All things soccer 2012-13

[Insidious Von]

Prandelli > Low

rld, it's not too difficult to understand.

Unless you get the blue gorilla off your back, I don't believe the current team can, your chances of winning in Brazil are slim to none.

The ragazzi slept through the match against Holland waking up only in the last five minutes. I would have preferred Insigne over a retread like Gilardino get some international experience and Ogbonna over Astori but I'm not going to question Prandelli. Nice to see Verratti get his first goal as an Azzurri.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzcNtDECSI

 

[rld]

rld, it's not too difficult to understand.

Unless you get the blue gorilla off your back, I don't believe the current team can, your chances of winning in Brazil are slim to none.

The ragazzi slept through the match against Holland waking up only in the last five minutes. I would have preferred Insigne over a retread like Gilardino get some international experience and Ogbonna over Astori but I'm not going to question Prandelli. Nice to see Verratti get his first goal as an Azzurri.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzcNtDECSI

The Blue Gorilla is not much of a concern at all at the moment. You clearly don't have the ability to think about these things logically. What are the odds of Germany meeting Italy in an important game in the next WC?

All of the teams that that make the last few spots in international tournaments are very good squads. But the Spanish dismembering of the "Blue Gorilla" in that final likely will leave those chaps in therapy for quite some years to come. That might have been the most lop sided final I have seen in my life.

But we will see soon enough.

 

[Insidious Von]

Lol

Well I had that one coming, well done.

I hope Miroslav Klose returns to fitness quickly, Lazio's run for the scudetto has stalled since he's been out.

Of course if Argentina had decent coaching there would be no discussion as to who would win the next WC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7O7Kmw518M

 

[Jun]

I'm really looking forward for this wednesday 1st leg and the most amazing return 2nd leg at OT!

 

[Don Draper]

Wonder what the "Special One" thought of Man U performance from his vantage point in the directors' box today. Wednesday cant come fast enough.

Indeed, the "Special One" is very much so, in his own head and to anyone that'll listen, anyway.

He'll claim that he was doing 'advance research' by watching the game today. The truth is that he'll find any excuse to stay out of Madrid. They've had enough of him and he's Persona Non Grata wherever he goes. His visit to England only serves to drop off resumes and open doors in the most discreet manner away from from prying 'blanco' eyes.

It's a real shame. I was hoping Florentino and the Braintrust at Bernabeu would give him a ten year contract.

 

[Jun]

Indeed, the "Special One" is very much so, in his own head and to anyone that'll listen, anyway.

He'll claim that he was doing 'advance research' by watching the game today. The truth is that he'll find any excuse to stay out of Madrid. They've had enough of him and he's Persona Non Grata wherever he goes.

In my opinion "The Special One" or most recently "the ONLY One" as he calls himself, he is a quick fix for a team, he can't last more than 2-3 seasons. In all honesty I really admire his dedication and ambition to win everything, having said that, his teams doesn't usually play the beautiful game as Arsene does at Arsenal.

 

[Insidious Von]

Roberto Mancini was in Genoa to watch Sampdoria defeat Roma - and to get away from the media pressure he's under. Although I can't stand ManU, I'm happy to see the oil clubs flounder.

I hope the new fair play rules are rigidly enforced. If not 50% of professional clubs across Europe will go bankrupt. As an example to how insane transfer fees have gotten; Juve bid 12 Euros for Edin Dzeko, at the last minute City swooped in with a 32 million. That makes Dzeko more valuable than Gigi Buffon.

 

[rld]

Well I had that one coming, well done.

I hope Miroslav Klose returns to fitness quickly, Lazio's run for the scudetto has stalled since he's been out.

Of course if Argentina had decent coaching there would be no discussion as to who would win the next WC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7O7Kmw518M

It does seem that Argentina are turning into what we used to think of Spain, a team of massive talent, and disappointing results.

Klose is a very good fit for the Italian game, I too hope he comes back strong.

 

[Insidious Von]

Yankee stronzi are making Rosella cry, Roma sucks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8

 

[the_big_E]

Okay Rafael is not near the best right back in the world. EPL has dipped in quality this year, not too long ago Rafael was hauled off before half vs powerhouse Reading. Improved yes, I'll give him that. But he's got miles to go before being considered the best.

