve (Good defense & midfield, offense not the best but still dangerous), Bayern (haven't watched them much this season but I gather their midfield and offense is top class?) and Shakhtar (very similar to Dortmund, their fast play and fluid linkup was evident against Chelsea) would pose the most threat to us. With our less than ideal midfield as well, I'd expect us to suffer against teams that dominate in the midfield. Juventus would be the most dangerous in that department, and Bayern to an extent.

That's only on paper, btw, as anything can happen within each 90 minutes (individual screw ups, wrong decisions, injuries, etc). But over two legs, and 180 minutes, I think we can match up to any of the above-mentioned teams.

 

[footyfan]

No doubt about it. Madrid would be the favorites in each and every one of those match-ups (except for Bayern where they are equal) and deservedly so. Mainly, I was alluding to how Madrid always get easy opponents (your most difficult have been Lyon and Tottenham lol) and that this time, it might not be the case.

 

[Cruijffista]

What a weak lineup Malaga is throwing out there today. No Isco, Joaquin, Saviola or Iturra. Nacho Monreal is still hurt too.

The team has looked extremely tired in their recent fixtures, so some rest is needed for that team who doesn't have any depth as they've already advanced.

 

[PearLBLacK]

Haven't they qualified already? I'd be surprised if they played even 5 of their regulars. A trip to Russia with the limited squad they have, while they're dropping from 3rd to 5th in La Liga, is always more of a hindrance to them.

 

[Trickykid]

Haven't they qualified already? I'd be surprised if they played even 5 of their regulars. A trip to Russia with the limited squad they have, while they're dropping from 3rd to 5th in La Liga, is always more of a hindrance to them.

They're not certain of first place though, so I guess they're trying to secure it tonight. But yeah, I'm surprised too, as I'd have thought they'd prioritize LL.

 

[PearLBLacK]

They're 2 goals up already. I'm enjoying this, Malaga second-choice players outperforming Hulk & Co.

 

[cloned warrior]

Zenit - Malaga