Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: jai john on July 01, 2013, 07:56:09 PM
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Villarreal back in La liga
El Submarino Amarillo president has expressed his delight after seeing his club return to Spain's top tier, bouncing back only a year after suffering relegation
Fernando Roig says he is optmistic for Villarreal's future after they secured promotion back to La Liga at the first attempt.
Jonathan Pereira's strike was enough to earn a 1-0 win over rivals Almeria on the final day of the season to ensure a runners-up spot behind champions Elche.
Roig could not hide his delight after the 'Yellow Submarine' made sure of a return to Spain's top flight after a year in the footballing wilderness.
"This will be good for our future," the club head was quoted by AS.
"We've restructured a lot of things. It hasn't been easy, but we're in the Primera Division again.
"The fans have been tremendous," he added
The Villarreal president also confirmed that Marcelino Garcia will remain as coach at El Madrigal into next season.
"It had been planned in advance and Marcelino will continue," he added, giving backing to the current trainer.
Marcos Senna, who was part of Villarreal side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2006, also spoke of his genuine happiness at being part of the promotion-winning side.
"This is huge," the 36-year-old former Spain international enthused.
"There’s so much joy. We've achieved our target."
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Ok so we had a sabbatical but we are back where we belong ...the world's biggest small side .
One of a few teams, of any size , that can boast of matching the dynamic duo of Spain.
It seems like football success is now determined by the size of the wallet but little teams like Villarreal keep giving hope to the hopeless ...... Yes we can .... like Sea biscuit ...the working class horse that beat the mighty War Admiral ..the money entry.
So i am ready to back the underdog ...go submarine !! los submarinos amarillos
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Best wishes Tito.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2370065/Tito-Vilanova-stands-Barcelona-boss-illness.html
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Well look who is top of la Primera today !! yup...3 from 3 folks ...it may last a day ...but it is so today . We will face Real madrid next week ...
the yellow submarine ....The world's biggest small side.
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Nice start in trute. I'll watch that next game for sure.
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Well look who is top of la Primera today !! yup...3 from 3 folks ...it may last a day ...but it is so today . We will face Real madrid next week ...
the yellow submarine ....The world's biggest small side.
alyuh had osasuna in tears today. jai i have to give u credit...u backing ur side consistently for donkey years now. in spain i backing anybody who playing attractive ball and/or could give the big two a run for they money. los colchoneros are on an upward tangent and i like their grit (u could see simeone's influence)...but i backing real sociedad this year....that team will give real pressure! had a good season last year (the race for the 4th spot was very intriguing) and now they are going to show the world their flavor...mark my words they will give manu all they could handle, i hope gollum...err...moyes is ready!
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Real good game just done, Valencia go down at home 2-3 to Barca.
The keepers saw plenty action.
Messi at his best.
Edit: Actually he wasn't at his best. Despite 3 goals he had some uncharacteristic misses late on.
BTW Bale to Madrid for around 100mil Euros.
He worth less than half that imo
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BTW Bale to Madrid for around 100mil Euros.
He worth less than half that imo
If somebody willing to pay it...I taking it. Spurs do the right thing. Hold out as long as dey could for as much as they could.
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crazy numbers in football today ....I am still trying to see the sense in paying so much for a player who will probably never feature in a world Cup and is injury prone. Bale is a good player ..fantastic even ...but at that price ?? more than twice the cost of Villarreal's entire team ?? Not for me sah ...
Well the madrid jefe has gambled again ..... beckham ...Ronaldo ...now Bale ..will be be 3rd time lucky ??? only time will tell
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Madrid dumb
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Seems like Villarreal will get a bigger next game than planned as, with the international break, the game vs Madrid will be in two weeks rather than next week. We may very well see the debut of the world's most expensive ever player Gareth Bale, vs Villarreal . Who would have thought it possible that the submarine would have been thrown in to the limelight so quickly after last season in the segunda division ?
Well it is a challenge and one which my team cant complain about after all .......we are the world's biggest small side !
The European leagues are more balanced this season I tell you .. seems all have managed to introduce quality. the English are complaining though ......no english stars on the horizon and the young english player is being forced to bench .... that statement though has ominous signs for players from T&T and elsewhere who fancy playing in england. Not a nice thought folks ...responsive action to the same sentiments killed the west indies players in cricket ....we still have not recovered !
Oh and a note to the management ..... If you must rename the thread - this is the 2013 -2014 la liga thread ... we played the 2012-2013 last season.
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Complete crap that Madrid sold Ozil.
And 100 million for Bale???! You've got to be kidding.
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I read somewhere that Ozil has the most assists in the top leagues over the last couple years.
Isco is a boss though.
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Complete crap that Madrid sold Ozil.
And 100 million for Bale???! You've got to be kidding.
Yep. I think Ozil > Bale straight up. Perez doing crap again. Barca men like me smiling.
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Complete crap that Madrid sold Ozil.
And 100 million for Bale???! You've got to be kidding.
Yep. I think Ozil > Bale straight up. Perez doing crap again. Barca men like me smiling.
Other issues at the Nou Camp, like badly needing at least one legit CB
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Oh - does anyone know which station will be braodcasting La Liga this season in the US?
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Oh - does anyone know which station will be braodcasting La Liga this season in the US?
beIN Sport
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Oh - does anyone know which station will be braodcasting La Liga this season in the US?
beIN Sport
Thank you....COX hasn't picked it up yet. steups
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And 100 million for Bale???! You've got to be kidding.
Player valuation is an intricately layered thing. It's not just about the "external" value of the player.
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Other issues at the Nou Camp, like badly needing at least one legit CB
I count 3 legit CB in Pique, Puyol and Mascherano (yes Mascherano!). They need depth especially if Puyol continues to be oft-injured but I'm not too concerned in general.
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And 100 million for Bale???! You've got to be kidding.
Player valuation is an intricately layered thing. It's not just about the "external" value of the player.
What do you mean by 'external' value?
Ah mean, with Ronaldo you had an excellent player as well as someone with huge Marketing appeal. I'm not sure Bale has the latter. He's not even cute.
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Other issues at the Nou Camp, like badly needing at least one legit CB
I count 3 legit CB in Pique, Puyol and Mascherano (yes Mascherano!). They need depth especially if Puyol continues to be oft-injured but I'm not too concerned in general.
I know you saw how both of them (PP twins) got left out not only vs Bayern but many other clubs last season, they both just don't have the same speed to keep up with speedy attackers anymore (and I am a big Puyol fan). I rate Macherano as well, but as a CB his judgement is off quite a few times, as a DM very solid. If you don't think the defense is porous no biggie, I tend to think it is and PP's best days are behind them...
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Other issues at the Nou Camp, like badly needing at least one legit CB
I count 3 legit CB in Pique, Puyol and Mascherano (yes Mascherano!). They need depth especially if Puyol continues to be oft-injured but I'm not too concerned in general.
I know you saw how both of them (PP twins) got left out not only vs Bayern but many other clubs last season, they both just don't have the same speed to keep up with speedy attackers anymore (and I am a big Puyol fan). I rate Macherano as well, but as a CB his judgement is off quite a few times, as a DM very solid. If you don't think the defense is porous no biggie, I tend to think it is and PP's best days are behind them...
Defense being porous is more than about the CBs IMO. It's more about lack of covering from the midfielders when Alba and Alves go bombing forward - Xavi, Sergio, Iniesta not recovering as they needed. Also, I think they didn't do as good a good squeezing the opponent without the ball as previous years. Not saying PP is the best duo in the world but I think certainly servicable.
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Other issues at the Nou Camp, like badly needing at least one legit CB
I count 3 legit CB in Pique, Puyol and Mascherano (yes Mascherano!). They need depth especially if Puyol continues to be oft-injured but I'm not too concerned in general.
I know you saw how both of them (PP twins) got left out not only vs Bayern but many other clubs last season, they both just don't have the same speed to keep up with speedy attackers anymore (and I am a big Puyol fan). I rate Macherano as well, but as a CB his judgement is off quite a few times, as a DM very solid. If you don't think the defense is porous no biggie, I tend to think it is and PP's best days are behind them...
