Village Idiot

The only problem with the EL, and one that can't be easily fixed, is that the expansion of the CL removed a lot of the allure of the UEFA. As Sewelly said, you only had one great team from every league in the old European Cup, while all the others played in the UEFA which in some ways made it a stronger competition. The EC was imho an easier competition to win, just way harder to qualify for.

Think it's pretty inconsequential myself, a lot of teams that won the EL qualified for the CL that season, might work better if they removed all the CL dropouts.

Most f***ed up thing about La Liga right now, is the fact that due to potential bans, there's a pretty realistic chance that the 9th placed team will go to the EL.

Montanier to Rennes is such a waste, Real Sociedad have been an absolute delight to watch this season. Pleased to have beat Espanyol playing at a canter, they were fuming after the Columbus statue incident and the whole honor guard thing this week, only to whimper out when it came to do the talking on the pitch.

Monaco itself is shit, but plenty of amazing places nearby.

Amazing end to the season, if only he'd been playing like this all year.

You be the judge. http://img01.mundodeportivo.com/2013/02/25/Neymar-vestido-de-cowboy-o-alg_54367121788_54115221152_960_640.jpg Alves and him in the same side, man, think that can break the time and space continuum.

He had 12 years of contract and refused an extension, he'd have walked for owt. €28m is the highest fee I can recall for a player in such situation. And felipao's main point stands. You're supposed to be in this football lark to win stuff, not collect money bags from transfer deals. Neymar has won them a Libertadores.

They have You're right, somehow that 'do makes him look like he's 17.

Redknapp Was hoping to see some new puppets though. They haven't even bothered to update Rooney's hair FFS.

Gotta say I missed having a Brazilian attacking player in our side. After Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho... he breaks the "R" meme though. Anyway, I'll try to not be too hyped as to not jinx him. Our track record signing attacking players has been terrible during this "era", funnily.

Retaining the CL has never been done in this current format, for starters.

I'm still not confident about that being the final figure. Agree on Rosell's stewardship being better though.

Worst "neutral" result since Porto-Monaco for me.

By the way, this result sets up another Pep-Mou face off in the European Super Cup.

Back to the game, on hindsight, I think that Klopp misread the game when he didn't make any change until so late. Dortmund were completely spent and should have used the bench instead of bidding his time until the ET.

Looked like you gave a f*** when Jozy was tearing you to bits. I was in the US back then, I claim that win as mine too.

Good thing about the Confederations Cup is that since most teams don't give a fuck it's usually pretty open and unpredictable.

http://goingtobrasil.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/confederartions.jpg Will have to suffice.

I love how Pardew bashing comes up randomly in the most offshot ways in this forum. It's just so visceral and deep-seated.

Saddest thing is that this Dortmund side will be picked apart without at least having the CL to show up for it.

Not much in it between these two, and given the vast difference in resources it would have been much more satisfying and indeed deserved to see Dortmund lift the trophy really. I wanted Dortmund to win too, they're immensely more likeable, but Bayern were far away the best side in the second half. Dortmund just tired.

And my Singaporese Bayern fan already messaging me on Facebook to gloat, barely gave it time

Easily the most outstanding side in Europe this year, can't really fault Bayern for winning, tbf.