The Official Football/Soccer Thread: 2017-2018 Season
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21st Century Paul:
For God's sake he's gonna win the league all alone...
That's a stretch, even for a Raul fanboy.
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
For God's sake he's gonna win the league all alone...
That's a stretch, even for a Raul fanboy.
I know it's a stretch but if people say Maradona won the 1986 World Cup "all alone" I can say that too. Raul is what the other teams don't have and would want to have. On the other hand, if there are so many personal trouble between Aragones and Raul and they can't solve it, better leaving Raul at home. A good feeling is the best a team can have, a bad vibe ruins any team. See Villareal doing very good without Riquelme, and when Riquelme plays with Argentina they say he's the best player of the national team and in Villareal they dare to keep him away anyway by whatever cause.
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I said long time ago Madrid would win it, now, there are no doubts....
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InTheSkyWithDiamonds:
I said long time ago Madrid would win it, now, there are no doubts....
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I guess I said it before. And even celebrated it.
the 3 big leagues Spain-6 matches to go Valencia not only far from Champions but close to Second Division. Real Madrid could be champion even before playing with Barça at the game number 36. And Barça "should" do the famous corridor to the champions that teams do, at least in Spain. The last time Barça got to do it to Real Madrid, of course, they didn't.
The 2nd goes straigh to the Champions and the 3rd and 4th should the preliminary round in August. 1 Real Madrid 69 2 Barcelona 60 3 Villarreal 59 4 Atlético 54 5 Racing 53 6 Sevilla 51 7 Almería 45 8 Espanyol 45 9 Deportivo 43 10 Athletic 43 11 Mallorca 41 12 Getafe 41 13 Betis 41 14 Osasuna 40 15 Valencia 39 16 Valladolid 39 17 Recreativo 37 18 Zaragoza 34 19 Murcia 29 20 Levante 22 Italy-5 matches to go All is between Inter and Roma and Milan far from Champions. 1 Inter 75 2 Roma 71 3 Juventus 61 4 Fiorentina 56 5 Milan 52 6 Sampdoria 52 7 Udinese 51 8 Genoa 45 9 Nápoles 43 10 Palermo 42 11 Atalanta 41 12 Lazio 40 13 Siena 38 14 Torino 34 15 Catania 32 16 Cagliari 32 17 Parma 31 18 Reggina 30 19 Empoli 30 20 Livorno 29 England-4 matches to go Arsenal seems to lose options and only Chelsea remains close. 1 M. United 80 2 Chelsea 75 3 Arsenal 71 4 Liverpool 66 5 Everton 61 6 Portsmouth 57 7 Aston Villa 55 8 Manchester C. 52 9 Blackburn 51 10 West Ham 44 Puesto Equipo Puntos 11 Tottenham 41 12 Newcastle 39 13 Middlesbrough 36 14 Sunderland 36 15 Wigan Athletic 35 16 Reading 32 17 Birmingham C. 31 18 Bolton 29 19 Fulham 27 20 Derby County 11
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Funny things in Spanish League. The answer of Sevilla's president to the rumours of Barça offer of 25 milions for Alves. "For that money we only will sent them his boots"
Ronie seems to go to Milan, or maybe Inter... And Oleguer to Ajax, that can only be good for Barça but I don't know if it will be good for Ajax. Laudrup seems to be wanted as a coach by every big team in Europe. Spain has fallen in love with Getafe playing, The match with Bayern was the most seen in TV match of the year. And in the stadium the King, The Prince, Calderon, Raul and Casillas were there. This never happened before. People that never watch football enjoyed the game. Calderon says "Real Madrid has won a lot of money so the best players in the world will come to the Bernabeu"... To be honest, I don't have a clue of who will I sign now. De La Red is supposed to do Diarra's job (Diarra). If Raul and Van Nistelrooy continue to be the strikers... well... there's rumours of Van Nistelrooy to Italy and Huntelaar to Real Madrid. And in the midfield De La Red, Robben, Sneijder, Robinho and Guti... maybe some other similar but younger to Guti will be signed. Diego? I don't imagine much players to the team. And in defence, Cannavaro, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Torres... I guess they'll sing one striker, one midfielder and one defender. To kind of substitute Van Nistelrooy, Cannavaro, and Guti now or in the future. Target Strikers: Villa, Huntelaar, Bojan
, Agüero, Luis Fabiano Midfielders: Diego, Ronaldinho?
