***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

I just finished throwing up after watching the US U20 qualifier. Lets just say it was not the most well earned 3 points by a US team ever. We knew the defense was going to be issue, but my god, they look like spinning tops out there. And the US keeper was swatting at flies on every cross. The left back, obviously playing out of position was absolutely useless offensively, it was cringe worthy. Only bright spot was Daniel Cuevas, who I had never seen before. Not sure how to best describe him....he looks like a soccer version of Maurice Jones Drew. He looks about 5'4" by 5'4", with sick pace with the ball. He drew a pk in the first half with an incredible run. And then scored a laser beam goal for what turned out to be the winner. He also set up at least one other what should have been sure goal that Luis Gil shanked. The US better gets its act in gear and/or pray that Haiti is not one of the weakest teams in the tourney as predicted else they are going to have a disaster come the QF's if they make it. Very disappointed in what I saw.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet, but Jozy broke his personal scoring record by netting his 21st in all competitions this past weekend for AZ. Hope he can find a way to bulge the old onion bag for the US sometime soon.....

 

[jonessed]

Here's life in a have-not club: sign in Oldham's locker room before the FA Cup game with Everton

They're asking for the FA Cup match balls of the clubs they've beat also. Apparently they can't afford anymore.

I imagine its great for them financially to have drawn and get a replay at Goodison Park?

Probably. The announcers spoke about their financial issues a bit. I wouldn't mind seeing them go through, although the odds have to be pretty slim.

 

[NewlyRetired]

World Cup to use goal-line technology

February 19, 2013

FIFA has faced increasing pressure from fans and media alike to introduce technology to prevent such errors from occurring at top tournaments.

FIFA said it is now seeking tenders from companies which want their system to be used at the Confederations Cup in June and next year's World Cup.

"Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April," FIFA said in a statement.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted on giving World Cup referees high-tech aids to make goal-line decisions after seeing England midfielder Frank Lampard have a clear goal denied against Germany at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Tuesday's decision was expected once FIFA's rule-making panel, known as IFAB, decided last July to approve goal-line technology at competitive matches after two systems passed extensive tests.

The camera-based Hawk-Eye system and GoalRef, which uses magnetic sensors, were used at the Club World Cup in Japan in December.

Those two systems were expected to compete for World Cup duty, though two competitors are making late entries in the contest.

FIFA said two German systems have completed tests and could soon be approved for use. The companies are not being formally identified until licensing is approved.

One system has passed tests devised for FIFA by a Zurich-based technical institute, and results for the second are expected this month, FIFA said.

Hawk-Eye is already used in tennis and cricket. The English company was bought by Sony Corp., a World Cup sponsor, during the testing process.

GoalRef uses magnetic sensors in the goalposts to track an "intelligent" ball, made by Danish company Select.

Both systems relay information within one second to the referee's wristwatch. Both passed all pre-game tests in Japan but were not called upon to determine a goal.

Before the 2010 World Cup, Blatter had long opposed taking the human element of decision-making from referees. He changed his stance after seeing match officials miss Lampard's shot bounce off the crossbar and land fully over the goal line in Bloemfontein. England would have leveled at 2-2 before halftime but lost 4-1 in the second round.

Blatter said two days later that FIFA should reopen the debate, although video replay remains off limits for judgment calls.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I wouldn't mind seeing them go through, although the odds have to be pretty slim.

