The Champions League semifinals are upon us.
Ivan Rakitić and Barcelona are in. Luka Modrić is out (injury).
But Wednesday night puts the other two Croatian nationals in action in extremely tight matches. ‘Super’ Mario Mandžukić will look for revenge on city rivals Real Madrid after being bloodied and beaten in their scoreless first leg match last week. The return leg pits the two La Liga sides at the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid, without the services of Luka Modrić or Gareth Bale. Although Real have the home advantage, they would have to double any away goal that Atletico scores.
In last week’s CroatianSports.com poll, “Who would you rather see progress in Champions League? Modrić or Mandžukić, Modrić edged his compatriot 60-40. Now with Modrić out for the season, how many of you are pulling for Mandžukić and Atletico to make the semifinals?
In Wednesday’s second match, Danijel Subašić and Monaco take on Juventus after a 1-0 loss in Torino last week on a penalty kick. Monaco ave flown under the radar this entire Champions League season, topping their group after only conceding one goal in six matches. In the Round of 16, Monaco shocked English club Arsenal, defeating them 3-1 at Emirates in the first leg. It was enough to get Monaco through to the quarterfinals on aways goals after a 2-0 home loss.
Subašić has been a stranger of sorts for Croatians, playing in the overshadowed French Ligue 1 and recently taking over for the beloved Stipe Pletikosa after the 2014 World Cup. If Subašić can man the pipes against Juventus Wednesday night and help Monaco through to the final four, he will put himself on the European map as a top notch goalie. Will Monaco keep the magic going?
Dannyj,
All apologies brate. Just saw this. Yeah man those quakes are no joke. San Jose is literally off the San Andreas fault and those quakes are massive. If you think Vancouver would be gone, California would be either under water, snap in the middle, or be next to Australia.
The only way you can prepare is to make sure where to turn off your water and gas. And try to make sure you always have some fresh water around. We have Costco water bottles all the time and that’s really our only prep. We have a place in the mountains too that we be new beachfront property ifnthe really big one ever hit.
Ante B it was north coast… its about 400-500 miles from vancouver or so where the earth quake hit
since i was a little kid always heard them saying big one is coming
we are near a fault i know not active like in california but we have been seeing some bigger and bigger ones in the past little while… luckily its all been off the coast
one thing is for sure… vancouver would be a complete gong show if there was a big earth quake here… way more then other places. no one prepared for shit here
I’ve heard.
Never really saw much of them though.
Scirea was a dream player, I doubt we’ll see another like him….Gentile was a freakin beast…if you like tough guys he was TOUGH!!!
From what I’ve heard, yes.
Didn’t really start following European club football til the early to mid 90’s.
Back when Soccer Saturday with Graham Leggat was my only viewing source.
what about Scirea, Gentile….Baresi…
@Ante
I didn’t feel a thing!
Shit scary stuff…
@Ziva
Who else is in the discussion for you?
I liked Maldini when he was young.
Nesta at the turn of the century.
Cannavaro for a minute.
Thiago Silva on his day.
I think John Terry’s pretty great too but never that fast or athletic.
Who am I missing from the last 30 years?
Poglavnice,
You’re in Vancouver right? Our news said there was a 6.0 quake up there today. Everything alright? As a Californian, 6.0 is a nice shaker.
Best CB?????? Man, I wouldn’t go that far.
If Luka was more vocal and aggressive he wouldn’t be the same player. He is who he is, that is his DNA. Some guys are not the rah-rah types.
I agree with that Poglavnik, if you’ve noticed, my 3 teams have always been Dinamo, Real and AC Milan…and Napoli…ok, 4 teams.
Ramos is special and my frustration was comparing the two directly, when it just isn’t possible, unless we peel through the layers and identify exactly what each of them does for their team…and thats a week long discussion, not a quick answer!
Modric is an amazing talent and not many guys can greatly influence a game from that position in an offensive sense. Pirlo at the last Euro’s and Xavi for a few years comes to mind but like you said with superior talent around them.
