2011/2012 UEFA Champions League

[stokeriño]

The leaked 'teamsheet' that AVB supposedly confirmed as genuine (not sure about this, but will take the papers' word for it) confuses the hell out of me. Mainly because it involves playing Sturridge as the central striker, something AVB has NEVER EVER DONE.

This can only lead me to suspect that it's one of a number of preliminary 'idea' sketches and a fair way removed from his final thoughts.

[Dingle]

At least his handwriting is better than 'arry's.

[METALMAN]

you'd think he'd have give Ivanovic a nickname given the relevant length of his name. Shame for Branny.

[stokeriño]

Ivanovic's nickname is Bane, but that hasn't caught on so much outside of Serbia.

Or perhaps AVB likes using Ivanovic's full name simply because he loves sparking off his Mahna Mahna song at random intervals during training.

AVB: "Okay, Terry and Luiz will be in the centre, and at right-back will be...Ivanovic"

Players: (Do dooo do-do do)

AVB: "Ivanovic"

Players: (Do do-do do)

AVB: "Ivanovic"

Players: (Do dooo do-do do, do-do do, do-do do, do-do do Chelsea's number two)

[METALMAN]

Assuming he sings that song (why wouldn't he?!) he should be given immunity from all future sackings.

[stokeriño]

Once you start, it's almost impossible to stop. Someone, somewhere will break the silence by yelling out his name and everyone's obliged to go round again. This can literally go on for an hour.

I tell you, it's worse than crack.

[MJB]

Who's in the middle with Lampard and Essien?

EDIT: Hold on, is it Meireles with Ramires on the right wing, has that ever happened either?

[stokeriño]

Who's in the middle with Lampard and Essien?

Raul = Meireles

[METALMAN]

[stokeriño]

EDIT: Hold on, is it Meireles with Ramires on the right wing, has that ever happened either?

Ramires has played on the right wing a handful of times, particularly when Studge was injured.

[MJB]

That says Raul? I need my eyes checked.

[Dingle]

I bet he wishes it was the real Raul.

And fuck you Stok, I now have "Ivanovic" going around in my head. What a guy.

[stokeriño]

Hey Jouzy, guess whose 28th birthday it is today?

IVANOVIC!

[MDK]

Boris Becker

[Lineker]

EWBasel: Sommer, Steinhofer, Abraham, Dragovic, Park, Shaqiri, Huggel, Xhaka, Fabian Frei, Alexander Frei, Streller.

Subs: Colomba, Degen, Kovac, Stocker, Cabral, Andrist, Zoua.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm, Tymoschuk, Alaba, Robben, Kroos, Ribery, Gomez.

Subs: Butt, Pranjic, Gustavo, Petersen, Olic, Muller, Can.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

Shaqiri plays against his future team mates.

Marseille: Mandanda, Azpilicueta, Diawara, N'Koulou, Morel, Diarra, Cheyrou, Amalfitano, Valbuena, Andre Ayew, Brandao.

Subs: Bracigliano, Gignac, Kabore, Traore, Jordan Ayew, Fanni, Sabo.

Internazionale: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu, Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Zarate, Sneijder, Forlan.

Subs: Castellazzi, Pazzini, Poli, Obi, Milito, Ranocchia, Nagatomo.

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

[IAceI]

Off to watch the match.. Come on you Basle! I picked them because it's not on ITV. And I want to see Shaqiri and Xhaka play. And Fabian Frei. May set aside £5 for my impending holiday everytime I hear the phrase "Basle, the conquerors of Man Utd" as well. In a bit, binklebots.

[Lineker]

The fuck is wrong with the picture?

[MDK]

That's the first time in a long while I've seen a striker clipped in the box and not decided to fall down for a penalty.

And what a save from Sommer.

[Matt]

The fuck is wrong with the picture?

What game? I've noticed nothing in the Basel/Munich game.

[MDK]

How did that not go in? My word!