(it happened with Laudrup and Figo), Cesc, Iniesta?, Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo???, Diego Capel, Gerrard... Defenders: Lucio?, Lahm, Alves...
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InTheSkyWithDiamonds:
I said long time ago Madrid would win it, now, there are no doubts....
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My argument with you at the time was when you said that Barcelona should only focus on the Champions League. This was back in February. Barcelona narrowed the gap to two points, so you were proven wrong on that count.
Since then Barcelona has only picked up 6 points from their last seven games. Even I can admit that Barcelona in no way deserves to win the league with that form, injuries or no injuries.
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21st Century Paul:
Target Strikers: Villa, Huntelaar, Bojan
, Agüero, Luis Fabiano Midfielders: Diego, Ronaldinho?
(it happened with Laudrup and Figo), Cesc, Iniesta?, Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo???, Diego Capel, Gerrard... Defenders: Lucio?, Lahm, Alves...
Bojan, Iniesta and Cesc... keep dreaming. You can have Edmilson and Oleguer, though. For free. Laudrup wasn't the same situation as Figo as his contract was up (I think). And Barcelona were eager to get rid of many after losing to Milan in the '94 European Cup final, including Zubizarreta, Eusebio, Txiki, Stoichkov, Romario and Koeman. Dani Alves has reportedly agreed to terms with Barcelona. Alves wants out of Sevilla very much, so we'll see how long Del Nido will hold out. Lahm is likely staying at Bayern last I heard. And Bayern have already said that Lucio is going nowhere. Josep Guardiola, who has done well coaching Barça B in his first managerial job, was asked by Txiki Begiristain for his opinion on what changes the club need to make for next season. Pep listed three things to his dissatisfaction: 1) The professionalism of the team. 2) The conduct of the medical services. 3) The preparation for the team's physical style of play. Great ideas and I think he'd make a great manager for Barcelona, but he still needs more experience. Laudrup has become the favorite with most supporters. I still favor Mourinho.
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Sheff Wed 1 - 1 Plymouth 2' 1 Peter Halmosi 81' Tommy Spurr 1
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Congratualtions to Valencia CF, 3-1 victors over Getafe and winners of the Spanish Cup for the seventh time in the club's history.
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unclesox:
Bojan, Iniesta and Cesc... keep dreaming. You can have Edmilson and Oleguer, though. For free. Laudrup wasn't the same situation as Figo as his contract was up (I think). And Barcelona were eager to get rid of many after losing to Milan in the '94 European Cup final, including Zubizarreta, Eusebio, Txiki, Stoichkov, Romario and Koeman. Dani Alves has reportedly agreed to terms with Barcelona. Alves wants out of Sevilla very much, so we'll see how long Del Nido will hold out. Lahm is likely staying at Bayern last I heard. And Bayern have already said that Lucio is going nowhere. Josep Guardiola, who has done well coaching Barça B in his first managerial job, was asked by Txiki Begiristain for his opinion on what changes the club need to make for next season. Pep listed three things to his dissatisfaction: 1) The professionalism of the team. 2) The conduct of the medical services. 3) The preparation for the team's physical style of play. Great ideas and I think he'd make a great manager for Barcelona, but he still needs more experience. Laudrup has become the favorite with most supporters. I still favor Mourinho.
