This is the thread for the Champions League 2003

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So Rangers let in a dodgy goal when they were playing 10 men.

The Arse weren't very good.

Celtic were < /biased>

So...comments.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Celtic were GREBT!

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Do we see the start of Chelski falling apart? Started with Cole's whinning and now is it coming back to haunt them? Too much ego, too few games.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I miss the champions league. :(

Mr Noodles, how are you watching it up there in Canada?

― adaml (adaml), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

When I can on Foxsportsworld and the local Celtic supporters pub. This week its been purely reports and commentaries.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I suppose I could have watched Arsenal but I can't quite leave work at noon, specially not this week.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:53 (twenty-one years ago)

FAO Man United fans - OUCH!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Real Cockfarmers won again :(

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

And the blessed Ajax won at last ! Wesley Sonck struck twice in the Benelux derby vs Brugge. 1995 it ain't (yet), but if we can hold on to the young Dutch lads like Van der Vaart for at least a year or two then there may be a real challenge to the 'big boys' (ho, ho - include Euro-no-marks like Celta Vigo and Chelsea who benefit from their country's co-efficient points) from Sp/It/Eng for a change.

― darren (darren), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Do Bestikas EVER lose games?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 21:00 (twenty-one years ago)

What a beautiful morning.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 2 October 2003 07:25 (twenty-one years ago)

i get irrationally annoyed when all the English clubs do badly in Europe. still i guess something has to counter the amazing last few weeks I've been having.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 2 October 2003 08:18 (twenty-one years ago)

United's defending at the start of the 2nd half way woeful, they got caught short at the back way too often and O'Shea in particular was fannying around up the pitch far too much.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 2 October 2003 08:25 (twenty-one years ago)

What has happened?

― the pinefox, Thursday, 2 October 2003 08:32 (twenty-one years ago)

The sky has fallen on Chelsea's heads.

Nedved's goals the other night were things of beauty. And yeah, it's fantastic to see Ajax doing so well. Wasn't Sonck playing in Belgium last year?

― chris (chris), Thursday, 2 October 2003 09:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Nothing but Schadenfreude about United, especially after Ronaldo's dive. Surpassed only by Inzaghi's campery for Lazio's penalty.

― Daniel (dancity), Thursday, 2 October 2003 10:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I was aghast to hear from a Czech journalist that the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Prague was treated by many in Cz as a result of great merit, the players thought of as heroes. Awful. I trust that the encouraging performance away to Lazio has revised that defeatism somewhat. Although I was a Slavia fan during my time in Prague, I so want Sparta to do well for the balance of power reasons Darren mentioned above.

― Daniel (dancity), Thursday, 2 October 2003 10:10 (twenty-one years ago)

As Daniel said. Although I lived in Slovakia rather than Prague at the time - in Zilina no less, where Chelsea won a few weeks ago. Gawd, i remember going to the Pod Dubna 'stadium' (chortle) along with 700 other souls to see Slovakian Division Two fare, and look at the Canaries now ...

Btw, Sonck is Belgian. He played for RC Genk last year alongside hopeless Japanese striker Takayuki Suzuki, who wasn't as 'Genki' as he should have been. I hope that wasn't 'Lost in Translation', ho ho.

It's been a dull morning, sorry ..

― darren (darren), Thursday, 2 October 2003 10:54 (twenty-one years ago)

aha the ILM Czsk alumni club.. I actually lived at Slavia tram stop a few years ago, before moving to the more respectable Vinohardy hood..
That Sparta-Lazio was pretty classic

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Thursday, 2 October 2003 11:50 (twenty-one years ago)

how come no one has mentioned WATCHING SIX OR EIGHT FOOTBALL MATCHES ALL AT ONCE!!! it is the best thing about digital telly EVER (and i shall be blogging it soon tom)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 2 October 2003 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

it would be better if they had the matchclock ticking in the centre of the screen in digital format, 24 style and during a late free-kick on the edge of the box run an adjacent shot of Almeida looking nervous - then Jack Bauer parasends down and nods the winner in off the far post

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 2 October 2003 14:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha. It takes fucking ages to change between them though :(

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Thursday, 2 October 2003 14:22 (twenty-one years ago)

(Self-publicity: I did write a little bit about Celtic's game, particularly the first goal, on the Freaky Trigger sports blog.)

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 2 October 2003 16:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Fabrice, Slavia is THE Prague team, the team for people who give a shit. As for Sky's multi-game coverage, is it any good? Does it drive you mad?

― Daniel (dancity), Thursday, 2 October 2003 19:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm, not sure about that.. Always had the impression that the Zizkov clubs had the most interesting fans.

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Friday, 3 October 2003 07:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I liked Zizkov, too, but that might have something to do with Sunday morning kick-offs! I had a girlfriend who lived in Zizkov, so it was easy to slip off to the stadium, drink morning beers ("Oh go on then") and marvel at the mullets and moustaches on the crumbling terraces. I spent three years in Prague between 91 and 94, so things may have changed.

― Daniel (dancity), Friday, 3 October 2003 09:01 (twenty-one years ago)

nope..

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Friday, 3 October 2003 09:12 (twenty-one years ago)

five months pass...

QUARTER-FINALS
Porto v Lyon
Real Madrid v Monaco
Chelsea v Arsenal
AC Milan v Deportivo

SEMI-FINALS
Chelsea or Arsenal v Real Madrid or Monaco
Porto or Lyon v AC Milan or Deportivo

i don't like this draw - i can see Chelsea nudging Arsenal this time, it will be very close either way. maybe Monaco can surprise Madrid, likewise Lyon. Milan will probably make the final again.

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 12 March 2004 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

The problem is that Chelsea invariably turn into a pack of gibbering buffoons as soon as they see an Arsenal shirt. I don't think it will be that close.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 12 March 2004 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

i think they'll beat them at home but maybe away goal fun for the Gunners to look forward to - or - PLEASE - a penalty shootout!

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 12 March 2004 14:19 (twenty-one years ago)

we love you porto (sorry, im still excited about the knocking out porto!!!) arsenal all the way

― gaol clichy (clichy), Friday, 12 March 2004 14:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd love to see an English team win it, but I see Arsenal losing to Real in the semi. Milan to come through from the other half, though both quarters there look close, I think. I guess neutrals could hardly complain at a Real-Milan final.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 12 March 2004 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Real Madrid to beat AC Milan 1-0 in the final. Sux0r.

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 12 March 2004 17:17 (twenty-one years ago)

seems a bit obvious tho - Madrid ARE beatable, it just depends how arsed they are on the night. Of course if you can't get psyched up for the European Cup then god help you, but the Juventus that edged them out so admirably last year were ordinary really (maybe only Italian clubs can do that tho).

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 12 March 2004 17:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Oliver fucking Kahn.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Friday, 12 March 2004 17:22 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

i want Arsenal to win for some reason, but am starting to think they won't - this should be a thrilling climax either way

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

do we want penalties? DO WE?

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

but- the other game is 5-5 on aggregate.

penalties would be fun.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:16 (twenty-one years ago)

wow, Monaco go thru as it stands

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:19 (twenty-one years ago)

i want to watch the other game but cannot turn over to ITV2 as i am taping some sci-fi shit on sky one for the mister :(

the arse have taken thierry off, which is odd.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:24 (twenty-one years ago)

it is madness, he must have taken a knock...

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Ashley Cole just made potentially one of the all time great goal-line clearances

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't want to turn over now. I'm kind of enjoying this one. As a neutral, I think Chelsea are doing better than I would have expected.

Silver goal is a load of arse by the way. i thought they ditched that at the end of last season?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

As i just said...

(arse need two goals in three minutes without va-va-voom)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Bridge scores on 87 minutes, astonishing

Arsenal's season practically wrecked in just 4 days

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

celtic scored two in less time on Saturday afternoon so it can be done.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

it never goes how i want it to! i guess this is the beauty of things but i saw Arsenal as having a better chance at winning the cup. If Chelsea were to now lose to Monaco in the semi I would be really fucking pissed off.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, you predicted Celtic to get fucked by Barca didn't you. Want to go put some money on Villarreal for me?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Ranieri is crying. His job may yet be safe...

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

i am the worst predicter in the world ever. but a lot of people were hoping for an Arsenal v Real semi weren't they? as long as Chelsea now go on and win the trophy then cool.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

crap

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I would have liked a Real v Arse semi. But I like the idea now of Monaco v Chelsea, if Chelski play like they did tonight and if Monaco can score (and let in) five goals over a couple of legs against Real then it could be fun.

(I haven't actually heard the final score for Real v Monaco yet)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

It's Monaco! Truly one of the best nights of channel-hopping Euro footy ever!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus H.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Arsenal's season practically wrecked in just 4 days

Fuck off, there's still the league (which is practically won anyway).

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus, Monaco were fantastic, a couple of really really good performances, Giuly and Rothen were superb and Morientes may have proved his point to Quieroz I think. And then Adebayor hits the post right at the end too. wonderful stuff, beautiful. I ended up watching more of that game it was a great game to watch and a terrific performance.

