Thursday, March 12, 2009 . 1:08 AM

Let's see, before the first leg of the Liverpool vs Real Madrid Round of 16 Champions League qualifiers, Pepe (Centre Back for Real Madrid) had this to say about coming up against Torres (Striker for Liverpool):
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"I love going face-to-face with a big powerful striker like Torres because I'm made to go clattering into challenges and there's nothing I enjoy better than massive physical battles.

''We are both strong but I have a big advantage in that he's got to play with the ball and I don't. The bigger, stronger and better my opponent the more I like the clash.

''Football's a contact sport and strikers often give defenders like me a right good kicking off the ball and nobody says anything because we centre-halves are tough. But as long as I go for the ball and not the man, then there's nothing better than using all the time I've spent in the gym to crash into bodies."
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After Madrid were thrashed 5-0 on aggregate last night, Pepe had this to say about coming up against Torres:
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"I think the referee should have blown for a foul in the first goal from Torres.

"The match changed course from that moment. I was the last player and felt I was pushed."
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Those who watched the highlights, and paid close attention to how Pepe dealt with the situation that was presented to him, would have noticed that he was ALREADY falling when he tried to poke the ball away with the outside of his right boot. He decided to go crashing to the ground very theatrically, even bouncing the back of his head off the pitch, cos Torres had a hand on his shoulder. Then he cried foul.

Those who watched the whole match, would have noticed that Pepe spent most of it diving and falling at the slightest contact, trying to get Liverpool players yellow-carded, and he did, to Mascherano, who is now banned for the next leg. Talk about your dirty players.

Those who watched the whole match ALSO would have noticed that NOTHING changed course after the first goal. Liverpool were dominating the whole game from start to end and if not for Casillas and his world-class saves, they would have been 3-0 up even before the first goal. So suck it up, Pepe. You should get yourself checked, maybe you hurt your brain from your enormously theatrical fall.

So much for enjoying "massive physical battles". Stop making excuses Pepe, I knew you were a rubbish defender from watching you at Euro 2008, and these two matches have only served to further reinforce my stand. Only God knows how the heck you are in the first team for teams like Real Madrid and Portugal. What a crybaby.

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel