Champions League - Quarter Finals

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Balu said:


Still funny. Müller's first press conference for the nationalteam after he gave his debut in a friendly against Argentina a few months before the World Cup. It's unbelievable that Maradona didn't recognise a player who just played 70minutes against his team and left the room because he didn't want to sit next to a ball boy :lol:. And yes, it was sweet that Müller then scored the opener in the World Cup quarterfinal 4 months later.
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What does he actually say? Such a prick.
 
I heard yesterday someone say:
When Müller opens his mouth, you (and possibly he himself) don't know what is going to come out, but it will always be something surprising or ingenious or funny, or all of that. The same can be said about his football playing.
 
Mali_Zeus said:
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Muller leading the chanting after the game. :)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=52&v=xkEjQTaY1YQ
 
amolbhatia100 said:
What does he actually say? Such a prick.
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Not sure what he actually said. He's pissed because he has to sit there next to Müller, stands up and doesn't return until Müller has left. Then he answered some questions and once he was gone Müller and Schweinsteiger returned and finished the German part of the press conference. At one point after he returned, I think, he said he didn't know that boy was a player or something like that :lol:.
 
Balu said:


Still funny. Müller's first press conference for the nationalteam after he gave his debut in a friendly against Argentina a few months before the World Cup. It's unbelievable that Maradona didn't recognise a player who just played 70minutes against his team and left the room because he didn't want to sit next to a ball boy :lol:. And yes, it was sweet that Müller then scored the opener in the World Cup quarterfinal 4 months later.
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Haha, did not know this. Great stuff. Müller and Maradona are the perfect protagonists for this comedy. And Müller really looks like a ball-boy.
 
Dominos said:
Why enjoy it over 1 game when we can have it over 2? Hope they get drawn in the semis, will be very interesting, the first time in years Barca will be dominated in the possession stats?
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I think Bayern will dominate possession against Barca. Which suits Barca's front three, they look so much more dangerous on the counter. Their best goals this season have all been on a counter attack. And i think its because all three have great dribbling, pace, finishing ability and there is more space to work with on a counter attack.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
What does he actually say? Such a prick.
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Translation by @somelatinguy from reddit.

M: Maradona. S: The other.

  • M: Who are these two?
  • S: They're a player and the press Chief.
  • S: We cordially greet you mister Maradona, please start with a brief statement.
  • M: If you want you can ask the player first and i wait there (points somewhere).
  • S: You start, please mister Maradona.
  • M: But it's not normal that i hold a press conference with a player next to me.
  • M: (Stands up) I wait, i wait..
  • S: Maradona, please stay here..make him stay here, the player is going to leave.
Maradona leaves

Muller stares awkwardly and then leaves

Maradona comes back

  • M: I didn't really know he was a player.
  • M: Generally, the press conferences are held by only the coach.
  • M: But oh well..i apologize to the player too.
That's pretty much it.

Maradona was right. Its not normal to have a coach give a press conference with a player from another team, much less a player who only just made his debut.
 
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I can't wait for tonight's game, there's something about it that makes me anticipate it more than a standard big CL clash.

Thinking about it Benzema, Modric and Bale missing will be huge blow for Real Madrid but their replacements (Benzema aside because Hernandez is not good enough for them) are adequate and they completely dominated Atletico for 60 minutes at Calderon, it was a miracle that they didn't win. If they can play a similar game today they should be more than fine.

On the other hand Simeone is a terrific tactician and he's already outwitted Ancelotti numerous times and all he needs today is a draw - even 0-0 serves them well because I reckon they'd be favourites on penalties. For Real it's straightforward, they basically need to win to go through. It'll be a huge test for Ronaldo, he went missing in the first game and he'll be the one they are going to relied upon in tonight's game.

Real to qualify @ 1.77 look really good to me. Without injuries they'd probably be around 1.55 - 1.60 and I don't think injuries will influence them that much. They should still be expected to dominate this game. I'm so tempted to lump half of my yesterday's winnings (I won $400 on Bayern v Porto) on that, it'd make me a great profit over the week and I'd quit gambling and finally go and buy the watch I intend to win money for. :drool:

Monaco v Juventus doesn't interest me all that much. I reckon Juventus will find it fairly comfortable, on the other hand Monaco will definitely go for a low-scoring result and try to nick a goal to take it to the extra time. They're not very strong though IMO and Jardim won't be able to squeeze that last bit out of them.
 
I expect Atletico to qualify tonight, Real probably won't be able to dominate that much without Marcelo, Benzema, Bale and Modric. That's just too many essential players out for them.

