Football 2012-2013

[kaosmark2]

Watching the highlights it looked a really exciting game, i wish ITV had shown it live instead of the Madrid game. Its however ridiculous the Malaga owner screaming racism due to a Dortmund offside goal being given when Malaga also had an offside goal given. I still love watching Joaquim (pity he never played in the premiership) but think of his talent he has significantly overachieved.

As a neutral I am glad Dortmund got through as I feel they are more likely to be more competitive in the semis. I feared Malaga could end up like Schalke against Man U a few years ago. I have a sneaky feeling that Pelegrini could be on his way to the premiership.

[kaosmark2]

A surprisingly good article on the beeb about Thatcher's failings regarding sport in this country:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22085707

[the wonderwhy]

Pompey saved

Probably a good thing Thatcher went when she did.

[pink_triangle]

A lot of silly talk about Messi today and how yesterday proves they are a one man thing. To say they are better off with him then without him is case of stating the obvious, its only logical that if a player if pretty much undisputedly considered the best in the world that any team without him will be weakened, if there were a lot of similar ability players at the top of world football, the loss of one would probably have less effect on the team as its likely the difference between them and others in the squad would be less. I have no doubts if Messi didnt play at barcelona they would have another top forward and still be competitive in the latter stages of the champions league, the fact they do have him is their good fortune.

I personally hope for bayern v dortmund and real v barca semis. I dont really like ties with teams from the same country but better to get it over and done with in the semis than end up with a lacklustre (eg man u v chelsea, milan v juventus) final. I would personally like to see a Barca V Bayern final as they are 2 huge teams, who are also top of their leagues but I dont remember(although may be incorrect) them playing in many big knockout games. The winner of a match like this could really be considered the best team in europe which you couldnt say about chelsea last year.

[kaosmark2]

A lot of silly talk about Messi today and how yesterday proves they are a one man thing. To say they are better off with him then without him is case of stating the obvious, its only logical that if a player if pretty much undisputedly considered the best in the world that any team without him will be weakened, if there were a lot of similar ability players at the top of world football, the loss of one would probably have less effect on the team as its likely the difference between them and others in the squad would be less. I have no doubts if Messi didnt play at barcelona they would have another top forward and still be competitive in the latter stages of the champions league, the fact they do have him is their good fortune.

I personally hope for bayern v dortmund and real v barca semis. I dont really like ties with teams from the same country but better to get it over and done with in the semis than end up with a lacklustre (eg man u v chelsea, milan v juventus) final. I would personally like to see a Barca V Bayern final as they are 2 huge teams, who are also top of their leagues but I dont remember(although may be incorrect) them playing in many big knockout games. The winner of a match like this could really be considered the best team in europe which you couldnt say about chelsea last year.

[pink_triangle]

You realise that we could actually have all 3 games with different nationalities? Bayern beat Madrid and Barca beat the other? I agree that I prefer ties with both teams coming from other countries, but the Barca-Real semi 2(?) years ago was excellent, far better than the domestic El Clasico's I've watched since. I think this is the first year in a while where you can say the final 4 teams are definitely the best in Europe at present. PSG starting to look like a serious force as well.

[thetime]

Ive been hearing falcao is a done deal for united, rumours of a down payment already made.

Rooney replacement?

[kaosmark2]

I know its possible to have 3 ties with teams from different nations, just would rather not take the risk! Agree its great to see 4 great teams in the final, I do however fear for dortmund as they are likely to become arsenal if they don't increase their wage bill significantly.

I agree that Psg are looking stronger all the time and I like to see new names competing. I found it funny when Beckham came on and the media were all having wet dreams about a free kick, he hasn't scored a high profile free kick in years!

[Big Vern]

Ive been hearing falcao is a done deal for united, rumours of a down payment already made.

Rooney replacement?

[thetime]

Utd do not need to spend up top, they desperately need a solid midfield play maker or two. RVP, Rooney, Welbeck and Chico is more than enough to do the job

[kaosmark2]

And a winger or two. Giggs aging and moved centrally, Park sold (after 18 months of being shit), Valencia out of form, Nani even lazier than usual and looks likely to be sold, Young average.

