Re: The Football Thread - 2011/12 (II)

[Brass Monkey]

They are a bunch of w@nkers. Unfortunately, it was the final of the w@nkers. I wanted an El Clasico final, featuring the two best teams in the world. But it's a marathon. Barcelona ran out of steam having played nearly seventy matches. Real aren't used to winning trophies, yet. Hopefully, next year we'll see a return to having good teams in the final. I fancy Juventus to make a big impact next year on their return to the CL. Hopefully, the mighty BvB will improve, too. The fewer crappy little clubs that make it to the knockouts, the better.

Oh golly gosh Gus, you must have me all wrong if you think I've got any love for Barca/Real.... all wrong. There aren't many bigger collectives of swaggering, mincing, diving, acting, ground-rolling, card-demanding qunts out there.

Yeah, nice to see some good footie, until someone falls like they've literally been shot in the head, grab their limbs and roll twelve feet from where they fell, all whilst their mates are waving imaginary cards at the ref in that overdramatic Latin way, awful. It uglies each affair up about 15 notches, especially if they get into 'fights' - in which case it turns into the girliest load of hold me back forearm pushing there can be.

[taipan]

Anyway England now have 12 titles from 5 different clubs. The best any other country can muster is 3 clubs.

[Chivalry Augustus]

Of all the European Cup winners, we're the only team to have won it that isn't currently playing in the top division. We'll never get back there, either.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

[skully]

Well done to Frank and Didier. Winners are grinners.

[LeFromage]

(internet woes atm)

Just to say Chelsea are the flukiest winners of the European cup since United in 99. At least United were decent in all the other games - it was only in the final that they jammed a win somehow.

But Chelsea take the biscuit for the luckiest of lucky wins - going right the way through the tournament.

I hope Di Matteo doesn't get the job. I hope his ultra negative, uber-minnow tactics informed Abramovic (who has always wanted Chelski to be a free-flowing, attacking, Barca-esque team) of just what kind of a manager he'd be getting.

There was no excuse for not taking on Bayern. They're nothing special. On the few occasions Chelsea got the ball down and passed it, they worked through the midfield easily.

Dreadful result. It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won. Of course, they were heavily criticised for their cynical and dour approach - Chelsea are being feted as heroes.

The most expensively assembled Wimbledon homage in history.

Still, nothing unenjoyable about watching the Germans choke it up.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

They played to their strengths. They could have tried to play more attractively, but would have lost and what would have been the point. Given the shambles a lot of their season has been it's a brilliant achievement. Difficult to argue with beating Barca over 2 legs and Bayern at their home ground. Luck or no luck.

Some of the players gave absolutely everything and they thoroughly deserved it.

Second best double possible.

[LeFromage]

Why would they have lost? Bayern looked hopeless in defence when attacked.

So, trying hard = "deserved it"?

Looked to me like Bayern tried equally hard as well. So, by your rationale, they must've deserved it too.

And at least they played to win.

[Brass Monkey]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.


As for Chelsea, they wouldn't have looked out of place playing the Cobblers in a Div 2 relegation shitfight.

[LeFromage]

Anyway England now have 12 titles from 5 different clubs. The best any other country can muster is 3 clubs.

Aston Villa still jump off the page whenever the winners are listed. I didn't follow football in 1982 - what the f*ck was going on?

[Brass Monkey]

Given the shambles a lot of their season has been it's a brilliant achievement. Difficult to argue with beating Barca over 2 legs and Bayern at their home ground. Luck or no luck.

Got to admit this, for certain. It's a top achievement. I mean, a lot of teams set their stalls out, but very few indeed can pull it off in the end.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

They would have lost against Barca if they'd tried to play a style they're not capable of or suited to. You know, this magical "play to win" style you're on about, forgetting they were recently losing to West Brom and Liverpool.

Bayern looked hopeless in defence? When was this? During Chelsea's one chance?

No, trying hard and winning = deserved to win.

[LeFromage]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them. You're right about Juve, though. I forgot about that final - or have repressed the memory of it.

Maybe it's an Italian thing - I remember Milan and Juve playing out a shocker of a CL final at Old Trafford in the mid 2000s, where they both played to not lose.

[LeFromage]

They would have lost against Barca if they'd tried to play a style they're not capable of or suited to. You know, this magical "play to win" style you're on about, forgetting they were recently losing to West Brom and Liverpool.

