Comparing the top 4 Euro Leagues

[lond2345]

I believe that the style of the league is set by the big teams in a league

Spain: the best league in europe. Forgot who but someone described the spanish league as "having the skill of the italian league combined with the attacking mentality of the english premier league." I personally believe this is the perfect description. The spanish league is full of south americans, and you can expect great dribbling, creativity and ball skills (something italy also has but england doesnt)
I see La Liga hightlights every week and i see so many tunnels, and players going past defenders, things that when they happen in england the crowd goes (ooh,ahh) but in La Liga is common place.

England: England is the most exciting league in europe. England plays the game the way it should be played, a fun and gun type style. England lacks the tactics of the other leagues but makes it up with its attacking mentality.

Italy: Italy is probably the most boring league of the top 4. Creative players are oppressed by tactics, too much defending etc.

Germany: The quality of the Bundesliga is very far from the top 3. Bayern munich and borussia dortmund are the only contenders for the title each year, everyone else is scrapped off at the beginning of the season. Bayern Munich is so superior to every other team in terms of business organization, players, overall seriousness that it makes every other team seem like amateurs and bayern as the only professional. I see highlights and there are empty seats everywhere. I don't know if the reason for that is that the bundesliga is a defensive league (like italy) or the bad german economy and huge unemployment rate.

and that goes back to my first sentence in this post. The big teams in a league set the style for the league. In italy the top 3 teams are defensive and boring but are the big teams and the successful teams, and all other teams try to emulate them. In germany bayern and borussia are defensive, boring teams but are the big, sucessful teams. Little teams emulate the big teams. Real madrid averages 3 goals a game, the rest will always try to emulate the best.

[jmcclain19]

Rating the big four - a tough one mind you.

For quality top to bottom, the Spanish Liga without a doubt.

For shear watchability, I am personally partial to the Bundesliga, although the Premiership can be entertaining as well. Although British football strikes me at times of wanting to essentially blow their load instead of working on the buildup, the finess end.

And by far the least watchable for me is Italian Footy. I think it speaks volumes about their personality that w/ the most talented players in the world, they play not to lose, rather than to win. Personally I think that is why the Italian teams in Europe, despite spending the most money they won't allow creative players to create. Not to mention the continual allowance of roadflares in the stadium does wonders for the clarity of watching on televison.

But one not mentioned in the so called big four, that I find week in week out w/ great action is the Dutch League, but that is just me.

[Jawz10]

Spain is the best league in Europe in terms of competitiveness. England is the best in terms of atmosphere and presentation.

Having said that I can't watch either. Spanish football seems to have forgetten what it means to get "stuck in" and overelaborate what is a simple task, scoring goals. English football is defensively inept and allows washed up foreigners with any hint of technical ability to come in and mop the floor with their backlines.

[Dark Savante]

There is no big four leagues..only 3.

Nobody outside Germany cares about the Bundesliga at all.

Spain - The best league now. The top players are going there in massive numbers bypassing Italy and going straight to Spain. The 3 last World Players of the year all play in Spain and that's no coincidence. Spanish football is not infallable tho. The defences cannot handle brute force or direct pressure from burly players that's why the German teams do so well against them and always will. Also like someone else said the Spainish teams tend to overelaborate at times often forgetting how to do the simple things and thus blowing their chance to score. Another weakness of La Liga is that most defenders and strikers are inept in the air heading the ball is definitely not a forte there. When the game is played to it's full potential in Spain it's beautiful, highly technical with skills and tricks you won't see outside of Argentina and Brazil. At it's worst it's an overelaborate mess that can be tiresome to watch. At the start of a game 3points is aimed for by most teams towards the end of a match many will settle for the point.

England - The EPL is wild, blood and thunder football which can be deceptive in it's apparent lack of technical and tactical ability. Because the onus is on total attack (except Liverpool) games are nealy always exciting to watch. The better teams in this league are the most varied in Europe. Arsenal historically have always had an exceptional defence...MAn U totally and utterly commited to attack from the off.. Chelsea could easily be mistaken for a Spanish team...Newcastle are the most attack minded team in Europe (live and die by the sword) and Liverpool are very Italian in style. Technically the EPL on a whole is inferior to both Italy and Spain but teams are faster, fitter and so commited to attacking that you can be prepared to overlook certain things. At it's best this league is bold, aggresive and the most entertaining you can find with games between MAn U and.Arsenal generating worldwide audiences of a billion people. At it's worst you will see atrocious technical skills(comparitive to ITaly and Spain) with both teams running after the ball like headless chickens - yet you are still guaranteed goals 80% of the time. It has to be noted that before the Euro ban in the 80's the English league was the best in Europe and Liverpool of that era would have dominated Europe and thus the other teams in the league would have had to match this standard to keep up - but because the teams only had themselves to play for such a long time they fell behind Italy and SPain and derived a style alot more careless. 3points are always aimed for in this league.