I may go and put money on Chelsea doing a league/champions league double tomorrow (it may soften the pain of they actuall do it)

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

i should've said 'treble' rather than season perhaps, but for crying out loud will they ever have a better chance of winning the CL?

a shame that Cole's clearance will be forgotten now

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

right, Milan to beat Monaco in the final - more dreams crushed please...(reverse tactics deployed)

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I would have enjoyed channel-hopping if I had been able to (damn Stargate/Angel type things on other channel).

I know little of Monaco these days. They used to be quite good didn't they, though the last awareness I have of them in European competition was letting in three goals against St Johnstone (this was a while ago)

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

they're doing a Leverkusen and turning it on just at the right time, tho their overall performance in the campaign has been more consistent than Bayer's was a few seasons back

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

haha, commentator after Raul's goal - "real may be home and dry".

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Monaco breezed the first half of the season, but have stalled since January. Conceded three goals against bottom team Ajaccio last Sunday (but clwaed their way back to a 3-3 draw).

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

They have some great youngsters at the moment, Rothen hasbeen up and coming for the last couple of seasons and now he's really turning it on, a great winger. Giuly is a good striker and is playing up front for France. Ibarra (sp?) is also very very good. Deschamps getting Morientes on loan was a masterstroke too. They play lovely flowing football i.e. Milan will probably batter them in a merciless fashion

x-post with Baaderoni - yes, in the league they've been struggling, but Ajaccio have been odd lately, they knocked four past Marseille the other week didn't they?

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

the league (which is practically won anyway).

If only that were true. I'm quite worried about a total collapse.

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Tomorrow is when the 'serious' rumours about Henry going abroad next season start.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Arsenal still have to come to fratton park in the league - the team will want revenge for the cheating frog at highbury earlier in the season and a payback for the fa cup defeat.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe it was unfair to allow clubs from the same country to play each other in the quarters...this would be a lame excuse now i guess, but i was always uneasy about this - mind you it gets one English club in the semis

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

ha, this is getting oddly reminiscent of Celtic last season, so much potential, the square root of fuck all in the trophy cabinet.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I was so tired I fell asleep at half time and dreamed I was taking part in the game, which was happening at a petrol station. There was some argy-bargy and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (the referee) sent everyone outside the shop while he gave the two chief culprits a talking to. I thought he wanted to speak to me too, for arsing around too much in all the melee, but it turned out he didn't and got cross that I hadn't cleared off. Then I woke up and Frank Lampard had scored. Into the mystic.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

what difference does that make, stevem? at what stage would you stop letting teams from the same stage play against each other?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

second "stage" = country

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

what I mean is, excuse for what?

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

ignore me i'm just annoyed

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

ARSENE WENGER! DAVID DEIN! PATRICK VIERA! THIERRY HENRY! DAVID SEAMAN! TONY ADAMS! ALAN DAVIES! NICK HORNBY! JULIO DESOUZA! YOUR BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

That was smashing, N. I must tell you about my Laurel & Hardy ever-evolving typewriter-car dream of a few days ago. I feel a bit ecstatic about tonight's footy. I really do.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

didn't watch last night's match but you know, its chelsea, its not like Arsenal need to play at their best over the two legs so whatever really.

-- Julio Desouza (juli...), March 25th, 2004 11:33 AM.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to find Dr C and hug him. Damn Claudio Ranieri and Wayne Bridge for making my hatred towards Chelsea thaw.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

it has been a marvellous night of football, two classic games and flicking between the two was a joy

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I feel ecstatic too. I just played ABBA's Honey Honey in post-match celebration. I recommend it to all who feel the same.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Was Beckham playing tonight and did his mind look on the job?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

stop it! I wanted to flick between the matches and couldn't. House to myself, laptop in front of telly, bottle of shiraz, and SHITTY STUPID STUFF to be taped on other channel meaning no channel hopping. Now I will have to sit up for the highlights programme.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Beckham was suspended because his shagging around has been found out.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

He was suspended, which is why the result is so sweet. They need him! OK, they need defenders, but still.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Beckham's suspended, innee? (damnit, xpost)

hee hee hee byebye arsenal~!

― cis (cis), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:15 (twenty-one years ago)

becks was suspended (xpost). he's in switzerland with his other half. i was disappointed that real went out cos i'd have liked becks to win a champions league medal.

i wz thrilled to see chelsea win, though. thrilled and surprised. monaco is a much nicer prospect than real in the semis, so they should be optimistic. ranieri could still have a job next season...

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Bridge's goal was a beauty

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

haha I hope they lose the league too.

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

If I were Ranieri, I wouldn't give a fuck about the Sword of Abramovich anymore - the whole thing has got the whole country loving him, which must feel quite nice.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

how do i go about altering my alleged football-loving brain so that i am happy instead of annoyed?

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

lovely one-two. he's great raiding down the left. arsenal: where were they in the last 15? they seem tired.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

The image of him both fists aloft and just SCREAMING will be on all the back pages tomorrow. It's one of those iconic football moments, far more than anything going on actually ON the pitch.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

i would've been happy if Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Cup and league, but not here

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Why did Wenger take Henry off?

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

he hadn't done much all game nick, really quiet.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:23 (twenty-one years ago)

and now I have 'wonderland' to watch!

because he was extremely flat in the second half? no-one's untouchable?

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, a friend pointed out today that in any other season Chelsea would be top of the league now... coupled with the fact that they stand a good chance of being in the Champions League final and none of the big managers seem to be that interested in going to Stamford Bridge - can they really sack Ranieri now?

Henry missed two great chances and did very little else - Reyes was far more of a danger. But John Terry and Frank Lampard were doing Arsenal. Plus Damien Duff's mazey little run in the first half... if only that had led to a goal!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG
-- Baaderoni (fabfon...), April 6th, 2004. (later)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jesus H.
-- William Bloody Swygart (thingummy9...), April 6th, 2004. (later)

I echo these posts whole-heartedly.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyway, Claudio crying with joy is probably my favourite non-Josh Low related football moment of the season now. A truly beautiful sight.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

no chance of arsenal losing the league, methinks. ranieri looks to be enjoying the situation, on some levels at least. it's bringing out the best in him...

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks, Chris - the best two chances I saw Arsenal have before I fell asleep were instinctive drives of his - I didn't realise that hadn't carried on.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Chelsea will never do this well without him

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Also did anyone hear some classic Big Ronisms in the first half?

"He does like defending, John Terry"

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe Roman will move for Deschamps now!!!

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Duff's run cast me back to the World Cup and "DAMIEN FUCKING DUFF".

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

FOKKEN surely

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyone know what odds you could have had on a Chelsea-Monaco semi? Henry was a fitness doubt and on the bench just three days ago, so that might be something to do with his less than sparkling game.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 21:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha ha Ranieri furiously rubbing his roman nose after saying 'I have a very good relationship with Abramovich'

― pete s, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Roman's sheepish grin when the final whistle blew was intriguing

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

as in it almost seemed reluctant/forced

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

his roman nose! ha i just got that

Matt's otm about Ranieri. Okay so if tonight had gone the other way it may not have been up for discussion; but still as he says they're only 4 points behind the arse with a further 28 points for them to gain. Clearly CL success will change everything, but even assuming they're beaten by AC Milan and Arsenal in both competitions, Abramovich isn't going to find a coach in the world who can vastly improve on this. He'ill be lookling for a coach who can best Wenger.
Who'll be able to do that regularly? Capello, O'Neill? I doubt it.
What will be funny is if Chelsea win the CL and Ranieri still goes.
The uproar will be so deafening RA won't know what's hit him. This isn't Spain, and it won't be accepted.

― pete s, Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:58 (twenty-one years ago)

jdesouza79: i gotta confession to make
jdesouza79: you know the milan deportivo game
mummersboy: haha u didnt see it!
jdesouza79: fuck off
jdesouza79: yeah
mummersboy: classic!
jdesouza79: i didn't see one frame
mummersboy: you are the best human that has ever lived

― prima fassy (mwah), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Lehmann's mistake cost Arsenal again. maybe Wenger needs to buy another keeper as well as a striker (Owen if Liverpool don't finish 4th, maybe Rooney if they do - or Van der Vaart, or maybe just/also Forrsell?).

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 00:35 (twenty-one years ago)

steve have u been at the gin again

― prima_fassy (mwah), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 00:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think the Arse will be forking out for another striker anytime soon after they've just spent £20m on Reyes. Scoring goals isn't the problem - they need to sign some fullbacks who can actually defend properly most of all. Time and time again last night Arsenal looked vulnerable out wide - having to put three men on Damien Duff at times, and when even JESPER GRONKJAER is tearing you wide open you know there's a problem.

