Madmax

Fuck off Bayern.

What time is the final? Really want to watch it.

£25m for Ivanovic? It's a no-branna.

Only because it hurts. I think they should, provided they keep hold of their really good young players (Marquinhos, Lamela) and add another couple of top talents (CB, ST). Italy is probably at it's weakest (in terms of competition) than ever before so everything below 1st place (Juve again) should be quite open.

Silly me, unlike Juve we can't go to any lengths to boost our trophy count

Deflated. The wait for the silver star continues .. Happy for Klose though. Great player.

^ neither does Ronaldo

Only time will tell.

Juan Mata + steroids = AVB Vertonghen - steroids + beard = AVB Therefore, Juan Mata + steroids = Vertonhgen -steroids + beard Therefore, Juan Mata = Vertonghen + beard - (2xsteroids)

Yes he was quite disappointing. Hopefully he gets his head right because he's a much, much better player than what he showed yesterday.

LOL, they have their articles, we have our trophy.

Torres doesn't even enter into this debate for me, afaic (bar his finishing), he was never a technical player but a physical one, his pace was electric and Benitez built Liverpool around this attribute.

Big deal. Shouldn't they just ban the next Madrid manager for two games though? Is the suspension supposed to be person-specific or position-specific?

Do one. Forza Giallorossi! No Totti, no party!

I tend to view the term 'technique' in relation to the player's position and the duties that position entails, so for me, those two are an absolute must for centre backs but less so for a central midfielder, even though I think a CM is a technique-heavy position because of its location on the pitch. If you leave out tackling and marking, you're left with ball control, touch, etc which are too standardized. What, then, separates a good technical defender from a good technical midfielder?

I was debating it with myself a little while writing that down too, but he won it for me over Cahill or Terry because of the skil set he's improved upon since being played at right back. All three are strong headers of the ball, Cahill and Terry are good last ditch tacklers but weak markers (except against slow lumps like Carroll and even he embarrassed JT in the FA Cup final last year) while Ivan is a more rounded defender. He's comfortable performing just about every duty against most types of opponents. Terry's midfield past has given him a very good passing range though.

1. Different for different types of players : Goalkeepers - handling, kicking, aerial prowess Fullbacks - tackling, marking, crossing Centrebacks - heading, tackling, marking Wingers - crossing, passing, dribbling/ball control, first touch (more for the slower wide players), finishing Centre mids - passing, tackling, first touch, marking, long shots Attacking midfielders - passing, first touch, dribbling, finishing, long shots, Strikers - finishing, first touch, heading, dribbling 2. In our squad I think Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Hazard, Mata and Oscar are technically gifted players in their positions. Just realized what a sea change that is from say 2-3 years ago when we were a squad of athletic, powerful, physically-imposing players.

Oh well. Was really hoping for a BVB win but can't have any complaints with Bayern, they played very well and picked up a deserved crown. Thank fuck it wasn't Barcelona again.

Right, thanks Nostradamus.

Some interesting quotes on Goal.com :

Few nice comps : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dh9Ja7IHhI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjFvwvjlzGE Also, this guy on youtube does a compilation of all his touches on a match-by-match basis : http://www.youtube.com/user/chelseaOscar11i So easy on the eye

1. Why not? On our right in particular, the advanced midfielder isn't even a true winger. Azpilicueta is a massive support. Schurrle isn't even a right winger, he's in the Hazard mould. He isn't going to force Hazard on to the other flank. Di maria - fair enough. Are we even linked though? 2. He's played sizable minutes at CM; just not started there enough. When we're chasing games or looking to bring some sort of control/composure in the middle, he is the one Benitez turned to for filling that role.

AFAIC, the 'problem of his best position' can only be in the context of how good he is wherever he's played. Central attacker? Check. Left wing? Check. Right wing? Check. Centre midfield? Check.

The number of people dropping Oscar from their teams ... just wow.