Italy - No longer the best league in Europe. Formerly Italy was THE place to see the best football on the planet with attacking skills that just had to be admired to unlock such negative, defensive teams. Teams in this league are obsessed with tactics and tend to strangle attack minded players - that's why usually when ITalian attackers leave ITaly and go to Spain or England they do really well cos they actually have some room to operate in - The Italian league breeds the best defenders. Discpline is of the highest order in Italy players know their roles and are always expected to stay where their manager tells them to. such restriction has stifled even the best talents - Rivaldo can't get to grips with the restrictive nature of the football in serie A - In Italy you will see the best squads in Europe with millions of pounds worth of talent just sitting on the bench - because the teams are so cautious they make sure every aspect of the team is covered with a strong player on the bench which often leads to player discontentment and team rifts. In the early and mid 90's Italian football was fantastic - towards the end of the 90's into this decade the balance of power shifted away from Italy as teams from other countries sussed how to play against Italian teams. Defenders give their all to shut out opposing players often getting booked or red carded to stop a goal this can lead to very stiff games with few chances for either team. At it's best this league has alot to offer with teams playing the footballing equivalent of chess and often you can witness moments of greatness from an individual trying to breach the opposition. At it's worst this league is so dull you wll literally fall asleep in your chair as each team cancels the other out with neative tactics and a lak of ambition in going for the decisive goal. 3points are great a point is expected and 0points is a disgrace.


The Bundesliga isn't a strong league as a whole. very few teams have any aim at the start of a season. The better teams play in a frustrating, solid, defensive style. players tend to be very strong in the air and this is why they will always bother the Spainish and Italians in Europe. If Bayern Munich left the Bundesliga what would be left??

Personally I like to watch the best matches from the big 3 leagues because each offer a unique aspect of football that the others cannot by their very nature. With each different ethos comes a different type of style whic when played to it's potential can be lethal. Each country is weak vs another e.g

Spanish teams have the edge over English
German have the edge over Spanish
Spanish over Italian
English over German
Italian over English

Of course in general..there's always exceptions to the rule. I'd love to see how Argentine and Brazilain teams would do in constant interaction with Europes best leagues..you'd often see even the Spainish league overwhelmed by technical skills etc.

[GiggsNewWzrdOfHgwrts]

In my opinion, the English Premier League is the funnest to watch. Though not as flamboyant, I like the mix of hard-nosed attack and creativity in the English game (Giggs). I can't stand negative tactics, diving players and helplessly pleading prima donnas as can be found in other leagues (though england is not without hers).

[sinner78]

Originally posted by Jawz10

Having said that I can't watch either.

Yeah sounds like you dont watch either.

Neither of those leagues would be strong euro performers with those alleged flaws.
have some respect you contemptuous clown.


as for lond2345's original posting....
You called it right apart from being a little bit too hard on the bundesliga.
agreed.

[Jawz10]

Sinner, you know, you really should look into logic and critical thinking classes.

[AFCA]

Bundesliga is usually quite spectacular IMO. Not always of course.

And I don't see that many empty seats.

EPL is fun. But all that BS about the atmosphere. There are a few games with great atmosphere, but the rest of the matches don't even come near the atmosphere in Italy.

[sinner78]

Originally posted by Jawz10
Sinner, you know, you really should look into logic and critical thinking classes.

If you're gonna playing an attacking style you lose something at the defensive end..But I wouldnt go as far as branding the defence as inept.

i dont think that the spaniards are over-elaborate in general.
Maybe Barca can be at times and so can Real madrid if they're in a cocky mood.

I actually had to watch the games to make those statements.Believe it or not.Not watching them just aint good enough.

[Mobile]

Originally posted by AFCA
Bundesliga is usually quite spectacular IMO. Not always of course.

And I don't see that many empty seats.

