Everything Soccer

[Whiskeyjack]

I think LewnGOALski and team are too tough right now. Pretty lethal

2-0

blob:https://www.the-sun.com/c329b016-6098-4af3-87eb-6a3a49a71701

At 4.2, Bayern's current goals-per-game ratio is by far the highest of any team historically. Not taking PSG for granted by any means (Bayern's defense has definitely looked vulnerable at times), but it feels like a lot would have to go wrong for the Bavarians to get out-gunned in the final.

 

[ACamp1900]

At 4.2, Bayern's current goals-per-game ratio is by far the highest of any team historically. Not taking PSG for granted by any means (Bayern's defense has definitely looked vulnerable at times), but it feels like a lot would have to go wrong for the Bavarians to get out-gunned in the final.

Bayern or the flopping fairy fantastico Neymar??? Barf,... I’ll pass completely and pretend this never happened.

 

[Huntr]

Megatronnie knows what's up

 

[NorthDakota]

Bayern or the flopping fairy fantastico Neymar??? Barf,... I’ll pass completely and pretend this never happened.

Bayern is infinitely more likable than PSG. Bayern earned clout...PSG are the definition of a plastic club. No plastics have won a Champions League yet, we should keep it that way.

 

[Rogue219]

I want Bayern to win.

Then I want Thiago signing papers at Melwood and Gini Wijnaldum extending his contract.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I want Bayern to win.

Then I want Thiago signing papers at Melwood and Gini Wijnaldum extending his contract.

Sounds like Chelsea might swoop in on Thiago.

 

[ACamp1900]

Bayern is infinitely more likable than PSG. Bayern earned clout...PSG are the definition of a plastic club. No plastics have won a Champions League yet, we should keep it that way.

Every club in the running now for champions league is plastic dude,... all of them. This whole competition has been made into a ‘who can outspend the rest’ show that less than ten clubs have a remote shot at.

 

[Huntr]

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[IHateMarkMay]

Every club in the running now for champions league is plastic dude,... all of them. This whole competition has been made into a ‘who can outspend the rest’ show that less than ten clubs have a remote shot at.

True, but PSG far outspends Bayern. Looking at the quarterfinal starting XIs:

PSG's starting XI cost 540.1 million Euros. Total squad costs 703.6 million Euros.
Bayern's starting XI cost 90.1 million Euros while their total squad was 330 million Euros.

 

[Rogue219]

Sounds like Chelsea might swoop in on Thiago.

They're swooping on everyone because their transfer ban is over. They going after any defenders? Seems like that's what they need.

I want Wijnaldum back and hope gets an extension. He is a valuable piece of the puzzle for Liverpool but he doesn't show up on the stat sheets and is thus terribly underappreciated. If Liverpool can get both of them, that would be ideal, but I am not sweating missing on Thiago. Would love to have him in that midfield, though.

 

[Rogue219]

Every club in the running now for champions league is plastic dude,... all of them. This whole competition has been made into a ‘who can outspend the rest’ show that less than ten clubs have a remote shot at.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

They're swooping on everyone because their transfer ban is over. They going after any defenders? Seems like that's what they need.

I want Wijnaldum back and hope gets an extension. He is a valuable piece of the puzzle for Liverpool but he doesn't show up on the stat sheets and is thus terribly underappreciated. If Liverpool can get both of them, that would be ideal, but I am not sweating missing on Thiago. Would love to have him in that midfield, though.

Yeah, it seems like Chelsea is in for everybody except defenders.

It always seems like great sides have a player who is under appreciated by other fanbases because of the stat sheet. Wijnaldum has been good the times I've seen him. My first thought is Scholes. I was a huge fan of his growing up. His numbers aren't as great as Gerrard's or Lampard's, but Man United isn't the same team without him (I know, fans for every other club claim he's overrated).

 

[Rogue219]

Yeah, it seems like Chelsea is in for everybody except defenders.

It always seems like great sides have a player who is under appreciated by other fanbases because of the stat sheet. Wijnaldum has been good the times I've seen him. My first thought is Scholes. I was a huge fan of his growing up. His numbers aren't as great as Gerrard's or Lampard's, but Man United isn't the same team without him (I know, fans for every other club claim he's overrated).

For Liverpool fans, it is Gini and Jordan Henderson, of all people.

Supporters of a lot of clubs are programmed to desire transfers now. Appreciate the players you have on your club, especially if you're doing well. Reminds me of recruiting. Everybody can't wait for the five star jabroni to come strutting through the door after exiting a white stretch Hummer limo. You forget about the guys who are already there 40 year decisioning and such.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I want Bayern to win.

