158 replies to this topic

[Don Quixote]

BBC match report: http://www.bbc.com/s...otball/40004559

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports on Earth: Arsenal wins 13th FA Cup title

[Don Quixote]

Sports on Earth: Arsenal wins 13th FA Cup title

 

Fuckers.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Fuckers.

Perhaps but they had a better plan and executed better than Chelsea. I think the early goal shocked Chelsea and it took them too long to recover. See it in soccer all the time. Early goal and the other team seems to forget they have 85 minutes left in the game.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well as predicted Arsene Wenger did indeed save his job as manager of Arsenal by winning the FA Cup. Signed a new contract this afternoon. So I decided to turn on ESPNFC and listen to what they have to say. WOW!!! They are blasting the owner and not holding back. They think Wenger is way past being a good manager, doesn't understand football and how its played today at high levels, and should have been let go.

 

For those interested I'd suggest you get on ESPNFC and see if they have a replay of the session today. Holy cow I haven't heard this strong a bashing of a football manager, maybe ever. Way entertaining!!!

[Don Quixote]

More here....

 

http://www.bbc.com/n...europe-40642635

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: We’ve Never Seen Anything Like Neymar’s Transfer to PSG
https://theringer.co...ord-8f5b6908b21

 

Sports on Earth: Soccer Shocker: Neymar to Transfer

 

SI: Report: Neymar Transfer to Cost PSG Nearly €500M in Fee, Wages

 

SI: Neymar's Time is Now
 

 

[DJ MC]

It's official, Neymar comin!

 

http://soccer.nbcspo...s-off-to-paris/

 

And Barca is reporting PSG to UEFA over who exactly is paying that transfer fee.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

For many years in sports, ownership ruled the roost and took big advantages of the players. Just not the case anymore, at least for any player with a known name. Shoot the players are ruining the NBA.

 

A transfer fee of nearly a QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS. Let that sink in.

[DJ MC]

Just not the case anymore...

 

Depends on the sport.

 

Deadspin: Why Only The NFL Doesn't Guarantee Contracts

[BSLSteveBirrer]

He crossed that time proven line that you can not cross. He pushed a referee. Wasn't a big shove. Wasn't violent. But you can not place your hands on a referee in ANY kind of threatening manner. 

 

I think in the end the suspension will be lowered a game or two but he absolutely has to be suspended. Yes the second yellow card for simulation was questionable. But Ronaldo can NOT touch the referee there. Period.

 

https://www.managing...nsion-confirmed

[glenn__davis]

Question as someone who is just starting to understand the European soccer scene/schedule.

 

How easily do these players from rival teams assimilate when they're playing for their country?  Taking maybe the easiest example of Barcelona/Real Madrid, these are teams that clearly don't like each other very much - does some of that ever spill over when they come together in the World Cup or other such tournaments?

[Russ]

Depends really. Some of the English players in the recent past have said that is a reason the national team never reached their potential. Their is legit heat between ManU, Chelsea, Liverpool, City, and Arsenal.

England has been underachieving my whole life though. Maybe they're just trying to make sense of it. Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos have hated each other for a long time and it didn't stop Spain from winning 3 major tournaments in a row.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

There is clearly some hurdles to getting all the players on a NT on the same page. As you said many of these players play against each other on their club teams. And many of these players may play a different formation and tactics than what they play for their club teams. And to me the last thing is much more an issue than the fact that they are against each other during club matches.  

 

This is where a NT manager really earns his keep. Lets take a simple example of the USMNT.  We have had players in the Italian Serie A, a strong defense first culture, the EPL which historically tended to play a lot of long balls over the top (not so much anymore), and the Bundesliga which tends to play a very attack oriented play via midfield control.  Those are three vastly different approaches to the game. All have their pros and cons. But think how hard it for a manager to then take the MNT and mold it into a formation and approach that builds upon the players strengths and hides their weaknesses.

 

Here's the bottom line. First and foremost these guys at this level are ALL extremely competitive and, in general, nothing motivates them more than to win a tournament wearing their national team jersey.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Watching the opening matches in the Bundesliga.  Right now its Dortmund at Wolfsburg in the 24th minute.

 

The score?  1-0 Dortmund.

 

The goal scorer? Christian Pulisic with a wonderful strike into the side netting. 

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Nearing the end of the match and Dortmund going to open with a nice away win. Leading 3-0 in the 87th minutes. Pulisic with a wonderful cross to Abaumeyang for the third goal. Not a bad start to the season for CP. Goal in the German Super Cup (first American to ever score a goal in the Super Cup) and now a goal and an assist in their opener. 

 

Special player!

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: Real Madrid Have Surpassed Barcelona in Just About Every Way

[BSLChrisStoner]

SI: Weekend Winners
https://www.si.com/s...d-marcos-alonso

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well Dembele is headed to Barcelona. That's good news for Christian Pulisic. Going to be in the linuep more and more for Dortmund now.

 

http://www.goal.com/...km1b38vqiszzb23

[BSLChrisStoner]

SI: La Liga: Bale Back to His Best for Real Madrid

 

SI: Pulisic, Dortmund Win Big But FC Koln Demands Replay