I think my biggest issue with Luka is that he seems so introverted and nice.
And what I love about Ramos is how aggressive, nasty and vocal he can be.
He’s probably the best CB I’ve ever seen.
Still so fast and athletic, awesome passer, great in the air, and CLUTCH!
Every team would love to have a Ramos.
“I asked you what part of what I’d said didn’t sound like my own opinion and you just mocked me for saying I’d been around the game my whole life.”
I’m not the best writer, especially when I’m on my iPhone and its hard to write without reviewing…then I ramble and don’t see if I made my point clearly.
what I meant was not specifically you but MOST people write what they read or heard and use that as their opinion. an example: I watched the first half of last game (Whitecaps) and in that first half Teibert was seriously below average…the game itself was pretty bad, no flow, no creativity, missed touches…and as I had mentioned…just before Teibert got the yellow card he had the ball on the left side of the field, he had nothing but space to the left of him…and the entire left wing open. I felt he should have taken the ball to that space, held it up and waited for a passing option or tried to take on his man. He did exactly what I always see him do, he went backwards, then got caught trying to do a very silly backheel right into traffic, then foolishly got the yellow!
you said he got “man of the match”…he very well may have…for assisting the goal…BUT, he was pretty much cancelled out of that first half and did ZERO other than his usual running, which I do respect, but I also expect a little more creativity, take someone on while you’re within the last 3rd of the field and nobody in sight…he turned an opportunity into a yellow card.
“You should read Oscar Wilde’s essay The Critic as Artist”
quite honestly Poglavnik, this is a better conversation offline. I don’t try to impose myself, nor do I think I’m superior to anyone. Most people ask me to watch soccer with them and I refuse to because I truly do not like the many yahoo’s that scream and yell, demanding one player to take on 6 and score. I remember the vigorous heated arguements I had with the 4 other Croats I worked with regarding Olic years back while up until this past world cup I totally despised Perisic and so many spoke about him positively…he didn’t deserve the praise until just before the WC…he’s made leaps and bounds to his game and has been our best player.
“I like what Ramos brings to his team more than I like what Modric does”
If I answered you in a short answer then yes, Ramos brings more to his team from the general perspective…its easier to see his value. My challenge with this comparison is the same arguement I have with my brother, who also played for many years and tends to think he know’s his soccer, but he only knows as much as he’s been taught to know. he played at a pretty good level but never did he ever have real experienced people explaining the soo many different elements to the game….so in my opinion, he’s limited to see as much as he’s been taught to recognize. you can say my comment is arrogant or my attempt to make myself “superior”, its not….I’ve just been exposed to much much more than he has. Modric is in a position and role where his contributions do not necessarily lead to the immediate final result, a goal. but once we look at all he does and break it down, its a whole different ball game. Ramos could NEVER accomplish what Modric does, NEVER. he isn’t as intelligent, he doesn’t have the skills or agility or quick short bursts of speed on a continuous basis. Modric is very hard to contain in small spaces and he finds very good options and makes excellent passing decisions…but again, they are usually the pass that link the back line forward, its really Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic and those types of players that we should see make the final pass before the goal OR, score the goal themselves!
nothing wrong with some heated discussion you guys both bring good points
since ramos ain’t moving to zagreb any time soon we are “stuck” with modric. i love the guy want him to do well but yes he doesn’t really steal games for us but maybe he just can’t with his supporting staff. but as slavonac had mentioned he does a lot of things we can’t always see with stats.
i am looking forward to see what raketa can do against italy… i think he will step up
like someone said id rather see him playing in seville where he was heavily relied upon and got to touch the ball a lot
last champions league game he just seems like a guy that makes a quick pass between someone and messi:(
lets just hope everyone is firing for france
I’m sure you’re an alright guy Slavonac.
Sorry for getting so heated.
We’re obviously passionate with our opinions but it’s not worth fighting over.
The footballing stars are aligning for us to have a nice run in France next year.
Mir, Bog, I Hrvati!
