DYC.

Is it just as racist as Wayne Rooney = white Pelé?

Robbie Fowler = white Darrent Bent

You just had to ruin it...

God bless Louis!

Fowler#9 haha. He was so overrated.

Of course Hazard can improve technically. He's a very good passer for example, but he's not special when it comes to passing. He can definitely make steps in that area. He's also an okay crosser, another area he can easily improve. His shooting and finishing goes without saying. And even his first touch, which is already great, can get better. The likes of Messi, Iniesta, Cassano etc all showed great promise of technical brilliance at younger ages but weren't as refined and consistent as they are now. I'm sure the likes of Zidane and Totti went through the same thing in their younger years. Look at the steps Suarez made. He was so raw at Ajax. Showed plenty flashes of class but he was so messy. I can't believe how much he's grown technically. Hazard willl have to train though. It doesn't just happen and not everyone gets better. Ronaldo is a good example. But yeah, mentally is where he needs to take huge steps. But experience and becoming a winner will help a lot in that. His positioning for example could use quite a bit of work.

What about the ridiculous amount of space they give up at the back though? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results... I think that's called insanity. And Barca can't counter-attack anymore. It's quite extraordinary. I don't I've ever seen anything like that. They don't even try.

Kobe would be very disappointed by your thinking. It won't be a walk in the park but we got this. I'm sick of waiting for the match to begin.

Agree. On the ball there is no competition between the two. But Barca had three players yesterday that can come up with some real magic but what's the point of possessing that sort of class when you can't produce when it matters anymore? Messi's performances against good opponents have been very worrying since 2013. He's been performing so well this season so I was hoping for a vintage performance but he looked like a old man yesterday. This is not the Messi I like to see. For all his ability and class, when he performs like that, he is definitely not the best player. Ronaldo was poor yesterday but that was rather surprising. Real were abusing them on the counter and he usually kills his opponent in games like that. Ronaldo is not the best player when you look at his overall game. And because of that, he is far from being one of my favourite players. But average is taking too far. He is very good, and on his day he can be quite impressive. Just recently he played a great overall game, don't remember against who though. Of course not to be compared with Messi in his prime or other greats from the past. His qualities as a player can not be underestimated though. When it comes to athletisicm and power, he blows everyone away. His relentless attacking of space, incredible movement/positioning and reactions to get on the end of passes and crossing are legendary. Not to forget his heading and finishing are among the best of all-time. Ronaldo takes a lot of shots but when you talk about converting chances, you'll rarely see him mess up a good opportunity. And he also manages to put the ball in the net when it's not really a chance. His goal-scoring record alone makes him an insane player. Can't imagine how you feel as a defender when you know you have to face him.. That fear already gives you a huge advantage. We're talking about Portugal's all-time highest goal-scorer and it's only a matter of time before he becomes Real #1 goal-scorer, averaging over a goal a game. And if Messi continues like this, Ronaldo will end up as the CL as #1 on the top-scorers list. That's absolutely ridiculous. And at the end of the day, football is about winning and goals win games. Have you seen Bayern's system? It's the most confusing system I have ever seen. They play something like a 3-1-3-3 formation, with constant changes in the shape and positions.

The time when players had one specific job on the pitch is long gone. Defensive midfielders don't get away with simply protecting their back-line and simply finishing off chances isn't enough as a striker. Fullbacks are defenders but their role on the pitch goes further than that, depending on the style or system of the team. Dani Alves will go down as a legend for his performances between 2006-2012 (in case you're wondering, Alves was just as good in his time at Sevilla). Not because of his defending though. Roberto Carlos didn't get his legendary status because of his expert defending. Maldini was 5 times the defender Carlos was but a lot of people would pick Carlos over Maldini. Btw, I never said I thought Marcelo was better than Luis or Azpi. I've said it before, it's all about what you're looking for. But you prefering defensively strong fullbacks doesn't make them better. Back in 2008-2012, Guardiola or any single Barca fan, would've traded Dani Alves for any other fullback. Any other side than Barca wouldn't necessarily feel the same way though.

Again, you're focusing on defending. I never said Marcelo was a better defender than Coentrao or Luis. And Mourinho didn't always go for Coentrao (Coentrao is a fantastic LB btw), there was quite a bit of rotation there. Marcelo had an off-day against Germany. Didn't you tell me Marcelo's performance against Barca was just one game? Marcelo had 0 support against Germany as well. But yes, he was terrible that game. Marcelo is a fantastic attacking fullback. You say he's poor defensively, I think he's more than decent. The league he plays in is irrevelant since he has proven his class in the CL. (And the whole notion of the defending in the PL being so much superior compared to La Liga is so old and the result of lazy analysing) Btw, Mourinho picks Azpi over Luis, does that make Azpi a better fullback than Luis? The same Azpi who is 2nd choice at Spain, which would mean Carvajal and Alba are better than Azpi and Luis..? Of course, that's not how it works.

