RealGM

In an attempt to create conversation in the off season, why not play a soccer fact or fiction?

(You all probably know the rules, but for the newbies: one guy makes a statement, and the next poster may evaluate it ("fact" or "fiction" with explanation). He then poses a question of his own, creating a hopefully long lasting Q&A)

Fact or fiction: Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world -- except in big games

fiction, Messi has been the clear cut best player this season.


fact or fiction, Manchester will easily win 4th EPL title in a row next season.

Fiction. They are the #1 candidate to win it all, but battling Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and possibly ManCity is not exactly "easy".

F/F: a Russian or Ukrainian club will get into the semi finals of the Champions League next year

fiction, Rubin Kazan, Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Kiev does not posses the quality to advance past group stage and Shaktar and CSKA has a shot to quarters at best.

Fact or Fiction, Hungary will go to the World Cup

Tough one..

Fiction. They still have to play Sweden and Portugal who got a game or two in hand.

F/F: Newcastle United will face a similar fate as Leeds United.

Fact. Newcastle's management has been horrible. Coaching, ownership, players... what a mess. They could go REALLY deep down if they are not careful.

F/F: the Serie A is not a Top 3 league anymore

fiction. they are the 3rd but still in top 3 with Inter having its best era since Herrera and Milan and Juve slowly climbing back to elite status.


Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently the best striker in the world.

Fact. The problem is that Zlatan has yet to make a deep CL run to be noticed.

F/F: Steven Gerrard > Frank Lampard

Fact, but not by a huge margin as Liverpool supporters claim to be.

Fact/Fiction: Michael Ballack's career has been a disappointment.

fiction, his career in Chelsea is bit of a disappointment but he won 4 German titles and finished runner up in a world cup, euro and champions league(twice), playing crucial roles in all of them. not too shabby.



Manchester City will finish top 4 in EPL next season.

Fiction, top 6 though.

F/F: Portsmouth will buy a superstar like David Villa this summer

Fiction, its tough to pull superstar talent when you're not playing in Europe.

F/F: Real Madrid will go through the entire season with one manager.

Fiction. They probably will not win the title (Barca is VERY strong), so the coach will be scapegoated as usual. Remember the year Heynckes got sacked after winning the CL?

F/F: GOAT goal: Maradona's coast-to-coast 2nd goal vs England in the 1986 WC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rW-lK9F ... re=related

Fact, thats a truly special goal.

F/F: Ibrahimovic will play in Spain next season

j-far wrote:Fact, thats a truly special goal.

F/F: Ibrahimovic will play in Spain next season

Fact, it is very possible. He has claimed he doesn't enjoy playing for Inter no more or in the Italian league since he claims he has won everything there.

F|F: Dzeko goes to Chelsea this summer.

Fact. Dzeko will be behind Drogba in the pecking order, though. (Even I still hope that Edin stays in Wolfsburg, Grafite, Misimovic and him together is a work of art.)

F/F: the 6+5 rule (i.e. every team should field min. 6 native players) should be enforced

Should be enforced? Don't you mean would?
BTW, Anelka would be behind Drogba

Anyway. Fiction, I just don't see how Platini will be able to achieve this, I mean everyone should be able to work wherever they please, it's called freedom.

F/F: Barcelona will defend the Champions League?

Fiction. They were the best team but needed the WORST REFEREEING EVER to get past Chelsea. I don't think that they will be either as good or as lucky as in 2009.

F/F: Freddy Adu is officially a bust

Point forward wrote:Fiction. They were the best team but needed the WORST REFEREEING EVER to get past Chelsea. I don't think that they will be either as good or as lucky as in 2009.

F/F: Freddy Adu is officially a bust

FACT!

America ruined him!!!!!!!


F|F: Manchester United in the Primer League for the 4th time in a row?

Fiction. Chelsea will have Dzeko, so they will automatically win it all

F/F: no player is worth paying 100 million Euros for