No Laudrup contract was not up. Real Madrid paid 150 milion (pesetas) and Laudrup was the only star of the team that did not play in the final. Well I think he played the last 10 minutes. Thank you for Oleguer but I wouldn't want him even to play in the team of my chess club... I think Edmilson is not that bad. And I don't know who's gonna sign Real Madrid if all that are impossible. Why impossible Cesc?, well the rest of the list I guess. Guardiola got to be similar to Laudrup after seeing them play. Laudrup is Cruyff favourite. He designed him as his sucessor as a player, and it's seems he's gonna do it as a coach. Cruyff wrote before the Spanish Cup final, that Laudrup has already got a "degree with honours" in Getafe, even if they lose at the final, cause there's no obligation to win with such a poor budget team. Mourinho is the anti-Guardiola-Laudrup-Cruyff. It's Capello-Van Gaal stuff... it will bore everyone, it would be easier to have a Van Gaal 3rd Age. What would Morinho will today's players? something like... Valdes Zambrotta Puyol Milito Abidal Iniesta Toure Edmilson Silvinho Bojan Messi kind of...
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unclesox:
Congratualtions to Valencia CF, 3-1 victors over Getafe and winners of the Spanish Cup for the seventh time in the club's history.
yeah, and they rebelled against Koeman. They didn't play the same 4-3-3 that Koeman always uses (kind of Rijkaard) and played the usual system for Valencia in the last 10 years, a kind of English-German 4-4-2 with wings that do crossings, even with Morientes at the very end. And the 3 goals were headings are usual with that system. Nothing new, the way Valencia has played since I remember.
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who gives a flock about football n futbol?...we live in a collective society that is divided by national and religious opinion! Look @ thee continuing results!!! Who gives a flock about football n futbol???
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SurSteven:
who gives a flock about football n futbol?...we live in a collective society that is divided by national and religious opinion! Look @ thee contiuning results!!! Who gives a flock about football n futbol???
I think I don't have any religious opinion or "Spanish" one and I like football anyway....
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SurSteven:
who gives a flock about football n futbol???
Obviously, you don't. Which begs the question, "Why post in this thread?"
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21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
Laudrup wasn't the same situation as Figo as his contract was up (I think). And Barcelona were eager to get rid of many after losing to Milan in the '94 European Cup final, including Zubizarreta, Eusebio, Txiki, Stoichkov, Romario and Koeman.
No Laudrup contract was not up. Real Madrid paid 150 milion (pesetas) and Laudrup was the only star of the team that did not play in the final. Well I think he played the last 10 minutes.
Laudrup had fallen out of favor with Cruyff at the time. Cruyff had signed Hagi to be the fourth foreign player along with Romario, Stoichkov and Koeman (they could only field three at one time during those days). Some have suggested Barcelona having Laudrup as the number one and Guardiola as the number two. I would favor that situation. Pep is only coaching in his first season and it's with a third division side. He needs more experience before taking full control of the first team. Assisting Laudrup would be ideal. Barcelona's 18-man squad for 'El Derbi" looks to be at full strength with the exception of Ronaldinho: Valdés, Pinto Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Márquez, Sylvinho, Abidal Xavi, Touré, Iniesta, Deco, Gudjohnsen Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Giovani
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SurSteven:
we live in a collective society that is divided by national and religious opinion!
You must have watched Wednesday's Old Firm derby then.
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21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
Congratualtions to Valencia CF, 3-1 victors over Getafe and winners of the Spanish Cup for the seventh time in the club's history.
yeah, and they rebelled against Koeman. They didn't play the same 4-3-3 that Koeman always uses (kind of Rijkaard) and played the usual system for Valencia in the last 10 years, a kind of English-German 4-4-2 with wings that do crossings, even with Morientes at the very end. And the 3 goals were headings are usual with that system. Nothing new, the way Valencia has played since I remember.
Morientes' headed goal came off a rebound free kick that was saved by Usty, not from a cross on the wing. Still, they are in danger of being relegated and at the moment the sharks are swimmimg around ready for the fire sale that will happen if Valencia drop to the Segunda. David Silva can take Ronnie's place on the left, and Miguel can take over for Zambrotta.
