Champions League or World Cup?

[stmichael]

First of all I think the current World Cup has been excellent entertainment-wise, probably the best so far of the world cups I've watched (1990 being my first). But I can't help thinking that the football being played in the majority of games is below the high standards set by the Champions League. Look at the so-called best teams at the world cup - Brazil, Germany and Argentina all look there for the taking at the back, France are abysmal, Holland are already out, England have been poor and Italy have a strong first 11 but not great depth. I can't help thinking that the best club sides in Europe would comfortably dispense with the best International sides at the moment (a bit unrealistic I know as many top players will play for both a top international and top club side and obviously can't play against themselves).

Has the money in European football changed the shape of the game such that their top clubs are now the best sides in the world rather than the best International teams? How would England fare against Barcelona? How would Chelsea fare against Italy? Gone are the days when the best South American players plyed their trade in that continent and the days when the top Dutch, French players etc played for their home town clubs. England, Italy and Spain now possess almost all the top players in their leagues and their best clubs are now probably the best teams in the world.

For example look at Brazil - class players but not really much cohesion. International football doesn't often flow like club football as the players are not as used to playing with each other. While Brazil have dominated other International teams in recent years simply because they have better players, I honestly think that they'd struggle to beat well organised and compact teams that are more used to playing together, such as Chelsea and ourselves.

So which is now the premier football competition, the World Cup or the Champions League?

[Wig]

I don't really think this world cup has been that good. Theres been good play from the likes of Germany, Argies and Spain. But on the whole it hasn't been that good.
The second round onwards is always going to be a good watch because it's knockout and everyone play's to there best (normally) but the groups were shit.

[G Richards]

I think the top European club sides would beat the top international sides. The only slight doubt I have is the likes of Argentina's performance in the 6-0 win a couple of games back. That was very impressive, but it's fair to say that it was the exception.

[Jay Glover]

Originally Posted by AlonsosWig

I don't really think this world cup has been that good. Theres been good play from the likes of Germany, Argies and Spain. But on the whole it hasn't been that good.
The second round onwards is always going to be a good watch because it's knockout and everyone play's to there best (normally) but the groups were shit.

not allways the way, a lot of games will be cagey affairs as nobody wants to lose, i am supprised we havn't seen a penalty shoot out yet.

[Newport]

The 98 World Cup was a lot better in my opinion. This one is almost as bad as 90. I think I've seen 6 or 7 entertaining matches out of the 52 played.