But yes, there is a bit of a keeper problem. Also Lehmann looks like the sort who might kill a man on the field one day.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 07:26 (twenty-one years ago)

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 07:29 (twenty-one years ago)

meg not happy. i think chels will beat monaco then get panned by milan in the final...

...although if last night's games were anything to go by, what price depo coming back against milan tonight? are they the last G14 club in the competition?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 07:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I think you're right Steve, they are. I'm looking forward to a night of game hopping again!!

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 07:41 (twenty-one years ago)

i shall be watching BOTH AT ONCE, i need not to flick

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 07:51 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe it was unfair to allow clubs from the same country to play each other in the quarters.

Maddest thing I ever did read!

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 07:59 (twenty-one years ago)

ladbrookes offering 25/1 on 3-0 depo, 66/1 4-0 and 50/1 4-1, i likes them odds ;)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I was predicting Chelsea v Monaco semi this time last week - and everyone laughed! Unfortunately I also predcited Celtic might struggle against Villareal ... gulp.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I was tipping Monaco to turn Madrid over, but did I listen to myself and put a bet on? no chance.

So, what are the odds on Chelsea getting a league/euro vase double?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm beginning to think Chelsea will win the league. Milan will win the Champions League.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Can't see the League; Arsenal will just sneak it, but Chelsea will rue giving them 6 points. Ranieri will finsish with the 3rd best total of any manager and win the champions league and get the boot. Chelsea fans in uproar. Abramovich tells them to shut up and says 'it's my club and I can do what I like'.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Surely Roman's in a no-lose situation with the manager? If he manages to recruit a coach of more or less undisputed World Class (Capello maybe , or Sven, or whoever) then fine. If not, he 'listens to the fans' and keeps the popular and successful Ranieri.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Henry is out for the Liverpool and Newcastle games... could be interesting, especially with Shearer and Owen back in form at the moment. I'd like this one to go right down to the wire.

I just want to post this picture of Wenger looking really pissed off.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40012000/jpg/_40012945_wenger203.jpg

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:55 (twenty-one years ago)

My word... it's Tim H!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:55 (twenty-one years ago)

haha where is wenger in that picture! maybe in his bedroom after the game

― prima fassy (mwah), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 08:57 (twenty-one years ago)

... sitting in the Players' Bar after the game, a half pint of lukewarm lager sitting in front of him, untouched for three hours

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 09:00 (twenty-one years ago)

''ARSENE WENGER! DAVID DEIN! PATRICK VIERA! THIERRY HENRY! DAVID SEAMAN! TONY ADAMS! ALAN DAVIES! NICK HORNBY! JULIO DESOUZA! YOUR BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING!
-- Matt DC (runmd...), April 6th, 2004. (later)''

wait wait YOU'RE SPURS FAN RIGHT?!

And well, you're all asking for smug chelsea fans, be careful what you wish for etc etc.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 09:34 (twenty-one years ago)

did you see the game Julio?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 09:35 (twenty-one years ago)

haha of course I did chris *winky*

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 09:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Terry and Lampard were immense last night. Melchiot surprisingly ept and Makelele very industrious. He even went into Arsenal's half! Gudjohnsen has surprised me - I thought he would fade out with all the competition for places. I still think Crespo is a tool though.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Gudjohnsen is Chelsea's best striker

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:12 (twenty-one years ago)

no Forsell is

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Well he's good too

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, I can see Forsell playing lots next season. I think Crespo might go. Or even Mutu.

Cole panicked Arsenal when he came on. He always does this, I just hope he'll stay.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Hasselbaink was looking pretty nifty last night before he went off, I thought - if he and Gudjohnsen can get back the form of a couple of seasons ago Chelsea could be a very scary proposition.

I don't understand the Melchiot hate - I think he's a good player and would still pick him ahead of Glen Johnson or Gallas at right-back. Maybe I've just always missed his bad games.

I think Forssell might be a one-season wonder... we'll see when Chelsea refuse to sell him to Birmingham in the summer.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Remember when Gujdonsson and Ronaldo were 2 17 year old bright young things at PSV, and people said Guijondsson was a good as Ronnie - I've always though he had it in him.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:24 (twenty-one years ago)

C'mon Deportivo!

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 10:42 (twenty-one years ago)

why would you think that about Forssell Matt? Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen's problem appears to be supplly exceeding demand at the Bridge rather than form, both seem sharp when they actually play.

Still no love for A Cole's clearance??

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 11:10 (twenty-one years ago)

It was a great clearance and something that he is pretty adept at (2 goaline clearances against Spurs at WHL last season spring to mind). I still think he's a cock though.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 7 April 2004 11:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Agreed abt Hasselbaink last night - he's started looking interested again.

Forsell a one season wonder - no way. I mean he has a very good scoring recd for us before the injury and loan spells.

Melchiot - no hate from me, he's a good player, but has been found out against good oppo in the past. He's another who seems to have raised his game lately.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 11:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I watched the highlights package without knowing the score last night. All that drama distilled into under an hour. The problem is that you have no idea of time when they cut to the next piece of action. (Editors should be forced by law to retain the clock in the corner for the highlights). When Big Ron said 'Chelsea have all the adrenalin now' just before Bridge's goal, I still had no idea what was to unfold.

And as for the Monaco game, Drury's commentary, referred to upthread, was the usual 'drool drool it's a procession, what do you expect etc etc' when Real scored. What a goal it was by Real, by the way - Drury, the peasant, called it 'a simple goal'. Hmmm because good goals only come from long range don't they. The movement and passing throughout the move were beautiful, the finish perfect. (Let's hear it for team goals). But of course Monaco were teriffic.

Is this the same Monaco that almost got demoted and kicked out of the Camps' League for financial irregs at the end of last season (only to get reinstated on some technicality or other)?

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 11:32 (twenty-one years ago)

They were relegated for a week to the Second Division because of excessive debts.

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 11:55 (twenty-one years ago)

The drooling salivating love for Real Madrid in papers like The Guardian is, if anything, even more excessive than the drooling salivating love for Arsenal and Wenger - which is why it was great to see both kicked out on their arses last night. I'm convinced John Carlin of The Guardian is actually sexually excited by the sight of Roberto Carlos' thighs, Zidane's bald spot, Ronaldo's gut etc.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 12:23 (twenty-one years ago)

...whereas I'm sexually excited by the sight of Luis Figo's wife

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 12:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't know about that but John *spit* Carlin is a very close friend of the Real president, and a smarmy tosser

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 12:25 (twenty-one years ago)

T - 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES!!

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Jon dahl Tomasson is The White Scorpion!
(or, so have la gazetta christened him, at least, and he is going to settle the score once and for all tonight!)

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

we'll see...

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 15:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Forsell is a target for both Celtic and Rangers. Some random ones that Rangers have won the signing battle for = Emerson, Dariusz Adamczuk, Gordan Petric, Gavin Rae.

The only one that Celtic won = John Hartson.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 16:42 (twenty-one years ago)

so what is the problem at Real? why did they lose the Spanish Cup final, and why do they lose these crunch European games? just complacency?

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe, just maybe, all the money in the world and as much individual talent as you can get into one team just doesn't guarantee that you will be invincible.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 16:48 (twenty-one years ago)

It kind of mystifies me why any decent players ever sign for an SPL club. Is it for the fishing?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

they just wanna try Glasgow more

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

But they probably just go to.. Jumpin Jaks.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Real's problem is that they've ignored the fact that they need centre backs for about 4 years in a row; for a start, the mad desire of Hierro worked, but if you get in behind them, they're rubbish defensievly - see Hasselbaink last night - he said he'd rather have played Real than Monaco as he fancied getting at them, and thought he'd have more chances to score.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

hasn't forsell done it at palace and monchengladbach too?

I would like to see him at celtic, to replace larsson, as I've been saying for a while but I doubt I'll see it. : /

― cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 17:15 (twenty-one years ago)

but not having good central defenders can still win a team stuff if the attack is strong enough - see Brazil at the last World Cup, lucky for them not enough people seemed to twig

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 17:23 (twenty-one years ago)

It kind of mystifies me why any decent players ever sign for an SPL club

Yes, all decent players should boycott the SPL, making it worse than it already is. .Seriously, note that Celtic are still in European competition, whereas Arsenal, Real Madrid etc aren't. This may have something to do with it.

(xpost - Celtic's philosophy always used to be it doesn't matter how shit your defence is as long as your strikers are better - can't remember which manager said that though)

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 17:24 (twenty-one years ago)

potential shock !!!!!!!!!!!

latest score flash... DEPORTIVO 3 MILAN 0 [4-4 Agg - Adv Deportivo on Away goals]

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Goodness me!

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Man alive!

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 18:50 (twenty-one years ago)

By jove.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:01 (twenty-one years ago)

shivero mis foundaciones!

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

great scott!

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:21 (twenty-one years ago)

DEPORTIVO SCORED ANOTHER GOAL !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

why's this one not on a TV station I have in the house? Why am I not in the pub? Why don't I have Sky Sports?

