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The 2012-2013 Football Thread

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So Chelsea once again the last English team standing in Europe after Adebayor's comical (seriously it was outright ridiculous) miss for Spurs in their shootout, and Benfica edging out Newcastle.
 
Dempsey would have buried it. Silly AVB. Now it's all about those Champions League spots.

Torres has actually scored some goals. I doubt he'll ever really come close to the player he once was, but this mini-revival is somewhat encouraging. I guess he'll have to keep wearing that mask.
 
OH YES I DID!
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Champions League Semi-Finals

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
 
Well I'm no Paul The Octopus, but I said to a mate of mine last night neither the Germans or the Spanish would meet in the semis
 
still loving it like the first day. :D

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We were quite lucky the ball didn't bounce against Neuer's head and actually behind the goal line while he's lying on the ground for some reason.
 
I hope Dortmund can really take it to Real. The Barca-Bayern match should be good stuff.

pachyderm said:
OH YES I DID!
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Awesome. :D I'm just glad to see Stu back on the pitch after such horrible luck with injuries (thanks to Nigel de Jong and Johnny Evans :mad:).

Fizzoid said:
Ah, but are we sure it's Torres under there? ;)
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I'm not sure even Fernando Torres could answer that question. ;)
 
Lord Blackadder said:
I hope Dortmund can really take it to Real. The Barca-Bayern match should be good stuff.
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Agreed. Best outcome imho would be BVB - Barca in the final. Bayern has some bad luck with injuries and yellow cards, we'll see. At first glance, it always looks like having the home match at first is a huge disadvantage, but with matches most likely so close, having the away goal bonus during a possible extension is priceless.

Loving FCB -FCB so far, have been some years since the last time they met.
 
twietee said:
At first glance, it always looks like having the home match at first is a huge disadvantage, but with matches most likely so close, having the away goal bonus during a possible extension is priceless.
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I'm coming around to the view that having the home match first is best. While you're less likely to win away, you often don't have to - an away goal or two is often enough to seal a tie even if you don't win. Teams can also usually play a more defensive, counterattacking style in away matches.
 
Let's turn our attention away from the big clubs for a moment, and instead discuss Leeds United.

They've just announced the appointment of ex-Reading boss Brian McDermott as their new gaffer, which throws up a curious coincidence. Leeds' Rugby League team, the Rhinos, are also managed by a man named Brian McDermott. And not only are both men are now managing Leeds-based clubs, their respective squads both contain wingers by the name of Ryan Hall.
 
Normally I'd say this is a curious coincidence and that there is no chance that Leeds United chose Brian McDermott simply because he shares his name with a currently successful Leeds rugby manager...

...but this is football. ;)
 
Lord Blackadder said:
I'm coming around to the view that having the home match first is best. While you're less likely to win away, you often don't have to - an away goal or two is often enough to seal a tie even if you don't win. Teams can also usually play a more defensive, counterattacking style in away matches.
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i would say that it really depends on the squad and the playing style
for Dortmund home first is suited because of their focus on counter attacking but i would say for Bayern who can match opponents for possession in the away game it's better the reverse,
going for an equalizier with your own fans behind your back sure is easier

it also depends on the opposition

that's why i would currently rather take the guess for a Dortmund - Barcelona final ...
 
takao said:
i would say that it really depends on the squad and the playing style
for Dortmund home first is suited because of their focus on counter attacking but i would say for Bayern who can match opponents for possession in the away game it's better the reverse,
going for an equalizier with your own fans behind your back sure is easier

it also depends on the opposition

that's why i would currently rather take the guess for a Dortmund - Barcelona final ...
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That's true, though with teams like Bayern they are good enough to play a possession game or a counterattacking game depending on the circumstances.

I refuse to bet against Barca, despite their recent stumbles and somewhat threadbare squad. Dortmund is an underdog so I'm hoping they make the final.
 
Good points indeed, takao. I'm quite convinced that Barca passes Bayern rather easily. They haven't played them for a long time, so I guess that could boost a little their ambitions. But most of all, Bayern has to play without Kroos (and Mandjukic for the first game). Two crucial elements missing without proper replacement (not a Gomez fan over here).

BVB-Real is almost 50/50 I'd say, Dortmund loves being the underdog. I'm quite tempted to get a Sky receiver right now :eek:
 
twietee said:
BVB-Real is almost 50/50 I'd say, Dortmund loves being the underdog. I'm quite tempted to get a Sky receiver right now :eek:
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Mourinho knows this is his last chance for a Champions League title with Real, and his team will actually be motivated. I'd prefer a Dortmund win but I honestly can't see it happening, especially over two legs.
 
twietee said:
Good points indeed, takao. I'm quite convinced that Barca passes Bayern rather easily. They haven't played them for a long time, so I guess that could boost a little their ambitions. But most of all, Bayern has to play without Kroos (and Mandjukic for the first game). Two crucial elements missing without proper replacement (not a Gomez fan over here).
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IMHO for the Barca Game Müller in the central position is the better choice even if Kroos weren't injured
Kroos with his excellent through passes, agility, long shots, corners, free kicks etc. is excellent against defensive teams sitting deep but against an offensive team Müllers qualities (pace, work rate, defensive discipline, running into space on the counter)

It could also very well happen that Mascherano has to play as a central defender in the Barca line up. He is perhaps one of the best tacklers in the game but he is a rather ill fit against a classical centre forward like Gomez or Pizarro, especially on the counter. And he has hardly good memories playing against Müller either...

both teams wing backs defensive abilties will also be put up to the test as well ... Alves is brilliant on the attack but him playing defensivly against Ribery ? i would put my money on a yellow card for him within 15 minutes ;)

for comedy relief i now present Bayern's back four from 2009 when they lost 4:0 to Barca: Oddo, Demichelis, Breno, Lell :rolleyes:

twietee said:
BVB-Real is almost 50/50 I'd say, Dortmund loves being the underdog. I'm quite tempted to get a Sky receiver right now :eek:
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Dortmund simply lacks any good players on the bench: Julian Schieber as the striker back up 'option' can only be considered a joke
Sure in the centre midfield they can mix it up with Gündogan, Bender, Kehl & Sahin but offensive he has zero choice
 
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