Defense being porous is more than about the CBs IMO. It's more about lack of covering from the midfielders when Alba and Alves go bombing forward - Xavi, Sergio, Iniesta not recovering as they needed. Also, I think they didn't do as good a good squeezing the opponent without the ball as previous years. Not saying PP is the best duo in the world but I think certainly servicable.
I agree with this point wholeheartedly, Martin agrees too, remember him saying this when he took over (ie we don't press like we used to), will see how it plays itself out once that is corrected. :beermug:
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Thomson tips Bale to succeed in Madrid
By Joel Holt (Salisbury Journal)
SALISBURY City midfielder Jake Thomson reckons former teammate Gareth Bale will fit into life alongside the Galàcticos after completing a record £85.3 million deal.
Thomson, who became friends with the world’s most expensive player while they were at Saints academy, thinks the Welshman will achieve big things in Spain.
“I’m sure he will be himself and enjoy life out there,” Thomson told talkSPORT on Monday.
“He’s such a joker and enjoys everything he does.
“His family are very close to him and that will make it easier. It was always his dream to play for Real Madrid and he idolises Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s his favourite player in the world.”
(http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/resources/images/2620915.jpg)
L-R: Jake Thomson, Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale
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2 team league.
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And 100 million for Bale???! You've got to be kidding.
Player valuation is an intricately layered thing. It's not just about the "external" value of the player.
What do you mean by 'external' value?
Ah mean, with Ronaldo you had an excellent player as well as someone with huge Marketing appeal. I'm not sure Bale has the latter. He's not even cute.
After applying a basic bargaining approach, we find that individual player performance and innate ability are prominent determinants of transfer fees. This result is obviously unsurprising, but what is significant to notice is that indirect measures of performance and/or innate ability appear to be more adequate in approaching these determinants. Furthermore, we find reason to believe that buying clubs may be the victim of their own success, as their size brings transfer fees up to levels unexplained by measures of performance or ability. This lends credence to the use of a bargaining framework, although limitedly so. Obviously, many prominent variables influencing transfer prices are not available in our research. However, there is reason to believe that transfer decisions themselves are greatly imperfect. One may spot an ironic paradox here: we are drawn to the football transfer market for empirical research, expecting to find a clear set of human capital valuations coupled with various objective measures to evaluate the performance of individuals. What we find is a market described by insiders as inefficient and arbitrary, with vastly flawed performance measures.
Hence, if there is one inference to be drawn from our research regarding the valuation of human capital in general it is this: it is by and large imperfect. As such, there is much to be gained in both empirical research and practice itself. However, the field remains a fascinating topic of research for the practical economist. Although it is a labor and product market like any other, its public position creates dynamics and incentives that never cease to amaze undersigned. Hence, as football statistics and other data become more elaborate, commonly used and available, we expect an interesting evolution of empirical research, results that we await with great curiosity.
Erik van den Berg, “The Valuation of Human Capital in the Football Player Transfer Market: An investigation on transfer fees paid and received in the English Premier League”, M.Sc. Thesis, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, July 2011.
I was doing a search for something in preparation for my Advisory Board meeting and came across what is actually a fascinating thesis on one of the more nebulous and controversial elements of modern football business: the transfer market. Erik van den Berg was a M.Sc. student in the School of Economics at Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam in the Netherlands who received his degree last summer. I don’t know if he decided to continue at the University for a Ph.D. or left to pursue employment — I couldn’t find information about him online — but his thesis presents an excellent exposition of transfer payments in a specialized and differentiated market in which values are determined by either asset characteristics, the context of the transaction, or both. He finds the perfect laboratory for his study in the English Premier League. In the case of the Premier League, asset characteristics are player performance metrics, and transaction contexts are the behaviors of buying and selling clubs.
There are two major parts of the thesis: a discussion of the transfer market in football, and an analysis of player valuations in the English Premier League. van den Berg presents the factors in which a transfer market operates: competition balance, the traditional business model oriented around spectator attendance, regulatory structures, and the player acquisition and selling process which includes the role of agents and compensation schemes. This part of the thesis is background for the second half of the publication, so I’m not going to focus too much on it, but it contains a literature search on sport finance that is worth reading.
I do wish to focus on the two schools of thought between Rottenberg and Sloane, two economists in the 1950s and 60s who were the first to study the economic behaviors of sports teams (baseball and soccer, respectively). Rottenberg claimed that a roughly equal distribution of talent was essential to ensuring unpredictability of sporting outcomes, and that team owners were motivated to maximize profits; the idea of an owner buying a team just for the thrill of owning a sports team made no sense to him. Sloane countered that, to the contrary, sports team owners could and often did assume ownership for the pleasure and ego, and sought to maximize wins or utility (success on the field and at the gate) even if it meant that the team assumed large quantities of debt. The implications of that claim are that football clubs are not run efficiently from a financial point of view, and if that’s the case then player transfers are probably inefficient as well.
The second part of the paper is an analysis of transfer payments made in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 English Premier League seasons. There are two objectives in this phase of the research: assess the viability of models that describe buying/selling behavior, and investigate the significance of performance and contextual variables on the transfer payment. The first model considered is a bargaining approach, in which the value of the player is estimated from the perspective of buyer and seller, a game theory algorithm is applied, and the model tested by a regression analysis. The second model is a non-bargaining approach that considers the value of all players, not just those who have been transferred, and considers the following inputs: innate talent, training/development, and additional revenue streams. The investigation of the significant variables was the most interesting and challenging part of the paper. It is clear that van den Berg is working with a limited data set, as are all researcher who don’t have access to the finely grained data from companies such as Opta or Prozone/Amisco. I believe there were about 20 variables that van den Berg considered in his regression model (age was used twice to model a parabolic relationship), and only four or five of them exhibited significant coefficients. The major result was that the following variables were the largest factors in transfer value:
Games played previous season
Goals scored
Age (up to a peak year, usually later 20s)
Domestic transfer
Size of buying club, modeled as stadium size
Participation of buying club in continental club competitions
van den Berg claims that the influence of buying club size in transfer payments explains why larger clubs who participate in the Champions League pay a premium for players. He explains the behavior as an expression of clubs being risk-averse, which I think means the aversion of clubs to pass up on the chance to buy said player lest he go to a rival. (I could be wrong with his interpretation, I need to convince myself of that again.) The bottom line is that player valuation, in case you weren’t already convinced, is very very messy and inefficient. That’s not a finding that people didn’t know, but it is useful that the numbers point that out. The next step is to find the inefficiencies in the market, which aren’t so obvious.
I would read this publication not just for the analysis, but also for the references therein. There are references to major papers on sport finance in general, and the soccer transfer market in particular. van den Berg progressed very far in his research with imperfect and sparse data. As in-match performance data becomes more widely used at clubs and other end-users, we could start to see more research on the behavior of buyers and sellers in the transfer market and how these actions can be exploited to make smarter choices.
http://www.soccermetrics.net/paper-discussions/what-determines-transfer-values-in-football
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World's biggest small side just came from behind to draw with the great RM 2-2 . All yuh have to see that game if you missed it. Now more folks will take us seriously / I just saw more than 20million euros on de bench watching the final minutes of the game ..I cant write anymore for now ...have to call my RM frieds and gloat now !!
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Villa is a big side! Very good result.
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Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid: Bale & Ronaldo goals cancelled out by Submarine strikes
The Welshman equalised following Cani's opener and, though the Blancos' No.7 gave the visitors the side, Giovani dos Santos saved the day for the hosts
Gareth Bale's debut was ruined by an admirable Villarreal performance as the newly promoted hosts held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw.
The Welshman made his first competitive start for the club since his world-record move from Tottenham and he began repaying his huge fee by cancelling out Cani's opener at El Madrigal just before half-time.
