Rwonfootball - While all of the spotlight is on South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, I am as nervous about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Should the host bid process be changed and what would you do if anything?
Bobby – Well I don’t think it is clear as to whether or not there is a process at the moment or not. FIFA has to decide is there a rotation policy or not and. Just because Brazil is the only CONMEBOL nomination the award of the 2014 World Cup is not a slam-dunk by any means. The evaluation committee could find that Brazil is unable to comply with all the requirements. Rio is hosting the Pan American Games next month and they are hoping to use the Games as a launching pad for a 2016 Olympic Bid. If next month’s Games go badly then it will be a major black eye and call into question both the 2014 and 2016 bids. I would not be surprised if the USA hosts in 2014.
Footiefan – Thanks for fixing that link, Bobby.
Henry14 - What do you make of Poll's media antics of talking about his football experience, and can he be blamed and what difference is what Poll is doing from a Rooney / Gerrard/Vieira autobiography and lastly do you feel the press 's criticism of coming out in public to speak about these things is fair?
l personally thing Owen is not the same player he was and may never be the same again, how would you rate Owen among the world's best strikers.
Who is the better player between these examples Maldini vs. Kaiser Zidane vs. Cruyff Buffon vs. Schmeichel
Do you get the feeling that the United team is being build for Carlos Queiroz to take over? He is a 4-5-1 merchant and all the players they have suit the system perfectly. and Ribery is going to Bayern, the guy is a joke, he said he wanted Madrid or England last week and all of a sudden changes his mind. Personally l hope Wenger gets one player out of the hat, who is incredibly good who is not known a lot
Bobby – Poll is trying to sell books just like the players. The problem is he has to work harder because the market for a referee’s autobiography is pretty limited. Regarding Owen – I will reserve my comments until he gets himself match fit and with a decent number of games under his belt.
As for who are the better players - the smart arse answers are Maldini, Zidane and Buffon because Beckenbauer is 62, Cruyff 60 and Schmeichel 44. Somehow I don't think that is what you meant though.
Maldini vs. Kaiser – very different players. Maldini much more a defender while Franz Beckenbauer invented a position. Zidane vs. Cruyff – Cruyff by a mile. Buffon vs. Schmeichel – nothing between them.
I don’t think for one moment that SAF is building a team to satisfy someone who might take over in the future – why would he do that? He’s building a team that he believes will win trophies next year, not one that is tied to one formation.
CIAO - SAF has been with United for a long time. Considering the years of service and the handful of players that have had issues with him... I'd say you have to cut the man some slack. And for the record I am not an SAF fan. Regardless, Marcotti makes an interesting point by indicating that the current transfers are Carlos Q's vision of the future. Maybe he is in transition to take over from SAF in a couple years time. What do you think? Regardless, I would also have to say that in current years the most balanced team in the dressing room and on field has to be VVV's beloved Milan. Ancelotti is one of the top 5 managers. Along with Lippi, SAF, Mourinho and Hiddink. (Runner ups: Capello, Wenger, Del Bosque, Dino Zoff and Benitez) (Future tops: Klinsmann, Mancini and Big Sam) What do you think of Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu? Would you say he is one of the most underrated coaches? I think it would be great to see him given the opportunity to manage a competitive team.
Bobby – Regarding SAF I don’t think he is looking to retire soon. Carlos Queiroz could finish up waiting longer than Prince Charles. Just look at Guy Roux who is returning to coach Lens at 68 after being retired for two years. I would have to disagree with your choice of Hiddink over Capello. Lucescu has a good record and would make an interesting choice for a club in one of the big 5.
Neophyte - My U-10 player just tried out on a U-12 team on fluke...the coach needed another player to scrimmage a complete team and he was there so they put him in. Three goals, two earned corners and an earned penalty kick got the attention of the coach. Should he play up at U-12 or play on his U-10 team?
