[quote author=dossena link=topic=37518.msg1002260#msg1002260 date=1259564677]
[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=37518.msg1002252#msg1002252 date=1259562125]
[quote author=peekay link=topic=37518.msg1001974#msg1001974 date=1259526645]
Bit harsh on Xabi there, LTW. He has been quite until now for Madrid, but I thought he had a decent game today. If Ronaldo had scored from one of their counter attacks in the first half, it could have been different.
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Yes, had Ronaldo scored on that chance Kaka created ...
I'm not being harsh on Xabi - he's been very average for them (and that's being nice with words).
What role does he play for the team? DM? Nope, that's Diarra (who doesn't seem that good the more I see of him). AM? Nope, that's Kaka and Ronaldo and whoever. The playmaker? Nope, Kaka take that role. What does he do for that team that made him worth 30 million to them?
Xabi may win more there and get more 'acclaim' from the Spanish media, but he will never be as able, in my opinion at least, to reach the heights he reached with us last year as a player ...
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Kaka managed to play with Pirlo very well, so I guess that was the idea since Xabi isn't too dissimilar from the italian.
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Different league ole chap - and while I think Xabi is a phenomenal passer, Pirlo is in a different level and far more mobile on the ball ...
But it's a valid point ... I hope they are never as successful as Pirlo/Kaka were however!