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The Ultimate Soccer Thread 2011-2012. VOL 2 (EPL,LFP, SERIE A, BUND, ETC.)
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by Beans,
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I'm saying smh.
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And you really can't compare the group stages with the knockout stages. I actually wouldn't go as far to say that Milan is built for the CL, as they are conceding entirely too much, especially away in all competitions.
I am not saying that they may not improve and go deep in the competition, but at the moment, I just don't think that they are in the same tier as the first three club you mentioned.
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Leverkusen is a bye? Not sure I understand the logic with that, just because Barca is exceptionally good doesn't make Leverkusen a "bye". Leverkusen is not even close to be the weakest team to advance from the group stage. Leverkusen has experience on the squad and some quality as well. I just think that to some people, regardless who Barca drew it would be considered a "bye".
And not sure how Milan is worthy of playing in a CL final "right now", just because of 2 good results against Barca, they struggled against the weaker teams in the group and having looked very sharp in the Serie A. It really doesn't matter if a team if CL final worthy right now anyway, as all these teams are going to be dealing with injuries, transfers, league title races, domestic cups, etc. The Russian teams will be coming off a huge break as well.
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I swear people go at me so hard on here.
I never said Leverkusen was a bye. Someone else said it. I said "even if " it is a bye. I even put bye in quotes to get the point across.
About Milan, I get that they're not on the level of the other teams, but I stand by my statement. They didn't "struggle" with small teams. You can't just look at the table and say that. They handled their business and only lost to the Czech squad when they were locked into second place. Drawing with the Danish squad in Denmark after they had already beat them in Milan is not a bad result and does not constitute struggling.
And yeah, you can't just look at the Barca games, and you can't compare knockout games to group games, but there are other factors in Milan's favor. Aside from Madrid Barca Bayern, they have the best mix of young talent and experienced CL players. They have players like Seedorf and Inzaghi and Nesta who have been through this multiple times. They have world-class talents like Pato and Ibra and Silva and Robinho.
What other team has a mix of players this suited to CL competition? Arsenal?
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Spurs didin't have much trouble sweeping them aside last season. Milan hasn't been relevant in the CL since their 07 title season so I'm not sure what they have shown thus far that puts them so far ahead of a team like Chelsea for instance. I think Arsenal has a good shot at beating as well BTW. Not trying to go at you specifically because I do respect your opinion but we all know you can go overboard sometimes
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Originally Posted by PersiaFly
I swear people go at me so hard on here.
Maybe it's because you say things like, "Pep Guardiola is often outclassed." Just a thought.
Regarding Milan, I'd probably rate them as the fourth strongest contender in the competition, but I agree with hugebird in that they aren't on the same tier as Barca/Real/Bayern. Those three teams are so talented and complete that there's no way I'd put a team with glaring weaknesses like Milan's fullbacks on that level. IMO, the gap between the top three and Milan is much wider than the gap between Milan and Chelsea/Arsenal. Obviously every team has their struggles, but Milan's have been more noticeable and troubling. On top of their weaknesses at FB, their attack at times is plodding and predictable, and linking midfield with their forwards has been a problem from what I've seen. They continue to rely on Seedorf, Van bommel, and Ambrosini who have all shown their age this season. Of course, these criticism are relative to the CL top competition so the noted problems probably sound worse than they are, but an Arsenal victory wouldn't surprise me at all.
In other news sure to infuriate UTD fans, Sir Alex says it's unlikely they'll buy in the upcoming window. Also, their starlet Paul Pogba (being likened to Patrick Viera) is refusing to sign an extension, to the point where Fergie has actually come out in the media and chastened the 18 year old for greed. (
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It's whatever, that Pep comment may have been imprecise as we discussed (most of us have slipped up here or there), but people literally try to call me out on every post I make in this thread. If I had the same attitude towards your posts I would just read what you wrote looking for anything debatable then hit you with aOriginally Posted by abovelegit1
Originally Posted by PersiaFly
I swear people go at me so hard on here.