Bobby – I don’t think there is a hard a fast rule on something like this. As an 8-year old I played for the under-12 school team without any trouble or problem. Seven years later I was very small for my age and got regularly pummeled. It wasn’t until I hit 17 that I caught up physically and was able to compete again. If your boy can handle it physically then I think the next question would be whether or not he wants to move up or does he want to play with his friends? Does he have an option move back and forward between levels?
Ringo - With Ryan Giggs retirement from international football, does he now become the second greatest ever player, not to appear in a World Cup?
Bobby – I would not have him as high as second.
CIAO - Does anyone know where Nakata is playing now? How about Ilhan Mansiz (Turkish player that shined during the 2002 World Cup)? Do you think Italy and England will qualify for the EURO 2008? Did anyone watch the Italy game over the weekend? How did they play?
Bobby – Nakata and Mansiz are both retired I believe. As for qualifying – Italy without a doubt, England yes but with a greater level of doubt. I didn’t see the Italy game just the highlights. Italy got three points – enough said and be thankful. Scotland has to play there tomorrow - it will be a bad night's sleep.
Mistafantastic - I heard Alan Green (a man I had a lot of respect for) babbling on 606 Friday that Beckham was going to hinder his career by going "to that joke of a league MLS". Only Andy Grey & Martin Tyler have at least given MLS the benefit of the doubt for the time being. I know all these so-called "experts" wouldn't be hammering Becks if he went to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Japan, or even Australia, but have no problem ripping a league that's given England a helluva lot of players the past few years. Why exactly is this the case? I'm the last guy to ever defend MLS but this is irking me something awful! Any comments? Cheers!
Bobby – My only comment is the vast majority of comments coming from England regarding MLS is based on total and absolute ignorance.
The realrico - At first I thought there was no way Henry leaving Arsenal, but with him now being linked to AC Milan, it seems like it is more likely now then ever he might go. My question is if he leaves, whom does Arsenal get with the money from the Henry sale?
Bobby – I don’t think Henry is leaving. My question is what is Milan actually up to – the Henry transfer hint is a smoke screen for something else.
Neophyte - Since the Beckham rule, we have seen an increase of foreign players come into the MLS. Now Claude Makelele and Shevchenko have stated playing in the MLS might be something they would consider. If Beckham actually plays in the league, do you see more players from Europe coming to the MLS?
Bobby – Will more players come from Europe – the answer is yes but it will not be a flood. I wouldn’t read too much into the comments by Makelele or Shevchenko. They are professional players and in Shevchenko’s case his wife is American so there is no reason not to consider a moved to MLS. MLS just has to make sure that a balance is maintained and that the players that come from Europe don’t come with a #### attitude.
LosAngelesChelseaFan - Why do think that West Ham or Newcastle would risk putting Joey Barton in their dressing room? I just don’t get it. Is this an $11m charity donation?
Bobby – When you have a player with ability – and Barton does – there will always be managers who think that they can control players with bad reputations and turn them around. Out of all the players who were trouble but with genuine talent that you can think of over the years, how many were dumped and never picked up?
Gongatore - What do you think of the US squads' performance vs. China and since it starts this week how they may do in the Gold Cup? I was impressed by Bradley's kid, he really has some bite to his game, what do you think?
Bobby – I didn’t see the game so I can’t really comment on the specifics. The team that played against China is very different than the one that will play in the Gold Cup. If the USA don’t make it the Gold Cup Final Bob Bradley may find that the honeymoon period is over. As for young Bradley I haven’t seen enough of him to form a decent opinion.
I agree that Milan are not particularly interested in prying Henry away from Arsenal, although he is undoubtedly a great player.
They have repeatedly stated that they need a midfielder and a striker, and the top 2 targets seem to be Emerson and Shevchenko, the latter will obviously be problematic although all parties want to get the deal done. They have also been linked with Ibrahimovic and Eto'o, but then again who hasn't!? I would like to see them get Zambrotta, and try again for Buffon. They have also shown interest in Alex from PSV, who would add some youth at the back. We'll see.
Bobby, it seems now that Roberto Carlos has moved on from Real, that they are going to try to pry Gabriel Heinze from United. In my humble opinion, United would be foolish to let Heinze go. He did very well last season, and you can't count on Evra all the time. While they do have Silvestre, I don't think he is as good defensively as Heinze. Do you think United should let Heinze go?
Bobby: Thanks for answering the question concerning my U-10 player. He would actually be playing up 2 years on a U-13 team. Just a little concerned about him going up against some kids who are hitting those maturity years. There is a spot on a developmental roster, so he could move up and down. Maybe I will let him train with them first to see if he still wants to do it. Thoughts? Thanks
I heard a rumor that he was milling around Liverpool's training facility and talking to area real estate agents. I'd be surprised if this were true and I'm not reading anything into it, just food for thought.
Re: Barton.
If anyone can "control" Joey Barton, I would nominate Big Sam. He did well reigning in Anelka last season and Diouf for a few seasons, so has some experience with difficult players. On the other hand, Newcastle doesn't with the whole Bellamy situation and Lee Bowyer deciding to switch from football to boxing in mid-match.
Re: VVV and Platini's comments.
Yes, I take his comments with a grain of salt, after all his position is political. However, you can't have it both ways. You can't universally accept ridiculous statements from one UEFA member who was trying to deflect blame for UEFA (who now have agreed to investigate their security and ticket-checking policies) and then totally dismiss comments from the UEFA pres.
Real Madrid have Cicinho at left back, whether or not they are satisfied with him I am not sure as I have not seen him play. Regardless, Heinze would be a good addition. If he does go, I would imagine United would attempt to sign an up and coming left back that won't cost an arm and a leg.
Personally if I was going to transfer a left back I would aim at non other than Juventus' Chiellini. He seems to fly under the radar, but he is simply a great player.
VVV, do you really think Milan will transfer a high profile forward? In the upcoming season Ronaldo will be available for the CL. So, they just need someone that shows promise. For example, Giuseppe Rossi. Or although, risky as it could upset the dressing room, they could get Cassano at a lower price and try to give him an opportunity to turn things around. After all they did take a risk on Ronaldo and it is paying off...
It interesting how long the Spanish leg. has been and now they are paying for it with the Seville issue of losing 2 of there best players. I personally believe every leg should be done by the first week of June so players can have at least 2 to 2 1/2 months of rest especially in years when there is no major tournament.
And I also don't think Henry is going anywhere. Barcelona might also end the season without a trophy anyways. And I don't think Henry wants to go to a club where he is not garanteed a first 11 position every game.
Man U have made a great buy in getting Anderson especially if he settles in England. It kills me saying that.
atleti, does that mean that there cannot be more than three non-EU players on the pitch at one time for the same team? When I look at Zaragoza play they seem to be all Argentine. Curious how that works.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rossi is wearing his Red Devil Kit next season.
Verbal:
I have nothing but respect for Liverpool FC as an organization. But they were the first ones to go public in this row weeks before the final and I think they were out of line. They created a ticket distribution policy based on an assumption (of ticket allocation for the final, or maybe of not reaching the final anyway!), and they got stuck; even their official supporters’ club stated that. They gave 35% of their ticket allocation to sponsors and past players, and then tried to push UEFA for more tickets.
Furthermore, if UEFA or the organizers had been the main cause of the problems, there would have been problems with Milan as well. There is no logical reason why Liverpool are not, at least, partly to blame, considering there were no problems with Milan.
I’m sure anyone, on this blog or otherwise, refers to more than UEFA press releases to form an opinion on the problems in Athens.
I can’t stand situations just like the Man Utd fans in Rome charging at riot police and then complaining they got clubbed. If an entity contributes to a problem, they should start with their shortcomings before deflecting blame; and this applies to both sides.
Again, with all due respect to Liverpool FC and their fans.
VVV, Give me a break! Man Utd. fans shouldn't be upset for getting clubed! You have got to be kidding. Roma fans have the worst reputation in Italy and yet you defend them. They were charging the barrier and inciting the riot and the Man Utd. supporters were the only ones getting beat down!! Man Utd. supporters in the hospital with stab wounds before the game and yet they shouldn't be upset. RUBBISH!!! Not all things Italian are right like: flopping your way to a WC victory, clubing visiting fans, cheating your way to the Champions League, bribing the officials for league wins, etc...
Can't agree with Venti at all. LFC sent a report to UEFA before the match predicting problems with the planning and organization of the final. Those accurate warnings went unheeded. It is entirely irrelevant to me whether or not LFC fans are "the worst" (and I don't believe they are, and I'm a gooner). Organizations like UEFA and FIFA are governing bodies. Their essential purpose is to govern. Regulate. Control. Plan. It is astonishing and absolutely inexcusable that in 2007--after decades of all the turmoil, deaths and damage that have occurred in the sport--UEFA still cannot work closely in tandem with local authorities of the host city to choose a proper stadium for the most important match in club football. It is absolutely inexcusable that it was so easy for people without tickets to get in. The constant refrain about there being no problems with Milan fans belies the fact that there were FAR far more LFC fans in Athens than Milan fans. Thousands of Milan tickets were returned, unused.
Last year FIFA and the German FA successfully organized the world's biggest event, encouraging non-ticket holders to come and enjoy the fun, organizing them in such a way so as to avoid trouble. There is no excuse for UEFA's inability to do the same. It is THEY who are responsible for organizing the final, the buck stops with them. Not that LFC or its fans are blameless (the club's tix distribution was esp. stupid). But if UEFA believe LFC fans to be so uniquely violent and troublesome, why didn't they PLAN AHEAD adequately? Thousands of LFC fans with legit tix were r
I am curious to see how Ranieri will boulster Juve for Seria A. He is reported of having sizable transfer fund to bring in players. However, I think he will have to bring in 5-6 players so I doubt he will be spending big on any player. This morning I read he wants Lampard and would build the team around him. Has anyone heard any other potential players headed to Torino?
I guess the first test will be to see if he can convince Buffon to stay. Which I doubt it, I think he will be an Inter player. Inter will be throwing some money around this summer to insure success for the centenary celebrations at the 07/08 season. It looks like Julio Cesar signed an extension, but if Buffon came available who know what will happen. I think (unfortunately) Toldo is on his way out. There are rumors of Burdisso leaving. Recoba is leaving. Another rumor reports that Solari is on his way out too. I would like to see Choutus (striker) leave -he only played 1 game last year. If both Recoba and Choutus leave I think they should only bring in one striker that either can challange the others for a starting position or that would not mind some time on the bench to settle in. I think it is important to find players that can play with Ibra. I guess the question is is Ibra and Adriano the future of Inter?
CIAO:
Yes, Milan are shopping for a high profile striker. Gilardino has publicly stated that he would like to be transferred, Oliveira just hasn’t lived up to expectation, and Inzaghi and Ronaldo, at 34 and 31 (I think!) respectively, cannot go an entire season.
Milan have repeatedly inquired about Ronaldinho, but have now given up. They would love to get Sheva back, but are not willing to pay anywhere near what they received for him, and do not want him on loan, so that again is probably not going to work. There is the possibility of an exchange with Inter including Ibrahimovic or Adriano for Gilardino, but the relationship between the clubs is currently not so good.
In the last couple of days Galliani stated that once La Liga is over, they intend to approach Barca for the possibility of acquiring Eto’o. Milan have also been very interested in Torres for several seasons, but I don’t believe that is still the case.
Hopefully they will manage to sign a striker, even though dealing with top clubs is difficult because they typically do not need to sell players. We’ll see.
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Neo: I'm not defending Roma fans. All I'm saying is that if you go to a football match drunk, and suddenly charging at riot police seems like a great idea, you may get hurt, that's all. Same applies to Italian fans, and believe me the Rome riot police get plenty of practice during Serie A matches.
Last year FIFA and the German FA successfully organized the world's biggest event, encouraging non-ticket holders to come and enjoy the fun, organizing them in such a way so as to avoid trouble. There is no excuse for UEFA's inability to do the same. It is THEY who are responsible for organizing the final, the buck stops with them. Not that LFC nor its fans are blameless (the club's tix distribution was esp. stupid). But if UEFA believe LFC fans to be so uniquely violent and troublesome, why didn't they PLAN AHEAD adequately? Why did they stupidly create conditions which would inevitably lead to problems? Thousands of LFC fans with legit tix were refused entry. I've read countless testimonies by both Milan and LFC fans describing the ludicrous organization of the final. For UEFA to deliberately leak an internal report for the sole purpose of publicly smearing a club and its fans smacks of unprofessionalism, irresponsibility and petulance. And why did this same UEFA praise LFC fans before the final? And why were there no problems with LFC fans in Istanbul?
Finally, Man United and Spurs fans were absolutely in the right to be angry at the disgusting treatment they deserved by Italian and Spanish police. The Italian police totally disregarded the ultra thugs who went around stabbing ManU fans in the dead of night. Italian police established a cordon ONLY against Man U fans, totally ignoring their own supposedly peaceful compatriots. Italian police attacked fans with truncheons who were on the ground with thei
Italian police attacked fans with truncheons who were on the ground with their hands up in the air protecting themselves. I know the caribinieri personally, this was typical behavior. The Spanish police attacked a man in a wheel chair and his wife trying to protect him. Contrast that with the utterly civilized conduct of the Manchester police force at the ruckus during the CL 1st leg semifinal.
The issue here is that English fans travel more widely with their clubs than do fans from other countries. This is a basic reality. Why is UEFA unable to plan matches with this in mind? The other critical issue is that English fans are widely viewed in Europe as uniquely violent. What this means is that local security forces disproportionately scrutinize English fans, exaggerate and escalate any small incident, are trigger-happy ready to use force at the smallest provocation while dangerously overlooking the antics of fans from other clubs. This distorted security approach will ALWAYS lead to trouble. It's the same sort of bigoted approach by police when they see a group of rowdy black high school kids and rowdy white high school kids. It's the black kids who they'll zero in on.
Neo:
Read the above article, it will enlighten you as to why Milan were allowed to play in the CL. Plus, the manner in which they beat Bayern and United were reason enough to give them the trophy... Regardless, as an Inter fan you make me stand up for Milan... how dare you?
As to Italy winning the WC... are you a sore looser? Italy by far were one of the few teams in the WC to play as unit. Only when Totti on the field there was some individualism, but then they just left him out of the game most of the time and played with 10 players. Italy won the tourney fair and square. The only questionable call was penalty call on Oddo and I am not convinced it wasn't a faul...
VVV:
Swap Adriano for Gilardino, but leave Ibra alone. He is the future of Inter's attack line. If they sell him, that is it -I'll be switching teams until Moratti cures his ADD or he sells the club to someone that can come up with and stick to a good plan.
They deserved to win, simple as that. However, they definitely were the beneficiaries of some questionable refereeing along the way (US game and Australia game as examples). But the referees, in general, were abysmal throughout the entire tournament, and anyway you do need some luck to win a WC.
Italy may have deserved their wc win but they were hardly the most inspiring, memorable or impressive world cup winner. Except for one game, they were incredibly unimpressive. Most world cup winners in recent years haven't impressed anyone. In 2002, Turkey played better overall than either finalist (Germany and Brazil).
I take it you are a Zidane fan... The debate regarding Materazzi/Zidane can go on forever. In the end, regardless of what was said it doesn't justify head butting someone. Really, who freakin does that... Apperantly Zidane.
For all the the agony Italy indured in Italia '90, USA '94 and France '98 where we actually through Baggio were playing great and didn't manage to make it all the way for one reason or another... brings things full circle.
Also personally, I thought Italy were inspiring. Pirlo was/is the brain of the team. His crisp passing. All the runs from the flanks. They played well. Not their best, but they played well. If only had Maldini and Baggio been there too enjoy winning the WC.
Falling over someone's leg deliberately and getting a penalty, let alone not getting called for diving is luck. And neither of the US's red cards were deserved, Pope shouldn't have gotten a yellow on the second foul and the first one wasn't even a foul, plus Mastroeni's offense deserved only a yellow. And Beasley's goal could have stood if the passive/active rule was differently construed.
But overall, I still think Italy was worth it's title.
There are only 7 non-EU players for Real Zaragoza. 4 of those 7 are Argentines.
For Atleti, Maxi Rodriguez has dual citizenship: Argentine and Italian, so he doesn't count as a non-EU player.
It was a big deal for Barcelona when Ronaldinho received Spanish citizenship recently because it freed up a non-EU spot. You qualify for Spanish citizenship if you play in Spain for (I think) 5 years.
Last edited by atleti_female on June 6th at 1:02 PM.
Italy allows only five players from outside the EU on any Italian team, and only three non-EU players can be on the field at one time.
I'm not sure what are the requirements to become an Italian citizen. But I think it could be: 1. having Italian ancestors; and or 2. 5 year residency.
I just looked up Inter's roaster, there are 15 players from South America (1 Colombia, 2 Uruguay, 4 Brazil and 8 Argetina). Only 6 Italians -out of them only Materazzi and maybe Grosso or Told could be considered regulars... There are an additional 6 players from EU countries (2 French, 1 Serbian, 1 Portuguese, 1 Greek and a Swedish player). Some of the South American players must be Italian citizen (i.e. Crespo, Recoba, Zanetti, Cordoba, Samuel, Solori, Cruz and Adriano). Regardless, Mancini is right, Inter need more Italian players!!!
I read that in Turkey citizenship is granted after 5 year residency. That is how they are getting a couple of Brezilian born players on their team.
Almost one year on from Italy deservedly raising the WC trophy and people on this blog are still whinging.
Pathetic sour grapes.
As far as Liverpool having hooligan issues? A lot of top sides in Europe do but that doesn't mean all Scouser fans are troublemakers.
What's the real issue here? Why read anymore into this? (press releases)
The Pool deservedly losing to Milan in the CL final? Sour grapes.
Read "Among the Thugs" by Bill Buford. Also if you are culinary inclined his new book, "Heat" is fantastic.
CIAO et al. I only brought the issue of the WC to get under VVV's skin a bit...that sort of thing worked in the past...a bit of my blogging hooliganism coming through. I just wanted to be true to the sterotype the only way I could in this forum.
atleti thanks for educating me. Can't wait to see what BArca, RM, Villarreal, Zaragoza look like next year.
Neophyte- As someone who isn't all that far removed from playing youth soccer at the age of 25, as well as coaching at many camps during my teenage and college years. I can say if your kid can play at an older age group it in my opinion can only benefit them. By putting them in an older group, it teaches them a little more advanced soccer, teaches them to play quicker, and helps them how to learn playing at a disadvantage, assuming he is smaller than the older players.
Worst case scenario, you decide it is too much for him and move him down, which in the short term might hurt his confidence, but in the long term won't make a difference. I think you should definatley do it.
Another example I leave for you is Clint Dempsey. He had at least one older brother, maybe two, and he was always trying to play as good as them, but since they were older he had alot of catching up too do. You know how the rest of the story goes, and if there was a survey I bet alot of good players at any sports had older brothers that challenged them when they were younger.
EURO '08 has forced some leagues to tighten their league calendars.
For Spain, this means that the 1st division will start the weekend of August 25/26. The 1st division will finish May-18. Copa del Rey has been pushed up to April 18th.
Tight schedule!
