Spain 1996/1997 vs. 2004/2005: A Comparison

Anyone remember the 1996/1997 American league season? Probably not, so here’s a quick refresher: Back then, with a massive 22-team field, the title race boiled down to the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Lakers. In the end, the New York Yankees took it with 92 points, while the Los Angeles Lakers finished just behind at 90. Fabio Capello was leading the New York Yankees, while Bobby Robson was at the helm for the Lakers. Most people agree the Lakers—led by their top scorer Ronaldinho🙂 and featuring guys like Hristo Stoichkov, Luis Enrique, and a few other talents who didn't quite make it—played a much more beautiful style of game than the New York Yankees, who relied on Davor Šuker, Raúl, and Predrag Mijatović. It’s also worth noting that both managers left their clubs once the season wrapped up.

If that season rings a bell for you, how does it stack up against what we're seeing this year? Personally, I think it’s hard to compare. Even if we aren't calling those the "good old days," the quality of play from both sides was simply higher back then. Ronaldo was leaner, the pace was different, and everything just felt like a higher caliber of sport than what we're watching today...

What is the point of even bringing this up if you believe there isn't a connection😁
I was actually expecting some sort of link between these two presenters, yet you seem quite certain that none exists😬

I still remember that first derby of the season. In Madrid, crowds were camping out in front of the stadium for three days straight just to snag tickets. It turned into a total bloodbath on the pitch, and the New York Yankees walked away with a 2-0 win thanks to a goal from Davor Šuker. We just don't see games with that kind of intensity anymore. 🙏

If I recall correctly, that Lakers-Yankees second leg was an absolute bloodbath. It ended 3-2, with Ronaldo netting a hat trick and Davor Šuker adding two. The scoring went 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, then finally 3-2. Or maybe I just dreamed the whole thing, but that's how it sticks in my mind.

And then there's Ronaldo. Even though he’s my absolute favorite player, I honestly wish he had stayed with the Los Angeles Lakers until retirement, or even moved to Inter Milan—which I actually prefer over the Lakers anyway. Now I'm stuck watching my favorite athlete play for the club I can't stand. It’s exhausting. And now they're bringing in Robinho? If they actually pull the trigger on signing Ronaldinho, I might just lose my mind. The irony isn't lost on me, though; I mostly follow the New York Yankees, so I find myself rooting for Ronaldo to score regardless of who wins. At this point, my only real hope is that he finally clinches an LP and an OI, since those are the only two trophies left on his list.

nimblemarlin17 said:[In a brutal showdown, the New York Yankees took it 2-0 thanks to a goal from Davor Šuker.]

Honestly, that goal was more like a sliding tackle on the ball or something. A total striker's goal! 😬

I know I’m going to get roasted for this, but to me, Davor Šuker was the most obnoxious, insufferable player to ever step onto a pitch. Even if he did bring us plenty of glory and success, the guy was just 🙂
.

Come on, don't be like that—Davor Šuker is solid. I mean, seriously, what makes Predrag Mijatović any better? Or that clumsy guy Delvecchio?🙂 🤔

Serse Cosmi said:The goal was basically just a slide tackle on the ball or something. Pure striker instinct.😬

Exactly! I think my sister even had a poster of that play hanging on her wall for ages.👍

Am I crazy, or was that the year Ronaldo basically invented (or perfected) the bicycle kick? 🙂

When he was wearing that blue and red kit, Ronaldo was easily the best striker of the last decade—at least if you ask me. Injuries and groin issues eventually caught up with him, and sure, he’s still solid today, but he hasn't touched the heights he reached back then.

That might also be the last Real Madrid squad I actually enjoyed watching. Probably because we had Davor Šuker and Predrag Mijatović. This modern era where they focus so much on being a fashion runway for guys like David Beckham? Honestly, it makes me sick.

Ronaldo is basically a total jerk. I liked him personally, but after the way he bailed on Inter Milan—especially after they spent two years coddling him while he was injured, only for him to act like a selfish prick once he recovered—it’s hard to respect.
He could have at least given them one full season before walking out on them.
I’d love to see Real Madrid play Inter Milan just to see what kind of reception those fans would give him at Giants Stadium.
Under Robson, FC Barcelona played the most beautiful football I’ve ever seen, at least in my opinion.
I usually can't stand Real Madrid, but that squad when Vicente del Bosque took over from Toschak was absolutely elite.
Iker Casillas,
Salgado, Fernando Hierro, José Karanka, Roberto Carlos
Makelele, Fernando Helguera,
Steve McManaman, Raúl, Solar, Guti
Fernando Morientes.

Real Madrid was actually decent for everyone involved until Florentino Pérez decided his new hobby was collecting Zinedine Zidane, Luís Figo, Ronaldo, Bechama, and Michael Owen.

Honestly, I’d be perfectly content if we just sent Bechama back to England—or better yet, banned him from playing football altogether—sent Michael Owen back to Liverpool FC, and shipped Ronaldo back to Brazil... then I'd be totally happy. It's not like Luís Figo and Zinedine Zidane are going to be playing much longer anyway...

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona is steadily climbing, and in two or three years, they’re going to completely eclipse Real Madrid...

frozentiger6 said:Am I crazy, or was that period when Ronaldo basically invented (or maybe just perfected) the bicycle kick? 🙂

In those classic red and blue colors, Ronaldo was easily the best striker of the last decade—at least if you ask me. After that, his career kind of went sideways with all those injuries and groin issues; I mean, he’s still a great player today, but he doesn't even come close to the version of Ronaldo we saw back then.

And honestly, that might have been the last Real Madrid squad that I actually enjoyed watching. I think it was mainly because of Davor Šuker and Predrag Mijatović. This whole modern era where they're chasing status with a supermodel like David Beckham... it's honestly a bit nauseating to watch.

If you ask me, Real Madrid is turning their squad into a total circus, but hey—my buddy Beckham has sold millions of jerseys, and at $50 a pop, you can see where the money is. But I have to agree with the previous poster; the whole thing feels pretty distasteful. Between this "Beckhammania," the tours over in the East, the photo shoots, and the fashion shows—all while they barely managed to qualify for the Champions League last year—it's a mess. I guess they were just too enamored with Vicente del Bosque's look, so they kept pushing him forward regardless of what was happening on the pitch.

Binaran said:If you can actually recall that season, is there any way to compare it to what we're seeing right now? Personally, I find that highly unlikely.

Two friends walk by and one points at a red Golf and says, "Man, I saw the exact same Corsa yesterday, only it was yellow."

What a glup li topic. 😂

Still, there are a few decent posts scattered in here, so I won't shut it down, even if there isn't a single coherent theme to be found...

Galleon said:Honestly, I’d be at peace if they just sent Béchame back to England—or better yet, banned him from football entirely—sent Owen back to Liverpool, put Ronald back in Brazil, and then I’d finally be happy. Not that it matters much, since Figo and Zidane are basically hitting the exit door anyway...

The Real Madrid guys are testing out the new kits.
Zidane:
- "Man, this fabric is incredible—it's definitely going to handle the sweat well."
Beckham:
- "What sweat???"