ioag, yeah I agree with that. Seen a few things mentioned about how Dinho just didn't seem the same after coming back from the world cup, can't remember which player said it, was one of his team mates.

It's such a shame really. 2006 world cup was meant to be his time to shine, when in seems to have actually been the end of him.

Champions League final will be Milan vs Utd.

If you asked me to rank the teams who I think have the best chance of winning I'd say:

Madrid
Bayern
Barca
Chelsea

I don't mind Pedro starting, but then Xavi and Alexis need to be benched, with Cesc and Neymar playing. Just no more Alexis, it's ridicilous how much Tata appriciates him, and don't tell me he's better than Pedro, same work right but Pedro's finishing is miles better.

Off topic, anyone got a gif of Lescott pass to Hart? Englands finest

Alexis is a much better player than Pedro but Pedro is a better wing-forward.

IOAG, i disagree RE Henry. Sure, he was not longer the player he was but few players in Europe at that time were at that level.

Plus, he had a disappointing previous campaign so he was essentially written off and deployed mainly on the wing and still registered 26 goals!
Barca's annihilation of Bayern was one of the most dominant performances i had ever witnessed in my footballing life - considering the stakes and stature of team involved.

I agree about the WC, i have this tiresome debate with denizens of ja606 here about the pressure. Especially Messi acolytes, the scale and intensity of the WC is incalculable: players who turn on the magic with regularity for their club sides transmogrify to Mental Midgets.

Still Dinho should have done better - even for club side. I still maintain that he was more talented than Messi but the latter has the discipline, handwork and mental fortitude to make the most of his career.

hardwork*

PS

In no way is Alexis 'much better' than Pedro. No way.

I still maintain that he was more talented than Messi but the latter has the discipline, handwork and mental fortitude to make the most of his career.
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Yeah me too.

Nah I think Pedro is better than Sanchez. Alexis has his moments where he's immense but seems too hit and miss for Barca and doesn't suit them as much as Pedro does.

I still think Pedro is one of the most under-appreciated players in Europe. He'd be a star for most premier league sides. But because he's outshone by quite a few players for his club and country he's not rated as high as he should be.

I don't particularly like Pedro's game but he is superior to Alexis in every facet of the game.

Pedro is essentially a more experienced Thomas Muller.
Both are very effective and intelligent players - though i am not enamoured with their styles.

Technically and creatively Alexis is well clear of pedro. Alexis is never going to show his talent playing wing forward. He should really be an ss. For barca pedro will always be more effective but as an overall player Alexis is superior.

What bothers me about Alexis is he wasn't always this clueless and wodden on the pitch, for Udinese he was a completely different player, full of tricks and skills.. how the hell can you lose all that..

He's so afraid to lose the ball he doesn't try anything, thinks every slight mistake will cost him a starting place, the problem is probably mental.

Muller is a much cleverer player than pedro. Better movement, link up play and tactical awareness.

Alexis still has the ability. Watch him play for his country.

There was even an article about him last season how he went to visit a psychiatrist, had self-confidence issues.

True, TRC. I prefer watching Pedro play, though.

I don't think Sanchez is better technically and creatively, I think his dribbling is the only thing better, personally.

http://www.sadanduseless.com/2014/02/faces-of-olympic-figure-skating/

Barca's annihilation of Bayern was one of the most dominant performances i had ever witnessed in my footballing life - considering the stakes and stature of team involved.
--

Indeed, we spoke about them both coming full circle last season:
http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/203262



Not meaning to offend, but I feel Alexis is wasted at Barça. He'd be so much better in a team that exploits space, and Dan, you also mentioned a very interesting point: "He's so afraid to lose the ball he doesn't try anything, thinks every slight mistake will cost him a starting place, the problem is probably mental." The onus on possession is so strong now that it doesn't allow certain players to express themselves naturally. I hope to be mistaken, but I've seen a few signs creeping into Neymar's game too.

comment by Darren The King Fletcher (U10026)
posted 32 minutes ago
http://www.sadanduseless.com/2014/02/faces-of-olympic-figure-skating/
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That's so effíng brilliant Darren Isn't the bloke in the last pic a Man Utd CB though?

It's amazing.

Yeah looks a bit like him eh?

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/phil2-e1331055502378.jpg

Maybe he should try figure skating.

Seen the fashion one from that same website? Eek.

The Olympic diving one is even better.

Right I'm off. Night.

Night Darren.

So in conclusion we all agree Celtic > city and Wanyama > yaya yes? Good.

Alexis would be perfect for us. We should make a big money offer for him in the summer if he is available. That said, I was extremely disappointed in his performance last night!

Bit of a shame that Barca didn't (have to) get out of 2nd gear last night. The game was building up nicely. Still think Barca would have gotten a goal and probably won or drawn.

The criticism of the referee is embarrassing for City. Suddenly they don't have every decision going their way and they decide to say it's because european referees are weaker?

I predicted that the away team would perform better than the home team in both legs of this tie so there's still room for that.

Honestly cannot see why anyone would feel even a modicum of sympathy for poor little destitute City