Futbol thread.

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Some thoughts on the City vs Utd game

Firstly line ups
Utd- such a shitty line up but Idk if that is because they don't have enough good players or not. McTominey, Ericksen, and Fernandes in the midfield against City? You aren't going to have possession this game, why aren't you putting Casemeiro in there and maybe have Ericksen as the attacking midfielder who is deep and can help with the counter? Also Rashford should not be leading the line. Personally would have put Elanga or Martial and just used all 3 up top to break on the counter.
City- Just spoiled for choices. Alvarez on the bench is sneakily really helpful when Haaland decides he wants to not score a hattrick every game. Grealish may have cost 100 mil but as a rotational winger in Pep's system, he is really fucking good. Foden is unreal, De Bruyne now has a center forward to just pin point pass every time with Haaland and Gundogen has really developed. The center backs are probably the weakest that City could have put out there but nobody will ever test them


Game-
Overall Utd didn't have any chance from the start. City were all over Utd and missed a ton of chances despite being up 4-0 at half. The scoreline certainly doesn't do it justice to how far out of this game it really was. Its just a cheat code having Haaland up top to always be there and finish off chances or score on corner kicks.

Going forward-
United got humbled after a good run of form. This should bring them back down to earth and realize they are a long ways away from ever competing. For City, this has to be a sign to relax and wait for Arsenal to stop playing amazing so they can take advantage of a slip up and continue to just dominate teams away. The only 2 ways I see as a potential weakness in City is to either have a very chaotic, back and forth game against them like Newcastle did or to just get crushed really early and hope City take their foot off the gas by minute 40 and then try and spend the second half catching up. So unless you are PSG, Real Madrid, or Bayern, you aren't going toe to toe with them
 
Sometimes I do hate how the media hypes up some players but Haaland genuinely is ridiculous especially at 22, if he gets any better than this he'll be breaking goal scoring records every season.

Fast becoming Norway's greatest ever player but for now at least I don't see Dixie Dean's record of 60 goals in a single season being beaten yet.
 
KorokiKokoro said:
Sometimes I do hate how the media hypes up some players but Haaland genuinely is ridiculous especially at 22, if he gets any better than this he'll be breaking goal scoring records every season.

Fast becoming Norway's greatest ever player but for now at least I don't see Dixie Dean's record of 60 goals in a single season being beaten yet.
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Knock on wood but the only thing slowing down Haaland is injuries or a desire to play a different sport
 
20221004_032541.png

Ok, it's still early in the season but what the fuck is going on there? Udinese before Milan, Inter and Juve?!
 
Xabi Alonso is now coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

Atm Leverkusen is ranked 17th (of 18 teams) with 1 win, 2 draws and 5 loses. And they got kicked out in the first round in our national cup.
 
DSP's Tax Lawyer said:
I had heard Tuchel was rumored for that job as well. Figured they would pull the trigger on it
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There where Tuchel rumours but nobody really bought it.

The writing was on the wall. Yesterday it became public that Sereano got a last chance: win the next 2 games and stay or get sacked. Sacking him now makes sense as they are going to play against Schalke next. Schalke is 15th and has 6 points. So Leverkusen is going for the new-coach-effect in an important game against a beatable team.

What's surprising is that it's Xabi Alonso. That's a fucking huge name. I wonder what made Xabi to go to Leverkusen in this situation. I mean so far he coached a youth squad from Real Madrid and the B squad from Sociedad. So Leverkusen is his first real team - and is atm struggling big time.


In other big news:
The investor of Hertha BSC has announced today that he is offering his share of the club (Windhorst and his investment group hold 64% of Hertha atm). He offered Hertha to purchase the share for the original price he paid.

During the sommer Hertha got a bew club president. The old president stepped down and had huge clashes with Windhorst. So after the new president took over everyone thought that new things will get better for Hertha.
They started not that good in the season but they actually have become better now. They are far better than last season.
But a few days ago some journos uncovered that Windhorst had hired an Israeli agency to start a smear campaign against the old club president to sabotage him and hopefully to get rid off him. Windhorst denied that he had hired the Israelis but they went to go court against Windhorst bc he didn't pay them after the old Hertha president stepped down on his own. So there are court documents and documents that proof that they got hired (although the Israelis have redracted from their legal pursue now).

It is such a fucking hilarious shitshow.
 
Alright, half way point for champions league. Not a specific game by game break down but a look at how the groups are playing out and predictions on who will advance (because who doesn't like being wrong about the future?)

Group A
Napoli - 9
Liverpool - 6
Ajax - 3
Rangers - 0
So Napoli came out of nowhere right? Top of Serie A and I think people underestimated how good they really are when they blew out Liverpool in match week 1. Liverpool should comfortably make it out as number 2 here and hopefully fix some things come post world cup and the schedule certainly favors it. Napoli should beat Ajax on the reverse fixture and then close out the group with a win over Rangers before traveling to Anfield. This means Liverpool have to beat a pathetic Rangers side in Glasgow and then go to Amsterdam and play out a draw to guarantee second place. All while not needing to get a result vs Napoli.
Prediction
Napoli 1st, Liverpool 2nd, Ajax Europa league. Pretty safe prediction

Group B
Club Brugge - 9
Porto - 3
Leverkusen - 3
Atletico Madrid - 3
My god this Belgian team came out of nowhere. They haven't given up a goal yet and are probably one win away from making the round of 16 in a group I expected them to finish bottom in. The other 3 have each won and lost against each other with the home team usually taking it. No idea how this ends up playing out but I imagine a few teams are going to be in trouble come match day 5.
Prediction
Brugge 1st, Porto 2nd, Altetico Madrid Europa League. I just see Leverkusen falling apart worse than Atletico but no confidence on the 3 non belgian teams going through right now

Group C
Bayern - 9
Inter - 6
Barca - 3
Plzen - 0
Bayern are pretty much the class of this group and I expect them to have this all but settled before they travel to barca on Matchday 5. Realistically, Barca should be doing much better in this group but apparently buying one of the best forwards in the world doesn't help you scoring champions league games away from home. Basically second place gets decided by the reverse fixture between inter and barca but advantage barca being at home I guess.
Predictions
Bayern 1st, Inter 2nd, Barca Europa League. I just don't think this Barca team is good enough to get the right results against Inter on the next leg. Probably end up in a draw

Group D
Sporting - 6
Tottenham - 4
Frankfurt - 4
Marseille - 3
Jesus Christ what a shit show of a group. Sporting had a chance to just fully dominate this group and shit the bed in France to give some life to Marseille. Spurs are gonna spurs but I can't imagine they lose or tie against Frankfurt at home. But considering how ridiculous the start of this group was, no telling how it will end
Predictions
Tottenham 1st, Sporting 2nd, Frankfurt Europa League. Tottenham should probably win out. They get Frankfurt and Sporting at home for the next 2 fixtures and should be able to be in first going to Marseille. I imagine Marseille will lose the reverse fixture to Sporting and basically be out of the competition with a draw/loss in Frankfurt.

Group E
RB Salzburg - 5
Chelsea - 4
Milan - 4
Zagreb - 3
Speaking of groups with a shitshow, Chelsea made sure this one was weird by losing to Zagreb week 1. The important fixtures that will end up deciding this group are both in Chelsea's hands when they go to both Milan and Salzburg. Zagreb isn't playing an uninspired Tuchel team in Croatia anymore so they shouldn't be picking up anymore points.
Predictions
Milan 1st, Chelsea 2nd, Salzburg Europa League. Milan just have too much quality and I see them winning the return leg. Salzburg probably drop the match week 5 and then lose to Milan the final week so Chelsea can sneak into second

Group F
Real Madrid - 9
Shakhtar - 4
RB Leipzig - 3
Celtic - 1
Ok finally a group that looks right. Can't believe Celtic look so bad after their opening week against Madrid. Celtic still aren't out of it yet and a home match against Leipzig might be enough to spark some energy. Shakhtar also play madrid away from home so its likely a better result than 2-1.
Predictions
Madrid 1, Shakhtar 2nd, Leipzig Europa league. First match day really fucked over Leipzig and I think they will end up dropping points in Scotland. Shakhtar will take advantage of match day 5 and 6 to secure second and Leipzig will edge past Celtic

Group G
Man City - 9
Dortmund - 6
Sevilla - 1
Copenhagen - 1
This group is all but settled. Sevilla are on the verge of firing their manager and Copenhagen are out of their depth. City most likely close this out in Dortmund but the group should be decided by then. The only real prediction is who will make Europa League
Predictions
City 1st, Dortmund 2nd, Sevilla Europa League. Basis for my Europa League prediction is that someone's gotta take it and Sevilla probably will because that dude will do anything to keep his job. Copenhagen will probably just decide to play for the league since they are currently sitting 6th and 1 point away from being in the relegation round group instead of the championship round. They are also 8 points off the leaders so focusing on winning your league might be more on their minds after they get blown out by City again.

Group H
PSG - 7
Benfica - 7
Juve - 3
Haifa - 0
Man Juve have just fallen off the map. Sorry @Hüftpriester but they suck. PSG get Benfica at home so I don't think that will end in another draw but Juve have to go to Israel and get 3 points (imagine ever thinking that would be an issue 2 years ago) and then go to Portugal and win before hosting PSG on the last round just to maybe get 2nd. I think this group is pretty set because both PSG and Benfica have another guaranteed 3 points with Haifa still to play so Juve have to win out to finish with more than 10 points and a tie breaker.
Predictions
PSG 1st, Benfica 2nd, Juve Europa League. Don't see Juve beating Benfica in Portugal let alone PSG on the final day. PSG wins at home then beats Haifa to go up to 13 points before playing Juve on the final day

Might be easier to say where I was wrong with my predictions if you want to do your own
 
Can't quote, too much post. But I agree with basically everything and especially with Frankfurt winning again Europa League. You said that, right?

Also I am too lazy to look up my first CL predictions from some weeks ago.
 
Onni Kalsarikännit said:
Can't quote, too much post. But I agree with basically everything and especially with Frankfurt winning again Europa League. You said that, right?
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Yeah I think Frankfurt gets third in their group. Tottenham and Sporting get out and Marseille drops out. Honestly not too positive about this because Tottenham aren't taking control of this group and Sporting are kinda random
 
Ok Europa League update first. Probably won't have too much commentary because who tf cares about some of these groups but we are (basically) at the half way point (thanks queen)

Group A
Arsenal - 6
Bodo - 4
PSV - 4
Zurich - 0
Slight note, PSV and Arsenal did not play their match so both of them still have a game in hand. That being said, the only thing interesting about this group is that it will most likely come down to PSV and Bodo on the last day. And PSV will be traveling to Bodo since they tied on match day 1 in Holland.
Predictions- Arsenal 1st, PSV 2nd

Group B
Fenerbahce - 7
Rennes - 7
Lanarca - 3
Kyiv - 0
About what you would expect. Thought Kyiv might put up more of a fight but meh
Predictions Fenerbahce 1st, Rennes 2nd. The rematch between the group front runners will be in Turkey so advantage Fene

Group C
Real Betis - 9
Ludogorets - 4
Roma - 3
HJK - 1
Betis dominating the group but damn, Roma are this far down? They are doing ok in Serie A in a season where the big boys are really falling down but only 4 points off first place. Thought they would be a little better here.
Predictions Betis 1st, Roma 2nd. Can't see Roma not taking the second half of the group this unserious

Group D
Union Saint-Gilloise - 9
Braga - 6
Union Berlin - 3
Malmo - 0
I had to check, USG is from Belgium. I guess Brugge isn't the only team pulling out miracles in Europe right now. They beat Braga in Portugal as well. Not shocked by Union being so low. If I was at the top of the Bundesliga, my second team would be playing the Europa League until Bayern overtook me
Predictions
USG 1st, Braga 2nd. USG at home to pull the double over Braga then host Union Berlin at the end will get them more than enough points imo

Group E
Real Sociedad - 9
Man United - 6
Sheriff - 3
Omonia - 0
United's first matchday loss at home to Sociedad is probably going to be too much to overcome. The other 2 in the group are not good but United struggled with fucking Omonia today so god only knows if they will end up dropping more points.
Predictions Sociedad 1st, United 2nd. Sheriff and Omonia just don't have the slight bit more quality to trouble United's depth players otherwise they could sneak in

Group F
Feyenoord - 4
Midtjylland - 4
Lazio - 4
SK Sturm Graz - 4
Ok wtf is this? Everyone tied today, Midjylland blew out Lazio while Feyenoord blew out Sturm Graz but Sturm Graz beat Midtjylland and Lazio beat Feyenoord. Nothing makes sense when nobody really tries in this competition
Predictions Feyenoord 1st, Lazio 2nd. This is about as good as my predictions at the start of the Europa league because seriously, the difference is goal differential

