Champions League Thread 2011/12

[McNamara That Ghost...]

There was plenty of unsportsman-like behaviour last night, mainly from Ribery though having said that. Or I suppose ultra gamesmanlike behaviour when you think about it. And it's not a shambles it was only the semi's, that's how they were drawn!

Every club has players that do it, Sagna was rolling about all over the place against the Spuds and Citeh. Drogba did it Busquets-style against Napoli. Pepe did it even after Arbeloa tried to get him to his feet (league game)! If the game is made a mockery of then it happens in most games that take place.

If it does take place between the majority of the players in a Clasico (which I imagine is the difference you are inferring), then maybe it would be enough to open UEFA's eyes to it, given it would be in a showpiece final.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

There was plenty of unsportsman-like behaviour last night, mainly from Ribery though having said that. Or I suppose ultra gamesmanlike behaviour when you think about it. And it's not a shambles it was only the semi's, that's how they were drawn!

Every club has players that do it, Sagna was rolling about all over the place against the Spuds and Citeh. Drogba did it Busquets-style against Napoli. Pepe did it even after Arbeloa tried to get him to his feet (league game)! If the game is made a mockery of then it happens in most games that take place.

If it does take place between the majority of the players in a Clasico (which I imagine is the difference you are inferring), then maybe it would be enough to open UEFA's eyes to it, given it would be in a showpiece final.

thats my point, it wasnt

and yeah comment was more tongue in cheek but el classico's are getting boring now, same old shit different season. and the level of cheating and deceiving the referee in the el classico is beyond recognition.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The final I wanted to see involved Arsenal tbf. Anyway I wouldn't call it a 'shambles', it's just how the draw is made and anyway, this way you get two games of the game you wanted to see

I think the Clasico games are great, very funny stuff. You can guarantee someone is going to go mental.

[Joker]

Ronaldo has done it in big games but I think it's clear that Messi is the more all round footballer. Ronaldo these days doesn't seem as involved in the buildup and in the creation of play as he used to. His goalscoring record is amazing so you can't argue with that, but with Messi it's more than about the goals. Look at his assists this season (he's got 25 assists this season, therefore contributing a total of 88 goals to Barca this season)

[Cripps_orig]

You do realise thats because Barca are a one man team?

Everything goes through Messi whereas at Real, its more of a team game. They know they dont need to rely on Ronaldo every game to get them a result therefore they dont look for him as much as Bar****s do Messi.

[Joker]

You do realise thats because Barca are a one man team?

Everything goes through Messi whereas at Real, its more of a team game. They know they dont need to rely on Ronaldo every game to get them a result therefore they dont look for him as much as Bar****s do Messi.

Well you can't prove that really can you? Maybe it's just that Messi himself takes charge of games more often, by demanding the ball and dropping really deep to try to instigate attacks, rather than passively waiting for someone else to set him up for a goal.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I wouldn't call them a one man team - I mean for one there is most of the World Cup and European Championship winning side behind him and for another they've scored something like 104 goals without Messi's contribution this season but with Messi there, it takes them to another level and he is the one that often makes the difference when they most need it (after that, Iniesta).

[Cripps_orig]

Well you just have to watch them play for proof.

Their tactic is simple but effective.

Without the ball - make the ref get it back for them. This might be by awarding phantom free kicks or whatever. Point is Barca get the ball back

With the ball - Xavi and Iniesta pass to each other 21938103981230912830923809238120474 times. They are very good at what they do. Opposition and fans alike are bored fuckless and then they pass to Messi and he scores/assists

Very simple.

Watch them tonight and it will happen that way for sure

[Coney]

I just want Bayern to win the CL because (i) Moronio is a ****, (ii) Barca have all the media ****s licking their butts and (iii) Chelsea are cocksucking ****s.

[Joker]

Well you just have to watch them play for proof.

Their tactic is simple but effective.

Without the ball - make the ref get it back for them. This might be by awarding phantom free kicks or whatever. Point is Barca get the ball back

With the ball - Xavi and Iniesta pass to each other 21938103981230912830923809238120474 times. They are very good at what they do. Opposition and fans alike are bored fuckless and then they pass to Messi and he scores/assists

Very simple.

Watch them tonight and it will happen that way for sure

It's only simple because they make it look so simple, which is another sign of their incredible ability.