UEFA Champions League

[Insidious Von]

A word about Michael Owen.

When he first broke through, the Italian press labelled him "the English Paolo Rossi". Physically it didn't make sense, however both players best asset was their ability to pounce on defensive mistakes. In spite of his injury problems Owen has already outlasted Rossi who retired at 28.

Before Beckham moved to Milan, Owen had more fans in Italy. Initially Milan didn't want Beckham, yet they actively persued Owen who signed for Real Madrid instead.

If he stays healthy and is protected he'll score a minimum of 15 goals for ManU this coming season.

 

[Big Michael]

Granted.

Unlike the EPL and La Liga, the talent in Serie A is spread throughout the league. It makes for an exciting championship but is disasterous at the CL level.

I am not sure this is entriely the reason why.

I agree that Serie A has more Italian-born talent spread throughout the league and overall a slightly more balanced league. However, in Serie A the winners usually come from Inter, AC Milan and Juve with Roma last to break the hegemony in 2001. England is pretty similar with ManU, Arsenal and Chelsea dominating the league titles over the last 15 years.

For me, the only reason England is recently better in the CL is that the the EPL CL teams overall have better foreign-born talent than Serie A CL teams. I say overall because AC Milan has had some outstanding CL teams over the 15 years.

 

[Big Michael]

If he stays healthy and is protected he'll score a minimum of 15 goals for ManU this coming season.

No one will debate that, the question is can he stay healthy? Also, ManU have some good young forwards, I think we touched on this earlier, that can keep Michael Owen on the bench if his form slips.

 

[ROGER O. THORNHILL]

Los "Nin'os Bonitos" (Pretty Boys) of Madrid

Real Madrid, once retiring the #9 of the great Alfredo di Stefano, have agreed to let C. Ronaldo wear it.

Each one of the new guys will feel he has to be the RM hero since they are being catered to in such a way. For better or worse, this will create a sense of Superstar Isolation much like the 90's Galactico era. They will never gel as a team.

Raul must be laughing all the way to the same bank that is lending RM all this $ since his contract stipulates that he will receive 1.00Euro more than the highest paid player.

We'll host them at Camp Nou knowing they'll all need individual change rooms.

http://goal.com/en-us/news/1771/yah...ll-2000-cristiano-ronaldo-shirts-in-two-hours

 

[Insidious Von]

Kaka could not gel with Ronaldinho at club nor national team level; how is he expected to do so with an egomaniac like C Ronaldo?

Juventus have prevailed over Arsenal for Filipe Melo; this may not get as much press as Real breaking the Bank of Spain but it is significant.

Speculation has it that Chelsea are preparing a bid for Daniele De Rossi; naturally this depresses me but it will further the Roman horse's career. Essien and DDR in midfield, opposing teams should be very afraid.

 

[Big Michael]

Speculation has it that Chelsea are preparing a bid for Daniele De Rossi; naturally this depresses me but it will further the Roman horse's career. Essien and DDR in midfield, opposing teams should be very afraid.

I heard that DDR is a "Roma for life", similar to Totti. However, if Chelsea did get him and you throw in Lampard, that's a truly world class midfield, and they would still have Ballack coming off the bench. I really wanted Arsenal to get Melo, too bad.

 

[Insidious Von]

I really wanted Arsenal to get Melo, too bad.

Yes it is, he would have put some teeth into Arsenal's midfield and taken the pressure off of Cesc.

Up until a week ago he was Arsenal's for the taking. Juve offered Fiorentina the same package they offered Udinese for Gaetano D'Agostino: 20 million euros + the rights to Marchionni. Udinese rejected it and demanded Giovinco instead; Juve gave them a fangu.

Now it remains to be seen whom they will go after to beef up their defense. They are also waiting to see what sort of bid ManC will table to Villarreal for Giuseppe Rossi. Unlike Ranieri, Ciro Ferrara has a clear vision of what he wants his team to be...he could be next season's Josep Guardiola. All speculation about shipping out Buffon has ceased.

ManU is spending wisely with their C Ron windfall, they've picked up impressive French winger Gabriel Obertan from Lyon. He's only 20 and could be as good as Ribery. He may not have the pure physical talent of C Ron but from the neck up he could be better. Now that Barca has re-signed Valdes, United would be foolhardy not to table a bid for Sebastien Frey. Frey is 11 years younger than Van der Saar and could get them back into the CL final.