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Extraordinary scenes in the Estadio Municipal de Riazor!

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

IT IS A FOOTBALL MATCH

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

ARRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH WHY I AM NOT WATCHING THIS GAME???

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG! ROTFLMAO! YMMV!

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

5 Live have got someone on a mobile phone!

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

we may now face the prospect of the new Champions of Europe having also conceded the most goals in a Champions League game - during the same campaign

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

IT'S OVER!!!!!!!!

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

The giants out Arsenal, Real Madrid and now AC Milan. crikey.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

that....was....fucking....brilliant

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

anything goes now, any of the last 4 could win it

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

stunning. gareth vindicated.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

i can't wait for the highlights - greatest 2 leg comeback of all time?

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Unbelievable, Deportivo were immense, best game in Europe in eons. So much for a Chelski-Milan final.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Who the hell are the favourites now?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I hope Carsmile will be picking up 66 times his stake tomorrow morning at Ladbrokes.

Incroyable.

Who the hell are the favourites now?

Accrington Stanley.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I got a text from Carsmile.... guess who didn't put a bet on?

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

ONE OF THE GREATEST COMEBACKS IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL HISTORY!!!! DEPOR HAVE DONE IT!!! They've have shocked Milan, and shocked the football world! IT'S NOT A MISPRINT - IT'S DEPORTIVO LA CORUÑA 4, AC MILAN 0!!! The holders are out, and this extraordinary competition continues to produce shocks of the very highest order!

― Eurosport (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto 1 Monaco 0 final then?

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Chelsea ofcourse ! led by the Roman Gladiator Raneri ! on a crusade to slay the Abramovich Russians.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Carsmile is an idiot.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

90 mins: Meier blows up and Milan have gone out of the Champions League in another incredible Champions League quarter-final. A series of dreadful defensive errors by Milan may have let in Deportivo but it would an insult to ignore the fantastic team effort from Deportivo. The Spanish side face Porto in the semi-finals and this Champions League is wide open after a sensational two days of European action.

If the ref had actually blown up, that would have been funny.

― sportinglife.com interweb commentary (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

..and that mercenary money mad Kenyon

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

It would have been a shock of the very highest order.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto must feel kind of boring.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Latest odds here

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Especially for the ref's relatives. How long before little Jimmy would dust off the whistle.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha. I can see the G14 saying this knockout malarkey's a bit shit.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto are dirty cheating diving bastards and deserve to be considered the dullest team left in the Champions League.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

said a Celtic fan, tonight

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, the stereotype of the paranoid Celtic fan with the huge chip on shoulder lives on (I have only seen them playing Man U since then, so this opinion is possibly hugely extrapolated from one match once)

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:55 (twenty-one years ago)

i dunno, any team with DECO in it can't be that dull

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

well I guess i was a bit wrong abt arsenal, and you were all wrong abt AC milan, so that's ok then.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, they are mostly a bunch of diving cheating bastards then.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

This thread isn't about you, Julio.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

as julio, would say deportivo certainly "improvised" on the pitch tonight!

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Improvisational punctuation - nice!

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

really?! *winky*

x-post: I will watch the highlights and report back martian.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

the big match, Julio - May 4th: Pompey Vs Arsenal - live on Sky - revenge is coming!

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Arsenal tried it.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

julio vs martian

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Amazing how this joke isn't even beginning to feel old.

x-post

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm putting money on Porto FIRST THING TOMORROW!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

a few quid on monaco for me

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Ranieri must be creaming himself.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

It's like the 2002 World Cup all over again, frankly.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

my hair and clothes seem different

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a beard now.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I have been dumped 600 miles from home.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

um, there are no highlights on, it's Weddings From Hell or some fucked up bollocks instead. this stupid country...

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I've walked from Lands End to John O'Groats, scored at the San Siro, bedded Anna Kournikova and killed three people.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

an accumulator: arsenal, wba, plymouth, hull, chester - plus chelsea champions league...what sort of odds would you get NOW?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

― An Inter Milan Fan (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

The BBC Sport site still has no match report, which is a bit shoddy.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

They're still in shock.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Football. Bloody hell.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)

fucking hell, what a game. this was pretty much maldini's death warrant, no?

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't even believe it.

― pete s, Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40017000/jpg/_40017055_kaka_woe_ap33.jpg

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:32 (twenty-one years ago)

complacent italian bastards. when will you learn?

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Where are the complacent italian bastards when you need them to mock?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Fucking awesome. Deportivo were magnificent.

― Sick Nouthall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Their secret weapon was... Sean Hughes? (or is it Gareth?)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40017000/jpg/_40017147_valeron_emp32.jpg

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:45 (twenty-one years ago)

anyone know where I can see highlights of these games sometime? I had my guests arrive this evening and have seen none of either game. I have all the Sky channels and all that stuff.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Fucking awesome. Deportivo were magnificent.

OTM. shame that's them and Porto already in the semi's.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

N. that was nasty.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 21:59 (twenty-one years ago)

The filename of that pic upthread is "kaka woe".

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 22:23 (twenty-one years ago)

i... i.. just got home

...

― prima fassy (mwah), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 22:31 (twenty-one years ago)

there's bound to be a champ league highlights show over the weekend martin, you just might have to do a bit of searching.

also IDIOT CARSMILE, i was *this* close to getting off the bus one stop early and going to the bookies, i prolly would've gone for 3-0 though, which would have been worse...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 07:36 (twenty-one years ago)

ah, between 9 and 11 tomorrow morning martin, half an hour of each game, doesn't say which order they're in though, might on the EPG.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 07:42 (twenty-one years ago)

i also was going to put a bet on for depor to win 3-0, but had a number of other things to take care of last night, so i didnt. the 4th goal was a relief, for sure, otherwise would have been kicking myself today, it would have paid for entire trip away otherwise

what price depor now?

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 8 April 2004 07:53 (twenty-one years ago)

This just keeps getting better and better - Arsenal, Real Madrid and Milan all out! Now Monaco must hump Chelsea and Depor annihilate Porto.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:06 (twenty-one years ago)

FUCK YOU G-14!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:07 (twenty-one years ago)

(who's in the G14 again?)

Real, Barca
Man U, Arse
Bayern Munich
AC Milan, Inter, Juve

Roma?

weren't spurs and everton in one incarnation?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Believe it or nay, they have their own website.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Spurs!

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha Bayer Leverkusen.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:21 (twenty-one years ago)

olympique lyonnais? leverkusen??

i think the G14 may have some members who are more permanant than others...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Liverpool are in G14 too, and possibly PSG

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:23 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.g14.com/G14members/index.asp

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I had forgotten that games were played last night. Surely there were no highlights?

N's posts are good, very good, consistently so.

I like the way Cabbage is the connoisseur who will watch Monaco instead of Chelsea.

I am glad of the results that I saw, and the one I have only now seen.

I like Mike's ecstasy as well as N's dream.

Oddly my own reaction to Chelsea's winning goal was to start playing the solo from 'I Don't Really Love You Any More' on my acoustic guitar. I suppose that in this respect at least I was unique.

― the pinefox, Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I was always led to believe that people called Walter were softies. Pandiani showed me the error of my ways last night. Great scenes at the Riazor.

― Jonnie, Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:26 (twenty-one years ago)

You take an acoustic guitar to football matches? Kewl.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:27 (twenty-one years ago)

kilian has also raised his game in recent months

i think james mitchell is underrated by many

billy dods is, quietly, blossoming, i feel

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:28 (twenty-one years ago)

not enough (,) or (.) in that post, gareth.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:29 (twenty-one years ago)

from link above:

G-14 is the outcome of the determination of the chairmen of the leading football clubs in Europe to join forces.
To achieve the construction of their pioneering enterprise, they had to overcome a number of obstacles.

Nevertheless, their unanimous conviction made it come true: the following account shows how they went about it.

W? not to mention T and F...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:32 (twenty-one years ago)

that's one wonky nipple you've got there Julio

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:32 (twenty-one years ago)

also there are 18 clubs in the G14 and arse, lyon, leverkusen and valencia are the latecomers it appears...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:38 (twenty-one years ago)

they got added either last year or the year before iirc

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:39 (twenty-one years ago)

chris you are consistently making funnies on this thread.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 8 April 2004 08:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Does Kaka look a bit like N?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 8 April 2004 09:09 (twenty-one years ago)

milan's goalkeeper is hopeless. for the second goal he was obviously poor, but also stood rooted inside his six-yard box as deportivo striker steamed in for the third.

that is not to say that depor were not superb. fran and valeron and the tall shaven-headed striker who scored the first goal are great fun to watch.

a stunning set of quarter finals. my money is on...deportivo to win the tournament.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I think Kaka looks like a taller version of Monkee Davy.

