European Football Thread

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

To be used for discussing European transfers and matches from Anywhere but the PL

La Liga
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Seria A etc

The Bundesliga & Ligue 1 start today with Big Spenders PSG in Action as are German Champions Bayern Munich

[Crimey]

Since Bale is left-footed, and Ronaldo right-footed, wouldn't it be sensible to play Bale on the left and Ronaldo on the right?

Have you watched football in the last few years? Without wanting to sound pretentious, but wingers playing on their 'wrong' side is arguably more common than them playing on their 'right' side these days. Ribery and Robben, Eden Hazard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ashley Young I could go on. Ronaldo and Bale are both not the kind of wingers who like to run down the by line and whip in crosses, and Benzema isn't the kind of striker to enjoy that kind of service. Both Bale and Ronaldo like to run inside and take shots at goal, or poke through balls into the striker's feet. 

To get the best out of Bale and Ronaldo, playing them on the right and the left respectively is easily the best option.

[Duty281]

Since Bale is left-footed, and Ronaldo right-footed, wouldn't it be sensible to play Bale on the left and Ronaldo on the right?

Have you watched football in the last few years? Without wanting to sound pretentious, but wingers playing on their 'wrong' side is arguably more common than them playing on their 'right' side these days. Ribery and Robben, Eden Hazard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ashley Young I could go on. Ronaldo and Bale are both not the kind of wingers who like to run down the by line and whip in crosses, and Benzema isn't the kind of striker to enjoy that kind of service. Both Bale and Ronaldo like to run inside and take shots at goal, or poke through balls into the striker's feet. 

To get the best out of Bale and Ronaldo, playing them on the right and the left respectively is easily the best option.

Oh all right then. But neither striker exactly has a "weak foot" as such.

[Crimey]

Since Bale is left-footed, and Ronaldo right-footed, wouldn't it be sensible to play Bale on the left and Ronaldo on the right?

Have you watched football in the last few years? Without wanting to sound pretentious, but wingers playing on their 'wrong' side is arguably more common than them playing on their 'right' side these days. Ribery and Robben, Eden Hazard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ashley Young I could go on. Ronaldo and Bale are both not the kind of wingers who like to run down the by line and whip in crosses, and Benzema isn't the kind of striker to enjoy that kind of service. Both Bale and Ronaldo like to run inside and take shots at goal, or poke through balls into the striker's feet. 

To get the best out of Bale and Ronaldo, playing them on the right and the left respectively is easily the best option.

Oh all right then. But neither striker exactly has a "weak foot" as such.

Ronaldo is two-footed, but Bale really doesn't have a great right foot, I expect him to be better on the right for Madrid than he would be on the left, more freedom to cut across and shoot.

[Hero]

Dortmund knocked 6 past Hamburg tonight, played 5 won 5, +12 GD, hope they give Bayern a real run this season.

[Fernando]

Well it's not going well for Mr Bale this evening, Madrid lucky not to be more then 1-0 down.

[Fernando]

The worlds most expensive player is on the scoresheet 1-1.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Well it's not going well for Mr Bale this evening, Madrid lucky not to be more then 1-0 down.

You was saying...............

[Fernando]

Well it's not going well for Mr Bale this evening, Madrid lucky not to be more then 1-0 down.

You was saying...............

To be fair at the time they were Poopie, Could of easily been 3-4 down.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Well it's not going well for Mr Bale this evening, Madrid lucky not to be more then 1-0 down.

You was saying...............

To be fair at the time they were Poopie, Could of easily been 3-4 down.

I really think madrid need a striker. just dont think benzema will get enough goals.

[NickisBHAFC]

People already judging Bale.  

Point is, it doesn't matter. Worth 85 million. Its done, he is a class player, and just scored!

Legend Bale!!!!!

[Champagne_Socialist]

People already judging Bale.  

Point is, it doesn't matter. Worth 85 million. Its done, he is a class player, and just scored!

Legend Bale!!!!!

So when can we judge him? Can you please give me a date that I am allowed to judge him on.

[Guest]

Delighted that he scored, should help him settle nicely. We don't need to judge him, we know he's got the ability, he's proven it in the EPL and he'll do the same in La Liga. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the Champions League, that's where his contribution will be more vital. As for tonight, Madrid been awful though and showcases why they will still find it difficult to win the Champions league. Benzema might appear sluggish but he'll still end up banging 20+ goals a season in this league.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Delighted that he scored, should help him settle nicely. We don't need to judge him, we know he's got the ability, he's proven it in the EPL and he'll do the same in La Liga. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the Champions League, that's where his contribution will be more vital. As for tonight, Madrid been awful though and showcases why they will still find it difficult to win the Champions league. Benzema might appear sluggish but he'll still end up banging 20+ goals a season in this league.

Yes no doubt he will get 20 goals ust like higuin used to get 20+ goals but they need a striker who will get 35+ goals. They seem over reliant on Ronaldo's goals.

[Kay Fabe]

Of course they're over reliant on Ronaldo's goals, when you have someone score 50-60 goals a season you do rely on them far to much, the exaxt same way Barca over rely on Messi, iys impossible noy to over rely on players who score so many.

Benzema will get 20+ and so will Bale, the 3 of them won't be far off 100 goals this year, I think some people just criticise for the sake of it

[Duty281]

In this weaker league than the EPL, Bale will score more than last season and pundits will rave about how much he's matured as a player since moving to Madrid.

[Guest]

Of course he's going to mature & gain experience playing in a different league with quality players. He`ll score 20+ no doubt & will improve, its just natural progression. Pundits can say what they want, I ain't listening, I'll judge players on my own.

