Comments on: 2008 Champions League Begins Today

By: Christian

Christian — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:39:01 +0000

New thread up.

By: Asil

Asil — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:50:50 +0000

Romania may offer Culio citizenship

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=573074&sec=uefachampionsleague&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=4716

Oh well, his club is smaller than Cavenaghi.

By: Rune

Rune — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:13:18 +0000

So Kun Aguero and Juan Culio are the two names that that stand out for us this first matchday of CL 08/09. This Culio guy looks like a good player, but off course he isn’t that good…he would not be playing in that team if he was. He used to play in Chile before, is that right?
Wonderful start to the CL for Atletico!! Two great goals by Aguero, the second one from bad defending, but what a finish…he is such a joy to watch…he should have scored another goal though…he missed when he had only the keeper to beat earlier in the game when the score was 0-0.
Barca won their game. That was good for Barca. Nice to finally get a win. Messi….I don’t know..he does not look like himself these days….the last 4-5 games he has played(Argentina and Barca), have been really mediocre all of them. He looks like he is not in a good mood, maybe he is a bit depressed…He loses so many balls and it is just not klicking for him at all at the moment. I have a feeling that this will be a VERY hard season for both Messi and Barca. I think this season will be the first real big test for him…..There is no Ronaldinho to lean on now….If Messi can lift Barca , play like we know he can play and score and create goals, he will become the great player we all dream he will become…but if it continues like now….I am not sure at all that he will be a truly great player, the best in the world. Like I’ve said hundred times before, he needs to work on his shooting. His finishing is not very good. His long range shots are just terrible. He must train and work on his weaknesses to become a more complete player. A guy like C Ronaldo, for instance, can shoot very well with both feet, is a good finisher,can take free kicks, can head the ball, is a good passer, can make dribbles. Messi is a very good dribbler, the best in the world. He is a good passer…but that’s it really. He can’t use his right foot…in general he doesn’t shoot very well, he is a mediocre finisher(scores to few goals), he does not know how to head the ball(he is small, I know), he doesn’t know how to take good free kicks and his longe range shots are mostly terrible. Leo needs to work on many things. Get out on the training ground and do some work. I hope he has the right trainers around him who can tell him what he needs to work on….we all remember C Ronaldo was a bad finisher the first seasons he played in Man U…but now he is the best finisher in the game. Because Ferguson knew how to handle him, knew what to say to him…knew how to motivate him to become better, not only in the aereas where he was good, but in the aereas where he wasn’t that good….I really hope Messi has the right people around him….I am concerned here. I have not seen ANY improvements when it comes to his shots when finishing, his longe range shooting or his free kicks these last seasons. But then again, he has been injured a lot so it’s maybe not fair to expect that much of him this early in his career. I am just a bit concerned about this. He has become a much better passer of the ball these last two years, so I just pray that the same thing will happen to the other weak parts of his game.

By: Jinglebellrock_Vamos ARGENTINA...

Jinglebellrock_Vamos ARGENTINA... — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:58:15 +0000

Basile should get out from ARGENTINA coach……i hate him…………..Argentina play very poor with Basile…..we already have a good player…but just only have a good player is no enough…Give Batista……

By: MaxiLopez

MaxiLopez — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:22:35 +0000

ALEXA,
Messi, Aguero & Mascherano are tired but still manage to often play well. I don’t know what they eat, how they sleep, how they do, but they have unbelievable stamina. I hope they won’t get injured. If not, it would be amazing.

By: MaxiLopez

MaxiLopez — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:19:13 +0000

Bordeaux always play 4-3-1-2 but against Chelsea, coach Laurent Blanc chosed 4-5-1. He started Chamack, stronger & taller than Cavenaghi for the striking spot. Blanc told at the end of the game that at half time, Bordeaux were already losing 0-2 & playing really badly. So he preferred to rest Cavenaghi for next game and not involve him against Chelsea…

Placente had a difficult game. In front of him, Wendel did a poor pressing so he tried to compensate but still lived a nightmare. Chelsea was too fast.

Aguero scored twice but against French very bad defender Brechet. I think Basile should play Aguero behind a true #9 in the NT. Aguero is really excellent.

It’s very good that Maradona told the press that Messi is selfish. Now, journalists are taking care of these remarks. In France, they showed an action when Messi had Henry on his left, Alves on his right who were completely alone & not marked. Messi chosed to dribble and lose the ball. Deschamps said that Messi needs to find the correct balance.

It’s funny all these Argentinians in all theses clubs. One of them killed Roma and scored a great volley with Romanian champions.

By: day1star

day1star — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:19:51 +0000

Great game by Aguero, if he continues like this Atletico will go far.

By: Alexa

Alexa — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:13:15 +0000

ESPN 360 is streaming the games live, very good quality. Download the software and watch the Champions League tomorrow

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/espn360/index#

By: Alexa

Alexa — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:11:27 +0000

Did anyone get a chance to see how Messi played? He seems a little “off” since the Olympics. (Love the hair, though).

By: Asil

Asil — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:10:50 +0000

Golazo, this Culio is so explosive!!! Who’s this guy? Can’t wait to watch his game.