Football (Soccer) Thread

[Syt]

The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter

On that I agree.

Still, my preference would be a post-season tournament for the European clubs (tricky since season format varies, e.g. Russia using the calendar year instead of going summer => summer).

[Pedrito]

The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter, and has no dignity of existence.

Especially if Juventus FC doesn't play in it 

L.

So next year it'll be a glorious competition, right? 

I HOPE SO 

At least I will be more interested in the loathsome group stage, that is usually useless (with some notable exceptions, see this year's APOEL advance).

L.

[Sheilbh]

At least I will be more interested in the loathsome group stage, that is usually useless (with some notable exceptions, see this year's APOEL advance).

Winnowing out Manchester was worth it too

[Viking]

The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter

On that I agree.

Still, my preference would be a post-season tournament for the European clubs (tricky since season format varies, e.g. Russia using the calendar year instead of going summer => summer).

Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland also don't play soccer in the winter.



For good reason

Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo, Mark Hughes, Dennis Wise, Franck Leboeuf and Ed De Goey didn't like it up em when it started snowing.

The out of sync seasons have helped Rosenborg in its various successful CL seasons. We were playing at the end of the season with our players at full fitness and not distracted by other competitions. Our opponents are usually either in pre-season or burdened with three game week program.

[Tamas]

Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo, Mark Hughes, Dennis Wise, Franck Leboeuf and Ed De Goey

[FunkMonk]

I was listening to a podcast last night that pointed out that a lot of the top Spanish players seem, well, tired and burnt out, ie, Barca and RM players playing a bit labored, Silva looking jaded in Manchester City. This doesn't bode well for them in the Euros, perhaps? I mean, four years of constantly winning everything (since Euro 08) has to take a toll on the players not only physically but mentally.

[Viking]

That sounds alot like a pre-emptive excuse for being knocked out in the group stage and Real and Barca not qualifying for the final.

[FunkMonk]

I hope Ireland beats them.

[Josephus]

That was the excuse England used for their tired performance at the last world cup.

[FunkMonk]

That was the excuse England used for their tired performance at the last world cup.

But England doesn't win anything 

[Josephus]

Watch them win the Euros this summer. There's so little expectation this time, that they may pull it off.

[Zanza]

Real Madrid has paid 937 million Euro for transfers since they last won the Champion's League ten years ago...

[Josquius]

The Champions League is a monstrous creature of Blatter, and has no dignity of existence.

Especially if Juventus FC doesn't play in it 

L.

Yes, I have trouble caring about the CL.

[The Larch]

Guardiola will leave Barcelona at the end of the league. Dawning of a new era, anyone?

[Warspite]

I wonder if Arsenal are lining up a cheeky bid for Fabregas.