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AC Milan - Milanfan.com _ Football Discussion _ [SP] La Liga 2013-14
Posted by: han2503 Jul 23 2013, 08:10 AM
All new La Liga discussion here
Posting the last bit of news that Jack posted in the old thread
Martino will be accompanied by his normal backroom team, including the assistants Elvio Paolorroso and Jorge Pautasso. It is not yet clear if Vilanova's assistants, Jordi Roura and the recently signed Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, known as Rubí, will continue.
Barcelona spoke to the 50-year-old Martino before the weekend, as soon as they knew that Vilanova had to step down, and they reached an agreement by video conference call on Monday morning. Barcelona hope to make a formal announcement and hold a presentation in the coming days. Contracts are still to be formalised, however, and Martino is not expected in Barcelona until Wednesday – too late to take charge of the club's friendly against Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich.
Timing has been a key factor in the appointment, both from the perspective of the club and that of the coach. Real Sociedad and Málaga had approached Martino about taking over as manager this season. One of the reasons that he turned both clubs down was that Newell's were still competing in the Copa Libertadores. A semi-final defeat to Atlético Mineiro meant that he is now available.
Barcelona also spoke to the former midfielder and Barcelona B team coach Luis Enrique, who was widely considered the favourite. Luis Enrique, though, had only recently committed his future to Celta Vigo for the coming season. The other man that Barcelona had in mind as manager, both when Guardiola stepped down and early this summer, was Ernesto Valverde. But with Vilanova believing at the time that he was well enough to continue, Valverde agreed to join Athletic Bilbao.
It remains to be seen whether the final decision came from the board and the president, Sandro Rosell, or the sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta. There has also been some suggestion that in consultation with the squad, Martino emerged as a more popular appointment than Luis Enrique. Leo Messi, like Martino born in Rosario, publicly praised him more than a year ago and Martino is an admirer of the Barcelona player. "It turns out that 20 years later, we [Argentinians] have the best player in the world again," he said.
Martino's appointment breaks with a recent commitment to promote from within and, going back further, with Barcelona's Dutch identity.
Yet Martino is considered a student of Marcelo Bielsa, under whom he played for Newell's, and a man who is likely to represent a certain degree of continuity at the Camp Nou. Bielsa had been among those coaches from whom Guardiola had sought advice as he set out.
Martino, though, is considered more pragmatic than Bielsa and far more adept at handling players on a personal level. He is a legend at Newell's, whom he dragged out of a crisis to win the title and has a stand named after him at the club's stadium. He is best known in Spain for managing the Paraguay side that narrowly lost 1-0 to la selección at the 2010 World Cup.He likes his side to pressure high up the pitch and play attacking football, based on dominating possession.
"I identify with Barcelona," Martino has said. He has supported the way the Catalan club have looked to play in recent years and defended them against critics who, he insisted, have unfairly sought to diminish their achievements.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/ju...gerardo-martino
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 30 2013, 07:27 PM
Team Carlo Ancelotti .. a match made in the heavens for Madrid?
There is an expectation, he has a mature team, which has fairly good chemistry (unlike PSG), and a hunger for Europe. Trust him to give this team charisma at it too. 
P.s. Good luck Carlo 
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 30 2013, 09:01 PM
Hopefully. Maybe he can get the best out of Kaka' again.
Posted by: acid911 Jul 30 2013, 09:54 PM
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 31 2013, 01:38 AM
All these quality attackers at Madrid's disposal, doubt Kaka could compete. But yeah, if anyone could bring Kaka back, its him IMO.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 31 2013, 05:09 AM
+1
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 31 2013, 05:35 AM
Most definitely! Decima is scary. But the way I see it, we're in no competition with them for the CL title for at least another 3 years.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 31 2013, 03:18 PM
Like we have been for the last 3 years?
Posted by: KillerMax Jul 31 2013, 09:10 PM
Have no disillusions! We are a team that's FEARED... by teams that have a player with an expiring contract..
Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 2 2013, 01:06 AM
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-transfers-gareth-bale-agreement-2115446
Insane.
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 2 2013, 11:00 AM
Insane.
I'd rather say 'idiotic'.
Posted by: han2503 Aug 2 2013, 11:02 AM
The only idiots here are Spurs if they don't accept it.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 2 2013, 11:07 AM
That is the Mirror to be fair.
The same paper I saw the other day talking about projection of flooding & a 'killer heatwave' to last for weeks again on the same double spread. It's 22oC today & cloudy..... 
Posted by: han2503 Aug 2 2013, 11:17 AM
The same paper I saw the other day talking about projection of flooding & a 'killer heatwave' to last for weeks again on the same double spread. It's 22oC today & cloudy.....
Well to be fair you English make a lot of fuss about the weather. Killer heatwave is the 38oC that it's going to climb up to in the next few days over here. And that's 38 in the shade might I add.
I think he'll go to Real for some ridiculous sum over 100m for sure. And people wonder how football has been ruined.
The competition in La Liga has now been lowered to epic proportions. The gap between Real and Barca will be huge next season
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 2 2013, 11:27 AM
Well if some rumours are to be believed and Cristiano is going to make way for him you could argue Barca's position has been strengthened greatly.
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 2 2013, 11:29 AM
So, where is Ronaldo going? And honestly, choosing Bale over Ronaldo would be insane.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 2 2013, 11:34 AM
There are still quite a lot of press convinced he's going back to United, if SAF was still there I'd be in agreement but under Moyes I just can't see it really.
Other than that it's probably only PSG who have a chance due to their £££. Though why anyone would leave Madrid to go there is beyond me.
Posted by: han2503 Aug 2 2013, 02:59 PM
Personally I don't think he'll be going anywhere because aside from PSG (like you said) there is no one who can realistically afford Ronaldo. The transfer fee would be astronomical and wage demands even worse.
Plus I think they can co-exist easily in the same team
Bale--Ozil--Ronaldo
Benzema
Not too shabby...
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 2 2013, 08:22 PM
Plus I think they can co-exist easily in the same team
Bale--Ozil--Ronaldo
Benzema
Not too shabby...
+1
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 3 2013, 11:25 AM
Yeah, but is Bale really a necessity?
Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2013, 01:11 PM
Not really, they have Di Maria, Kaka, Ozil, Modric, etc who all can play in attaking areas of the pitch, but when have Real ever done anything out of necessity. It's just another frivolous buy to show the world that they can up end Barca.
They buy Neymar, we break the world record transfer fee to get Bale.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 3 2013, 01:16 PM
They should invest more in defenders. I thought Ancelotti would know how to explain this.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 18 2013, 09:51 PM
Barca win 7-0. Madrid win with late Isco debut goal, 2-1.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Aug 18 2013, 09:54 PM
Spanish football is different, ask Cannavaro
Posted by: Zed.D Aug 18 2013, 09:59 PM
That was typical Carlo style.
I didn't watch the whole game, in fact I barely watched 20 minutes of it, but sooner or later RM fans will demand better...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 18 2013, 10:03 PM
They looked bad at the back, but on another day would've scored plenty.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 18 2013, 10:04 PM
I didn't watch the whole game, in fact I barely watched 20 minutes of it, but sooner or later RM fans will demand better...
They always do. No matter if it is Carletto, Capello, Mourinho or God.
