Village Idiot

Tello to Oporto on a two year loan, for a €2m loan fee. Best move for him, we might get good value in a couple years, who knows.

A touch hyperbolic. Honestly. The group phase was indeed pretty entertaining with lots of goals and upsets. But the knockout stages? Awful, with so many teams so afraid of conceding that barring the Brazil-Germany game most games have been dreadful. Only the ET of USA - Belgium has been genuinely enjoyable.

And another game finishes 0-0. Terrible WC.

No, I'm still here.

Farcical decision

Germany all over the place now. But probably can benefit from a less controlled game themselves.

Higuaín doing a Higuaín.

Messi's up for it.

Puyol

Enzo Pérez actually performed the Di María role (grabbing the ball in midfield and running with it to throw the opposition off), quite well imho. Massive risk if Di María starts, since I don't believe he'll be fit.

Think him, James and Muller should fight it over. But FIFA will give to Messi if they win no matter what. If Germany wins it, then maybe just maybe James or Robben might win it. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but IIRC the player of the tournament award is decided before the final, and made public after it. Think Müller should get it, but it's hard to single out a German player, it's a magnificent team effort.

Time to start hyping up tonight's game. ¡Adelante Argentina! http://i.imgur.com/kRtkIgR.png

El Confidencial is trash. He's on the eve of a WC final, he isn't having any kind of contract talk.

They list the trophies he's won at other clubs. That's ridiculous.

There's been talk about that and tbh Guardiola already tried in that role. He was awful, though - but he's a more mature player now, so who knows. I think we need another CM if Xavi goes.

With Cesc and Xavi off, Rakitic will see plenty of the pitch.

What's the Starting 11 when all fit & unbanned? Well, we're still amidst overhauling the team. My guess is... Ter Stegen Alves (new RB) Piqué New CB (or Masch ) Alba Busquets/Mascherano Rakitic Iniesta Neymar Messi Suárez

Think what he means is you're English its more likely to want to go to Man Utd where as most foreign players would prefer to go to the Spain big 2. Maybe if you're German you'd prefer Bayern as you said. His wife lived in Barcelona for several years, though, and his daughter was born here. So he has ties to the city.

Any mixed feelings related to him being the biggest c*** in football? That's why I said "i'm torn about this". He's an amazing player, but a wanker of the highest caliber.

That said, I'm really looking forward shit coming down when he dances with Pepe in El Clásico.

So torn about this. We've pretty much swapped Alexis and Cesc for this guy. Let's hope he at least manages to stay ban-free. That said, I love this season's shirt.

IIRC Mascherano hurt himself too when he did that last ditch tackle against Bendtner in 2011.

Reminds me of when I get drunk and play FM.

It's been said that Luís Enrique highly values Mascherano and plans to restore him to his natural position.

You forgot to mention that it was Santa Coloma's keeper (it wasn't even a corner, he just joined the attack) the one that scored the goal that sent them through. Epic finish.