The College Dropout

Paulinho has more about him offensively from what I've seen from him than Willian/Ramires have been. Although previously Ramires has looked better going forward so it could be the Mourinho factor

I was going to say he's similar to Sissoko but they are actually very different. Technically Sissoko is hit and miss, Willian is solid. Sissoko tries to make it count in the final third, Willian doesn't. Willian is the wide version of Ramires with a better physique.

He and Ramires in the same side is painful to watch too. If those two start I expect Brazil to struggle to break sides down.

Yeah Coutinho has been excellent of late. 2nd spring in a row that he's been very very good. But I think the problem with Coutinho is that Scolari just doesn't rate him that highly. He's way too inconsistent compared to the others and his stamina is crazily bad. I don't know if he's a smoker or something but he doesn't have the heart to play the high pressure game that Brazil employs a la Atletico Madrid. Will Willian go? I honestly don't get that no one seems to rate him on here. I really like him as player. Very good for transitioning defence to attack. Works hard, pacey. Think he's mint personally Because he's not exciting. He's very technically sound, he won't keep losing possession like a Sissoko, he's quick and strong... but you would expect something more exciting from a £30m wide man. He cost more than Arjen Robben has ever cost a single club, or Ribery. I fully expect him to go on to score the winning goal against Atleti now. A screamer at that. But to me, he's your boring typical Mourinho lad.

Run.

2-1 is a beautiful result in a competitive European 1st leg tie

Love Benfica man.

Great goal.

In Europe Benfica have a bit of the Newcastle United to them. Makes for entertaining viewing.

You go away from home in a European first league. If you lose by a single goal you would much prefer 2-1 or 3-2 than 1-0. It's the worst 'tight' result possible.

I know it's 20 minutes and Juve could go on to moonwalk the tie. But the state of Italian football in European club competitions is horrendous. It was always the best league in the world growing up now look at it..

Love Benfica like.

Think they just lacked intensity. I've seen them play in the leauge and earlier in the season in the CL with much more intensity. Credit to Real for doing a good job, but at the same time Bayern are in just some bad form. Winning the season to early might've loosened them up a little. Think we'll see a much better Bayern next week, if that will be enough I don't know. Do you not think it might be more of a problem with not being able to break down organised defences? Why would it be? They've scored agianst every team they've played this season including Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Unite and City and have scored twice or more against each and everyone of them. Teams always defend against them and they've won the league with plenty of games to play. I think they lacked intensity yesterday and met the best team they've played all season. Let's not forget Real were close to going out to Dortmund despite being 3-0 up in the first leg. They where as close as going out to Dortmund as Bayern where to Arsenal last season. They thoroughly outclassed BVB at home and plain old didn't turn up in the second leg. I don't think that performance is a fair barometer of Madrid's ability. Madrid are the best side in the world on the counter. They are likely to score another in Munich... will Bayern win by more than one goal? I hope not.

No i'm not.

Luca - Atletico are normally a counter attacking team themselves. Hard working, win the ball back in midfield then charge upfield. Being the home team they had to force the issue and with an away goal being so crucial - they where never going to go for the kill. They would fancy their chances in the opposite situation at SB. A read a stat somewhere that the away team wins 2 out of 3 times if they've drawn 0-0 at home. Atletico have conceded 22 league goals all season, they are as tough to break down as Chelsea. If Chelsea come out looking to win in normal time (even to the extent Atleti did - which was cautious) i'm confident Atletico would pick them off on the break. Costa's a much better player when he's got space to attack.

Pepe was immense. You get the feeling that Tiki Taka stuff boils his blood and as soon as the ball breaks his way he turns into Trevor Phillips. He kinda looks like a Brazilian Trevor

Especially Alonso, has provided some abysmal performances in the leauge and El Clasico lately. My man of the match. When you get to his age.. any dip in form and people (well me and you and VI I think) will say your legs have gone but he showed today he's an absolute monster of a player. Every pass well timed and thought. You have to fancy Madrid getting at least 1 on the break at the Allianz. Was all over the pitch in the 2nd half, blocked Muller and also blocked Robbens chance in the first half which probably would've been 1-1 otherwise. Still don't think he's as good as he used to as he can't do it consistently, but was immense tonight. Although it's not strange when you start questioning a player when he's been pretty average for a whole season. I fancy Real to get 1 or 2 at Allianz, the same way I fancy Bayerns ability to score 3-4 against them. Dortmund had a far more difficult challenge in the 2nd leg and were a post from taking it to extra time. 3-0 can make you lazy. They'll be razor sharp next week (I hope)

Especially Alonso, has provided some abysmal performances in the leauge and El Clasico lately. My man of the match. When you get to his age.. any dip in form and people (well me and you and VI I think) will say your legs have gone but he showed today he's an absolute monster of a player. Every pass well timed and thought. You have to fancy Madrid getting at least 1 on the break at the Allianz.

Aye.. a 0-0 would have been a good result for them.

The Madrid lads have been brilliant almost to the man. Coentrao, Alonso, Modric, Di Maria fucking knackered by the end and boy do they deserve it. Get G Bale & Cronaldo fully fit and we are ready to take this bitch home.

Modric's been fucking brilliant too

WELL DONE HOWARD WEBB

Alonso's put on a masterclass

Marcelo... someone

Badly. Offensively and defensively he's having a mare