Discussion The Football/Soccer Thread

[Mendes]

I agree Milan should be one of the most active teams in January's transfer season. Defense definitely needs some repairs... as for the attack, they have Alexandre Pato. I know some brazilian guys who told me he's very good (new Ronaldo?) and he could be a good cure for the attack. Does anyone know when can he be inscribed on the Serie A?

 

[Ichimaru Gin n Tonic]

If I'm not mistaken, he'll be in Milan by January, since then he'll be 18 and qualifies for a pro-contract. Let's just hope he worth the price, maybe another Kaka.

 

[Lohnt]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JvgS7AM5e1M

He's very talented as a dribbler, but he still lacks experience, by the time he's 20, I'd say he'll be on Ronaldhino's level, his style is more like him than Kaka anyway. He just doesn't have very good finishing at the moment in my opinion, but again for his age, he's very good, he reminds me of basketball dribblers the way he uses his feet, head and shoulders to dribble.

---

A ref in Kuala Lampur pulled out a gun and started shooting warning shots in the air after a player attempted to hit him for an unfavorable call.

Here is the article in Greek, I don't know where to find it in english sorry.

http://www.sport24.gr/html/ent/018/ent.212018.asp

 

[Imperium]

The article in english here. Apparently he took out the gun because the players "mobbed" him for giving a red card. >.>

 

[Mendes]

Apparently he took out the gun because the players "mobbed" him for giving a red card. >.>

Some guys...

Well, Rijkaard seems to have counted days in Barça... the season is going from bad to worst, when they lost with their arqui-rivals from Madrid. The spanish press points out Guardiola, Ernesto Valverde, Marcelo Lippi, van Basten and Jose Mourinho. I'd say these last 2 managers have the advantage. Although he was a legendary 11 season Barça player, Guardiola lacks coaching experience and Valverde is signed to Espanol, Barça's rival. Basten is signed to Holland till the end of the EuroCup (he could be a good option if Rijkaard stays in Barça till the end of the season), so both Mourinho and Lippi could be amazing managers for the 'blaugrana'.

Personally, I'd love to see what Mourinho could do with Barça

 

[Imperium]

Ahh, were to start. Wait i think i know...lets start with Manchester’s, oh, so beautiful performance. On hindsight actually there is not much to say, ronaldo should have got that penalty but happily it went wide (And our prayers are with him, in the hope that more of them will go wide ). Actually i think the only reason united probably lost was because of the absence of sir alex from the pitch :3. So they will probably get back on form in their next match.

But arsenal definitely did better (im talking about the second half >.>) Eduardo da Silva was just amazing. First goals for the club and what a better way to start it than by bringing us back from the brink. But yea, it might have been a hand ball, but who cares, the ref didn’t see it . Anyway back at the top of the table we are, after the usurpers - Manchester united - tried to take the top spot. . All i want now, is to see the faces of the critics who said we would go downhill after henry’s move to barca. :3. Take that . But i wished i could have watched the full tottenham match, so many good goals.

Btw, Berbatov I want him! Arsenal really should get him!(and maybe Agbonlahor too )

Edit: How was it in the other leagues...i usually dont watch matches from other leagues (not enough time ).

 

[Mendes]

The other leagues are on stand by on this season. Only premier league now! Arsenal is definitely doing great. I was one of the people who was condemning Arsenal after loosing so many influent players, but it seems like they're as good as ever (or better). Against everton Arsenal was kinda lucky, putting that hand ball aside (c'mon, its not cheating as long as you dont get caught :P). Adebayor's goal was a Christmass gift from Yobo...

West Ham vs Man utd was also an amazing match... it was also the first time I saw Ronaldo miss a penalty. Some day he had to miss :P He's still the top goalscorer of the premier league. An amazing season for him!

 

[Imperium]

Well the talk of the town is the african nations cup. Some of our players will be gone, but i think we might be able to manage . I'll be trying to watch the tournament, cause im sure we'll see some good football. Although ill be watching chelsea - who are going to be missing even more players than us - flop...

As for my favourites, Adebayor and togo i think might make it far, seeing as he didnt really play in the previous tournament and if he keeps scoring impossible goals like he did against west ham, they will defintely be a force to be reckoned with. However the team i think will probably win it is the ivory coast. With Drogba and kalou, the toure brothers and of course Eboue it will be hard to stop them. And then there is Ghana who are hosting the tournament and egypt the 2006 winners. But it will be intresting to see how it ends and hopefully very exciting =D. So does anybody else have favourites, etc.