When I said I’d been around the game my whole life and my opinion on this matter was my own. I asked you what part of what I’d said didn’t sound like my own opinion and you just mocked me for saying I’d been around the game my whole life.
Just because you’ve played at some level doesn’t give you the right to mock people.
Gretzky and Maradona played a bit too but that doesn’t mean they were experts at coaching.
You should read Oscar Wilde’s essay The Critic as Artist. He speaks of critics being more knowledgeable than the artists when it comes to there own work.
Just because you are or were great at something doesn’t make your opinion more important than anyone else’s.
I like what Ramos brings to his team more than I like what Modric does.
Iv played with enough soft players in my life to appreciate what Ramos does and that’s just my opinion.
Come to Port Moody, I’ll buy you a few pints and you’ll see I’m not what you think I am
Never said i was right.
Just posted a personal opinion that you trashed.
Also that Teibert game that you apparently watched objectively and that reconfirmed your opinion of him, he was named “man of the match” in.
Not to say that whoever decides these things is spot on, and granted MLS is a way lesser level than you’re used to.
I’m not saying you don’t know your shit most of the time, but I am saying you come across as an asshole a lot of the time.
What honest question did I avoid?
I hate Pep the person, he’s a great coach and was an excellent player!
You obviously don’t like my opinions and no, I do not think I know best but in this case, I know more than you!
Trash everyone? I’ve argued my point, just as you have so many times….I debate soccer and to me, it’s not about winning the argument! I told you I’d watch Teibert objectively and I did, I admitted I may have been harsh but then reconfirmed my initial thoughts.
What exactly makes you right in this debate?
I was also a player and was fortunate to have learned from some excellent coaching, that definitely makes a world of difference. To learn how to respect your teammates by understanding what is asked of them….every damn seljak expects the same from every player on the team but not as many as you think see the game and recognize all that goes on!
Enlighten us Slavonac.
Sorry im not being specific about “being around the game.”
Should we all just take your opinions as the be-all, and end-all from now on?
Love how you just trash everyone’s opinions and avoid answering honest questions too.
You must be a dream play for!
Also pretty ironic that you hate Pep too.
You’re starting to come across as the Guardiola of this sight, Mr. Never Wrong.
Poglavnik, after reading your last comment I can tell you that you just don’t know how to appreciate what he does, because like so many people….you need to see something obvious as in a goal, dribbling, assists….hard tackles….you just do not see his constant movement, his making himself always available, his tireless work rate, his passes….. None of those things excite you so as I thought, you are like many that require some spectacular action in order to recognize his worth….like many of my friends see! Many are like you, they wanna see something you perceive as significant, because you don’t recognize his distribution and smart passes as “significant” enough!
The circumstances are different between Modric, Bale and Ramos….Modric has to have guys around him that can complete or execute the play, Bale does it himself, Ramos comes up big with very strong, defensive plays and sometimes a goal from a set play.
If Modric had guys that consistently perform like he does on Real, I don’t think you’d be saying what you are right now! He has never ever in his life carried his team by delivering assists and making slalom runs through midfields and defenders but yet, he’s so praised almost each and every game…..which now brings me to a point….why don’t you see that and yet, most others do?
Maybe you should take a step back like I did when I said I’d judge Teibert based on what I saw and I paid attention to him…for half a game….then I went out and drank a few pints cause the game was terrible!
^ ^
Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t rather have Ramos over Modric…
Just once I’d like to see Modric raise his game and make a significant mark in an important game for us.
That’s all i’m asking.
I ‘m starting to think that he doesn’t have the mental make up to do it.
There are players that play better for their countries than clubs too.
Gareth Bale is currently a good example.
Bobby, some guys think they know when they really know your basic pickup low level, Canadian styled soccer….but hey, apparently they’ve been around the game so that makes them knowledgeable!
So Now the insults?
You have no clue dude, your Teibert comments tell me enough about you!
“Superiority”, I never once said I was superior but you obviously see that I am! You may be better at arguing, but you’re a a beginner when it comes to this game!
