all things soccer 2009/10

[Insidious Von]

Recently, Zinedine Zidane stated that he would rather die than apologise to Marco Materazzi. In the spirit of Zizou's obdurance I'm reviving this classic phone prank from Il Bastardato del Giorno. A mock Zidane phoes up Italians with the surname Materazzi and gives them a piece of his mind!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfUMv8Jih8&feature=related

This is a sign of how relaxed Italians are...not even Howard Stern could get away with this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua4g75LE-FA&feature=related

 

[the_big_E]

Good point, Almunia has probably cost them more points than Van Persie would have gained. Arsenal are making all of this money, lets hope they spend some of it. As much as I agree with Arsene's principles and his ideals for long term stability (which are clearly working/have worked in my opinion) he needs to splurge!

 

[Big Michael]

Good point, Almunia has probably cost them more points than Van Persie would have gained.

With all of Bendtner's missed opportunities against Burnley, a missing striker may cost us after all. But I don't think the problem is missing RvP, he is always injured, but the real problem perhaps will be not replacing Adebayor with a proven striker. Nine games to go hang in there Arsenal.

 

[the_big_E]

I have and will still defend Bendtner. That was a catalogue of comedic misses on Saturday, but I believe he will still come good. He always gets to the right position, works hard (unlike Adebayor) and has a good attitude, he can only improve...the goal last week vs Stoke was class so he does have it in his locker. D still worries me with Gallas out, Silvestre is slower than molasses!! Things could be worse, could be a 'Pool fan, ha!!

 

[Don Draper]

Olympique Lyon eliminates Real Madrid from CL! At Bernabeu no less!

There goes the dream of them playing in the final in their own stadium.

All that $, all that boasting and here is your result.

Good for Les Gones!

 

[David Beckham 23]

Thanks for the cash Madrid. How did that work out for you?

Man U beats up AC Milan and Real Madrid lose to Lyon.

 

[the_big_E]

And Bendtner got a hat trick!! Granted they were 2 empty nets and a PK, but they were open nets again on Saturday.

Does anyone else like this new format? 4 games one week, 4 games the next week? I guess the positive is that all games are televised.

 

[Big Michael]

Olympique Lyon eliminates Real Madrid from CL! At Bernabeu no less!

There goes the dream of them playing in the final in their own stadium.

All that $, all that boasting and here is your result.

Good for Les Gones!

Does anyone else like this new format? 4 games one week, 4 games the next week? I guess the positive is that all games are televised.

Still getting use to it, but didn't like it for the Round of 16 because there were some games that I didn't mind missing. However, I think it will be great for the 1/4s because all the matches will be tasty.

On another note, I am not sure what to make of Bendtner!!

After last night I wonder how CRon, Alonso and Flamini feel about leaving the EPL to play with so-called BIGGER CLUBS?

 

[Big Michael]

Olympique Lyon eliminates Real Madrid from CL! At Bernabeu no less!

There goes the dream of them playing in the final in their own stadium.

All that $, all that boasting and here is your result.

Good for Les Gones!

Watching that game I was wondering: how the egos of CRon, Guti, and Ramos can co-exist? Do they have enough mirrors in the change room?

 

[Villa]

Watching that game I was wondering how the egos of CRon, Guti, and Ramos can co-exist? Do they have enough mirrors in the change room?

The mirror's are there, but CRon's stack of hair gel is blocking the view.

I'm looking forward to next year to watch my team playing in the big tourny. With games in hand, we've got a chance.

 

[Big Michael]

I'm looking forward to next year to watch my team playing in the big tourny. With games in hand, we've got a chance.

I am rooting for Villa over Spurs, 'Pool and City for that last spot, so good luck. I think it will likely come down to the Villa-City game to decide fourth place. Villa and City have too many games in hand on Spurs and Pool so those two are likely not going to make it. However, if you do make the CL you will need a much deeper squad because the games will pile up and you will see your league form suffer.

 

[Insidious Von]

It looks as if Germany will gain that extra seed at the expense of Italy; Serie A may be the fifth best league in Europe recent events suggest that La Championat is better. However 10th place Fiorentina gave 1st place Bayern Munich all they could handle.

I suspect that once Alberto Gilardino sent a certain goal over the crossbar that it was not meant to be. Eventually Bayern would score through Robben (man of the matches) and advance through the away goals rule. It's a shame since Prandelli thoroughly out-coached Van Gaal, he deserved better. The loss of Lucio and the continued speculation about Frank Ribery's future is hurting the Bavarians. Before Real ponies up the 70 million euros for the Frenchman, they should look at how well J.A Vargas contained him.

Rossoneri supporters will have to get used to their club being the weak sister to Inter. Within the next five years half of Inter's line-up will be home grown talent, Milan's primavera is a disaster.

 

[the_big_E]

Hey Big Micheal...told you Bendtner would come through!

 

[Big Michael]

Hey Big Micheal...told you Bendtner would come through!

He does put himself in a position to score the easy goals...I am starting to worry about Arshavin, seems too relaxed and carefree.

 

[the_big_E]

Arshavin has always been like that though, the laziest player I have ever seen. But he can produce moments of brilliance, as the 1st goal would indicate. But his shooting was awful yesterday, missed some clear cut chances, but they won in the end. I am praying Gallas is back sooner rather than later, I cant take Campbell or Silvestre back there, good thing they have a crap run in.

 

[stealthbomber]

Chelsea still the team to beat. C'MON YOU BLUES!

 

[Insidious Von]

Beckham addio

David Beckham has sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon in the tough match versus Chievo, is anyone surprised? He's played football almost continuously for a 16 months, a 34 year old man cannot take that level of physical stress without something giving way. The signs were there, he's looked awful at times and has spent long spells on the bench. Also it's not meant to be, South Africa does not beckon for Becks.

It appears that Inter will face Chelsea without Balotelli - that mass sigh of relief your hear eminates from Stamford Bridge. Whatever Mourinho's reasons are, if Inter crash out, the attacks he will face from the Italian press will be withering and relentless.

 

[the_big_E]

Kind of feel sorry for Beckham, would offer something different off the bench for England, love him or hate him. More painful the injury occurred on his own.

I would like to see Inter through, but I think Chelsea will beat them, even WITH Turnbull starting. Italian teams of late have been atrocious in England, I don't see why this will be any different.

 

[Big Michael]

Not going to miss Becks at all. He is more concerned about Brand Beckham than being a good team guy for the Galaxy, you know, the ones that actually pay him. As IV said it was just a matter of time with his schedule. He should have taken a note out of classy Scholes book and retire from the International game. He brings nothing to the England squad, other than selling jerseys, IMO. He has already been to 3 world cups, what is one more, especially when you will be on the bench. Time to move on and make room for next generation. Similar to the Olympic hockey tourney, short intense competitions are for the 20-30 year olds.

Rant over, carry on.

 

[Big Michael]

It appears that Inter will face Chelsea without Balotelli - that mass sigh of relief your hear eminates from Stamford Bridge. Whatever Mourinho's reasons are, if Inter crash out, the attacks he will face from the Italian press will be withering and relentless.

Balotelli was hurt for the Catania game, maybe he is not fully recovered. Also, he is rather petulant, perhaps the "Special One" was concerned that Chelsea would wind him up get him carded. Anyways should be a great game. Also, could be two years straight that no Italian teams make the 1/4s.