In the other tie Juventus are already in the semi final for me. Monaco will have to attack to turn the tie around and Juventus will probably just play the same way as against Dortmund in Germany - on the counter. With Tevez, Vidal and Morata they're deadly on the counter like Dortmund already found out. One away goal and Monaco face a mountain to climb. I have not doubt that Juventus will progress.
 
Scorpy said:
I expect Atletico to qualify tonight, Real probably won't be able to dominate that much without Marcelo, Benzema, Bale and Modric. That's just too many essential players out for them.

In the other tie Juventus are already in the semi final for me. Monaco will have to attack to turn the tie around and Juventus will probably just play the same way as against Dortmund in Germany - on the counter. With Tevez, Vidal and Morata they're deadly on the counter like Dortmund already found out. One away goal and Monaco face a mountain to climb. I have not doubt that Juventus will progress.
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Real are at home and they still have a good team without these players. Kroos, Illarramendi and Isco is a terrific midfield, front trio of Ronaldo, James and Hernandez is fine too.
 
Sarni said:
Real are at home and they still have a good team without these players. Kroos, Illarramendi and Isco is a terrific midfield, front trio of Ronaldo, James and Hernandez is fine too.
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I think they might opt for a 4-4-2 with Hernandez and Ronaldo as strikers, but that's more or les the same if James and Isco are given enough space to roam about. I'm with you that tonight's clash has that little something extra, it's by far the tie I was most looking forward to. Even if Real score first, Atletico only need one goal to regain the advantage... It will be an intriguing game and I'm sure Simeone has got something up his sleeve.
 
Sarni said:
Real are at home and they still have a good team without these players. Kroos, Illarramendi and Isco is a terrific midfield, front trio of Ronaldo, James and Hernandez is fine too.
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In my opinion the game Bayern München v Porto showed that it's even more about attitude and mental stability at this level, than about the best possible playing personnel on the pitch. Especially for teams like Real Madrid, Bayern and Barca who ooze quality from the 1st to the 18th player.
 
Sarni said:
Real are at home and they still have a good team without these players. Kroos, Illarramendi and Isco is a terrific midfield, front trio of Ronaldo, James and Hernandez is fine too.
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It's true that they still have a good team, but missing four of their most important players is bound to affect their performance and ability to dominate the game. These two teams have already met eachother multiple times this season, with Atletico yet to lose a game. They're going to be confident not only because they have Real's number this season, but also because Real will be seriously weakened.

The game will surely be as feisty as ever and it will be a close one - no doubt about it, but I expect Atletico to edge it.
 
B20 said:
Why? Are there anyone who don't rate him?
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In the sense that he doesn't have that hype of Neymar, Gotze, Aguero, Suarez etc etc. Not outside of Germany atleast. Heck we have more people talking about Pogba who's not even playing.
 
prarek said:
In the sense that he doesn't have that hype of Neymar, Gotze, Aguero, Suarez etc etc. Not outside of Germany atleast. Heck we have more people talking about Pogba who's not even playing.
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Ballon d'Or 2014:

5. Müller
7. Neymar
15. Götze
22. Pogba

Aguero and Suarez weren't in the final list of 23 players. I think he gets his fair share of credit these days from all over the globe, made the top 10 of every "best players in 2014" list I've seen. You can't really ask for more than that. Yeah, he's not as hyped as some of the more flashy players, but they usually are more controversial in some way and therefore more interesting to talk about. Müller is already an established player, who won pretty much everything and performed well at every stage of every competition he took part in. He's awesome, almost everyone agrees. He's also unlikely to leave Bayern, so not much transfer talk.

I don't think Müller is still underrated, it's amazing that he gets the credit he deserves despite being not as flashy and having less impressive youtube highlight videos.
 
Balu said:
Ballon d'Or 2014:

5. Müller
7. Neymar
15. Götze
22. Pogba

Aguero and Suarez weren't in the final list of 23 players. I think he gets his fair share of credit these days from all over the globe, made the top 10 of every "best players in 2014" list I've seen. You can't really ask for more than that. Yeah, he's not as hyped as some of the more flashy players, but they usually are more controversial in some way and therefore more interesting to talk about. Müller is already an established player, who won pretty much everything and performed well at every stage of every competition he took part in. He's awesome, almost everyone agrees. He's also unlikely to leave Bayern, so not much transfer talk.

I don't think Müller is still underrated, it's amazing that he gets the credit he deserves despite being not as flashy and having less impressive youtube highlight videos.
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Suarez was better than all those players last season.
 
He is still underrated, not by his peers but by the average fan. Have a look at the snobbery on this very forum when we were seriously linked with him last season. "Don't want him; all he does is score and assist FFS!"
 
Balu said:
Ballon d'Or 2014:

5. Müller
7. Neymar
15. Götze
22. Pogba

Aguero and Suarez weren't in the final list of 23 players. I think he gets his fair share of credit these days from all over the globe, made the top 10 of every "best players in 2014" list I've seen. You can't really ask for more than that. Yeah, he's not as hyped as some of the more flashy players, but they usually are more controversial in some way and therefore more interesting to talk about. Müller is already an established player, who won pretty much everything and performed well at every stage of every competition he took part in. He's awesome, almost everyone agrees. He's also unlikely to leave Bayern, so not much transfer talk.

I don't think Müller is still underrated, it's amazing that he gets the credit he deserves despite being not as flashy and having less impressive youtube highlight videos.
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I guess he by now gets enough appreciation by the journalists and coaches - but it is often the fan side and fan votings he does not make it. Ok - with Messi and Ronaldo and usually just another spot left for an additional attacking player that is difficult anyways.

I just read an article of Gabriele Marcotti for ESPN that pretty much describes him... titled Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller - when the ordinary is extraordinary

http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champion...ler-success-at-bayern-munich-is-extraordinary
 
Blackwidow said:
I guess he by now gets enough appreciation by the journalists and coaches - but it is often the fan side and fan votings he does not make it. Ok - with Messi and Ronaldo and usually just another spot left for an additional attacking player that is difficult anyways.

I just read an article of Gabriele Marcotti for ESPN that pretty much describes him... titled Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller - when the ordinary is extraordinary

http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champion...ler-success-at-bayern-munich-is-extraordinary
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Sadly the whole article becomes farcial, when Marcotti not only suggests that Müller is techncially poor, but one of the ten worst players technically left in the competition. That is so wrong. He´s above average. The comments below are excellent though, so I just copy them:

Rowan Lawrence · Sydney, Australia
His technique is not showy, but it is excellent. Technique requires intentionality, and he does exactly what he means to do, all the time. His passing is very good, his balance and body positioning - especially when shooting, but also when contesting the ball - is usually near-perfect, if sometimes unorthodox (for example, he is willing to put himself off balance in a controlled way, to get a clean strike of the ball).

George Rudnik · Top commenter

Great article, Gab, but I have to disagree with one somewhat major point: Thomas Müller is technically gifted, he just doesn't look very graceful.

Sure, there are better dribblers on the team (Ribery, Robben), better shooters (Lewandowski), and whatever other quality you can come up with. He may not be the greatest at any one thing, but there's nobody else who is this good at all of them.

For example, just look at his assist on Lewandowski's first goal (Bayern's third) yesterday against Porto. Instead of trying to get a shot on goal off a cross from Lahm, which probably wouldn't have been a bad move in itself, his awareness of where his teammate was, and the incredibly skilled one-touch volley to Lewandowski's head was sublime.
 
JustFootballFan said:
Sure, there are better dribblers on the team (Ribery, Robben), better shooters (Lewandowski), and whatever other quality you can come up with. He may not be the greatest at any one thing, but there's nobody else who is this good at all of them.
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Yep, he has no weaknesses and his all-round quality is underestimated.
 
The author contradicts himself. *If*, as he claims, Müller were technically sub-par, he simply *wouldn't* claim a spot in the team under 3 different (4 if you count Yogi) world class coaches. There is a Level of techincal prowess that is absolutely necessary to take an attacking role in any top Team, and Müller certainly has it.
 
Balu said:
Ballon d'Or 2014:

5. Müller
7. Neymar
15. Götze
22. Pogba

Aguero and Suarez weren't in the final list of 23 players. I think he gets his fair share of credit these days from all over the globe, made the top 10 of every "best players in 2014" list I've seen. You can't really ask for more than that. Yeah, he's not as hyped as some of the more flashy players, but they usually are more controversial in some way and therefore more interesting to talk about. Müller is already an established player, who won pretty much everything and performed well at every stage of every competition he took part in. He's awesome, almost everyone agrees. He's also unlikely to leave Bayern, so not much transfer talk.

I don't think Müller is still underrated, it's amazing that he gets the credit he deserves despite being not as flashy and having less impressive youtube highlight videos.
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I meant by the average fan. The Ballon Dor is voted on by fellow pros, coaches and journalists. If you open a thread here in this forum about the 10(maybe even 20) best players in the world i guarantee you Muller will not be on most people's list. I have seen many discussions like this and rarely is Muller even mentioned. Bale will have way more mentions.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/your-top-10-footballers-in-the-world.393060/


Señor said:
He is still underrated, not by his peers but by the average fan. Have a look at the snobbery on this very forum when we were seriously linked with him last season. "Don't want him; all he does is score and assist FFS!"
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Precisely.
 
prarek said:
I meant by the average fan. The Ballon Dor is voted on by fellow pros, coaches and journalists. If you open a thread here in this forum about the 10(maybe even 20) best players in the world i guarantee you Muller will not be on most people's list. I have seen many discussions like this and rarely is Muller even mentioned. Bale will have way more mentions.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/your-top-10-footballers-in-the-world.393060/



Precisely.
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Most casual watchers only stand up and take notice when there's one aspect that really stands out. Be it dribbling, shooting from long range, passing, etc.

