Everything Soccer

[GowerND11]

That back line would definitely be imposing but you wouldn't see too much offensive support from it, which might not really matter with that midfield and forwards.

North Dakota, good call on Croatia. That's another tiny country like Belgium that pumps these great players out like its nothing.

I'd like to see Iceland advance past the group stage.

You might see Vermaelen go forward, but you're right the full backs wouldn't really pack a true offensive/counter threat. As you mentioned, they don't really need it though.

That Group E with Belgium, Italy, Ireland, and Sweden should be fun. Going to be a tough group. Would love to see the Irish advance, but will be difficult.

 

[nsisk157]

You might see Vermaelen go forward, but you're right the full backs wouldn't really pack a true offensive/counter threat. As you mentioned, they don't really need it though.

That Group E with Belgium, Italy, Ireland, and Sweden should be fun. Going to be a tough group. Would love to see the Irish advance, but will be difficult.

As a staunch supporter, I feel we may be in store for another 2012.

We do open with Sweden. Need to take 3 points from the Tre Kronor, then Belgium (ugh), but could play for a spot with Italy on the final day. Crazier things have happened!

If it is like like '12, hopefully we turn out as we did here.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YYMN5P_iU

COYBIG!

 

[Rocket89]

Slightly OT, but kind of ND related: Tottenham has been rumored to be switching from Under Armour to Nike for the 2017-18 season when they open their new stadium. Reports are that talks are "serious" now and Spurs are looking at £30 million per year from Nike.

Nike only has Man City left in the EPL. If Spurs switch to the Swoosh, there'd be no UA teams left in the league.

 

[Emcee77]

That back line would definitely be imposing but you wouldn't see too much offensive support from it, which might not really matter with that midfield and forwards.

North Dakota, good call on Croatia. That's another tiny country like Belgium that pumps these great players out like its nothing.

I'd like to see Iceland advance past the group stage.

Me too. I am a huge Gylfi Sigurdsson fan.

As a staunch supporter, I feel we may be in store for another 2012.

We do open with Sweden. Need to take 3 points from the Tre Kronor, then Belgium (ugh), but could play for a spot with Italy on the final day. Crazier things have happened!

Oh yeah, I don't think that's too crazy at all. Sweden needed Zlatan's heroics in the playoff just to make the tournament, and the last couple times I've watched Italy I've been surprised by how feeble they are on the attack. There's just a lack of creativity on that squad right now. Still a couple of strong teams overall and the Irish have their work cut out for them, but I'd give them a decent chance of advancing.

 

[GowerND11]

Me too. I am a huge Gylfi Sigurdsson fan.



Oh yeah, I don't think that's too crazy at all. Sweden needed Zlatan's heroics in the playoff just to make the tournament, and the last couple times I've watched Italy I've been surprised by how feeble they are on the attack. There's just a lack of creativity on that squad right now. Still a couple of strong teams overall and the Irish have their work cut out for them, but I'd give them a decent chance of advancing.

Absolutely. Beating Sweden is a must. From there, getting at least a draw out of Italy or Belgium could be enough to advance.

 

[notredomer23]

4 points might be enough for Ireland. Hell, even 3 if their GD doesn't suck. Since they expanded the field to 24 teams, a bunch of third place teams will advance.

 

[mgriff]

Liverpool v. ManU in Europe. Please give me a win. I hate those fuckers.

 

[NorthDakota]

Liverpool v. ManU in Europe. Please give me a win. I hate those fuckers.

I'm feeling good about this tie. I'm thinking 3-1 on aggregate.

 

[aubeirish]

Liverpool v. ManU in Europe. Please give me a win. I hate those fuckers.

+1. Can't wait for this.

 

[Emcee77]

Liverpool v. ManU in Europe. Please give me a win. I hate those fuckers.

So pumped. It comes at a good time for LFC, which is riding a little momentum.

 

[notredomer23]

Liverpool should give Man U major fits. I wonder if losing this tie is it for Van Gaal.

Dortmund-Tottenham is a massive matchup for Europa League standards as next year both squads will definitely be playing CL football. Multiple yanks will be in the 18 today as well with Christian Pulisic for Dortmund and Cameron Carter Vickers for Tottenham.

 

[Cackalacky]

OMG... I am not gonna get shit done today. YNWA!

 

[ACamp1900]

Ale ale ale ale oh... let's go Dortmund.

 

[nsisk157]

Ale ale ale ale oh... let's go Dortmund.

neg rep!

COYS

 

[NorthDakota]

OMG... I am not gonna get shit done today. YNWA!

Samesies.

Ale ale ale ale oh... let's go Dortmund.

