El Clasico

I have to say, that game of football last night was the highest quality I have seen in years. The passion from both sets of players was first class and the atmosphere sounded amazing! Much better than when our top teams play each other.

I am 29 Messi is the best player I have seen and will see in my time, he is superb.

Barca last night gave the best team performance I have ever seen. Real are a quality side, and frankly, at times, Barca were taking the p*ss with their passing and all round play.

[cite]Posted By: Leroy Ambrose[/cite]

[cite]Posted By: Chris_from_Sidcup[/cite]Leroy - i know you're obviously biased towards Barca but Xavi and Iniesta are not better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo ran the show for Man Utd, changed leagues and runs the show for Madrid. He's got something like 52 goals in 55 games for Madrid.

A serious question though about the debt. If they have so many members, are owned by the fans, get 90k each home game, have a huge turnover, most of their side is homegrown and they win almost every trophy going, how has the debt got so bad?

CafcAndy - if you don't enjoy watching Barca play then you can't like football. They are one of the best teams of all time.

Xavi and Iniesta are better than Ronaldo. Have Portugal won the world cup and european championships on the back of Ronaldo? Because, believe me, if you remove Xavi or Iniesta from the Spain team, they wouldn't have won either. Ditto Barca. When Xavi and Iniesta were out for periods last year, Barca just weren't the same team.

I'm not doubting Xavi and Iniesta's ability but you can't fault Ronaldo for Portugal not winning a trophy. Spain still had Pique, Puyol, Alonso, Fabregas, Villa, Pedro and even Torres. Portugal without Ronaldo have Nani.

Pirlo overrated? Christ we really have some wum on this forum

[cite]Posted By: Scoham[/cite]Shame England don't have midfielders like him and Xavi though isn't it.

The thing is maybe we do! But with the stone age coaching approach that still pervades our game (which elevates donkeys like Andy Carrol to potential 'world class' material) players like Iniesta and Xavi would never get the chance to develop in England. I use to think Deco was a similar player (and almost as good) as Iniesta and Xavi but he never really reproduced it for Chelsea. For these types of players to succeed they need to be in a team which is dominated by similar players who can all play the quick short passing game and coached by a manager who trains and sets his team up to play a quick short passing game.

I would love to see (as was rumoured at the week-end) Guadiola appointed Chelsea manager next season but I don't think he would be able to reproduce the Barcelona style of play unless he was able to bring in 4 or 5 players who have been brought through the Barcelona academy.

[cite]Posted By: Red_in_SE8[/cite]

[cite]Posted By: Scoham[/cite]Shame England don't have midfielders like him and Xavi though isn't it.

The thing is maybe we do! But with the stone age coaching approach that still pervades our game (which elevates donkeys like Andy Carrol to potential 'world class' material) players like Iniesta and Xavi would never get the chance to develop in England. I use to think Deco was a similar player (and almost as good) as Iniesta and Xavi but he never really reproduced it for Chelsea. For these types of players to succeed they need to be in a team which is dominated by similar players who can all play the quick short passing game and coached by a manager who trains and sets his team up to play a quick short passing game.

I worry that this will happen with Wilshere. He looks like a genuine creative talent, but what good is that if he doesn't have the other players in sync like at Arsenal? Walcott as well looks excellent for Arsenal, but in the England set up all he gets to do is hug the touchline and try and control cross field passes from Gerrard.

Lionel Spector