The 2013-2014 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Last 4 English sides to go to the Allianz came back unbeaten. Good omen.

True, but Bayern don't need to win or even score to go though.

The final verdict on Bayern is still to be written. This was a weak performance, but tournament football and league football are two different things. I think this is the result of 1) mental lapses after celebrating winning the league at a trot and 2) the Bundesliga is just too easy - it makes Bayern worse because they are not being challenged at all.

Bayern still have the chance to win every thing and nobody will remember this blip. Or, United will knock them out and it will be the biggest upset in years. David Moyes will be paraded thorough the streets of Manchester over a carpet of prone Man Utd fans and be hailed as the next Alex Ferguson.

That said, credit to Vidic and Ferdinand. Imperious on the day.

They are slow, but Moyes played them deep, where they couldn't be caught out of position and their experience could be used to better effect.

EDIT: After watching the slo-mo over and over again, I have to concede that (by the conventions of the modern game) Schweinsteiger's tackle was a foul on Rooney and probably a yellow - but Rooney flopped in absolutely ridiculous fashion anyway to make sure of things.

 

[olup]

Bayern - United.....must have been one heck of a game for this guy



Nice goal by Diego Ribas da Cunha against Barca by the way!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

^He must have been the Opta guy delegated to record passes completed by Fellaini.

For those that like arrow diagrams and heat maps and Inverting the Pyramid, I found a good article on Greg Berhalter's tactical revolution at Columbus. interesting stuff.

 

[Kariya]

EDIT: After watching the slo-mo over and over again, I have to concede that (by the conventions of the modern game) Schweinsteiger's tackle was a foul on Rooney and probably a yellow - but Rooney flopped in absolutely ridiculous fashion anyway to make sure of things.

Zero sympathy about the Red. If the situation were reversed Bayern wouldn't even bat an eye. I mean they even have a 1st class diver in Robben. Would probably win Bronze/Silver at the Olympics.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Zero sympathy about the Red. If the situation were reversed Bayern wouldn't even bat an eye. I mean they even have a 1st class diver in Robben. Would probably win Bronze/Silver at the Olympics.

I agree completely. The truth is, every team playing at this level has a couple players in the squad who do this. Rooney is one of them. Robben is one of the worst (best?) divers in world football. Did Rooney dive? Absolutely, though I'm sure it had no effect on the ref's decision.

It does't really hurt Bayern much anyway, they have more than adequate cover.

This result really puts Man Utd in a good position - everyone expects them to lose, so they can go into the game more relaxed than usual and just try their best. All the pressure is on Bayern to assert their dominance - which they absolutely ought to do if they have any pretensions of repeating last season's success.

 

[Kariya]

Yup. Bayern still favourites. Bayern have a perfect record of progressing if they drew the 1st leg. 11 out of 11.

Still United have a chance. Even more so if they manage to score first.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Still United have a chance. Even more so if they manage to score first.

The only way through is more of the same - 90% defending from all ten outfield players and then hope to score once or twice on the break, on a corner or draw a pen. It can be done, though the odds are against it.

 

[takao]

EDIT: After watching the slo-mo over and over again, I have to concede that (by the conventions of the modern game) Schweinsteiger's tackle was a foul on Rooney and probably a yellow - but Rooney flopped in absolutely ridiculous fashion anyway to make sure of things.

Manchester was a little lucky when Valencia walked away without a second yellow earlier in the game, where he jumped in 2 legs ahead against boateng without even touching the ball


apart of that it was a good job of the referee


Both games were close so the return legs gonna be exciting

 

[Kariya]

FIFA slap Barca with transfer ban for 2 windows

 

[Lord Blackadder]

FIFA slap Barca with transfer ban for 2 windows

This is huge news. Especially with their goalkeeper crocked and probably leaving anyway.

 

[Kariya]

This is huge news. Especially with their goalkeeper crocked and probably leaving anyway.

Yup. No defence either...even more so with Puyol out. Alex Song experiment hasn't worked out either.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Yup. No defence either...even more so with Puyol out. Alex Song experiment hasn't worked out either.

They are in fairly big trouble unless they can bring up some youth team players who can effectively fill the gaps.

 

[Fizzoid]

They are in fairly big trouble unless they can bring up some youth team players who can effectively fill the gaps.

You mean some up and coming 16-17 year olds?

 

[mojolicious]

I'm sure that a two-window ban was imposed with the intention of making a single window ban stick on appeal.

I think Barca will survive. After all, they're more than a club, y'know...

It's a shame. I was hoping they'd offer €50m for Giroud and Diaby.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

You mean some up and coming 16-17 year olds?

Well, not those 16 and 17 year olds.

It's hard to feel too sorry for them. Barca, for all their skill on the pitch, are just another of those dominant super-clubs who feel like the rules don't really apply to them.

Before you shed a tear for Barca, think of all those clubs that have been wound up over debts that amount to less than a week's wages for Wayne Rooney.

 

[Kariya]

So Malaga, Bayern and now Barca have run into trouble. Wonder who will be next.