[Guest]

I see Ronaldo has come oput and signed a new contract this morning

If they were worth the paper they were written on this contract would actually mean more than a wage hike to satisfy ronaldo ego

Still think he'll spit his dummy out at some point this year and leave next summer

[kingraf]

I also dont think the Ronaldo contract means much, he needs the big ears to stay, for my mind.

[GSC]

I think these predictions of Ronaldo spitting his dummy out are more wishes of United fans. I could only see him returning for SAF

[kingraf]

Signing a new contract is like the global signal that a major league player is for sale... Bale... Neymar. It helps his club demand more money knowing he wont just wait it out.

[GSC]

Or that his contract was about to expire. If the player intends to leave, he runs down his contract and forces the issue like RVP

[Guest]

yeah, i see your point. I mean one year or maybe two down the road, when florentino perez does the maths, he might realise, 'jeez, we gotta pay him that for another four of five years'. Plus, maybe ronaldo would be entering his thirties, they will want to get some kind of fee back for him.

[GSC]

Perez has never and will never care about the sums.

[Guest]

im sure he does. removing kaka was the way they upped ronaldo's deal.

[GSC]

And Bales 300k per week wages. Or the other 60m spent on Spanish midfielders.

The banks and sponsors fund Real.

[Guest]

yeah, im not denying that, everyone knows adidas have funded millions in these deals. im just saying it's unlikely ronaldo will see out his career there. with one or two years left they will want a return of some kind.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Watching Schalke-Bayern at the moment. 2-0 Bayern after 20 mins, even though Schalke probably had the better chances.

[Guest]

4-0 in the end. ridiculously easy against a fellow champions league team. Barcelona also won 4-0, Pedro hat-trick.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

PSG - Monaco ended 1-1, Ibra opened the scoring for PSG, but Falcao equalised. Second half was a non event until injury time when Cavani had a couple of half chances, but he couldn't hit the target.

Napoli beat Milan 2-1 at the San Siro. Balotelli had a penalty saved by Reina. Benitez's boys look the real deal.

[kingraf]

Two goals Ronaldo yesterday. I still dont think he is going to catch Raul's goal total, but he looks like decent money whatever the odds.

Oh, and Real won 4-1...

[Ent]

He needs what 120 goals to overtake Raul?

He's 28 at the moment, needs 3 more years of his current form to do it. Wouldn't be surprised.

[monty junior]

PSG - Monaco ended 1-1, Ibra opened the scoring for PSG, but Falcao equalised. Second half was a non event until injury time when Cavani had a couple of half chances, but he couldn't hit the target.

Napoli beat Milan 2-1 at the San Siro. Balotelli had a penalty saved by Reina. Benitez's boys look the real deal.

Yup I think the Serie A title title is Napoli's to lose to be honest, I think Juventus are decent but are far from unbeatable and with Pirlo really ageing I don't think they'll win the Scudetto again, It's between Napoli, Roma, Juventus and Fiorentina IMO, still early though. Good to see Guiseppe Rossi back and playing so well, he's been out for the best part of 3 years really, what a snip for Viola to get him for 10 million when he was probably worth 35ish a few years back.

[NickisBHAFC]

Elche giving it a right good go against Madrid. On sky sports 3 right now.

[NickisBHAFC]

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

91st minute equalizer! 

1-1.

[NickisBHAFC]

Incredible. Madrid have a penalty in the 95th minute. 

Never a penalty, poor poor poor officiating. 

Ronaldo scores.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yes get in there got on Madrid at 10/1 when Elche equalised!

[NickisBHAFC]

How much you put on?!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

A quid

[NickisBHAFC]

I remember my first bet

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What was it?

I've had so many nearly moments already, so annoying

[Guest]

Falcao 7-3 Cavani

Looking forward to Real vs Atletico at the weekend. Best match on Sky this weekend.

[NickisBHAFC]

What was it?

I've had so many nearly moments already, so annoying

A quid on one of the game's at Euro 2012. Forgotten what it was!

[Guest]

Incredible. Madrid have a penalty in the 95th minute. 

Never a penalty, poor poor poor officiating. 

Ronaldo scores.

Yeah, saw the highlights last night but anyone who watches the league, understand this happens week-in-week out. Said it for a while, some of the officiating is quite frankly embarrassing. The favoritism shown towards Real/Barcelona is ridiculous. The league is a joke in terms of diving, play-acting & match officiating. Must be back-handers flying around throughout the league systems in Spain.

Further to this Gerard Pique tweeted: 'Watching a great comedy on Canal + #LaLiga..', in reference to the embarrassing officials performance. Later Portuguese defender, Pepe, had told other journalists that it had not been the right decision at all.

[Guest]

Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid

[Guest]

Real Madrid on the verge of losing. Looks like the league is already a dead duck.

[GSC]

Good call

[Guest]

  That's five 90th minute goals in their last 4 La Liga games.

Game on!

[Guest]

Unbelievable that injury time, you knew it was coming. Classic Ronaldo. Must admit though, Real don't look that great.

[Fernando]

Gervinho taking Inter apart for Roma tonight 1 assist and got a penalty currently 0-3 HT

#TerribleStandards

[Guest]

Gervinho taking Inter apart for Roma tonight 1 assist and got a penalty currently 0-3 HT

#TerribleStandards

Is that serious. Shocking. How Inter have fallen, think Moratti the owner is selling up too or already has. Since Mourinho left, it's been a one way ticket downwards.

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