Then I want Thiago signing papers at Melwood and Gini Wijnaldum extending his contract.

I want Bayern to win so Coutihno earns more money for Liverpool.

Also I can’t see FSG signing Thiago unless some other 1 or 2 middles ship out.

 

[dublinirish]

Every club in the running now for champions league is plastic dude,... all of them. This whole competition has been made into a ‘who can outspend the rest’ show that less than ten clubs have a remote shot at.

100% agree. there is zero morality to any of the big clubs nowadays with the middle easten petro-state funding going on.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

For Liverpool fans, it is Gini and Jordan Henderson, of all people.

Supporters of a lot of clubs are programmed to desire transfers now. Appreciate the players you have on your club, especially if you're doing well. Reminds me of recruiting. Everybody can't wait for the five star jabroni to come strutting through the door after exiting a white stretch Hummer limo. You forget about the guys who are already there 40 year decisioning and such.

Henderson IS THE FUCKING MAN. He was floundering with Can and Coutihno in the middle. They put him with Can and Gini and it was like having the same three players on the field no matter where they were. Then they move him up, ship out can and Couts and bring in Gini and Fabs. Whole different middle and Henderson really shine.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Every club in the running now for champions league is plastic dude,... all of them. This whole competition has been made into a ‘who can outspend the rest’ show that less than ten clubs have a remote shot at.

That's not a recent development. The CL winner has been in the top 2-3 teams from one of Europe's major domestic leagues since Red Star Belgrade won 30 years ago. It's ironic that the capitalist Americans have produced some of the most socialistic sports leagues, whereas "socialist" Europe is much more ruthlessly free-market in its approach to sport.

But there's a huge difference between a team backed by Saudi oil money and the way Bayern is run.

 

[NDRock]

Every club in the running now for champions league is plastic dude,... all of them. This whole competition has been made into a ‘who can outspend the rest’ show that less than ten clubs have a remote shot at.

Pretty much. Like college football, there's a big gulf between the haves and the have nots and it's only getting bigger.

 

[ACamp1900]

Pretty much. Like college football, there's a big gulf between the haves and the have nots and it's only getting bigger.

And my love of CFB lessens by the year really,... I posted about a year ago all the teams that at least made a Champions/Euro cup semi prior to the current build/oil money grab... it was amazingly diverse. Now it’s the same ~8 teams rotating every year. That’s great if you jumped on the right band wagon or just happened to actually come from a long line of City fans for example,... it’s pretty lame for everyone else. I’m not too interested in Bayern vs Real part 18

 

[Old Man Mike]

As to next season's Liverpool: No one has proved yet that they are better than the Alisson/Robertson/Virgil/Gomez or Matip/ Alexander-Arnold/Fabinho/Henderson/Wijnaldum/Salah/Firmino/Mane side if they are healthy. I SERIOUSLY doubt that Klopp wants to fool around with that. BUT:

That Midfield IS getting old.

The only CERTAIN way that Liverpool can get more powerful is by getting a centerback of near Virgil quality. That's the only reparable occasional weakness on this team. Admittedly, A-A is a poor defender, especially on the back side of the play, but that is not reparable since he is so fantastic elsewise. Only an All-Star replacement for Gomez/Matip improves the side.

So, what's all the midfield talk about? To my eye, ANYONE (right up to the best --- De Bruyne) cannot help Liverpool unless they will play like Henderson and Wijnaldum play. They must be instinctive defensive midfield hawks, ball-stealing physical hawks, and ready to run hard all day. Maybe this Thiago plays like that. If he doesn't, give me Wijnaldum out there and let the Klopp Press roll.

 

[ACamp1900]

But there's a huge difference between a team backed by Saudi oil money and the way Bayern is run.

Eh, not really a ‘huge’ difference imo. It’s all just some form of being able to outspend the rest of the world. PSG being new to the club doesn’t impact me as much.

 

[Rogue219]

I want Bayern to win so Coutihno earns more money for Liverpool.

Also I can’t see FSG signing Thiago unless some other 1 or 2 middles ship out.

They can realistically sign Thiago and extend Gini. They will need to sell Shaqiri, Origi, Grujic, Wilson for sure.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

As to next season's Liverpool: No one has proved yet that they are better than the Alisson/Robertson/Virgil/Gomez or Matip/ Alexander-Arnold/Fabinho/Henderson/Wijnaldum/Salah/Firmino/Mane side if they are healthy. I SERIOUSLY doubt that Klopp wants to fool around with that. BUT:

That Midfield IS getting old.