I'll always cheer for Bundesliga teams v. EPL minus Pool. DORTMUND!

 

[nsisk157]

Samesies.



I'll always cheer for Bundesliga teams v. EPL minus Pool. DORTMUND!

Ditto..except for Tottenham (and United when I am hanging with my cousins).

neg rep for you too, sir!

COYS

 

[Emcee77]

Liverpool should give Man U major fits. I wonder if losing this tie is it for Van Gaal.

Dortmund-Tottenham is a massive matchup for Europa League standards as next year both squads will definitely be playing CL football. Multiple yanks will be in the 18 today as well with Christian Pulisic for Dortmund and Cameron Carter Vickers for Tottenham.

Even though I am a Reds fan I am almost more pumped for Tottenham/Dortmund. Should be a great game to watch between two exciting, high-energy teams.

 

[ACamp1900]

Win or lose... just like with Celtic.

 

[Emcee77]

Hmm I'm a little disappointed in the squad for Spurs. Pochettino is a great rotator but I don't get why you rest some of your top guys against one of the best clubs in Europe ... for Aston Villa on Sunday?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Mason; Onomah, Son, Eriksen; Chadli<a href="https://t.co/hhnL0lqrT5">https://t.co/hhnL0lqrT5</a></p>— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/707971757999697920">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Emcee77]

That's more like it.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">BVB: Weidenfeller, Durm, Piszczek, Bender, Hummels, Schmelzer, Weigl, Castro, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bvbtot?src=hash">#bvbtot</a> <a href="https://t.co/7JthgdObHJ">pic.twitter.com/7JthgdObHJ</a></p>— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) <a href="https://twitter.com/BVB/status/707970579438116864">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Rocket89]

Hmm I'm a little disappointed in the squad for Spurs. Pochettino is a great rotator but I don't get why you rest some of your top guys against one of the best clubs in Europe ... for Aston Villa on Sunday?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Mason; Onomah, Son, Eriksen; Chadli<a href="https://t.co/hhnL0lqrT5">https://t.co/hhnL0lqrT5</a></p>— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/707971757999697920">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yup, a bit strange. Some injuries, suspensions (Alli), and some badly needed rest for a few players equals this. Only major problem is the Mason/Carroll double pivot. I expect them to be abused. I would put Lamela out instead of Onomah but the attacking line is fine.

I don't think Spurs want to mess around one bit and not get 6 points in their next 2 league games. This is an awesome matchup but something had to give.

 

[nsisk157]

Yup, a bit strange. Some injuries, suspensions (Alli), and some badly needed rest for a few players equals this. Only major problem is the Mason/Carroll double pivot. I expect them to be abused. I would put Lamela out instead of Onomah but the attacking line is fine.

I don't think Spurs want to mess around one bit and not get 6 points in their next 2 league games. This is an awesome matchup but something had to give.

Bingo.

 

[ACamp1900]

Spurs just realized they stood no chance no matter who they sent out there....................

 

[NDohio]

Yup, a bit strange. Some injuries, suspensions (Alli), and some badly needed rest for a few players equals this. Only major problem is the Mason/Carroll double pivot. I expect them to be abused. I would put Lamela out instead of Onomah but the attacking line is fine.

I don't think Spurs want to mess around one bit and not get 6 points in their next 2 league games. This is an awesome matchup but something had to give.

Yep - that's gonna make it tough.

Who cares COYS!

 

[NorthDakota]

Keep seeing links of Gotze to LFC. I'm sure its just because of the Klopp link but....IF they got him, who would they sell? Can hardly justify having Firmino, Lallana, Coutinho, and Gotze? It would be great to have a world class talent like him though no doubt.

 

[ACamp1900]

That sound you just heard was the good guys going up 3-0....

 

[Emcee77]

So what do you folks make of this?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A reminder of tonight's starting XI to face <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd">@ManUtd</a>... <a href="https://t.co/BgTVfaLRUr">pic.twitter.com/BgTVfaLRUr</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/708015599104823296">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milner injured, not in the 18.

 

[Emcee77]

Here's MUFC:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="de" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mufc?src=hash">#mufc</a> XI: De Gea, Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Fellaini, Memphis, Mata, Martial, Rashford. <a href="https://t.co/snElBB8LML">pic.twitter.com/snElBB8LML</a></p>— Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/708000671996518400">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


So mirror image 4-2-3-1s?

 

[ACamp1900]

So what do you folks make of this?

For my tastes there is a real shit vs. puke aspect to that one....

 

[Emcee77]

For my tastes there is a real shit vs. puke aspect to that one....

Lol. Today we have to put up with your anti-English football bias. Great win for BVB.