**OFFICIAL Association Football 2012/2013 Season thread**

[Rageman]

Bayern is bitchslapping Arsenal in London. They are having quite a season and wouldn't surprise me at all if they win it all in the Champions League.

[SebastianLeeDanzig]

I was hoping they'd be cut down to size internationally, but those cocksuckers can do no wrong at the moment.

[Rageman]

Man. Arsenal now need to score at least three goals in Bavaria. That's gonna be tough to do.

[SebastianLeeDanzig]

Yeah, I don't see that happening. But at least Podolski got a tiny bit of payback.

[Hellsinkey]

I wonder how much more time will they give Wenger, Arse hasn't won anything since 2005.

[SebastianLeeDanzig]

Then again, they hardly won jackshit before Wenger either. And when you look at the list of star players they couldn't keep from going after bigger money, I'd blame the fucked-up transfer policies these days before I'd blame the coach.

I hardly follow premier league, though, so I might be talking out of my ass here.

[shocked_the_monkey]

Then again, they hardly won jackshit before Wenger either. And when you look at the list of star players they couldn't keep from going after bigger money, I'd blame the fucked-up transfer policies these days before I'd blame the coach.

I hardly follow premier league, though, so I might be talking out of my ass here.

They were pretty successful with George Graham. Two league titles, domestic cups and success in Europe.

I think Wenger has gone on too long. There's sense in standing by a proven Manager, but 8 years is a disaster for a club of that size. They look an average team. I thought Podolski and Mertesacker signing was quite a coup, and while Podolski has done ok, Mertesacker looks slow and average.

[Hellsinkey]

Then again, they hardly won jackshit before Wenger either. And when you look at the list of star players they couldn't keep from going after bigger money, I'd blame the fucked-up transfer policies these days before I'd blame the coach.

I hardly follow premier league, though, so I might be talking out of my ass here.

They were pretty successful with George Graham. Two league titles, domestic cups and success in Europe.

I think Wenger has gone on too long. There's sense in standing by a proven Manager, but 8 years is a disaster for a club of that size. They look an average team. I thought Podolski and Mertesacker signing was quite a coup, and while Podolski has done ok, Mertesacker looks slow and average.

I think the better players of recent years like RVP, Fibreglass and Nasri got tired of keeping the team above water and went for better and more successful teams, which paid better too.

[pieceofme]

I think I hate Benetiz more now than I did when he was manager of Liverpool. Says a lot really.

[Hellsinkey]

I think I hate Benetiz more now than I did when he was manager of Liverpool. Says a lot really.

Rodgers has become a bit of a prick too. Always defending the team, no matter how badly they play.

[pieceofme]

I think I hate Benetiz more now than I did when he was manager of Liverpool. Says a lot really.

Rodgers has become a bit of a prick too. Always defending the team, no matter how badly they play.

Comments like this aren't helping:

"We lost the battle," he said. "But the war going forward will very much be won if we keep performing like that."

[MickeyG]

As long as Wenger keeps Arsenal top 4 the board won't be sacking him. Champions league football and paying their debts is all they care about. I reckon that's why Dein left, he knew what was up and wanted a different owner who would spend. Kroenke won't spend fuckall. Arsenal have the highest season tickets in world football I think, I'd be pissed if I was one of them.

[jellyheadrobertson]

I think I hate Benetiz more now than I did when he was manager of Liverpool. Says a lot really.

Rodgers has become a bit of a prick too. Always defending the team, no matter how badly they play.

I hate Benitez and I am a Liverpool fan. I loathe Chelsea. As for Rodgers, he does say some stupid things (Don't all managers???) but I can see some progress in the team's play. So he has the benefit of the doubt for now. The team is too inconsistent.

[Hellsinkey]

Kagawa's on fire. Next up Madrid and Ronaldo.

[MickeyG]

I thought Rooney had a great second half.

[Hellsinkey]

I thought Rooney had a great second half.

Nice goal too.

[pieceofme]

Well United are out.

Awful decision by the ref sending Nani off. Completely changed the game.

Never thought we were going to win it this year but to go out like that was brutal.

Time to concentrate on the cup double. Would love to win the FA Cup again. Been almost 10 years! And Chelsea have dominated that competition for the last few years. We play them next so to knock them out and make sure Rafa doesn't finish with a trophy would be great.

[Hellsinkey]

Not only Nani but they gave Madrid too much space after 1-0. You can't lay back against a team like that. Rooney should have arrived earlier and Kagawa should have played. Way too early (Fergie) to compare this to the best teams of the 90's. No reason to lose to Chelski next though.

[el_nino]

I nearly melted down in my own home when they started complaining about contentious refereeing decisions at Old Trafford. The irony was INCREDIBLE

[MickeyG]

I nearly melted down in my own home when they started complaining about contentious refereeing decisions at Old Trafford. The irony was INCREDIBLE

Opposing managers complain all the time about contentious refereeing decisions at Old Trafford.

[SebastianLeeDanzig]

Kagawa should have played

I distinctly remember him saying he had to leave Dortmund, where he got his big break, because he wanted a chance to win international trophies. Not saying anybody could have seen this coming, but I bet he's super glad he's kicked out of the tournament from the bench, while his old colleagues are turning into one of the most dominant teams of the season.

[MickeyG]

Dortmund aren't even the most dominant team in Germany.

[el_nino]

I nearly melted down in my own home when they started complaining about contentious refereeing decisions at Old Trafford. The irony was INCREDIBLE

Opposing managers complain all the time about contentious refereeing decisions at Old Trafford.

Dortmund have been a funny one this season. It's been suggested they are concentrating on Europe rather than the league, but that just may be a way of diverting attention from the fact Bayern have been fantastic from what I have seen. It's comparable to Madrid actually - way off the pace in the league but through to the next stage of Europe and definitely in with a shout of winning Big Cup.

[Rageman]

Said it before and I'll say it again . . . The Bundesliga is improving while the Premiership is declining.

They've already passed Italy and are slowly approaching La Liga and the EPL. Germany's adoption of the fan friendly approach led to an economic turnaround, thus the Bundesliga is luring the mid-level transfers/free agents that would normally be going to England or Italy. Germany and Spain also appear to have more young homegrown talent playing in their leagues compared to England and Italy.

Russia has moved up with France and Holland in that small group lingering just below the big four. Solid, quality football all throughout those leagues.

[MickeyG]

Awful, awful apart from the first 10 mins today from United. Clevs, Kagawa, Rooney, Valencia all shite.

[el_nino]

Awful, awful apart from the first 10 mins today from United. Clevs, Kagawa, Rooney, Valencia all shite.

both teams gave the ball away an incredible amount, I couldn't believe it. The subs from Chelsea changed the game, really.

[el_nino]

Barca - Milan tonight

[Hellsinkey]

Barca - Milan tonight

Messi's first was great.

[pieceofme]

I was hoping Milan would hold on. I don't even like Milan. I'm just fed up of Barcelona.

[SebastianLeeDanzig]

I'm just fed up of Barcelona.

Me too, but I fucking loathe Milan.

I weep for Schalke, though. Like Drogba needs another title. Now the remaining Germans can fuck off too, as far as I care.