Re: The non EPL thread

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:10 am

The Puke wrote:
Boxtyeater wrote:Most game time in a FIFA W/C tournament finals series...

Lothar Matheus or Cafu. Probably the German

I took it that the question was in one particular World Cup finals tournament.

**Real Kerry Fan** Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:38 am

Gert Mueller? Shocked

**Boxtyeater** Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:42 am

Apologies for delay. No correct answers as yet....

Paolo Maldini is in fact the answer...

**The Puke** Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:57 am

Eight Barca stars on Ballon D'Or shortlist
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 - 07:54 AM

European champions Barcelona lead the way on the 23-man shortlist for the prestigious Ballon D’Or, which was released by FIFA this morning.

Barca have eight nominees on the list, including Lionel Messi, winner for the last two years, with close rivals Real Madrid boasting five.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman to make the grade.

Rooney has bounced back from an awful 2010, helping to guide United to their record 19th league title, reach their third Champions League final in four seasons and contribute to a rapid start to this campaign before the shuddering derby defeat to Manchester City.

Yet the only other United player listed for the award is Nani, who won his club’s players’ player of the year prize but was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona at Wembley by Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson has been nominated in the coach of the year category, along with Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Only five players on the shortlist have Premier League connections, two of which – Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero – spent only half of 2011 in England - compared to 15 in Spain.

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has been included and while Manchester City fans will be delighted at the recognition afforded to Aguero, they may be surprised at David Silva’s omission.

Player nominees: Eric Abidal (France), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Gerard Pique (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

Coach nominees: Vicente Del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC), Rudi Garcia (France/Lille OSC), Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Barcelona), Jurgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Low (Germany/Germany national team), Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay/Uruguay national team), Andre Villas-Boas (Portugal/FC Porto, Chelsea, Arsene Wenger (France/Arsenal).

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**Loyal2TheRoyal** Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:18 am

Only three defenders nominated. Anyway Messi will get it. My team of 2011:

Casillas

Alves - Hummels - Subotic - Abidal

Sneijder - Xavi - Iniesta

Ronaldo - Tevez - Messi

Messi will join an elite list if he gets it. Cryuff, Platini and Van Basten are the only players to have won Ballon D'or three times. Nobody has won it four times.

Although Ronaldo was FIFA Player of the Year three times also but did not win Ballon D'or in 1996. Ballon D'or and FIFA Player of the Year have now merged. Zidane also won FIFA Player of the Year three times.

How would one rank: Cryuff, Platini, Van Basten, Ronaldo, Zidane, Messi in terms of greatness?

1st - Cryuff
2nd - Ronaldo
3rd - Platini
4th - Zidane
5th - Messi
6th - Van Basten

**The Puke** Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:32 am

Sneijder has had a very poor 2011, Abidal's nimination is shocking as well, he isn't even first choice when everyone is fit and well at Barca and is a liability on occasions. Forlan also did little of note in 2011 while the likes of Cavani are overlooked

I would agree with your assertion that Cryuff as number one. His impact on the footballing landscape as both a player and manager is unsurpassed.

**Loyal2TheRoyal** Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:07 am

In other news, I read at the weekend that the man Alex Ferguson reckons was "born offside" could be on his way out of the San Siro. Yes Super Pippo, at 38 years, has fallen out of favour at AC Milan and reportedly could be let go in the January transfer window.

He was once described by Jose Mourinho as the "player I fear the most". Hopefully he gets a chance to reclaim the all time goalscorer in Europe from Raul, and rise above Del Piero and Baggio in Italy's leading goalscorers, who are a goal and three goals ahead of him respectively.

Great player though, probably the best goalscorer I've ever seen. Alright he couldn't pass, he couldn't dribble, he had little or technical ability and he wasn't quick but he had an unbelievable sense of positioning and he could finish. A fantastic striker - hopefully we haven't seen the last of him.

**The Puke** Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:42 am

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:In other news, I read at the weekend that the man Alex Ferguson reckons was "born offside" could be on his way out of the San Siro. Yes Super Pippo, at 38 years, has fallen out of favour at AC Milan and reportedly could be let go in the January transfer window.

He was once described by Jose Mourinho as the "player I fear the most". Hopefully he gets a chance to reclaim the all time goalscorer in Europe from Raul, and rise above Del Piero and Baggio in Italy's leading goalscorers, who are a goal and three goals ahead of him respectively.

Great player though, probably the best goalscorer I've ever seen. Alright he couldn't pass, he couldn't dribble, he had little or technical ability and he wasn't quick but he had an unbelievable sense of positioning and he could finish. A fantastic striker - hopefully we haven't seen the last of him.

Did his cruciate at the beginning of last season and hasn't got a look in with AC since. In fairness Zlatan has been their key player since he arrived so Pippo was never going to really get much of a chance unless the Big Swede got injured.

Great goalscorer in his day alright but Prandelli has plenty of striking options at his disposal for Italy at the minute but with Rossi and Cassano both looking at extended spells out injured you never know

**Boxtyeater** Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:34 pm

The Puke wrote: In fairness Zlatan has been their key player since he arrived so Pippo was never going to really get much of a chance unless the Big Swede got injured.

Zlatan =

**Parouisa** Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:14 pm

Last night, Inter's side had a combined age of 347 and an average age of 31.54. Fairly incredible at this level.

**bald eagle** Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:04 pm

Parouisa wrote:Last night, Inter's side had a combined age of 347 and an average age of 31.54. Fairly incredible at this level.

Wow, that is some age for that comp alright, weren't they the oldest team to win it a couple of years back though?