 

[Cox Orange]

This is huge news. Especially with their goalkeeper crocked and probably leaving anyway.

But didn't they already buy Leno from Mönchengladbach? (He is considered one of the top 5, if not 4 Bundesliga keepers, also the keeper of the U21-team).

Also, I read that it was Barca's goal to be able to once fill a squad only from the own academy and in the national team there are some players that are from the Barca academy, so they might have a good repertoire they can choose from, if they have to take younger ones.


--------
Schweinsteiger's Red card:
I think this could get a luck that Pep was forced to. I mean, he wwould send Schweinsteiger on the pitch, but he can't so he picks another player, but it then turns out, that this player is actually better.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

But didn't they already buy Leno from Mönchengladbach? (He is considered one of the top 5, if not 4 Bundesliga keepers, also the keeper of the U21-team).

Also, I read that it was Barca's goal to be able to once fill a squad only from the own academy and in the national team there are some players that are from the Barca academy, so they might have a good repertoire they can choose from, if they have to take younger ones.

Barca actually have a pretty small first team. This ban (if upheld) will force them to use more academy players. So we shall see if it works out.

Schweinsteiger's Red card:
I think this could get a luck that Pep was forced to. I mean, he wwould send Schweinsteiger on the pitch, but he can't so he picks another player, but it then turns out, that this player is actually better.

Seems like most football fans in Germany are saying this. What is wrong with Schweinsteiger?

 

[olup]

But didn't they already buy Leno from Mönchengladbach? (He is considered one of the top 5, if not 4 Bundesliga keepers, also the keeper of the U21-team).

Also, I read that it was Barca's goal to be able to once fill a squad only from the own academy and in the national team there are some players that are from the Barca academy, so they might have a good repertoire they can choose from, if they have to take younger ones.

You probably mean Ter Stegen, Leno's at Kleverlosen (Leverkusen). Remains to be seen, if the contract was already signed or not. If it wasn't then Gladbach has to look for another club, but that won't change anything on Ter Stegen's side, he's still leaving the club.

 

[oscillatewildly]

Europe, so Welbeck's goal is disallowed.

...

EDIT: ... - but Rooney flopped in absolutely ridiculous fashion anyway to make sure of things.

That's what you get from training with Sturridge on England duty. Oscar has out flopped him tonight.

Manchester was a little lucky when Valencia walked away without a second yellow earlier in the game, where he jumped in 2 legs ahead against boateng without even touching the ball...

Think both players were lucky not to receive cards; the Bayern player carried through with studs up.

For a better pass from Reus. Edit - Ronaldo makes it 3-0

Cheers,
OW

 

[Kariya]

Chelsea imploding. Hazard the only one to turn up tonight. But what a brilliant goal by Pastore. Ghosting past the 3 before placing it.

Ibrahimovic didn't impress me at all. He's just a luxury player, gives the ball away and is too cool to trackback. Consequently a liability. But i guess PSG are willing to tradeoff for his finishing.

Cavani wasn't great either. Not sure what all the clubs chasing him are excited about. I suppose the fact that he's been pushed out wide doesn't help but still...looked lost. Maybe the divorce is haunting him.

Lavezzi was the one who stood out for me. Wonder if any PL club will move for him.

Its a small mountain for Chelsea to climb now. Might have a chance if Eto'o is fit. But Moura, Pastore and Lavezzi are more than enough to disrupt EBJT/Cahill.

 

[mojolicious]

Chelsea imploding.

 

[Cox Orange]

Seems like most football fans in Germany are saying this. What is wrong with Schweinsteiger?

Actually I don't know, it is more sort of a feeling that he looks old and "slower", less "agile". Though it seems he gets better from match to match. When I think of technique acompanied with agility I more think of Lahm in the midfield.

You probably mean Ter Stegen, Leno's at Kleverlosen (Leverkusen). Remains to be seen, if the contract was already signed or not. If it wasn't then Gladbach has to look for another club, but that won't change anything on Ter Stegen's side, he's still leaving the club.

Oh, of course. You are right, I meant Ter Stegen.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Its a small mountain for Chelsea to climb now. Might have a chance if Eto'o is fit. But Moura, Pastore and Lavezzi are more than enough to disrupt EBJT/Cahill.

PSG may not have Ibra for the second leg.

Mou should have played Torres. His record in Europe is excellent and the team was worse off without him. Dropping him entirely was a mistake. If they play like that against Liverpool at Anfield...

Actually I don't know, it is more sort of a feeling that he looks old and "slower", less "agile". Though it seems he gets better from match to match. When I think of technique acompanied with agility I more think of Lahm in the midfield.

He's still pretty much a lock in the Germany squad though, isn't he?

 

[Cox Orange]

Sure, but I guess that is due to his past merits and since the injury he is not the same anymore, but it may take time (as I said, he is getting better and more recognizable from play to play). Löw on the other hand did say, that he plans with Schweinsteiger, but thinks he does not have the form yet (when he said, he will not take players to the WC that are theoretically fit or superb and that there are no places guaranteed).