Champions League 2011/12

It looks funny. In fact, I do not much matter rastroen. Benfica did not look more strong and confident the club. FC Porto looked more dangerous.

But what kind of fair play tells plateni, we play vs Team Latin America in benfica jersey, 0 portugal peolpe in squad. the fans can support it? or something to win the FC Porto they are ready to cheer for 11 Brazilians on the field?

This applies not only to Benfica, but the Arsenal, and many other clubs. they can have zero local players. But there may be players from all over the euro union. Plus, besides all the players from Latin America and Africa with a forged passport. While the Russian clubs should have six local players
 
That will only help Russian national team in the long run but it's their choice and it should be like that in case you didn't notice, Nelson Oliveira who came on as a substitute and only had a few minutes to make his mark, and did just that putting the game beyond your club's reach 2-0, is Portuguese.
 
What an assist by Witsel for the first Benfica goal.
I can't believe that we have such an average national team: Courtois, Kompany, Lombaerts, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Dembele, Witsel, Hazard and Mertens (perhaps the best of the bunch). The only thing we need is a good CF.
 
I don't have a clue stef, maybe they lack an experienced leader on the pitch (in theory they have one with Timmy Simons from Nurnberg, but althought he is very intelligent, he isn't the best player in the world to build).

But i'm getting off-topic. Sorry.

PS: well done to Milan...it was close, but they made it.
 
Asiat said:
It looks funny. In fact, I do not much matter rastroen. Benfica did not look more strong and confident the club. FC Porto looked more dangerous.

But what kind of fair play tells plateni, we play vs Team Latin America in benfica jersey, 0 portugal peolpe in squad. the fans can support it? or something to win the FC Porto they are ready to cheer for 11 Brazilians on the field?
Click to expand...

Sorry mate, but I don't understand what you mean by "fair play"? Are you talking about Gazprom injecting loads of money into a football team? Sorry, I don't think there's any kind of a problem in having an all-latin team. It's easier to recruit expensive players like Danny and Bruno Alves when you have a "suggar company" (suggar daddy expression adapted by myself :LOL:) throwing money out of the window. Here in Portugal, as you don't have money, we need to scout around the world in order to snap the potential best player available.

Ironically, our top young prospect, a Portuguese born and raised player, Nélson Oliveira, scored last night. :)
 
I don't agree with Asiat at all. But it was kind of ironic that the only Portugese player on the pitch for a while was booed by all the Portugese. I kind of felt sorry for Bruno Alves.
 
Makes sense for Alves to be booed in Benfca. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion but yah I understand the irony in that.

And well said TSo. Zenit certainly has a Russian backbone to it but so what? If it wasn't for Gazprom, this club would

1) Not have won their first title and be competing with the Moscow Giants. It'd be a 2nd rate club like Newcastle at best.

2) Would never see players like Alves, Danny, Criscito, etc. nor have a coach like Spalletti there. So it's easy to criticize Benfica after a loss due to being bitter, but every club has its advantages/disadvantages.
 
Anyway, about tonight's matches, really excited for APOEL hosting Lyon.

The other match could be entertaining but it's probably a foregone conclusion and though Leverkusen may give their best, you'd almost bet your house they're already eliminated. And I don't know about others but I ALWAYS watch competitive matches only (have preference for that) and that's also why I almost never watch friendlies.

So yesterday choice was obvious in Benfica vs. Zenit and tonight it's OL vs. APOEL I'll be watching since either team could still advance.

Will Lyon's CL experience be too much for APOEL? Or will this team continue to surprise us all like they did in group stages at home where they've been very strong?

1 goal lead for Lyonnais and no away goals given up is a very good scoreline to take to 2nd leg but they still have a lot of work ahead of them.

What's everyone's predictions? If OL score one goal, it'll be very tough for APOEL but this Lyon side is nowhere near as strong as they used to be in the past few years, and at times they struggle to score even one while giving up goals at the back although Lloris single handedly saves them a lot of time!
 
Don't feel sorry for him, my good old friend. Bruno Alves is Pepe's poor man. Benfica crowd booed him because of a brutal tackle attempt on Rodrigo in the 1st leg. Personally, I think there's no need in booing him. Just ignore the guy.

I just want to sort this out. I don't mind if a club is supported by sugar daddys. Unlike some people on this board, I have nothing against the likes of City, PSG, Malaga, etc. Nonetheless, imo, its unfair to criticize clubs like Benfica or Arsenal just because they have an huge number of foreign players.

Oh yea Sina, APOEL-OL must be an entertaining game. As I'm an underdog lover, I'll be rooting for APOEL and I think they'll go through. Just a little hunch.
 
Last edited:
I will also watch Apoel-Lyon and i also want Apoel to go through, but Lyon will win this evening: 1-2 or 1-3.

I also have nothing against clubs like Chelsea, Man City, Zenith. I have noting against PSG, but what they are doing is very bad for French football, this club has much more money than all the rest and that is not good...
 
Extra time!! As competitive as we thought this game. Opposite of Barca Leverkusen friendly.

Both teams can still win it.
 
