The Official Football/Soccer Thread: 2017-2018 Season
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
Raul, "The one who always does nothing"...
... for Spain except miss crucial penalty kicks.
well, for many he's supposed to have always done "nothing". What about the 44 goals he scored for Spain?... I know, they're part of the "nothing".
38 of those 44 goals were scored in either friendlies or qualifiers against the likes of Norway, Ukraine, Austria, Cyprus and San Marino. In 18 matches in the World Cup and EUROs he only scored 6, and never scored in the knockout rounds. The last minute penalty miss against France was his best chance as it happened in the quarterfinals.
more "part of the nothing": Yeah, Spain was not this Spain against the big teams. Well, Raul has scored 15 goals against Barça, and I think you can consider Barça a BIG team, not like Ukraine, Norway, etc... And Raul still holds the best performance ever of a Spanish player fo Spain 9-Austria 0 and of course the goals, as always, don't show what Raul did, he stole the ball to Austria in many goals plays...
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At club level, Raul is a legend. At international level he was nothing spectacular. You probably believe Raul is the greatest Spanish player in history, right? He's not.
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unclesox:
At club level, Raul is a legend. At international level he was nothing spectacular. You probably believe Raul is the greatest Spanish player in history, right? He's not.
Well, no Spanish player ever (till now) has been anything spectacular internationally, not even when Spain played with Di Stefano, Kubala, Gento... Well, he's the best Spanish player I've ever seen, I guess Di Stefano was better. But I don't think we can count Di Stefano as Spanish, if we did we could count as Spanish all the player that have get the Spanish nationality lately... So, I stick my case, Raul. I know he's a "player's player", he's hugely apreciated between players and coaches but not so much for the audience because of his playing style. Same old story, the "one that does nothing"...
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21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
At club level, Raul is a legend. At international level he was nothing spectacular. You probably believe Raul is the greatest Spanish player in history, right? He's not.
Well, no Spanish player ever (till now) has been anything spectacular internationally, not even when Spain played with Di Stefano, Kubala, Gento... Well, he's the best Spanish player I've ever seen, I guess Di Stefano was better. But I don't think we can count Di Stefano as Spanish, if we did we could count as Spanish all the player that have get the Spanish nationality lately... So, I stick my case, Raul. I know he's a "player's player", he's hugely apreciated between players and coaches but not so much for the audience because of his playing style. Same old story, the "one that does nothing"...
Luis Suarez must be considered. He's the only Spanish player to have been voted European Player of the Year. Although Xavi or Iniesta could join him this year.
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
At club level, Raul is a legend. At international level he was nothing spectacular. You probably believe Raul is the greatest Spanish player in history, right? He's not.
Well, no Spanish player ever (till now) has been anything spectacular internationally, not even when Spain played with Di Stefano, Kubala, Gento... Well, he's the best Spanish player I've ever seen, I guess Di Stefano was better. But I don't think we can count Di Stefano as Spanish, if we did we could count as Spanish all the player that have get the Spanish nationality lately... So, I stick my case, Raul. I know he's a "player's player", he's hugely apreciated between players and coaches but not so much for the audience because of his playing style. Same old story, the "one that does nothing"...
Luis Suarez must be considered. He's the only Spanish player to have been voted European Player of the Year. Although Xavi or Iniesta could join him this year.
Or Casillas Well, you know what I think about France's Football golden ball... Raul should have won it, so Laudrup, Maldini, Baresi, and none was even close... This year Messi seems to have no chances to win it. And past year won by a landslide. And he's just the same player. The Golden Ball is more about rewarding teams that have won championships in a particular year than about players performances really.
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Standings on the Fantasy Football after matchday 4 1 Daniel 46 235 2 Oliver 32 198 3 Unclesox 29 196
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Daniel has a big lead but soon will come the nitty-gritty of this, the knock out rounds. I've changed 5 players of my team today. btw, unclesox what do you think about Cristiano "espaldinha"?, pass with the back... Some think it's kind of a provocation or mocking of the rival... but well, it simply was a good action, a great pass to Xabi Alonso that almost ends in a goal. If that is "mocking" then passes without looking, heel passes, and even any kind of dribbling are mocking too.
