FC Barcelona

[Floating Fox]

Don't really think the quality is "much" higher. I think there's a sizable difference in quality between, say, the SPL or the Eredevise and the Premier League. But the top tier leagues are all relatively on a par. I'm less prone to watch Serie A as I frankly find it somewhat boring.

But La Liga's pretty good. I'm not really a football puritan, I don't really get off on a fantastic defensive displays from well organized 4-4-2s. I want to see glamorous, extravagant full backs belting them in from fourty yards, teams coming forward in waves to wash through unprepared defenses with classy team goals and the team bottom of the league's center back having the audacity to try some cheeky back heal.

The Premiership's all too clinical these days, it's boring at the top and it's boring at the bottom. La Liga's like footballing panto and I fucking love it. Very rare you get a dull game.

Funny that. Everytime I've tried to watch a match I get bored and flick over. I think the attendences at their games speak wavelengths too.

[Finnegan]

I think the attendences at their games speak wavelengths too.

I don't think it says much about the standard of football, no.

The culture, maybe, the fact that so much of Spain is below the poverty line, maybe. The football? Not really. I'd much rather turn out to watch Osasuna play Mallorca than Wigan play Bolton, thankyou very much.

[Guest]

I totally agree. However, sadly I believe that the only way domestic leagues will become enjoyable and exciting in Europe again is if the select few teams who win everything go off and form a European super league to satisfy the commercial desires of both UEFA and the themselves. Then we can return to having genuinely competitive seasons year after year and hopefully in the process we can rid ourselves of all the commercial bollocks that the Premier League franchise entails as the likes of Scudamore, foreign owners, Sky Sports etc. become less interested in domestic leagues and concentrate only on the big clubs in Europe.

The sooner it happens, the better as far as I'm concerned.

I like you. You speak sense.

I think the main difference between La Liga and the Premiership is, when two of the top four play each other in England, more times than not, the games are tight, dull affairs, with no-one wanting to lose. In La Liga when two of the top four play each other, they are normally full of goals, with some quality attacking football. Tonight's game with Real Madrid and Seville is a prime example, 7 goals. When was the last time two of the top four teams in England had a 7 goal thriller?

It's not just the top teams either. With so much money at stake, clubs appear to be scared to lose games half of the time, and this is then reflected in the performances, and the tactics employed. Every so often a game comes along that bucks the trend, but more often than not, PL football is like watching a chess match.

[shen]

I don't think it says much about the standard of football, no.

The culture, maybe, the fact that so much of Spain is below the poverty line, maybe. The football? Not really. I'd much rather turn out to watch Osasuna play Mallorca than Wigan play Bolton, thankyou very much.

What 'poverty line'?

[Kilworthfox]

Is anyone else watching them every week?

La Liga is streets ahead of the Premier League in my opinion and Barcelona this season have been probably the greatest team I have ever seen (although I only sing it about Leicester...)

Valencia have looked a tidy outfit so far this season, were 3rd going into the game last night and it promised to be an interesting game. Got absolutely annihilated by a Barca team missing Eto'o and Iniesta, amongst others.

It's just brilliant to watch.

English top 2 teams are the best in Europe! English top 4 teams have been quite dominant in Europe for the last few years.

The league as a whole I can not comment on as I don't know how Livorno or Celta are getting on these days or how well they are playing.

[Tilley]

English top 2 teams are the best in Europe! English top 4 teams have been quite dominant in Europe for the last few years.

The league as a whole I can not comment on as I don't know how Livorno or Celta are getting on these days or how well they are playing.

Livorno are Italian, aren't they

[purpleronnie]

I too dont find La Liga exciting but I think its a stronger league than ours.

[Tommeh]

I too dont find La Liga exciting but I think its a stronger league than ours.

Spain's top league is better than Englands 3rd tier. Achivement.

[Darkzzz_]

This is now turning into a debate about which league is the best.

It doesn't matter how much we disagree we are always going to defend and praise the leagues we take time to watch.

Where as some people say Serie A is boring I find it excellent to watch, it has certainly picked up in the past few years and I am lucky enough to get access to all Serie A games in my household.