― Jonnie, Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I think Kaka looks like yet another over-rated Brazilian wonder boy

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Inzaghi looked like finally fulfilling his destiny last night....of becoming the drippiest nonce ever to walk onto a football pitch

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:29 (twenty-one years ago)

inzaghi is the italian andy cole

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I can never get over the look on his face, like his mum just took away his gelato or summat

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Who was that Brazilian wonder boy of a few years back - the next Pele or Zico or whatever - and ALL he could do was that stupid stepover thing? Usually he just kept on doing until the defender took the ball from him or he fell over. Was it Denilson?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I wuv Denilson, the chheky look he gives in the new Nike advert is priceless, but yeah, he signed fo rBetis in a then highest ever transfer and didn't do much apart from lots of step-overs. Betis got relegated and he went back to Brazil on loan. He's back at Betis now though and he's rather good, but never *that* good.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Dadaismus, is there anyone working in any field whatsoever you don't think is overrated?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:35 (twenty-one years ago)

that could be the one. he plays for betis, i think. they bought him for an unnecessarily large fee. he turned in some erratic performances in world cup 2002, but with glimpses of brilliance. (xpost)

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:35 (twenty-one years ago)

It's football for people who don't actually like football - like Americans or Japanese or sumthin'. Football's not supposed to be entertaining! Haha.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Dadaismus, is there anyone working in any field whatsoever you don't think is overrated?

I thought Beethoven was a pretty useful ivory tickler

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Let's all laugh at Ronaldinho! Let's all laugh at Ronaldinho! Oh that doesn't scan...

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:39 (twenty-one years ago)

blimey.

it's, it's.... it's the UEFA cup!

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:42 (twenty-one years ago)

in a way it's a shame that this defeat negates how incredibly Milan played in the first leg, albeit just for half an hour or so at least

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:42 (twenty-one years ago)

we can still cherish the memories of it steve. the way kaka contorted his body position for his first, and the way he worked a yard of space for his second, was a thing of beauty.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:45 (twenty-one years ago)

It doesn't negate it at all. Just means they only played for half the tie. The sense of loss will be all the more palpable, and it will become part of the folklore of Milan.

I am amazed that there are so many technocrats on ILE. Football is a game. Chance, fortune, surprise - these are the essence. It is not predicatble = the whole effing point.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I agree with Dave, yes they played beautifully at the San siro, but last night got torn apart, so they went out. It's a bit like all the Arsenal fans (and some muppet neutrals even) who I've heard saying"b b b b but Arsenal *deserve* to win something, they've played such good football" excuse me but no, beautiful football is all very well, but it doesn'tr mean $hit if you don't actually win the important games.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:50 (twenty-one years ago)

i felt it may have been negated on this thread at least

if football's not predictable why are the Arsenal-Chelsea, Monaco-Real and Depor-Milan results considered SHOCKS? ;)

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:50 (twenty-one years ago)

it is similar to when teams are promoted to premiership and are praised for trying to play 'proper' football or for being plucky (though that is more prevalent in the cup).

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Plucky! What a fine word.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:54 (twenty-one years ago)

yes Gareth, see also "too good to go down"

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:54 (twenty-one years ago)

it's when it comes to actually winning stuff, that's where football is it's most predictable - only three (just) teams have won the Premiership in the last ten years, same in Scotland, same with the World Cup. but if a different team was winning every year would this devalue things or make it more entertaining? Champions League is where the balance actually feels right, because although it's pretty much the same teams qualifying every season (the expansion allowing for the more random 3rd/4th place teams in England, Spain, italy and the like) you don't get the same team winning it in successive years - tho i did think Milan would do just that this time.

this in turn reminds me of the argument we had about 'who is the best team in the world' with regards to national teams and the World Cup being the only barometer for such a question. Dave B you would say Brazil no? so by that logic are Milan still the best club team in Europe?

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

an interesting phenomena of recent years (and i think this is much wider than football), is of identification with the winner, somehow 'lessers' have become spoilers, ruining the big show. this is something that i hadn't noticed so much until the last few years (difficult to put an actual time frame on, as seems to have been gradual). there certainly seems to be more desire for order and status quo, for things to be the way they 'should be'. i am tempted to say this is a result of some nebuluos americanization, but i'm not sure it is...

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Spurs WERE too good to go down ;)

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, Gareth, everyone is/was right up Arsenal's arse, ditto Real Madrid etc. No one seems to root for the underdog on the telly/in the papers.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:00 (twenty-one years ago)

perhaps the Champions League should become the Champions Cup when the group phase ends? to highlight the knockout/lottery aspect further - boiling down to that nagging thing i have about 'can a team who won a tournament via knockout' really be considered the best if they didn't necessarily play the best teams? probably yes they can, at least in the case of the Champions League, where it shouldn't matter who you play because the quality of opposition is considered more or less equal (and yet people talk and talk about Real and Milan still as being way ahead of the other teams).

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm guessing people prefer one underdog amid a cluster of big dogs. when the final rounds consist of a cluster of supposed underdogs, it perhaps feels like the big dog v underdog fun has ended a little too early.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Part of the joy of football is its unpredictability - the idea that yes, on their day, Wolves CAN beat Man United. Cups accentuate this. See Rugby World Cup for what happens when this is taken out of the equation - everyone beats exactly who you expect them to beat, common consensus 'best team' wins. Yawn.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I will admit to the condition Gareth describes. It seems to be a desire for empowerment of some sort, to be able to look at the teams in a competition and say 'oh that one should win it' before the games are played. And then to find the outcome entirely different...it disappoints rather than delights - not all the time, just sometimes (I would prefer it if Man Utd didn't win the league for a while, but for them to have won the Champions League again would've been nice because you then get a better stamp on the notion that they are one of the great teams of our time, which would normally be something to admire about them - instead everyone hates them it seems - and there's a perversity for sure in that I wish them success in Europe but not in the domestic competitions - but that doesn't necessarily just apply to Man U in my case)...it's hard to explain, hard to pin down. I wouldn't mind if France retained the European Championship at all, but I'd rather not Portugal win it (home nation winning = booooorrring) - and esp. not Germany (also boring, won a load of stuff already) - petty and even childish? maybe, it doesn't really make sense.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:07 (twenty-one years ago)

(footie has the capability for thrillingly random results amid large amounts of consistently predictable ones)(like, 100 metre running could be predicted with greater accuracy - there is no way the least talented runner on the field will turn in a one-off world record run, in the way that milan will be completely outplayed by those of inferior ability. or perhaps i'm talking nonsense)(perhaps when the unpredictable results come *too* thick and fast people feel like they are less thrilling, i dunno)

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:12 (twenty-one years ago)

i think perhaps its not even identification with the larger teams as such, although that of course is there more and more, but the desire for everything to be the greatest ever. strangely, this season we seem to have at least three 'best ever' teams, at the same time.

it is almost as though, without some 'greatest' team, that there isn't a benchmark, or order, and that this is considered a bad thing. anomie in action!

i think, particularly this season, theres been a desire not to call teams 'great', which has of course been cheapened (people calling teams such as porto great european teams), but greatest. arsenal, madrid, milan etc almost seemed not to be in competition with each other this season, but with teams of the past. this must be, at least partially, a consequence of everybody been a big team, a great team, if everyone is so great, how to differentiate?

it is as though validation for the now can only occur by considering this the best of all times. the teams are only 'worthy' if they are the best anyone has ever seen

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:18 (twenty-one years ago)

it DOES seem like that indeed. maybe this is a side-effect of PMD (Post-Millennial Disillusionment)?

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:21 (twenty-one years ago)

The problem is the logocentric desire to reduce to the one; I think we should instead say that there are lots of good teams, but aside from a league competition, it is difficult to work out who is best. Football is a game of opinions, Brian. This is part of the fun; the point is that we never ultimately decide, because of the ludic nature of the game and the passions aroused; it transcends reason.

Predictability - it's like the old philosophy 101 argument - you've seen 99 Swans and they're all white. Chances are, the 100th you'll see will also be white. But ity might not be. Tis the same with football. That chance element is why 100 years later, we still don't know what makes a good manager, how to guarantee success etc, as their is a factor that is beyond all control which is the chance interactions of 23 people, and bvehind them, all the other factors.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 8 April 2004 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a funny old game.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 8 April 2004 12:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Leagues are about the best team winning, cups aren't.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 12:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyway, the Champions League is set up to ensure the richest teams with the largest fanbase or potential fanbase win the thing - but, thankfully, sometimes the plans of UEFA and G-14 gang agley.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 12:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes as in the big teams lose, what a devious attack on UEFA's plans Deportivo winning was.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 8 April 2004 12:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm calling it the European Cup again from now on, thanks to Dadaismus for the clarification

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 8 April 2004 12:14 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a conspiracy I tells ya.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 April 2004 12:21 (twenty-one years ago)

One of the things that please me most is the fact that all four remaining clubs are from different countries for the first time in years.

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Thursday, 8 April 2004 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

...and one of them is a country in itself

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 8 April 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Monaco - the first club with sub 5K gates ever in European Cup semis?

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 8 April 2004 14:05 (twenty-one years ago)

that tiny crowd were making a huge noise the other night, or do they get more for big matches?

