[La Familia]

For the futbol heads here, we've got three of them in a little over a month, starting today.

Thoughts from las Madristas y las Catalans? My only wish is that Kaka would be playing.

[Teedub]

Yes! I'll be watching dude.

I actually went to El Clasico in April '11 at the Bernabeu - fucking incredible atmosphere. The game was a fairly mediocre draw, but nevertheless a great experience.

[Giovonny]

The greatest game in the universe!

I also wish Kaka was playing. And, Zidane and Rivaldo,

[RASER]

World Cup rocks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0rIiASFq4

Forza Azzurri!

This guy is a SUPERCLASS player, he can become a true legend if he can settle down..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A22HSM4kv6k

"Lifes about, shooting your load"

[Teedub]

I remember when Ronaldo (original one) scored a hatrick against United back in '03. I was only 16 then, but I remember like it was yesterday. Incredible player, shame he had so many injuries.

[Balkanite]

Only a matter of time before Mourinho bolts to the EPL

[La Familia]

Pressure is on Barca now!

Great game, and that was with a Madrid squad lacking Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao, Di Maria and Marcelo. Varane will be fun to watch in the upcoming years.

[Teedub]

I feel sorry for Ronaldo. In any other era, he'd be head and shoulders above the rest, yet he has to compete with Messi...who will go down as the best player who ever lived.

[Teedub]

On a further note, it angers me that Americans know nothing about those two players. It's not their fault, its the U.S media who are terrified of branching out and telling Americans that they are living in an era that contains two incredible sportsman, who transcend sport, and are among the greatest athletes who ever lived.

That's why South America is seen as so alien and exotic to Americans, but so normal to Europeans...Soccer.

[thebassist]

What an amazing match.

Speed, agility, tactical genius, tension, drama.

It truly is the beautiful game (dirty playing and diving aside).

Gotta say I laugh my ass off every single time the 6'2 pussy Busquets dives at the slightest touch.

[Idlenations]

Watched the Arsenal v Liverpool game instead. Did the el Clasico live up to its billing?

[Teedub]

Haha diving is the worst aspect of it all for sure!

[Joga Bonito]

Why is Madrid letting Kaka rot on the bench?

[Teedub]

(01-30-2013 06:16 PM)iWin Wrote:  

Why is Madrid letting Kaka rot on the bench?

I don't know, he's a great player.

[Nudge]

Kaka was a great player, but has been rubbish for a good few years now. It seems to happen to a lot of Brazillians when they hit late 20s early 30s. Ronaldinho and Rivaldo spring to mind. I dunno if its because they get too lazy or what it is

[Matt3B]

Kaka's not been as good since his bad knee injury, but he's still a great player. Used to love watching him glide around the pitch for Milan.

[teh_skeeze]

(01-30-2013 05:17 PM)Teedub Wrote:  

On a further note, it angers me that Americans know nothing about those two players. It's not their fault, its the U.S media who are terrified of branching out and telling Americans that they are living in an era that contains two incredible sportsman, who transcend sport, and are among the greatest athletes who ever lived.

That's why South America is seen as so alien and exotic to Americans, but so normal to Europeans...Soccer.

We know about them, we just don't care. We have 4 sports of our own to worry about. When the European clubs come to the US they always sell out. EPL and Champion's League get airtime on cable. The main issue is that the football worth watching is on when we are either working or sleeping. MLS is a rising league, but is still at least a decade away from being anything.

[BIGINJAPAN]

This should shed a little light onto why soccer is not big in North America.

[Matt3B]

I just can't see football being big in America. The main sports there are quite family orientated events aren't they? Football in England is heading that way unfortunately but it's still very much tribal and that's what fuels it.

[juice]

great game! Glad to see Fabregas and Messi switching roles back and forth

[jmoney29]

Kaka still has great skills, but he lost his burst of speed so he isn't as effective as he once was. I'm originally a basketball guy, so I appreciate the stamina, footwork, and anticipation that it takes to be a good footballer. Yes, Busquets is a diver, but his positioning is incredible. My wish is that red cards were amnestied before this round, so that we could see both teams at full strength. I am an American who has never been to Europe or South America, but I plan on going to a pro match when I do travel to either of those places.

[bojangles]

football around south america and in europe has been fueled by tribalism in particular but heavily also by social/political motivations

El Clasico is brilliant, it's the biggest match because Real Madrid have always been considered Franco's team whilst Barcelona are the Catalan nationalist side.

In England though the social boundaries have completed changed, Man Utd and Liverpool were the teams of the working class now there are supporters from all classes all over the country supporting them.
In Athens, Buenos Aires etc you have the 'elite' sides with their upper/middle class supporters (Panathinaikos) and than the 'workers' sides, teams whose support were dock workers or the working class (Olympiakos Piraeus).
In Rome, Lazio vs Roma is politically influenced.
Ajax (liberals) vs Feyenoord (industrial socialists)
Partizan Belgrade (army team) vs Red Star Belgrade (civilians)
Galatasaray (aristocrats) vs Fenerbahce (working men)

the most notorious though?

Glasgow Celtic (Catholics) vs Glasgow Rangers (Protestants), a football rivalry based on religion.

[Vicious]

The real reason Kaka is on the bench is that Madrid has such a deep team. On most other teams he'd be the star but in Real he's hohum.