LEN Teh Footy God's Footballodium

[IrishArmenian]

I've seen this 'difference in the pace of the game' referred to several times, and
it just leaves me wondering if anyone has watched any of the South American
leagues before having said that. I can't speak for the Campeonato, but having
watched a decent amount of the Apertura this season and the Copa Libertadores
the last, I would say that if anything the pace seems to be equal, and at times
nothing less than frantic.

I've seen some, not much, but enough to find that it is much more defensive, with much pulling on the shirts and shady tackles.

[edyzmedieval]

Ajax beats ADO Den Haag.
2 - 0.

Yupiii, another 3 points.

[naut]

Edit:

[scotchedpommes]

Good to see you kept that link, Rythmic. Always a good one to drop in every
now and then.

I'd made the assumption, probably wrongly, that edyz would be aware that
Arsenal have a game in hand. On the subject of the video though, Rosicky just
hasn't been taking them from far enough out recently.

[edyzmedieval]

You also got Rosicky and Senderos.

[naut]

Edit:

[Scurvy]

our whole team is class - you've missed out Toure, Hleb, Baptista etc etc etc etc.

[scotchedpommes]

Punishment reduced for Italy trio

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lazio had their penalty slashed from 11 points to three, Juventus' was reduced to nine from 17, while Fiorentina's deficit was cut from 19 to 15 points.

Crucially, Juventus have had some more points restored, meaning an almost
certain return to Serie A for them next season. In my own view I think that this
is a negative outcome for football in Europe as a whole, but do any of you have
views on this?

[Scurvy]

its terrible. Italian corruption still hasnt gone, despite the whole affair.

Very simply, the italian FA can't afford to loose the money those clubs provide them with (especially juventus) in terms of merchandise and tv rights and so they deliberately make it possible for them to return. Horrible

[Dutch_guy]

Punishment reduced for Italy trio

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lazio had their penalty slashed from 11 points to three, Juventus' was reduced to nine from 17, while Fiorentina's deficit was cut from 19 to 15 points.

Crucially, Juventus have had some more points restored, meaning an almost
certain return to Serie A for them next season. In my own view I think that this
is a negative outcome for football in Europe as a whole, but do any of you have
views on this?

Disappointing really, was hoping Juventus had to remain in the Serie B for another season, their crime warranted it. But then again, I would prefer to see Juventus in the CL instead of say...Udinese (random name really) so in that respect it's a ''good'' thing.

Anyway, as said above, It would have been right/better to have just let the punishments alone...

[DukeofSerbia]

Why is Arsenal only 4th?

They got Henry,Reyes,Fabregas,Hleb,Lehmann,Diaby,Toure,Campbell,Eboue....

1. Reyes is loaned to Real Madrid which is good.
2. You forgot Gallas. This man is excellent. Better than A. Cole.
3. Campbell is not any more in Arsenal as I know.

The most of players are "kids".

[Scurvy]

Campbell is now a Portsmouth player, and seems to be enjoying his time there, which is nice

Gallas is good, but only equally as good as A. Cole (in the left back position at least )

Yep, the best thing about this Arsenal team is that its so long (Fabregas only 19 etc.) it could conceivably saty together at least 5 years - improving all the time.

[DukeofSerbia]

Punishment reduced for Italy trio

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lazio had their penalty slashed from 11 points to three, Juventus' was reduced to nine from 17, while Fiorentina's deficit was cut from 19 to 15 points.

Crucially, Juventus have had some more points restored, meaning an almost
certain return to Serie A for them next season. In my own view I think that this
is a negative outcome for football in Europe as a whole, but do any of you have
views on this?

Good news is that AC Milan had the same penalty.

Especially after they lost 3-4 from Internazionale in Saturday evening. And that was the one of the rare game for which I can say that was SUPERB. Excellent game. Fantastic goal by Dejan Stankovic and what Materazzi did - after he scored he got second yellow => red. Inter had great luck to win after he got red!

[DukeofSerbia]

Campbell is now a Portsmouth player, and seems to be enjoying his time there, which is nice

Gallas is good, but only equally as good as A. Cole (in the left back position at least )

Yep, the best thing about this Arsenal team is that its so long (Fabregas only 19 etc.) it could conceivably saty together at least 5 years - improving all the time.

I forgot to mention Senderos (father Spaniyard, mother Serb and they are citizen of Switzerland - what a combination?).

[naut]

Edit:

[scotchedpommes]

Personally I don't mind:

1. Because I don't watch the Italian league(s)
2. Cheating wont get them far in the champions league, which was true of last season (2-0 loss to Arsenal ).

Well, it's nice to think it wouldn't get them far, but as far as I'm aware, the
intercepted telephone conversations had included choosing referees for
European matches. That being the case, I think we just have to hope that
opposing teams can beat them regardless.

[Should just add at this point that I felt Chelsea had an excellent game last
night, and I'm glad to see Barcelona in a tight spot as far as their progression
from the group stages is concerned. I'll be hoping Celtic can get one over Benfica
tonight - they tore them apart at Parkhead quite nicely.]

On the domestic front, I almost wish I'd been at my local team's game on
Monday, it was surprisingly good. Although I'll be there to welcome the Huns
up here next month.

[DukeofSerbia]

For 10 minutes Arsenal start game with CSKA Moscow. I am going home to watch it live.

[Andres]

AC Milan - Anderlecht : 4-1

[scotchedpommes]

For 10 minutes Arsenal start game with CSKA Moscow. I am going home to watch it live.

How did they not manage to score? And why did Celtic feel the need to recreate
the 1969 tie's scoreline against Benfica? [3 - 0 to both sides at home.] Such a
frustrating game at times, football. Although I will still say, I was quite pleased
for Copenhagen.

[And Andres, it was a bit much to expect them to take down AC in Milan, wasn't it?
At least they scored.]

[naut]

Edit:

[Scurvy]

Gah!

ditto

[naut]

Edit:

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I have never seen a team miss more chances than Arsenal did last night. This is what's so frustrating about being an Arsenal fan. They play amazing football, and score psectacular goals, but when it comes to the dull stuff, the simple finishes, the scuffly little tap-ins, they always seem to have problems.

[Andres]

[And Andres, it was a bit much to expect them to take down AC in Milan, wasn't it?
At least they scored.]

I know, I know, but still, in soccer everything is possible, and it has been sooooo... long since Anderlecht did something really stunning in Europe ...

[scotchedpommes]

How does Arsenal not win?

I'm very happy that Man Utd lost though!

Such questions will live on through the sporting ages, doubtless.
I shall, however, be looking forward to seeing Fergie's other team
get taken by Haifa tonight.

[edyzmedieval]

Let's goooo Ajax!!!

Ajax - Austria Vienna

[Divine Wind]

Blackburn Rovers vs FC Basel.

Its on Eurosport UK if anyones interested. Goals are guaranteed when it comes to Blackburn in Europe.

[DukeofSerbia]

Bože, šta su ti ljudi uspeli da promaše.

I was so frustrating that I almost thrown my TV from room. 10 CLEAR chanses and nothing! Rosicky missed empty goal from 4 meters! Then Henry, Fabregas and van Persie.

[Divine Wind]

Blackburn 3 - 0 FC Basel

Great result for Rovers!

BTW, Tugay = GOD !

Watch the following video if you dont believe me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9604kIQApuM

[LeftEyeNine]

Whee Tugay is still alive and on the pitch ?