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Well Morientes goal didn't come from a crossing I know, it looked like the Raul goals.... but forget about Raul. Besides the Barcelona derby, here comes probably the match of the year. Barcelona FC vs Manchester Utd It is supposed for Barça to have no options. I only wonder if ManU is gonna play as usual, I mean with open spaces at defence and their strikers not defending. That would be the best thing for Barça, space to run and drible like happens the Premier. On the contrary too, lots of players from ManU attacking Barça that is not very defensive. It reminds me the rounds of the European Cup not so long ago between ManU and Real Madrid that were like 5-3 and 4-1 or 3-2 and 4-4. I expect a lot of goals, but most of them by Man Utd. but no way it can be boring. Barça seems ("surprisingly"
) to have everyone ready to play now. Messi, Etoo, Henry, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Abidal, Toure, Zambrotta, Puyol, Bojan, and I think Ronie too. I think Puyol would mark Cristiano Ronaldo and Cristiano would not do much. Barça is gonna have more space that in any other game of the season. Unless ManU will not play as usual.
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21st Century Paul:
Well Morientes goal didn't come from a crossing I know, it looked like the Raul goals.... but forget about Raul.
I try to but you keep bringing him up.
21st Century Paul:
It reminds me the rounds of the European Cup not so long ago between ManU and Real Madrid that were like 5-3 and 4-1 or 3-2 and 4-4. I expect a lot of goals, but most of them by Man Utd. but no way it can be boring.
2000 quarterfinals Real Madrid - Manchester United ..... 0-0, 3-2 2003 quarterfinals Real Madrid - Manchester United ..... 3-1, 3-4
21st Century Paul:
Barça seems ("surprisingly"
) to have everyone ready to play now. Messi, Etoo, Henry, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Abidal, Toure, Zambrotta, Puyol, Bojan, and I think Ronie too. I think Puyol would mark Cristiano Ronaldo and Cristiano would not do much.
Rijkaard's 18-man squad against Espanyol: Valdés, Pinto Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Márquez, Sylvinho, Abidal Xavi, Touré, Iniesta, Deco, Gudjohnsen Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Giovani Puyol is suspended for the first game at Camp Nou. Back line will likely be... Zambrotta -- Marquez -- Milito -- Abidal Sylvinho's contract was to end after this season but Barcelona have offered him another one-year extension and he's agreed. I'd like to see him start against Man Utd as he's much more dangerous going forward than Abidal, who started the season well but has slowed down a bit.
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unclesox:
] 2000 quarterfinals Real Madrid - Manchester United ..... 0-0, 3-2 2003 quarterfinals Real Madrid - Manchester United ..... 3-1, 3-4 I reminded the last 3 games
21st Century Paul:
Barça seems ("surprisingly"
) to have everyone ready to play now. Messi, Etoo, Henry, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Abidal, Toure, Zambrotta, Puyol, Bojan, and I think Ronie too. I think Puyol would mark Cristiano Ronaldo and Cristiano would not do much.
Rijkaard's 18-man squad against Espanyol: Valdés, Pinto Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Márquez, Sylvinho, Abidal Xavi, Touré, Iniesta, Deco, Gudjohnsen Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Giovani Puyol is suspended for the first game at Camp Nou. Back line will likely be... Zambrotta -- Marquez -- Milito -- Abidal Sylvinho's contract was to end after this season but Barcelona have offered him another one-year extension and he's agreed. I'd like to see him start against Man Utd as he's much more dangerous going forward than Abidal, who started the season well but has slowed down a bit.
Well, but with Cristiano Ronaldo don't you think you need a left back that defends quite well at last??? or maybe the idea is, as Cristiano can't defence there would be a lot of chances to attack there... The game can be very crazy.... and with Marquez and Milito I guess Barça would put the defence back as they are a lot slower than the ManUtd strikers.... same for Man Utd defence... I can talk a lot but I don't have a clue of how they're gonna play. Cruyff has been writing a lot lately about Ferguson in the newspapers and all seems unpredictable.