― chris (chris), Thursday, 8 April 2004 14:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Weird, ugly stadium too.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 8 April 2004 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

has anyone checked on the malaysian bookmakers by the way? i'm sure someone somewhere must have made a penny or two on a chelsea/monaco/depo accumulator?

(yes, i'm just bitter it's not me)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 April 2004 14:32 (twenty-one years ago)

wow, villareal are an outfit. such good short passers (this is actually a spanish thing, I think.)

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 8 April 2004 18:49 (twenty-one years ago)

SHAPE UP, SORT IT OUT, CELTIC.

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 8 April 2004 18:51 (twenty-one years ago)

A frustrating night according to Five Live.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 8 April 2004 20:35 (twenty-one years ago)

football commentary during the psv - newcastle match
"its become so relaxed the man next to us is lighting a cigarette"
"are you sure its just a cigarette?"
(makes audible sniffing noises)
"yes, its just a normal cigarette"

― zappi (joni), Thursday, 8 April 2004 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

You stupid fucker, Claudio.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

can't see another comeback this time

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

They've got some work to do next leg, and no mistake.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I wouldn't go that far, especially in this Champions League. But still, there was no need for Ranieri to go fannying around with the team at half time, especially in order to bring on Veron. As soon as Hasselbaink came on and it went 4-3-3 I said to my flatmate 'this could fuck up'. I think Ranieri got a bit cocky with the third striker when they could've just sat there, gone through the gears and and nicked a second away goal rather than throwing the whole team off balance.

Did Big Ron really go "the force is with them" at one point?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

can't see them coming back. they were playing well just before the morientes goal, and had oodles of space. a really good opportunity missed. veron = languid. huth = clumsy. hasselbaink = off his game. bad substitutions.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

The curse of Veron destroys another English club's European chances. He is an of the Italian FA to destroy England's coefficient (there's no future in it. obv).

Big Ron was scathing about him; thought he was goona get all personal. Des's comments re: Joe Cole OTM (ie, how the feck does he get a game and perform like that? What do I have to do to get a game (answer - join Spurs)).

Maybe the big Claudio love might be coming to an end. If he'd have had a decent back-up keeper (see Martin O'Neill on how this can aid one's chances) then it'd be 2-1. The criticism that he doesn't do youth teams (fnar) can seem OTM at times. Then again, it was one of the Ericsson purchases that fucked up.

Yet again Desailly reminds me that I really, really fucking hate him with a passion. Not a nice man at all.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Is anybody going to point out what an ass Makelele was?

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

A long time since I've seen a team playing so comfortably crumble as comprehensively. If Nonda can sink them in 30 seconds just think what would happen if he was given a full match.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

oh yeah, strong rock-solid midfielder hits the deck when patted gently on the face. not so clever - i'm guessing he got what he deserved.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, it paid off for Makelele! They'll miss him in the next leg though. Chelsea really need to sign some more wide players, the fact that commentators keep going "Gronkjaer!" whenever there's any width required illustrates that. Can either Robben or Duff play on the right wing?

Melchiot was dodgy as well - I take back what I said upthread, Dr C.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

makelele = Slaven Bilic (as pointed out on another messageboard)

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:30 (twenty-one years ago)

duff has played on the right wing for ireland before, and done well-ish, but he's been played out of position too much in his career (for ireland anyway). whenever he's fit, he should be on the left wing.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Ranieiri - Abramovich knows nothing about football

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Duff is their only really good wide player. Gronkjaer is hopeless, lots of fannying around when he should do something useful - there was a perfect set up for an immediate cross in the first half, but he stops and messes around and by the time the cross goes in everyone is standing still. Desailly and Makalele are players I've liked, the latter especially, but not tonight.

Veron was a bad mistake - on his best form I can see him earning a regular place, but bringing him on in a game like this when he has had half an hour of football in about six months is madness. I do think this is likely to finish Claudio's chances of holding his job - unless Chelsea can come back, which seems unlikely, but less so than Monaco's and Deportivo's comebacks in the quarters. A 2-0 home win for Chelsea is not hard to imagine, but they will have to be at their very best.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:36 (twenty-one years ago)

The underusage of Scotty Parker will prove to be both Ranieri and Eriksson's greatest mistake.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

funny how no-one was pointing out the myriad of flaws in the Chelsea team when they beat Arsenal, or any of the previous away games. Oh well. Cole and Ambrosio have looked very good in the league recently. Lampard has had an outstanding season.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I larfed and larfed.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Makalele did a great thing for Monaco. They got really angry after the red card and started running and playing with determination. The first half was boring as fuck, but the second was amazing. Especially if you want Chelsea to lose, lose, lose.

And that Huth fella looked like a dumb bear , big and useless. I hear he is a great talent for German football, or something like that.

― pingu, Wednesday, 21 April 2004 07:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Pingu OTM....Morientes was like a man possessed after the elbowing and the red card...I'd gone into the match wanting Chelsea to win but I have to admit I was on my feet when Morientes scored.

I'd not seen Huth before, he looked totally bamboozled as to what was going on around him...reminded me of the kid in the platground who everyone would shout "get rid of it" soon as he got the ball.

Was this the game of "best substitution vs. worst substitution(s)" of the season?

― winterland, Wednesday, 21 April 2004 07:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Last night was an example of how injustice can fire up a team. Makelele's collapse was embarassing, Desailly's elbow rather nasty.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 07:36 (twenty-one years ago)

To be fair to Huth he was being played out of position - he's a big chunky central defender not a nippy fullback.

Chelsea need a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge to go through - it's not impossible, although stopping Monaco from scoring is evidently very difficult indeed. That Giuly guy is seriously good.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 07:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I was really disappointed in Makelele's antics, as I always had a pretty good impression of the guy.
And, yes, Giuly roXorz.

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 08:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Crespo's hair looked a bit better than usual.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 08:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh dear. Unless we can win the whole thing, Ranieri is a goner now. I can defend the decision to bring on Veron, although Cole would have been a much better bet, as a way to keep the midfield tighter and maybe ping a clever pass or two for the strikers. It's hardly the manager's fault that Veron played so badly. Where it went wrong was with the other two subs - we had to keep our shape above all else, even allowing for the extra man 1-1 would have been OK and 2-1 would have given us some room for manoeuvre at home. But it was clear that the team were in disarray when Hasslebaink replaced Melchiot and from then on overrun in midfield. He should have replaced the tiring Crespo and kept the shape. Parker was having his best game for Chelsea when he was asked to play full-back and then taken off in favour of HUTH!! Bonkers. Huth is a decent centre-back, but looked like an idiot wide on the right. And all this time Mutu and Cole - two players who can hold the ball and could have provided something new were sitting on their arses on the bench! Crazy!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:14 (twenty-one years ago)

If Duff is fit there is still hope.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Surely injuries and suspensions will force a Lampard-Parker-Cole-Duff midfield with everyone playing in position for the first time ever?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe Gronkjaer instead of Cole.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:19 (twenty-one years ago)

He'll play the useless Geremi instead of Makelele. Gallas for Desailly is essential.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Has anyone kept a clean sheet against Monaco yet?

― winterland, Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Is Geremi playing that badly for Chelsea? He was very good indeed for Boro last season.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:51 (twenty-one years ago)

the second goal was hard to help - Bridge kept the ball somehow and proceeded to cross it to Hasselbaink who headed wide but then Morientes scored on the break (from the subsequent goalkick), with Bridge still far up front, unable to make it back in time.

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:53 (twenty-one years ago)

tho Terry should really have had it covered anyway

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 09:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Champions League keeps getting better and better, I expect Charlton will win it next season.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 10:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm beginning to see why Morientes turned down Spurs, you'd rather have him in your team than Ronaldo surely? Yeah, that Makelle's a dope.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Biggest shock of the season? Big Ron resigns after racist remark :-(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3648051.stm

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 18:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow! He's right that he was an outspoken supporter of black players when a lot of people were still making stupid and racist remarks about them. I'd be very interested in knowing what he said.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

Are we drawing a quiet veil over tonight's events then?

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

it was all too predictable

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

i know he's a bit of an obvious target at this stage but: jesper gronkjaer??!! his worst performance yet.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

:-)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

altho if any Chelsea fans now think it's right Ranieri should go then they be idiots

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto 1 Monaco 0 final then?
-- stevem (bluesk...), April 7th, 2004 8:46 PM.

Steve you may rue the day you didn't put money on this one.

Chelsea played well in the first half but the 2nd Monaco goal really took something out of them - towards the end they were so directionless, like watching England against Brazil.

But Jesper Gronkjaer - WTF?! How is that man still playing for Chelsea? Takes about half an hour on the ball and that goal was so obviously a wayward cross that ended up in the back of the net. Gronkjaer didn't even LOOK at the ball after kicking it and then gave this "I can't believe that just happened!" look. Chelsea REALLY need to sign at least two players capable of playing wide right - that squad appears overburdened in central midfield and very light on the wings.

