Champions League 19/20 October 2010

[Gibbo]

Eduardo scored for Shakhtar was greeted like Arsenal had scored

[lickedlollipop]

what a goal by valter birsa

[wiw]

What's your take on Madrid V?

They started a little slowly, but seem to have got going now and they're scoring bucketloads of goals all of a sudden. And with Mourinho's ability to shore up a defence and be hard to beat, i cant see many stopping them in the CL.

He's got the pace, flair, creativity and power going forward with Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain, Di Maria (and not to mention Kaka), they have the 'string-pulling' control of Alonso and likely to be fairly solid at the back too.

And this is without mentioning the likes of Benzema and Canales too.

Anything can happen in a 2-leg tie, but if i was punting on a CL winner, my money would be going on them. Inter could possibly compete with them, probably Chelsea too and obviously Barcelona are always a massive threat, but Madrid look ominous to me.

It's ridiculous, there is no denying he is a brilliant manager (one of the very best), but **** me he is lucky at the timing of the jobs he's taken. His last 3 jobs he's also had insane resources. Taking nothing away from his skill as a manager of course, he's brilliant

I still find it slightly nauseating that he is managing Alonso.

[Craig_H]

It's ridiculous, there is no denying he is a brilliant manager (one of the very best), but **** me he is lucky at the timing of the jobs he's taken. His last 3 jobs he's also had insane resources. Taking nothing away from his skill as a manager of course, he's brilliant

I still find it slightly nauseating that he is managing Alonso.

Just as long as you can keep emotions out of it then

[-V-]

What's your take on Madrid V?

They started a little slowly, but seem to have got going now and they're scoring bucketloads of goals all of a sudden. And with Mourinho's ability to shore up a defence and be hard to beat, i cant see many stopping them in the CL.

He's got the pace, flair, creativity and power going forward with Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain, Di Maria (and not to mention Kaka), they have the 'string-pulling' control of Alonso and likely to be fairly solid at the back too.

And this is without mentioning the likes of Benzema and Canales too.

Anything can happen in a 2-leg tie, but if i was punting on a CL winner, my money would be going on them. Inter could possibly compete with them, probably Chelsea too and obviously Barcelona are always a massive threat, but Madrid look ominous to me.

I don't think it has anything to do with Mourinho to be honest. Its all about Ronaldo. They give him the ball and he just takes people on for fun and destroys people. With Alonso pulling the strings, Khedira covering, Higuain poaching and the movement and speed of Ozil and Di Maria they are going to do very very well. They have a very good blend of pacey young players but I don't know how many were actually Mourinho's choices.

You have to give him credit for the Carvalho signing though, the one thing they needed most was a top class experienced CB. But seriously its all about Ronaldo, he causes so much damage that it creates space for Di Maria and Ozil

[Craig_H]

I don't think it has anything to do with Mourinho to be honest. Its all about Ronaldo. They give him the ball and he just takes people on for fun and destroys people. With Alonso pulling the strings, Khedira covering, Higuain poaching and the movement and speed of Ozil and Di Maria they are going to do very very well. They have a very good blend of pacey young players but I don't know how many were actually Mourinho's choices.

You have to give him credit for the Carvalho signing though, the one thing they needed most was a top class experienced CB. But seriously its all about Ronaldo, he causes so much damage that it creates space for Di Maria and Ozil

I hear what you're saying, but it isnt Ronaldo who has made them solid at the back - the one thing Madrid never were.

And Mourinho's got a history of making his teams organised and hard to break down. Have you seen their goals against record under him so far? Only 3 goals conceded in 10 games.

That's mighty impressive and not the usual stat you'd associate with Real Madrid.

[Rudo]

I hear what you're saying, but it isnt Ronaldo who has made them solid at the back - the one thing Madrid never were.

And Mourinho's got a history of making his teams organised and hard to break down. Have you seen their goals against record under him so far? Only 3 goals conceded in 10 games.

That's mighty impressive and not the usual stat you'd associate with Real Madrid.

Good post. i fancy them in the cl this seasoon with Jose at the helm.

[The_weatherman]

I hear what you're saying, but it isnt Ronaldo who has made them solid at the back - the one thing Madrid never were.

And Mourinho's got a history of making his teams organised and hard to break down. Have you seen their goals against record under him so far? Only 3 goals conceded in 10 games.

That's mighty impressive and not the usual stat you'd associate with Real Madrid.

I think they will definately be the team to beat, Mourinho comes in at a good time as well, every season now gets harder for Barca and Inter are hardly going to win the CL back to back. Chelsea and Madrid are my favourites for the CL. Madrid will probably take the La Liga as well.

Mourinho gets his team to play very practically, and with these attributes it is a very formidable team he has. Almost without weaknesses.

[Craig_H]

Dwight Yorke (in the Sky Sports studio) just called Nicolas Anelka a 'bit of a gypsy'

[Shaggy]

Don't Souness and Yorke have some fisticuff history?

[Bender]

Dwight Yorke (in the Sky Sports studio) just called Nicolas Anelka a 'bit of a gypsy'

[Craig_H]

Don't Souness and Yorke have some fisticuff history?

They didnt play during the same era. As you know

I cant say i remember hearing that.

[Rich]

Blackburn?!

[Craig_H]

Yeah, fair point. I still dont remember hearing it though.

[Shaggy]

I'm sure there was an incident in training at Blackburn. Yorke fouled Souness - his manager - and apparently Souness picked himself up, hunted down Yorke and absolutely smashed into him, leaving him in an undignified heap. He did that to his own player