***UEFA Champions League 2014/15***

[SwallowsHisOwnSpunk 7,768]

Guardiola is the most overrated manager in a long time.

Yes when he first took over at Barcelona he was in charge of an unstoppable team but let's be honest the players they had available were the best of the best, Yes Guardiola played a part in developing the youngsters but Cruyff for instance was the driving force behind the brand of football they played.

Barcelona were at the top and had a perfect system near enough but Pep ruined it at the end, first Mascherano is a very good defensive midfielder although still not as good as Busquets at most he should have been a backup midfielder, he is never a CB in a million years. He signed David Villa and wasted him out on the wing when he should have been playing centrally Messi is just as capable out on the right. Fabregas was ruined by playing him out of position when he should have been used in the same way as Xavi ready to take over from him. His complete refusal to go out and buy a good quality CB when all they really had was an ageing/injury prone pair in Puyol and Pique has cost them big time, instead he wasted money on shite like Alex Song & Afellay.

Now look at Bayern they were pretty much perfect as they were all they needed was a few quality players to fit into the system they already had but instead Pep decided to change their playing style and indeed their line up, he moved the best fullback in the world over the last 10 years in Lahm into CM, he has signed and massively overused good players but far from Bayern's level in Rafinha, Medhi Benatia, Xabi Alonso, Van Buyten, Claudio Pizzaro, Juan Bernat, Sebastian Rode etc... also like at the end of his Barca tenure he has a fixation with playing players out of position, he completely neglected Xherdan Shairi who he should have developed to replace the ageing and increasingly injury prone Robben and Ribery instead he let him go to Inter and Bayern haven't really got anyone else who can play the same role as them.

Yes Bayern won the league at a canter but that's more to do with the rest of the league being weakened over the last couple of years and the individual quality of certain players. If Pep had done his job properly Bayern would be on top where they should be, they are a shadow of the side they have had over the last couple of years, yes it's partly down to injury but a big part is also down to Pep Guardiola.

[bluedylan 11,555]

I remember that from the Garrincha documentary.

Poor Pelé; it's all a bit like that time someone asked if Ringo Starr was the best drummer in the world.

Ringo wasnt even the best drummer in the Beatles

[WadeWilson 4,670]

Interesting post but Van Buyten and Pizzaro were there for years.

[WadeWilson 4,670]

Pelé wasnt even the best player in Brazil.

That's the one, mate.

[SwallowsHisOwnSpunk 7,768]

On a sidenote Daniel Alves is a fucking beast!

He along with Lahm has been the best fullback of the era, people have always slagged him off because of his dramatic style and his occasional play acting, but the guy is an animal he is 32 today yet he was still the fittest guy on the pitch by a mile he never stops running and putting in 100% effort in every game, people try to make out that he is a poor defender just because he spends most of his time in the opposition area but it's far from the truth he is usually back in time to make the last ditch tackle, he is just as important to Barcelona's attacks as the likes of Iniesta & Xavi. Also the fact he was ready to give Abidal his liver highlights the fact he is a top guy aswell. To think a few years ago nearly everyone on here and in the football world in general was insistant that Maicon was better than him. I reckon Barca could get another year out of him then the season after sign a top quality RB although i'm not sure there is anyone out there that is on his level or even near it.

[WadeWilson 4,670]

Guy on TalkSport positively hyperventilating giving his case for Maradona being better - the argument being that Maradona would have walked the ball into the net at will in today's game with the reduced physicality.

[SwallowsHisOwnSpunk 7,768]

Interesting post but Van Buyten and Pizzaro were there for years.

yeah I meant that he has continued to play them in the team ahead of far better players.

[WadeWilson 4,670]

On a sidenote Daniel Alves is a fucking beast!

He along with Lahm has been the best fullback of the era, people have always slagged him off because of his dramatic style and his occasional play acting, but the guy is an animal he is 32 today yet he was still the fittest guy on the pitch by a mile he never stops running and putting in 100% effort in every game, people try to make out that he is a poor defender just because he spends most of his time in the opposition area but it's far from the truth he is usually back in time to make the last ditch tackle, he is just as important to Barcelona's attacks as the likes of Iniesta & Xavi. Also the fact he was ready to give Abidal his liver highlights the fact he is a top guy aswell. To think a few years ago nearly everyone on here and in the football world in general was insistant that Maicon was better than him

Great post. Couldn't agree more.

Maicon scored that impossible goal from the touchline but Alves has been sensational almost every time I have seen him, year in, year out.

[dummiesoot 16,000]

What a lot of shite

Now I know it ain't shite but what part of it exactly is shite in your opinion?

[King Jela 20,360]

King Jela I'll ban you.

That'd be like McCoist dropping Jig, unthinkable.

[bluedylan 11,555]

That'd be like McCoist dropping Jig, unthinkable.

[King Jela 20,360]

Now I know it ain't shite but what part of it exactly is shite in your opinion?

The apart about Ronaldo, its just ridiculous.

