CL winner on current form!

Tweedle wrote:Have Holland ever won a World Cup?

Came close in 2 occasions

1998 was the last best Chance .. right coach + the current pool of talent = maybe success

Even saying that only Lippi and Scolari have ever beaten van Basten

2010 .. the current crop will be experienced

Italy last year had one of the top European Coaches and experienced players .. Champions

DeanoTheEmo-WHUFC wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Pity that Rooney's just 22 and about to go into the best years of his career unlike Totti who's career will be ovr in a couple of years.

Only to get through once to the last 16 of the CL for a player of that quality is piss poor

He plays for Roma.

Rooney plays for Man U. Man U tend to do better in the CL.

Totti is a world champion.

Rooney WILL NEVER win the World Cup.

Your last statement isn't right though....the correct manager and England can easily win it. No one can deny the quality in the side (apart from Otto)

Here, I will deny the quality:

Apart from Owen and Gerrard, your players are nothing special. Add to that obvious mediocrity the ever burgeoning Baden-Baden culture, and you have a recipe for a very viable product, but not a winning football team.

Every two years or so, your scribes will insist to the contrary, and with so many cheerful forecasts, you could be forgiven for thinking that "England can easily win it."

Since 1990, England have looked anything but potential winners on the world stage. At what point do you stop castigating the manager and focus on the players? Sven-Goran Eriksson may have been bespectacled and dissolute, but incompetent he was not. He was working with raw material that was intractable.

I don't like to England bash out of respect for the posters here, but that is what I think and have thought for a while.

Tweedle wrote:

Pity that Rooney's just 22 and about to go into the best years of his career unlike Totti who's career will be ovr in a couple of years.

Only to get through once to the last 16 of the CL for a player of that quality is piss poor

but is it is foult that roma have been so bad. i mean even before tottis time in roma the last time they were past the group stage was in 84 i think.totti doesnt get enough praise either for his loyalty towards roma which has been great.

supermadrid(zizou legend) wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Pity that Rooney's just 22 and about to go into the best years of his career unlike Totti who's career will be ovr in a couple of years.

Only to get through once to the last 16 of the CL for a player of that quality is piss poor

but is it is foult that roma have been so bad. i mean even before tottis time in roma the last time they were past the group stage was in 84 i think.totti doesnt get enough praise either for his loyalty towards roma which has been great.

Its not like Roma are some piss poor team. They won the title a few seasons back and came 2nd twice and Totti has been surrounded by good players like Cafu, Samuel, Cassano, Montella, Emerson etc. and now De Rossi, Chivu, Mancini etc.

BoBo Vieri wrote:

supermadrid(zizou legend) wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Pity that Rooney's just 22 and about to go into the best years of his career unlike Totti who's career will be ovr in a couple of years.

Only to get through once to the last 16 of the CL for a player of that quality is piss poor

but is it is foult that roma have been so bad. i mean even before tottis time in roma the last time they were past the group stage was in 84 i think.totti doesnt get enough praise either for his loyalty towards roma which has been great.

Its not like Roma are some piss poor team. They won the title a few seasons back and came 2nd twice and Totti has been surrounded by good players like Cafu, Samuel, Cassano, Montella, Emerson etc. and now De Rossi, Chivu, Mancini etc.

but roma has esp in the time totti has been there never been able to do well in cl. often they fall through when they have cl football.this is the only year i can remember where roma has been consistent and they still only qualified on the last day.

Rai Krol wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Have Holland ever won a World Cup?

Came close in 2 occasions

1998 was the last best Chance .. right coach + the current pool of talent = maybe success

Even saying that only Lippi and Scolari have ever beaten van Basten

2010 .. the current crop will be experienced

Italy last year had one of the top European Coaches and experienced players .. Champions

Euro2000 was a great chance to add to your 1988 win. But you know what happened.

Personally, once Italy were out in 1998, I wanted you guys to go all the way.

supermadrid(zizou legend) wrote:

BoBo Vieri wrote:

supermadrid(zizou legend) wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Pity that Rooney's just 22 and about to go into the best years of his career unlike Totti who's career will be ovr in a couple of years.