Benzema was brilliant btw. He always gets a lot stick whenever he doesn't play well, but little praise when he's great

It's not just this game though. Marcelo was strong under Mourinho, bar the first year, and the same last season. Though he struggled a bit with injuries. Remember his performance when he came in against Atletico in the CL final? He was fantastic. He was poor at the World Cup though. Marcelo will never be the strongest defender but in his usual form, he's more than decent. Couple that with his offensive abilities and you have a great fullback. Of course, if you're looking for a strong defender, you're not going with Marcelo. But for an attacking team, a player like Marcelo is an huge asset. Besides, Marcelo doesn't have it easy either. For years, Cristiano was in front of him and he hardly tracks back.

James has the stronger offensive contribution though. Oscar is not there yet. I think the team needed Cesc more than they would need Modric though. With Oscar at #10 (Willian/Schurrle on the wing), a chance creator like Cesc was really needed in the team. And his long-range passing is very important as well. R. Madrid is a different case (different playing style, different players).

You really can't deny an in form Marcelo. Looked like his usual self today and he was amazing. Modric is brilliant. Such class and intelligence on the ball combined with such a huge engine. Made Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets look like some fat dudes on mobility scooters.

I don't know if this has been posted before but this is hilarious: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2807458/Chelsea-10-1-Manchester-United-Angel-di-Maria-Red-Devil-make-combined-XI.html (Di Maria the only player to make a combined XI) How times have changed.. Who would've thought Chelsea would one day possess the far superior team compared to Utd. And for the media, I don't think most could argue really, having no choice but to admit it! This has to burn Utd fans all over the world.

Purely based on individuality: Courtois Ivanovic - Pepe - Terry - Luis Bale - Fab/Modric/Kroos - Matic - Hazard Costa - Ronaldo It's really hard to pick between Cesc, Modric and Kroos. They're all brilliant players in their own right, offering different qualities. It's all about what you're looking for. And I know, technically it's a different system, but positions change constantly at this level. A team's shape changes constantly so it's not too important. Now, based on a system: Courtois Azpi - Pepe - Varane - Luis Bale - Modric - Matic - Hazard Costa - Ronaldo Terry is a better CB than Varane but you can't play a high line with Terry. Ramos and Pepe together is a bit too crazy and unpredictable. Pepe over Ramos because he's the better defender (of course Ramos has more personality, is far better on the ball and is far more dangerous at set-pieces). And you have to love Varane's calm presence and clean defending. Went with Modric because of his physical attributes (pace, energy, agility, sharpness) and he's the strongest option defensively. His abillity to dribble from the back - anywhere actually - and his great ability to play and keep the ball under pressure makes him a fantastic asset to any team. Benzema has a great connection with Cris and his playmaking abilities are great, but no team can deal with Costa and Ronaldo's power, movement, dynamism, aggression and clinical finishing. EDIT: Just noticed I put Ivanovic instead of Azpi. Overall, I'd pick Ivanovic over Azpi (their quality doesn't differ much though) but in this system, Azpi is my choice because of his superior speed and 1-on-1 defending.

To be fair, he's (probably) talking about playing as a striker. And that role doesn't suit him. He thrives in his role because there's always a striker keeping the centre-backs busy. And his hold-up play isn't strong. This season he's been playing alongside Benzema in a free role and it's an even better fit. But a role as a lone striker.. He'd be playing that role a long time ago if he was truly capable.

I'm not big on 3 man defences personally. No Hazard.. Shame on you, sir.

Talking about the starting line-ups today. Real have plenty of 2nd choice options better than Pool's first choices. And Arbeloa beats Johnson easily. Johnson is terrible.

Liverpool and Real Madrid combined XI: Casillas Arbeloa - Pepe - Varane - Marcelo Modric - Kroos - Isco Rodriguez - Benzema - Ronaldo

Seriously? Bar Ronaldo and either Sergio Ramos or Pepe over Cahill, Chelsea's players are either on a similar level or better. They're the better team collectively, with their core playing together for a longer time, but not by much.

Chelsea fans don't think Chelsea could go to Anfield and use offensive tactics to beat them? Real's team isn't that much superior. The main difference between the two teams is basically Ronaldo. I know I would love to see it happening.

I'm 100% sure Hazard missed one PK for Chelsea. Don't remember against who it was though. I don't know a better PK taker than Eden. Who needs power and accuracy when you let the GK make the first move..

When you see a player move into certain positions on a consistent basis, it's always because of instructions. If Mou doesn't like him doing so, he'll always order him to change his ways. It's the same with Azpi staying behind the ball during attacks most of the time, or Fabregas sticking to his (deep midfield) position in big games.