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to be overshadowed as he put Madrid ahead with a breakaway goal after 64 minutes, but their lead was short-lived as Giovani dos Santos equalised just nine minutes later.
Carlo Ancelotti opted to start Bale on the right, with Isco in the centre and Ronaldo on the left behind lone striker Karim Benzema as midfielder Asier Illarramendi also made his first start for the Blancos.
Villarreal made just one change to the side that beat Osasuna 3-0 in their last La Liga fixture, with Dos Santos replacing Jeremy Perbet.
Despite the wealth of talent in Real's ranks, it was the home side who made the more positive opening and twice in the opening 15 minutes Jonathan Pereira was denied at the near post by Diego Lopez, but they got the breakthrough deservedly in the 21st minute.
Real failed to clear their lines with Pereira and Bruno Soriano both looking to pounce, but the ball spilled kindly to Cani, who smashed home into the bottom corner.
It could have been even worse just short of the half-hour mark when the influential Pereira played a sublime backheel to Javier Aquino, whose initial shot was saved by Lopez before the goalkeeper stopped the rebound.
Real were reeling but they should have been level on 34 minutes when Sergio Ramos chipped a superb pass over the top for Ronaldo, but he uncharacteristically steered his header wide.
Against the run of play, Real did get the equaliser, when Bale opened his account for his new club. Daniel Carvajal broke down the right before putting in a teasing low cross and the Welshman nipped in ahead of Mario and slid to poke home with his right foot from close range.
Villarreal had shouts for a penalty shortly after the restart when a Dos Santos effort struck Bale on the arm before Bale nearly irked the home fans further when his 25-yard drive went narrowly over the crossbar.
And the home side should have been back in front in the 54th minute. Dos Santos backheeled smartly to Pereira and his centre found Jaume Costa unmarked, but from eight yards he somehow side-footed wide.
Bale soon departed, withdrawn by Ancelotti, but that was the signal for Ronaldo to take over as he punished the hosts in the 64th minute.
He broke from his own half and laid the ball into the path of Benzema, whose initial shot was parried back to Ronaldo to fire a deflected effort that put Real ahead.
However, the lead lasted less than 10 minutes before Lopez parried Cani's shot into the path of Dos Santos, who drilled home the equaliser.
Villarreal pushed forward for a winner in the closing stages and Cani was denied a second when Lopez produced an outstanding save to stop his rasping drive.
At the other end, Ronaldo almost got the winner for Real in the 87th minute, but his fierce 20-yard effort was parried to safety by Sergio Asenjo.
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Villareal produced a top class performance... Any top team would struggle away from home against such a quality collective performance....
It's the type of performance that forces top teams to be at their best if they want to win the game with a margin... in any other case it's hoping the individual surplus grinds out a win
Nick Parker31 minutes ago
Lopez saved the day, what an awful defense line at Real Madrid, none of them is trusted enough to carry the weight of managing the defense and the nature of the center players who lean more towards attacking than defending did not help. RM needs to rework it's defense strategy or it will take a beating after the other. Glad Gareth Bale managed to score on his debut, it'll give him confidence to score more. VillaReal were the better team, they deserved to win.
Madrid still has the problems from last season. People try to blame ronaldo always, but he, alonso, and sometimes oezil were the only ones that performed consistently last season. Ronaldo can't dig them out of a hole offensively and be expected to defend the whole game as well, no player can do that. Lopez was great, the midfield and defense had more holes in it than swiss cheese. Mostly the midfield was awful, and it is the midfielders fault. They need khedira, or another defensive mid, you can't play modric, illiarmendi, and isco unless you are playing a team with no offense, none of those three can defend or know how to fill the holes the others leave, they are always trying to get the ball and make a pass down field.
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ariian4556 minutes ago
1. Now that Ozil is gone, Ronaldo needs to step up and offer more defensively or at least be more dangerous in attack. Every time he gets on the ball he starts to walk towards a defender, tries to get past them, and then falls. He expects everyone to be watching him when he's on the ball but it only gives the opposition time to get back and organize.
2. Modric's work rate is excellent, but Ancelotti made a tactical mistake by playing two central midfield playmakers with no defensive midfielder, especially since Villareal have Gio dos Santos in attacking midfield and he could easily be crushed by Casemiro or Khedira, had they started and been ordered to tackle him hard.
3. Nacho is sooooo not good for left-back. It's obvious. First problem: he's right-footed. Second problem: he can't support in attack. Third problem: he lacks the experience and speed to deal with deadly attacks. Sorry but Ancelotti is trying to make it seem as if he's a late bloomer, but really he's just as bad as Bartra.
4. Benzema needs to realize when he's not doing good. When you haven't been doing anything all game, it's time to change the way you play. That's what the best players do. He should at least swap positions with Bale and/or CR7 when he sees that he can't be effective.
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+8
Racist49 minutes ago
Very good comment and analysis
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Daniel Barton57 minutes ago
This is our first strong opponent so far in the league. With all due respect to the other teams we've faced, this was the first true test. And boy did we fail it miserably. We had seen glimpses of our failures from the previous games where we barely managed to win, but today we were exposed completely. Neither defense, midfield or attack is working. We dont have a strategy at all, the players are running around like headless chickens. Getting in each others way, sometimes leaving others to do the pressing, resulting in nobody doing it. Our defensive efforts are laughable, as evident by the fact that Cani could just jog straight through our midfield and fire a lethal shot which eventually led to their second goal.
With so many parts of our team failing it makes no sense to _only_ blame individual players. We have better players than Villareal, but what we dont have is better tactics. Or any tactics at all. Ancelotti has been promising offensive football for three months but we havent seen any of that. What we have seen however is a defensive meltdown.
Ofc, underperforming players is also key, but these are the players our coach wanted and selected to play..
Four games and counting, No plan still. Lets hope it changes soon.
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+5
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Really good read - about when Figo signed for Madrid!
'There it was, the severed head of a pig, sent sailing Luís Figo's way'
"By the second or third corner I turned to Luís Figo and said: 'Forget it, mate. You're on your own'." Míchel Salgado starts laughing. Real Madrid's former right-back won't forget that night at Camp Nou in a hurry and nor will anyone else: 24 November 2002 produced arguably the defining image of the Barcelona-Madrid rivalry. "I used to offer Luís the chance to take the short corner, drawing up close to him near the touchline, but not this time," Salgado explains. "Missiles were raining down from the stands: coins, a knife, a glass whisky bottle. Johnnie Walker, I think. Or J&B. Best to keep away. Short corners? No thanks.
"And then," Salgado says, "I saw it."
There it was, staring up from the Camp Nou turf: a cochinillo, the severed head of a suckling pig, secreted into the stadium and sent sailing Figo's way. "In the dressing room afterwards, we were laughing about it," Salgado remembers. "A pig's head! How the hell did someone bring a pig's head in? What was going through his mind? It was probably the weirdest thing I've ever seen, but then that's the clásico. I remember telling David Beckham: 'You've never seen anything like it'. And he hadn't. It's hostile and bitter, political, territorial. Much, much more than a football match." Especially when Figo was around.
After the game, the Barcelona director Gabriel Masfurrol accused the Madrid media of making the whole thing up with the help of a cunningly concealed cochinillo in the camera bag, while the presidential adviser José María Minguella argued: "We don't even eat cochinillo in Catalonia." Marca and AS reacted fast, publishing additional pictures and stories from behind the cameras. AS's photographer was "disgusted", Marca's found it "pretty funny" and a week later they interviewed the King of the Cochinillo, a chef from Segovia who described it as "an insult … to the pig."
That was Figo's third season at Madrid since leaving Barcelona and there was no sign of the hatred or the hurt subsiding. When he had turned up at Camp Nou the first time, the noise was deafening. Banners were hung round the stadium. Traitor. Judas. Scum. Mercenary. Figo came out and reached for his ears, twisting them inwards. It was loud. Thousands of fake 10,000 peseta notes had been printed, emblazoned with his image.
