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The 2017-2018 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
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His medical raised some red flags - disappointing but far less so than buying a player who is crocked.
It's a surprisingly good result for USA but a bad one for France. USA are at their lowest point in 20 years, are still without a manager, and fielded a very young squad. Should have been a walkover for the French.
Yeah but every one of the "good" countries in the World Cup played similarly bad. Germany messed up against Austria and lost, then almost played 2:2 against Saudi arabia (don't know how it's called in english
) Spain almost lost too and Brazil also played mediocre. No one wants to get injured and they have high intensity training right now making them tired. First games will show how strong each country might be.
Yeah but every one of the "good" countries in the World Cup played similarly bad. Germany messed up against Austria and lost, then almost played 2:2 against Saudi arabia (don't know how it's called in english
Oh, there is certainly a hesitancy to go 100% for fear of injury. You really don't get to see what teams are made of until the knockout stages of the WC anyway.
My two teams in the work sweep stake at work.
Iceland and Iran!
As I was the organiser there's no danger of anyone accusing me of fixing it!
Iceland and Iran!
As I was the organiser there's no danger of anyone accusing me of fixing it!
The manner in which Real Madrid handled his hiring was, frankly, scandalously dismissive of the Spanish FA - and just a couple days before the start of the World Cup. Shocking.
As for Lopetegui himself, how can he possibly succeed as a follow-on to the beloved Zidane? Even if he wins something that will be no more than what the fans expect. There is really nowhere to go but down, unless he manages to batter Barca in a few of the the numerous El Clasicos, and even that might not be enough. It will likely be a David Moyes at Man Utd-type experience.
Well Spain sacking their manager 2 days before the tournament is a bold move!
I realise why they did it (and actually agree it's the right way to go in different circumstances), but this close I can only see it hurting them.
I realise why they did it (and actually agree it's the right way to go in different circumstances), but this close I can only see it hurting them.
Did you not hear the rumors that the Real players on the Spanish team knew, and then another player got wind? At that point they felt like the had to announce.
That said, from what I have read this has nothing to do with Real. They were fine announcing after the WC, but that Lopetegui was the won who spilled hence the stacking of him as the Spanish manager today.
Agreed! I don’t know how this helps them. Honestly I don’t blame them, but I don’t see how it’s good.
I think it was a bad situation all around.
I think it’s a bit shortsighted by Spain as I have no doubt he’d be giving his all in the job to end on a high. Hopefully it’s weakened Spain’s preparation for the tournament.
I don't think it will make a difference to England!
Leaks or no leaks, Real chose to make the official announcement...five minutes after informing the Spanish FA, who claim they had no prior knowledge:
"Neither the players nor Hierro nor the president knew of the decision until moments before it was made public. Rubiales said that he had received a phone call from Madrid five minutes before they issued a statement announcing the appointment."
...
"Rubiales had spend the morning talking to players, led by Sergio Ramos, who argued for the coach to continue. Ultimately, though, he chose to sack Lopetegui with immediate effect. “There are decisions that we are obliged to take based on an understanding of how you should behave and on ethics,” he said. He said that it was legitimate for Lopetegui to negotiate with Real Madrid but not for the federation to find out just five minutes before a formal announcement was made, days before the beginning of the tournament."
I don't see how you can pin this on Lopetegui alone, unless there is proof he briefed the press or leaked it to the players (and why would he do that?). On the other hand, why didn't he tell the Federation that negotiations were taking place? At the end of the day, of course, it's really just another example of international football's subordinate position in the sport. It may still be tops on prestige, at least for that handful of countries with a realistic chance of winning the World Cup, but club football carries the checkbook and when their priorities collide, club football usually wins out. It's not that Real wanted this to happen, but at the end of they day they don't really care much one way or the other.
None whatever. Spain are still quite a bit better than England. The Spanish internationals who play for Real, Barca and Atleti (in other words, just about all of them) are used to turmoil and drama in the clubs and in the Spanish press, so I don't think this will make a difference unless the new coach is extraordinarily inept.
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I am not sure why I do this with you, as it seems your goal is to trash Real Madrid whenever possible. I do believe it was poor timing, but saying it’s not Lopetegui’s fault is kind of crazy. If you want to split the blame, go for it, but Lopetegui didn’t have to agree to it just yet. He could have said let’s wait until the WC is over.
- Lopetegui and Real chose not to disclose their negotiations to the Spanish FA
- Real chose to make Lopetegui's appointment official five minutes after a perfunctory call to the Spanish FA, and two days before the start of the World Cup.
- Rubiales responded by sacking Lopetegui woth immediate effect.
- Not to mention the possible role allegedly played by unknown leakers, though those are just rumors.
Plenty of blame to spread around there. Nobody comes out looking great.
Exactly what I was saying. If he didn’t want to expect, he didn’t have to. If he thought the WC was more important, then he should have waited. No it wasn’t good timing by Madrid, and I don’t really know how I feel about the hire in general.
I can’t disagree there but I hope I’m wrong. Got to get behind them and cheer them on but I’m a very experienced loser by now lol.
At least your team is not the US. We can’t even be bothered to make it to the WC.
America have had some good international sides over the years too. Unfortunately it’s the old pattern where non homegrown sports attract such low interest. Football is perhaps the biggest sport on the planet yet our American friends on the whole probably don’t even know the World Cup is about to kick off. Shame really.
It’s gotten bigger here, and there is some excitement, but not what it is around the rest of the world. Here’s the real sign we don’t care. MLS. If not the worse quality league soccer, in the top 5 right? I am one of the few that does care, and if you do, you care about a European side.
Until soccer becomes sport not just for the rich here in the states, we will continue to have the same issues. We have a ton of great young players, but I have no faith in the US federation. They have failed us way to many times to count.
Please.
Accept alternative perspectives without seeking to cast aspersions on the motivations of the poster in question. This is a nice thread. Please do not seek to interpret the minds of others. Most of the time, they are more than capable of doing this themselves. Instead, I suggest that you focus on explaining why you think your perspectives merit serious consideration.
And i will add, that ovver the years, I have learned to respect and sometimes, value, @Lord Blackadder's posts.
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