Messi scored five!

is_this_real_life101-1.gif
 
Wow, Barca vaporised Bayer. This was one of the most superior matches I've ever seen. And it was so damned deserved. Too bad that Bayer had to play against them, now Bayern is the only German club left.

@Apoel/Lyon: Interesting match right now. Just hope that Apoel will make to the next round. Always had a weak part for underdogs. :)
 
Congratulation Apoel, i'm fear for OM, both OM and OL are very sick right now in Ligue 1 !

Incredible Messi, the best still the best
 
Leo Messi, i love you

tumblr_lq3xexTWOw1qfok7b.gif




Wayne Rooney ‏ @WayneRooney
Messi is a joke. For me the best ever.

Jack Wilshere ‏ @JackWilshere
Its a pleasure to watch this guy........MESSI

michael owen ‏ @themichaelowen
Not old enough to see some of the greats but I can't believe anyone can have played the game of football as well as Messi.

Claro Ronaldo ‏ @ClaroRonaldo
Tirem as crianças do tuiter: O Messi joga pra caralho!!!
(go out the kids of twitter: Messi plays fuck!!)

Radamel Falcao ‏ @FALCAO
Fue un partido de #UCL o era messi en un partido de Play Station?intratable !! Si hacia 6 goles se llevaba 2 pelotas?
(this match is #Ucl or IS Messi play a playstation match?)


John Heitinga @Johnheitinga
Mejores jugador del Mundo Messi! Best player in the World! #GrandeMessi #cincogoles

RIVALDO FERREIRA @RIVALDOOFICIAL
Esse Messi é brincadeira, está deitando e rolando A FIFA já tem que providenciar outro troféu de melhor do mundo para ele.4 gols e vai ter +
 
Last edited:
The_Special_One said:
Sorry mate, but I don't understand what you mean by "fair play"? Are you talking about Gazprom injecting loads of money into a football team? Sorry, I don't think there's any kind of a problem in having an all-latin team. It's easier to recruit expensive players like Danny and Bruno Alves when you have a "suggar company" (suggar daddy expression adapted by myself :LOL:) throwing money out of the window. Here in Portugal, as you don't have money, we need to scout around the world in order to snap the potential best player available.

Ironically, our top young prospect, a Portuguese born and raised player, Nélson Oliveira, scored last night. :)
Click to expand...

First of all Zenit havent bought new players for a long time, Criscito is only one in 3 transfer windows. When Benfica gets access to the high latin american market, and apparently the team is full of it. Rodrigo tackle wasent intentional, booing Danny for pissing on turf is absurd. Booing Bruno is ok, I know his history.

Zenit isnt throwing money around, theyve won Russian League 3 times now, Manchester United in Super cup 2008, Uefa cup 2008, at second CL attempt we are in 1/8. So stop being an arse and try to make Zenit look silly because of GAZPROM sponsor. Ive born in Petersburg and I know all about it. Zenit didnt get GAZPROM money because of elections, so we couldnt even buy reinforcment for CL clash with Benfica.

Now about the game, first of all congratulations, deserved win. Why Zenit didnt have a chance? First of all 34 and 36 years old in middlefield, lack of quality substitutes, Danny absence. Benfica isnt much better than Zenit, Zenit isnt mature enough and lacks quality like Gaitan or Witsel. Summer transfer window should bring 2-3 new quality players.

I personally have nothing against All latin team, but bashing Zenit like that looks silly mate, especially when you dont know the truth. Russian goverment is investing into a football team, is that a bad thing? Schalke 04 is sponsored by GAZPROM too, so what?
 
Last edited:
matherto said:
It was 'only' Leverkusen, but it just confirms that the other teams might as well not bother.

Give Barca the trophy now and have done with it.
Click to expand...

get a grip ! When Milan beat Arsenal you said it`s 'only' Arsenal I didn`t reply to that because it was that bad. Now, you`re just aving a go at any team it seems. Basel dumped Mutd out ! should we say it was `only' Mutd you know that team that barcelona beats in any final. No! we try to show respect in some small matter . IMO any team playing there would of gotten spanked by a Well rested Messi n Co. get a grip btw I tweeted "only Arsenal"to RVP :SMUG:
 
Enzo said:
I personally have nothing against All latin team, but bashing Zenit like that looks silly mate, especially when you dont know the truth. Russian goverment is investing into a football team, is that a bad thing? Schalke 04 is sponsored by GAZPROM too, so what?
Click to expand...

Honestly, yes it is. As matter of fact, the usage of public funds in a football club or a basketball franchise, etc, is a very bad thing. It's a travesty to see a Government throwing money into sports when it could have been invested in health, education and so on.

So are you saying that Zenit only didn't get a budget this season just because of the elections, or am I misreading something? If so, that's ridiculous. Using public money into football is beyond me.

As far as I know, and according to BBC, "Gazprom has invested an estimated $100m (£51m) in Zenit since taking a controlling stake in December 2005. Its enormous wealth also gives it huge political clout in Russia and large areas of Europe". So, you can't deny the economical handicap when you compare Zenit to Benfica or Porto. So there's no way you cannot deny that your club jumped into the big stage partially because of the money, which I do not condemn like I stated earlier in the topic.