Players who are on the top club teams in the World will ALWAYS perform better with their respective clubs (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea, PSG, etc). than with their national sides for two main reasons.
They are playing with better players at club level and spend way more time with them – almost year round – than with their countrymen.
That’s why I never understand why people ask the question “Why doesn’t he do that for the national team?”
I mean, is this difficult to understand?
“Being around the game your whole life, so has everyone else I know and yet most couldn’t tell you how a guy plays unless he reads what a journalist writes or they listen to the commenter, half of them are pro broadcasters, only some are knowledgeable but also base their opinions on their own experiences….then other guys write stats they find or copy and paste a column….what, you don’t have your own view of what you see?”
What have i written that doesn’t sound like my own opinion?
We’re all obviously influenced by what we take in but this isn’t some piece of journalism I’m regurgitating.
When have you ever read a story that compares Modric and Ramos’s influence on their respected National Teams?
I realize it’s hard to compare the 2 but what I would give for Ramos’s toughness, influence, and leadership on our National Team!
So let me ask you, since you always have this sense of superiority when discussing the game; what makes your opinions so right and pure? Is it because you’ve coached kids?! Teaching youngsters the fundamentals of the game does not make you an expert. In fact you sound pretty out of touch with some of your hyperbole.
I bet you slice a mean orange though!
….and lastly, about your Whitecaps. I feel the same when I watch Kramaric’s Leceister play….they seriously lack in so many areas and it’s painful to watch at times. A very simple thing like a defender receiving the ball incorrectly and not opening his body towards the outside….no, he takes an extra touch or two and by that time, his options have closed down. It’s the same with the Whitecaps, Teibert plays like his feet are cement and the ball never settles for him, he tend to take an extra touch far too often!
Being around the game your whole life, so has everyone else I know and yet most couldn’t tell you how a guy plays unless he reads what a journalist writes or they listen to the commenter, half of them are pro broadcasters, only some are knowledgeable but also base their opinions on their own experiences….then other guys write stats they find or copy and paste a column….what, you don’t have your own view of what you see?
Being around isn’t being taught, once people that have played at the high levels teach, explain and identify to you….it’s only then you really understand how each position links with the next, you understand why certain players are chosen based on strategy and you learn yourself to see the game as it unfolds and why the lineup and play the system they are playing!
I’ve been around hockey my whole life and I could never argue why one player is better than another….I don’t have the playing and learning experiences to know why they play the way they do or I could never identify a particular system…but I’ve been around the game my entire life!
How many goals has Modric scored his entire time at Real….and yet he’s still their main man, totally different from the Sedins….Toews is a beast like Yzerman was but again, different sport, different roles….Modric doesn’t score and never was a goal scorer.
I ask you this: sincer Modric started at the NT level, how strong have we been at every position….now look at Xabi Alonso or Ozil and the teams they play on….replace either of them with Modric and you have a winning team because every position on Germany and Spain have been stronger than Croatia’s! We’ve been filling holes by trying to make the best out of weaker options…..both Spain and Germany never had the same issues, the comparable players in Ozil and Alonso are play the same role as Modric!
Ramos is a solid player, my description of him is in no way mediocre. I love how the guy plays and I’ve always respected him as a player…..solid to means means strong, composed, tough, hard and he anticipates everything….stil, not a comparison with a totally different type of player.
The Whitecaps? Other than a few players, I can’t watch them too much, they lack in many areas and I don’t think the quality is above a 6/10! Not worth a debate to me! Teibert is a runner with no brains at all!
I’ve been around the game my whole life.
I see the world class skills.
I see how smoothly he receives passes and distributes the ball.
I see how effortlessly he skips through defenders and reads the game defensively but come on dude, he really hasn’t done enough for us.
Ramos might not have those ball skills but man is he winner!
When his team need someone to step up he’s provided it time and time again.
Both for club and country.
I don’t think Spain are half as successful without him.