EPL is fun. But all that BS about the atmosphere. There are a few games with great atmosphere, but the rest of the matches don't even come near the atmosphere in Italy.

I was under the impression that away support in Italy is virtually non-existent (obviously except for derby games). IMO away support is a vital ingredient for a good atmosphere.

And all that bollocks with flares and megaphones is just rubbish. If you need flares and loudspeakers to create an atmopshere then you're missing something about the game - in my opinion.

[Canadadry1222]

England without a doubt is the most enjoyable football to watch, but taking a look at european competitions it is clear that England is not the most competitive. For the present Spain is the most competitive league but I think soon Italy will come out of its "play for a 1-0 win" mentality as fans are being more and more vocal about their hatred for defensive football. The best thing that can happen now is for Inter to lose in champs league as they are the most defensive minded club in Italy. I thinkn the future for football in italy, as much as i hate it, is in Juventus as they are not only the best team in Italy but the most fun to watch. But this is how it works, leagus get better, leagues get worse and thats what makes it fun...watch out for MLS in 10 years

[Elninho]

Originally posted by Canadadry1222
England without a doubt is the most enjoyable football to watch, but taking a look at european competitions it is clear that England is not the most competitive. For the present Spain is the most competitive league but I think soon Italy will come out of its "play for a 1-0 win" mentality as fans are being more and more vocal about their hatred for defensive football. The best thing that can happen now is for Inter to lose in champs league as they are the most defensive minded club in Italy. I thinkn the future for football in italy, as much as i hate it, is in Juventus as they are not only the best team in Italy but the most fun to watch. But this is how it works, leagus get better, leagues get worse and thats what makes it fun...watch out for MLS in 10 years

If Inter's the most defensive club in Italy, how come they've scored the most goals in Serie A and allowed more goals than anyone else in the top half except Roma?

[RichardL]

Originally posted by Mobile
I was under the impression that away support in Italy is virtually non-existent (obviously except for derby games). IMO away support is a vital ingredient for a good atmosphere.

And all that bollocks with flares and megaphones is just rubbish. If you need flares and loudspeakers to create an atmopshere then you're missing something about the game - in my opinion.
Don't know about there being no away support in Italy - you have to remember it's a pretty big country compared to England. A few weeks back, when Reading didn't have a game one weekend, I went to see Inter v Reggina and they had at least 3000 there. Now Reggina (or the town in which they play to be accurate) is right down on the very toe of Italy. Given Reggina's average home crowd or about 25,000, it'd be the equivalent of a struggling Charlton taking 3000+ to a league match in the Shetland Islands.

The atmosphere itself was good. It helps a great deal that although the place is all-seater, unlike England where jobsworth stewards rule the roost, nobody cares if people stand up. If fact the stewards didn't even care that fans sat/stood in the gangways. One steward was even leaning over the edge of the middle-tier safety barrier waving a large flag. The signing was almost exclusive confined to the middle tier behind one goal, but not only did they make a heck of a lot of noise when they sang and jumped about, they made the rest of the san siro literally bounce up and down too. I never knew concrete was that bouncy.

I've seen a number of matches in continental Europe now and I have to say I'm torn between what kind of atmosphere I prefer. The English atmosphere, I find, is rather like the girl in that poem, in that when it's good it's very very good, and when it's bad it's awful. The continental atmosphere, being rather more orchestrated, lacks the edge of sponteneity that really helps in England, but on the other hand they probably sing more often, and crucially often really loudly in the time leading up to kick-off - something which loud PA systems have all but wiped out from many English grounds.

[paulocesar]

Originally posted by Canadadry1222
England without a doubt is the most enjoyable football to watch, but taking a look at european competitions it is clear that England is not the most competitive. For the present Spain is the most competitive league but I think soon Italy will come out of its "play for a 1-0 win" mentality as fans are being more and more vocal about their hatred for defensive football. The best thing that can happen now is for Inter to lose in champs league as they are the most defensive minded club in Italy. I thinkn the future for football in italy, as much as i hate it, is in Juventus as they are not only the best team in Italy but the most fun to watch. But this is how it works, leagus get better, leagues get worse and thats what makes it fun...watch out for MLS in 10 years

How can you say Juvetus is the most fun to watch, when Milan, despite their inconsistency, has been much more attacking minded than Lippi's destroyers!?!? And you call yourself a Milanista!

p.s. as far as watching out for MLS ten years from now, i'd watch out if it goes belly under by then...just look at its current finances!?!?

