Four goals in a Champs League Quarter Final.....one of the greatest performances I have ever seen from a player, and the kid is only 22 years old!!!!!
Eh, I'll be rootin for Inter. It'd be a great thing for the Serie A, Italian players or not. If they beat Barca it proves that the Serie A isn't as in decline as it seems. Inter have dominated in Europe, but have only won 2 of their last 8 Serie A games. That says a lot about the depth of Serie A. It shows me that it isn't as far behind of the EPL as I once thought
IMO, Inter-Barca is gonna be one hell of a tie. These are the 2 best teams in the CL this year and I'm really glad we get to see it in a 2 legged tie rather than a one game final. I've said it since Inter outplayed Chelsea in Wembley, that this Inter team is the only team that can give Barca a hard time. Although Mourinho is a jerk, he's a hell of a coach and having seen Barca twice already, I expect him to be well prepared.
Totally agree, Inter have been very impressive so far and I can see them giving Barca a very difficult time. On the game last night, after going 3-0 up in the 1st half I thought that Man United would run away with it like they did against Roma last season. However with Rooney getting injured, the soft goal before half time and Rafael getting sent off, noting went right for them after Nani's second goal. Credit though to Bayern, great resolve to come back like that, even if things went their way. Have to say, I think Man United are in trouble. There midfield and strikers (apart from Rooney) are not good enough to win Premiership titles, let alone a Champions League. With the Glazers struggling with money also, funds may not be available to Ferguson to strenghten the squad. Uncertain times ahead for United me thinks.
Yeah, one of my friends is a ManU fan and he thinks the same way as you. He actually thinks they overacheived this year with the players they have. Thinks they should've at least attempted to replace Ronaldo and Tevez. I don't know how much I agree though. I think this guy Nani has what it takes to be the real deal. And they have a young Federico Macheda waiting in the wings. I'm eager to see him get some significant playing time
As he showed against Bayern, on his day Nani can be very good. Very inconsistant though. Reminds me of Ronaldo in his 1st couple of season in United. Took him a while before he started to put to use all his talent to great effect. Valencia is also very talented but there center midfield is not great and a worry going into next season if they can not strenghten it. Macheda also seems to be quite good, but has seen very little action. The jury is still out on him.
Inter 3 Barca 1 About the only time Inter have ever come through when I root for them. I wonder if they'll be able to hold on
This is why soccer will never ever be the #1 sport in North America That red card was terrible 0-0- at half time Barcelona is on fire though....I see Barca getting 2 in the 2nd half
Yeah, that was an awful red card. Inter holds on, though. Mourinho, like him or not, out-chessed Guardiola these 2 games. And with 10 men for 70 minutes. Props to Inter for getting the European monkey off their back and doing it in style by beating the top teams in the world in Chelsea and Barcelona, who had they went through would've been remembered as one of the greatest teams in recent memory.
Congrats to Inter, they were simply fantastic tonight. That was one of the great defensive performances I have ever seen. To keep a team with the attacking talent that Barcelona have, with ten men for the majority of the game and in the Nou Camp, to very little opportunities was an unbelievable effort. Even though Barca did score at the end, it should not take from just how good Inter defended tonight. Also Barca turning on the sprinklers when Inter were celebrating at the end of the game - classless.
Good post and agreed about the sprinkler thing. Barcelona kinda turned me off a little bit after the first leg complaining about reffing bias. Of all teams, they have no room to talk after Chelsea clearly got screwed against them in the semis last year.
Agreed, Mourihno said during the weak that Barca have always been poor losers and they proved that last night. I think last nights victory was big for Italian football. The game in Italy has taken a pounding over the past 10 years and its good to see an Italian side not only reach the final, but to do it in some style also. Hopefully they can now finish the job against a dangerous Bayern side.
This ones for you AL I went to Berlin week before last and watched Hertha take on Schalke. Being a Schalke fan, naturally the four of us took up our position in the away end with our fellow fans Things that I noticed, were that the Germans are fanatical about there footy, play a poor game, but look after their fans. The fans in Germany deserve a better quality of Fußball. There were 62000 fans watching what was no better than something between championship and League One football. The fans are well looked after and I never had to leave my seat once for a beer as they were brought to me There was no trouble at the game, and very little afterward either as far as I am aware. We were ready just in case And lastly what a fantastic city--Really friendly people, although my friends will never forgive me for losing in an arm wrestling contest, which cost them 35 Euro's So with such a poor quality of football how do FC Bayern make it to the European cup Final !!