Maybe it's because you say things like, "Pep Guardiola is often outclassed." Just a thought.
Regarding Milan, I'd probably rate them as the fourth strongest contender in the competition, but I agree with hugebird in that they aren't on the same tier as Barca/Real/Bayern. Those three teams are so talented and complete that there's no way I'd put a team with glaring weaknesses like Milan's fullbacks on that level. IMO, the gap between the top three and Milan is much wider than the gap between Milan and Chelsea/Arsenal. Obviously every team has their struggles, but Milan's have been more noticeable and troubling. On top of their weaknesses at FB, their attack at times is plodding and predictable, and linking midfield with their forwards has been a problem from what I've seen. They continue to rely on Seedorf, Van bommel, and Ambrosini who have all shown their age this season. Of course, these criticism are relative to the CL top competition so the noted problems probably sound worse than they are, but ran Arsenal victory wouldn't susurprise me at all.
In other news sure to infuriate UTD fans, Sir Alex says it's unlikely they'll buy in the upcoming window. Also, their starlet Paul Pogba (being likened to Patrick Viera) is refusing to sign an extension, to the point where Fergie has actually come out in the media and chastened the 18 year old for greed. () City and the Milan teams are supposedly circling.
I didn't mean to imply that Milan was in the class of the other teams, we have all discussed that Bayern/Barca/Madrid are the three best teams in the world. But to me they are the fourth best team in the competition and are more likely to reach of the final than the other squads.
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Wasn't trying to call you out at all, you were just the last person commenting on the "bye" Barca was getting. And in my opinion, having watched Milan this season, they just aren't very good. Arsenal in their recent form (as much as it pains me to say this) has looked just as good if not better. Just because Milan have some experienced players with quality, they haven't even played close to what we all know theyre capable of.
But as I was saying, judging the teams right now is pointless, some teams will be completely different by February.
But as I was saying, judging the teams right now is pointless, some teams will be completely different by February.
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i'm not at all surprised...Sir Alex can be really stubborn and too proud sometimes...
he'll make claims along the lines of "his squad being good enough" but the truth is they've never looked like getting anyone as good to replace Ronaldo and Scholes...
Utd's humiliating exit in the CL group stages this season will pretty much tell him all that he needs to know...
Originally Posted by abovelegit1
Also, their starlet Paul Pogba (being likened to Patrick Viera) is refusing to sign an extension, to the point where Fergie has actually come out in the media and chastened the 18 year old for greed. () City and the Milan teams are supposedly circling.
unlike Wenger,Sir Alex rarely throw teenagers into his first team squad nowadays(the League Cup doesn't count)...
gone are the days of "Fergie's Fledglings"...i know the game has changed but it seems like Sir Alex doesn't believe in the youth system anymore...
Rossi,Possebon and of course Pique were some of the talented youngsters that were never given the chance at Utd...
and Pogba will find his playing time limited so i wouldn't be surprised if he eventually leaves the club...
who knows,even Fabio and Rafael could consider moves away from Old Trafford at the end of next season to increase their chances of sneaking into Brazil's WC squad for 2014...
i'll put the blame on Sir Alex if the likes of Pogba,Morrison and Tunnicliffe were to leave United...
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****in' Man Citeh...
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i wonder why he didn't take off his hat
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What a great touch by Sturridge.
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Sturridge.
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Lol... who needs Lamps...
Great pass by Cashley Cole, it must be said.
Great pass by Cashley Cole, it must be said.
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Cech almost messed up there.
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AVB about to get lit up again for taking off all his attacking threats. The man can't win.
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Schalke vs Werder 5:0
xtapolapacetl
Banned
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Wigan
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Originally Posted by Xtapolapacetl
Wigan
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how is Jermaine Jones looking?Originally Posted by engoi
Schalke vs Werder 5:0
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Simply stated, matches like today prove why we can't become BPL champions this season.
