Champion's League 2011-2012

[SoCalJoe]

CL group stages playing, and Ronaldo is still an @SS!!

[SoCalJoe]

Not only did Bayern smack around Citeh, but reportedly Carlos Tevez refused to go into the match (he's trying to use a 'misunderstanding' as an excuse). He and Mancini cannot co-exist, but unless he's willing to take a serious paycut there are few teams that can afford his wages. Our favorite ex-gaffer Mark Hughes came to the player's defense saying family issues were waying in on Tevez, of course the fact they have the same agent had nothing to do with it.

Our old Europa League competitor FC Basel came from 0-2 down at Old Trafford, to go ahead 3-2 only to have Ashley Young bail out ManUre with a 90th minute equalizer.

[Clevelandmo]

I'm very skeptical that Mancini has the player management competency required for handling the players he has. I did not think he handled the Balotelli incident here in the States well. Maybe Tevez is a prima dona but every time I've ever seen him play he appears to work his butt off.

Regardless, I'm enjoying the show immensely

[Logicalman]

What's the view over here about the Tevez affair, considering his past in 'striking' to get what he wants.

[Clevelandmo]

I swear Joe and I posted on this topic but I cant find the thread. It had to be after Heather and Mike switched to this format right? It was two days ago. I hope this site doesnt have a feature in which entire threads disappear into cyberspace.

Anyway, I suspect Mancini doesnt have the player management competency required for the players he has. I think he mishandled the Balotelli incident in the MLS friendly and I have to wonder if he couldnt do better in this situation with Tevez. I buffer myself from most of premier league gossip so maybe Tevez is a prima dona and needs a dose of reality, but everytime I've ever seen him play he works his butt of for his team. In other words, to me he has always appeared to be the type of player I'd want on my side. However, I'm not in the habit of watching Man City games so maybe I'm missing something.

[DCHeather]

I've merged the thread to the original Champions League Tevez saga discussion...it was kinda buried under all the recent posts.

[Clevelandmo]

Mystery solved. Thanks Heather.

[SoCalJoe]

Thanks Heather for morphing the 2 threads. I always enjoy the damage control a player's agent, publicist, fortune teller. etc. attempt the day after a pr nightmare for their client happens. Tevez is a great player, but not irreplacable, and Citeh pockets are so deep there are going to be alot of talent riding the pine. Can't blame him for being pissed off and embarrassed (his EGO being hit might be the biggest issue) about not playing regularly, but it's about being a professional. His actions were the exact opposite.

What I don't want to hear about his 'family issues'. Not that I'm not sympathetic (they have problems like everyone else), but when he had a chance to go back to Corinthians (the clubs agreed on a fee) the deal fell apart when he was going to have to take a big pay cut. Carlos Salcido had family issues, and decided he needed to go home no matter how much less his check was.

**Forgot to add the story of the CL so far has to be little Apoel of Cyprus leading their group...awesome

[Logicalman]

Apologies if I duplicated a thread, I did look first, honest.

I agree with Mo that Tevez is a player that always appears to give his all for the team, and has plenty of skill. I will admit, I do tend to watch just about all the prem matches that are broadcast (fortunate to have a missus also a dedicated Fulham fan, and soccer fan), and so I have seen most of his matches over the past few seasons, and, prior to this incident I would have loved to see the guy pull on a Fulham top.

Unfortunately, whatever the backend arguments or disagreements were behind the events in Munich, by all accounts I tend to believe Mancini when he tells us that Tevez refused to play, and as such, I would be happy never to see this guy in English football again. He broke the one unwritten rule that defines a professional from a Sunday afternoon player, the term professional.

I also agree with Joe that he had plenty of opportunities to return since his family excuses appeared, and not being unsympathetic (I know what its like to live on a separate continent from ones children), he made that decision, nobody else, so whereby I can empathize with him, I blame him as well. He has the money to retire and be with his family at 400K USD a week for the past year or more.

I guess, without being too flippant, he really does epitomize the word striker.

[AggieMatt]

Tevez is like the Argentine equivalent of T.O. He always works hard, but after a year or two, he just can't help himself. He has to burn down the barn. He seems to have a self-destructive nature.

[SoCalJoe]

Since it happened at Bayern in the CL, and we've talked about it on this thread, per soccernet today;

Manchester City have confirmed Carlos Tevez will face disciplinary proceedings after an investigation into his conduct at Bayern Munich.

Following a two-week ban, Tevez will return to training on Thursday but, after attending a meeting in London on Wednesday, it was decided that further action could be taken.

A Manchester City statement read: "The club has been conducting an investigation into the events of 27 September at the Allianz Arena. The club has now reached a stage in its investigation where it has concluded that there is a case for Carlos Tevez to answer of alleged breaches of contract.

"Accordingly, the club has informed him that he will face disciplinary proceedings and the hearing will be convened shortly. Carlos will be required to report to Roberto Mancini for training on Thursday."

Tevez claimed that his perceived refusal to come on as a substitute in the Champions League clash at Bayern Munich was a misunderstanding based on the fact he merely declined to warm up. He also said a post-match interview in which he appeared to confirm that he had refused to play was down to a mistranslation.

City have taken evidence from the players, coaches and others who were within earshot of the row and, according to ESPNsoccernet sources, City lawyers informed Tevez, his advisors and legal representatives on Wednesday that there are discrepancies in the player's version of events. He was asked to go through his version of events prior to the release of the statement.

City have been unable to prove conclusively that Tevez refused to play but, in declining Roberto Mancini's instruction to warm up, his behaviour would still amount to breach of contract. That could be sufficient for the club to dismiss the player, and they could then pursue a compensation claim, but a sale in the January window would be simpler and less risky.

Anzhi Makhachkala and Corinthians have both expressed an interest in signing Tevez, while there could be potential for a move to the Middle East, but Juventus have played down talk of a deal.

[SoCalJoe]

The little team from Cypress just keeps it going. Leading the group and not against bad competition. They beat Porto yesterday at home yesterday and have a legit chance to advance. A home scalp of Zenit St. Pete and away draws at Porto and Shaktar is pretty damn impressive.

[SoCalJoe]

Absolute stunner as ManU's campaign now moves to the Europa league. The little player Shaqiri was tremendous, Frei and Strella are a quality forward combo, first Swiss team to advance...

[tim]

City bumped too. Putting the cart before the horse, I know, but I would love a matchup against one or the other in the Europa Round of 16 (don't believe they will allow a draw against either in first knockout stage).

[jumpkutz]

Can't get a handle on Barca this season. They looked great against Lever today, but they've lost some league matches to teams they shouldn't have, and trail RM by a substantial margin. Injuries? Age? Fatigue? Boredom? Slump? All of the above? None of the above?
Thoughts?