Posted by: han2503 Aug 19 2013, 08:36 AM
I started watching the game and got bored 25 minutes in. It's just shameful what La Liga has turned into mostly due to Real and Barca themselves
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 22 2013, 08:38 AM
It's basically what the Scottish League was (with Rangers) now in terms of disparity.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 22 2013, 01:08 PM
Scored a great goal last night, but I can't help but think David Villa is a bit of a ****. Oh and Jordi Alba should be banned for a long time.
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 22 2013, 01:59 PM
Why did Dani Alves go from #2 to #22 all of a sudden? 
Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 30 2013, 07:24 PM
So Bale to Madrid is done for 91m euro.
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 30 2013, 07:50 PM
Tragic.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 30 2013, 11:09 PM
Indeed.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 31 2013, 02:11 AM
More than Cristiano, more than Zidane, more than anyone ever.
RIP football.
Posted by: acid911 Aug 31 2013, 03:21 AM
Again?
Football's been dead for me since 2009.
Posted by: servbot Aug 31 2013, 04:08 AM
More than Cristiano, more than Zidane, more than anyone ever.
RIP football.
Meh. If Madrid wants to overspend, let them. Not that I care about Tottenham but at least some money is pouring down into a lower-tier club.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Aug 31 2013, 07:49 AM
Football's been dead for me since 2009.What specifically in 2009 killed it for you?
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 31 2013, 12:10 PM
Football's been dead for me since 2009.To be fair, it had a down spell but I started to enjoy it again in recent years - though stuff like this is ridiculous.
Posted by: Zed.D Aug 31 2013, 01:32 PM
Maldini's retirement, I guess.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 31 2013, 02:10 PM
Madrid claiming he cost less than Ronaldo, so he's the #2 all-time. Still, that's awful for a player who's been good for about 18 months.
Amazing deal for Spurs though, they can sign about 5 very good players with that money. Think they'll make the Champions League.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Aug 31 2013, 04:48 PM
Yeah but Ronaldo/Messi will go down as all time greats, possibly best ever, this is nothing but a little more than a social media favourite hyped player.
Ridiculous.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 1 2013, 02:33 PM
Did anyone know that La Liga allows teams to have only 25 play in their rosters? Brilliant.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 1 2013, 02:52 PM
The thing with most of the big clubs elsewhere is while the starts in the first XI earn insane amounts of money, the other squad members are often earning fractions of these stars, yet are eager to play and compete in this large club.
Clubs like ours, seem to have the interests of wage parity in mind, but too many players earning salaries not deserved. For example, there are lots of players earning over a million euros a year who haven't made 15 appearances in a season for us. Do these guys deserve to be at that wage mark?
Posted by: han2503 Sep 1 2013, 04:46 PM
Clubs like ours, seem to have the interests of wage parity in mind, but too many players earning salaries not deserved. For example, there are lots of players earning over a million euros a year who haven't made 15 appearances in a season for us. Do these guys deserve to be at that wage mark?
I think this only applies to Milan and Inter
We both have paid some huge salaries to old players who can no longer demand such fees. We give players who aren't even direct subs but reserves, over 1m in wages as well. The only players not on 1m or more on this team are those who come in from the Primavera. It's just ridiculous and add to that the huge roster makes it even worse.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 1 2013, 08:08 PM
Amazing deal for Spurs though, they can sign about 5 very good players with that money. Think they'll make the Champions League.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2013/09/01/4213730/real-madrid-sign-bale-for-world-record-fee?ICID=HP_HN_1
€100 million.
Posted by: servbot Sep 1 2013, 08:12 PM
reportedly 300,000 pounds a week in wages too!!!
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 1 2013, 09:10 PM
Good god!
Posted by: han2503 Sep 1 2013, 09:51 PM
What does that amount to? Something like 16m a year?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 1 2013, 10:02 PM
Yeah. Ridiculous.
Posted by: servbot Sep 1 2013, 10:03 PM
Looks like it converts to 18.3 million euros/yr or 24.1 million USD/yr.
Insane.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 2 2013, 08:06 AM
These guys should be thrown behind bars. Over €300 million (price + gross wages) for just one player??? FFS!!!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 2 2013, 08:09 AM
That much? Because I heard a figure closer to 7 million a year? Which is exorbitant but still believable.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 2 2013, 08:13 AM
If I were Cristiano I'd be booking my tickets back to Manchester next summer. It's an insult to have such an inferior player to him higher paid.
Can't lie, I'd back the move - it would be great to have him back in the EPL too, we're sorely lacking megastars.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 2 2013, 08:16 AM
Well, if what servbot wrote is correct in that he earns about €18 million per season, then double that as Spain's tax rate is 50%, and multiply it by six for the number of years in his contract, you get €216 million. Add the fee Madrid paid to Tottenham, and you get the +€300 million figure.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 2 2013, 08:21 AM
Yeah, http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gareth-bale-transfer-spurs-star-2244433
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 2 2013, 02:05 PM
Seeing him paraded in front of the fans, he doesn't look right in a Madrid shirt.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 2 2013, 02:16 PM
Can't lie, I'd back the move - it would be great to have him back in the EPL too, we're sorely lacking megastars.
Isn't CR going to get a mega extension deal anyway?
It will definitely be better than Bale's that's for sure.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 2 2013, 02:57 PM
It will definitely be better than Bale's that's for sure.
I think that the 'most expensive footballer in history' tag Bale now has will bother CR more than the salary thing.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 2 2013, 09:33 PM
So it should, it would be like getting a kid straight out of Uni come into your job and earn more money than you even though you've been at the top of your game for years. It would annoy anyone out of natural human competitiveness.
Though it would probably just be put down to an ego thing because of who it is
Posted by: dst Sep 5 2013, 01:30 PM
So Barcelona's players' numbers will be 1 to 25 (which is the total number of their players). Sweet. Now everyone please follow that!
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 5 2013, 03:57 PM
Yeah, and Madrid too. It just feels right. Look at some of our numbers: 45, 59, 78, 81, 92.
FIFA should make it a rule or something.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 5 2013, 06:58 PM
I'm pretty positive it's a rule in Spain. They submit a 25-man squad which have to number 1-25, then youth players only have numbers higher than that.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 7 2013, 12:46 PM
In before stats don't matter... (unless they're in favour of Messi!)
Posted by: acid911 Sep 7 2013, 12:49 PM
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 7 2013, 01:11 PM
I think it might be inaccurate, I saw something completely different on facebook the other day:
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 7 2013, 01:37 PM
Yeah agree, it's only inaccurate if it portrays Ronaldo in a better light.
Aside of that the clear difference I see is one is talking about 2012/2013, one is talking about 2013 as a calendar year.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 7 2013, 01:47 PM
I said MIGHT be inaccurate as I saw something different during one of those debates elsewhere.
My bad, didn't get it was just about the 2013 at first look (It's usually a season thing). So it's basically about the second half of last season.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 7 2013, 02:00 PM
Meh, I think it's pointless comparing them. Anyways, Bale is going to kill both of them this season
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 7 2013, 02:13 PM
My picture is for 2013. Jacks is for the 12-13 season.
It also includes Internationals. Seeing as Messi plays in a much better team in a lesser region, he really should be dominating, yet he's not even equal.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 7 2013, 02:36 PM
You've done it now, you've definitely done it.