The only CERTAIN way that Liverpool can get more powerful is by getting a centerback of near Virgil quality. That's the only reparable occasional weakness on this team. Admittedly, A-A is a poor defender, especially on the back side of the play, but that is not reparable since he is so fantastic elsewise. Only an All-Star replacement for Gomez/Matip improves the side.

So, what's all the midfield talk about? To my eye, ANYONE (right up to the best --- De Bruyne) cannot help Liverpool unless they will play like Henderson and Wijnaldum play. They must be instinctive defensive midfield hawks, ball-stealing physical hawks, and ready to run hard all day. Maybe this Thiago plays like that. If he doesn't, give me Wijnaldum out there and let the Klopp Press roll.

The midfield right now:
Henderson
Gini
Fab
Keita
Curtis Jones
Milner
Ox
Shaqiri

That’s a solid number of good players. My hope is Keita finally stays healthy and gets going pushing for PT. Milner is probably a unused sub or Swiss Army knife option moving forward. We could move Shaq on without much loss though

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

They can realistically sign Thiago and extend Gini. They will need to sell Shaqiri, Origi, Grujic, Wilson for sure.

Not opposed to those moving on.

 

[Rogue219]

The midfield right now:
Henderson
Gini
Fab
Keita
Curtis Jones
Milner
Ox
Shaqiri

That’s a solid number of good players. My hope is Keita finally stays healthy and gets going pushing for PT. Milner is probably a unused sub or Swiss Army knife option moving forward. We could move Shaq on without much loss though

Milner should not have to play Left Back again since they signed the Greek lad from Olympiakos. That's solid.

Gini plays more of an attacking role for the Dutch. I'd love to see them get Thiago and be able to spot start Gini or use him as an attacking mid off the bench when needed. He's so versatile and valuable to them in that respect.

 

[GowerND11]

That's not a recent development. The CL winner has been in the top 2-3 teams from one of Europe's major domestic leagues since Red Star Belgrade won 30 years ago. It's ironic that the capitalist Americans have produced some of the most socialistic sports leagues, whereas "socialist" Europe is much more ruthlessly free-market in its approach to sport.

But there's a huge difference between a team backed by Saudi oil money and the way Bayern is run.

I've had many conversations with my friends about that irony.

 

[Rogue219]

College football is the reason we are all on this board, but in the end, it's become a pile of hot garbage as far as I'm concerned. Ultimate smash and grab. If anything good comes of Covid, I hope college football reform is one of those things.

That said, I think you have programs large and small that at least try to do things the right way. They are not perfect by any stretch, but some of them actually do try. I feel the same about UEFA World Football. Not everyone is just buying players while not selling any or not trying to develop youth players.

I think having good football operations and good lawyers helps you if you are a bigger club. West Ham doesnt' have either.

 

[ACamp1900]

College football is the reason we are all on this board, but in the end, it's become a pile of hot garbage as far as I'm concerned. Ultimate smash and grab. If anything good comes of Covid, I hope college football reform is one of those things.

That said, I think you have programs large and small that at least try to do things the right way. They are not perfect by any stretch, but some of them actually do try. I feel the same about UEFA World Football. Not everyone is just buying players while not selling any or not trying to develop youth players.

I think having good football operations and good lawyers helps you if you are a bigger club. West Ham doesnt' have either.

It does suck,... the money, the loss of regionality,... the playoffs,... the slow death of the bowls. Since about the age of ten CFB was my life’s greatest passion outside of God and family,... in just the last four to five years it’s now something I might watch on Saturday’s if I have nothing better to do. I used to get so hyped for Phil Steele and all that and the first kickoff weekend. I saw a Phil Steele last weekend at the store and was like, ‘oh, that’s still a thing,...’ I couldn’t even tell you when the season starts or if it even is, my level of care is super low now. I come to IE for the dialogue and out of habit now more than anything.

 

[dublinirish]

It does suck,... the money, the loss of regionality,... the playoffs,... the slow death of the bowls. CFB went from my life’s greatest passion outside of God and family to,... something I might watch on Saturday’s if I have nothing better to do and if I miss it,... eh, no biggie.

i feel like CFB has been less exciting since the Boise State era ended. Kellen Moore graduating was the turning point. Change mah mind

 

[Rogue219]

Sounds like Chelsea might swoop in on Thiago.

BTW, you’re talking about Thiago Silva the 30 something defender at PSG.

I’m talking about the midfielder at Bayern.

Unless Chelsea want both.

Please bring Silva to the Premier League. Yes, have some.