Real Football (Soccer to you Yanks) Thread

[Barney]

I wouldn't bet a buck on Stoke, but it's true that Valencia plays on Sunday against FC Barcelona, and that is quite a tough match. Even though I see Valencia winning again, no way comparing both teams...

 

[Springsteen]

I think Emery knows Valencia's real strengths lie at home, ultimately they'll finish third in Spain which is no great shame and they do possess some very good players. Soldado, Jonas, Piatti, Alba. The problem is they still have debts and have to sell yearly their best players, but they are a good unit. At Camp Nou Barca are very strong so personally I see them winning 2-0 or 2-1. They probably won't get into the 70's possession wise as they usually do but they'll get at least 63%, which is acceptable against Valencia.

 

[Springsteen]

Just found this, it's the away end for our game against Ajax the other night.

[video=youtube;0-hwE2E8G2w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-hwE2E8G2w[/video]

Quality

 

[Springsteen]

Wonderful, wonderful performance from Lionel Messi tonight against Valencia. 4 goals, and Barca themselves would have had a lot more had it not been for Diego Alves. Ended 5-1 with Valencia scoring first through Piatti after Valdes made an error, then Messi scored twice before the break, then twice after it, the fourth was beautiful. Xavi rounded it off in injury time with another chip. But Valencia were never really in the game after they scored. Really great dominant display from Barcelona with 31 shots and 65% possession. Wonderful football to watch. If anyone in your circle of friends is doubting Messi's status as the world's best, show them this game, he was majestic.

 

[skyblue]

Wonderful, wonderful performance from Lionel Messi tonight against Valencia. 4 goals, and Barca themselves would have had a lot more had it not been for Diego Alves. Ended 5-1 with Valencia scoring first through Piatti after Valdes made an error, then Messi scored twice before the break, then twice after it, the fourth was beautiful. Xavi rounded it off in injury time with another chip. But Valencia were never really in the game after they scored. Really great dominant display from Barcelona with 31 shots and 65% possession. Wonderful football to watch. If anyone in your circle of friends is doubting Messi's status as the world's best, show them this game, he was majestic.

put bobby moore into todays game with the know how and fitness and he'd have stopped messi

 

[Springsteen]

I'm not convinced. If there was a one inch gap available between two defenders, Lionel Messi would jink his way through it. He's 14 goals away from becoming Barcelona's all time top goalscorer, he's a joy to watch play the game.

 

[skyblue]

I'm not convinced. If there was a one inch gap available between two defenders, Lionel Messi would jink his way through it. He's 14 goals away from becoming Barcelona's all time top goalscorer, he's a joy to watch play the game.

dont get me wrong,messi is up there with pele and cruyff etc....but at his peak moore was supreme

 

[Springsteen]

I've seen videos of him, never had the privilege of watching him live. Seemed a really great player.

 

[skyblue]

I've seen videos of him, never had the privilege of watching him live. Seemed a really great player.

i did......i saw law,charlton and best in the same line up too

 

[Springsteen]

CSKA Moscow get a last gasp equaliser against Real Madrid in Russia to draw 1-1 after Ronaldo had put Real in front. I think Jose will be unhappy with the way they drew but the result isn't too bad and they'll be overwhelming favorites to qualify.

Chelsea play soon against Napoli, this could be the last straw for AVB if they lose. He's ran out of patience seemingly with Torres, he's benched along with Lampard, Essien and Cole. The team is Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Bosingwa, Ramires, Meireles, Sturridge, Mata, Malouda and Drogba. Defensively they look awful it has to be said, the midfield looks weak without Lampard and Essien. If Napoli turn up they'll wrap this up in the first leg.

 

[Zorak]

No Terry?

Russia is always a hard palce to go (French History 101)

 

[Springsteen]

Terry's out for a further 6 weeks with a knee injury.

Both of these have looked bad defensively today, the two goals would have been prevented with better defending. Napoli should be there for the taking.

2-1 Napoli. Fabulous defending once again.

 

[CaptainTurtles]

Currently watching the Chelsea game v Napoli.

Pretty boring to be honest, doesn't help that it seems like they're playing in an empty stadium. Chelsea fans sound like they're outside the stadium. Pretty stop and start game, lots of tumbles and dives. First half is almost over hoping to see a better second half. Honestly don't care who wins, just want to see a good game of football being played. From what I have sene, though, Napoli is all over Chelsea. And as I type that, Napolie score!

 

[Springsteen]

I think Chelsea would take 1-2 at this moment but Napoli do have a goal in them at Stamford Bridge I feel.

The game's been ok, bit stop start at times but at least there's been goals.

 

[Zorak]

Cavani and Lavezzi will rip chelsea apart

 

[Springsteen]

David Luiz makes Per Mertesacker look great.

 

[Springsteen]

End 3-1 to Napoli. Not too good for Chelsea but at least they got an away goal, still they need 2 goals without reply in 3 weeks, and going by tonight, that's not certain.

 

[Barney]

Chelsea is a strong team playing home. 3-1 is an uncertain score for second leg, but I'm still confident on Chelsea. I still remember the group phase final match against Valencia, they won 3-0 and got the pass...Valencia and Napoli are similar teams. On the other hand, Italina teams and the Catenaccio ... They are very capable of defend a 1-0 all the match

Regarding CSKA an Madrid, bit disappointed with the final score, I watched the whole math, and Real didn't play well, but deserved to win. Nonetheless, no problem on the second leg, Madrid only has lost a match this year in Bernabeu, against Barcelona.

Good night.

 

[TGLucario475]

If CSKA can cause an upset then Napoli can too. Chelsea don't strike the fear into teams, like they used to, as they're just a shell of their former self.

 

[Springsteen]

If Chelsea are as bad defensively as last night, Napoli will score. They might score anyway because they have a good forward line which has already caused Chelsea problems. Unless Chelsea go 3-0 up then it's still nervy, remember Barcelona in 2009? Yeah, could happen. And Chelsea are a much worse side now than they were then.

Real Madrid will see off CSKA comfortably, thy are strong at home.