Most of MilanFan right now -
Posted by: han2503 Sep 7 2013, 02:52 PM
Most of MilanFan right now -
I love this perception you two have that it's Ronaldo against the world
I personally like his style more than Messi's
Posted by: William405 Sep 7 2013, 03:28 PM
Most of MilanFan right now -
I don't reckon lots of people are in love with Messi over here.
Posted by: acid911 Sep 7 2013, 04:00 PM
Well, apart from Kurt, Ash and I, there are three other that I am aware absolutely love Messi to bits.
And then there are the three neutrals. Of course, the fact that we usually have nine active members here any given Sunday, is just a coincidence. But that's Milanfan for you!
Posted by: KillerMax Sep 7 2013, 09:47 PM
Only in footballing terms, I will always prefer a C. Ronaldo type player to Messi type of player. Was never a fan of the midget dribblers.
Posted by: dst Sep 8 2013, 10:20 PM
In footballing terms I will always prefer the player that is more of a footballer to the one that is more of an athlete.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 8 2013, 10:22 PM
Ronaldo is both more of an athlete and more of a complete footballer, so either way.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 8 2013, 10:23 PM
You Ronaldo fanboy!!!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 8 2013, 10:45 PM
But he's right, isn't he? Messi is more brilliant though.
Posted by: dst Sep 8 2013, 11:08 PM
Not close either way
Posted by: KillerMax Sep 8 2013, 11:29 PM
How can you define Messi is more of a "footballer" than any other top player? What makes a football player a "footballer"? I'd say Ronaldinho was a much better "footballer" than all of the names mentioned because on top of athleticism and skills, his vision on the field of play was extraordinary.
Also; and I know this is hypothetical, but I'd really really be surprised if Messi got anywhere the success he is having in a place like Serie A. Where tactical play is a much much bigger part of being a "footballer". Not that he is daft tactically. No, far from it. But I think the way to shut him down is with tactical planing and tactical team-play and Serie A teams are f@ckim masters of that.
It's hard to define what makes a player a footballer. But I'd say there is no one definition and it really will come down to taste and style which you wish to choose. I think as Ronaldo was growing up he chose a certain style and Messi chose one that suited him the most. Both damn effective footballers and in different situations and scenarios, one could be more effective than the other.
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 14 2013, 08:54 PM
Great game Barca - Sevilla
3-2 FT. scandalous refereeing in favor of Barca. just watch Sevilla's disallowed goal and then Messi's run which led to their winner in the last (93rd) minute where he pushed someone down on his way. completely biased ref.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 14 2013, 09:08 PM
Something new there then.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 14 2013, 10:04 PM
Barca look really strange this season. Just not what we've come to expect really, they still try to hog the ball for the entire 90 minutes but something is completely different about them, can't quite put my finger on it.
But I do think that this is the start of them moving away from the ridiculously boring tiki taka BS that the world has come to loathe
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 14 2013, 10:10 PM
It might be enough in La Liga, but the fact that they are not investing in defence at all for another year will leave them no chance in CL, just like last season. This is basically the same team (+ Neymar) that got trashed by Bayern.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 14 2013, 11:00 PM
Bale's first goal for Real (ended 2:2 vs Villareal):
Posted by: han2503 Sep 14 2013, 11:05 PM
Pepe is just the biggest ****** out there, did you see how he went in on that player in the last few minutes. Completely going in for the shin. Just disgusting a terrible excuse for a human being. He should have been banned for life after some of the things he's done on that pitch
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 14 2013, 11:14 PM
Didn't see it (don't like the spanish league that much, I only watch the clasicos in the last few seasons) but nothing will surprise me after what he did to that Getafe player Casquero 4 years ago. I think that was the dirtiest thing I have ever seen in football.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 14 2013, 11:20 PM
Yep, I think that a lot about the English team too.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 14 2013, 11:24 PM
Pepe is an animal, plain and simple.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 14 2013, 11:36 PM
Agreed.
Though part of me wishes he does that to Jordi Alba and actually gives him a reason to roll around like a retard.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 15 2013, 09:39 AM
They should be shamed off the pitch rather than banned though... Though part of me wishes he does that to Jordi Alba and actually gives him a reason to roll around like a retard.
What all the Barca players do is disgusting and shameful in its own right, no doubt about it. It's still a form of cheating but what Pepe does is just disgusting on a completely different level. He deliberately tries to injure players, just absolute scum
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Sep 15 2013, 11:03 AM
CR7 reportedly signed a new contract until 2018.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 9 2013, 03:05 AM
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/liga-real-madrid-chief-perez-deceiving-fans-huge-083758614--sow.html
Posted by: X-Offender Oct 26 2013, 05:44 PM
Wow, look at that ultra-defensive line-up Ancelotti is playing against Barça. Not the way to go, Carletto.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 26 2013, 05:48 PM
Nope, Jose tried it and got killed. As soon as he set out to attack Barca he had good success against them.
Crazy stat: Madrid have never lost a league game when Ronaldo has scored. That's pretty surprising considering he scores regularly against Barca too.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Oct 26 2013, 06:47 PM
Apparently that wasn't a penalty
Posted by: Linkman Oct 26 2013, 06:49 PM
Did your opinion about Neymar improve a bit Kurt?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 26 2013, 06:52 PM
I didn't watch. But even if he was great, it's 1 game. He was awful in the CL games I've watched.
Posted by: Linkman Oct 26 2013, 08:33 PM
just wondering!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 26 2013, 10:43 PM
Obvious penalty denied. Madrid should have got a draw, it would have been deserved. But it was a very enjoyable match.
Posted by: dst Oct 27 2013, 01:42 AM
I don't think Madrid deserved a draw but it should have been one, that was a clear penalty.
Nice goal by whoever that was.
Neymar was not actually that good but he had a goal.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 27 2013, 08:52 AM
...and an assist as well.
Posted by: Linkman Oct 27 2013, 03:53 PM
Neymar on that left wing brought back so many Dinho memories. He was MoM for me, Barca's most dangerous player along with Iniesta.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 30 2013, 11:21 PM
RM-Sevilla mental game.
9 goals, missed penalty and a red card so far.
Posted by: KillerMax Oct 30 2013, 11:31 PM
Unjust penatly. That as actually a great tackle by Ronaldo. Justly missed
Posted by: Linkman Nov 1 2013, 11:29 PM
Once again brilliant Neymar pass to Alexis goal, for the win. 
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 2 2013, 05:37 AM
Was a good pass, but both he and Messi particularly had awful games. Barca have really lacked any kind of plan B lately.
Posted by: KillerMax Nov 2 2013, 06:09 AM
That's they thing though with Barca. They don't have a plan B. They admit it and arrogantly so too. They are gonna run this system to the ground IMO.
Posted by: han2503 Nov 2 2013, 08:32 AM
Haven't they done so already? Sure they can still run away with their mediocre league but they have been exposed time and time again in Europe, even our mediocre coach who can't beat Torino 9 times out of 10 managed to beat them and hold them to draws multiple times
Posted by: acid911 Nov 2 2013, 08:50 AM
Are you guys forgetting the Royal German 7-0 drubbing last year? They ran it down, alright!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 2 2013, 09:34 AM
Sanchez is actually carrying them at the moment.
Posted by: Ry4n Nov 2 2013, 01:13 PM
They ran it down, alright!That the thing without Xavi and Iniesta pulling the strings i think once those two retire or for what ever reason they will struggle even more so
Posted by: KillerMax Nov 2 2013, 11:13 PM
If Barca's current position can be described as ran into the ground then we are currently in the 7th circle of hell.