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/9/26/1380193808680/Barcelona-fans-make-their-008.jpg)
"I must be one of the very few sportsmen to have had to perform with 120,000 people against me – and focused on me, not the team," Figo says, when I meet him for FourFourTwo. There's a kind of wistfulness as he says so, a sadness too. Every time he got the ball, the noise rose, insults and missiles flying.
Oranges, sandwiches in tin foil, bottles, cigarette lighters, even a couple of mobile phones. Figo was awful, Barcelona victorious, the match finishing 2-0. "The atmosphere," admitted Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, "got to us all." "That night when Figo first went back was incredible," says Iván Campo, "I've never heard anything like it. Luís didn't deserve that. He'd given his all for Barcelona. It was built up before: 'a traitor's coming', the media said. No, Luís Figo is coming, one of the greats for you. That night hurt him, you could see. His head was bowed and he was thinking: 'bloody hell, I was here last season …' But my lasting emotion was admiration: you've got balls."
In that first season, Figo hadn't taken the corners at Camp Nou and in the second he didn't play because of an injury some thought a little too convenient but his absence didn't prevent more missiles, including a cockerel's head. In the third, they were waiting for him. Every time he came within range, beer cans, lighters and bottles flew, golf balls too. "I was worried that some madman might lose his head," Figo says. Some madman did. And so did a pig.
Midway through the second half Madrid won a corner. Amid a shower of flying objects, it took Figo two minutes to take it – and then he nearly scored, the goalkeeper Roberto Bonano tipping away an inswinger. Another corner, over on the other side. As Figo strolled across he slowed to pick up the missiles and as he prepared to take the corner he swept the turf of debris, at one point reaching for a bottle of cola, giving an ironic thumbs-up and smiling. Every time he began his run-up, something else landed and the ritual was repeated over and over – stop, pick it up, start again – until the referee Luis Medina Cantalejo suspended the game.
It was held up for 16 minutes and, in the midst of it all, someone spotted the pig's head. "I didn't see it. If I had I would have eaten a bit: an aperitivo!" Figo jokes. "It never even enters your head that someone could go into the stadium with a cochinillo. Or a whisky bottle. That's not sport; I understand rivalry and that goes beyond it. I've played Juve-Inter, Inter-Milan, and the world doesn't come to an end."
"Figo provoked the fans," moaned the Barcelona coach, Louis van Gaal. "He walked over to the corner slowly, picked up the bottle slowly, went back to the corner slowly … and all this consciously and deliberately, without the referee doing anything." And Barcelona's president, Joan Gaspart, added: "I'm not trying to justify events but Figo's provocation was out of place and totally unnecessary. I won't accept people coming to my house to provoke."
Provoke? By taking corners? Gaspart's emotional reaction showed how hurt he'd been and how hurt he still is: few suffered as he did. The Portuguese's departure was Gaspart's destruction and a decade on he still insists: "Figo walked all the way round the back of the goal. When does a player ever do that? And they weren't trying to hit him. If they had tried, they would have."
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/9/26/1380193713559/Luis-Figo-picks-up-a-bott-008.jpg)
Figo became the new focus of the Barça–Madrid rivalry, its physical incarnation, a cartoon baddie in Barcelona's world. His move to Madrid was huge because Figo was huge. The winner of the Ballon d'Or in November 2000, his transfer to Madrid and performances since arriving may well have earned him some extra votes but he'd basically won the award for what he did for Barcelona; it was there that he became the best in the world.
Barcelona had lost a brilliant player but it was not only that Figo had been the best, it was that he had been so reliable, so committed. A famous photo shows him in full Barça kit, posing inside the emblematic Palau de la Música; he'd been introduced to the city by Pep Guardiola, and he had celebrated his last success by dying his hair blue and claret and chanting: "White cry babies, salute the champions!" Fans sang: "Don't stop, Figo, Figo, keep going, keep going!" and he did exactly that. As one player puts it: "Our plan was simple: give the ball to Luís. He never, ever hid."
While he was at Barcelona, a biography of Figo was published by the Catalan newspaper Sport. It was called Born to Triumph and Guardiola wrote the prologue, which reads almost like a love letter. Guardiola opens by placing himself on a flight to Prague in the Champions League. Figo is suspended, "staying behind in your adopted city, the one you love so much", and in his absence Guardiola pens an ode. "We know you're always there [for the team]," he writes before comparing Figo to Diego Maradona.
The biography was published in April 2000. Within three months, Figo had joined Madrid. One former Barcelona player dismisses the complaints of supporters who, he says, can never see football the way players do, insisting "of course Figo went: for that kind of money any player would go." But Michael Laudrup, who made the same journey six years earlier, is quick to differentiate the two cases and one of Figo's team-mates at Camp Nou is equally adamant that this was different: "The lie," he says, "hurts more than the fact."
Ask Figo and the uneasiness is still there, even now. The hint at something beyond his control. Why did you leave Barcelona and join Real Madrid? He sits on a sofa in a hotel in north-eastern Madrid and thinks. "I felt that the directors didn't give me the recognition I felt I deserved," he says. "I told them that, I was clear about it, and they took no notice. They thought I was bluffing. And then things started taking the direction they took. It was uncomfortable because there were doubts and difficult moments. Maybe it wasn't very, very, very clear because it didn't depend only on me."
Did you want to go to Madrid really?
Figo doesn't say yes; what he does say is: "It started with a calentón and it ended up being real." A calentón is a moment's hot-headedness, a spark of anger.
"But in the end it was the right decision," he continues. "I go back to Barcelona and there's no problem. I have nothing against Barcelona and barcelonismo."
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/9/26/1380194622296/Luis-Figo-008.jpg)
Real Madrid were immersed in presidential elections, called by the incumbent, Lorenzo Sanz. His challenger, Florentino Pérez, was one of the richest and most powerful men in Spain. But few gave him a chance of winning the presidency: Sanz had, after all, delivered two European Cups in three years after a 32-year wait.
Pérez, though, had an ace up his sleeve. The news broke on 6 July while Sanz was at the wedding of his daughter, Malula, to Míchel Salgado.
Pérez had struck a deal that would take Figo to Madrid if he won the election. In Spain, every player has a cláusula de rescisión – an official price at which his club is obliged to sell. The money is deposited with the league and the "selling" club can do nothing to prevent a departure. The cláusulas are set prohibitively high – Leo Messi's currently stands at €250m while Cristiano Ronaldo's is €1,000m – and are largely symbolic and never apply when a sale is agreed. But while Barcelona would never agree to sell Figo to Madrid, Pérez had spotted an opening: negotiations over his new contract with Barcelona had stalled and his buy-out clause, set when he had signed his previous deal, remained 10,000m pesetas, around £38m. That meant a new world record but it was just within reach.
Pérez offered Figo a guaranteed 400m pesetas (£1.6m) just to sign an agreement legally binding him to Madrid in the seemingly impossible event of his election victory. If Figo broke the deal, he would have to pay Pérez 5,000m pesetas in compensation. If Pérez lost, Figo kept the cash and stayed where he was. To Figo's agent, José Veiga, and to Paulo Futre, the former Atlético Madrid player who acted as an intermediary, it looked like money for nothing. It might also help twist Barcelona's arm when it came to the new contract. What's not clear is whether Figo explicitly authorised Veiga to deal with Pérez. Read his words again: it didn't depend only on me.
When Veiga confirmed the deal, the impact was nuclear. Figo denied everything, insisting: "I'll stay at Barcelona whether Pérez wins or loses." He accused the presidential candidate of "lying" and "fantasising".
He told Luís Enrique and Guardiola he was not going and, relieved, they conveyed the message to the Barcelona squad: relax, Luís is staying. Maybe he hoped he was: Futre has claimed that Figo was furious with him and the way Figo spoke in the media suggested a man trying to torpedo Pérez's chances, just in case. On 9 July, Sport ran an interview in which he said: "I want to send a message of calm to Barcelona's fans, for whom I always have and always will feel great affection. I want to assure [them] that Luís Figo will, with absolute certainty, be at Camp Nou on the 24th to start the new season." He added categorically: "I've not signed a pre-contract with a presidential candidate at Real Madrid."