Also there’s a reason he was the youngest Spanish player in 60 years when he made his debut as an 18 year old for their national team.
He is world class on every level!
Not just “a very good, solid defender”
Different topic.
Am I the only one who enjoyed watching Modric playing at Spurs and Rakitic playing at Sevilla more than their new teams?
Both of them stole the show at both of those clubs.
I see his world class skills, I just don’t see any leadership which is what our mental midgets really need.
You’re from Canada, so here’s an example you might relate to.
Who would your rather have on your team, Daniel and Henrik Sedin or Jonathan Toews?
Sedin’s are consistantly in the top 10 in scoring unlike Toews.
Sedin’s are both considered two of the more offensively talented players in the league yet year in and year out they get pushed around and disappear come playoff time.
Also for someone who doesn’t really follow the Whitecaps you’re pretty opinionated about them.
From the 2nd half of last season to the beginning of this season we’re a much better team with Teibert in the lineup. He’s is a leader and he’s already worn our armband a couple of times. He’s also been ‘man of the match” twice the season on a team that sits top of the league. I wish Modric showed half the leadership Teibert shows!
Also let’s divide what Modric does at the club level from the National Team.
Yes any team in the world would want him but he consistantly disappears at the National level and that’s what pisses me off!
Do you have any “player of the game” or “carrying us to victory” examples of Modric yet?
…also, I find it ironic that you come out and present stats for Teibert and yet can’t see a world class player perform?!?! Watch him play, watch how he’s always in a position to receive the ball, watch how he switches the play, watch his quick passes and then watch how he is always defensively responsible!
This is why any team on this planet want him!
Did Modric make Tottenham a better team? What about Real?
Can we compare Alonso with Modric, what about Ozil? Why is it that Ozil left Real?
You know, it’s tough to offer examples of achievements when you only see them as goals, which is what you’ve mentioned.
Modric is a player that links the play and he’s always been that guy! He was a standout in Tottenham as he is now in Real but I guess you expect me to give certain examples rather than for you to acknowledge his consistent play with his club!
The NT is a whole other story. We’ve never really had w complete team, strength in all positions where one can say look, they achieved under Modric while Ramos has with both Real and Spain!
Players impact the game differently, we’ve spoken about Olic a billion times….he brought a lot more than skill and he was effective at his assignments, same with Modric!
I love Modrić, but when he was subbed out of that Italy game (for a very unimpressive Kovačić) we didn’t miss a beat, and still dominated that game.
The reason for this was having Rakitić step up for us. I hate to say it, but sometimes I think these two neutralize each other.
I don’t recall seeing BOTH Modrić and Rakitić having an awesome performance in the same game. It seems like one always has to defer to the other and play in a much more subdued role.
I wouldn’t swap Modrić for Ramos, but I can see where Poglavnik is coming from. We have CRAZY depth in the central midfield, but it would be nice if we had a world class CB in defence.
There’s talk about Modrić possibly missing the Italy game, and none of us really care (nobody was even talking about it). That’s because we all know that Rakitić is there and ready to be the main man in the middle, with a decent supporting cast in any combination of Perišić, Kovačić, Brozović, Badelj, etc.
It’s a very good “problem” to have, but you never really maximize on the talent you have.
“Modric has never on any team been the “timely goalscorer” and yet, he’s always named as one of the best midfielders in the world! its not his role to score the timely goals…..Ramos scores on set plays…and yes, thats awesome but you are missing out on what his role is to Real and the NT.”
i understand Ramos is always in on set pieces but Modric spends way more time in the final third than Luka.
“what a joke….Ramos played as a defensive midfield role once and you think he’s the Messiah!”
I’m giving you an example of how versatile he is.
Your constant use of hyperbole does nothing for your credibility dude..
Great players rise to the occasion.
Give me some examples of when Luka’s done that.
Poglavnik- you’re losing credibility dude, very quickly!
