Anyone recall Julio Baptista? Well he moved club and has banged in 4 goals in 6 games

CorkMan

He moved from Sao Paulo to Seville, an upper-mid table Spanish side. He scored 47 goals in 79 games for them. He then moved to Madrid for big money and only scored 9 times in 45 games before being shipped to Arsenal then back to Madrid then onto Roma after a 2nd unsuccessful stint.

Well now he is back at a Spanish club in Malaga CF who are 16th and one point above relegation, and has scored 4 goals in 6 games so far :pac: I wonder if he will keep on scoring 2 goals every 3 games for the rest of the season, he might become a Maradona-esque player for them and guide them to their 1st league ever next season :pac:

keano_afc

He was a big useless donkey for us, apart from one game when himself and Aliadiere tore Liverpool a new one in the League Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2gOMp-ciSI

AnCapaillMor

For a guy who was built like a rock; he was a pussy when anyone went near him. Thank god madrid signed him that time and we only got him on loan.

GavRedKing

Decent player, always felt he wasnt been used in the right formation, system and position after his move from Seville.

CorkMan

He has now scored 9 goals in 10 games for them. Remember this is La Liga, the top division in Spain, it isn't the 2nd division or anything. It's one of "The Big 3" in Europe along with England and Italy.

Paully D

Slightly off topic, but how has Pellegrini done at Malaga so far?

Mezcita

Absolute beast in old school Football Manager.

eagle eye

Who could forget 'the beast'. He was just brilliant in his couple of seasons with Sevilla. He just wasn't suited by the style of game that Madrid played, and then the loan spell at Arsenal and he probably lost some confidence with all that going on. Never really seen much of him for Roma but its good to see him banging them in again.

CorkMan

Great article by Sid Lowe:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/may/09/sid-lowe-la-liga-malaga-baptista

Once upon a time there was a Beast. As big as a double decker and twice as wide, square as Mr Strong, the Beast frightened the whole of La Liga, squashing defenders and stomping his way towards goal. When he wasn't trying to score, the Beast was smiley and kind but when he was , he was petrifying. Defenders bounced off him – when they could pluck up the courage to approach him at all. Mostly, they just ran away screaming. On the back of his Sevilla shirt, it said: "Julio Cesar Baptista". In a straight line. There was no need for curly letters. In fact, the Beast's shoulders were so broad it could have said: "Julio Cesar Baptista, 'the Beast', terror of La Liga." And still had room for his stats.

1st paragraph.

gosplan

keano_afc wrote: »

He was a big useless donkey for us, apart from one game when himself and Aliadiere tore Liverpool a new one in the League Cup.

From 5-1 to 6-3. If that was this year, it would have finished six all.

m@cc@

CorkMan wrote: »

Remember this is La Liga, the top division in Spain, it isn't the 2nd division or anything. It's one of "The Big 3" in Europe along with England and Italy.

Ah yes, I've heard of it.

Jordonvito

CorkMan wrote: »

He has now scored 9 goals in 10 games for them. Remember this is La Liga, the top division in Spain, it isn't the 2nd division or anything. It's one of "The Big 3" in Europe along with England and Italy.

You mean Germany

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Jordonvito wrote: »

You mean Germany

I almost agree. They need to do it in Europe, though. Bayern did well last season, but Inter were much better in the final IIRC. Schalke hopped off Inter, but were then hopped off by United.
Italian teams have been more consistent in Europe. With a few teams usually in the latter rounds of the CL.

I expect Bundesliga to overtake Serie A, though. It's much better to watch. I hope Dortmund do well in the CL next season.

bassy

baz2009 wrote: »

I almost agree. They need to do it in Europe, though. Bayern did well last season, but Inter were much better in the final IIRC. Schalke hopped off Inter, but were then hopped off by United.
Italian teams have been more consistent in Europe. With a few teams usually in the latter rounds of the CL.

I expect Bundesliga to overtake Serie A, though. It's much better to watch. I hope Dortmund do well in the CL next season.

hopefully not as good as 97

Jordonvito

baz2009 wrote: »

I almost agree. They need to do it in Europe, though. Bayern did well last season, but Inter were much better in the final IIRC. Schalke hopped off Inter, but were then hopped off by United.
Italian teams have been more consistent in Europe. With a few teams usually in the latter rounds of the CL.

I expect Bundesliga to overtake Serie A, though. It's much better to watch. I hope Dortmund do well in the CL next season.

It has overtaken them in that UEFA rankings thingy, which means it must be a better leauge!

enfant terrible

keano_afc wrote: »

He was a big useless donkey for us, apart from one game when himself and Aliadiere tore Liverpool a new one in the League Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2gOMp-ciSI

Missed a penalty and still scored four at Anfield.

Is that a record for an opposition player at Anfield?

Blatter

His greatest moment in a Madrid shirt, scoring in the 0-1 win at the Nou Camp in the league.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_7X-bvDll8

CorkMan

9 goals in 11 games at seasons end, I wonder if anyone will make a bid for him now? He seems to thrive at clubs of medium side, where more than likely most of the time passing traffic gives importance to him. A bit like Gerrard sort of, when he plays in his very best position he flourishes.

Reganio 2

baz2009 wrote: »

I almost agree. They need to do it in Europe, though. Bayern did well last season, but Inter were much better in the final IIRC. Schalke hopped off Inter, but were then hopped off by United.
Italian teams have been more consistent in Europe. With a few teams usually in the latter rounds of the CL.

I expect Bundesliga to overtake Serie A, though. It's much better to watch. I hope Dortmund do well in the CL next season.

Well they kind of have. From the 2012-2013 season onwards, Germany take the Italian's 4th Champions League spot.

Lemlin

enfant terrible wrote: »

Missed a penalty and still scored four at Anfield.

Is that a record for an opposition player at Anfield?

Arshavin and Viduka both scored 4 at Anfield AFAIK.

batistuta9

Jordonvito wrote: »

It has overtaken them in that UEFA rankings thingy, which means it must be a better leauge!

Reganio 2 wrote: »

Well they kind of have. From the 2012-2013 season onwards, Germany take the Italian's 4th Champions League spot.

yeah germany are going to get 4 CL places, which their getting because their teams have been doing better in the europa league. they haven't outperformed the italian's in the CL though. Which i think is a bit stupid but thats the way UEFA coefficients work. I dont think german teams are better than italian one's but it might be a better league due to the fact its usually very close until the end (apart from last season) & more teams have a chance of winning it not just one or two as in most other countries

enfant terrible

Lemlin wrote: »

Arshavin and Viduka both scored 4 at Anfield AFAIK.

Should have known that being an Arsenal fan.