 

[Ichimaru Gin n Tonic]

This weekend has been a very good football weekend. Manchester United won 6-0 against Newcastle, with Ronaldo scoring a hattrick, Tevez scoring two and Ferdinand got one in as well.
In Italy, AC Milan won 5-2 against Napoli, with another Ronaldo opening the score line and then creating another goal after the half time. And what's more awesome is... Pato scored!!
Woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

 

[Mendes]

Cristiano Ronaldo is in superb shape. I strongly believe he will take down Kaka for the fifa player of the year award next year. He sure deserves it :P I hope he stays in shape for the Euro Cup as well

I gotta see some highlights from Milan's game too... later

 

[Lohnt]

Holy crap Milan was amazing, and Pato scored twice, he's a strong player for his age. Kaka's goal was excellent as always, and Ronaldo scored at 46 didn' he? I thought Pato scored the first goal, I could be wrong, my Italian is a little rusty.

It was a good weekend overall, my favorite club is back on top of the scoreboard (and they still don't really play) and the first 18 year old striker in what must be 8 years scored for us.

I'm waiting for Uefa to start again soon, the anticipation is killing me.

 

[Mendes]

I'm waiting for Uefa to start again soon, the anticipation is killing me.

I know what you mean... painful waiting here as well

I saw milan's highlights. Very nice. Pato was about to confirm Ronaldo's shot at the 1st goal, but the defender kicked the ball off. It was already inside when he did.
I was impresses by pato's easiness to get the shot, even with lots of defensive pressure nearby. A good help for Milan nowdays. Can he still play the Champions Cup this season?

Inter is doing great as well, as always. Seems like they'll hire Maniche. I honestly dont think Maniche's a good enough player for them. He may be able to play now that Stankovic, Figo and Vieira are injured, but I dont believe he'll be able to play when they're back.

 

[Ichimaru Gin n Tonic]

Yes, Pato is available for the knockout round in February. I keep playing the highlight over and over, that kid have an awesome talent! Now, Milan needs 8-9 young players like him in the defense line.

 

[Lohnt]

The thing about Pato is, if you notice on his goal, the defender 'tried' (not exactly, but it was similar movement) to push him (down), and he kept standing and even scored.

The amount of athleticism it takes for a good striker to take on a larger defender like that is ussually gained after 25 yrs old, and Pato's 18! Which I think is awesome, I'm looking foward to the under 21 world tournament to see what he can do. (Unless Brazil's senior team has already claimed him).

 

[Ichimaru Gin n Tonic]

Once again, Milan managed to win in an away game. This time they won against Udinese with a goal by Gilardino.
And as usual, Manchester United won 0-2 against Reading with goals by Rooney and Ronaldo.

 

[Epul]

And as usual, Manchester United won 0-2 against Reading with goals by Rooney and Ronaldo.

It wasn't easy though.....Good to see Ronaldo continuing his goal scoring form.

Kevin Keegan is the new Newcastle manager now.... it will be interesting to see if he will be able to change newcastle's fortune.....

 

[Leen]

^

I am not so optimistic toward Keegan. haha. He was the manager of England last time right? And he didn't do too well too right?

 

[Mendes]

Adebayor is looking very good. 2 Amazing goals in Arsenal's victory over Newcastle 3-1, for the FA cup.
Anelka is doing very good as well in chelsea. He scored his 1st goal against wigan, with an assist as well. 2-1 for Chelsea.
Liverpool won 5-2 against a lower division club. The most antecipated match of this round is Man Utd vs Tottenham, being played in a few hours... Unfortunately, I cant watch this one

 

[Ichimaru Gin n Tonic]

I'm watching Man Utd vs Spur right now. I hope they're gonna win tonight. FA Cup is just a few steps away.
Currently, Milan is still 0-0 against Genoa.

 

[Imperium]

I am not so optimistic toward Keegan. haha. He was the manager of England last time right? And he didn't do too well too right?

To well >_>...he was the worse manager england ever had! But he was a great manager for Newcastle, and also one of england best players. He has a lot of experience, but i agree, he'll probably flop.

I'm watching Man Utd vs Spur right now. I hope they're gonna win tonight. FA Cup is just a few steps away

Oh god and they won..But it was to be expected, however strong Tottenham's attack was, United were undoubtedly going to pull in front, sooner or later. Although you have to hand it to Tottenham, they did play a very good game.