Everything Soccer

[fightingirish26]

I thought that Man U winning the Europa League doesn't knock anyone out of Champions League. The max they can send is five clubs.

For the money they spent this past summer, and the status of their club globally, it isn't anywhere near good enough. Some may want to lower standards for them, but I wouldn't say that's fair considering who they are and who their manager is.

They've scored 51 goals this season. Bournemouth has 52. Their magical unbeaten run basically gained them nothing against a struggling Liverpool and City.

Yeah, if united finish fifth and win UEL, whoever finishes fourth is still in UCL next year

 

[Rogue219]

Lucien Favre could replace Thomas Tuchel at Dortmund this summer, as Tuchel's departure looks increasingly likely

 

[Rocket89]

Yeah, if united finish fifth and win UEL, whoever finishes fourth is still in UCL next year

I believe you are right I was mistaken. I thought I read the EPL was in danger of losing a CL spot in that scenario because of how poor they've performed but that hasn't happened.

 

[nlroma1o]

Juve punches their ticket to Cardiff...... Monaco got extra chippy at the end, pretty boring match to be honest, very sloppy second half.

 

[ACamp1900]

I did not know that Wales was hosting... interesting.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I actually loved the Juventus/Monaco match (showing that I'm not yet a sophisticated viewer.) What I was fascinated by was watching the Juventus Centerbacks (especially Chiellini --- yeh, I guess in their three man back he's maybe not a centerback but he plays like one with Bonucci.) These two guys are like watching power dancing. Flow ... stun ... flow ... stop cold ... flow ... flash ... it was beautiful. Two guys /// one unit.

Chiellini operates his position like the most professional strong man I've seen in soccer --- I know there are other real good ones, but he's my favorite until I see them. Instinct ... balance ... athleticism ... full field awareness ... wading in regardless and getting there ... damm that guy is good. If Danni Alves wasn't Man-of-the-Match, Chiellini should have been.

Hey, Liverpool! How about buying that Old Man from the Old Lady? Just one season would be fun.

 

[nlroma1o]

I actually loved the Juventus/Monaco match (showing that I'm not yet a sophisticated viewer.) What I was fascinated by was watching the Juventus Centerbacks (especially Chiellini --- yeh, I guess in their three man back he's maybe not a centerback but he plays like one with Bonucci.) These two guys are like watching power dancing. Flow ... stun ... flow ... stop cold ... flow ... flash ... it was beautiful. Two guys /// one unit.

Chiellini operates his position like the most professional strong man I've seen in soccer --- I know there are other real good ones, but he's my favorite until I see them. Instinct ... balance ... athleticism ... full field awareness ... wading in regardless and getting there ... damm that guy is good. If Danni Alves wasn't Man-of-the-Match, Chiellini should have been.

Hey, Liverpool! How about buying that Old Man from the Old Lady? Just one season would be fun.

Maybe I shouldn't have used the word "boring"... perhaps I should have used, "predictable" lol. But it was none the less a sloppy second half.

The Juventus back three of Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini are arguably the best in the world. As a unit, they have played together for club and country for more than half a decade. If I remember correctly, Barzagli was a bench player for the 2006 WC Italy squad that won the tournament. Also, Bonucci is the younger of the 3 and he's the most important piece in that equation, his instinct is superb, but he is incredibly well at communicating and organizing that back line.

As a ROMA supporter, I have to admit, this squad has what it takes to beat Real Madrid.

 

[Cackalacky]

Sounds like Coutihno has expressed his desire to leave for Barcelona. Liverpool slap €76 mil valuation on him. Barcelona may not offer that. This is awkward.

 

[NorthDakota]

Sounds like Coutihno has expressed his desire to leave for Barcelona. Liverpool slap €76 mil valuation on him. Barcelona may not offer that. This is awkward.

Where are you seeing that?

Barcelona are dbags.

 

[Cackalacky]

Where are you seeing that?

Barcelona are dbags.

I know people.

 

[NorthDakota]

I know people.

Ick. Would hate to lose him. He signed a contract though. No one to blame but himself.

 

[nlroma1o]

I don't see where Coutinho fits into the squad? He's a creative 10, and they already have one of those. I don't see him playing a deeper mid role, and he certainly isn't a workhorse central midfielder. So I guess they want him for future depth?

 

[Rogue219]

Coutinho to Barca rumors start whenever Liverpool drop points. See Palace a few weeks ago and now Southampton.

Don't see it happening. Don't see Bale going to Man U, either.

 

[dublinirish]

Coutinho to Barca rumors start whenever Liverpool drop points. See Palace a few weeks ago and now Southampton.

Don't see it happening. Don't see Bale going to Man U, either.

they have had suarez and neymar trying to tap him up for years lol. it's really just a matter of time

 

[Emcee77]

I could see Coutinho as the heir to Iniesta. I actually like him in a deeper midfield role--not really for Liverpool right now under Klopp, but I think he'd be good in that role for Barca. Certainly he played there under Rodgers.

If Liverpool get top dollar for him, I'd say it's a good deal for all concerned. True, Coutinho is Liverpool's best player, but he's not really the sort of dynamic blitzkrieg winger who seems to fit Klopp's style best (see, e.g., Mane, Sadio). For 76M euro, we could get somebody who is a better fit for Klopp.

 

[nlroma1o]

I could see Coutinho as the heir to Iniesta. I actually like him in a deeper midfield role--not really for Liverpool right now under Klopp, but I think he'd be good in that role for Barca. Certainly he played there under Rodgers.

