Comments on: Domestic bliss for Real and Bayern, but what about Europe? http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/ World Soccer views and news Wed, 9 Jul 2008 05:56:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Kevin Fylan http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338332 Kevin Fylan Tue, 06 May 2008 10:03:28 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338332 There's no reason why they shouldn't do well in the Champions League but if they want to win it I think they might need a bit more pace in the team. Borowski is coming on a free from Werder but I think they might need a really speedy striker, and of course they might need to replace Lahm if he goes this year rather than next. I worry a bit about Rensing, too. He's a good keeper, doesn't make too many mistakes, but he maybe doesn't have too many spectacular, match-winning saves in him. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t do well in the Champions League but if they want to win it I think they might need a bit more pace in the team.
Borowski is coming on a free from Werder but I think they might need a really speedy striker, and of course they might need to replace Lahm if he goes this year rather than next.
I worry a bit about Rensing, too. He’s a good keeper, doesn’t make too many mistakes, but he maybe doesn’t have too many spectacular, match-winning saves in him.

]]> By: papa bear http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338330 papa bear Tue, 06 May 2008 08:45:08 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338330 @ John: the level of competition Bayern faces is 'very low' are you kidding me? Sure Bundesliga is in a bit of a down time, but to use 'very low' to describe the competition is simply a bit much. There is no team as bad as Derby or Reading in the Bundesliga. Bayern simply needs to shore up the backline and get a solid CM (Michael Bradley is being rumored to be heading there) I am sure they will pick up some more pieces and mount a very strong challenge for the Champion's League. @ John: the level of competition Bayern faces is ‘very low’ are you kidding me? Sure Bundesliga is in a bit of a down time, but to use ‘very low’ to describe the competition is simply a bit much. There is no team as bad as Derby or Reading in the Bundesliga.
Bayern simply needs to shore up the backline and get a solid CM (Michael Bradley is being rumored to be heading there) I am sure they will pick up some more pieces and mount a very strong challenge for the Champion’s League.

]]> By: Football Bets http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338321 Football Bets Mon, 05 May 2008 13:42:22 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338321 I actually think that the time has now come where England will once again dominate Europe, as we did in the period of our pomp in the late 70s, early 80s. Finally, Sir Alex Fergusons Manchester United has learnt how to play in Europe. After 20 years of very little success in the competition, he has realised that the all-out attack that works so well in the league is simply not effective in the CL. Against Barca, we saw two solid lines of four, stout defending, and playing on the break. In the second leg, we witnessed a midfieleder scoring an early goal, and then the team soaking up the pressure for 90 minutes. It was eeriely like watching Rafa Benitez' Liverpool! Englands top 4 is undoubtedly the strongest in the world, and United are the best team. The money is in England, as are the best players. I actually think that the time has now come where England will once again dominate Europe, as we did in the period of our pomp in the late 70s, early 80s.

Finally, Sir Alex Fergusons Manchester United has learnt how to play in Europe. After 20 years of very little success in the competition, he has realised that the all-out attack that works so well in the league is simply not effective in the CL.

Against Barca, we saw two solid lines of four, stout defending, and playing on the break. In the second leg, we witnessed a midfieleder scoring an early goal, and then the team soaking up the pressure for 90 minutes. It was eeriely like watching Rafa Benitez’ Liverpool!

Englands top 4 is undoubtedly the strongest in the world, and United are the best team. The money is in England, as are the best players.

]]> By: Write It Like Disaster - The Run of Play http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338320 Write It Like Disaster - The Run of Play Mon, 05 May 2008 12:51:08 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338320 [...] league championships by commanding margins, but feeling a bit poignant, on the whole, that they didn’t win their European tournaments. Oh, there were celebrations, songs, and dousings with Weißbier in the gray continental rain, but [...] […] league championships by commanding margins, but feeling a bit poignant, on the whole, that they didn’t win their European tournaments. Oh, there were celebrations, songs, and dousings with Weißbier in the gray continental rain, but […]

]]> By: john http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338318 john Mon, 05 May 2008 10:24:47 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338318 The main problem for Bayern is that level of competition is very low therefore they would find it very tough in Europe. Of course players like Luca TONI and Frank RIBERY can help them on that but just how much. As for the UEFA Cup defeat, something tells me that Bayern were not wanting it as much as Zenit did. http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/05/hola-madrid-cheers-in-bavaria.html The main problem for Bayern is that level of competition is very low therefore they would find it very tough in Europe.

Of course players like Luca TONI and Frank RIBERY can help them on that but just how much.

As for the UEFA Cup defeat, something tells me that Bayern were not wanting it as much as Zenit did.

http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/200 8/05/hola-madrid-cheers-in-bavaria.html

]]> By: Mark Meadows http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338317 Mark Meadows Mon, 05 May 2008 09:40:58 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338317 Inter nearly made it a trio of champions on Sunday but a 2-1 defeat to Milan means they'll have to wait for next weekend, when Manchester United should wrap up the Premier League crown. I think Bayern will do well in the Champions League next term. Zenit was a bit of a freak result and it is hard to see how they could buy anyone better than Toni and Ribery. Rumours here in Italy say Bayern are eyeing Gennaro Gattuso, who is considering leaving Milan but wont go to another Serie A side. There still seems to be something missing at Real though, but whether that means a big new player Im not sure. Inter nearly made it a trio of champions on Sunday but a 2-1 defeat to Milan means they’ll have to wait for next weekend, when Manchester United should wrap up the Premier League crown.
I think Bayern will do well in the Champions League next term. Zenit was a bit of a freak result and it is hard to see how they could buy anyone better than Toni and Ribery.
Rumours here in Italy say Bayern are eyeing Gennaro Gattuso, who is considering leaving Milan but wont go to another Serie A side.
There still seems to be something missing at Real though, but whether that means a big new player Im not sure.

]]> By: Gonzalo http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338314 Gonzalo Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:39 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/05/05/domestic-bliss-for-real-and-bayern-but-what-about-europe/#comment-338314 Looking at the last 4 in the Champions League this season; how much money they've spent over the past few years in signings, you have your answer right there. However, it's fair to say that Manchester United's (or should I say Alex Ferguson's) policy has had a fair contingent of home-grown talent. However, this is born of the stability that having the same manager for 2 decades gives you. Sadly, perhaps, this kind of faith on the same person to see you through good times and bad is extremely rare. Ferguson won nothing with United in his first four seasons as manager, I believe. How many top European sides would have that kind of patience nowadays? Looking at the last 4 in the Champions League this season; how much money they’ve spent over the past few years in signings, you have your answer right there.

However, it’s fair to say that Manchester United’s (or should I say Alex Ferguson’s) policy has had a fair contingent of home-grown talent. However, this is born of the stability that having the same manager for 2 decades gives you. Sadly, perhaps, this kind of faith on the same person to see you through good times and bad is extremely rare. Ferguson won nothing with United in his first four seasons as manager, I believe. How many top European sides would have that kind of patience nowadays?

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