Tortilla9

I admit when I read the original post I was blown away. Living in Southern California and having spent time in the deep South of the US, the "n" word is deeply offensive. Yes, it's used in the movies, rap, etc. which I personally don't like but it is still considered a racially offensive word. I appreciate your explanation and your apology when it would have been easier to say nothing and hope it would blow over. My condolences on your loss.

Found it odd that they couldn't manage to stop the laser light(s) that were pointed at Torres. Damn Spanish fans.

I'm not going to quote the one specific quote which the Mods should remove immediately. I've been following comments on twitter, other forums, etc about Kalou and the handball. Some have made me flat out laugh (why didn't he pull a Tevez on the bench, etc). The quote here though is wrong and racist.

I really think some of AVB's subs, rotations, are just to mess with our minds.

Supposedly a few Spanish fans are welcoming Torres with a green laser light everybody he's near the ball.

I have no idea what the formation will be. To quote Al Davis, just win baby.

Warm night in Valencia. 88 degrees F. Is that 31 C?

Before the match in the dressing room I suggest AVB have this little conversation: AVB: Flo, let me introduce you to Fernando, our #9. Handshakes all around. AVB: Flo, it is ok to actually pass the ball to Fernando. He's the blonde one with the hairband wearing #9 just in case you forget.

Work computer blocks everything. Somewhere else said formation might be 4-2-3-1 with Torres up top, Mata behind, and Ramires right and Malouda left. Beats me.

My hope is Malouda plays within the team and doesn't try shooting from ridiculous angles at 25 yards.

Chelsea subs Turnbull, Ivanovic, Romeu, Meireles, Drogba, Kalou, Anelka. No Sturridge on the bench.

Valencia starting per @espanafutbol: D Alves, Miguel, Rami, Victor Ruiz, Jordi Alba, Albelda, Ever, Pablo, Canales, Mathieu, Soldado Rumor Lampard is starting tonight.

You, sir, are correct and that's what I get for multi-tasking and not paying attention.

Perreira, Josh, and Alex didn't get to participate in the Spanish road trip.

Torres - does seem he is a lightning rod wherever he goes. Mata may get some "love" because some Valencia fans weren't too thrilled with Mata Sr who is also his agent. A few comments I heard "hate to see Mata leave, not sorry to see his dad go".

Spanish fans are just as likely to boo as they are to cheer for some players. No love lost between Barca and RM. Not until the recent successes of the NT have Spanish fans been able to put aside their club loyalties and cheer for the entire NT. Some RM fans still have a difficult time cheering for Xavi on the NT and the same with Barca fans and say Ramos. There are a lot of politics too that drive the cheering or booing. When Torres played against RM at Madrid in the CL with LFC, he got nothing but abuse from the Madrid fans. Their favorite chant was a Spanish version of your an SOB. He seemed to relish it and scored than pointed to the name on the shirt so I don't think he's worried about any booing or chants.

I don't think they'll boo Mata too much. A few might but not like if Chelsea were going to Madrid or Barcelona. Then Torres would catch holy hell.

Funny, yet unsurprising. And the English media wonder why he doesn't do print interviews with them. If the clueless wonders had actually watched the entire interview on CTV after the match, he seemed very calm and relaxed. He was very appreciative of the fans and smiled when asked about walking to the Bridge. Take one word out of the entire interview and the media spins it into he was ready to jump off the nearest cliff.

ack17 - thanks for posting the video. The more I see of him, the more I like him.

The first time I heard the song on the radio with my daughter I couldn't believe it was actually a song. This version is pretty stupid too but it makes me laugh.

Funny, maybe smart how on this interview they didn't include the part about walking to the Bridge.

I meant I completely agree with you. Hoping to see more goals in CL games and look forward to a sharp and rested October return.

You're not kidding. I'm waiting for double digit goals and a compilation. He better not make us wait too much longer.