Yeah, I think Jochen might fight me until death about this but I agree that most of the German fudbal (however you wish to spell it. It's different everywhere, as you know). I admittedly have not seen a ton of German fudbal so I'm basing my opinion off of what I've seen and every time I watched Bayern, I enjoyed it. They sometimes make you want to pull your hair out just because its how the Germans play the game but Bayern is not bad to watch.
They use that silly squiggly instead of the double S shag I was disappointed with the quality of football, especially as my German team was second in the league ! I have seen Leeds a few times this season and they were no worse---And they aren't setting the world alight The fans were brilliant though, a 62000 crowd for bottom of the league is exceptional and the stadium was good too. The 1938 Olympic stadium that Jesse Owens ruled much to Hitlers disgust I tried to upload some pix but having a few problems doing so
Haha! Yes, the Germans are brilliant. At least most of the ones that I have come across. One of my best friends is German. Go to photobucket.com or a hosting site and upload images there and then copy the URL to the icon that's located at the top of your toolbar and/or message box. If you have more troubles, let me know mate and I will help you.
Hopefully Barcelona slips up in the last match.. For the world cup I like usa lol obviously..but when they are eliminated I'll root for Portugal. But I think Spain, Argentina, or the Netherlands.
I think Germany is up there. Part of me wants to say Ivory Coast will go somewhere but I'm afraid to commit to them. The day Hollandia doesn't choke in the World Cup is the day hell freezes over.
I'd agree with Germany, they are always usually there or there abouts when it comes to any big tournament. Think they will at least get a Semi Final spot. The Ivory Coast have some very good talent and are extremely dangerous. But they were very unlucky to draw Brazil and Portugal in the group stage. Not saying they will not qualify past the group, as I think Portugal can be got at, but its a big ask. Many would have said the same about Spain up until they won the Euro Championship in 08, so I would not rule out the Dutch based on the fact they are usually a disappointment. They are actually my darkhorse for the World Cup.
Maradona leaves out Cambiasso. Obviously some politics there as he has never called Cambiasso since he's been coach. Probably something personal. Just pathetic though. I also hear Milito won't make the final 23 either. So arguably the 2 best players on their squad which is arguably the best club in the world won't be playing in the world cup. Thanks Diego! I'd go as far as saying Cambiasso is the best defensive/holding midfielder in the world at the moment. But hey, we'll get to see 34 year old Juan Sebastian Veron, who hasn't done squat since Lazio in 2000.
My dad used to always say this about Spain. They haven't won anything ever, blah blah blah. I agree with you. I never bought into any of that crap. These are new squads and new players every 4 years. Just because the 1998 Spanish team choked doesn't mean the 2010 team made up of totally different players and coaches is gonna choke too. Different players, different mentalities, different histories.
With Maradona in charge, I think Argentina will be doing well to make it out of the group. Dot fancy Argentina at all this year.
Joe Cole to Liverpool... giddy... http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/footb...ol.cole.chelsea/index.html?section=cnn_latest
"Overrated Englishman who gets praise for doing nothing goes to Liverpool" That's how I read the title. I may be a bit biased, as I am an Arsenal fan.
Speaking of Arsenal, we better buy a damn goalie and another centre defender. If we can ship out Clichy for a better fullback, I'd be happy as well. Don't want to read too much into it but it does peak my interest, Szczesny got the #1 against Barnet. He's got some good genetics but man, he's still young. We need a #1 bad. I can't take another season of Almunia. I also worry about Koscielny. I've seen him once before and I don't know how long it will take for him to adapt to the EPL. Last, I want to see some more of Frimpong and Wilshere this year.
Yes my AVY is an Italia shirt but I'm from Canada Canada is now #100 in the soccer rankings http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html
Actually, no, I wouldn't haha. We've shown interest in him and SWP and those are two guys I'd rather not play at the Emirates.
Man U loses to the KC Wizards 2-1 while KC played 50 minutes with 10 men. Man U is obviously missing some WC players...but they have been stretched by two MLS teams and now play the MLS All-stars on Wednesday.