As I said right here, on this topic, or on your own thread, I have nothing against Zenit. Nada, niente, zero. As matter of fact I use to root for you when it comes to the Russian League. I wish nothing but the best for you.

Oh, and our crowd didn't boo Danny. He was booed at Dragão, not Lisbon.
 
Last edited:
Congrats to APOEL and Barca.

This Paulo Jorge guy from APOEL right in the center of defense (Portuguese) is very impressive! Every Apoel match I've seen this CL he's been a R0CK! Makes like 5 blocks every match! Key interceptions, very tough, strong guy and nice tackles.

Messi is the best ever! Real life = Playstation to him! :LOL:

Remi Garde should've brought in Lacazette earlier. Briand was tired and was anonymous anyway. Didn't do anything, Alex who had scored winner in 1st leg could've made a difference earlier and even since he came on, you saw Lyon suddenly had fresh capable legs up there to make some dangerous moments. Oh well, Remi Garde and Lyon are in trouble.
 
Gotta love APOEL...excelent performance, once again. There's clearly a lot of work into it, their manager is doing a wonderful job. I mean, some of those guys were reserve players in portuguese mid table teams, or even 2nd division...
It's great when we see these glimpses of real football, nowadays. The poor but well organized beating the favorites. It's getting harder and harder everyday.

Artem, if you read a few pages back, you can see that me or The_Special_One showed great respect for Zenit. It was (both times) Zenit fans bashing on Benfica... and we just replied saying that living with a great financial help makes it a lot easier, and we can't quite call it 'fair play'.
I agree with you..Zenit, despite having GAZPROM investment, doesn't spend like Anzhi, for example. But the fact that you have that support lets you keep your best players. I wish we could say the same for Fabio Coentrão, David Luiz, Di Maria and Ramires, for example. It makes a LOT of difference. Besides, you're building a great stadium. Who's paying it? Benfica, and many other clubs, have to pay for it...you can imagine how difficult it is, specially with the economical situation in Portugal.
Complaining about Benfica not having many portuguese on its starting eleven it's quite strange... Besides, as I said before, if there was a foreigner limit, clubs like Benfica would clap it. Portugal has many talented players. Benfica, for example, has some youth players signed every year by teams like Man City. It's reach the youth teams already. How can we compete with that?
I really think that what portuguese clubs do should be praised. Just compare how much we do in europe comparing with teams with a much larger budget... Sometimes people think that some talents just appear from nowhere. They perform that way because 'we' find and do a great work with them. Otherwise Dinamo Moscow had done great seasons when they signed 'half' european champion Porto team. Or Anzhi... and many others.
About Russian government investing into a football team, I see how hard it can be for you to understand, but I don't think that's normal. Politics shouldn't get into football, and why support one specific team? That will take some of truth on the league...
Schalke is totally different, I think...they are sponsored by GAZPROM. That's it.

About the match, I agree with you, Benfica isn't MUCH better than Zenit. You have a nice team. It was an interesting tie, as predicted. Considering the circunstances (playing with -15º and a very bad turf in St Petersburg), and facing you in our worst run of the last 3 seasons (4 matches without winning), I think we did a nice job. I always knew that the 3-2 result would be a very acceptable result for us (just check Benfica's home performance in european matches).
About Bruno Alves, it were Porto fans who booed Danny. Benfica supporters booed Bruno Alves, not only for the tackle, but because he always performs like that against Benfica... I could post you some videos, but I don't think that's necessary.

Thanks for the congratulations and good luck for the russian league. As I said before, I like your team a lot, you play nice football and have a quite balanced team, in my opinion.
 
Well said, nice post #71. I agree.

I certainly didn't mean to badmouth Zenit and I don't think I did. I was only replying to Asiat as he was bashing Benfica a bit.
 
PLF said:
Well said, nice post #71. I agree.

I certainly didn't mean to badmouth Zenit and I don't think I did. I was only replying to Asiat as he was bashing Benfica a bit.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts. Great great post #71.

Once again, no hard feeling towards Zenit or their fans (btw, Artem is such a class act, very nice guy). I will surely take a look at them during the season. :))
 
The_Special_One said:
Slow down my friend! Madrid and Munich have legit hopes.
Click to expand...

Madrid haven't got a hope, psychologically they're beaten against Barca before the start of every game they play against them.

Bayern's defence is shocking so they haven't got a hope either.

bebo said:
get a grip ! When Milan beat Arsenal you said it`s 'only' Arsenal I didn`t reply to that because it was that bad. Now, you`re just aving a go at any team it seems. Basel dumped Mutd out ! should we say it was `only' Mutd you know that team that barcelona beats in any final. No! we try to show respect in some small matter . IMO any team playing there would of gotten spanked by a Well rested Messi n Co. get a grip btw I tweeted "only Arsenal"to RVP :SMUG:
Click to expand...

I simply said 'only' to avoid anyone replying to me with it. Normally you'd get someone saying 'woah, c'mon it's only Leverkusen' so I got there before them.

Realistically though, for Barca (and especially for Leo) any team needs an 'only' before their name. At least in the CL.

Simply put, their first eleven, the way they play as a collective is probably the best ever.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom