Caporegime
Can't believe Messi was rested for Barcas game. He's got a great chance of beating Ronaldos goal scoring record from last season.
Continental Football **spoilers**
- Thread starter Anders0n
- Start date
He was ill on Tuesday and didn't train, I think he was just on the bench for emergencies.
They aren't far behind on the table but are light years behind on the pitch, Real keep scraping wins to keep up whilst Barca keep destroying teams.
Also, Liverpool beat almost everyone at the time: Man Utd (1-4), Villa (5-0) etc. So I don't think it was the best time to judge the Spanish league as a whole.
Tim Lovejoy is an idiot anyway. No elaboration needed.
They aren't far behind on the table but are light years behind on the pitch, Real keep scraping wins to keep up whilst Barca keep destroying teams.
Also, Liverpool beat almost everyone at the time: Man Utd (1-4), Villa (5-0) etc. So I don't think it was the best time to judge the Spanish league as a whole.
Tim Lovejoy is an idiot anyway. No elaboration needed.
I meant that was in response to Tummy saying that the Spanish league is as good as the Premiership, nothing to do with Barca!
Messi will definitely beat it, he's been brilliant this season. But it still stands that he's doing it in a poor-ass league where I'd question whether any team in Spain would finish in the top 4, and other than Barcelona, couldn't see any qualifying for Europe.
In the top 4 over here you mean? Well, by the same token, how many teams in the Premiership could you actually see finishing in the top 4?
Because it strikes me that whenever people say "Oh, the Spanish league isn't as good as the English league," what they really mean is "The top 4 in the Premiership would beat all of them (except perhaps Barcelona because they actually seem to be quite good)."
Or are you honestly saying that you don't reckon Barcelona would be able to run riot over the likes of Hull City or Middlesbrough? Or that if you put Bolton in La Liga, they'd beat Deportivo, Atletico and Mallorca with ease?
Because it strikes me that whenever people say "Oh, the Spanish league isn't as good as the English league," what they really mean is "The top 4 in the Premiership would beat all of them (except perhaps Barcelona because they actually seem to be quite good)."
Or are you honestly saying that you don't reckon Barcelona would be able to run riot over the likes of Hull City or Middlesbrough? Or that if you put Bolton in La Liga, they'd beat Deportivo, Atletico and Mallorca with ease?
No, I mean that over 2/3's of the EPL would give a really solid game to any team in Spain. I'd argue teams like Everton and Aston Villa are at the level of Real Madrid currently. What I'm saying is, that the never say die, high intensity of the EPL, a lot of English teams are supperior to their Spanish equivalent and that the top 4 in England are better than those in Spain by quite a way.
Im not sure i'd go that far. Imo our top 4 are superior and i think the bottom few clubs in La Liga are worse than Newcastle, Boro etc however the middle tier of La Liga is pretty strong.
Also regarding Messi's achievements; as i've said before, imo it's easier to score over here than it is in La Liga. Because of the high intesity, the lack of defensive midfielders in lesser sides and teams willingness to play a high line in our game there is far more space to play in and the top attacking players thrive on it. Imo Messi would score more over here.
Also regarding Messi's achievements; as i've said before, imo it's easier to score over here than it is in La Liga. Because of the high intesity, the lack of defensive midfielders in lesser sides and teams willingness to play a high line in our game there is far more space to play in and the top attacking players thrive on it. Imo Messi would score more over here.
More time, i agree but not space. Teams in Spain often sit deep and make you play through them and you'll rarely see a team that doesn't have a defensive midfielder sitting in front of the back 4.
Although he's obviously playing with better players, Torres is a perfect example. He was far from prolific in Spain but the space he gets over here suits him down to the ground. I know dannyjo was talking about him having a quiet season this season but 13 goals in 16 EPL starts isn't bad
Although he's obviously playing with better players, Torres is a perfect example. He was far from prolific in Spain but the space he gets over here suits him down to the ground. I know dannyjo was talking about him having a quiet season this season but 13 goals in 16 EPL starts isn't bad
Fair point but i wouldn't say any of the 3 you mentioned are players that have the pace etc to capitalise on the extra space in behind teams like Torres, Ronaldo or Messi could.
In other words certain players will do better in different leagues because of styles of play not because 1 league is weaker than another and imo Messi's game would suit here even more than La Liga.
In other words certain players will do better in different leagues because of styles of play not because 1 league is weaker than another and imo Messi's game would suit here even more than La Liga.
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I just fail to see how his style would suit more here. I'm not saying he wouldn't be brilliant, he would, but he would be less effective for sure. Robinho looked unreal at times at Real Madrid, but here he looks incredibly average and can't even beat the most average of defenders half the time. I would say the same for Messi, I've never actually seen him perform well against English opposition.
I'm looking forward to the Barcelona vs Chelsea match, I think it'll be great, but I do expect Chelsea to be in the final.
I'm looking forward to the Barcelona vs Chelsea match, I think it'll be great, but I do expect Chelsea to be in the final.
Never seen him perform well against English opposition? 
As we've discussed before, imo he was far and away the best player vs you last season and the first time i really took notice of him was vs Chelsea where again i thought he was the star of the tie. Admittedly he didn't do well vs us but he'd just come back from an injury and because Momo was a monster in those ties.
He creates his chances in Spain with his dribbling or with quick passing but over here, like Ronaldo or Gerrard or Torres etc, he'd get so many chances running in behind teams because of his pace and he's a fantastic finisher too.
Also it's an insult to compare Robinho to Messi and like Torres with us, Robinho had better players at Real
As we've discussed before, imo he was far and away the best player vs you last season and the first time i really took notice of him was vs Chelsea where again i thought he was the star of the tie. Admittedly he didn't do well vs us but he'd just come back from an injury and because Momo was a monster in those ties.
He creates his chances in Spain with his dribbling or with quick passing but over here, like Ronaldo or Gerrard or Torres etc, he'd get so many chances running in behind teams because of his pace and he's a fantastic finisher too.
Also it's an insult to compare Robinho to Messi and like Torres with us, Robinho had better players at Real
Actually, best player on the pitch in the first game was Brown. Tevez in the second.
Barcelona were a lot of huff and puff, but bar one low drive from someone (Eto'o?) and one bending shot from Henry from the left, I can't remember them actually getting something on target.
Barcelona were a lot of huff and puff, but bar one low drive from someone (Eto'o?) and one bending shot from Henry from the left, I can't remember them actually getting something on target.
Aye, you're a Man Utd fan, but many neutrals will say that Messi was the best, something we have to accept
You've got to bear in mind as well that Messi is the top scorer in Europe as well, proving he can score against all types of teams (although granted he hasn't played against English opposition yet).
I think a lot of English fans are in for a shock when Barca play to be honest. I know they aren't in infallible so I wouldn't go as far as saying they'll definitely win the competition but they have to be favourites. Guardiola's team is twice as good as Rijkaard's.
I think a lot of English fans are in for a shock when Barca play to be honest. I know they aren't in infallible so I wouldn't go as far as saying they'll definitely win the competition but they have to be favourites. Guardiola's team is twice as good as Rijkaard's.