[pink_triangle]

Ive been hearing falcao is a done deal for united, rumours of a down payment already made.

Rooney replacement?

[thetime]

And they have been right! I suppose it depends on a clubs aims, Man Utds present midfeild is fine int he premiership for picking up points against mediocre side. However the players are outclassed in europe and in danger of being left behind by barca, madrid and bayern.

[pink_triangle]

Thats a bit of an over reaction somewhat.

[thetime]

Not in my opinion, I.think man utd lack of success in Europe over the last couple of years is mainly due to losing midfield battles. For the deserved (but slightly exaggerated) credit someone like carrick has received in the premiership, he generally has looked out of his depth in the champions league.

[kaosmark2]

Stinks of agent talk to me. Athletico agreeing a deal now doesnt makes sense to me. Firstly I dont think they completely own the player so its likely to be a complicated transfer. Secondly there are 2 big strikers looking to move (Cavanni and Falcao) with more than 2 clubs looking for a big striker. Theres no doubt athletico will use this leverage to start a bidding war.

[pink_triangle]

Which team has outclassed united in europe this season?

[thetime]

They have won only 6 of their last 14 champions league matches, doesnt sound bad in theory but thats in the context of being in weak groups in consecutive years. Only 2 of those 14 matches were against teams with comparible wage budgets to man utd. The fact they have scraped 6 wins is more to do with quality in other areas of the pitch compared to some pretty mediocre opposition. In the games I have seen the midfield has been dominated when they lost and often when they scraped draws. I think a top class midfield would have turned that from 6 to 10 wins and that could have been crucial.

[pink_triangle]

I agree with you about the midfield being overhauled but the manager does not think that I presume. Outclassed I would argue against though, the real madrid game could of gone either way.

United having a poor midfield seems to be a poor and well used argument.

[kaosmark2]

Gutting. We lost it in the first leg really. Slightly unlucky over the 2 legs I reckon but not going to say it was unjust, Benfica earned their place. Encouraging performance and hopefully we can get there again for the 2014-15 season.

[Kyelo]

Ive been hearing falcao is a done deal for united, rumours of a down payment already made.

Rooney replacement?

[pink_triangle]

Well yeah, Levandowski's already said he's going hasn't he? They sold Kagawa for big money last year, but they've got 16 or so seriously good players and able support below. Bayern are a really unique case, no other country has one team with as dominant a financial position (except debatably France, but PSG's impact is yet to be seen), yet there's 5 or 6 other teams who've won the title in the last decade. They always spend big, but don't necessarily get value even though they get quality (see Robben, Dante, Gomez, Martinez, all only just about justified their price tags). Diminishing returns and all that. There's only so many giants in football and there are good players who either won't be at those teams or won't get games playing in those teams, and the less wealthy have to try and get those in on good deals, which Dortmund are excellent at.

Well it'll be interesting to see how Ligue 1 adjusts. I'm wondering if it'll become similar to the Bundesliga which has one phenomenally rich team. Just speculation though.

[kaosmark2]

Dortmund have managed to keep most of their best players so far, but a semi final champions league run will only increase their profile, especially with several clubs willing to splash serious cash this summer. Whether Levendowski leaving will trigger others will be interesting. The fact is a player like Hummels would get paid twice as much doing the same job at barca, madrid or munich which will always make it difficult to hold on to them. I can see dortmund becoming a consistent champions league last 16/last 8 side at current expenditure levels but they will need to significantly increase this in my opinion to be keep their best players and consistently challenge.

[The Nal]

Falcao would be unreal! Please be true. Seems theres something to it!

[pink_triangle]

Barca v Bayern, Dormund V Madrid

Should be a couple of great games, cant remember looking forward to a game (as a neutral) this season as much as the former. Also neither Dortmund or Madrid have been in the final for a while, so will be good to see a bit of variety.

Chelsea V Basle, Benfica V Fenerbache.

I hate the idea of letting champions league teams in through the back door, so hoping for a Basle V Fenerbache final. Im expecting the exact opposite!