“If someone talks about my private life, for example, I’ll give them a
good punching. I’m not interested in suing. I like to sort things out
my way” – I wouldn’t want to be a British Newspaper reporter now.

“Jesus said we should turn the other cheek. Unfortunately, Figo is not
Jesus Christ” – This came after Luis Figo headbutted Mark van Bommell

“I believe firmly in astrology. Since I was a kid, the stars told me I
was a winner” – He’s the same star-sign as Red Roman readers.

“When the ball goes to his feet it doesn’t cry. When it goes to my
feet it cries” – on Zizou

“I don’t want this situation involving England because in two days
during which I was not coach, I never agreed to anything, my life was
invaded. My privacy was totally under siege” – or, Good Luck Fabio.

“I think Pele knows nothing about soccer. He’s done nothing as a coach
and his analysis turns out to be always wrong” – after Pele had said he couldn’t win a World Cup with Brazil.

“Pinochet tortured a lot but there is no illiteracy in Chile” – A mildly Right Wing take on things.

You can read more of these, over at The Guardian.
You can also get a A-Z of the new Chelsea boss, here.

“Winning is a must” – Frank Rijkaard. Oops.

“Its pretty much as we expected” – ITV’s commentator every time the Liverpool/Chelsea game slowed down. So every few minutes.

“We found ourselves 1-0 down which is something we didn’t want to do” – Petr Cech.

“We got a bit lucky with the goal” – Cech again. Master of the understatement.

“More than a duel between me and Ronaldo, this is a game between two big teams and will be a very interesting match” – Interesting, rather than entertaining, was right Leo Messi

“Chelsea don’t lose at Stamford Bridge” – Way to inspire confidence, Rafa.

“We created four very clear chances in the first-leg, which is high for one of these games against Chelsea” – Even Rafa thinks those games are dull!

“we couldn’t find a goal and that is a shame” – who’s fault was that Samuel Eto’o?

“‘I don’t want to speak. I’m so disappointed. Give me a call back in a couple of days and we’ll speak then” – A text from John Arne Riise to his brother after the Anfield match.

“We are coming here to win the game, we are not coming here to shut up shop” – Lies, Lies, John Terry

“We’re interested in Hleb” – A single lined statement from Inter boss Roberto Mancini, trying to get some headlines.

“I missed a penalty – no problem. I’ll try to score in Manchester” – Ronaldo.

“If in Manchester I have another penalty, I will try to score again.” – Ronaldo again. So…you might look for one then?

“All the great players have missed penalties so let’s not worry about it” – Except the ones who don’t take any, Wayne Rooney. Also Matt le Tisser. And Johan Neeskens never missed.

“Absolutely, no question about it. The game now starts at Old Trafford – it’s the decider” – This kind of insight is why Sir Alex is such a great coach

” this is supposed to be a team in crisis?” – Former England Winger Chris Waddle marvels at Barca. Didn’t mention what its like to miss a penalty

Cruyff spots the counter-attacks of United as thier strong point

“That is how they exploit spaces in front of the midfield. If they played in the other team’s half more often those spaces wouldn’t exist.
Despite recognising their effort, you can disarm an English side that presses and looks for the long ball by keeping possession and moving the ball around quickly.
And if you know they will expend all their energy on closing down and chasing long balls, then you know where to beat them: by playing the ball horizontally”

He goes on to comment that even if things at Barca are dysfunctional, he would still see them as being – on paper – the favourites. Something that is difficult to disagree with in principle.

“However badly Barca is doing we have at least the same chance of progressing to the final as United.

But I’m absolutely convinced that they’re thinking exactly the same about Barca. That of all the semi-finalists, the Blaugranes are the strongest.”

So Johan has said his bit. I make no secret of my respect for the fella (my profile on him is here) and though I know his worldview isn’t for everyone, I find myself agreeing a hell of alot with what he says – and of course his sucsess as a player and a coach speaks for itself.

“It was a blatent penalty” – Arsene Wenger goals all schoolyard on us.

“In England it’s not a penalty” – Perhaps not against Liverpool, eh Rafa

“We think he may be short for the next game” – Wenger on Robin van Persie.

“Turkish Delight” – Pun used on pretty much every newspaper/website since Fener’s win against Chelsea. Except here. Untill just then.

“Liverpool did very well” – Ex-England manager Graham Taylor. Er, Thanks.

“FC Barcelona emphatically denies that a decision has been taken to replace the football coach, Frank Rijkaard, for next season. The Dutch manager has a contract until the 2009 season and the board of directors has complete confidence in him” – The dreaded vote of confidence. So presumably, Rijkaard is on his way at the end of the season.

“We gave up after the second goal, Ronaldo scored a great goal but i believe we limited him…I refuse to believe its over” – Daniele De Rossi

“One goal is nothing” – Zambrotta gets deep

“We seemed happy to watch them pass the ball about” – Fabien Ernst

“We had two counter-attacks and we made the count” – Nail on the head from Rooney

“In ideal conditions it could have finished 3-0 or 4-0 to us” – Avram Grant knows what Ideal Conditions are, evidently

“Our ultimate goal is the final” – Fenerbahce manager Zico sets his targets low

“When we conceeded I felt it was like a thunder strorm going through the team” – Arsene Wenger doesn’t lose that poetic touch

“I think we are favourites” – Rafa before the big game

“I think we are favourites” – First words to come out of Rafa’s mouth after the game.

“Of course the away goal we got here is a good thing” – Nothing gets by Sami Hyypia. Well except that Adebayor header.

“If we win at Anfield, we are through” – Hyypia again.

“I think we did quite well against Milan and now we have to do that again” – Ever master of the understatement, Adebayor.

“They scored a second to make things complicated” – Its so unfair, isn’t it Carlo Cudicini?

“We have learned how to win” – Always a bonus, Alex.