Only to get through once to the last 16 of the CL for a player of that quality is piss poor

but is it is foult that roma have been so bad. i mean even before tottis time in roma the last time they were past the group stage was in 84 i think.totti doesnt get enough praise either for his loyalty towards roma which has been great.

Its not like Roma are some piss poor team. They won the title a few seasons back and came 2nd twice and Totti has been surrounded by good players like Cafu, Samuel, Cassano, Montella, Emerson etc. and now De Rossi, Chivu, Mancini etc.

but roma has esp in the time totti has been there never been able to do well in cl. often they fall through when they have cl football.this is the only year i can remember where roma has been consistent and they still only qualified on the last day.

Well in 2000-2003 they had all the potential to win it, and in 2004/05 they gave a very poor showing (i know they had manager problems, but still 1 point with the quality of players they had?). I know its not all Totti's fault, but apart from a handful of games, he didnt perform in the CL in 2000-03

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

Rai Krol wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Have Holland ever won a World Cup?

Came close in 2 occasions

1998 was the last best Chance .. right coach + the current pool of talent = maybe success

Even saying that only Lippi and Scolari have ever beaten van Basten

2010 .. the current crop will be experienced

Italy last year had one of the top European Coaches and experienced players .. Champions

Euro2000 was a great chance to add to your 1988 win. But you know what happened.

Personally, once Italy were out in 1998, I wanted you guys to go all the way.

If Holland had qualified in 2002 they would have had a big chance. So much talent in that team.

At the moment, who know who will win the CL?

Liverpool will be favourites because of the way in which they have thrashed PSV, but who's to say that in the next round they won't get knocked out by Valencia or us?

Valencia are also becoming the boards favourite because they managed a draw at SB. Believe me, if they try to play like they did 2nd half for 90 minutes at the Mastella, they won't go through.

Roma are looking good, but all it takes is 1 little mistake and their out. Milan and Bayern the same.

Right now, it's still very much equal between the 7 teams (let's all just admit that PSV are gone).

S4P2 wrote:At the moment, who know who will win the CL?

Liverpool will be favourites because of the way in which they have thrashed PSV, but who's to say that in the next round they won't get knocked out by Valencia or us?

Valencia are also becoming the boards favourite because they managed a draw at SB. Believe me, if they try to play like they did 2nd half for 90 minutes at the Mastella, they won't go through.

Roma are looking good, but all it takes is 1 little mistake and their out. Milan and Bayern the same.

Right now, it's still very much equal between the 7 teams (let's all just admit that PSV are gone).

they didnt do well against inter either away but got the goals. then they delivered at home. its the tactic they have used for ages almost.

Calidad wrote:Rooney has already seen his best years

at 21?

I know it worked against Inter, but we are a completely different type of opposition to Inter (not saying we're better than Inter, but maybe more able to grind out a result). Porto almost managed it against us, having drawn 1-1 at home in the 1st leg.

If all the attacking players come to the party (which hopefully from our point of view they will, especially as some of them may think this is their last chance to win the CL) then Valencia will have to keep Drogba, Sheva, Joe Cole, Ballack, Lampard and Kalou quiet. Essien will be back too.

Believe me, I think this game is 50-50, but if Valencia are gonna qualify, they'll have to score.

S4P2 wrote:I know it worked against Inter, but we are a completely different type of opposition to Inter (not saying we're better than Inter, but maybe more able to grind out a result). Porto almost managed it against us, having drawn 1-1 at home in the 1st leg.

If all the attacking players come to the party (which hopefully from our point of view they will, especially as some of them may think this is their last chance to win the CL) then Valencia will have to keep Drogba, Sheva, Joe Cole, Ballack, Lampard and Kalou quiet. Essien will be back too.

Believe me, I think this game is 50-50, but if Valencia are gonna qualify, they'll have to score.

I think you guys will go through, there is no way you will be held to a goal less draw. I have watched Chelsea score so many times out of nothing when they are playing badly. Even if you are playing crap in Spain, you will get a goal through a set piece or a long ranger, remember you heard it here first.

Some naivety amongst Man U fans I think.

1st off - the ref wasn't a homer. I don't think any impartial observers would say he was.

Secondly - this assumption that Ronaldo will blitz Roma in the 2nd leg.