Bayern looked hopeless in defence? When was this? During Chelsea's one chance?

No, trying hard and winning = deserved to win.

Barcelona was a needs-must performance. Down to ten men, they did what they had to do - and all they could do.

But, as I said, Bayern were nothing special. With a full XI to pick from, there was no excuse for not going at a team that last week shipped five in the German cup final. Lahm was their only decent defender playing last night.

[Brass Monkey]

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them.

I don't think I have to hand it to them. They were tactically so cynical that they ruined my week. Don't trivialise it.

[LeFromage]

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them.

I don't think I have to hand it to them. They were tactically so cynical that they ruined my week. Don't trivialise it.

They got theirs a bit later on, though, when they were relegated for match fixing or bribery or some other shitty business that went on in that season.

And, having been on the wrong end of a far more cynical Red Star in the final two years previous (the one I mentioned), maybe it was a touch of justice that they won it in similar circumstances - although, sadly, without the mighty Chris Waddle, who was mega in their run to the final in 91.

[taipan]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them.

So did MU in 99

[Lara Lara Laughs]

They would have lost against Barca if they'd tried to play a style they're not capable of or suited to. You know, this magical "play to win" style you're on about, forgetting they were recently losing to West Brom and Liverpool.

Bayern looked hopeless in defence? When was this? During Chelsea's one chance?

No, trying hard and winning = deserved to win.

Barcelona was a needs-must performance. Down to ten men, they did what they had to do - and all they could do.

But, as I said, Bayern were nothing special. With a full XI to pick from, there was no excuse for not going at a team that last week shipped five in the German cup final. Lahm was their only decent defender playing last night.

They would have lost against Barca if they'd tried to play a style they're not capable of or suited to. You know, this magical "play to win" style you're on about, forgetting they were recently losing to West Brom and Liverpool.

Bayern looked hopeless in defence? When was this? During Chelsea's one chance?

No, trying hard and winning = deserved to win.

Barcelona was a needs-must performance. Down to ten men, they did what they had to do - and all they could do.

But, as I said, Bayern were nothing special. With a full XI to pick from, there was no excuse for not going at a team that last week shipped five in the German cup final. Lahm was their only decent defender playing last night.

They played exactly the same way before Terry's sending off. Defend for your life and hit on the counter. Let's not pretend they were a chance machine before Terry's brain fell out.

Chelsea had Ramires out, some say their most important attacking player these days. They accepted their limitations and produced an excellent, organised, disciplined, blood on the pitch display, rode their luck and triumphed. When Mourinhon does this he's a genius. Theydeserve mad props. Particularly Cech, Cole, Cahill, Lamps and Drogba. Outstanding.

[LeFromage]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them.

So did MU in 99

Yes. I don't know what your point is - United weren't playing for penalties, were they? They were just shite on the night, not anti-football.

[taipan]

I only realised Lampard was playing when he took the penalty at the end. Most overhyped player of all time.

[taipan]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them.

So did MU in 99

Yes. I don't know what your point is - United weren't playing for penalties, were they? They were just shite on the night, not anti-football.

Just that you cannot compare MU of 99 with Chelsea of 2012

[LeFromage]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.

Marseille won in normal time, so you've got to hand that to them.

So did MU in 99

Yes. I don't know what your point is - United weren't playing for penalties, were they? They were just shite on the night, not anti-football.

Just that you cannot compare MU of 99 with Chelsea of 2012

I can and I have. United were also utterly outplayed in 99. Bayern hit the woodwork a few times, missed a host of chances against a disjoined, out of sorts team who somehow stole it at the end.

Both United and Chelsea were unbelievably lucky victors.

[taipan]

They won it by scoring goals in regulation play. Yes there was luck involved, but noting like last night.

[tricycle]

It was amusing, watching them get luckier and luckier, but not since Red Star Belgrade in around 1991 has a team played for penalties from the first to the last minute in the European Cup final and won

Marseille '93, Juve '96.


As for Chelsea, they wouldn't have looked out of place playing the Cobblers in a Div 2 relegation shitfight.

2003 Final was dire too. Both teams played for penalties.

[tricycle]

Wankers seem to have a way to find success in football, Ferguson, Mourinho, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and an endless list.

Colin Wanker to get Leeds promoted to the Premiership now.

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