Last edited by atleti_female on June 6th at 4:12 PM.
Here's a list of achievements by Italian football over the past 20 years, which I'm sure is completely undeserved.
National team:
WC 1990-lost semis on penalties to eventual champion.
WC 1994-lost final on penalties.
WC 1998-lost in QF on penalties to eventual champion.
EC 2000-lost final in extra time.
WC 2002-lost after extra time.
WC 2006-won final on penalties.
SO DON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT LUCK.
England have reached one final in their history and won in extra time after being awarded a goal which bounced a foot outside the line.
Italy have won 5 of 10 UEFA U-21 championships in the past 20 years. All luck I'm sure, and has nothing to do with their success at the senior level.
Milan have reached 8 of the past 20 UCL finals. The next best team has 4 which is Juventus. The best of the rest have 3 or less.
Italy are current World Champions. Milan are current European champions. The reigning FIFA World player of the year is Italian.
That is a heck of a lot of luck and cheating. The way I see it is: "Luck is a word losers use to describe winners"
On March 17, Milan informed it's fans that it's allocation of 17,000 tickets had been sold out. I don't think that a team which averages 45,000 at home league games would have too much trouble selling a few thousand tickets for the UCL final being held an hour flight away.
We all have our crazy opinions but let's not get stupid!
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on June 6th at 6:05 PM.
Just when I thought VVV ended the Scouser, French and English whinging, Ringo keeps it going. Just like the crack drummer you are Starkey. Fab timing. Hilarious!
Well done.
They think it’s all over – It is now
VVV: Point of order. As someone who was in the stadium behind the goal in 1966, from my angle you could see that the whole of the ball clearly crossed the line. There was never a camera shot from where I was.
P.S. Ringo: getting pretty fancy there!
P.P.S. OK so here's a trivia quetion. What was the attendance actually in the ground at the 1966 WC final, and why?
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on June 6th at 7:49 PM.
The listed attendance that day was 96,924 ,but the actual attendance was four fewer ,although we had tickets ,we where unable to attend ,due to a prior engagement in the recording studio!
I’m sorry I ever got into the Liverpool fans at the final discussion.
Liverpool FC did express their concerns to UEFA well in advance of the final, UEFA blew them off, there was trouble just as Liverpool had feared, and then in the aftermath UEFA had the audacity to call Liverpool fans the worst in Europe.
There, see, I can see both sides off the situation.
I am hereby unwound.
RINGO:
How about a ranking of the top 5 biggest upsets of all time?
The Ribery transfer makes absolutley no sense to me. Arsenal would be a perfect fit for him in my eyes, go to a more respected league, and make more money. I can't undertsand why he went to Bayern, not they are a horrible team, I am actually quite interested how they will do next year with all these additions.
On another note, fox made it real difficult for me to get to my favorite blog, ####s!!!
Bobby -what happen to the website, there is no longer a link to this blog. I searched on Google to get back...
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Did Big Sam got Viduka on a free transfer?
For me the biggest upsets:
1. Italy WC 90 (Schillaci & Baggio were thrilling)
2. Italy Euro 2000
3. Italy WC 94
4. Italy WC 98
5. Italy WC 02
In 02 Trapatoni had built up all this hype around Totti and he fell flat on his face. So much potential that he will never realize... I think he should have left his club long ago that would have given him more exposure to football in the CL. Trapatoni should have taken Baggio to Korea/Japan -he was in form and at least he would have 2-3 games for us.
Question to all: What about installing a +/- system like the NHL (hockey) and now the NBA in club play? We could finally put to rest how valuable Beckham is/isn't statistically and it would allow managers to see what the best combos on the pitch were, give the backline and holding midfield players a reward for a job well done (even though they weren't the goal scorer), could base/control salaries on the system-providing a basis for the value clubs put on players, etc...
What do you think?
therealrico-thanks for the insight on my U-10 player.
This should be a testament to Bobby's populartiy that we still find his blog.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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