Looks like 14-1.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I probably rate Landon higher than most. Top 100 sounds about right, with the corollary that I actually think the large undifferentiated mass probably starts well before the 100th player. At his peak, I think there were actually fewer better flank players than you'd think compared to Landon. Certainly Ronaldo, Robben, and Ribery. Bale hadn't quite reached his area yet. DiMaria was certainly better regarded. But beyond those elite wingers, Landon was in a class of other guys who could you see as squad players, even for big sides. Like Park (or Tony V.) for Man U. Benayoun for Liverpool. Malouda with Chelsea (who was probably better regarded, but I'm not sure if he was "better"). Alexis was probably better regarded at Udinese, but it's hard to say that he's really had a better record. Landon has made the tournament team in two World Cups and a Confed Cup if I'm not mistaken. Generally, we think of World Class players as players who do something noticeable and sexy really well. Scoring goals. Getting to the endline and whipping in crosses. Playing killer balls. Defending like Braveheart. But there are less of those guys out there than you think. After that, there is a wide range of highly functional professional soccer players. And Landon is in that group. I think he was among the best in that group because in the old cliche about needing 7 guys to carry the piano and three who could play it, Landon could do either depending on the game and tactics needed. A certain segment of USMNT fans have always wanted Landon to be a guy with the world beating sexy skills. But for the US, he was more important. He was the soccer equivalent of the Room of Requirement. He was a very good defensive winger, but could also pop up for goals and assists as needed. He could play either side. He could take set pieces or mark an offensive winger (or great offensive fullback like Ashley Cole) out of the game. These are all qualities that aren't readily apparent to fans, but which are apparent to coaches. Guys like that still play roles on big teams. Look at Milner of Man City, who is a very Landon-like player.

 

[PatrickS]

Quite interested to see how Arsenal get on after getting knocked out by Blackburn in the FA Cup last weekend.I take Bayern as superior opposition so I think there's only one outcome here on who will qualify.If Wenger doesn't finish in the top 4 I think his time at the club might be up and that war chest might be spent by someone else. Even the man in the opposite dug out perhaps - Jupp Heynckes.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Landon has made the tournament team in two World Cups and a Confed Cup if I'm not mistaken.

Are you referring to the WC All Star Team? I don't think he ever made it. I believe Reyna is the only US player ever to be named to the WC All Star Team2010 WC All Star Team2006 WC All Star Team2002 WC All Star Team1998 WC All Star Team1994 WC All Star Team1990 WC All Star TeamHe also never made the Confed Cup All Star team, Howard and Dempsey did though in 20092009 Confed Cup All Star Team

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Landon has made the tournament team in two World Cups and a Confed Cup if I'm not mistaken.

Are you referring to the WC All Star Team? I don't think he ever made it. I believe Reyna is the only US player ever to be named to the WC All Star Team2010 WC All Star Team2006 WC All Star Team2002 WC All Star Team1998 WC All Star Team1994 WC All Star Team1990 WC All Star Team

No, I'm thinking of a team that generally has more than XI members, and isn't voted on by the fans, but I could be mistaken. Disregard that point.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Landon has made the tournament team in two World Cups and a Confed Cup if I'm not mistaken.

Are you referring to the WC All Star Team? I don't think he ever made it. I believe Reyna is the only US player ever to be named to the WC All Star Team2010 WC All Star Team2006 WC All Star Team2002 WC All Star Team1998 WC All Star Team1994 WC All Star Team1990 WC All Star Team

No, I'm thinking of a team that generally has more than XI members, and isn't voted on by the fans, but I could be mistaken. Disregard that point.

ahh gotcha. It appears to vary who votes and how many players are added in the links above.For example in 2010, it was a fans vote(online) and was limited just 11 playersIn 2006, it was the FIFA technical committee vote and that was a full squad of 23 players.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

And while Landon didn't make the 2002 All Star team, he was voted Young Player of the tournament.In any case, my point is that Landon has probably had as good a record in major international tournaments as any player who hasn't made a semi could possibly have. Obviously Spanish, German, (and in 2002, Brazillian) players are going to be heavily represented on those teams. And Landon is tarred by the 2006 disaster (where, ironically, I think he had his best single-game WC performance when he ran his socks off in the draw against Italy).