Posted by: Linkman Nov 3 2013, 03:50 AM
Pretty much. I am the first to knock Barca down a peg, but it's not like they're doing poorly with one of the best league starts ever.
Posted by: han2503 Nov 3 2013, 12:07 PM
Well with the players they have and the football they play, they'll always be dominant in their mediocre league and with teams who are inferior to them individually, but I think their CL performances when they've come up against difficult opposition shows that their system has ran itself into the ground already as they're been completely figured out and don't have any answer for it
Posted by: Linkman Nov 5 2013, 01:07 AM
While that is true, it may be attributed to Barca's overdependence on some players, the questionable "adjustments" they've made to their playstyle (not having a true center forward, etc), and other things.
I don't think we can say the system has been truly ran into the ground when Bayern is kicking *** lately.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Nov 10 2013, 12:02 PM
Another week, another Ronaldo hat-trick.
Posted by: Ry4n Nov 10 2013, 12:28 PM
i'm just hoping Messi doesnt win the ballon dor again kind of getting old...
Posted by: han2503 Nov 10 2013, 01:20 PM
Yep, it feels like this constant Messi polarization is devaluing the prize for everyone else. How Sneijder could have been looked over in the 2010(?) race to award it to Messi for me took the cake, and this year it just has to be someone from that Bayern team, Ronaldo or Zlatan, if Messi wins it again it will confirm itself as a complete joke
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 10 2013, 03:10 PM
He'll win it because he's FIFA's golden boy.
Sneijder 2010 and Ronaldo 2011 were the only real option and they still give it Messi.
Posted by: dst Nov 10 2013, 04:53 PM
Sneijder 2010 and Ronaldo 2011 were the only real option and they still give it Messi.
I think it was much close then that it is now, Messi really should not win again and FIFA don't care at this point.
Posted by: X-Offender Nov 10 2013, 06:53 PM
I think Messi more than deserved it the first three times (although I would have been more than OK with Sneijder getting it in 2010). The fourth time was a bit of a stretch.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 10 2013, 09:37 PM
Betis totally dominate Barca, Messi goes off, Barca score twice.
Posted by: X-Offender Nov 30 2013, 10:11 PM
Hat-trick for Bale tonight. Maybe the investment is finally starting to pay off.
Posted by: KillerMax Nov 30 2013, 10:55 PM
And the assist for the only other goal.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Nov 30 2013, 11:07 PM
Madrid scored 8 goals in two games without Ronaldo. Bale>Ronaldo
Posted by: X-Offender Nov 30 2013, 11:09 PM
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Dec 1 2013, 12:56 AM
So that makes it what now? Like £10m a goal? Bargain.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 1 2013, 02:49 AM
Too soon to talk.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 1 2013, 09:21 AM
With their merchandizing power, I'd say they will have covered his transfer fee by the end of this season.
Read a report in 2011, where they had covered Kaka and CR transfer expenses by the same means.
Posted by: William405 Dec 1 2013, 11:01 AM
Read a report in 2011, where they had covered Kaka and CR transfer expenses by the same means.
+1
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 1 2013, 11:53 PM
So, apparently Barça without Messi can't seem to win. Coincidence? I mean, Xavi and Iniesta are still there...
Posted by: Jack Bauer Jan 10 2014, 02:50 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL0nCR3Nt4M
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Jan 10 2014, 08:56 AM
Yeah they were doing terribly, top of the table and all, shambles.
Also how mediocre has Bale been for all that money, would say I'm surprised but... Least they still have a super star in their ranks who will constantly pull them through.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 10 2014, 09:00 AM
Two losses in a row after Messi's injury, all I'm saying.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Jan 10 2014, 01:58 PM
Still top of the league with him out for a few weeks, what a catastrophic struggle.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 10 2014, 03:16 PM
Yes, but my post was after those two games.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Jan 10 2014, 07:40 PM
Ah ok, I'd say out of 8 games without him they didn't do too badly. Weren't they like +22 GD in that time too or something. And no I'm not suggesting they're better off without just they can cope if he does get injured.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 10 2014, 08:59 PM
Last time Messi played and Xaviesta didn't, they lost 3-2.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 10 2014, 10:28 PM
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 10 2014, 10:31 PM
and dwarfy didn't score either of the goals. Just didn't have the World class service he needs.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 10 2014, 10:31 PM
You'll never let that go, will you?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 11 2014, 01:20 AM
Never!
Posted by: KillerMax Jan 11 2014, 08:03 AM
Posted by: milanbuf88 Jan 11 2014, 09:59 PM
Atheltico - Barcelona ended 0-0. Atheltico looks very dangerous and could have easily won if a couple bounces went their way. We are going to have serious trouble defensively unless our backline shows some consistency.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 11 2014, 10:09 PM
That's not going to happen if Allegri keeps messing with the backline every game
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 11 2014, 10:36 PM
I'm pretty sure we'll park the bus in both games. This team is incapable of keeping possession against skilled opponents. We can barely make two passes in a row. It will be another humiliating performance.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jan 11 2014, 11:38 PM
For the sake of the team, I hope he gets it right this time around. A Madrid are a tough team, and over 180 minutes the result is up in the air.
Question, is SES going to make it?
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 11 2014, 11:43 PM
Read.
Wow, a complete wasted season for El Shaa.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Jan 12 2014, 12:17 AM
I thought Barca only dropped points when Messi was injured?
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 12 2014, 01:50 AM
Well, he didn't play from the start tonight.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Jan 12 2014, 02:05 AM
Oh it's on a second by second basis, gotcha
Posted by: han2503 Jan 12 2014, 09:28 AM
The thing is with these 2 legged ties is that 95% of the time the true quality of the better team always shows itself as it's not just a one off. Our recent saga against Barca just proves this as we have managed to beat them/hold them to a draw, yet we always crumble in the second leg. It doesn't help that our idiot coach always uses the wrong approach away from home but that's what you get when you have a rookie coach with zero European experience
Posted by: Zed.D Jan 12 2014, 10:33 AM
I seriously hope you're not the one that makes all those dwarfy/midget comments on goal.com.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 12 2014, 01:20 PM
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 12 2014, 03:32 PM
I'm offended you'd think I'd go on goal.com.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 17 2014, 09:56 PM
Can anyone tell me why Casillas doesn't play anymore at Madrid?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 18 2014, 12:03 AM
He was all kinds of awful at the start of last season. Mourinho dropped him and it seems Carlo agrees with that decision.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 18 2014, 12:13 AM
Didn't he get injured? That's why Madrid signed Lopez. Was Casillas ever given a chance after recovering?
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jan 18 2014, 02:44 AM
Cant Lopez be just that good?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 18 2014, 02:50 AM
Nah he was dropped for awful form. Last season according to the stats, he started or was an unused substitute over 30 times. He lost his place and was unused sub after that (which suggests he was fit).
Posted by: milanbuf88 Jan 18 2014, 11:02 AM
A combination of Lopez being very good and Casillas being past his prime.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 18 2014, 01:13 PM
Past his prime?
How old is he now? Certainly younger than Gigi no?
Posted by: dst Jan 18 2014, 06:39 PM
Hod did Casillas get bad over a summer? It doesn't make sense.
Posted by: Linkman Jan 18 2014, 06:54 PM
Drop in confidence, I suspect. Del Bosque has been starting Valdés over him in the NT as well, so that's three coaches who have done the same.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 18 2014, 07:21 PM
Surely Spain have a better keeper? Valdes is poor.
Posted by: Linkman Jan 18 2014, 07:52 PM
There's Reina, I guess? And whatever happened to Almunya. I don't really follow the Spain NT.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 18 2014, 08:29 PM
Isn't Diego Lopez spanish?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 18 2014, 08:36 PM
Reina, Casillas and Valdes, lol. Almunia is probably better than all 3, been very good for Watford this past 18 months. Reina has been poor for about 3/4 years now.
Diego Lopez would be my Spain #1.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 1 2014, 08:46 AM
Madrid plan to rebuild the Bernabeu for a cost of 400M (62% of revenue). Construction will be haulted the day of their games, otherwise it should be complete by 2017.
Beautiful!
Posted by: han2503 Feb 1 2014, 10:02 AM
Beautiful!
The day picture looks like a chrome pencil sharpener...
Posted by: Zed.D Feb 1 2014, 10:09 AM
Sons of bitches, they'll always remain the most glamorous.
Posted by: dst Feb 1 2014, 04:08 PM
Did they hire an architect for that box? It looks awful.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 1 2014, 04:22 PM
Yeah, German ones
Posted by: dst Feb 1 2014, 08:02 PM
One of the rejected proposals
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 1 2014, 08:39 PM
Posted by: arivanjj Feb 1 2014, 10:42 PM
i dont like it. its not official is it?
Posted by: X-Offender Feb 1 2014, 10:44 PM
I think it is.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 2 2014, 01:03 PM
Just found out that Luis Aragonés died. Even if he was old, the news rather shocked me. RIP.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Feb 2 2014, 05:22 PM
I can't feel too sorry for this, Despite what he achieved for the NT, he's one of the last openly racist coaches to openly and unapologetically share his views in a public manor...
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 2 2014, 07:06 PM
Hmh. I really didn't know about that.
Posted by: milanbuf88 Feb 2 2014, 07:18 PM
Can you link to a source on that claim? From what I've read it was not that clear cut.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 2 2014, 07:24 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT9yau0F_9U
He also calls Henry a "black s**t"
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Feb 2 2014, 07:43 PM
He also calls Henry a "black s**t"
This
Which i hope we can all agree, isn't required or expected of a coach of his caliber. In other words, a team as competitive as Spain's who's players share the field with teamates of as many cultures as the big Europeans boast, should be able to be motivated without racially divisive rabble-rousing...
EDIT: And to pick on someone as universally respected/loved as Henry seems a little unfair
Posted by: milanbuf88 Feb 2 2014, 08:35 PM
He also calls Henry a "black s**t"
Can you translate that for me? I don't speak spanish. I had heard that the translation of what he said about Henry was less harsh than that.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Feb 2 2014, 09:40 PM
I don't have access to audio (at work) but it was ''black piece of ****''
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Feb 2 2014, 09:40 PM
Oh yeah I remember all this from a few years back. It's an odd one, condolences to his family who are hopefully a little more open-minded.
Posted by: KillerMax Feb 2 2014, 10:20 PM
Is Bale injured or something?
Posted by: KillerMax Feb 2 2014, 10:37 PM
Ronaldo is such a dirty c@nt... First he tried to cheat a handball call in the oppositions box when it was anything but. Then he pulls the hair of a Bilbao player like a little girl and then he claws the face of the next one... Now that is disgraceful...
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Feb 2 2014, 10:50 PM
Can't raise your hands in this sport but it's no where near as bad as you're suggesting from what I've seen.
Posted by: KillerMax Feb 2 2014, 10:54 PM
Will try and find replay links.
Posted by: KillerMax Feb 2 2014, 11:11 PM
http://youtu.be/oghMndCL6xY
1:22 fake handball call.
1:57 hair pull.
2:19 THE CLAW
Posted by: dst Feb 3 2014, 12:25 AM
YAY Atletico Madrid! 
Posted by: X-Offender Feb 3 2014, 12:27 AM
1:22 fake handball call.
1:57 hair pull.
2:19 THE CLAW
Ah, it's not that bad. The fake handball, yes, but the rest is normal reaction in such circumstances. He didn't punch anyone like Ibra would do.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 3 2014, 08:44 AM
He isn't bad so much as Diego Lopez is much better.
He is a great shot stopper, but now the other loopholes are getting exposed I think.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 3 2014, 10:19 AM
He is a great shot stopper, but now the other loopholes are getting exposed I think.
Really? I've so rarely seen him make big mistakes, but then again, I'm not exactly following La Liga in the last few months.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 3 2014, 11:09 AM
Atletico Madrid !!! And do we still hold a chance to progress in the CL? The form of our opposition is telling
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 25 2014, 12:27 PM
Carlo is on a a run of 27 matches without defeat (22 wins 4 draws), Capello 25 matches (17 wins 8 draws) ... Carlo is second only to Leo Beenhakker 34 matches without defeat (25 wins 9 draws).
Carlo is making history at Madrid and since he joined, I have been following Madrid as frequently as I can. They have a VERY serious team, which can go all the way and claim a treble!
They lost only to Barcelona and Atletico towards the beginning of the season, otherwise they have been on a blistering run with no signs of fatigue. More importantly, their play is so much more organized than they were before, with defensive hiccups and such. Reminds me of Milan in the early 2000's.
Gluck Don Carlo
Posted by: X-Offender Feb 25 2014, 01:11 PM
Atletico lost 3-0 to Osasuna this weekend.
Posted by: han2503 Feb 25 2014, 04:00 PM
Hmm, interesting. Could they be winding down a bit due to injuries and fatigue due to the fact that they don't have a deep squad...
Where they the home side?
Posted by: X-Offender Feb 25 2014, 06:01 PM
Where they the home side?
No, away. Twice away loses in a row in La Liga against sub-par opponents, 2-0 ad 3-0 respectively. Can't believe we lost to them, even though we were unlucky. But the point is, we can make it! If we step on the pitch in the return leg with the right attitude, nothing is impossible.
Posted by: han2503 Feb 25 2014, 08:46 PM
Agreed
I don't think we lost to them by anything other than luck in fact
They get one chance off of a strange mistake where the ball flicks off Abate's head and lands right on Costa's head for literally their second decent sight at goal all night, and they score. Meanwhile we created countless chances, 2 of which hit the post and this was thanks to awesome saves from their keeper, I'd say luck had everything to do with it
Posted by: X-Offender Feb 25 2014, 10:13 PM
United are really bad.
Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2014, 02:16 AM
What does that have to do with La Liga?
Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2014, 01:15 PM
Well, y'know, wrong thread and all.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 12 2014, 09:49 PM
How many coaches other than Jose have won the title in England, Italy and Spain? Hopefully Carlo can join him!
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 12 2014, 11:51 PM
Yeah. Even though I hate Madrid in general, I quite fancy them this season with Carlo. I don't wish them to win the CL for obvious reasons, but hopefully they'll snatch La Liga.
Posted by: dst Mar 13 2014, 01:49 AM
I'm supporting RM AND Mourinho to win this season! I don't know what's wrong with me!!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 13 2014, 07:54 AM
Mourinho? Why him?
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 13 2014, 11:11 AM
For obvious reasons?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 13 2014, 12:15 PM
Even if I weren't a Mourinho fan I'd want him to take the title. The other options are a team that involves Suarez and Man City...
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 13 2014, 06:02 PM
To be honest, I would give it to Chelsea too. Not just coz my little brother is a Chelsea fan.
It's because with Man United's woes, it was Man City's and Arsenal's biggest window of opportunity and they both just seemed to blow it. On the other hand Chelsea have just seized on it and clawed up.
While they still play like crap and make me want to poke my eye, at least they deserve it on principle.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 23 2014, 09:31 PM
Pretty decent Madrid Barca game going on here!
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Mar 23 2014, 09:42 PM
+1
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 23 2014, 10:23 PM
Madrid get a soft penalty, so they go one better by giving Barca a penalty & a red card for Neymar falling over, nice.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 23 2014, 10:46 PM
now it's a shambles, no surprise though it's Barca.
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 23 2014, 10:56 PM
now it's a shambles, no surprise though it's Barca.FFS, it was a clear penalty.
I feel bad about Carlo.
Posted by: Linkman Mar 23 2014, 11:01 PM
I feel bad for Neymar. He'll never show his true colors if he has to go through Messi to do everything.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 23 2014, 11:10 PM
Just saw the highlights after the Milan game. From the first glance it seems like Madrid's penalty wasn't a penalty, it even was outside the penalty area, then Neymar dived like he always does and the ref bought it but I'm not sure about the third penalty. Seems like a foul to me but I need to watch it again.
We always complain about Serie A and EPL refs but from very few La Liga games I have seen from the last several seasons, Spainsh refs are the worst.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 23 2014, 11:15 PM
You should have watched the Madrid game, then highlights of Milan
Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 23 2014, 11:20 PM
Yeah, but after 20+ years of following our team, I'm programmed to always watch Milan games first. Or maybe I'm just a masochist
Posted by: dst Mar 24 2014, 02:14 AM
I don't see how either Barcelona penalty wasn't one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9vBsRYBZE
It's not obvious but Ramos gets him and then Neymar exaggerates the fall but it's a penalty. Ramos is not even arguing the penalty, he only really complains for the red card which was the correct call too. And the second one is a foul, maybe not always given inside the area but definitely a foul.
The only one that wasn't is Madrid's cause it's outside the area but it was so fast you can't complain. We can only complain because they idiotic minds that run football won't allow video review because it would slow down the game. As if players' protest don't. **** them and **** (their) football!
Messi's pass for the first Barcelona penalty is football porn!
Posted by: Zed.D Mar 24 2014, 09:23 AM
Neymar totally dived and should've been booked for it. instead the ref decides to kill a game in favor of Barca yet again. typical.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 24 2014, 09:26 AM
I'm not even going to argue we've been through this before when it comes to Barca and where some people's allegiances fall with them. Though honestly we'd get 20 penalties a game if all of these were legit calls. None of them were penalties, one that's debatable is Neymar's, other 2? Nah.
Also Cesc handled in the box in the first-half and if people think Barca's penalties were stone-wallers then that has to be too, 100%.
But it's Barca, ridiculous decisions ALWAYS happen for them.
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 24 2014, 12:33 PM
Oh come on, Alonso's fault in Barça's second was blatant, you'd have to be blind not to see it.
Initially I thought there was foul on Neymar as well, but the more I see it the more I think he dived. Very difficult call.
And the foul on Ronaldo was clearly outside the box.
Posted by: han2503 Mar 24 2014, 01:12 PM
Watching those the only penalty has to be the one on Iniesta. The others were terrible decisions
But also watching this, I'm still stupefied as to how a team like Real that's aiming for a CL is still playing with guys Pepe and Mercelo in defence. Same goes for Barca and their defenders tbh
Posted by: dst Mar 24 2014, 06:32 PM
I don't get you guys, how were these terrible decisions?? Please explain.
First penalty, CR was tripped, outside the penalty yeah but by centimeters and it happened so fast. It's a wrong decision yeah but it's nowhere near terrible when it was close. It's not just black and white!!
Second penalty, Ramos touches Neymar who falls dramatically. Notice Neymar's left leg as he pulls it forward, it tangles with Ramos'. It's a penalty. You don't need anyone to tell you that, just watch Ramos' reaction. He knows he's committed a penalty, he barely protests and is only fed up after he sees the red card! How can you argue that?
Third penalty, is that not a foul? If you say it's not you are totally biased. Maybe not always given but still a foul. How is that a terrible decision?
I'm pretty sure that if RM was awarded Barcelona's penalties and Barcelona RM's, RM fans and CR would be complaining even more.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 24 2014, 06:57 PM
I said Madrid's was wrongfully given too?
Still believe if some of you think both of Barca's were blatant then surely the Cesc hand-ball from Ronaldo's free kick in the 1st half was blatant too? Not saying it should have been a penalty personally but if Barca's were stonewalls then this was too in my opinion.
Barca get big decisions pretty much every big game in which they are down or struggling in. Still not completely sure why, it's just part of football, come to accept it with Liverpool over here & Barca is the same on the continent, particularly over the past 7-8 years, just the way it is.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 24 2014, 07:02 PM
Havng seen the highlights, it's pretty bad. I don't know who played better/who deserved to win. But Madrid benefited from 1 big decision, Barca got 2 big decisions wrongly in one instance alone. Typical as they had to win the game or the title race was over.
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 24 2014, 07:07 PM
As much as I can't stand Barça, it's like every time they get a penalty it must be a conspiracy because they're Barça, even if it's the most blatant penalty on earth. Why not say for once that Madrid's penalty was an error and Barça's penalties were correct? Too difficult to accept?
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 24 2014, 07:56 PM
I don't see why it's so hard for some people to just understand that Barca have benefited from big decisions in big games so much in recent years. It's not really even debatable, funny thing is everyone was pretty much in agreement with what Kurt & I in particular have been saying over recent years when Milan played them.
Perhaps I'm being unfair and it's just Madrid hate as oppose to Barca loving on here.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 24 2014, 08:01 PM
My dad hates Ronaldo more than any player ever and likes Barca a lot. Even he thinks the Neymar/red card incident was completely wrong. It's not often we agree on anything re: Madrid/Barca.
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 24 2014, 11:26 PM
Perhaps I'm being unfair and it's just Madrid hate as oppose to Barca loving on here.
Well, yeah, no one is saying that they haven't benefited from referee mistakes in the past. Chelsea-Barça is the perfect example. That being said, we shouldn't go around calling every single decision in their favor without first analyzing the facts. Otherwise we're just being subjective.
And seriously, Barça love? I don't think there are people in here who fancy Barça. I personally dislike them.
Posted by: dst Mar 24 2014, 11:51 PM
No. Maybe I did not phrase it correctly but I don't think Barcelona's penalties are blatant just that I don't think they were the ref's inventions either. I think Neymar gets tripped. He then goes down theatrically but that does not mean there's not enough contact to bring him down. And in my view, Ramos' reaction validates the decision. I also don't think it should be a red card for reasons I've stated a couple of times before. But it's the rule so one can't say RM was wronged really. The second penalty, I think it can't be denied it's a foul. Many times it's not given so you can say it's a soft penalty but again RM were not wronged there. I haven't seen the Fabregas incident you're talking about. If it was a soft penalty then it should have been given because the second Barcelona penalty was soft. So you can say that RM were wronged because the refereeing was inconsistent but not, in my view, because the calls they got were wrong.
