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You clearly got the wrong game.
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EPL Season
- Thread starter VLM
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Hope you tasted instead of watching the game.originally posted by .sasha:
what is it with Spain ?
Madrid - Barca game starts later than most of our tastings!
Right now Madrid-Barça version CL is on. Real is a Real Shame, again, at least during first half. Almost as soulless as the Sassicaia/Guidalberto 08 tasted the other day.
Messi's dogged brilliance at the end of the game almost made up for a travesty of a game filled with nasty plays, cynicism, and appalling fakery. Didn't Lionel understand he was supposed to go down and draw a free kick (after of course eight players badger the ref for a card) rather than score an actual goal? La Liga officials watching this CL game may realize they are really missing a chance to convert the Spanish game from sport into reality TV in which actors dive and flop about the field and are graded on their ability to talk an official into awarding a card. Maybe instead of players, actors could fill-in, and serving as refs you could have Paula Abdul and The Donald judging the writhing and flopping about for vestiges of verisimilitude. And why have athletes scream at and beg the judges for penalties? Let's replace them with teams of attorneys. The title of the show? "Who Wants to Be a Futbol Millionaire?"
Real Madrid has become NY Yankees-Dallas Cowboys-like in their hate-ability, with Mourinho's mixture of brilliance and unsurpassed arrogance serving as the cherry on top of that unappealing cake.
Real Madrid has become NY Yankees-Dallas Cowboys-like in their hate-ability, with Mourinho's mixture of brilliance and unsurpassed arrogance serving as the cherry on top of that unappealing cake.
Tom Glasgow
Thomas W Glasgow
"Maybe instead of players, actors could fill-in, and serving as refs you could have Paula Abdul and The Donald judging the writhing and flopping about for vestiges of verisimilitude."
The best possible use of The Donald's time.
The best possible use of The Donald's time.
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Yesterday sucked (other than Messi's individual brilliance) but I throughly enjoyed the Copa del Rey final - an absolute classic in my book.
There are two great managers out there, and it's too bad they won't be meeting in the final.
There are two great managers out there, and it's too bad they won't be meeting in the final.
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As Ottmar Hitzfeld demonstrated during the last world cup, with enough discipline, smart tactic and strict defensive alignment a clearly inferior team can beat any superior team - as happened when Switzerland won against Spain.
Mourinhos used the same defensiv tactic last year when Inter threw out Barca of the Champions League. I'm sure he was burnt when Real got destroyed with 5:0, but still: Having a 350 mio worth crew, among the best players in the world, I think its a cheap move to concreting you backyard, and this in everyone of the last three clasicos. I understood the frustration of Ronaldo there.
As Johann Cruyff noted: Mourinho never was a good player and views the game from the perspective of the coach, while Guardiola was a world class player and has both perspectives, as coach and as a player. I think it becomes visible if you watch both teams play.
therefore, I'm quite happy with the outcome of the last game. I really hope Mourinho will let his players play.
Mourinhos used the same defensiv tactic last year when Inter threw out Barca of the Champions League. I'm sure he was burnt when Real got destroyed with 5:0, but still: Having a 350 mio worth crew, among the best players in the world, I think its a cheap move to concreting you backyard, and this in everyone of the last three clasicos. I understood the frustration of Ronaldo there.
As Johann Cruyff noted: Mourinho never was a good player and views the game from the perspective of the coach, while Guardiola was a world class player and has both perspectives, as coach and as a player. I think it becomes visible if you watch both teams play.
therefore, I'm quite happy with the outcome of the last game. I really hope Mourinho will let his players play.
In Arsene I trust, BTW.
I haven't given up on the project. Cesc really let me down this season.
Van Persie, Nasri, Wilshire were bright spots.
Sagna is under appreciated by pundits and fans alike.
Djourou showed real improvement.
Song took the expected next step.
Chamahk was fine.
Arshavin, Denilson, and Diaby may need to move on. Of the three, I'd keep Diaby.
I haven't given up on the project. Cesc really let me down this season.
Van Persie, Nasri, Wilshire were bright spots.
Sagna is under appreciated by pundits and fans alike.
Djourou showed real improvement.
Song took the expected next step.
Chamahk was fine.
Arshavin, Denilson, and Diaby may need to move on. Of the three, I'd keep Diaby.
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I won't even go into the whole goalie thing, because I know it's hopeless.
But what about central defense? Yes, Djourou and Koscielny have done better than I had expected. But they are still making the team unbalanced. They are surrounded by world class players in every other field position. Just how good are they, in an absolute sense?
Do you know what I mean by balance? It's not just quality, it's a psychological thing for all the other players, in knowing that they can expect a certain level of participation from any teammate who happens to be involved in a play with them, offensively or defensively, at any moment.
Thing is, I don't believe Wenger's system has as much room for average guys who work their ass off, to the same extent that Fergie's or Dalglish's does these days.
But what about central defense? Yes, Djourou and Koscielny have done better than I had expected. But they are still making the team unbalanced. They are surrounded by world class players in every other field position. Just how good are they, in an absolute sense?
Do you know what I mean by balance? It's not just quality, it's a psychological thing for all the other players, in knowing that they can expect a certain level of participation from any teammate who happens to be involved in a play with them, offensively or defensively, at any moment.
Thing is, I don't believe Wenger's system has as much room for average guys who work their ass off, to the same extent that Fergie's or Dalglish's does these days.
originally posted by .sasha:
I won't even go into the whole goalie thing, because I know it's hopeless.
But what about central defense? Yes, Djourou and Koscielny have done better than I had expected. But they are still making the team unbalanced. They are surrounded by world class players in every other field position. Just how good are they, in an absolute sense?
Do you know what I mean by balance? It's not just quality, it's a psychological thing for all the other players, in knowing that they can expect a certain level of participation from any teammate who happens to be involved in a play with them, offensively or defensively, at any moment.
Thing is, I don't believe Wenger's system has as much room for average guys who work their ass off, to the same extent that Fergie's or Dalglish's does these days.
If Liverpool has accepted that 25MM Reina bid, we would have won the title.
If, if, if...
You ask a great question that is difficult to respond to. I think both Djourou and Koscielny are very good in an absolute sense. Unfortunately, they are not in the Vidic, Ferdinand, Terry, Luiz class. I'm not sure Vermaelen is either, but it's hard to remember.
The question is, who would you bring in? Who from the teams below us has any better defenders than we do? Gary Cahill?
I have heard a lot about Sahko, but haven't seen much. Zapata gets linked with us from time to time, and what I've seen is good, but the pace of play in Italy is so different. Philipe Mexes looks like what we already have. Simon Kjaer is a possibility, especially if Wolfsburg go down.
I say we make a run at Neuer, Buffon, or Reina again. It has to be someone that Szczesny will have to shut the fuck up and sit behind, because we'll need him too.
I like Reina the best of those options.
I agree with your last statement. Darren Fletcher doesn't get a game at Arsenal. Nor should he.
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Leave Neuer alone. He is going to more important places.
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I think there are a couple of great managers out there. Jürgen Klopp for instance with Dortmund. Walter Mazzari with Napoli. But you sure are referring to the teams in the Champions League. I agree with Guardiola, but Mourinho, great manager? What he won is impressive, agreed. But the way real is playing? Cattenaccio seems like brazilian soccer in comparison ;-)originally posted by .sasha:
Yesterday sucked (other than Messi's individual brilliance) but I throughly enjoyed the Copa del Rey final - an absolute classic in my book.
There are two great managers out there, and it's too bad they won't be meeting in the final.
originally posted by Anders Gautschi:
I think there are a couple of great managers out there. Jürgen Klopp for instance with Dortmund. Walter Mazzari with Napoli. But you sure are referring to the teams in the Champions League. I agree with Guardiola, but Mourinho, great manager? What he won is impressive, agreed. But the way real is playing? Cattenaccio seems like brazilian soccer in comparison ;-)originally posted by .sasha:
Yesterday sucked (other than Messi's individual brilliance) but I throughly enjoyed the Copa del Rey final - an absolute classic in my book.
There are two great managers out there, and it's too bad they won't be meeting in the final.
The counter-attacking football he developed for Inter last year was essentially unbeatable. The swiftness and ruthlessness was breathtaking.
The system he developed at Chelsea was muscular and robust, but often does not get credit for it's attacking precision. It deserved a Champions League crown.
I think that the only current managers that can exceed Mourihno in reputation are Capello and SAF. Guardiola deserves a place there with a victory in the final. If Arsenal could win a CL, then I think Arsene does too. He is certainly the most innovative.
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Wenger seems unable to change his tune in mid-game. Or is it his current players?
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I've heard a rumour Song might be moving to defense.
originally posted by .sasha:
I've heard a rumour Song might be moving to defense.
He's played there before and it has long been rumored that this is where Wenger ultimately sees him.
I'd rather have Sahko.
originally posted by .sasha:
Wenger seems unable to change his tune in mid-game. Or is it his current players?
Ah, I'm afraid it's Wenger. Wenger should be the meta-manager next season, with someone ruthless who cares about winning, rather than just the long-term programme, making the adjustments at halftime. With someone more ruthless making the off-season decisions. And 2-3 more ruthless defenders on the roster for next season (does David Luiz have an identical twin?). The more i watch Djourou the more i think he is too soft and a back-up, not a starter.
I say let Bendtner express his insufferable brilliance (and he might be a very big scorer one day, somewhere) somewhere else. Let denilson go, for sure. If Barca will pay huge bucks for Cesc, let him go to the team he loves so you don't have to watch him sucking up to Barca every time the team plays them in CL. Plan to play Nasri in a more central role. Have Jack learn about the usefulness of minor niggling injuries to avoid playing major minutes in minor niggling off-season competitions. Has Asrhavin's stock fallen so far it is better he stays for now?
I am hoping the CL final tomorrow is championship-worthy (e.g., wouldn't it be great if Alves didn't feign serious injury every five minutes?), and absent a lot of flopping about on the pitch, I'd like to see Messi score a couple for the win.
Xavi-Iniesta-Messi-Villla 3/Ferguson-Rooney 2?
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originally posted by Bwood:
I say let Bendtner express his insufferable brilliance somewhere else. Let denilson go, for sure. If Barca will pay huge bucks for Cesc, let him go to the team he loves so you don't have to watch him sucking up to Barca every time the team plays them in CL.
this.
fb.
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and he [bendtner] might be a very big scorer one day, somewhere
this less so.
fb.
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originally posted by Bwood:
I say let Bendtner express his insufferable brilliance (and he might be a very big scorer one day, somewhere) somewhere else.
as long as it's not in munich.
As an aside, as I was watching Pirlo's transition from Milan to Juve, I was thinking how, on one hand, a player like that would be totally inappropriate for this Ars team, and yet how there is no way in the world you give up a 4-0 halftime lead with him on the field. His will alone would not allow it.