The 2011-2012 Football Thread

[h00ligan]

Oh I'm not a barca bashed, I just hate messi and love to see him fail. I goes back to a not so fond world cup memory as a child and messi is just another Diego to me.

I agree, the whining is out of order across the board, but the Spanish are beaten out by maybe only the French.

Anyway, I'm glad Chelsea went through, though with the cards given I think the final is icing to be as, or perhaps more, difficult.

JT can say whatever he wants, he was trying to make a point and was caught....it was disgraceful and he deserved the card, though a meal was also made.


Liverpool...well.... :/. I really hope Suarez gets the hell out of the country.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Two goals for Ronaldo in the first 15 minutes. Bayern are already on the ropes. They still look like scoring but they certainly can't concede any more goals.

EDIT: And Robben levels from the spot. Things are getting exciting...

 

[daneoni]

...and that as they say is that. Ramos again costs his team. Overrated. Besides what was Mourinho thinking using a non-scoring defender to take a penalty, why not Higuain or another attacking player.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I'm glad I'm not a betting man, as I would have lost my shirt in these semis. I am absolutely stunned that both Spanish sides are out...perhaps they spent too much of this season worrying about each other?

Credit to Bayern Munich though, they are a damned good side. I hope they beat Chelski in the final.

 

[takao]

i wouldn't fault ramos .. much of penalties is nerves and about taking responsibility in such situation: neither Lahm or Kroos are known to be great penalty takers and both took their duty and missed as well...

i doubt mourihno decided who had to shoot ... in nearly all teams the coach asks who wants to

the problem i think was that both, ronaldo and kaka missed as the two first shooters, which very likely sent nerves down the drain


as for the final i guess it will be two offensive sides with very skeleton defenses: Gustavo, Badstuber and Alaba have proven to be core players the last weeks
what players are missing for Chelsea, besides Terry, again ?

 

[daneoni]

Ivanovic, Meireles and Ramires.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Bayern look more dangerous going forward but Chelsea have had some outstanding defensive performances lately. Bayern being at home will provide some advantage even though one would expect the Chelsea supporters to be out in numbers.

One intriguing possiblity is that Torres will suddenly find form just when it is most needed for Chelsea - though I can't see Drogba not starting.

A lot of people including myself really wrote Bayern off earlier in the competition, but they've proven worthy finalists. Dortmund's success in the league has perhaps given them more focus in their CL matches.

 

[olup]

Chelsea will have a hard time with Bayern, Bayern having their fans backing them in huge numbers and those yellow cards don't really seem to really hurt their defense too much. So the backfour will most likely be: Rafinha-Boateng-Tymoshchuk-Lahm, ind midfield Kroos taking Luis Gustavo's place and Müller playing behind gomez. Also Neuer and Schweinsteiger really found their form as the game progressed. I really hope for an interesting match though. Given the fact that there were ten nationalteam players on the pitch, Özil being one of the weaker ones last night, I am really looking forward to the Euro tournament.

 

[Fizzoid]

Chelsea will have a hard time with Bayern

You say that, but no one expected them to beat Barca either

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I'm backing Bayern. there, I've said it.

This is mainly because I really enjoy saying 'Bastian Schweinsteiger' in a mock American accent.

 

[olup]

You say that, but no one expected them to beat Barca either

well quite a few people, me included, didn't expect Bayern to go through to the finals either

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I'm backing Bayern. there, I've said it.

I think they will win it. But so far my powers of prediction have been pretty poor...

This is mainly because I really enjoy saying 'Bastian Schweinsteiger' in a mock American accent.

I can see that when I do visit the UK I will be a constant source of amusement for the locals.

 

[oscillatewildly]

Wirelessly posted

And breath. Enjoyed the Athletic v Sporting game - tiring just watching it.

Elephant ears into overdrive.

Cheers,
OW

 

[daneoni]

Looks like Guardiola might be set to exit stage left in summer, which also likely means Mancini or RDM won't be Managers next season.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Looks like Guardiola might be set to exit stage left in summer, which also likely means Mancini or RDM won't be Managers next season.

If Pep leaves I can see Real Madrid sweeping the league next season. Mourinho's project has finally come good for him, and he'll want to win a double or treble nest time around...not to mention improve his record in the Clasicos.

 

[Johnny77]

Hi, guys! My English cousin lives in Kyiv and is going to Donetsk for the football. He is happy to help anyone out with travel, accommodation and translation. I know lots of people are having problems. If you need help send me a message. Johnny.

 

[OllyW]

Looks like Guardiola might be set to exit stage left in summer, which also likely means Mancini or RDM won't be Managers next season.

It's official, he's leaving at the end of the season.

 

[Fizzoid]

It's official, he's leaving at the end of the season.

And with Wolves maybe looking for another manager, could it just be coincidence?

I can see that when I do visit the UK I will be a constant source of amusement for the locals.

You're not from round these parts?

 

[OllyW]

And with Wolves maybe looking for another manager, could it just be coincidence?

Even Pep would have his work cut out working with that shower. The ball boys at the Nou Camp have probably got more talent than our squad.

 

[daneoni]

If Pep leaves I can see Real Madrid sweeping the league next season. Mourinho's project has finally come good for him, and he'll want to win a double or treble nest time around...not to mention improve his record in the Clasicos.

Agreed. The only one i can think of to replace him with similar success would ironically be Mourinho.

Maybe Martinez, Bilic or *gasp* Wenger can suffice Similar football philosophies. But it seems Marcelo Bielsa (Bilbao) has been deemed the most likely successor.

 

[Fizzoid]

It's official, he's leaving at the end of the season.

Seemingly the embarrassment of Torres scoring against you was too much for him

What's AVB doing these days?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Word is that Pep will be replaced by one of his coaches, Tito Vilanova. Barca are clearly following the example set by Hull City when we promoted Barmby to replace the outgoing Pearson (Nigel).

 

[Fizzoid]

Yup, it's been confirmed he's taking over

 

[OllyW]

Word is that Pep will be replaced by one of his coaches, Tito Vilanova. Barca are clearly following the example set by Hull City when we promoted Barmby to replace the outgoing Pearson (Nigel).

And Wolves with Terry Connor replacing Mick McCarthy.

 

[cambookpro]

And Wolves with Terry Connor replacing Mick McCarthy.

If you had got McDermott I reckon you'd be mid table easy

While we're on the subject of our bald messiah, who's seen the Observer's You are the Ref for this week?!