Perhaps I'm being unfair and it's just Madrid hate as oppose to Barca loving on here.
I'm not denying that in any way, Barcelona in recent years have gotten numerous calls their way.
It's definitely Madrid "hate" for me, I don't like Barcelona but I want them to win instead of RM. But not this year as I said the other day, I'd rather Ancelotti won.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 25 2014, 06:04 AM
Exactly. I want Carlo to win. What I don't want is them to win La Decima. But the more I think about it, it is better for Madrid to hit 10 than have one of Bayern or Manchester catch up with us in trophies.
Madrid have always been my number 2 Spanish club after Valencia. And tbh, I only support Valencia coz I always played as them on PC. Tells you how much I'm attached to La Liga.
FWIW, I'd love for Dortmund to win the CL.
Posted by: Zed.D Mar 25 2014, 10:07 AM
How can you see the 'touch' from any of the angles? the only contact I can see for sure is Ramos tapping Neymar on the left shoulder and Neymar going down as if he's pulled back. notice how he spins to his left while going down...
It's obvious to me, Neymar dived.
(edit: just saw http://gfycat.com/BarrenUnlinedBooby... Yea I can see where you see the contact is now. couldn't tell from the highlights video)
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 25 2014, 11:41 AM
Yep, clear contact. But it's not a penalty because Barça are cheaters and Neymar is a diver.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 25 2014, 01:22 PM
We agree at last
To be fair the last angle puts them in the 'I've seen them given' category.
I'm done though, Barca get decisions in big games constantly, that's my point. I don't even see anyone disagreeing with that either.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 25 2014, 09:10 PM
I don't see any contact, Ramos avoids him and Neymar uses the old kick yourself trick that Ashley Young often employs.
I like how everyone just ignores the fact that he was offside anyway.
Posted by: dst Mar 26 2014, 12:42 AM
Yeah I don't think anyone disagrees with that. And in this game, even though I don't think any of the decisions were wrong, Barcelona still were given everything they could have been given whereas RM wasn't with the Fabregas handball. But still RM were given a penalty that wasn't so I'd say overall the officiating was fair.
I like how everyone just ignores the fact that he was offside anyway.
Kick yourself? Where do you see that? Naymar pulls his leg up and Ramos coming from behind him makes contact causing his foot to go down the way it does. Everyone else seems to agree with that.
Come on now, by what, a knee cap?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 26 2014, 01:07 AM
This sums up the thread. He is offside. Offside is offside. But because it's Barca it's defended. Madrid were clearly robbed, the media generally feels so, the fact Madrid have been openly critical of the officiating and haven't been punished (silence is deafening) and even my Barca fanboy friends agree, my dad also.
Having seen the 2nd penalty again, initially I thought penalty, but it's pretty clear Alonso makes massive contact with the ball.
Posted by: dst Mar 26 2014, 01:49 AM
Having seen the 2nd penalty again, initially I thought penalty, but it's pretty clear Alonso makes massive contact with the ball.
In case you didn't read it in one of my previous messages, I defended the ref for awarding RM that penalty too. Both incidents are extremely close so any complains about them are just for the sake of it in my view.
Yeah, so what? He gets the ball but it still goes past him. If that's not even a foul then the Barcelona hate is much stronger than anything else in this thread.
Anyway, I'm done arguing about the sport of whining fans (that's not an attack on anyone, I include myself), I care nowhere near this much.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 26 2014, 01:57 AM
La Liga is incredibly boring, this is the only exictement there is.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 26 2014, 09:39 AM
That and the little boy against the best in the world
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 29 2014, 09:45 AM
Before Madrid played Barca, Carlos team was first with a 3 point cushion. Two consecutive dereats and they are now trailing first place by 3 points. Sad for Carlo, but hope he gets them their long awaited la decima.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 29 2014, 02:42 PM
It's Ancelotti all over really.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 29 2014, 03:55 PM
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 29 2014, 04:57 PM
He's a poor league manager, roll your eyes all you want.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 29 2014, 05:11 PM
Yeah, a poor league manager with three titles in three different (big) leagues. Makes him a very rare poor league manager
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 29 2014, 05:58 PM
He's had the best squad in pretty much every league he's managed in. His first season in Paris is one of the biggest failures in football IMO.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 29 2014, 06:37 PM
Well, he's a pretty lucky guy then
Posted by: han2503 Mar 29 2014, 07:27 PM
I think it takes a lot more than just having great teams to win a title.
Yeah, I agree with kurt that he should have achieved more with us, but with regards to PSG, when he took over they were still mostly a disjointed bunch of individuals.
Even if they were far more superior to the rest of the league. It's still a difficult job to make that work
As for Real, I think there's still time, but personally I can't see them winning a CL right now. They need to fix that defence.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 29 2014, 10:26 PM
He took over PSG when they were top though. This was in a league without Moncaco's money at the time too.
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 29 2014, 10:41 PM
So has Mourinho.
Posted by: han2503 Mar 29 2014, 10:50 PM
Yeah, the fact they were top makes it look bad, but still I think Carlo's worst moments in coaching came while with us
May 2005 was nightmarish for us. Basically lost the league and CL within a week, losing the CL in the fashion we did has got to be the lowest point for any coach. And the Deportivo debacle the previous year wasn't a pretty sight either
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 30 2014, 12:23 AM
May 2005 was nightmarish for us. Basically lost the league and CL within a week, losing the CL in the fashion we did has got to be the lowest point for any coach. And the Deportivo debacle the previous year wasn't a pretty sight either
Which is weird, considering in 2005 we had the best team under his management, IMO. I'd say he overachieved in 2003 and 2007. Nobody was expecting those CL titles from us in those particular years.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 30 2014, 03:47 AM
He's never had the best squad in England, didn't have the best squad in Spain. At Inter he certainly did, but then he won the treble to back it up.
Posted by: X-Offender Mar 30 2014, 11:52 AM
I disagree. I think at Porto, Chelsea and Inter he had the best squad in the league. In Spain, too, but he had an equally stronger contender in Barcelona.
At least Carlo built his Milan from scratch. He took us in when we were in a crisis, qualified us for the CL, and then made us into a force to be reckoned with. The kind of football we played under him (with Pirlo, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Kaká and Sheva all playing together), his genius improvisations (Pirlo as DM, Serginho as LB, the Christmas tree etc), and his man management (everywhere he's been, players have praised and loved him. Ibra went as far as saying that he had never had that kind of relationship with a coach that he had with Carlo), they all tell you what a brilliant coach he is.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 30 2014, 12:56 PM
Chelsea? He took over the year after the Invincibles, he absolutely didn't have the best squad. If you look at the players who played the most games in his first season too.. Damian Duff, Joe Cole, Tiago, etc. certainly not the quality of Pires, Ljungberg, Vieira at the time.
I think the Barca team is certainly better than what Mourinho had. Porto he had the best, but he also bought through those players himself didn't he?
Players say the same of Jose.
and honestly, Mourinho's home record is one of the most impressive things in football history. 1 defeat in 200 games or so over the past decade, it's the most ridiculous thing.
We'll never agree though.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 30 2014, 02:54 PM
Yes, I really think you don't like the guy Whatever he achieves or makes, you still talk about the negatives.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 30 2014, 03:25 PM
I think Ancelotti is a good manager, I just think he should've won more with the players he's had, do you not think 3 league titles in 15 years isn't all that great?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 2 2014, 12:00 PM
Barca banned for 14 months from signing players.
