[EU] Champions League 2008/2009 (34 Viewers)

[Badass J Elkann]

Galliani: The reason why the English teams are above the Italians are of economic nature. Thanks, most of all, to the fact that the English teams own their stadiums, the net profit they get per year is much superior to ours. If we don't have our own stadiums, we won't be able to compete with the English.
http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Squadre/Milan/Primo_Piano/2009/03/12/Galliani.shtml

Yes, the so much criticized stadium project. Now someone who is much more familiar with these things than i am and all of you here are, confirms how big the importance of our new stadium will be.

P.S: Galliani then continued with bragging how Milan were the last team who won against Manchester in CL

does he really think all the teams in italy can afford to own their own stadiums? smaller clubs cant afford to cut back and make long term investments in sacrifice of buying players in order to stay alive or competative within the league, alot has to do with the TV deals and how serie A is marketed on a global scale

 

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[Red]

does he really think all the teams in italy can afford to own their own stadiums? smaller clubs cant afford to cut back and make long term investments in sacrifice of buying players in order to stay alive or competative within the league, alot has to do with the TV deals and how serie A is marketed on a global scale

You've got to spend money to make money...

 

[Seven]

Roberto Mancini must be loving this

Frankly speaking Mourinho = All talk, no action

i fail to see what is so special about a man who only shows a blatent lack of respect for his enemies. In england you can get away with that, because they dont know the meaning of respect, but in italy there is that line of respect between the managers.

Of all the people in the world I thought you'd be the one to understand..

 

[mikhail]

I never mentioned Andy in my PM mate,I don't know where that one came from I asked why I was given an infraction?.Racism I diden't see me being Racist I think perhaps you read the wrong post.My post was calling an Irish player an IRA scumbag,which in truth mate the IRA are scumbags guess you did'nt read the news this week.

You quoted him.

The IRA are scumbags, particularly the splinter groups who have been murdering recently. Calling John O'Shea an IRA scumbag is utterly disgraceful. I'm Irish, so I had to consider that perhaps I lack perspective here, but if someone called an arab player an al-qaueda scumbag, I'd have no compunctions about doing this either. You're banned.

 

[Mark]

Mourinho is being investigated for allegedly punching a fan after the game last night.

allegedly???

 

[Stephan]

 

[Dostoevsky]

 

[swag]

They should nacho wrestle for charity against each other.

 

[The Curr]

You're banned.

 

[Henry]

why?



That's ironic considering that Highbury was spacious like a phone booth and from what I hear Stamford Bridge is the same. What is with some English clubs having tiny pitches?

good point, I think that was one of the big reasons for the move to a new stadium for Arsenal. Stamford bridge was of course small, since small teams usually go for small pitches in order to squeeze the stronger teams when they visit. easier to defend
but what's ridiculous is that 11 year-olds play 11v11 on the same size pitches

 

[mikhail]

but what's ridiculous is that 11 year-olds play 11v11 on the same size pitches

Yes. Tends to help the bigger, more athletic players, or so the argument goes. The problem with the best English players isn't technical though, but rather tactical. Gerrard plays like he has a bucket over his head, Owen made a career on running towards the near post very quickly and chipping the ball just inside of the far post. Rio Ferdinand is as skilled a defender as any in his class, but couldn't mark his own shadow. They can't assemble a functional midfield from their talent pool, which says it all really.

 

[Red]

Yup.

England have produced very few really intelligent footballers over the years.

 

[Badass J Elkann]

It might be noted for the past 5 season the same english 4 have qualified for the cl, so not only do they pile up the cl cash, but also the experience, compare that to italy's qualifiers in particular the absense of Juventus, and to an extent milan. Really inter are inexcusable, as they have the money and resources. I mean if the prem is as strong as they claim they are, why arn't they dominating in the uefa cup? there for thats why i believe the main reason as to their dominance in the cl is because of their constant presence

 

[only-juve]

It might be noted for the past 5 season the same english 4 have qualified for the cl, so not only do they pile up the cl cash, but also the experience, compare that to italy's qualifiers in particular the absense of Juventus, and to an extent milan. Really inter are inexcusable, as they have the money and resources. I mean if the prem is as strong as they claim they are, why arn't they dominating in the uefa cup? there for thats why i believe the main reason as to their dominance in the cl is because of their constant presence

This has played a big part in it. Experience in the competition, cash plus stabillity (managerial that is) have kept these clubs on top of europe. They're experiencing their best years right now but things will change (nothing last forever)....

 

[Fred]

Their playing style is better than most of the teams remaining. They look better and tougher than Chelsea, Arsenal, Villareal, Porto. Liverpool - Bayern encounter would be nice to watch.

I disagree here Rab.

Bayern might be stronger than Arsenal, Villareal and Porto. But they're definitely not stronger than anyone else in the draw. If you watch their games in the Bundesliga they're struggling a lot and their defense is poor. I think Burke will agree with me on this.

 

[Essien14]

Yup.

England have produced very few really intelligent footballers over the years.

Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard are both extremely intelligent and tactical midfielders.

 

[Red]

Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard are both extremely intelligent and tactical midfielders.

Both have developed to a pretty high standard.

Both were headless chickens until they were about 27.

 

[Fred]

Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard are both extremely intelligent and tactical midfielders.

Both have developed to a pretty high standard.

Both were headless chickens until they were about 27.

Both true.

Scholes in particular has developed into a very intelligent footballer.

 

[Henry]

Yes. Tends to help the bigger, more athletic players, or so the argument goes. The problem with the best English players isn't technical though, but rather tactical. Gerrard plays like he has a bucket over his head, Owen made a career on running towards the near post very quickly and chipping the ball just inside of the far post. Rio Ferdinand is as skilled a defender as any in his class, but couldn't mark his own shadow. They can't assemble a functional midfield from their talent pool, which says it all really.

exactly. it's pretty sad. With liverpool at least, you can see what a difference Alonso makes, not just because he can pass so well, but because he knows where and when to pass. Gerrard is pretty much limited to short passes or "hollywood" balls, which is why Benitez (who is a brilliant tactical coach in my opinion) tried for so long to get him on the right wing instead of in the middle. mascherano also when playing for Argentina at least is a much better passer and distributor of the ball, but at liverpool, he can't do that because most of the players aren't of that quality. Aurelio is another liverpool player who has good passing and a good brain. But English players that can dictate a match like Fabregas? none I can think of.


and why is the EPL doing so well in europe right now? I would certainly argue that the speed of the EPL plays a part, but it's only possible because foreign imports of high quality are coming in (ronaldo, tevez, torres, fabregas) who have the technical skills and are then learning how to play a higher tempo game than is played any where else.

 

[Essien14]

Mourinho can play creative/exciting football. Chelsea 04/05/06 was one of the the best footballing teams in the last decade. If he has the correct players in his squad to give him balance he can get the maximum.

He had Duff, Robben, Gudjohnson, Drogba and Lampard. Pace, creativity and power and they produced excellent football.

The only issue with Mourinho is that perhaps he isn't the best judge of talent but he is a very gifted manager.