**Loyal2TheRoyal** Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:41 am

1-0 win away at the Allianz Arena. Cool

Mario Gotze is a genius in the making. Up there with Netzer, Matthaus, Ballack.

**SamiPremier08** Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:19 am

Just seen this thread, the first post is great. After complaining about the Premier League your next example of 'proper' football is Barca and La Liga? Don't make me laugh, the situation in Spain is even worse than it is over here.

Proper football is the Sheff Wed season ticket in my wallet.

**Parouisa** Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:51 am

United looking a very poor side in Europe this year. Fletcher and Carrick are very limited in midfield. They will be lucky to qualify and if they do and are drawn against the likes of Real, Barca or Bayern they will be able to concentrate on the P'ship very early.

**Grenvile** Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:55 am

Parouisa wrote:United looking a very poor side in Europe this year. Fletcher and Carrick are very limited in midfield. They will be lucky to qualify and if they do and are drawn against the likes of Real, Barca or Bayern they will be able to concentrate on the P'ship very early.

Fletcher and Carrick were very good last night I thought. But they would be opened up against better sides I agree.. United should still qualify in second place leaving them a tougher draw. They will rue all the missed opportunities and one piece of shoddy defending from last night.

**Parouisa** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:35 pm

Two very limited players. Ashley Young seems to have lost his early season confidence too - very prevalent among wingers - and played like a drain. Valencia was equally as bad. Nani best left unsaid. I wouldn't be putting big money on them in Basle considering how easily they were sliced open in OT.

**Grenvile** Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:47 pm

Parouisa wrote:Two very limited players. Ashley Young seems to have lost his early season confidence too - very prevalent among wingers - and played like a drain. Valencia was equally as bad. Nani best left unsaid. I wouldn't be putting big money on them in Basle considering how easily they were sliced open in OT.

Limited at the very highest level yes but still no denying they played very well last night. I thought Nani did well, he posed a constant threat. Inexperience by De Gea and Fabio and a failing Rio let them down. Valencia was terrible. With Rooney and Vidic back in the side I'd fancy them to get a win in Basle. Depending on the draw they could make another Semi Final. If they meet Real or Barca it's lights out but they'd have a decent shot against any other side.

**Loyal2TheRoyal** Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:14 pm

The greatest team of all time already six points clear of their only rivals in the La Liga.

I really can't see Barca catching the Galacticos. 1-0 loss at Getafe? Messi and Xavi suffering a dip in form. Fabregas, Iniesta, Sanchez good players yes, but let's be fair they aren't Di Maria or Ozil.

Real Madrid back at the top where they belong.

**Parouisa** Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:41 am

Parouisa wrote:Two very limited players. Ashley Young seems to have lost his early season confidence too - very prevalent among wingers - and played like a drain. Valencia was equally as bad. Nani best left unsaid. I wouldn't be putting big money on them in Basle considering how easily they were sliced open in OT.

Show me the money!!!!!!!!

**Parouisa** Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:21 pm

While there is no doubting Ferguson's record in domestic soccer, his record in the Champs League is poor - considering he is in charge of the oft self-styled 'best club side in the world'! When English soccer was preeminent in Europe and United had better teams than in recent years they could not translate it into European success - not to mind domination. Their two successes were fortunate in truth - the incredible last two minutes in 1999 v Bayern and then a penalty shootout in Moscow v Chelsea to win in 2008. Their last two Final appearances v Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 have seen them utterly outclassed.

Going back to the start - when formats were different - their first campaign in 93-94 came to an abrupt halt with a 3-3 draw v the might of Galatasaray at home, followed by 0-0 in Turkey. The following year they didn't get out of a group that was topped by Gothenburg. Their next appearance in 1996/97 saw them lose both semi legs 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund. The next year they crashed to Monaco in the QF.

As holders in 1999/2000 they lost to Real in the QF and to Bayern at the same stage the following year losing home and away. In 2001/02 it was the might of Bayer Leverkusen that did for them in the semis. Real Madrid ended their interest in the QF again the following year while 03/04 saw them dumped out by Porto in the last 16. A feat they repeated to AC Milan the next season losing both legs of the last 16.

2005/06 saw them crash out finishinig at the bottom of their group which included Villareal, Benfica and Lille. The next year they were thumped 3-0 by Milan to tumble out 5-3 on aggregate in the semis. In 2009/10 they lost out to Bayern in the QFs.

Not the record of a team that often boasts that it is the best in the world. Totally dominant in England but sadly lacking in Europe - even when they had some excellent teams. Ferguson's legacy in England is secure but his achievements in Europe are frankly quite poor.

**Real Kerry Fan** Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:23 pm

Yes like a three pin plug,useless in Europe! Surprised

**Parouisa** Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:05 pm

**Podger** Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:08 pm

hadnt realisexd his record was that bad - doesnt make good readin

**bocerty** Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:06 pm

Real Kerry Fan wrote:Yes like a three pin plug,useless in Europe!

they're like the Euro - completely fooked

**The Puke** Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:46 pm

The two best teams in Europe go head to head tomorrow night in the Bernabeu. Should be another entralling game. Looks as though Mourinho is going to sacrifice Ozil in favour of a more pragmatic midfield player like Diarra or possibly Contrao switching from their normal 4-2-3-1 t0 4-3-3. Madrid would be happy enough with a point, a win would give them an very strong lead. Barca have a few big selection choice ahead of themselves, I would expect that Villa will more than likely lose out ot Cesc would will operate in a false number 9 role with Sanchez and Messi up top with him.

I for one can't wait

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