These guys need to get their act together...2 yrs and no silverware and instead of addressing defensive frailties they not only trade samuel but pick up some strikers (how many strikers do u need???)
Granted that woodgate is scheduled to return but what we need is an italian defender!!!

not even a pity post...im guessin epl is the league of choice! oh well...we can do that too!

Los merengues have gone the wrong direction, but that's what you get when you hire a brazilian coach, you ever watch that league? no defense, everyone is a striker, just like the national team. But remember they have the cash to spend and will eventually solve their problems.

You mean the Spanish government has the cash to spend.

Real Madrid is run by a bunch of idiots. When they fired the coach that won them all that hardware they are getting what they deserve.

RRRRRRRRRRRah-ullllllll!!!

I dont think the problem lies with the coach...even when Del Bosque was at the helm they had defensive problems...i just dont see them winning the European Champs. League w/o them first buying some defenders!

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but that's what you get when you hire a brazilian coach, you ever watch that league? no defense, everyone is a striker, just like the national team.

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Well, that strategy has gotten Brazil 5 World Cups (and three finals appearances in a row) so it must work at some level.

Good point, but I think I could probably coach a group of guys like Brazil to a WC final, they are the most talented team on the planet for sure. They've got 3/4 (Junihno plays midfield too) strikers that would start on most national teams and not to mention the best midfielder of the last 5 years in Ronaldihno and the 6'6 monster in the net. Its a country born and bred to win trophies. But its a different story when you're playing 38 games instead of just 10-12, strikers will go down because if they're good enough a defender is gonna have to take them down (ie Cisse, RVN, Ronaldo from last year) and then you need defenders.

riley...i dunno whether the brazil team that played in the 2002 WC was all that talented..or as talented as teams of the past...think the coach did a great job...my fav. moment has GOT to be the ronaldinho free kick against england....ooooohhhh that was sweet!!

My thinking, in WC 06, Kaka will be the star. Brasil keeps churning amazing players out.

do u think they will win it all though?? england always looks real good on paper...somehow always manage to choke...im a big spain fan...too bad they are the perennial underachievers...i really dont think there is a favorite goin into the WC next yr...

In my opinion, the favorite is always Brazil. They are simply a notch above everyone else and that includes their performance in 2002. That said...this is England's best chance to win in 40 years. I'll be rooting for them as long as they don't play the US.

I agree in your assessment of defenders...I just thought it was funny to use Brazil futebol as an example as how it doesn't work.

i used to be a soccer fiend (sp?) when i was back in india...never missed a UEFA champs. league game (meant stayin up till 5 every morn.) haven't watched much since i got here...but hopefully wil keep up ..esp now that ive found ppl with similar interests on this board!

Well if you have FSC and ESPN2, it's very easy to keep track of the EPL and Champions League as FSC shows at least 2 live matches and several others on delay from the EPL every weekend and ESPN2 shows a CL match every time games come around from the group stage all the way to the Final.

Thailand - who are they - were beat 2-0 by Real

who had a penalty kick goal. Thailand had 3 breakaways but flubbed their finishes.

dre..true that...usually end up having class during the champs. league and its hard to get excited when u are the only one who cares! maybe that'll change!

oh yea also..wats the deal with inter buying all of madrid's "unwatend" - solari, figo, samuel...? hopefuly they wil be able to challenge for the serie A this yr!

It is really good to finally find people who share some real enthusiasm for the sport, I'm just glad we can have discussion/arguments about the beautiful game, it means someone else besides me cares.

England looks to have a damn good shot this year but I think the big question will be GK, can Carson and Green push into the first spot or will the limeys have to rely on the outstanding ability and shoddy concentration of James?

None of the above, Paul Robinson is first choice...and he's damn good too. I mean, Spurs let Keller go when they signed him from Leeds, I believe. Now if he gets hurt, then they will have some issues as James can be brilliant and absolute crap in the span of a half.

Sven has decided to leave Robinson out of the player pool for the next two qualifiers, this may be about the knock that he took toward the end of last season but I'm sure he'll make a comeback, he has until June!