Last night Ronaldo played well and Mancini was fairly quiet (although made 2 goals) and some Man U think this is a reflection of the players.

However - Man U were defending deep and the full backs weren't attacking ('cos they were the away side) whereas Roma were comitting lots of bodies forward ('cos they were at home).

This meant that when Mancini received the ball he had a full-back (O'Shea) up his arse and even if he could have got by him he didn't have much space to run into.

When Ronaldo received the ball (on the counter attack) he had lots of space to run into.

The roles will be reversed at OT - so it will be Ronaldo with the full-back up his arse and no space to run into and it will be Mancini with acres to run into on the counter attack (lets see if O'Shea can keep up with him then).

Don't forget that against Lille in the 1st leg Ronaldo had no time and space and looked dreadful

To be fair, Ronaldo doesn't exactly struggle with being marked tightly though, one trick that he pulls off and he's past the fullback.

Having said that I can see Roma knicking a goal, it'll be very tough for utd

Tweedle wrote:To be fair, Ronaldo doesn't exactly struggle with being marked tightly though, one trick that he pulls off and he's past the fullback.

Did you see him away to Lille ?

Francesco Totti wrote:

Tweedle wrote:To be fair, Ronaldo doesn't exactly struggle with being marked tightly though, one trick that he pulls off and he's past the fullback.

Did you see him away to Lille ?

Yes, its just one game though, and one of his worst.

At Old Trafford in the CL he's always been good, I don't think his impact should be written off, he's clearly has the quality to cause Roma serious problems

Who said any one of those points, Pierre?

Rez in 2 seperate posts on page 2.

I bet Wilhelmsson and the other guy who got near Ronaldo in the build up to the goal regret not pulling him back by the shirt.

One of them should have taken a yellow for the team and then they wouldn't have an away goal conceded.

Francesco Totti wrote:Rez in 2 seperate posts on page 2.

I bet Wilhelmsson and the other guy who got near Ronaldo in the build up to the goal regret not pulling him back by the shirt.

One of them should have taken a yellow for the team and then they wouldn't have an away goal conceded.

My mistake - I've seen it again and its a dark haired bloke (Cassetti?) and he has a little pull to try and slow him down but should have gone for the full monty and dragged him to the floor.

Cassetti I wouldn't say is blond - though for an Italian his hair is relatively light coloured (ie, just brown)

in the first half roma did very well with ronaldo and he wasnt allowed to do much. in the second half i gues roma were attacking more and so he got more space.but there was still times where he was marked alot and he got past them. i think the second leg will be harder for him because roma will attack different with a eye for the defensive like they did against lyon. just hope that both teams dont get any injuries.

Tweedle wrote:Cassetti I wouldn't say is blond

Or blonde.

That's why I described him as a "dark haired bloke".

Well he doesn't have particularly dark hair either

Francesco Totti wrote:Some naivety amongst Man U fans I think.

1st off - the ref wasn't a homer. I don't think any impartial observers would say he was.

Secondly - this assumption that Ronaldo will blitz Roma in the 2nd leg.

Last night Ronaldo played well and Mancini was fairly quiet (although made 2 goals) and some Man U think this is a reflection of the players.

However - Man U were defending deep and the full backs weren't attacking ('cos they were the away side) whereas Roma were comitting lots of bodies forward ('cos they were at home).

This meant that when Mancini received the ball he had a full-back (O'Shea) up his arse and even if he could have got by him he didn't have much space to run into.

When Ronaldo received the ball (on the counter attack) he had lots of space to run into.

The roles will be reversed at OT - so it will be Ronaldo with the full-back up his arse and no space to run into and it will be Mancini with acres to run into on the counter attack (lets see if O'Shea can keep up with him then).

Don't forget that against Lille in the 1st leg Ronaldo had no time and space and looked dreadful

Ronaldo is way better than Mancini, in fact he is the best player in europe on current form, even you Pierre will have to admit that. Totally outshone Lampard II (Totti) on his own patch. Oshite is trully awful and any decent winger should change positions if they cant beat him regularly.

In the next leg Ronaldo will play closer to the goal, Ronaldo isnt a push a run pace merchant, so having little space to run into wont affect his game. 8 times out of 10 he will either beat a defender or draw a foul if left one and one. So he will have more of an impact.

I think he would rather prefer to play against one defender on the byline 20 yards from goal. Than play against 3 defenders 60 yards from goal with no support. Roma were scared of him and in the next game he will be the difference.

Ronaldo has an assist in every game he has played at OT in the CL, so I am not afraid he wont perform.

This may come back to haunt me, but after watching Roma create little against a second string united defence with 10 men, I am not to worried about there attacking threat. They missed the opportunity to kill the gamem we wont be so kind.

Calling Totti Lampard 2 is v. v. harsh.

Francesco Totti wrote:

Francesco Totti wrote:Rez in 2 seperate posts on page 2.

I bet Wilhelmsson and the other guy who got near Ronaldo in the build up to the goal regret not pulling him back by the shirt.

One of them should have taken a yellow for the team and then they wouldn't have an away goal conceded.

My mistake - I've seen it again and its a dark haired bloke (Cassetti?) and he has a little pull to try and slow him down but should have gone for the full monty and dragged him to the floor.

Thats the kind of football we want to see. United should have brought on Smith with 2 minutes to go and crippled Lampard II and taken the red card for it. Actually De Rossi as Lampard II was only a danger to the fans and the ball boy.

Rez wrote:

Francesco Totti wrote:Some naivety amongst Man U fans I think.

1st off - the ref wasn't a homer. I don't think any impartial observers would say he was.

Secondly - this assumption that Ronaldo will blitz Roma in the 2nd leg.

Last night Ronaldo played well and Mancini was fairly quiet (although made 2 goals) and some Man U think this is a reflection of the players.

However - Man U were defending deep and the full backs weren't attacking ('cos they were the away side) whereas Roma were comitting lots of bodies forward ('cos they were at home).

This meant that when Mancini received the ball he had a full-back (O'Shea) up his arse and even if he could have got by him he didn't have much space to run into.

When Ronaldo received the ball (on the counter attack) he had lots of space to run into.

The roles will be reversed at OT - so it will be Ronaldo with the full-back up his arse and no space to run into and it will be Mancini with acres to run into on the counter attack (lets see if O'Shea can keep up with him then).

Don't forget that against Lille in the 1st leg Ronaldo had no time and space and looked dreadful

Ronaldo is way better than Mancini, in fact he is the best player in europe on current form, even you Pierre will have to admit that. Totally outshone Lampard II (Totti) on his own patch. Oshite is trully awful and any decent winger should change positions if they cant beat him regularly.

In the next leg Ronaldo will play closer to the goal, Ronaldo isnt a push a run pace merchant, so having little space to run into wont affect his game. 8 times out of 10 he will either beat a defender or draw a foul if left one and one. So he will have more of an impact.

I think he would rather prefer to play against one defender on the byline 20 yards from goal. Than play against 3 defenders 60 yards from goal with no support. Roma were scared of him and in the next game he will be the difference.

Ronaldo has an assist in every game he has played at OT in the CL, so I am not afraid he wont perform.

This may come back to haunt me, but after watching Roma create little against a second string united defence with 10 men, I am not to worried about there attacking threat. They missed the opportunity to kill the gamem we wont be so kind.

mm i think thats a rather one sided view. As much id like you guys to win, i think Roma have you where they want. If man u dont score early, roma will hit them on the counterattack, which is just the way they like to play - see the lyon game. What Pierre is saying is right - Ronaldo will find it harder playing against a defensive line that sits deep. He won't have the space to run into - Ronaldo's pace plays a big part in his dribbles.

Pizzaro is also back for Roma - very creative player, something they were lacking in the first leg. Tonetto might be back aswell, maybe Aquilani too.

kas wrote:Calling Totti Lampard 2 is v. v. harsh.

Not only is it harsh, it is a very odd comparison/characterization.

Totti- supremely skilled, technically incredible, fantastic with the one-touch, great vision, strength, superb in the air, great left and right foot, and can also take a mean free-kick.

Lampard- direct and can score a lot of deflected goals.

And totally different positions too. Basically, in terms of pure talent Totti is probably among the top 5 or 10 players in the world, whereas Lampard is an above average (ok, decent-good) attacking midfielder.