Sanz was delighted, joking: "Maybe Florentino will announce that he's signed Claudia Schiffer next." But on 16 July Pérez, who had carefully been rounding up postal votes too, was named Madrid's new president with a 3,000-vote margin.
Barcelona were also going through elections, the former vice-president Joan Gaspart emerging as the winner a week later. His first task was to manage the crisis. He claims that Figo pleaded with him to block the move to Madrid: the winger did not want to leave but the clause was watertight. Veiga had been outmanoeuvred and was now cornered, pressuring Figo into leaving and even going so far as to turn on the tears. Gaspart says Figo told him his agent was "suicidal" with worry.
The only way Barcelona could rescue Figo from Madrid's clutches was to pay the penalty clause: 5,000m pesetas, just under £19m. That would have effectively meant paying the fifth highest transfer fee in history to sign their own player. Raising the money was one issue but there was another problem too, according to Gaspart: "To convince the socios that the Figo deal was real, Florentino had promised them they would go free for a year if he didn't sign. How? By financing that with the 5,000m pesetas [penalty] we would have to pay on Figo's behalf. I couldn't do it. I'm the new president of Barcelona and I pay for Real Madrid's fans to watch them every week? I would die … die!" There was no way out. After final conversations between Gaspart and Figo had resolved nothing, Barcelona's new president called the media and told them: "Today, Figo gave me the impression that he wanted to do two things: get richer and stay at Barça."
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/9/26/1380193625191/Florentino-Perez-left-and-008.jpg)
Only one of them happened. The following day, 24 July, Figo was presented in Madrid, handed his new shirt by Alfredo Di Stéfano. His cláusula was set at 30,000m pesetas. "I hope to be as happy here as I was at Barcelona," he said, barely smiling. "Figo was born to play for Madrid," Pérez later insisted. Gaspart vowed: "I won't forget this. Whoever's responsible will pay."
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/26/luis-figo-barcelona-madrid-sid-lowe
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Clasico playing.
The 2013 version of the Tiki-Taka is hanging on.
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2-1 Barca final (sorry Toppa)
Golaso from Alexis Sanchez
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I hear Madrid police put an APB for Bale. Miss passes & shots ;D
If that is worth 100mil I good for 1 mil I would make two good pass
Why Isco get dropped not even a cobeau sweat, when the Real game was begging for a playmaker
Benzema come on and look like the playmaker they were missing, threading the needle passes, big shot off a turn & set up a goal.
Anyway I go take my licks, cause I know Barca getting a sound cut ass in we yard.
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I hear Madrid police put an APB for Bale. Miss passes & shots ;D
If that is worth 100mil I good for 1 mil I would make two good pass
Why Isco get dropped not even a cobeau sweat, when the Real game was begging for a playmaker
Benzema come on and look like the playmaker they were missing, threading the needle passes, big shot off a turn & set up a goal.
Anyway I go take my licks, cause I know Barca getting a sound cut ass in we yard.
I eh think Bale worth $100 mil but he is not fully fit so it will take time for him to get going. as a barca fan i will gladly take the 3 points because that game could have ended 3-2 in favour of Real.
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Real madrid has done it before with Beckham but this time it is a bit more difficult to fit a player into a team when he has no definite role within the structure. In the case of Beckham room was made to accomodate him because they had Roberto carlos who played the entire left side so Becks could have a roving role.
In this case hoever Bale, who is a similar player to CR, has no such luxury and does seem superflous in this squad. That is not to say that he is not a world class player but he just does not have a role with this team.
Now if CR got injured I am sure he would be looked at as the obvious replacement to run at teams and score goals but the fact of the matter is you only need one seat per bicycle ...two do not give any more comfort !
Politics again with RM who have not learned that ego should take a back seat sometimes and that beating Barcelona cannot be your be all and end all in football.
I dont know how many folks remember when RM fired their coach del Bosque who had just won them the league ...saying that they wanted a " big name coach " to add to their roster. The real reason some say was because they lost to Barcelona in the match up in the league.... and the Chairman could not deal with that. Folks with lots of money can make wrong decisions you know ...and Real honchos seem to rack up some great ones ...
.....poor treatment of fernando hiero which hurt the team ...sacking Makele rather than giving him a deserved raise ...they have not yet recovered although Xabi alonso is a very good player... now paying a world record fee for more of the same ..just to ensure that Barca dont get him..... well we will see how long Bale lasts in this dance because i eh so sure he know how to salsa !
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Racing-Real Sociedad match suspended
Racing Santander players boycotted their Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Real Sociedad to protest unpaid wages.
January 30, 2014
By ESPN staff
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1699020/racing-real-sociedad-match-suspended-racing-protest?cc=5901
Racing Santander players boycotted their Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Real Sociedad to protest unpaid wages.
The Racing Santander-Real Sociedad Copa del Rey second-leg match was suspended on Thursday after Racing players formed a semicircle on the pitch after kick-off and refused to play in protest over alleged non-payment of salaries.
Because of Racing’s forfeiture, Real Sociedad will play Barcelona on Wednesday in Copa del Rey semifinals, after advancing 3-1 in the first leg.
The third-tier club's players released a joint statement on Monday announcing they would boycott the quarterfinal second-leg unless president Angel Lavin and his board stepped down.
That did not happen prior to kick-off. The home players turned up and completed their warm-up on Thursday. But when the first whistle blew and Sociedad kicked off, the Racing players moved in and stood arm in arm around the centre circle, with substitutes and coaching staff lining up in solidarity on the touchline.
Sociedad passed the ball between themselves in their own half for a while before kicking it out for a throw-in, at which point the referee signalled that the match was suspended.
Racing's board of directors are scheduled to meet on Friday.
In the statement last Monday, Racing captain Mario Fernandez said the players had not been paid for a number of months despite promises they would be.
With still no response to that ultimatum throughout the week, Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) chief Luis Rubiales met with the Racing players and coaching staff in Santander on Thursday, and afterward he confirmed there had been no change in the team's stance.
Rubiales told a news conference: "If at 2100 (CET) the Racing board is the same as now, they will not play.
"The squad decided something last Monday which they made public, and they continue thinking exactly the same, that if the current board has not resigned by the time of the game they are not going to play. They have the complete backing of the AFE, as always."
Rubiales reminded the Racing players at the meeting that "there are rules and their decision not to play could have consequences, but they are strong and united and we have to be together with them."
As recently as 2008, Racing finished sixth in the first division standings but in the last two seasons they have suffered back-to-back relegations to drop to the third tier.
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Simeone pulled it off yesterday versus Athletic Club. Good viewing. Courtois made some remarkable saves. Gabi had a good game. Diego Costa too. Want to see a lil more of Miranda, the Brazilian in MF.
Also saw a portion of Barca v Levante. Lopsided exhibition. Enjoyed Alex Song's rendition.
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Atletico Madrid are alone at the top. I glad for them. I hope they win the title.
Real Madrid lucky to tie with Bilbao. Lopez had to be sharp in goal.
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I hope it's a title year. Some indications are positive. However, now JM says he wants Courtois ... This is a perennial circumstance at Atl Madrid.
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I hope it's a title year. Some indications are positive. However, now JM says he wants Courtois ... This is a perennial circumstance at Atl Madrid.
He will suck salt because we not giving up Courtois
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I hope it's a title year. Some indications are positive. However, now JM says he wants Courtois ... This is a perennial circumstance at Atl Madrid.
He will suck salt because we not giving up Courtois
How he will suck salt? Courtois is a Chelsea player on loan to Atlético Madrid.
In July 2011 Courtois joined English club Chelsea, signing a five-year deal. In September 2012 Chelsea exercised a contract clause and activated a three year extension to his contract. Courtois is under contract until 2019.
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I hope it's a title year. Some indications are positive. However, now JM says he wants Courtois ... This is a perennial circumstance at Atl Madrid.
