Village Idiot

Atlético goes through. So, is it another draw for the semis?

That was utter shambolic refereeing. Emery sent off for protesting, expecting a yellow for Zigic for having his shirt off

Massive bore the Atlético-Valencia game, by the way.

Martins on.

And Lucas makes me look like a fool, fair play to the lad Look the bright side, all the red scousers giving shit to the mancs because they lasted longer in Europe.

Rafa playing with two holding midfielders at home with a defeat in the first leg

Valencia and Atlético putting all the artillery on the pitch tonight. Mata, Joaquín, Silva, Villa and Pablo for Valencia in the same lineup

My Manc supporting friend told me today that "the away goals rule is stupid and should be done with", bless I personally think that it spices up cup ties nicely, as it motivates the away side to get a goal in the first leg and not just park the bus and try to get the business done at home.

I liked Boselli at the Club World Cup quite a bit, but that's all I have seen of him. He's been linked to Birmingham, who I assume you can still outmuscle? Otherwise, you can try with Messi's cousins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Biancucchi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxi_Biancucchi

Goalscorers will always have the edge in these kind of awards and considerations, they are just the flashiest and most marketable footballers. Of all the players routinely cited in these lists, only Zidane wasn't a goalscorer (and still chipped in a few). And Beckenbauer (who doesn't make these lists that often).

Fair enough, I only say this out of the match reports I read back then, I'll bow to people that actually watched them play.

I still seethe with rage when I remember this headline: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1113507/The-best-players-world-Xavi--Ronaldo-crowned-king-football.html

Well, that's Patrick for you. Lazy, but his linkup play and ball retention was amongst the best in Europe. Not a great finisher despite his record with us (when you have the likes of Rivaldo and Xavi playing behind you, you need to be pretty useless to not end the season with at least 15). I think that the problem is that neither Bellamy and Kluivert were really strikers.

I know you're probably joking, but Ronaldo, do you think Rooney is better than Messi? No. I dont even think Rooney's better than Drogba. For all the talk of Rooney's über-season there's a big chance that Drogba will end up piping him to the top goalscorer award. thats down to goals alone. my opinion purely but rooney has been better than drogba overall this season...........................and messi is getting close to joining the cruyff's, pele's,beckenbaur's,maradona's of this world. I'm not that sure... Drogba's been a beast this season. Creating, defending, dragging his team out of dire straits... admittedly what Rooney has also done. Drogba is going to enter his twilight years, and injuries have prevented him from performing at this kind of level consistently, but this season I don't think it's so clear cut that Rooney's been better. Future is obviously Wayne's.

Kluivert Why didn't you keep him? Did he want to leave, or was it the club's decision? I followed him in the year he played for you and I thought he did reasonably well given the clueless managing.

I know you're probably joking, but Ronaldo, do you think Rooney is better than Messi? No. I dont even think Rooney's better than Drogba. For all the talk of Rooney's über-season there's a big chance that Drogba will end up piping him to the top goalscorer award.

the late Ronaldo was a pale reflection of his younger self, yet the original was such a force than the reflection still shone brighter than most. But he had lost that mobility that made him such a terror in the pitch. The other day I said Messi's the best player I have seen don the Barça shirt, but thinking of those great days in 1996, I harbor my doubts. But he only stayed one season with us. 47 in 49. I mean, really.

Kluivert makes our top ten list too

How English would Arsenal have been? Not a dig on Bayern, they do what almost all big clubs do. Just thought that SAF dissing them as "Typical German" when more than half the side isn't German to begin with, and with a Dutch manager, was pretty funny.

There's a big turkish community in Germany, so there are a few German turks playing in both national teams (that Tasci guy for example). So yeah, technically Altintop is German, but I stretched the facts a bit to get a dig on SAF

Plays for Turkey though.

Incidentally, how "German" was actually that Bayern side to begin with? Van Bommel, Sneijder, Olic, Demichelis, Ribery, Buyten, Altintop, Prajnic...

I'm going to put on my Barça shirt and go do some jogging at my ManU-gloryhunter infested local gym. There's this Asian guy that every time I go there it's like he's trying to kill me with his gaze. Petty and classless, but wtf.

Also, what gives with all that "Revenge for 1999" talk? Didn't Bayern already get their revenge a couple years later when they sent the mancs packing and ended winning the whole thing?

4 different countries, lovely. Mind you, Barcelona should be wetting themselves right now. The chance to make real history is sitting there right infront of them. I know... it looks almost easy. Anyway, first things first, Inter aren't pushovers. But being the first team to retain the CL at the scum's own turf. It would be glorious.