European Football Thread

[Baddar]

Please tell me it's on Sky Sports 1 or 2 though. If not I can't watch it in HD...

[IAceI]

Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid to be kicking off in the next few minutes. It's actually going to happen this time too.

Rayo: Ruben, Tito, Amat, Labaka, Casado, Fuego, Bangoura, Jose Carlos, Baptitstao, Dominguez, Delibasic

Real: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marclo, Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Essien, Di Maria, Benzema

Referee: Who gives a toss? Just kidding it's Borbalan.

No Ozil for Madrid. Modric has his place now.

Match has now kicked off. Should have thought about that before I started typing out the teams.

[Lineker]

Reports in German publication Bild say Hoffenheim midfielder Boris Vukcevic, 22, is in a critical condition following a car accident.

[Lineker]

(Reuters) - A fake home-made bomb, hidden in a bag, has been found at Zenit St Petersburg's training ground along with a picture of striker Hulk, Russian media reported on Friday.

While checking the device, police found the picture of the new signing with the accompanying words: "Hulk out!".

Reports have said several senior Zenit players are unhappy after the wealthy club splashed out more than $100 million on Brazil forward Hulk and Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel just before the transfer deadline this month.

"We're not denying this story but won't comment either," a club spokesman said.

St. Petersburg is set to be named as a host city for the 2018 World Cup on Saturday.

[Adam]

Never change, Russia. That World Cup is going to go down a storm isn't it.

[IAceI]

It's the big one today. On a big Sunday for big games it's obviously Standard Liege v Anderlecht that stands out head and shoulders above the rest as the match to watch. Kick off at 1:30 and it's going to be a big one.

And Anderlecht will probably win with ease. But still!

Edited October 7, 2012 by IAceI

[IAceI]

Seriously if you have nothing to do stick bet365 on and watch Standard v Anderlecht. Early goal for Anderlecht from ex-Standard player Jovanovic, then players taken off due to flares. Flares just came back after 25 minutes. It's insane, never seen Belgian football like it. Match could well be called off. (I realise that last sentence is not a great advert for watching).

[Lineker]

Also: el Classico, the Milan derby, & Le Classique.

[IAceI]

Standard managed to win 2-1. There was a stoppage for flares, then two more instances where flares were thrown onto the pitch. A missed penalty, a sending off, an absolutely cracking goal in off the post. Anderlecht hit the bar in stoppage time of the second half time and it was just absolutely enthralling to watch. Unfortunately the matches aren't normally that entertaining. Club Brugge can now pull further ahead if they can beat Genk in a couple of hours.

Quite looking forward to El Clasico too, Pique is out from the sounds of it - and Puyol will be too after the injury so going to be tough for them. 8 point gap I believe currently so you could almost say it is a must win match for Real already. Should be a pretty interesting match at least. Likelihood is Song will be playing possibly in centre back and he hasn't look particularly comfortable there so far this season.

Will see how it fares and then maybe switch to the Milan derby if it's too divey and pretentious like it often can be. Not had much chance to watch Serie A this season, caught a bit of Roma v Atalanta earlier - always nice to be reminded that Totti is still one of the best at his job.

[IAceI]

Here are the line ups for Barcelona v Real Madrid in twenty minutes or so.

Real Madrid look the stronger team you would think, given the injuries for Barcelona's defenders but I still quite convince myself that Madrid will win it. Think Ronaldo may well get himself on the scoresheet though and he's available for an anytime goal at evens.

[MJB]

RONALDO!

1-0. Great hit.

EDIT: Should have been two. Madrid have been very wasteful so far.

[IAceI]

Didn't take the Ronaldo bet, obviously stupidly in hindsight but ah well. Considering the Milan derby in half an hour, never get to really watch Serie A and Nagatomo plays for Inter.. So that is swaying me a bit!

[therockbox]

Alves has come off, kid named Montoya on. Barcelona's defence is now Montoya - Mascherano - Adriano - Alba.

[therockbox]

Messi 1 - 1 Ronaldo!

[MJB]

Messi 1-1 Ronaldo

[Gazz]

Found a pound in my bet365 account, stuck it on Messi anytime and doubled my money in 2 minutes.

[IAceI]

Anything Ronaldo can do...

It really would just feel wrong if it was anyone else on the scoresheet.

[IAceI]

1-0 Inter Milan already. 2 minutes in and Max Allegri was screaming in the referee's face at a foul, cross is sent in and Samuel nods it in at the far post.

Cassano starts for Inter, Pazzini on bench for AC Milan after their swap transfer this summer.

Edited October 7, 2012 by IAceI

[MJB]

Beautiful free kick from Messi, 2-1.

[Jimmy]

Phenomenal free kick.

Ronaldo to go and grab one up the other end now, then?