Geremi was dire as well, one spanking shot aside - why didn't Ranieri take a chance on playing Scott Parker in the centre from the start?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

ranieri can be pleased with his season's work, i suppose, but he's on his way out regardless. all of chelsea's strikers seem frustrated - i think some will have to be sold, and others be given a consistent run in the 1st team. hasselbaink and mutu out - someone else in. ronaldo? MORIENTES?

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:56 (twenty-one years ago)

The bookies go 8/1 Ranieri to be Chelsea manager for the first game of next season.

They also go 25/1 Alan Smith to be playing for Leeds for the first game of the 04/05 season.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 21:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't see Ranieri holding on. His team choice looked poor (I am mystified at how often Gronkjaer plays), he seemed to have no idea as to how to improve matters, the spirit in the second half looked poor. The regularly disappointing performance of great players and expensive buys such as Crespo and Mutu has to be laid to some degree at the manager's door - I think they are tremendous strikers.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm just grateful to spared the horrible prospect of having to support Chelsea in the final.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:27 (twenty-one years ago)

This is just like the "bad old days" of the European Cup when Malmo and Steaua Bucharest and Nottingham Forest were in finals and winning them too. What have we got now - a glorified UEFA Cup final?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:28 (twenty-one years ago)

although it's a bit hard on ranieri to be sacked when he's got the champs league semis and come second, i think if they want to win something there are managers more capable of delivering. mind you, i'm not sure they'll hire the *right* manager.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:30 (twenty-one years ago)

"Glorified UEFA Cup Final" my arse, I'm afraid. I knew someone would say that because two unfashionable, non-G14 teams have made it through, purely through such minor feats as putting Deportivo La Coruna and AC Milan out.

This has the potential to be a great, entertaining, open Champions League final, far better than the Milan-Juventus snorefest last season.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:39 (twenty-one years ago)

(I meant Real Madrid, not AC Milan in the first para, obv)

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:40 (twenty-one years ago)

i had no idea Gronkjaer had this reputation, but then i tend to confuse him with Gravesen who is better

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:41 (twenty-one years ago)

OTM

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:41 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost: Matt OTM

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Mutu and Crespo's goal/game ratios probably aren't that bad i would've thought, probably not even worse than Hasselbaink's or Gudjohnesen's - they SEEM disappointing because the rotation is so frequent - plus Lampard is scoring at will which may be making them look worse still

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Nothing to do with the fact that big names aren't in it, I don't give a fuck about big names, like I care about G14? More to do with the fact that having watched both teams this I don't think either of them are that good - tho Monaco are much much better than Porto.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:43 (twenty-one years ago)

ranieri should have taught geremi how to pass. too much striker rotation at chelsea, no-one can build up any confidence. look at forssel: they sent him out to a club where he plays every week regardless, and he's flying. he's probably not as talented as chelsea's other strikers, but none of them can get in to a rhythm. that's an area where they over-bought.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto have been one of the most solid teams in the tournament all season and would be worthy winners. Monaco have been more the dark horse turning it on at just the right time largely thanks to Morientes. I mentioned before I always felt this odd disappointment when a freak fixture (as this may be perceived) occurs but i'm happy to see them both in the final based on the quality they've shown. and Matt is indeed OTM, this should be a much better final than the previous three of four even.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:46 (twenty-one years ago)

did Porto even lose a game in this campaign?

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Both Monaco and Porto are teams with no stars per se; good players, but they've knocked out teams full of 'world class'players. Hurrah for the team ethic, and down with individualism.

The odds on this final must have been huge; if they actually existed...

Having only seen Porto against Celtic last year, if you'd have said they'd be Big Cup finalists, i'd have said naff off. It puts last year's loss in perspective; few teams have put 2 past Porto like SHL did.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:47 (twenty-one years ago)

(that 1st sentence is not entirely serious btw)

morientes = great. he reminds me of batistuta sometimes.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto are a foul team of divers, cheats and actors

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Monaco are a good, hard-working team. Morientes is playing better than he has in years and Rothen looks class

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:48 (twenty-one years ago)

yawn

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, you are pretty boring today stevem, aren't you?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:50 (twenty-one years ago)

it was an acronym: youths ain't winnin nuthink

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Yet Another Wasted Night................ for Chelsea in Europe

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:54 (twenty-one years ago)

they've not had that many really

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto are a very good team (especially defensively, I'm all for 1-0 scorelines) but they are nasty.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Foul, nasty, call 'em what you will

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 6 May 2004 10:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"did Porto even lose a game in this campaign? "

They lost 3-1 at home to Madrid in the group stage. I think that was the only one they lost.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 6 May 2004 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Leaving aside regret for the English teams, I'm really pleased to see two teams from somewhere other than the English, Italian, Spanish and German giants in the final. I think it's very healthy, and they have clearly earnt their places there.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 6 May 2004 14:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Real Madrid can still claim that they had a sucessfull season in Europe, 'cause they managed to beat both of the Champions League finalists by 3-1. Yeahhhh!

― gimikz (gimikz), Thursday, 6 May 2004 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

OK, are we excited yet?

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, no. I don't have any emotional bias, really, though I think I favour Monaco as I think they're more exciting. I am, however, already producing pre-cum for Euro 2004.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:08 (twenty-one years ago)

pre-cum? you really do SUCK the romance out of these things Bazza

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Like Italy, I'm sure you'll have shot your load before the quarters are out.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:11 (twenty-one years ago)

No preference tonight, but a 4-3 wouldn't go amiss. When I was a kid, I always hoped for extra time so I could stay up late. Ironically, nowdays, I tend to fall asleep on the sofa if the game extends beyond 90 minutes. That's your fault, beer.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Monaco will win, with a Morientes hat trick. Trust me on this one.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:21 (twenty-one years ago)

My brother told me morientes might be injured. is this true?

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:26 (twenty-one years ago)

He's missed the last couple of games with a hamstring I think. Not sure if he's fit.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Porto to win 3-1

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Penalties please.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:37 (twenty-one years ago)

what, just penalties?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:40 (twenty-one years ago)

They should just get Deschamps and Mourinho to go here and duke it out.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 09:48 (twenty-one years ago)

aw i was so close, 66-1 on Porto 3-0 apparently

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

come to Liverpool Mr Mourinho

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 26 May 2004 20:15 (twenty-one years ago)

So who're your tips for the Spurs and Liverpool jobs Matt DC? Cos I'm down the bookies tomorrow am to place my hardearned on all the other contenders

― de, Wednesday, 26 May 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Mourinho to Spurs
Jim Smith to Liverpool
Ranieri to stay at Chelsea

Trust me on this.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:16 (twenty-one years ago)

would be amazed if Mourinho went to Liverpool, surely it's just the name that has appeal. has it become the new impossible job?

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:19 (twenty-one years ago)

The Guardian reckon Jellybean Benitez is deffo going to LFC.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:20 (twenty-one years ago)

"When you have money to spend you must spend well. When you don't have money to spend you have to go for the formation. The best way is to do both things. "

― chris (chris), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:24 (twenty-one years ago)

The sky interview seems to be going against what all the journalists and pundits are saying. A lot of the things he said about the club he wanted to go to seemed to match Liverpool more than chelsea.

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:27 (twenty-one years ago)

The transcript of the Sky interview was not *quite* what Chris told me it was, though. I didn't read much inference that he was going to Liverpool at all.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:30 (twenty-one years ago)

All the 'formations' quote means is that he's likely to go into Stamford Bridge and point at Cole and Veron and Crespo and Mutu and Geremi and go "you and you and you and you are all shit and you're not doing your job, you're dropped in favour of five players from Porto".

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Precisely. Plus forget about entertainment at Stamford Bridge next season and prepare to win some silverware instead.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 08:53 (twenty-one years ago)

However, Ambramovich has said what he desperately wants is more exciting football at Stamford Bridge. On the basis of last night, he's not going to get that with Mourinho.

I suspect he'll go to Liverpool (particularly in light of his "there is one club I have given my word to, and one I would like to go to" quote reported today, with Ranieri staying at Chelsea.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:41 (twenty-one years ago)

As the final I thought that was one crazy fucking linesman there.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:43 (twenty-one years ago)

However, Ambramovich has said what he desperately wants is more exciting football at Stamford Bridge. On the basis of last night, he's not going to get that with Mourinho.

On the basis of his entire career he's not going to get it. I'd be amazed if Mourinho went to Liverpool and not Chelsea - but I've been amazed before. That's the xpost over.

So what'd you make of the final?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Monaco would have missed anyway. Their finishing was abysmal.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:45 (twenty-one years ago)

If they were playing now they still wouldn't have scored. Pity Giuly went off but glad to see Prso is Rangers-class after all ha ha

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:46 (twenty-one years ago)

We never had the opportunity to see how they would have finished with some of the clearer cut chances.