He will suck salt because we not giving up Courtois
How he will suck salt? Courtois is a Chelsea player on loan to Atlético Madrid.
In July 2011 Courtois joined English club Chelsea, signing a five-year deal. In September 2012 Chelsea exercised a contract clause and activated a three year extension to his contract. Courtois is under contract until 2019.
Chelsea have it made.
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Bitters ah miss read lol. I tawt was Atletico talkin about wantin Courtois. They already trying to angle to have him included in any transfer of Costa. Back to yuh regularly scheduled program.
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Just now getting to view what went dong in de Madrid "derby" ... missed penalty call to have had a sniff at an equalizer. One of the officials should have flagged Arbeloa.
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Just now getting to view what went dong in de Madrid "derby" ... missed penalty call to have had a sniff at an equalizer. One of the officials should have flagged Arbeloa.
Dat wouldna change de outcome, but that away goal may have been important. Real was up fuh da game doh!
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Yesssssssssssssssssss! What an equalizer, after difficult conditions. Vamos Atl Madrid.
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Atl not winning enough second balls ...
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If yuh not viewing dis game yuh loss ... que golazo asssooooooo! Atl Madrid 2 RM 1.
@ de half.
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... AM is playing a tick too deliberately. Couple times well, faster play or faster thought would have given RM more wuk.
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Fantastic game... I still sweaty
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2-2 @ 90 + 3'.
Great match. Had everything: tension, aggression, spectacular goals, bad calls, good calls, ppl on the bench gehhin carded for chatting to de ref, ppl on the bench wanting to fight ppl on de field, influential subs (Marcelo, Isco, Carbajal), Courtois!, plenty ting.
Meh 2 old Spurs players (Modric and Bale) handling life at RM well. Happy fuh dem.
Has anyone ever seen Di Maria use his right? Murder. At one point, RM had a cadre of comfortable left-footers on the field that it gave them an attractive blend going fwd.
A lot of teams have eyes on Diego Costa, and justly so ... but today I see that he's lacking acceleration. Ah giving him a pass on ruthlessness, that could be cultivated.
CR7 was not Madrid's best player today.
The players have confidence in Simeone.
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Good to see 3 teams compete at the top in La Liga, would be good for the league if AM takes it all
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You just rather AM get it so RM doh get it.
Doh worry I feel de same way bout barca ;D
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:rotfl: nah man, as a competitor would be good, I'll settle for the Copa Del Rey title and a competitive performance in the CL. But yes, nuttin for RM and Crynaldo :devil:
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When Simeone took two over days before Christmas in 2011, Atlético were 10th in La Liga and had just been knocked out of the cup by Albacete from the regionalised third tier. His new employers were in crisis. Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, the club's CEO, majority shareholder and son of the infamous Jesús Gil, had employed 16 coaches since 1996 and averaged 14 new players a season. From the board to the bench, from the fans to the squad, there was division and confrontation. They were, as the captain put it, "mentally sunk".
By the end of the season, Atlético were fifth, narrowly missing out on a Champions League place. They had lost only five of 22 league games under Simeone and won the Europa League Then in 2012-13 they won the European Super Cup against Chelsea, then qualified for the Champions League and won the Copa del Rey. Then this season they returned to the top of La Liga for the first time in 16 years. They are unbeaten in the Champions League and defeated Milan at San Siro. On Sunday, they have 60 points from 25 games and face their city rivals Real at the Vicente Calderón knowing that victory would take them to the summit again.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/01/diego-simeone-atletico-madrid-real-madrid-derby-la-liga
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Good to see 3 teams compete at the top in La Liga, would be good for the league if AM takes it all
Losing to Osasuna, along with the 2 points dropped today, have proven costly. AM should be ahead at this point, especially when yuh consider that the other loss was to Almería. Mid-table and bottom of the table teams need to be dispatched.
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... speaking of which, did anyone ketch Barca v. Sociedad? No wonder Herrera went to talk to Vela.
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Di Maria just buss about 3 lungs over about 70 meters? ... only fuh Isco to throw 'way ...
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Di Maria just buss about 3 lungs over about 70 meters? ... only fuh Isco to throw 'way ...
That run deserved much better. Di Maria have an engine there boy.
Isco was great at the start of the season I doh know what happen to him now.
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Di Maria just buss about 3 lungs over about 70 meters? ... only fuh Isco to throw 'way ...
That run deserved much better. Di Maria have an engine there boy.
Isco was great at the start of the season I doh know what happen to him now.
The crowd applauded his efforts when he was subbed. The miss was a woeful lack of concentration, but he's still having a relatively decent run ... but fuh sure Di Maria deserved better.
Ah find de clip (http://www.youtube.com/v/cDooG-SF6y8)
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http://www.youtube.com/v/E3fGa08ePtg
Yesterday Pepe dropped a piece of nastiness on Duda and Duda wanted blood ... He was angry at the officiating. If you look closely, you'll see that Pepe initiates contact with Duda twice (one the thigh, then the other around the knee).
Duda has played down the incident (both are national team teammates) ... Duda's wife even went as far as to tweet pics of Pepe with their kids and to say that both ah dem cool (https://twitter.com/aranchaduda/status/444963967707152384/photo/1) ... media frenzy thing, but bad tackle.
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Barcelona back to their ruthless ways. 7-0 over Osasuna.
Iniesta score a bullet from outside the box when last allyuh see Barca score from outside.
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Tello as well, my one pet peeve about them, shots on target from outside can lead to so much +ves, anyway. Next week should be interesting, w/no real CBs would need some luck to beat los putos blancos
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Barcelona back to their ruthless ways. 7-0 over Osasuna.
Iniesta score a bullet from outside the box when last allyuh see Barca score from outside.
From open play that is, they does score a free kick every now and then.
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Iniesta, boom!
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2-2 at present! 2nd half has commenced.
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2-2 at present! 2nd half has commenced.
Speaking of presents, Ronaldo won himself a penalty that should not have been one on two objective criteria.
3-2 Real
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Neymar in his mind, "Ronaldo, anything you can do I can do better"
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Real difficult to watch Barca now.
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Game ended 4 - 3 to Barca after Real had a man sent off.
I lost a big bet on this game but congrats to Barca.
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Real difficult to watch Barca now.
Iniesta/Xavi past their best, showed today, with some luck still managed to eek out a win at the Bernabeu which not easy. I being harsh on Iniesta a bit, but apart from the bullet and the piercing move between Di Maria/Xabi was far from his best. Age perhaps and the # of games these men play. Barca need some CBs bad, was painful watching Macherano, his missed defensive header that allowed Benzema his second reminded me of myself in a scrimmage match with FF cussin afterwards. Can Song be any worse?
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I don't think that should've been a red card on Ramos though....agreed with the call and pk should be awarded but changed the game for a fan like me who was strictly watching for entertainment purposes with no dog in the fight
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I don't think that should've been a red card on Ramos though....agreed with the call and pk should be awarded but changed the game for a fan like me who was strictly watching for entertainment purposes with no dog in the fight
Referee hands tied though. The rules don't give them leeway to make discretionary calls when is last man/ attacker on goal situation. That shit up fuh Ramos and Real because to me they looked to have the edge and would have likely suffered no worse than a draw with all 11 on the pitch. Despite the 2 goals Benzema louse up 2 tremendous opportunities earlier.
Fuh peeps who watched on Bein Sports who is the commentator? That man have lyrics jedd, I ketch myself rell laughing at some of the stuff he say, he rell imaginative with his delivery.
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Fuh peeps who watched on Bein Sports who is the commentator? That man have lyrics jedd, I ketch myself rell laughing at some of the stuff he say, he rell imaginative with his delivery.
Maybe Ray Hudson. Scots I think. Played in the NASL with Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Guy has lyrics like dirt.
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Fuh peeps who watched on Bein Sports who is the commentator? That man have lyrics jedd, I ketch myself rell laughing at some of the stuff he say, he rell imaginative with his delivery.
