The 2025-2026 Football Thread

[Silencio]

On the topic of Man Utd, they only won the Champions League twice in their glory years, in 98-99 and 07-08. For me, a period of at least three successive titles in the Champions League is what signals a truly great club, like Real Madrid in the 50s, Ajax and Bayern Munich in the 70s, and Real Madrid again in the 10s.

As much talent as those United teams had, there was always a squad somewhere in the world that was a little better: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, etc. Those eras had a lot of parity and quite a few great teams. Winning 3 UCLs in a row is not just an indicator of greatness, but also an indictment of the lack of quality competition.

 

[Bodhitree]

You’re not wrong, but the front office’s responsibility is in assembling the talent, and that’s why I said a truly great “club” not just a great team. The team is always in flux, but a dominant club manages to find great talent and buy at the right price. It’s not just the manager but the Technical Director and his contacts that make it possible to win.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

As much talent as those United teams had, there was always a squad somewhere in the world that was a little better: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, etc. Those eras had a lot of parity and quite a few great teams. Winning 3 UCLs in a row is not just an indicator of greatness, but also an indictment of the lack of quality competition.

And let's face it - Real Madrid and Barcelona play in a weaker league with an FA that gives them every possible break they need to support a Champions League campaign. If Real competed in the Premier League they would never have won so many European championships over the last 50 years, as good as they are. English teams are not always the best in Europe, but they do have the toughest domestic campaign to manage alongside. I would argue that plenty of Real's CL titles came when they were NOT the best team in Europe. They were very good, got a favorable draw, and played in an easier domestic league. That gives them a big edge.

I don't want to go all Proper Football Man here, but boy wouldn't it have been a pleasure to see Real suffer at the hands of Bolton or Stoke on a nasty muddy pitch back in the day... 🤣

 

[Alphazoid]

Looks like Eze is out for 6 wks.
It’s now a race against time to see if Odegaard returns or if we start playing Saka or Dowman in the 10 role.

 

[Apple fanboy]

And let's face it - Real Madrid and Barcelona play in a weaker league with an FA that gives them every possible break they need to support a Champions League campaign. If Real competed in the Premier League they would never have won so many European championships over the last 50 years, as good as they are. English teams are not always the best in Europe, but they do have the toughest domestic campaign to manage alongside. I would argue that plenty of Real's CL titles came when they were NOT the best team in Europe. They were very good, got a favorable draw, and played in an easier domestic league. That gives them a big edge.

I don't want to go all Proper Football Man here, but boy wouldn't it have been a pleasure to see Real suffer at the hands of Bolton or Stoke on a nasty muddy pitch back in the day... 🤣

Very valid points. I completely agree.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And let's face it - Real Madrid and Barcelona play in a weaker league with an FA that gives them every possible break they need to support a Champions League campaign. If Real competed in the Premier League they would never have won so many European championships over the last 50 years, as good as they are. English teams are not always the best in Europe, but they do have the toughest domestic campaign to manage alongside. I would argue that plenty of Real's CL titles came when they were NOT the best team in Europe. They were very good, got a favorable draw, and played in an easier domestic league. That gives them a big edge.

I don't want to go all Proper Football Man here, but boy wouldn't it have been a pleasure to see Real suffer at the hands of Bolton or Stoke on a nasty muddy pitch back in the day... 🤣

Some very valid and well argued points. I'm pretty much in agreement with you.

Looks like Eze is out for 6 wks.
It’s now a race against time to see if Odegaard returns or if we start playing Saka or Dowman in the 10 role.

Ouch.

Wince.

Oooof.

Not good.

 

[Alphazoid]

I’m deffo over the EFL cup now. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I agree with Wenger and SAF’s approach. Play the kids. Unless you get to the final then play the main team.

It’s cost too much resources and you don’t even get much credit for winning. Yes I know we don’t have the luxury of turning our noses against trophies but I don’t care.

We’ve had 4 EFL finals and lost them all. Haven’t won since the 90s. Conversely we’ve won the most FA Cups in the country.