Modric has never on any team been the “timely goalscorer” and yet, he’s always named as one of the best midfielders in the world! its not his role to score the timely goals…..Ramos scores on set plays…and yes, thats awesome but you are missing out on what his role is to Real and the NT.
why, for so long did we complain that Rakitic was played out of position and why did 95% of people say he couldn’t be effective because he was spending too much time playing to shallow into his own end. Once he plays in an advanced role, Luka can link with him….with Perisic, with Olic, Kramaric…..but you just do not see that all these players I’ve mentioned are still not Real Madrid or Spain’s calibre!
you do not comprehend this game as you think you do!
what a joke….Ramos played as a defensive midfield role once and you think he’s the Messiah!
“Ramos is a very good and solid defender.”
Really, that’s it?
what do you want me to say?
this comment right here really exposes your lack of knowledge:
“And Ramos has scored more timely goals in his career than Modric has and probably ever will.”
I can’t even begin to discuss this with you….this comment shows what little you understand about this game….Luka Modric hasn’t been so highly regarded for his scoring….you are lost dude!
@Slavonac
“we were talking about two different types of players and the value they bring to their team. one has a role to defend, the other has to defend and create…HUGE difference!”
One does his job really well and one disappears in big games.
Give me the guy that inspires and leads and wears his heart on his sleeve over the creative genius that does nothing in big games and shows me no on-field leadership.
Playing with scrappers like Ramos is hugely inspiring.
@Slavonac
“Ramos is a very good and solid defender.”
Really, that’s it?
He played as a midfielder pretty damn well yesterday against one of the hardest teams and midfields to play against.
You think it’s easy to be one of the 2-3 best players on the best National team of our era?
He’s been doing it his whole life and hasn’t lost a step.
And Ramos has scored more timely goals in his career than Modric has and probably ever will.
I’m sorry but Luka is overrated to me.
He disappears in big games unlike Ramos.
When was the last time Modric gave a performance for us where he was hands down “player of the game.”
When’s the last time he carried us by the scruff of our necks to victory.
I can’t think of a single game.
Refresh my memory.
Closest that comes to mind (and in a losing effort) was against Spain in 2012.
The comparison of performance level is not even close.
Ramos is a career gamer
Can’t say the same for Luka.
He’s still got a couple of tourney’s to prove me wrong but so far he’s done jack for us.
Holiga: How Croatia turned on activist accused of reporting fans’ racism
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/23/croatia-racism-italy-behind-closed-doors
We actually have capable defenders and a decent goaltender.
Problem is, we also have incapable ones who always seem to get the start over the capable ones.
Looks like Hrvatska supports Chelsea the most with Arsenal in 2nd.
http://www.dnevno.hr/sport/nogomet/za-koga-hrvati-navijaju-ova-karta-otkriva-koji-je-najpopularniji-engleski-klub
“Kovacic or Badelj can slide into Modric’s slot and it wouldn’t take the team down too many notches”
really man? Kovacic has proven squat at this point in his career, do you really think players are that interchangeable so easily?
Badelj has just recently come into form….and I mean recently…as in the last 4 – 6 months, he still has a lot to prove but I do like what I’ve seen… although the difference’s between Badelj and Luka are huge!
we weren’t talking about replacing Corluka or Vida with Ramos, that’s a whole nother discussion and an easy conversation…we were talking about two different types of players and the value they bring to their team. one has a role to defend, the other has to defend and create…HUGE difference!
Trading Modric for Ramos is a simple move to make, when you look at Croatia’s national team. They have so many central midfielders. Kovacic or Badelj can slide into Modric’s slot and it wouldn’t take the team down too many notches.
You replace Corluka or Vida with Ramos and that’s pretty significant. Personally in terms of dream trades, I’d like David Alaba from Austria at left back. Best prospect in the world right now coming from a position that Croatia is lacking in quality.
Anyway this is a weird topic.
Poglavnik- Ramos is a very good and solid defender, I remember back in the old days I had a coach that used to describe very tough defensive players as “jede zivo meso….jede zivu djecu”…he is fearless and also does well in the opposing box but your comparison and analysis is very flawed…especially when you compare the importance of the two players.