Maybe Ray Hudson. Scots I think. Played in the NASL with Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Guy has lyrics like dirt.
Yes dat man was some kicks for real, in the beginning he said the game was more electrifying than a hair dryer in a bath tub lol
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This may not be the exact quote that he said at a previous game when Barca was playing some other team. Messi went pass two men with such ease. He said is " like a jazz player blowing a sweet trumpet ..... Miles Davis where are u ". I just laughed
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Yotube Ray Hudson Greatest Soccer Commentator Ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS6Np-g_h5w
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Yotube Ray Hudson Greatest Soccer Commentator Ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS6Np-g_h5w
Yup that's him, one of the more colorful commentators in sports
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Real difficult to watch Barca now.
Iniesta/Xavi past their best,
Iniesta past his who?
Wha football you watchin breds? Or it have a nex Iniesta playin somewhere?
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Real difficult to watch Barca now.
Iniesta/Xavi past their best,
Iniesta past his who?
Wha football you watchin breds? Or it have a nex Iniesta playin somewhere?
:rotfl: that's what happens when you hold a player to an ultra high standard, yes he scored, yes he created the winning goal in the end, but too many giveways in midfield that I have never seen him do, but alas, maybe it was just a step down on Sun
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Oh shnit Sevilla just took the lead vs Real.
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Oh shnit Sevilla just took the lead vs Real.
Pepe got capped and looked rather foolish in the process... A Madridista partner of mine is beside himself on FB...
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Oh shnit Sevilla just took the lead vs Real.
Pepe got capped and looked rather foolish in the process... A Madridista partner of mine is beside himself on FB...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1jwm1n_sevilla-real-madrid-2-1-gol-bacca-63_sport
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Ah hoping to leapfrog Barca ... Atl Madrid and Bilbao tied 1-1 now.
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Top ah de league ... leapfrog ...
at least fuh tonight :D Wait ah forget Madrid cyah ketch up tonight ... wouldn't have been the case, but for ah top, Top, TOP save by Courtois. 2-1 FT.
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Top ah de league ... leapfrog ... at least fuh tonight :D Wait ah forget Madrid cyah ketch up tonight ... wouldn't have been the case, but for ah top, Top, TOP save by Courtois. 2-1 FT.
enjoy it for de moment, short lived :devil:
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Top ah de league ... leapfrog ... at least fuh tonight :D Wait ah forget Madrid cyah ketch up tonight ... wouldn't have been the case, but for ah top, Top, TOP save by Courtois. 2-1 FT.
http://www.youtube.com/v/x-72HDND4zM
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Should really be in ah bloopers thread ...
http://www.youtube.com/v/tAHWU6a_zVw
They continue to let down DiMaria ... the other day it was Isco, this weekend it was Bale ... but at least Isco got a shot off :devil:
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It would be appreciated if Sociedad could respond to RM. Come on Vela!
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Ah well ... an alert Bale kills that idea.
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Alvaro Morata ... finally a player does justice to a quality pass from DiMaria. :P
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Barca is down to Granada ... at the moment!!! 85'
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Like Barca giving the title to AM.
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Top ah de league ... leapfrog ... at least fuh tonight :D Wait ah forget Madrid cyah ketch up tonight ... wouldn't have been the case, but for ah top, Top, TOP save by Courtois. 2-1 FT.
enjoy it for de moment, short lived :devil:
The life continues ... :)
The fat lady's song has been sung. Atletico go into tomorrow's game with Getafe with Barca not having gained a point today ... Real likely will draw level overnight because they're facing a team in the relegation zone ... However, the same applies to AM tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier in the thread ... they have to dispatch struggling teams to make this work. Barca's loss today provides breathing room.
Tata Martino will hold the blame in the media but I keep seeing elite players squandering significant chances ... and, does anyone find Barca seem to be wukkin harder than usual (drop in efficiency)? ... some analysts suggest that Martino lacks a system ... or, put in other words ... that his system lacks order.
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Yeah, sense asylum, cyar fight down Atletico though, Simeone and his troops deserve it :beermug:
As for us, need two CBs and some life in midfield, moreso the former
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Real doing the business vs Almeria. 3-0 with 27 mins to go.
Di Maria playing like a beast today.
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Atletico is leading Getafe in the 44'!
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Alexis just pull ah Rivaldo ... Struck in the chest by Villa and grabs his face. Things ah lil heated! Fortunately, it's half time.
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Missed opportunity to go 2-0 ... had a feeling that penalty would have some drama. 11 v 10 doh ... Getafe lost a man on the foul. However, the home crowd has been stirred :(. Roughly 20' to go.
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I eh sure Chelsea want a temperamental player like Diego Costa ... he just flatten ah man for a cheap yellow via ah elbow to the ribs and a double-handed francomeh push. Then again, dahis Mourinho-esque attributes.
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Nothing notable about AM's approach other than the idea is to see this game out by killing the clock ... and now 2-0 thx to Diego Costa at some personal sacrifice (doh watch de highlights if yuh squeamish!) I await the severity of his injury.
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Oh shit I see a slow mo replay he smashed his knee into the post. Hopefully it's just bruised, but that kinda ting real hurts.
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http://www.youtube.com/v/DuxNwLSY-SU
Simeone: "One more cut does not do anything to this tiger."
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/13/article-2603822-1D15D7E600000578-740_634x387.jpg)
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/13/article-2603822-1D15BBC800000578-495_634x432.jpg)
Just before the missed penalty.
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The League, at the cutting edge of technology in football.
...
The photographers reacted immediately when Germán Burgos put his Google Glass in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez of Getafe. The image of our assistant coach immediately spread in the media and the social networks. The LFP have developed the first native Google Glass application that allows a club's technical staff to obtain all the statistics that they may needed during a game, was tried live for the first time.
The ground-breaking initiative had been announced by the League last Saturday through a press release, "The product allows the analysis of games in real time and the extraction of data from each game; clubs will have all the information about their own game, and of the sides they will face throughout the season. It will be the first time that Google Glass integrates such a useful footballing service".
Germán Burgos could access, without taking his eyes off the game, statistics updated every 30 seconds and grouped in four fields. With a simple flick of his finger, our assistant coach could “browse”' between "General statistics", "Game Building", "Defence" and "Shots".
Furthermore, the glasses had the statistics from the previous game saved on them, so they were available to consult without the need of an Internet connection. For a live trial like this Sunday’s, the glasses were connected to the Internet to be able to receive the data.
http://en.clubatleticodemadrid.com/noticias/german-burgos-received-the-fixtures-statistics-live-on-his-google-glass
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Ugly injury. They have to close that up.
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Toppa don't have any trophy pics?
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Barca players want to rest for the WC.
Barca's Neymar and Alba out for month with injuries
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/barcelona-neymar-alba-out-for-month-with-injuries-copa-del-rey-041714?cmpid=tsmfb:fscom:foxsoccer
FOX Soccer Plus
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Barcelona will be without Neymar and Jordi Alba for the final month of the season after both were injured during the Copa del Rey final loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Both players will likely miss all five rounds remaining in the Spanish league, further hurting Barcelona's chances of defending its title.
Barcelona says Neymar picked up a ''contusion'' on his left foot during the cup final, which ended with Neymar's shot hitting the post in the 90th minute.
Alba was substituted at halftime because of a muscle tear in his right leg.
Defender Marc Bartra will be a day-to-day decision as he recovers from a muscle pull.
Barcelona hosts fourth-place Athletic Bilbao on Sunday without suspended midfielder Sergio Busquets.
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Toppa don't have any trophy pics?
Got something even better. Bale's goal!
https://www.youtube.com/v/0qS-OFRYP0Q
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1.0-9/10177376_10150564150744953_2639595202786934020_n.jpg)
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Toppa don't have any trophy pics?
Got something even better. Bale's goal!
Bale get ah speeding ticket.
(https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1506601_10152140667622946_6052875796346488152_n.jpg)
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haha Motion violation....failure to yield!