If Liverpool get top dollar for him, I'd say it's a good deal for all concerned. True, Coutinho is Liverpool's best player, but he's not really the sort of dynamic blitzkrieg winger who seems to fit Klopp's style best (see, e.g., Mane, Sadio). For 76M euro, we could get somebody who is a better fit for Klopp.

Perhaps I just haven't watched enough Liverpool this season, but I just don't see him playing that deep lying role of busquets, and he isn't a work horse type player like Iniesta Turan or even Rakitic when they used to play him in the middle. He's a 10 IMO. That's where Brazil plays him. Unless Neymar leaves, which is possible, I don't see the fit.

 

[Emcee77]

Perhaps I just haven't watched enough Liverpool this season, but I just don't see him playing that deep lying role of busquets, and he isn't a work horse type player like Iniesta Turan or even Rakitic when they used to play him in the middle. He's a 10 IMO. That's where Brazil plays him. Unless Neymar leaves, which is possible, I don't see the fit.

That's definitely fair enough. I agree that he has not proven that he can keep up the work rate necessary to flourish in midfield, and his best position is as a 10. I have been intrigued by what he has done when he has occasionally played deeper in midfield for Liverpool, but would I place a 76M euro bet on him succeeding in that position, if I were Barca? Probably not. Still, I can see how Barca might be interested ... he has the skill to be a great possession-style midfielder.

 

[nlroma1o]

That's definitely fair enough. I agree that he has not proven that he can keep up the work rate necessary to flourish in midfield, and his best position is as a 10. I have been intrigued by what he has done when he has occasionally played deeper in midfield for Liverpool, but would I place a 76M euro bet on him succeeding in that position, if I were Barca? Probably not. Still, I can see how Barca might be interested ... he has the skill to be a great possession-style midfielder.

I wonder if Bayern would drop the cash for him. I think he would do amazing things in "the hole" position right behind Lewandowski.

 

[NorthDakota]

I wonder if Bayern would drop the cash for him. I think he would do amazing things in "the hole" position right behind Lewandowski.

Bayern's record transfer is like 40 million euros.

 

[nlroma1o]

Bayern's record transfer is like 40 million euros.

I'm not surprised... That club, and the city itself, is so damn efficient.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Really enjoying this Atletico/Real game. Real up 3-0 on aggregate, but Atletico scores 2 in the first 17 minutes to make things really interesting.

 

[Emcee77]

Wow. Atleti are up for it.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Atletico has no one to blame but themselves for letting that goal through. You can't let someone through when it's 3 v 1 on the touch line. I'm excited to see the final though, hoping Juve can win it.

 

[nsisk157]

Atletico has no one to blame but themselves for letting that goal through. You can't let someone through when it's 3 v 1 on the touch line. I'm excited to see the final though, hoping Juve can win it.

Time to Hedge. Wagered when RM were 7/2. Def rooting for GiGi and the Bianconeri

 

[Rocket89]

I don't see where Coutinho fits into the squad? He's a creative 10, and they already have one of those. I don't see him playing a deeper mid role, and he certainly isn't a workhorse central midfielder. So I guess they want him for future depth?

I don't see it either. The rumors are £76 million which is €90.4 million. Depending on inflation valuation that'd be the 3rd or 4th highest transfer fee ever.

Like you said, no way Barca pushes him back on the pitch.

Then again, Barca hasn't splashed any big money in at least half a dozen transfer windows coming out of their transfer ban so they are due. Maybe they'll slam down a huge deal for a 4th best attacking option in their top 3 set up? I'd do it in a heartbeat for £50 million but Pool is definitely marking his value up 25% higher.

 

[Emcee77]

I don't see it either. The rumors are £76 million which is €90.4 million. Depending on inflation valuation that'd be the 3rd or 4th highest transfer fee ever.

Like you said, no way Barca pushes him back on the pitch.

Then again, Barca hasn't splashed any big money in at least half a dozen transfer windows coming out of their transfer ban so they are due. Maybe they'll slam down a huge deal for a 4th best attacking option in their top 3 set up? I'd do it in a heartbeat for £50 million but Pool is definitely marking his value up 25% higher.

It makes less and less sense the more I think about it. Why spend that kind of crazy money on a player who won't get into your best 11?

If he isn't intended to be the heir to Iniesta, then is he meant to be the heir to Messi? I guess Messi is getting on a bit, but he's still only 29, and showing no signs of a dropoff, so looking at it that way makes it no more reasonable. I don't get it.

 

[nsisk157]

United nearly gave it away at the death.

 

[Rocket89]

It makes less and less sense the more I think about it. Why spend that kind of crazy money on a player who won't get into your best 11?

If he isn't intended to be the heir to Iniesta, then is he meant to be the heir to Messi? I guess Messi is getting on a bit, but he's still only 29, and showing no signs of a dropoff, so looking at it that way makes it no more reasonable. I don't get it.

The only thing that makes sense to me is that Barcelona do need quality depth, especially since they started utilizing their 3-4-3 formation.

Rafinha is always injured, and Neymar constantly banged up, too. I could see a situation where it's worth it for them to over-spend and have Coutinho play down the right wing or in the CAM spot when Messi is pushed up top.

But all indications are that Liverpool won't sell as they shouldn't.

 

[ACamp1900]

The engines of that entire machine over the years in Iniesta and Busquets aren't getting younger either... it'll be interesting to see where Barca goes in the next few years.

 

[Cackalacky]

While he may not be the same type of player as Iniesta I think Coutihno would excel in Iniestas spot in the left central midfield. He operates there much of the time with Liverpool currently. I just dont think Barca will meet that valuation.