Modric’s value as a player, especially these past couple of years is immense. he ties the link between defense and attack. he is often back in-between his defenders receiving the ball and distributing short passes, long passes, switching the play and creating quick and thoughtful plays that give his team-mates that extra split second and gain the advantage. he also breaks up many plays while defending….playing in the middle of the field is far more challenging than playing in the back, where you see everything in front of you, where you can calculate how you will approach your opponent whereas in the middle, you never have that luxury.
when you look at the overall value to your team, you have to take into account how plays get broken up and how they get started, Luka is involved far more than most in both areas and its because of his very smart passing abilities that his team usually has the edge and advantage….he has the ability to create with precision and quick decisions….there is no chance in hell Ramos can come close to him in those areas. he is brilliant as seeing an attack and judging when to commit, but defenders always have the advantage.
you have a very interesting perception of players dude….on one hand, you talk about Teibert…a shitty player that has no vision, no creativity and zero brains and yet, you praise him….on the other hand you say you’d trade Ramos for Modric in a second, that’s pretty screwed up! Ramos is a great player but he’s also played with some of the best players in the world at Real and Spain whereas Modric has had success at Real and with our NT, we’ve had to fill in gaps in many positions using the likes of Sammir, Pranjic, Lovren….unproven guys like Kovacic, Brozovic and Rebic while Ramos has had a star studded team that he couldn’t help much this past World Cup. look at the Spain roster…players like Koke, Costa, Fabregas, Hernandez, Alonso, Busquets, Mata…..and they lost 5-1 to Netherlands and 2-0 to Chile…where is Ramos’ responsibility in all this?
Wanted Monaco to go through and Atletico Madrid double whammy.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/draws/round=2000551/index.html
Semi-final draw this Friday. No seeding, and the two Spanish teams can meet.
Just look at what Ramos does to a physical team like Atletico.
May have been player of the game the last 2 times Real got one over on their neighbors.
Can’t stand Costa but mainly cuz he’s Chelsea.
I seriously wonder if they’d be champs without him though.
I know it’s probably blasphemous to say around here, and I know it’s not possible, but I’d trade Ramos for Modric in a second.
I think Ramos would take our National Team way further than Modric ever will.
Diego Costa is one of the biggest pricks in the sport. It’s nice that he plays hard, but what an absolute instigator and constantly plays dirty.
Wouldn’t mind to see Croatia play Spain. It’d be a fairly even contest. Vida wouldn’t back down from that clown.
I don’t care for Sergio Ramos, but as Poglavnik points out, he is vital to Real Madrid.
Sergio Busquets is the absolute worst.
@poglanvik
Those are like my least favorite players lol
Actually Ramos is one of the only Spaniards I’ve ever liked.
Him and Costa (event though he’s Brazilian) are two of the only Spaniards that play like they’ve got a pair.
He’s as important if not more than Luka to that team.
I would love to see a Barca-Real final, it would be the First ever Champions League “El Classico” Final. That would be Awesome!
I would assume Modric would do all he can to get back for the final if/when Madrid goes through (as long as they don’t play Barca in the semis).
Hoping for a Barca-Madrid final, although wouldn’t mind Juve.
Anybody else absolutely despise Sergio Ramos?
Chicharito with a Mandza or Olic-style tap in. Who knew????
My thoughts….I am a Real Madrid fan but for some reason I just don’t feel they’ve played to their full potential this year….Bale in particular has been MIA on several occassions and Luka is the gel on that team, without him I feel they play at 70%.
On the other hand we have a team in Atletico that fights hard and plays with a ton of emotion, Mario hasn’t been great for the last several weeks and we’ve recently learned that he has an injury thats been hampering him. I personally would like to see Atletico and Mario win today and move on, I just think they have the better chance to do more….Simeone seems to have a team and at the moment, I feel Real has a bunch of individuals….Atletico/Mario for me!
mandzu with a brace and subasic with a shutout!!!