Barca are operating at a level above anyone else just now
they were 2/5 shots tonight, bayern lucky it wasnt 5 or 6
Barca are operating at a level above anyone else just now
Sorry but the statement in bold is utter nonsense.
I agree it takes less talent to play defence, in that any physically strong guy who kicks anything that moves could in theory do a job there, but that shouldnt detract from every centre back. You can play any idiot with pace on the wing or as striker but that doesnt make them a good player or detract from the positions of winger and striker.
If there is a world class striker who is world class at centre back then he is not striker, he is a freak of nature. To become world class at any position it takes years of experience and to have the right physical attributes for the position in the first place.
I like my centre halfs to be the smartest guys on the pitch with the best football brains, to be completely comfortable on the ball, to have physical and mental toughness, timing in the tackle, to have vision and a good range of passing. Positional awareness and decision making only comes with experience and pace is a bonus, its not something I need in a centre back, I prefer them to have brains over speed.
I dont believe anyone has it all, there has never been a lightning fast dribbler, who can finish, that would be able to move into centre half and play like Baresi, its an impossibility. There has been plenty of great players who can do a job anywhere on the pitch, doesnt matter if they are naturally an attacker or a defender, but doing a job is one thing, being considered as the best in a certain position is another.

Shergy you make it sound like any eejit would make a worldclass defender! It's an art, one that requires tactical nous and footballing intelligence. In topical boxing speak I'd liken a top table defender to Floyd Mayweather, a defensive artist, but having seen your views on him in General Chat I think the comparison would be lost on you old boy
Apols smokey, so you did mention him! Quick lunchtime scan reading!

We were well beaten tonight. Could have been a real tanking !

I thought 3-0 was a pretty tough result for Bayern, overall. Not forgetting that Lewandowski missed a sitter in the first half, their defence played really well until the 77th minute, with Neuer making some world-class saves with his long legs and feet. Then they just seem to crumble. The second of Messi's goals was just pure magic. Bayern must now climb "The North Face of the Matterhorn" on Tuesday. That German goalkeeper of Barca, Marc-André ter Stegen, is one cool customer. Surely his country's No.2 now? Thought Suarez had a poor game by his standards?
You can't get away with that kind of statement. Attackers make mistakes and they miss a goal, defenders make mistakes and there's a goal scored against you.Defenders get overlooked because it requires less talent to play defence than it does attack. There are many world class attacking players, that would also make world class defenders. Where as I can't think of any world class defenders who would have made a world class attacker![]()
Absolutely. Watch it again, only this time don't look at Messi, look at Boateng. He doesn't know what to do and just falls over backwards, made to look like a complete arse.
You can't get away with that kind of statement. Attackers make mistakes and they miss a goal, defenders make mistakes and there's a goal scored against you.
Going back a few years I know but the Brazil side of 1970 was magnificent but England could easily have beaten them. Why because a certain player called Bobby Moore near on played their attack on his own. At the end of the game Pele raced to Moore and wanted his shirt. I've not seen a performance to compare.

...........SH - as an honorary Bavarian I would suggest going to the final would be to climb the Zugspitze in the first half followed by the Watzmann family in the second half!!
Guess I'm an "honorary Bavarian" too, although sometimes I feel my mates here would like me repatriated asap. UK wouldn't take me back either, I suspect, so I'd 'ave no 'ome............Absolutely. Watch it again, only this time don't look at Messi, look at Boateng. He doesn't know what to do and just falls over backwards, made to look like a complete arse.

Let's just say for arguments sake that Bobby Moore was the best defender of his generation, even though he probably wasn't. Would you say he had more talent than the best attacking players, the likes of Pele, Eusebio and Best?![]()
Guess I'm an "honorary Bavarian" too, although sometimes I feel my mates here would like me repatriated asap. UK wouldn't take me back either, I suspect, so I'd 'ave no 'ome............
![]()
If they where coached to play defence then I'm sure all 3 could to a very high level. There is no way the likes of Bobby Moore could have ever played in attack, no matter how much coaching.Would Pele, Eusebio or Best be able to tackle like Moore?
Moore was also a very good captain - which none of the above were!!

If they where coached to play defence then I'm sure all 3 could to a very high level. There is no way the likes of Bobby Moore could have ever played in attack, no matter how much coaching.
Bobby Charlton was the best and most skilled player in that England team. There is no doubt about that!![]()

Brought tears to my eyes did this video clip, really did:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...ses-young-cancer-patient-with-Skype-call.html
Good for you, Luis, you made the lad's day.
Do hope so much the youngster recovers from this dreadful illness.