Some say the Bundesliga is up there, whilst I think it is a good league, I don't think it is in the Top 3 leagues in Europe.

I would never comment on any league I do not watch and a lot of people comment because of hear say, or things that happened in the past.

At the end of the day it is all a matter of Opinion.

[shen]

English top 2 teams are the best in Europe! English top 4 teams have been quite dominant in Europe for the last few years.

The league as a whole I can not comment on as I don't know how Livorno or Celta are getting on these days or how well they are playing.

Livorno are an Italian side, Celta are not even in the Spanish first division!!

As for English teams dominating in Europe for the last few years: Yes, these last two seasons English clubs have been well represented in the final stages of the Champions League. Not in the UEFA Cup. 1 win for each over the past 3 years in the CL. 2 Spanish wins in 3 years in the UEFA cup.

[Fosse Boy]

I like you. You speak sense.

[Bert]

This is now turning into a debate about which league is the best.

It doesn't matter how much we disagree we are always going to defend and praise the leagues we take time to watch.

Where as some people say Serie A is boring I find it excellent to watch, it has certainly picked up in the past few years and I am lucky enough to get access to all Serie A games in my household.

Some say the Bundesliga is up there, whilst I think it is a good league, I don't think it is in the Top 3 leagues in Europe.

I would never comment on any league I do not watch and a lot of people comment because of hear say, or things that happened in the past.

At the end of the day it is all a matter of Opinion.

Don't you have Italian heritage? So surely you're going to be biased. But anyway, the thing about Serie A is, it's so so slow, yet there are so many quality players.

I think Bundesliga is what football should be about, It's the fans league.

At the end of the day, football is football, something we all enjoy, so why don't we just enjoy it?

[Darkzzz_]

Don't you have Italian heritage? So surely you're going to be biased. But anyway, the thing about Serie A is, it's so so slow, yet there are so many quality players.

I think Bundesliga is what football should be about, It's the fans league.

At the end of the day, football is football, something we all enjoy, so why don't we just enjoy it?

Yes my missus is Italian.

I have always said and this is coming from a big fan of Italian football, that it was dull in the late 90's. I always like to speak the truth.

But a lot of people seem to have an opinion based on the Champions League, because not many people actually watch Serie A here because of the stupid pass around by Channel 4, Bravo and Channel 5. (Should have stayed on Channel 4)

It has improved a lot and probably produces higher scoring games than any other league in Europe. The technical side of Serie A is amazing this season.

Bundesliga is a great league, But I can't honestly say It is my favourite because I don't watch it like I do La Liga and Serie A, But from what I have seen, It is very good, The fans are probably the best in Europe.

The last sentence your stated rings true, We should enjoy what ever we watch, We all have a opinion, right or wrong.

Football is the winner.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I think there is more strength in depth to the Spanish league. Chelsea and Man United are both probably the two best teams in Europe imo, but Spain seems to have a lot more sides of quality that aren't quite Champions League standard, if you catch my drift. The Top 4 in England are all high quality, but , Villa, Everton, perhaps Man City aside, the quality of the lower teams isn't great in comparison to Spain.

The likes of Espanyol, Getafe et al. All would give most mid table teams in the Premier League a good seeing to. There is not a chance that a team with the likes of Gabriel Milito, Pablo Aimar, and Roberto Ayala would be relegated in the Premiership. Just proves how strong the majority of teams in La Liga are.

[Floating Fox]

I think there is more strength in depth to the Spanish league. Chelsea and Man United are both probably the two best teams in Europe imo, but Spain seems to have a lot more sides of quality that aren't quite Champions League standard, if you catch my drift. The Top 4 in England are all high quality, but , Villa, Everton, perhaps Man City aside, the quality of the lower teams isn't great in comparison to Spain.

The likes of Espanyol, Getafe et al. All would give most mid table teams in the Premier League a good seeing to. There is not a chance that a team with the likes of Gabriel Milito, Pablo Aimar, and Roberto Ayala would be relegated in the Premiership. Just proves how strong the majority of teams in La Liga are.

I think I agree with you. Thats why Spanish teams have done well in the UEFA cup lately

Best 3 leagues are:

Prem

La Liga

Serie A

UEFA coefficients is the best and probably the only fair way you can judge, if its quality and at the end of the day, results your after.

[Darkzzz_]

I think there is more strength in depth to the Spanish league. Chelsea and Man United are both probably the two best teams in Europe imo, but Spain seems to have a lot more sides of quality that aren't quite Champions League standard, if you catch my drift. The Top 4 in England are all high quality, but , Villa, Everton, perhaps Man City aside, the quality of the lower teams isn't great in comparison to Spain.

The likes of Espanyol, Getafe et al. All would give most mid table teams in the Premier League a good seeing to. There is not a chance that a team with the likes of Gabriel Milito, Pablo Aimar, and Roberto Ayala would be relegated in the Premiership. Just proves how strong the majority of teams in La Liga are.

Very good comment and the one above by SUAS.

Let's just enjoy the beautiful game.

[Sparky]

I don't think it says much about the standard of football, no.

The culture, maybe, the fact that so much of Spain is below the poverty line, maybe. The football? Not really. I'd much rather turn out to watch Osasuna play Mallorca than Wigan play Bolton, thankyou very much.

This is what makes football a great sport , different opinions . Id rather watch Wigan vs Bolton all day long and infact would probably watch Tom and Jerry over Osasuna vs Mallorca but that is only my opinion and i certainly respect yours for being the opposite . Its a nothing debate anyway , this thread is 4 pages long and nobody has convinced me the prem is better than la liga or vice versa .

[Darkzzz_]

Now... Let's get back to what the thread is all about....

To those of you that have been, you will know what this video is all about:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cKdiXarudTY

Before and after every match... Joy!

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Now... Let's get back to what the thread is all about....

To those of you that have been, you will know what this video is all about:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cKdiXarudTY

Before and after every match... Joy!

If I go to Spain I'm going to the Bernabeu.

[Darkzzz_]

If I go to Spain I'm going to the Bernabeu.

Been to both mate.

Camp Nou is much better.

But for a football experience Madrid is decent still.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Been to both mate.

Camp Nou is much better.

But for a football experience Madrid is decent still.

Was planning to go Real - Valencia near Christmas but the idea never got off the ground.

All my mates love Barca, unfortunately for me. Nou Camp looks good though.

Did you have a stadium tour or anything similar like that?

[Darkzzz_]

Was planning to go Real - Valencia near Christmas but the idea never got off the ground.

All my mates love Barca, unfortunately for me. Nou Camp looks good though.

Did you have a stadium tour or anything similar like that?

Yes the tour was around 10 Euro. Cheap as chips.

Although the 3 tours I went on, you don't get access to the home changing rooms. But I did get to sit in the President's seat.

I was just cold chilling and didn't want to leave, You actually do the tour without the guide. It is class. Stay as long as you like.

I will dig the pics out and post a few in a bit.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Yes the tour was around 10 Euro. Cheap as chips.

Although the 3 tours I went on, you don't get access to the home changing rooms. But I did get to sit in the President's seat.

I was just cold chilling and didn't want to leave, You actually do the tour without the guide. It is class. Stay as long as you like.

I will dig the pics out and post a few in a bit.

Nice.

[Darkzzz_]

Some of my pics from Barcelona vs Real Betis in 2006, Finished 5-1 to Barca.

[Ultra]

But if I have to pick a Spanish club, while it'd be hard for me to turn away Valencia, it'd have to be Atletico. They play wonderfully, absurdly irresponcible attacking football with some of the most amazing talents in football. They've been down and had to fight it out in the Segunda, showing great character to bounce back, they've had two of my favourite current attackers over the last few seasons (Aguero and Torres) and above all else there's just the wonderful culture of the club. They're everything Kilworth seems to hate in a political team.

None of his fascist, right wing, bougeois club bollocks.

Oh yeah?

That murdering sleazebag Jesus (may he rot in hell) Gil was such a wonderful ambassador for football - just like those incredibly tolerant fans whose display of passion saw them forced to play their last Champions League tie behind closed doors.

I wouldn't mourn if they went bust.

Choosing between them and Real is like choosing between the National Front and the BNP.

Barcelona (club and city) shows the modern, civilised face of Spain.