Group G
Freiburg - 9
Qarabag - 6
Nantes - 3
Olympiacos - 0
So it appears that Freiburg might be good this year. Tied at the top of the bundesliga with Union berlin and top of their group here. Qarabag probably taking this really serious too since Azerbaijan provides no competition. Nantes have fallen into the trap of every French team in Europe not named PSG and Olympiacos can't capitalize on Marcelo's Champions League experience (like United can't do with Casemiro and Ronaldo)
Predictions Freiburg 1st, Qarabag 2nd. Why try hard with this group? Nantes and Olympiacos aren't lol

Group H
Ferencvaros - 6
Monaco - 6
Trabzonspor - 3
Red Star - 3
This group actually looks really close. Not Group F close but right up there. Ferencvaros get Red Star at home next after losing in Serbia and Trabzonspor get Monaco at home after losing in France. The matchday 5 will really help shape things with Red star hosting Trabzonspor and Monaco traveling to Hungary. Might actually be worth watching
Predictions Ferencvaros 1st, Monaco 2nd. I think Ferencvaros gain ground by beating Red Star in week 4 and then going to Turkey to eliminate Trabzonspor but this group is actually kinda wild
 
Europa Conference League. Even less time caring because 2 of the teams don't even have logos on google lol

Group A
Istanbul Basaksir - 7
Fiorentina - 4
Hearts - 3
RFS - 2
Predictions Istanbul 1st, Fiorentina 2nd. Fiorentina are struggling a bit this year being 11th in the table right now but their opponents are unknown so I think they sneak in as 2nd

Group B
West Ham - 9
Anderlecht - 4
Silkeborg - 3
FCSB - 1
Predictions West Ham 1st, Anderlecht 2nd. Kinda hard to go against Anderlecht here. They tied FCSB although it was on the road and they are playing West Ham right now who, while struggling in the EPL, are fully taking this seriously.

Group C
Villareal - 9
Lech Poznan - 4
Beer-Sheva - 2
Austria Wien - 1
Predictions Villareal 1st, Lech Poznan 2nd. Poznan have to go to Beer Sheva (Israel) on the return after drawing at home but I think they will probably come away with a draw, and beat Austria Wien to secure second

Group D
Partizan - 5
Nice - 5
Cologne - 4
Slovacko - 1
Predictions Partizan 1st, Nice 2nd. I think Partizan hosting Cologne after beating them in Germany along with Nice playing Slovacko at home will put too much ground between Cologne and the top 2. Match day 5 will most likely decide 1st and 2nd but the final match of Nice traveling to Germany might not matter at all for who advances at that point

Group E
Alkmaar - 9
Dnipro - 4
FC Vaduz - 2
Apollon - 1
Predictions Alkmaar 1st, Dnipro 2nd. Alkmaar are the only team I see here. No idea about the others but gonna go with what it says mid way through

Group F
Djurgarden - 7
Molde - 4
Gent - 4
Shamrock Rovers - 1
Predictions Djurgarden 1st, Gent 2nd. Gent hosts Molde on the final match day and that will probably decides who goes through. Was literally the only thing I used for this prediction lol

Group G
Ballkani - 4
Sivasspor - 4
Slavia Praha - 4
CFR Cluj - 4
Predictions Slavia Praha 1st, CFR Cluj 2nd. They play 2 home games in the last 3 match days. Thats literally all I can go on. Why are there 2 groups in these lesser European competitions with all 4 teams on 4 points?

Group H
Basel - 6
Pyunik - 6
Slovan Bratislava - 4
Zalgiris - 1
Predictions Pyunik 1st, Slovan Bratislava 2nd. Interesting hot take here but Basel lost at home today against Bratislava. The reverse fixture puts Bratislava ahead of them and then final match day will be Pyunik hosting Basel. Can't see them winning either of those games right now
 
Out of the first 8 games VFL Bochum scored 5 goals, one 1 draw and 7 seven loses. Guess which team annoyed Tottenham during the week in Champions League and that I really, really like decided to gift Bochum their first victory today ...

Xabi Alonso had his first game today as new coach for Leverkusen and they won 4:0 against Schalke.
 
Really disappointed in Preston North End today.
Not because they won 3-2 and sit 8th in the table with 19 points. But that they allowed 2 goals and scored 3. Up until today, they had played 12 games, scored 4 and given up 4 goals with 16 points taken on the table. They were playing the most beautiful football with having a bunch of 0-0 draws and then they decided to ruin it by scoring a bunch of goals against Norwich
 
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