Madrid vs Barca

[Kyle]

Victor Valdes on the bench = 2 goals from Benzema...

[GuZzZ]

great start for Pinto

[darius]

Yea okay.

you essentially have two teams and then nothing from 3-18 or 20, however many they have. it's bush league

[Forca Barca]

you essentially have two teams and then nothing from 3-18 or 20, however many they have. it's bush league

Yea that's not true, but whatever.

They have their two dominant teams, yes. Who are two of the best clubs in the world, bar none.

As for the middle of the league. When they go against the other middle tier clubs of Europe in the UEFA Cup or Europa league, whatever they are calling it now, they always dominate too.

For the past six years Spain has had the best national team and they all plain in La Liga. So you can come to your own conclusions about that.

Valencia always makes noise. And Villareal puts out QUALITY players even though they suck this year.

[darius]

Yea that's not true, but whatever.

They have their two dominant teams, yes. Who are two of the best clubs in the world, bar none.

As for the middle of the league. When they go against the other middle tier clubs of Europe in the UEFA Cup or Europa league, whatever they are calling it now, they always dominate too.

For the past six years Spain has had the best national team and they all plain in La Liga. So you can come to your own conclusions about that.

Valencia always makes noise. And Villareal puts out QUALITY players even though they suck this year.

your points are valid, i agree with most of them. but my comment was on la liga. having watched european club soccer going on 23 years, la liga, as a whole, has been in steady decline. valencia USED to make noise as did deportivo and villareal, but none of them have staying power -- granted i will say that valencia is re-emerging. in the last few years, it's been barca/real and then a gulf, which, to me, implies that talent is not very well distributed through that league. you mentioned the spanish national team -- of the 11 projected starters of their national team that play their club football at home, wanna guess how many play for someone other than real or barca? none.
again, i'm not taking anything away from real and barca -- they are great teams, but their league, as a whole, is not as competitive

[stefanm3]

what time does it start here in NYC?
4 pm or 5pm?

EST

anyone know.

[Kyle]

It's on at 4, you can probably catch it on espn3.com

Real going with their big line up today: Kaka, Ozil, Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Higuain, and Xabi Alonso. I'm guessing Di Maria is hurt.

[Kyle]

Ozil's shot off the crossbar was nasty but Dani Alves goal was sick.

Game has really lost it's luster for me...turned into a giant bitch/diving fest.

[GuZzZ]

what happend to Iniesta?

[Tribal/Madness]

I dont think Mourinho really care about the Coppa Del Ray thropthy . He is more concerned with the La Liga and Champions League . However , from what I read he is unhappy in Madrid and wants to go back to the EPL. Therefore , I think 3 options . 1) If Man City lose the epl this year , chances are they will fire Mancinni and Mourinho would be the only logical replacement . Plus their one of the only clubs who can pay his wages and meet his buy out clause . 2) If fergie retires which is unlikely , Mourinho would want that job . 3) Stay in Madrid .

[Tribal/Madness]

Ozil's shot off the crossbar was nasty but Dani Alves goal was sick.

Game has really lost it's luster for me...turned into a giant bitch/diving fest.

the spanish are good actors and good at diving... Ronaldo and Messi deserve awards for best acting .

[Tribal/Madness]

Mourinho should leave Madrid and come to Chelsea...

[eddie_]

would love to catch a Barcelona game while in Spain this summer..but i doubt we can fit that on our trip..Barca is like the yankees times 7

[tribaljunkee]

only rivalry stronger than Madrid vs. Barcelona is Argentina vs. Brazil and just picked up 4 tickets to the game at Metlife stadium on June 9th.

[tribaljunkee]

Poor Bayern Lev
messi scored 5 goals today.

[eddie_]

Poor Bayern Lev
messi scored 5 goals today.

best EVER

[Forca Barca]

Best footballer in the world, from the best football club in the world meets the DE from the best football team in the world.

[The Real Messi]

Valdes looks like an NFL punter .. And damn I didnt realize Pique had such chicken legs

[Kyle]

I can't get behind Messi as the best EVER like people say. Yes, he's the current best player but there's so many aspects to being the best ever. First off, he's on one of the best teams ever assembled in Barca so that certainly helps. He hasn't done anything for his national team yet (which plays a HUGE part in it). He's still only 24 so has a lot of play left in him. I'm not really a Messi hater anymore as I more appreciate the way he plays and I hold Zidane as the greatest player of my generation. He was solid in all aspects of the game and won everything (most importantly a World Cup and Euro championship). Surely Messi can eclipse him, but for me he hasn't.

[Kyle]

Speaking of soccer. In a last minute decision a friend and I are going to see QPR at Manchester United and we got seats in the Stretford End (which is going to be insane). Then the following day we have 1st row seats for Sunderland at Everton (I had no idea that Goodison Park only holds like 7500 people). I actually think we might be too close being right on the field but you can't pass up first row seats. No homo but I'm thinking of draping an American flag over the wall and hopefully getting a pic with Timmy Howard. Still undecided but might head over to the Liverpool game that Sat.