The European football thread

**Goofle** · 04-25-2013, 04:05 AM

It will be an all German final. This Madrid team isn't so far ahead of Dortmund, unlike the 1984/5 teams to their opponent.

Newkie · 04-25-2013, 06:57 AM

The Germans are absolutely ridonculous, and there's still the chance Bayern could get both Gotze and Lewandowski in the summer. If they do, they will undoutedly have the best squad in the world. I still don't get Jerome Boateng, but hey, it seems to work.

Crazier still, apparently Dortmund's transfers over the last four years or so amount to about 3million net spent..Klopp is a genius, best footie going as well.

**Goofle** · 04-25-2013, 07:24 AM

Barca have (and will have) the best squad in Europe. If they were 100% fit like Bayern were, the score would have been a lot different.

Newkie · 04-25-2013, 08:12 AM

I'm not so sure....for me, Xavi hasn't looked the player he was for a year or two now, seriously on the decline. Most of their players were under par, they had some injuries-crucially Messi wasn't at his best and I would still pick their best 11 over Bayerns, but I don't see how you could say the score would have been a lot different. They are too reliant on Messi. They were second best all over the pitch imo. Although that was helped by Bayern absolutely drenchig the centre circle before k/o.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 04-25-2013, 08:49 AM

I agree with Goof mainly. Barca had an off day, Messina wasnt fit and Bayern scored two lucky goals.

Newkie I agree with you about Barca being reliant on Messi. I said a while back Messi is one of the most underrated players and that's what I was getting at. People say he only scores cos of Xaviesta but look how impotent barca look without Messi.

Newkie · 04-25-2013, 09:38 AM

Fluffy, I agree two of their goals were quite fortunate, but Barca only just scraped over the line against PSG and Ibrahimovic wasn't even being a one man team for them. If Barca could win 3-0 at home perhaps they will have a right to be aggrieved, but honestly not sure it will be that easy for them. Agree re Messi, people say he isnt that good and point to his international displays, but nowadays Barca literally have no plan B. You only need to look at them v Chelski last year to see the panic in their eyes when Messi isn't doing the business for them.

Bayern had their best striker and two important midfielders out either injured or suspended as well, but managed to get the best out of Robben in a big game. He even tracked back! A quality team performance, as much as I hate to say it..

**Goofle** · 04-25-2013, 11:31 AM

Wasn't Kroos benched for tactical reasons? Gomez started ahead of Mandzukic but that's not really an area that made much difference.

Newkie · 04-25-2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

Wasn't Kroos benched for tactical reasons? Gomez started ahead of Mandzukic but that's not really an area that made much difference.

Nah, Mandzukic got a suspension from the Juve matches and kroos was injured. Mandzukic would have put the Barca defence under way more pressure imo, he chases how Barca forwards used to chase under pep. Fair enough Barca had their 2/3 choice CBs out, but Puyol has been semi-crocked for ages now. You need better, if you're going to keep Dani Alves in the side anyway.

**Goofle** · 04-26-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newkie

Nah, Mandzukic got a suspension from the Juve matches and kroos was injured. Mandzukic would have put the Barca defence under way more pressure imo, he chases how Barca forwards used to chase under pep. Fair enough Barca had their 2/3 choice CBs out, but Puyol has been semi-crocked for ages now. You need better, if you're going to keep Dani Alves in the side anyway.

I definitely don't disagree there, I am just saying it wouldn't have made much difference.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 04-26-2013, 10:23 PM

Odds on an all Spanish final: 100/1.

Worth a quid surely?

04-25-2013, 06:57 AM	#172 (permalink)
Newkie Boozy Lad Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 482	The Germans are absolutely ridonculous, and there's still the chance Bayern could get both Gotze and Lewandowski in the summer. If they do, they will undoutedly have the best squad in the world. I still don't get Jerome Boateng, but hey, it seems to work. Crazier still, apparently Dortmund's transfers over the last four years or so amount to about 3million net spent..Klopp is a genius, best footie going as well.

04-25-2013, 08:12 AM	#174 (permalink)
Newkie Boozy Lad Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 482	I'm not so sure....for me, Xavi hasn't looked the player he was for a year or two now, seriously on the decline. Most of their players were under par, they had some injuries-crucially Messi wasn't at his best and I would still pick their best 11 over Bayerns, but I don't see how you could say the score would have been a lot different. They are too reliant on Messi. They were second best all over the pitch imo. Although that was helped by Bayern absolutely drenchig the centre circle before k/o.

04-25-2013, 08:49 AM	#175 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	I agree with Goof mainly. Barca had an off day, Messina wasnt fit and Bayern scored two lucky goals. Newkie I agree with you about Barca being reliant on Messi. I said a while back Messi is one of the most underrated players and that's what I was getting at. People say he only scores cos of Xaviesta but look how impotent barca look without Messi.

04-25-2013, 09:38 AM	#176 (permalink)
Newkie Boozy Lad Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 482	Fluffy, I agree two of their goals were quite fortunate, but Barca only just scraped over the line against PSG and Ibrahimovic wasn't even being a one man team for them. If Barca could win 3-0 at home perhaps they will have a right to be aggrieved, but honestly not sure it will be that easy for them. Agree re Messi, people say he isnt that good and point to his international displays, but nowadays Barca literally have no plan B. You only need to look at them v Chelski last year to see the panic in their eyes when Messi isn't doing the business for them. Bayern had their best striker and two important midfielders out either injured or suspended as well, but managed to get the best out of Robben in a big game. He even tracked back! A quality team performance, as much as I hate to say it..

04-26-2013, 10:23 PM	#180 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	Odds on an all Spanish final: 100/1. Worth a quid surely?