 

[Slapdash]

I probably rate Landon higher than most. Top 100 sounds about right, with the corollary that I actually think the large undifferentiated mass probably starts well before the 100th player. At his peak, I think there were actually fewer better flank players than you'd think compared to Landon. Certainly Ronaldo, Robben, and Ribery. Bale hadn't quite reached his area yet. DiMaria was certainly better regarded. But beyond those elite wingers, Landon was in a class of other guys who could you see as squad players, even for big sides. Like Park (or Tony V.) for Man U. Benayoun for Liverpool. Malouda with Chelsea (who was probably better regarded, but I'm not sure if he was "better"). Alexis was probably better regarded at Udinese, but it's hard to say that he's really had a better record. Landon has made the tournament team in two World Cups and a Confed Cup if I'm not mistaken. Generally, we think of World Class players as players who do something noticeable and sexy really well. Scoring goals. Getting to the endline and whipping in crosses. Playing killer balls. Defending like Braveheart. But there are less of those guys out there than you think. After that, there is a wide range of highly functional professional soccer players. And Landon is in that group. I think he was among the best in that group because in the old cliche about needing 7 guys to carry the piano and three who could play it, Landon could do either depending on the game and tactics needed. A certain segment of USMNT fans have always wanted Landon to be a guy with the world beating sexy skills. But for the US, he was more important. He was the soccer equivalent of the Room of Requirement. He was a very good defensive winger, but could also pop up for goals and assists as needed. He could play either side. He could take set pieces or mark an offensive winger (or great offensive fullback like Ashley Cole) out of the game. These are all qualities that aren't readily apparent to fans, but which are apparent to coaches. Guys like that still play roles on big teams. Look at Milner of Man City, who is a very Landon-like player.

Landon is a very good player who does a lot for his team that isn't readily apparent. He is a utility man with a high work-rate that the USMNT sorely misses.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think he had his best single-game WC performance when he ran his socks off in the draw against Italy.

He was great in that game.

 

[B Maverick]

i am not as high on Landon as most is and some of it is probably unfair or just my lack of the background on why he does some things. I admit that. So take the following for what it is. plus i never am as eloquent as i want to be when i post. To me he rarely took over a game, could be marked out of the game and disappear. Not to say he never did, but it was rare imo. And I mean a full game. Not just popping up for a late key goal or assist, although that is important too. He has had some great games and key goals/plays/etc. He had all the skills you could want in a player except I never saw his desire to grow and be better. By that I mean he was perfectly happy being the big fish in the little pond. Being the top dog in the MLS instead of growing in the top leagues of Europe. He couldnt hack Germany, Did well on his loan to Everton, but for whatever reason he wouldnt move there. To use Klinsmann's point from the recent interviews, LD was never one to chase the big time. Move to Everton, compete for Europe, make the move to a bigger club, put a mark on the CL or even Europa. No, his move to a bigger club was from San Jose to LA. Is this overly critical? probably.Fair to LD? probably not.Top 5 US field players ever? probably.Top 100 in the world? probably notLike I said, this is just my opinion based on limited knowledge of LD, and i could be very wrong (i usually am).

 

[Sebowski]

Quite interested to see how Arsenal get on after getting knocked out by Blackburn in the FA Cup last weekend.I take Bayern as superior opposition so I think there's only one outcome here on who will qualify.If Wenger doesn't finish in the top 4 I think his time at the club might be up and that war chest might be spent by someone else. Even the man in the opposite dug out perhaps - Jupp Heynckes.

It will be a completely different lineup today vs the fa cup one. Tough, tough game today, but I'm unseasonably optomistic.

 

[The Gator]

Liverpool U21 Highlights

Tough watching Pelosi's injury(9:30). Not gruesome, but his reaction is :(

And it was in stoppage time

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Quite interested to see how Arsenal get on after getting knocked out by Blackburn in the FA Cup last weekend.I take Bayern as superior opposition so I think there's only one outcome here on who will qualify.If Wenger doesn't finish in the top 4 I think his time at the club might be up and that war chest might be spent by someone else. Even the man in the opposite dug out perhaps - Jupp Heynckes.

It will be a completely different lineup today vs the fa cup one. Tough, tough game today, but I'm unseasonably optomistic.

