[misha]

Lyon full-back Eric Abidal has revealed that he turned down an offer from Milan in the hope of joining Barcelona.

The 27-year-old is expected to sign a deal with the Spanish giants on Friday and is looking forward to teaming up with fellow countryman Thierry Henry, who also arrived in Catalonia this week.

“Barcelona are just the club where I have always dreamed of playing when I was a kid. They are a great outfit,” said Abidal in an interview with L’Equipe.

“Milan were interested in me? It is true. They are a prestigious club, but today Italy is not my aim. Maybe when I am older I will change my mind,” added the Frenchman.

“The day I signed for Lyon I could not believe it so, if as expected, I sign for Barcelona on Friday I will be in the same state of mind. It really is a dream come true.

“I spoke on the phone with Henry. He called me during the holidays to tell me that he would sign for them, so I did the same when I knew I would sign,” concluded the former Monaco defender.

Abidal, who joined Lyon from Lille in 2004, is expected sign a four-year contract with the Blaugrana, who have agreed to pay the French champions around £10m

Break a leg at Barca (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

It's just a cycle, don't worry. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Spanish teams may be doing well in the UEFA Cup, but it's their turn.

The late 70s/early 80s was English dominated, 6 or so European Cups were won.

The 90s Italian teams dominated, Milan and Juve made countless finals between them in the European Cup, winning a few trophies. Not to mention how well Inter/Parma/Juventus were faring in the UEFA Cup year after year.

Late 90s/Early 20th century is Spains turn. Real and Barca have won 4 European Cups between them, and a few lesser sides have won the UEFA Cup.

It'll all go round again, Germany/France and whoever else, no offense to their leagues, as good as they are they don't have the great history, which is why they often struggle to attract/keep good players.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 29 2007, 04:30 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

It's just a cycle, don't worry. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

It'll all go round again, Germany/France and whoever else, no offense to their leagues, as good as they are they don't have the great history, which is why they often struggle to attract/keep good players.

Maybe you are right, it is probably a cycle,...

But France and Germany not having a great history? Mhm, I think the only reason is money...

Marseille, Monaco, PSG, Saint-Ettienne, Bordeaux; Bayern München, B. Dortmund and Mönchengladbach, HSV,...all clubs with respectable (I get you, its not the reputation Milan or Real have, but still,...) history,..

[kurtsimonw]

Maybe you are right, it is probably a cycle,...

But France and Germany not having a great history? Mhm, I think the only reason is money...

Marseille, Monaco, PSG, Saint-Ettienne, Bordeaux; Bayern München, B. Dortmund and Mönchengladbach, HSV,...all clubs with respectable (I get you, its not the reputation Milan or Real have, but still,...) history,..

They may have a decent history as a league, but not compared to the big three.

European Cups
Spain - 11: Real (9) and Barcelona (2)
Italy - 11: Milan (7), Inter (2) and Juventus (2)
England - 10: Liverpool (5), United (2), Forest (2) and Villa (1)
Germany - 6: Bayern (4), Dortmund (1) and Hamburg (1)
France - 1: Marseille (1)

UEFA Cup
Spain - 11: Barcelona (3), Valencia (3), Real (2), Sevilla (2) and Zaragoza (1)
Italy - 10: Juventus (3), Inter (3), Parma (2), Roma (1) and Napoli (1)
England - 10: Liverpool (3), Spurs (2), Leeds (2), Arsenal (1), Ipswich (1) and Newcastle (1)
Germany - 6: Monchengladbach (2), Eintracht (1), Leverkusen (1), Schalke (1) and Bayern (1)
France - 0:

I didn't bother with the CWC. But I think you can tell the difference in success, Germany and France have only won 13 European trophies between them. The big 3 have almost won that amount in BOTH competitions.

Spain: 29 European trophies
Italy: 28 European trophies
England: 28 European trophies
Germany is the next best with 16. Quite a way off the pace.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 29 2007, 06:49 PM

[Portman]

They may have a decent history as a league, but not compared to the big three.

European Cups
Spain - 11: Real (9) and Barcelona (2)
Italy - 11: Milan (7), Inter (2) and Juventus (2)
England - 10: Liverpool (5), United (2), Forest (2) and Villa (1)
Germany - 6: Bayern (4), Dortmund (1) and Hamburg (1)
France - 1: Marseille (1)

UEFA Cup
Spain - 11: Barcelona (3), Valencia (3), Real (2), Sevilla (2) and Zaragoza (1)
Italy - 10: Juventus (3), Inter (3), Parma (2), Roma (1) and Napoli (1)
England - 10: Liverpool (3), Spurs (2), Leeds (2), Arsenal (1), Ipswich (1) and Newcastle (1)
Germany - 6: Monchengladbach (2), Eintracht (1), Leverkusen (1), Schalke (1) and Bayern (1)
France - 0:

I didn't bother with the CWC. But I think you can tell the difference in success, Germany and France have only won 13 European trophies between them. The big 3 have almost won that amount in BOTH competitions.

Spain: 29 European trophies
Italy: 28 European trophies
England: 28 European trophies
Germany is the next best with 16. Quite a way off the pace.

Er... you missed Portugal = 4 CL (2 from Porto + 2 from Benfica). And 1 UEFA Cup for Porto. Damn you English, never accepting the little southern country of Europe. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Snob c*nt.

This post has been edited by Porty: Jun 29 2007, 06:53 PM

[kurtsimonw]

Er... you missed Portugal = 4 CL (2 from Porto + 2 from Benfica). And 1 UEFA Cup for Porto. Damn you English, never accepting the little southern country of Europe. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Snob c*nt.

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Nah, I know Portugal have done okay in the past. France and Germany were the two being talked about.

Don't worry, we forgot Holland, too. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)