Love or him but he's worked his arse off to get where he is today and he's certainly no quitter. To suggest Ronaldo who's 6ft tall and built like a brick shit-house wouldn't have survived but a scronny wee cunt like Messi would have back in those days is just bafflingly stupid.

It must kill the Ronaldo-haters seeing how successful the guy is.

[TheKingObv 10,639]

How is Ronaldo built like a brick shit house?

Cringe when football fans say stuff like that about footballers.

I agree though, of course he'd survive back then. Probably thrive as well with defenders constantly diving in.

[King Jela 20,360]

In fact I take that back, Ronaldo's just fat.

[bombaybadboy08 15,660]

[King Jela 20,360]

[Ryan_1 1,136]

Messi is the GOAT.

Yes he had a quiet couple of seasons, although his scoring record was still exceptional, but he's been back to his best this season.

There isn't a player ever that's been as consistent at the highest level of the game and made as much difference as he's made in the big games when it's counted.

Ridiculous talent.

[plymouthranger 3,863]

Best ever bar none. Ronaldo isn't even on the same planet as him.

[kaiser1041 9,088]

Best ever bar none. Ronaldo isn't even on the same planet as him.

they are 100% both on earth mate.but messi is a better footballer

[dummiesoot 16,000]

The apart about Ronaldo, its just ridiculous.

Love or him but he's worked his arse off to get where he is today and he's certainly no quitter. To suggest Ronaldo who's 6ft tall and built like a brick shit-house wouldn't have survived but a scronny wee cunt like Messi would have back in those days is just bafflingly stupid.

It must kill the Ronaldo-haters seeing how successful the guy is.

He has worked hard but fuck me he gets kicked, he stands with his hands on his hips waiting for the ref to give him a foul, I really can't see him standing up to a kicking most matches.

[King Jela 20,360]

He has worked hard but fuck me he gets kicked, he stands with his hands on his hips waiting for the ref to give him a foul, I really can't see him standing up to a kicking most matches.

Does he ? Never noticed that when I've watched him

[TheKingObv 10,639]

If you think he wouldn't adapt his game under different refereeing you're deluded.

He doesn't moan and dive cos he's in pain/can't take the kicks, it's because it works in his favour and gets a lot of decisions even when he shouldn't.

[the goal machine 7,791]

Guardiola is the most overrated manager in a long time.

Yes when he first took over at Barcelona he was in charge of an unstoppable team but let's be honest the players they had available were the best of the best, Yes Guardiola played a part in developing the youngsters but Cruyff for instance was the driving force behind the brand of football they played.

Barcelona were at the top and had a perfect system near enough but Pep ruined it at the end, first Mascherano is a very good defensive midfielder although still not as good as Busquets at most he should have been a backup midfielder, he is never a CB in a million years. He signed David Villa and wasted him out on the wing when he should have been playing centrally Messi is just as capable out on the right. Fabregas was ruined by playing him out of position when he should have been used in the same way as Xavi ready to take over from him. His complete refusal to go out and buy a good quality CB when all they really had was an ageing/injury prone pair in Puyol and Pique has cost them big time, instead he wasted money on shite like Alex Song & Afellay.

Now look at Bayern they were pretty much perfect as they were all they needed was a few quality players to fit into the system they already had but instead Pep decided to change their playing style and indeed their line up, he moved the best fullback in the world over the last 10 years in Lahm into CM, he has signed and massively overused good players but far from Bayern's level in Rafinha, Medhi Benatia, Xabi Alonso, Van Buyten, Claudio Pizzaro, Juan Bernat, Sebastian Rode etc... also like at the end of his Barca tenure he has a fixation with playing players out of position, he completely neglected Xherdan Shairi who he should have developed to replace the ageing and increasingly injury prone Robben and Ribery instead he let him go to Inter and Bayern haven't really got anyone else who can play the same role as them.

Yes Bayern won the league at a canter but that's more to do with the rest of the league being weakened over the last couple of years and the individual quality of certain players. If Pep had done his job properly Bayern would be on top where they should be, they are a shadow of the side they have had over the last couple of years, yes it's partly down to injury but a big part is also down to Pep Guardiola.

To be fair, he took over Barcelona after they had finished third in the league behind Real and Villareal (they were 10 points behind Villareal!). He also made two huge decisions by getting rid of Ronaldinho and Deco which he got spot on and he helped bring through Busquets and Pedro who he also promoted to the first team as soon as he was appointed manager.

Can't agree with you about his time at Bayern as well. Rode, Alonso, Benatia and Bernat have all been good to great for them and for the most part he's bought well.

[Gaz52 11,837]

I actually think Barcelona will win comfortably tonight, 0-2, Messi first goal

[Broxi 11,473]

I hope Boateng has a monster game tonight. Far too good a defender to have that one mistake ruin is reputation. Hugely underrated player.

Guardiola has already lost me as Bayern manager but if he cocks this up as well it could really damage his reputation.