Posted by: acid911 Apr 2 2014, 12:07 PM
Should have been more, to be honest. Plus monetary fine.
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2014, 12:07 PM
Plus monetary fine.You love Barça to death.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 2 2014, 12:41 PM
with Valdes out of contract in the summer, will be hilarious to see what they're going to do in regards to their GK.
Posted by: dst Apr 2 2014, 12:45 PM
Is that really gonna stand?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 2 2014, 12:50 PM
Probably be changed to 1 transfer window on appeal.
Posted by: acid911 Apr 2 2014, 12:54 PM
Guilty as charged.
I also love Real Madrid and Bayern. Having said that, I must confess. I was rooting for Barcelona for the first time in my life last week against Madrid. First time in my life. This season, however, I am rooting for Athletico to win the league, for a change of pace, if nothing else.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Apr 2 2014, 01:06 PM
at people thinking this will stand
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Apr 2 2014, 01:12 PM
Didn't they sing ter Stegen already?
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2014, 01:25 PM
Didn't FIFA block Chelsea's (or was it another team) transfer window some time ago? And it stood, if I remember correctly.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Apr 2 2014, 02:32 PM
I think Roma was banned once too, can't remember the specifics (as in the reason & for how long) at the moment though.
EDIT: I've read that the ban may be scrapped entirely if Barca were able to clear up the illegal transfers.
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2014, 06:42 PM
Because of Mexes' transfer from Auxerre.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 3 2014, 03:39 AM
Barca threw near 100m at Neymar, and they can't find enough money to bribe somebody at FIFA? They are one dumb club.
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Apr 3 2014, 08:48 AM
Thought it got reduced to a fine? If that was the case with Chelsea then UEFA's club will surely be looked after.
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 3 2014, 09:52 AM
Eh, I don't really remember. I thought they didn't sign anyone for about a year or something. Maybe it wasn't Chelsea?
Posted by: acid911 Apr 13 2014, 08:27 PM
Pity about Diego Costa. What a sad injury he suffered today!
Posted by: Jack Bauer Apr 13 2014, 08:44 PM
What a sad injury he suffered today!Another lucky break for Chelsea. First Ibra and now this.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Apr 13 2014, 08:48 PM
What a sad injury he suffered today!Indeed so. Hopefully his return is sooner rather than later!
EDIT: Just heard from a friend that it isn't supposed to be serious.
Apparently Atletico released a tweet along these lines.
Posted by: acid911 Apr 13 2014, 09:03 PM
Yup.
I believe two Atletico starters will not be playing in the semifinals.Yeah, didn't look like that. It was a hit, plan and simple.
But I do reckon he could be out of action for at least a couple of weeks, and that potentially means the Chelsea tie goes in drain. The good thing is that Atletico play as a team, and if there is one club that can contain the English side, it is them. Solid defense.Bayern and Real Madrid are both susceptible a the back, when pushed, at least.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Apr 13 2014, 10:20 PM
I believe two Atletico starters will not be playing in the semifinals.Yeah, didn't look like that. It was a hit, plan and simple.
But I do reckon he could be out of action for at least a couple of weeks, and that potentially means the Chelsea tie goes in drain. The good thing is that Atletico play as a team, and if there is one club that can contain the English side, it is them. Solid defense.Bayern and Real Madrid are both susceptible a the back, when pushed, at least.
...plain?
...
Worry not here is the official tweet - He's fine:
Atletico Madrid @ Atleti 1h
# AupaAtleti RT @ FilipeLuis03 : Getafe 0 x 2 Atlético. Is everything okay with Diego Costa, it was just a scare.http:// instagram.com / p / mvhIGeiHgB / Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More
Posted by: acid911 Apr 13 2014, 11:01 PM
You got me there fair and square, Trini. 
I'll go drink my bath water!
Nice to hear he's okay, though. Ibra scared (and well, scarred) me enough these past few weeks. I just want two good semifinals, and although I would have preferred relatively smaller teams making it through, or underdogs, if you will, it would have been quite a distraction having a player of his caliber injured.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Apr 13 2014, 11:01 PM
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Apr 13 2014, 11:38 PM
I'll go drink my bath water!Nice to hear he's okay, though.
Ibra scared (and well, scarred) me enough these past few weeks. I just want two good semifinals, and although I would have preferred relatively smaller teams making it through, or underdogs, if you will, it would have been quite a distraction having a player of his caliber injured.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 14 2014, 09:46 AM
What a sad injury he suffered today!I was hoping he was going to be out for the World Cup, since this may be his only chance. Maybe things get lost in translation, but the English interviews I've seen with him, he seems like a total prick.
Posted by: acid911 Apr 14 2014, 12:38 PM
I don't doubt you, man, and I am no where near a fan.
Just want all teams to put their preferred starters in the semifinals, that is all. Win the darn thing fair and square. Same can be said of Neuer, though he is not a prick, but I don't think as highly of him as others. But he should not have been out of Europe due to injury.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 14 2014, 12:43 PM
Posted by: dst Apr 14 2014, 02:21 PM
Messi received a similar phone call, he asked Xavi and Iniesta to assist with a check.
Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Apr 14 2014, 02:43 PM
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 14 2014, 11:20 PM
He gave them what he earns in a day and a half. What a big heart.
PS: Nothing wrong with that, I just don't think it's something to brag about and call for RESPECT!!!!111
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Apr 15 2014, 07:32 AM
But he didn't advertise it. This is the thing. I don't think Ronaldo has every made his charitable causes public. Tbh, I don't think he is the unclassy gay pr!ck everyone wants him to be. I would actually go so far as to say he's earned Irina Shayk. Who gives a sh!t about the golden ball!
Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Apr 15 2014, 07:55 AM
He does this sort of thing on a regular basis, this is not a one off by the way & that's all we know from what the press get, he doesn't advertise it himself. But you know the Barca fanboys won't allow it to go down easy.
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 15 2014, 11:33 AM
I know he doesn't advertise it. I was talking about those who advertise it in his stead.
It's funny how you keep calling me a Barça fanboy when I absolutely loathe them.
Posted by: dst Apr 15 2014, 12:13 PM
What he earns now. You have to spread that throughout his life. He's not going to be making that kind of money forever. Of course he'll still make way more than we ever will but just because it's not much for him doesn't make it less important. Otherwise everyone would do it.
Yeah the great thing is he doesn't advertise it. But earning Irina Shayk? Nah. Nobody deserves a woman like her.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 15 2014, 01:45 PM
Probably wouldn't see Barca players doing it because Catalans think themselves above us mere mortals.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 15 2014, 11:09 PM
All the Barca lovers on Revista ripping into Messi.
Posted by: X-Offender Apr 16 2014, 12:09 AM
83k for Ronaldo is peanuts, point. The gesture is admirable, no-one is saying otherwise, but I don't think it's something to brag about as if he's giving away his entire wealth or something. If I donated €40 will someone make a thumbnail for me as well?
Posted by: Linkman Apr 16 2014, 12:17 AM
Ronaldo did a nice thing. Good for him. Why is it necessary to put him down?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Apr 16 2014, 12:20 AM
No idea. If anything, if it's "peanuts", X-Off should be heavily criticising other players for not helping save lives with money they won't miss.
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