In the end they were caught in the break, great second goal. Deco is a very good player.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Good to see Vitor Baia doing some top quality agonisiing in a European final. They were 3-0 up at the time, so you've got to run that clock down. Wanker.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:54 (twenty-one years ago)

he did get kicked in the goolies Dave

― chris (chris), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought Porto looked awesome last night.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:56 (twenty-one years ago)

They are a good team Porto but they are also, to paraphrase Judge Nutmeg - a horrible team, horrible team, horrible horrible horrible team

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:56 (twenty-one years ago)

You say that as though it's a bad thing.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:57 (twenty-one years ago)

It isn't if you're a Porto fan

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:58 (twenty-one years ago)

They were good last night, it was a proper footballing display, gritty and effective. Prso = definitely Rangers class.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 27 May 2004 09:59 (twenty-one years ago)

They remind of Italian teams of the 60s/70s and I'm wondering whether we might see a shift towards more negative football in the Champions League and away from the Real Madrid/ Man Utd approach

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Monaco were penalised by having increasingly shocking offside decisions, although finally got the rub of the green in surving a moderately clear-cut penalty shout.

As dadaismus says above, Prso looks like he'll fit right in at Ibrox.

It wasn't a bad game for the neutral, fairly end-to-end though mainly up at the Porto end. Morientes looked like he'd never seen a football before - God knows how he ended up top scorer on that evidence. Rothen hit one decent cross all night, and that was a fluke. Victor Baia was brilliant television in the last 10 minutes, throwing himself at everything no matter how hurt he was going to get.

As usual though, the commentary was brilliant.

"It seems odd an English side not being involved in this great event."
"No side have come back from a goal down since 1999. You knew I'd mention it, didn't you."
(after Carlos Alberto has been booked for taking his shirt off)"That's the same ref who sent David Beckham off against Argentina. He hasn't got any better since then."

And did I really hear Des try and shoehorn in an exceptionally weak "art Deco" pun at the end?

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Rothen was Rotten

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not a Porto fan but they were better in every department last night, I thought.

Will you Celtic fans hate Porto forever, do you think? I kind of hope so, loathings which last long after their origins are forgotten are grebt.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Clive Tyldesley mentions Man Utd shocker.

Seems odd not having an English team - yes, that's because we've had all of 1 team in the final in the last 19 fucking years. Tit.

Porto will be hated forever - the cynicism of Portuguese teams makes me dislike their footballing culture as I dislike Mexicos.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:09 (twenty-one years ago)

you're saddening me here Dave, and Cauhtemoc Blanco

― chris (chris), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:16 (twenty-one years ago)

What's wrong with Mexico's footballing culture? Oh, right, big business is behind it. Damn the system to hell. Fight the power.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:22 (twenty-one years ago)

looks like its chelsea then

― zappi (joni), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Nice response G. Maybe itf you'd have dropped the latter part we could have had a nice discussion.

For the record, I just hate the way Mexico consistently decide that after a certain point, they can't be arsed and retreat into cynical negativity or just cease to give a fuck - that's happened in the last few world cups. The one game I've seen in Mexico have this too - there comes a point where everyone just stops caring and ceases to attack, try, and generally give a fuck. I can't stand it as much as I can't get my head around it.

That might have something to do with the way the game is structured there - I could posit an argument, but don't really know so it would have much validity.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Was it Mexico vs Italy in the last game of the 2002 group stages when both teams got to the end of the game knowing they'd qualified and then proceeded to spend the last few minutes stroking the ball around in the most listless and aimless way possible. The ref looked exceptionally bored and then blew his whistle with a big flourish without bothering to include any injury time.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Will you Celtic fans hate Porto forever, do you think? I kind of hope so, loathings which last long after their origins are forgotten are grebt.

This Porto team will cease to exist pretty soon, it'll be broken up and the best players will go to the very teams who failed to win the Champions League when Porto were winning it. Will Celtic fans hate forever? Only if they continue to be cynical/ cheating/ dirty - yes.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:40 (twenty-one years ago)

See also Mexico vs Germany in WC98, when Mexico had Germany on the ropes in the round after the group stages but ended up losing 2-1, for exactly the reasons he alludes to.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Were Porto cheating and dirty last night? I didn't notice. (Cynical is harder to judge obv).

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Not especially last night.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:46 (twenty-one years ago)

some of their defending was very good indeed, Carvalho looks more than useful.

― chris (chris), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:46 (twenty-one years ago)

So did your proud Corinthian ideals allow you to like them a little bit more last night?

Do I recall Celtic being rather negative in certain Champs League games over the past 2 or 3 seasons? Were they being cynical?

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Like them? Hardly. Negativity isn't remotely cynical, that's just playing to your strengths. The diving, faking, fouling, moaning, whinging is what I object to.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I watched a fair amount of Mexican football last year (I was in the country for a couple of months). Didn't go to any games as I was in the south and the premier division is clusterd around the bigger cities (mainly Mexico and Guadelajara).

However, from what I saw, it was a really competitive league, the table was wide open and Cruz Azul were on a decent run in the Copa Libertadores. They got to the final two years before, losing to Boca.

The players are well paid (most of Mexico's last world cup squad were domestic based players) and the best of the players from neighbouring Central American countries are attracted to play here (with the excpeption of Honduras which has a highly regarded league of its own).

Yeah, there's big business, it's highly visible (Cruz Azul is a cement company and its blue cross is everywhere in Mexico), but the standard is on a par with anything in Latin America with the possible exception of Argentina and Brazil. That may sound like a relative statement, but Chile, Peru and Colombia aren't bad either.

It's always difficult to compare leagues across countries and (like all leagues), it is tempered, or weighted by the fact that two or three teams are ahead of the rest in ability.

I don't know what you mean about teams 'retreating into cynical negativity'. I don't understand that at all in the domestic league. Nationally this may be different, but I thought that game in France '98 was due to infighting in the squad (at least that was alluded to the media afterwards). As for the other time noted above, I remember Mexico settling for the draw in 2002. They're certainly not the first to do that and it's hardly up there with the Argentina vs Peru farce of 1978.

Appologies for the long post.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:52 (twenty-one years ago)

The game when Mexico played the US was appalling in WC02 - they just couldn't be arsed at all and it was probably the most disinterested I've ever seen a team in a World Cup. Maybe I'm projecting my oen feeling here, but the idea that someone could be playing in a world cup and not seem to be that bothered is as alien as if a martian landed and said take me to your leader.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:56 (twenty-one years ago)

DB: what's more alien? A martian or a leader?

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:58 (twenty-one years ago)

The martian. But is he art?

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Dadaismus anyone would think you were a Celtic fan

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm up to my knees in Fenian blood as I type... it's a bugger getting the stains out your corduroys

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:14 (twenty-one years ago)

okay that was a really late comment i apologise for not keeping up (i was at lunch).

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:15 (twenty-one years ago)

but this idea of Porto as negative is interesting, esp. when you look at how Liverpool went about their UEFA Cup triumph wrt Mourinho's aspirations (tho fwiw i think he gave his word to Chelsea but WANTS to go to Liverpool because it's LIVERPOOL)

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Was it me or did Mourinho take off his medal straight away with a vaguely pissed off look?

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Boyle: Porto beat Monaco 3-0 last night. You should have seen it!

― the bluefox, Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:54 (twenty-one years ago)

yep, and stormed off down the tunnel

x-post past the bitterfox

― chris (chris), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't think he was looked pissed off as such

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:55 (twenty-one years ago)

It now seems that Giuly will not make it to Euro 2004...

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I like the Roy Keanesque nature of that 'medal' shot - he's like... right, the job is done. Now onto my next adventure. Celebration is for weaklings and mortals.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 27 May 2004 12:02 (twenty-one years ago)

OTM

― Baaderoni (Fabfunk), Thursday, 27 May 2004 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

what an awful linesman.

the boy deco done good again.

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 27 May 2004 12:13 (twenty-one years ago)

i feel a bit sorry for Deschamps tho i shouldn't really. he looks great in the leather and is able to say he took a team to a CL final before he was 40.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 May 2004 12:15 (twenty-one years ago)

actually in the leather he would make a fine adversary for Van Der Valk or Jim Bergerac

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 May 2004 12:16 (twenty-one years ago)

What did Giuly do to himself? For some reason that makes me feel sad, even though I don't want France to win.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 27 May 2004 12:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Taking medals straight off seems to be in vogue this season. I suspect they think it makes them look hard.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 27 May 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

The diving, faking, fouling, moaning, whinging is what I object to.

I bet you defend Stan Petrov every time he's accused of it though.

For the record, I thought Porto were by far and away the better team on Wednesday night, and played a far better game than they did against Celtic last year. Maybe they didn't need to be as cynical as they were last year as Monaco weren't really at the races.

Thirded on Prso, by the way. Donkey.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 28 May 2004 08:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, I know I slagged Porto off too before

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 28 May 2004 09:25 (twenty-one years ago)

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