I don't really like *********, but I agree with Porty here. Crouch has a very good International record, he can't even make the bench at *********, they have superb depth.

In my opinion *********'s squad is not that good! Actually, I think it's worse than Roma's... that's why I believe Benitez is doing an extraordinary job! With the material he has, he's no doubt the most successful manager around!

Itandje, Finnan, Arbeloa, Riise, Aurelio, Agger, Kewell, Pennant are all mediocre player while Leiva and Leto are pretty much unknown!

I compare them to Roma yes. I think Roma have a better starting XI and they have equally good bench players... it's all about the team they are in!

Finnan, Riise, Agger and Kewell mediocre?  Even Pennant now is showing some good stuff.

Better starting XI? Well, I hope they play in the last 16 or in the CL quarter-finals. ********* would eat'em alive.

Opinions. 

Itandje, Finnan, Arbeloa, Riise, Aurelio, Agger, Kewell, Pennant are all mediocre player while Leiva and Leto are pretty much unknown!

How is Riise mediocre? He's on of the best LB out there IMO.

How is Riise mediocre? He's on of the best LB out there IMO.

Well my IMO is different!

Well for dst, there are only two LBs in the world...Maldini and Carlos...all the rest are mediocre. Looking at it from that point of view I don't blame him.

Riise has it all: technique, speed, stamina, great shot, he's very reliable and can play in the midfield as good. While I'm writing he scored a goal against Greece

I think it depends on what kind of level you're talking about.

Riise is very good, just not the same as Carlos or whoever. Otherwise there's plenty of great LBs, there's at least 6 or 7 in the EPL for me.

He's got great shot yeah... but that's not enough for me to call him a great player. In my opinion he's mediocre, there's nothing more I could possibly say... I'm not trying to convince anyone.

I've seen him score before, this goal is not going to change my opinion about him!

Riise is very good, just not the same as Carlos or whoever. Otherwise there's plenty of great LBs, there's at least 6 or 7 in the EPL for me.

What's the word dst??? Woooooooo-ssaaaaahhhhhhh!!!

Breathe breathe..... I'm ok now!

I think mishale did not put Maldini's name in there cause, you know... he's not a human and it wouldn't be fair!

MALDINI...MALDINI!!!! You blaspheming, disrespectful VILLAIN!!!

What's the word dst??? Woooooooo-ssaaaaahhhhhhh!!!

Breathe breathe..... I'm ok now!

Here's my excuse: I didn't want to compare Riise to Maldini because it wouldn't be fair! Also, they're not the same type of left back, wherer Carlos and Riise are.. Whoever was aimed at..Ashley Cole. 

...

You think Riise and Maldini are similar? 

Which are the possible variations?

Umm.. I'm just asking, do you think Maldini and Riise are similar players? Because I don't. It's not that hard a question.

Yes... they are both LB's... I honestly don't understand, I'm not trying to play it smart!

Just because somebody plays in a certain position, it doesn't mean they're similar players.

That's like saying Dani Alves and Olof Mellberg are the same because they're both right backs. I'm just saying I don't think they share the same attributes. Maldini is a solid defender, but not too great getting forward and crossing, he's decent in the air. Riise is not that solid at the back, gets forward well, magnificent on set peices, but not too good in the air.

That's like saying Dani Alves and Olof Mellberg are the same because they're both right backs. I'm just saying I don't think they share the same attributes. Maldini is a solid defender, but not too great getting forward and crossing, he's decent in the air. Riise is not that solid at the back, gets forward well, magnificent on set peices, but not too good in the air.

It was just a matter of specification... you talked about different types while, in my view, different characteristics do not comprise different types of players. I think Riise is naturally a LW if you ask me but since he plays at LB I have to judge him as such... I think the way you wrote it bespeaks the same thing; you judged both based on what an LB has to do... Riise HAS TO defend, it's another thing that he's not so good at it... Anyway, I'm being so thorough it's getting silly...

By the way, you think Maldini is not good at crossing!!?!??!?!?!?!

He used to be good, not anymore, in my opinion.

Arjen Robben is unlikely to make his debut for Real Madrid this weekend as club medics are not prepared to give him the green light to play.


The Dutch winger joined Real from Chelsea last month, but has been battling to overcome a knee injury since his arrival in the Spanish capital.

Robben returned to training this week and hopes were high that he would finally be able to make an appearance against Almeria on Saturday.

However, according to Marca, Real doctors do not want to take any risks and will only pass the 23-year-old fit to play when he is 100 per cent ready.

Robben believes that he is ready having felt no pain when kicking a ball during training.

But doctors are concerned that the former Chelsea star has not trained at the same level as the rest of the team and is not match fit.

Bernd Schuster may be tempted to name the player in his squad but Robben would only be on the bench and is not expected to play any part.

Sky Sports

Some exciting signings like Pato, but why not a couple more?

Because Milan already has a team. Madrid on the other hand are building a team.

Oh yeah... Cafu, Serginho, Digao, Willy Wanker and some other players who are either very injury prone, or too old. Let's talk logic as you like to say.

Logic ? U mean European Champions logic

All those that u have mentioned above are our second team, i.e. bench players, Duh.

Milan has a team, and I am surprised that u don't see it.

Wow, Barca are really having a bad start.

Whatever dude. Milan, without a couple key players, are not even good enough to beat Siena. Our options in attack is laughable. I live in the present, not the past. When we won the CL, I was as euphoric as everyone else. That times has passed now and we have a weaker and even older team this year. This will hurt us especially toward the end of the season, when depth is more than needed.

Depth+ A team ?! .... Are u talking about Sevilla ? *drum roll*

They're close enough. 

Does Monaco ring a bell

p.s. They are no title challengers IMO, they lack a lot in terms of consistency and quality.