Muller is such a weird world class player. For all players at his level, you could name attributes where they absolutely excel. Muller is just very good at everything while not being among the best in any 1 aspect. Intelligence apart that is, his movement and ability to find space is just sensational but again, that's something that won't make a player noticed as much.
 
The thing with Müller is in games in which he is not on top of his game he often looks really bad - worse than anybody else on the pitch.

However on his day he can destroy other sides by his own. The setting up of goal number 3 yesterday for Lewa was a moment of pure brilliance.
 
Cnaiür urs Skiötha said:
The thing with Müller is in games in which he is not on top of his game he often looks really bad - worse than anybody else on the pitch.

However on his day he can destroy other sides by his own. The setting up of goal number 3 yesterday for Lewa was a moment of pure brilliance.
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The whole move for that goal was excellent. Thiago's pass to Lahm was a beauty.
 
I can't wait for the game. Tonight is for el Chicharito, hopefully he will be protagonist, something different against Atleti. Happy for the 4-4-2 but with doubts about Illarramendi.
 
Sarni said:
I can't wait for tonight's game, there's something about it that makes me anticipate it more than a standard big CL clash.

Thinking about it Benzema, Modric and Bale missing will be huge blow for Real Madrid but their replacements (Benzema aside because Hernandez is not good enough for them) are adequate and they completely dominated Atletico for 60 minutes at Calderon, it was a miracle that they didn't win. If they can play a similar game today they should be more than fine.

On the other hand Simeone is a terrific tactician and he's already outwitted Ancelotti numerous times and all he needs today is a draw - even 0-0 serves them well because I reckon they'd be favourites on penalties. For Real it's straightforward, they basically need to win to go through. It'll be a huge test for Ronaldo, he went missing in the first game and he'll be the one they are going to relied upon in tonight's game.

Real to qualify @ 1.77 look really good to me. Without injuries they'd probably be around 1.55 - 1.60 and I don't think injuries will influence them that much. They should still be expected to dominate this game. I'm so tempted to lump half of my yesterday's winnings (I won $400 on Bayern v Porto) on that, it'd make me a great profit over the week and I'd quit gambling and finally go and buy the watch I intend to win money for. :drool:

Monaco v Juventus doesn't interest me all that much. I reckon Juventus will find it fairly comfortable, on the other hand Monaco will definitely go for a low-scoring result and try to nick a goal to take it to the extra time. They're not very strong though IMO and Jardim won't be able to squeeze that last bit out of them.
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Marcelo is the biggest loss out of the 4 absentees I'd say. He's been immense this season, adds so much going forward, and isn't Coentrão. Great combination.

Coentrão will lose his head and get sent off.
 
Bob Loblaw said:
Marcelo is the biggest loss out of the 4 absentees I'd say. He's been immense this season, adds so much going forward, and isn't Coentrão. Great combination.

Coentrão will lose his head and get sent off.
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It is Benzema > Modric > Marcelo > Bale.

Real can’t replace Benzema at all (especially in a game against Atletico) and they are forced to play differently without him. Modric is also crucial for them, because they lose their balance without him. Still at least they have other options in midfield, while they don’t have any replacement for Karim. Marcelo is fantastic but Real can replace him without losing a crucial ingredient of their team.
 
PedroMendez said:
It is Benzema > Modric > Marcelo > Bale.

Real can’t replace Benzema at all (especially in a game against Atletico) and they are forced to play differently without him. Modric is also crucial for them, because they lose their balance without him. Still at least they have other options in midfield, while they don’t have any replacement for Karim. Marcelo is fantastic but Real can replace him without losing a crucial ingredient of their team.
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To be honest I wouldn't argue no matter how you ranked it as long as Bale was bottom. I just said Marcelo so I could slate Coentrão.

Don't agree with the last line though, Marcelo is a key player in Real Madrid's build up play, and I think he'll be especially missed against a tight defence like Atlético's. His technique is insane, better than most attackers.
 
So umm...Marca and AS are saying Ramos is going to play in midfield today. What the hell? :lol:
 
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