[Canadadry1222]

Scoring goals and having a defensive mentality are not mutually exclusive...of course Inter scores goals (Vieri is among the best strikers) but at the same time of the top clubs Inter is one who is most content with a 1-0 victory...that doesnt mean they arent among the best clubs in the world, just means uninspiring football. Cuper is notorious for defensive tactics as he employed them (with success) in Valencia. Of course the other top clubs in italy are guilty of the same kind of ball Inter plays, however Inter's coaches have made it clear that if they score a goal they will attempt to sit on the lead...that doesnt mean vieri wont score, it just means its not necessary to their tactics

[tomvandamn]

to the idiot that said watch out for mls in the next 10 years.........

shows you have no clue about the beariful game

all those 4 european leagues have been around for over 100 years and entire nations are 100% behind them......culture,tradition and history


but MLS is pathetic
and the usa vs. mexico game in houston contained mostly mexicans in the stands

so the us people dont really give a crap about mls and the quality is not that good.........


forza milan

[Elninho]

Originally posted by Canadadry1222
Scoring goals and having a defensive mentality are not mutually exclusive...of course Inter scores goals (Vieri is among the best strikers) but at the same time of the top clubs Inter is one who is most content with a 1-0 victory...that doesnt mean they arent among the best clubs in the world, just means uninspiring football. Cuper is notorious for defensive tactics as he employed them (with success) in Valencia. Of course the other top clubs in italy are guilty of the same kind of ball Inter plays, however Inter's coaches have made it clear that if they score a goal they will attempt to sit on the lead...that doesnt mean vieri wont score, it just means its not necessary to their tactics

But what about the fact that Inter lets in so many goals (again, more than anyone else in the top half except Roma)? They had the worst defense of all the Serie A title contenders this year.

[AFCA]

Originally posted by Mobile
I was under the impression that away support in Italy is virtually non-existent (obviously except for derby games). IMO away support is a vital ingredient for a good atmosphere.

And all that bollocks with flares and megaphones is just rubbish. If you need flares and loudspeakers to create an atmopshere then you're missing something about the game - in my opinion.

Your impression is very very wrong :D

Megaphones are sad, I agree. 100%

But 300 flares in one section is **********ing great. Flares, bombs, mortars and 100.000 klappers (those rolls with the big red bombs) as someone at ajax once said... 'The fireworks are the expression of the fans emotions... full of fire and explosive"... flares and bombs rule. They always will.

[Jawz10]

Originally posted by sinner_ronald_monk
If you're gonna playing an attacking style you lose something at the defensive end..But I wouldnt go as far as branding the defence as inept.

i dont think that the spaniards are over-elaborate in general.
Maybe Barca can be at times and so can Real madrid if they're in a cocky mood. I've heard the Premiership described as fantastic moments of action then horrific defensive errors. And its true, you must admit. I take nothing away from the atmosphere, the speed of play, the overall entertainment. But, when I watch soccer I pay attention specifically to individual battles, small things that aren't related to entertainment value like how closely does the marker stay on his man, how the striker drifts away from him at the vital moment, or where the midfielders show for the ball and make their runs. English defences press like crazy in the midfield but seem to let players run by them in the box, its a personal observation.

In Spain I see fantasticly well worked moves, but the play isn't direct enough, especially after watching English or Italian soccer. They get to the top of the box and wait for the perfect ball to penetrate instead of forcing the issue on certain occasions which can inevitably lead to goals. Instead they pass the ball around the perimeter of the 18 yard box, and it slows the pace of the game to a crawl.

I actually had to watch the games to make those statements.Believe it or not.Not watching them just aint good enough. One of the blessings of having Fox Sports World in the States is wall to wall premiership coverage, as well as a speckle of La Liga. The curse conversely is you're oversaturated with the English game and that the La Liga games you're allowed to see regurlarly involve minnow sides like Alaves and Recreativo Huelva.

[lond2345]

interesting how we agree that the Bundesliga is worthless.

there is such a huge gap between Bayern and everyone else. This gap is not just in a sporting level, but on a business, organization level. The Bundesliga is like having a big business (bayern) against small hot dog stands. This is of course to compare the seriousness of Bayern vs everyone else.

The Bundesliga is a league with 2 big teams (bayern and dortmund) while the rest of the top 4 have many. Teams like hamburg