I also think too much was made of the Blackburn game*, which was a spectacularly unlucky result. Yes, Arsenal lacked some ideas in the final third. And yes, they were burned by bad defending by three players on the goal (Walcott, Coquellin, and the Szezch), but they didn't play bad. Some of the criticisms makes no sense to me (such as that Arsene was supposed to punt the CL game instead of the FA Cup game because the FA Cup was a competition Arsenal could win). If we're there, let's fire Arsene now. BM is a better team. But I'm not that worried about Aresenal not having much possession. I think they're best on the counter now. I know how good Munich's defense has been, but I think Arsenal will get a goal. They might give up three. But I think they'll get a goal. * I have no defense, however, for Arsene's press conference performance, which was petulant and boorish.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Prediction:3-1.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think Landon gets dinged a little too much for the not wanting to challenge himself in a "bigger" league idea because he stayed in MLS.I don't buy that most players move to Europe to get better and to prove themselves against better competition. Typically, and I bet this is true for 90% of the players out there, players move from their domestic countries to other countries because of money.Landon was very unique in that while he played in a smaller league, he was very very well paid. It is not quite so obvious to me that Howard, Dempsey, Jozy, Edu, Bradley, Ream, Holden etc would have immediately jumped to Europe if they were making over a million a year instead of making closer to a $100k a year (and in some cases less than that).I think the decisions become harder to make to move when the money is very good where you are. Throw in the fact that Landon was always more concerned about his personal life than his pro life (ie Bianca), it is not hard to understand why he made some of the decisions he did on his career.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Well, this is going well ...The lesson, as always, I'm an idiot.

 

[T Bell]

Well, this is going well ...The lesson, as always, I'm an idiot.

I really had zero good feelings about this one. The only hope I had for Arsenal was if they stopped Bayern from scoring and nipped a 1-0 win. Oh well...

 

[jonessed]

Bayern is going to counter now. Arsenal really need to get Giroud in and move Walcott out wide.

 

[T Bell]

Bayern is going to counter now. Arsenal really need to get Giroud in and move Walcott out wide.

It basically doesn't matter. Bayern's got two away goals and won't give up more than one goal in this match. Arsenal would have to outright win this game now to even have a chance to win the tie, but they're just not going to put three past Bayern in 60 minutes.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Prediction:3-1.

 

[T Bell]

Prediction:3-1.

Nice call.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The linesman missed the call on Porto's goal.

 

[jonessed]

Bayern is going to counter now. Arsenal really need to get Giroud in and move Walcott out wide.

It basically doesn't matter. Bayern's got two away goals and won't give up more than one goal in this match. Arsenal would have to outright win this game now to even have a chance to win the tie, but they're just not going to put three past Bayern in 60 minutes.

It's easy to say Arsenal's defense sucks, but I think a lot of their defensive problems stem from laziness in the midfield. Players like Arteta and Cazorla have zero interest in defending and that puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team to pick up their slack. Those two really shouldn't be on the field together.

 

[The Gator]

I love Wilshere

 

[T Bell]

I love Wilshere

Wilshere, if he stays healthy, will be great, not just good.

 

[T Bell]

Bayern is going to counter now. Arsenal really need to get Giroud in and move Walcott out wide.

It basically doesn't matter. Bayern's got two away goals and won't give up more than one goal in this match. Arsenal would have to outright win this game now to even have a chance to win the tie, but they're just not going to put three past Bayern in 60 minutes.

It's easy to say Arsenal's defense sucks, but I think a lot of their defensive problems stem from laziness in the midfield. Players like Arteta and Cazorla have zero interest in defending and that puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team to pick up their slack. Those two really shouldn't be on the field together.

Definitely true of Cazorla, but Arteta has actually been used in the holding role and been pretty good with it. It's definitely not his natural position. The main defensive problem IMHO has been their CB's. They just haven't been consistent, and all have played below their standards. Vermaelen in particular has had a poor year. Lots of mental and physical errors. At times their FB's have played poorly (especially Santos - thank God he's gone), their wings have failed to track back and defend, and as you said the midfield will fail, but I think their midfield play tends to be the most consistent strength they have. The funny thing is that they're not all that far away from being a very good side, but just getting over that last hump to get there seems to continue to elude them.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Transcription contest?Salty language: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=csCD-62Z-q0#!

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Prediction:3-1.

1-3

 

[NewlyRetired]

Portland has signed Mikael Silvestre to a 2 year deal.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Prediction:3-1.

1-3

I still can't abide by this convention.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Prediction:3-1.

Well done.I thoroughly enjoyed the match except for Neuer's mishandling of the corner and the constant mispronunciation of BAYern and Filipe LAMB. I cringed every time.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Arsenal showed a lot of fight today, and I commend them for it. There were stretches of the game where they totally dominated the midfield, IMO. Rosicky was great off the bench, and I thought Cazorla did well to "pull the strings" at times. Kroos and Mandzukic both had world-class caliber goals, nothing Arsenal really could've done. Perhaps Mertesacker was a half-step too late on the Kroos goal, but that's nitpicking. Arteta got caught ball-watching on the second goal (Muller? I can't recall). Arsenal didn't have enough punch up front. I like Walcott a lot, but he was just outmatched in a lone striker role against a team like Bayern....Arsenal might be able to pull that formation off against a team like Reading, but not Bayern.All that said, perhaps I'm biased, but Jack Wilshere was far and away the best player on the field all afternoon. I disagree with Redm- T Bell when he says that Wilshere could be great. I think he already is great, and he showed it this afternoon against the world's best of the best. It's going to be really disappointing when he's ultimately sold to a bigger club....

 

[Steve Tasker]

Prediction:3-1.

Well done.I thoroughly enjoyed the match except for Neuer's mishandling of the corner and the constant mispronunciation of BAYern and Filipe LAMB. I cringed every time.

I got a lol out of Thomas "Vermarlen" and Bacary "Sayna".

 

[T Bell]

Arsenal showed a lot of fight today, and I commend them for it. There were stretches of the game where they totally dominated the midfield, IMO. Rosicky was great off the bench, and I thought Cazorla did well to "pull the strings" at times. Kroos and Mandzukic both had world-class caliber goals, nothing Arsenal really could've done. Perhaps Mertesacker was a half-step too late on the Kroos goal, but that's nitpicking. Arteta got caught ball-watching on the second goal (Muller? I can't recall). Arsenal didn't have enough punch up front. I like Walcott a lot, but he was just outmatched in a lone striker role against a team like Bayern....Arsenal might be able to pull that formation off against a team like Reading, but not Bayern.

All that said, perhaps I'm biased, but Jack Wilshere was far and away the best player on the field all afternoon. I disagree with Redm- T Bell when he says that Wilshere could be great. I think he already is great, and he showed it this afternoon against the world's best of the best. It's going to be really disappointing when he's ultimately sold to a bigger club....

I don't disagree with this. Let's not forget that he somehow, two years ago, was the best midfielder on the pitch for one night at the Emirates against Barcelona at 19 years old. I was speaking longer term, in terms of the way he's remembered ultimately.

Oh, and I don't think Arsenal is going to let him go. He'll be their first $200k/week player.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Arsenal showed a lot of fight today, and I commend them for it. There were stretches of the game where they totally dominated the midfield, IMO. Rosicky was great off the bench, and I thought Cazorla did well to "pull the strings" at times. Kroos and Mandzukic both had world-class caliber goals, nothing Arsenal really could've done. Perhaps Mertesacker was a half-step too late on the Kroos goal, but that's nitpicking. Arteta got caught ball-watching on the second goal (Muller? I can't recall). Arsenal didn't have enough punch up front. I like Walcott a lot, but he was just outmatched in a lone striker role against a team like Bayern....Arsenal might be able to pull that formation off against a team like Reading, but not Bayern.

All that said, perhaps I'm biased, but Jack Wilshere was far and away the best player on the field all afternoon. I disagree with Redm- T Bell when he says that Wilshere could be great. I think he already is great, and he showed it this afternoon against the world's best of the best. It's going to be really disappointing when he's ultimately sold to a bigger club....

I don't disagree with this. Let's not forget that he somehow, two years ago, was the best midfielder on the pitch for one night at the Emirates against Barcelona at 19 years old. I was speaking longer term, in terms of the way he's remembered ultimately.

Oh, and I don't think Arsenal is going to let him go. He'll be their first $200k/week player.

I know what you were saying, I was just saying it for hyperbole.I sure as hell hope they won't let him go, but I gotta think it's going to be hard for the team to get him to stay if they're still in a floundering trophy drought in a few years. I have to think that a Chelsea or City will easily be able to match whatever Arsenal can offer in terms of compensation, along with the promise of basically eternal Champions League play and a yearly chance to win the league title. Maybe I'm being too cynical.

 

[Sebowski]

All that said, perhaps I'm biased, but Jack Wilshere was far and away the best player on the field all afternoon. I disagree with Redm- T Bell when he says that Wilshere could be great. I think he already is great, and he showed it this afternoon against the world's best of the best. It's going to be really disappointing when he's ultimately sold to a bigger club doing it for England....

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

 

[Sebowski]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

From your lips to God's ears. It'd be nice if they put this thing away early.Second leg of the Copa semifinal is next week.

 

[Sebowski]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

From your lips to God's ears. It'd be nice if they put this thing away early.Second leg of the Copa semifinal is next week.

I'm glad Balloteli is Cup tied and Pato is gone. Every time I think of Milan I think of Pato scoring 10 seconds into the game and then their equalizing goal in extra time after having Barca dominate for 89 minutes in between.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The US Costa Rica game in Denver sold out after 1 hour of ticket sales to the general public.

 

[Slapdash]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

From your lips to God's ears. It'd be nice if they put this thing away early.Second leg of the Copa semifinal is next week.

I'm glad Balloteli is Cup tied and Pato is gone. Every time I think of Milan I think of Pato scoring 10 seconds into the game and then their equalizing goal in extra time after having Barca dominate for 89 minutes in between.

Didn't think about Balloteli being tied, that will help. Barcelona still has an annoying tendancy to be way to conservative in away legs when they're first, a tie is likely.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Arena was quoted yesterday that he does not expect to play Landon until late April meaning he is going to miss a bunch of MLS and CCL games. This must assume he comes back in March almost out of shape I guess if he needs a full month to get going.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

From your lips to God's ears. It'd be nice if they put this thing away early.Second leg of the Copa semifinal is next week.

I'm glad Balloteli is Cup tied and Pato is gone. Every time I think of Milan I think of Pato scoring 10 seconds into the game and then their equalizing goal in extra time after having Barca dominate for 89 minutes in between.

Didn't think about Balloteli being tied, that will help. Barcelona still has an annoying tendancy to be way to conservative in away legs when they're first, a tie is likely.

lolzI'm glad that Balotelli's out too. As erratic as he can be, he can quickly tip a game if Good Mario shows up.

 

[Slapdash]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

From your lips to God's ears. It'd be nice if they put this thing away early.Second leg of the Copa semifinal is next week.

I'm glad Balloteli is Cup tied and Pato is gone. Every time I think of Milan I think of Pato scoring 10 seconds into the game and then their equalizing goal in extra time after having Barca dominate for 89 minutes in between.

Didn't think about Balloteli being tied, that will help. Barcelona still has an annoying tendancy to be way to conservative in away legs when they're first, a tie is likely.

lolzI'm glad that Balotelli's out too. As erratic as he can be, he can quickly tip a game if Good Mario shows up.

Super Mario has been in decent form since returning to Italy, he is always a threat to take over a game when he wants.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I've built my entire workweek around being able to watch tomorrow's game. To push my luck: Barca 2, ACM 1.

I'll do you one better. Mark it 3-0, Dude. errr... 0-3 for the sticklers.

From your lips to God's ears. It'd be nice if they put this thing away early.Second leg of the Copa semifinal is next week.

I'm glad Balloteli is Cup tied and Pato is gone. Every time I think of Milan I think of Pato scoring 10 seconds into the game and then their equalizing goal in extra time after having Barca dominate for 89 minutes in between.

Didn't think about Balloteli being tied, that will help. Barcelona still has an annoying tendancy to be way to conservative in away legs when they're first, a tie is likely.

lolzI'm glad that Balotelli's out too. As erratic as he can be, he can quickly tip a game if Good Mario shows up.

Super Mario has been in decent form since returning to Italy, he is always a threat to take over a game when he wants.

Shaarawy is still recovering from a hamstring injury, and may not be 100% tonight. Bojan time?