 

[Don Draper]

Speaking of which, let me give a huge shout out to my boy David de Gea. His judgement on crosses needs improvement. No question. That said, he is the best shot blocker in the EPL. He makes a game saver every match.

At Camp Nou, Messi, Xavi and Puyol all signed contract extensions. Victor Valdes did not. He doesn't seem to be looking for more $$$. He's under contract until the end of the 13/14 season.

I daresay that young De Gea could find himself wearing Blue and Garnet come August 2014.

 

[Insidious Von]

Sir Alex made the right call after all. I couldn't understand why he would buy De Gea over Stekelenberg, now the answer is obvious. The Dutchman is terrible on low shots while the Spaniard has athleticism to spare.

Hot rumnour: Carlo Ancelotti could become the next coach of Real Madrid.

 

[Don Draper]

Come on, Don. Please stop this rumor mongering and stick to your hot Asian babes BTW, what happened to your hot sig pic?

Scary thought for the Trafford faithful, is it not?

(Sig pic is there. Never went anywhere.)

 

[Insidious Von]

As much as I love the Scots, I take exception to Neil Lennon's comments that the referee was pro-Juve. Celtic played the match to injure and intimidate and it blew up in their face. Andrea Pirlo was singled out for rough treatment but they had no answer for Marchisio who was brilliant. Conte cannot be happy with Lennon's comments - and he'll have Chiellini and Asamoah back for the return leg.

 

[Insidious Von]

I bear a long simmering grudge against ManU for what they did to Roma but for how they have maintained their excellence over the years they deserve respect. If more EPL clubs followed the same formula, England could become a contender at future WCs. Good luck against Real.

 

[Jun]

Interesting 1st leg in Madrid ended 1-1.. with United having an away goal advantage and playing at home in return leg, all I'm guessing it is really the end of 'The Special One' with The Meringues.

Really pleased with the team performance, mostly of De Gea's saves, Jones' defending and Welbeck's running forward being a constant threat. May be the game deserved a better referee though.

Well done Lads!

 

[Don Draper]

I was hoping that ManU would score an away goal at Bernabeu and keep RM to one goal.

Back to Trafford, win 1 - 0 and on to the next round.

 

[scouser1]

I swear Mourinho is trying to get fired on purpose, bad mouthing Casillas was bad enough but now he blames Ramos for the United goal. And oh the mediocre just keep getting worse and worse aka Liverpool, an absolute disgrace against Zenit today with 2 goals down, yes Zenit is a really good side with the likes of Hulk and Witsel but at least try showing up in the last 20 minutes of the match.

 

[bullitt]

Lennon thought long range shots and mindless crosses were going to be enough to defeat Juve. When those didnt pan out, he had to look around for straws. And he found one in "manhandling." I asked myself : What "manhandling" was he talking about?

being a celtic fan, i agree to an extent with lennon. you can,t literally, hold someone, wrap your arms them, like lichenstein{not sure of the spelling} did. gimme a break man, he did that to hooper everytime they had a corner. if the ref had a pair of balls, he would have given the penalty, instead he cards them both. gelding.
juventus desereved to win, no question. ambrose handed them 2 goals, the other was a beauty. just my opinion.

 

[Insidious Von]

being a celtic fan, i agree to an extent with lennon. you can,t literally, hold someone, wrap your arms them, like lichenstein{not sure of the spelling} did. gimme a break man, he did that to hooper everytime they had a corner. if the ref had a pair of balls, he would have given the penalty, instead he cards them both. gelding.
juventus desereved to win, no question. ambrose handed them 2 goals, the other was a beauty. just my opinion.

Bullitt it went both ways. You cannot tell that what Pirlo endured was not bookable. Nor did Lichtsteiner actually hold nor grab Hooper's shirt. He was there to disrupt Buffon he had to do what he must. I'm expecting Pirlo to sit out the return leg with Pogba taking his place - not exactly encouraging news for the Celts. Maybe this will give you a glimmer of hope.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/02/12/3742838/celtic-warrior-why-juventus-are-so-vulnerable-without

Btw I watched the match with Miserable Prick (my accountant), being a Rangers fan he was actually very happy that Juve won in such a convincing manner. Rare for him!