I’m over the EFL cup. Just sack it off next season. And play the second string throughout.

It all speaks to playing too many games. Theres even an extra round in the World Cup. Players will be broken next season.

 

[Bodhitree]

And let's face it - Real Madrid and Barcelona play in a weaker league with an FA that gives them every possible break they need to support a Champions League campaign. If Real competed in the Premier League they would never have won so many European championships over the last 50 years, as good as they are. English teams are not always the best in Europe, but they do have the toughest domestic campaign to manage alongside. I would argue that plenty of Real's CL titles came when they were NOT the best team in Europe. They were very good, got a favorable draw, and played in an easier domestic league. That gives them a big edge.

I don't want to go all Proper Football Man here, but boy wouldn't it have been a pleasure to see Real suffer at the hands of Bolton or Stoke on a nasty muddy pitch back in the day... 🤣

I think that is perhaps true, but it’s at least partly due to climate and the national style of football being played. The emphasis on technique in LaLiga and the strict refereeing on physical contact means the game isn’t as robust as in England, but does that mean it is a “weaker league”? I think Atletico Madrid and Villareal are very capable sides for 3rd and 4th place teams.

By UEFA’s coefficients ranking system, England are way out ahead I see, followed by Italy, Spain, and Germany which are quite closely matched. England is lucky in that it has a number of ‘super clubs’ which have the money to buy the very best talent, like Manchester City and Chelsea. This gives them players with the best technique and physicality.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I think that is perhaps true, but it’s at least partly due to climate and the national style of football being played. The emphasis on technique in LaLiga and the strict refereeing on physical contact means the game isn’t as robust as in England, but does that mean it is a “weaker league”? I think Atletico Madrid and Villareal are very capable sides for 3rd and 4th place teams.

I agree. But when evaluating the strength of a league, it’s the quality of the mid table/lower half that really separate them from each other. I think the mid table sides in England are a lot more competitive (and wealthier) than in Spain. Real spend a lot more time steamrolling chumps.

 

[Bodhitree]

I agree. But when evaluating the strength of a league, it’s the quality of the mid table/lower half that really separate them from each other. I think the mid table sides in England are a lot more competitive (and wealthier) than in Spain. Real spend a lot more time steamrolling chumps.

Then wouldn’t you think this would be visible in the points total and goal difference within each league? A quick check of the top 2 shows Arsenal on 70 points after 31 matches and +39, Man City on 61 and +32 after 30. In Spain Barcelona are top with 73 points and +50 from 29 games, Real Madrid second with 69 points and +37 from 29 games. So pretty similar numbers, Arsenal have a few more draws and one less loss than Real.

 

[Madonepro]

The main causes are the squad transition, age, injuries, and possibly Slot in that order.

I think that it could be a Slot issue, and the style of play he is imposing, and his lack of English football management. Coupled with, an aging squad, who have played a certain style for awhile, and tweaking it seems beyond them.
It's dissapointing, because when they play well, they look unbeatable.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I think that it could be a Slot issue, and the style of play he is imposing, and his lack of English football management. Coupled with, an aging squad, who have played a certain style for awhile, and tweaking it seems beyond them.
It's dissappointing, because when they play well, they look unbeatable.

Even if Klopp had stayed, he'd have had to oversee a rebuild....and that probably would not have gone perfectly smooth even with Jurgen at the helm. It never is. So while some of this is undoubtedly Slot, he was given a challenging scenario to work with.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

At this point there is no attempt to generate a fee, it's all about optics - an amicable separation for an iconic player - and freeing up space in the squad.

All of that is undoubtedly true, but, likewise, I do not doubt that Liverpool will also be relieved that Salah's generous wages will no longer need to be funded by the club.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Even if Klopp had stayed, he'd have had to oversee a rebuild....and that probably would not have gone perfectly smooth even with Jurgen at the helm. It never is. So while some of this is undoubtedly Slot, he was given a challenging scenario to work with.

I think there are about 15 PL managers who probably think Slot has anything but a challenging scenario!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Even if Klopp had stayed, he'd have had to oversee a rebuild....and that probably would not have gone perfectly smooth even with Jurgen at the helm. It never is. So while some of this is undoubtedly Slot, he was given a challenging scenario to work with.

In a way, the fact that Liverpool actually won the Premier League last season postponed this reckoning with reality, and also (ultimately) served Slot ill, for I suspect that fans (and others) expect more by way of trophies won with similar ease, failing (entirely) to understand the challenging scenario that Slot has to work with.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I think there are about 15 PL managers who probably think Slot has anything but a challenging scenario!

Naturally. To be a manager at that level you have to have a big ego, or - to put it politely, a lot of self-confidence. Every manager looking at another club believes they could do a better job there.

 

[Bodhitree]

I just saw a summary of the Brazil v France friendly game on YouTube, there was a lot of impressive talent on the pitch. MBappe, Ekitike, Dembele, on the French side as an attacking trio, Vinicius, Cunha for Brazil. It could easily have been a rehearsal for the World Cup final.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Naturally. To be a manager at that level you have to have a big ego, or - to put it politely, a lot of self-confidence. Every manager looking at another club believes they could do a better job there.

Indeed. Mostly managers are ex players who have exactly the same thoughts when warming a bench near the end of their careers. If you bring me on I can do a better job than him!

 

[Silencio]

I just saw a summary of the Brazil v France friendly game on YouTube, there was a lot of impressive talent on the pitch. MBappe, Ekitike, Dembele, on the French side as an attacking trio, Vinicius, Cunha for Brazil. It could easily have been a rehearsal for the World Cup final.

France has an absurdly deep and talented squad and should be one of the favorites to win the World Cup. This Brazil squad isn't the worst I've seen, but far from one of their vintage teams. I don't think they're nearly good enough to threaten this time.

 

[Apple fanboy]

At 78 anyone else think Roy Hodgeson is a little old to return to management at Bristol? Not sure what the attraction is for him?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Interesting tidbit in Sports Illustrated about Salah’s broader cultural impact in Liverpool:

‘Salah’s impact isn’t limited to the field. According to a study conducted by Stanford University, there has been a 19% reduction in hate crimes on Merseyside since he joined Liverpool, as well as Islamophobic online comments among the club’s supporters halving.’

At 78 anyone else think Roy Hodgeson is a little old to return to management at Bristol? Not sure what the attraction is for him?

Hodgson might have a mixed reputation in some quarters but in terms of talent no, I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s too old. However it’s a stressful job and it takes a physical toll. Probably not a good idea for your average 78 year old.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Belgium totally dismantled USA last night 5-2.

With everything in the USA being highly politicized in the run up to the WC, American fans are pretty torn between supporting the team and navigating the propaganda circus surrounding the tournament.

I thought this would be a once in a lifetime moment but I’m finding myself detached…in a previous era I’d probably be upset by this result but I feel like this tournament has already been compromised to the point that I don’t really care about Pochettino’s USA. I feel for the players though, their careers are short and for some this farce might be their only chance to play in the WC.

 

[decafjava]

Belgium totally dismantled USA last night 5-2.

With everything in the USA being highly politicized in the run up to the WC, American fans are pretty torn between supporting the team and navigating the propaganda circus surrounding the tournament.

I thought this would be a once in a lifetime moment but I’m finding myself detached…in a previous era I’d probably be upset by this result but I feel like this tournament has already been compromised to the point that I don’t really care about Pochettino’s USA. I feel for the players though, their careers are short and for some this farce might be their only chance to play in the WC.

I felt that way about the Olympics especially the skating including the World Championships given the banning of one country for the same thing other countries are doing (not talking about the use of illegal substances as that generally falls on individuals).

 

[Lord Blackadder]

USA and Belgium were both wearing their alternate kits, both busy designs that made the action hard to follow. USA ‘94 is legendary for their love-it-or-hate it alternate kit, but this one fails to be either attractive or daring enough.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Spurs sack their manager after six weeks and no wins. I hope they can find someone worse (from a West Ham point of view!).