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21st Century Paul:
btw, unclesox what do you think about Cristiano "espaldinha"?, pass with the back... Some think it's kind of a provocation or mocking of the rival... but well, it simply was a good action, a great pass to Xabi Alonso that almost ends in a goal. If that is "mocking" then passes without looking, heel passes, and even any kind of dribbling are mocking too.
I heard about it but this is the first time I have seen it. He did it against a Segunda B team. : Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic did it against better opponents.
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
btw, unclesox what do you think about Cristiano "espaldinha"?, pass with the back... Some think it's kind of a provocation or mocking of the rival... but well, it simply was a good action, a great pass to Xabi Alonso that almost ends in a goal. If that is "mocking" then passes without looking, heel passes, and even any kind of dribbling are mocking too.
I heard about it but this is the first time I have seen it. He did it against a Segunda B team. : Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic did it against better opponents.
Segunda B Team? no... it was against Atletico de Madrid. When interviewed, some players of Atletico say it's a "lack of respect"... as much as stopping the ball with the chest... only they're used to that...
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21st Century Paul:
Segunda B Team? no... it was against Atletico de Madrid. When interviewed, some players of Atletico say it's a "lack of respect"... as much as stopping the ball with the chest... only they're used to that...
Oh, I thought it was against Murcia. I don't watch Real Madrid's games. Either way, whether it's CRonaldo, Ronaldinho or Ibrahimovic, I think the "espaldinha" shows disrespect towards the opponent. There's no need to do that. CRonaldo had plenty of time to control the ball with his chest or feet but he wanted to show off to the Bernabeu audience against their fierce rivals. Far different than heel passes or passing without looking, which are usually made running towards goal and trying to get past 2-3 defenders in the heat of action.
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
Segunda B Team? no... it was against Atletico de Madrid. When interviewed, some players of Atletico say it's a "lack of respect"... as much as stopping the ball with the chest... only they're used to that...
Oh, I thought it was against Murcia. I don't watch Real Madrid's games. Either way, whether it's CRonaldo, Ronaldinho or Ibrahimovic, I think the "espaldinha" shows disrespect towards the opponent. There's no need to do that. CRonaldo had plenty of time to control the ball with his chest or feet but he wanted to show off to the Bernabeu audience against their fierce rivals. Far different than heel passes or passing without looking, which are usually made running towards goal and trying to get past 2-3 defenders in the heat of action.
I didn't watch Real Madrid games before but now they're playing great. Not for all the match but they're really brilliant half of the time. Of course there is need. Doing that is somehow unpredictable and fools the defender. If the ball was controlled and then passed the pass would have not been so good in the end. Just like shooting "rabona", as they don't expect that, there's a second of confusion in the defenders that's good for the attack. Disrespect are agressions. As Cruyff said "Football is a game based on tricks". Even if he just wanted to show-off... football is a mass entertainment, show-biz, many people watches it because of the show and all the creative players. Cristiano, Messi, Ronaldinho... they don't watch it because of RAUL! The most popular players are the most spectacular not the most effective... And I guess they don't watch it because of De Jong...
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Standings of the Fantasy Football Macca Board League after Matchday 5 1 Daniel 52 287 2 Oliver 56 242 3 Unclesox 34 230 I'm not nearer than before to Daniel cause I made 7 transfers for this matchday.
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Well, a 400 milion TV audience is expected today. They play on Monday because there were elections here yesterday. BTW, Laporta, former Barça's president is now on Catalonia's parliament. Both teams are playing better than ever. I don't know if they're gonna play the same way today. If they do then lots of goals and showtime. But maybe Guardiola or Mourinho will get defensive. The predicted Real Madrid's XI is: (Higuain is injured) Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di María, Özil, Cristiano; and Benzema And Barça is: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal or Maxwell; Busquets; Xavi, Iniesta; Villa, Messi, Pedro unless something expected. Raul will not be here to stole the ball to Messi. Marcelo is a better defender than it was but I'm not sure of how he will do today in defense. It's an Spanish League All-Star match but fighting for the championship. Today 9pm Spanish time.
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21st Century Paul:
Both teams are playing better than ever. I don't know if they're gonna play the same way today. If they do then lots of goals and showtime. But maybe Guardiola or Mourinho will get defensive.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out the tactics. Barcelona will dominate possession and Mourinho will be satisfied with that, allowing his team to search for a goal via counter attacks since they have very fast players (although Higuain could be sorely missed). With Alves always moving forward on attack, Barça's defending really has to be on its toes. Guardiola has only put both Busquets and Mascherano together in the starting lineup once this season but I'm hoping he does it again. Leave Pedro on the bench and push Iniesta up on the left. And I think I'd rather go with Maxwell over Abidal at left back, although it's close. Oliver, do you think Spain/Portugal will host the 2018 World Cup? I've long believed that England would get it, but I hear that CONMEBOL (South America) have already pledged its three votes to the Iberians and many think England could lose out. And recent rumors have Qatar beating the USA for 2022. I forgot to change my lineup last week (fantasy football).
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That was beautiful to watch. And performed to some wonderful music... "Sal del banquillo, Mourinho sal del banquillo, sal del banquiiiiillo, Mourinho sal del banquiiiilloooo"
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unclesox:
Oliver, do you think Spain/Portugal will host the 2018 World Cup? I've long believed that England would get it, but I hear that CONMEBOL (South America) have already pledged its three votes to the Iberians and many think England could lose out. And recent rumors have Qatar beating the USA for 2022. I forgot to change my lineup last week (fantasy football).
I think I am the only one who changes the fantasy line up, cause Daniel has done only 2 transfers in 5 matchdays. Sometimes the transfers can spoil the team, it happens to me a lot in the group stages. The 2018 World Cup? I don't have a clue of how these things are decided. Portugal and Spain are on a international watch over their economy an a possible bailout from the EU or the IMF, so I guess the chances for Spain and Portugal now are smaller than they were.
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unclesox:
That was beautiful to watch. And performed to some wonderful music... "Sal del banquillo, Mourinho sal del banquillo, sal del banquiiiiillo, Mourinho sal del banquiiiilloooo"
yeah, that singing sums the match I think you will be able to find some wonderful pics of this match, with all kind of facial expressions... Well, Mourinho says often "I don't fear anybody or anything"... Real Madrid has started the game playing a 5-2-3. Yes, a line of five defenders. That till the 2-0. Di Maria has played on the left to mark Alves. Barça 3 - Madrid 0 and Mourinho changes Ozil for the defensive Lass. And Mourinho doesn't move from the "banquillo" ever since the Barça scores the third goal. So, well, Mourinho has changed the great Real Madrid of these last matches for a defensive version for a day. And here's the result, the team hasn't even existed neither in defense, midfield or attack. Barça has played at will. And many Real Madrid players had get really mad. Some red cards should have been shown. And well, that penalty to Cristiano too... Strange game, all classics are!
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D'you know what? Real Madrid yesterday reminded me of Netherlands in the World Cup final. So many agressions... It's true than there was penalty commited over Cristiano and some Barça goal was on offside but lots of Real Madrid players should have been sent off. I feel like I don't want to be a Real Madrid fan, supporter or whatever you call it anymore... Well, people can change, so I guess one can change the team too.
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BTW, 1-0 and 2-0 are two defensive mistakes of Marcelo. Definitely he can't play as defender against the big teams.
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Spain/Portugal believes they have 8 votes to host 2018 (12 votes are needed). But apparently Russia is the favorite to win the rights to host. Replays showed there was no offside on any of the goals. And I haven't heard any complaints of the C.Ronaldo 'penalty'. Poor Casillas was constantly looking at his defenders after each goal. Not just Marcelo, but Pepe... all of them. He was very frustrated, again. As for Mourinho, I think he stayed on the bench because he felt embarrassed the way his players were allowing their frustration show. Everytime the ball rolled out of play into Real's bench Mourinho never came out, something you never seen from him before. I'll give him credit for after the match when he shook the hands of Guardiola and all of the officials and then patted each of his players on the back trying to offer encouragement. Mourinho has always loved his players no matter how good or bad they play. I just don't like the way he talks to the media trying to play mind games with other teams, like when he was asked about Benzema and he said "Benzema isn't the most expensive player who hasn't scored goals. He was refferring to David Villa, but since then Villa has been scoring regularly including two on Monday. Sporting Gijon coach Manolo Preciado spoke for a lot of people a few weeks ago when he shared his disgust at the way Mourinho treats other teams. So now, after they get slaughtered 5-0, you don't like Real again.. lol :