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And for crossing the line. That defender had to feel real old after Bale went so far around him and still beat him.
Classicos are not for the weak.
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Look at Ronaldo's boss goals today.
https://www.youtube.com/v/oWoqIzzzJR8&feature=youtu.be
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Madrid is doing what it has to do to stay close to Atleti. Not surprised. Right now ATL is leading Valencia 1- nil @ the half ... promising.
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Madrid is doing what it has to do to stay close to Atleti. Not surprised. Right now ATL is leading Valencia 1- nil @ the half ... promising.
Yuh know, you've been sounding dangerously anti-Madrid in this thread. >:(
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RE: The Champions League encounter
Chelsea has exhibited high concentration levels and sound defensive order, but one still thinks that opposing teams have not been committed to taking the game to them on the ground in the final third. Having observed Atletico Madrid and Liverpool this week versus Mourinho's defensive posture, I am of the view Atletico will struggle to penetrate unless a different approach is adopted.
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Madrid is doing what it has to do to stay close to Atleti. Not surprised. Right now ATL is leading Valencia 1- nil @ the half ... promising.
Yuh know, you've been sounding dangerously anti-Madrid in this thread. >:(
I'm also dangerously anti-Barca. :devil:
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Madrid is doing what it has to do to stay close to Atleti. Not surprised. Right now ATL is leading Valencia 1- nil @ the half ... promising.
Yuh know, you've been sounding dangerously anti-Madrid in this thread. >:(
I'm also dangerously anti-Barca. :devil:
If somehow Barca manage to come back and claim this (which I agree is virtually impossible), them 2 Villareal own goals will be the turning pt why. On another note, ugly behavior by Villareal fans throwin a banana at Dani, but hey, how about that reaction, picks it up, eats it and proceeds to take the corner kick...
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Atleti still atop the table, but Peong yuh get yuh wish ... that final engagement versus Barca will be decisive.
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Atleti still atop the table, but Peong yuh get yuh wish ... that final engagement versus Barca will be decisive.
Maybe, no guarantee of that yet, but seems to be heading that way. This weekend was interesting, can't say I would have predicted it, that said still think AM have it...Barca is at it's lowest since Frank's last season, that should help plus RM have celta and espanyol to contend with... ;D
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All set up for the big Finale.
Atletico at Barcelona for the league title. Next Sunday!
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Game is today.
0-0 with a couple Atletico casualties.
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The casualties being Costa and Turan .. Both off due to injury.
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What a ting .. 2 Argentine managers in a game of consequence for the title.
Gol de Alexis Sanchez 1-0 Barca. 34'
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Corner after corner for Atletico attempting to force the issue ... have come close with several chances.
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Dumbass Busquets collects a yellow during halftime.
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Game is today.
0-0 with a couple Atletico casualties.
Feel it Fuh dem fellas, live whole life/career for these kinda games. Costa clearly wasn't ready to come back, hope he fit for de CL
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Game is today.
0-0 with a couple Atletico casualties.
Feel it Fuh dem fellas, live whole life/career for these kinda games. Costa clearly wasn't ready to come back, hope he fit for de CL
Imagine within the first 20 minutes both had to be subbed. SMH. With respect to Costa ... he has aggravated his hamstring :(.
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Goooooooooooooooool ... 1-1
Cabezasoasoaso (great header) Godin 49'.
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Nothing for Messi!!!
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A sub being subbed ... Adrian off; Sosa on. Adrian also injured. Atletico's rehab ppl have wuk to do.
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180 seconds left ...
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Nothing better than winning this at Barca. :P
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Deserving champs: conceded 26 goals in 38 games. Scored 77. Record 28-6-4. Sure Real and Barca hit the 100 goal mark, but in the end that was not decisive.
Barca was the only other team to concede less than a goal a game (33 in 38).
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Happy for Atleti - but Real taking the CL trophy.
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So do we run out and play like AM now? Does Simeone get the opportunity to coach T&T? Where does the AM bandwagon line start?
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So do we run out and play like AM now? Does Simeone get the opportunity to coach T&T? Where does the AM bandwagon line start?
1. We as in T&T? ... Or, as a model for teams generally?
2. Sometime near retirement :devil: ... his ppl will be in Buenos Aires for the friendly to discuss prospects for the 2034 WC campaign. At that time a memorandum of understanding will be signed following the game. There will be provisos regarding the federation's good standing within FIFA. As a former player, he plans also to express solidarity with the 2006 Thirteen and insist that they be paid by then.
3. Ah glad yuh mention de wagon word ... I'm happy to take advantage of it to establish meh longtime bona fides regarding this club :) ...
..
In Spain, at the beginning of the 90s, specific legislation providing for 'sporting SAs' or SADs came into being. Although clubs like Barca and Madrid have resisted the SAD (them switching is always the subject of speculation and rumour), one of my clubs of sentiment in Spain - Atletico Madrid - has adopted the SAD form. Money and control is big demarcator in this debate.
...
:wavetowel: :wavetowel: :wavetowel: Campeón! Campeón! Campeón!
(sorry Toppa) :devil:
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::)
lol
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Levante vs Real Sociedad. Chenna, Levante center back scored a golazo Zidane would be proud of. Golazo, aso, aso!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VrbgYaVrsU
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http://en.valenciacf.com/videos/ver_video/8204
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Shaqell Moore has dressed for two matches this season. He will dress today vs Getafe.
Remember....he was rejected by the T&T national youth program.
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Actually, TT did him a favor.
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About to take in Valencia at home to Sevilla live in the stadium. :beermug:
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Lucky "bastard"😩
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Lucky "bastard"😩
Bredda ah cyah complain. Saw 3 of the 4 goals. The 4th one scored in the dregs as I was outside, but as the fans were cheering it was clear a goal had scored so I caught the replay at "El Bar de La Aficion" across the street.
Disappointed with the scoreline. Going in, I anticipated more parity of the match but once Valencia opened the scoring that was that.
Ah tell yuh what ... Kondogbia was ah joy to watch when he had the ball. Today wasn't the day to see his defensive qualities per se. Players like that shed a whole different light on the game and would be a quick wake up call for local players.
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Shaqell Moore has dressed for two matches this season. He will dress today vs Getafe.
Remember....he was rejected by the T&T national youth program.
If he keeps it up by next season he should be a regular on the 1st....I'm rooting for him.
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La Liga set to play first game in United States or Canada in new marketing deal.
By Jeff Carlisle - U.S. soccer correspondent
A regular-season La Liga game is set to be played in the United States or Canada for the first time after the league reached an agreement with Relevent, a multinational media, sports and entertainment company, on a 15-year joint venture for promotion in North America.
Although the date and location are yet to be determined, it would be the first time the league has decided to play a game outside of Europe.
"This extraordinary joint venture is the next giant leap in growing soccer's popularity in North America," Relevent chairman and owner Stephen Ross said. "This unique relationship will create new opportunities for millions of North American soccer fans to experience the most passionate, exciting, and highest level of soccer in the world."
Ross also owns the Miami Dolphins and is a part owner of their home, Hard Rock Stadium, which would make them the frontrunner to host the event.
"It's not hard to figure out where we would want it to be based on our ownership with Stephen Ross," Relevent CEO Danny Sillman said via telephone. "That part isn't too difficult to figure out. [The match will be held] much sooner than the public is expecting."
The venture, called LaLiga North America, will represent the league in the U.S. and Canada in all business and development activities. The organization will support the league's growth through the establishment of youth academies, development of youth soccer coaches, marketing agreements, consumer activations, and exhibition matches.
LaLiga North America will be led by Boris Gartner, formerly the head of strategy at Televisa. He also has executive experience with Univision.
"We're devoted to growing the passion for soccer around the world," La Liga president Javier Tebas said. "This ground-breaking agreement is certain to give a major impulse to the popularity of the beautiful game in the U.S. and Canada. Relevent has filled stadiums across the U.S. with the International Champions Cup, [and] we're thrilled to partner with them on a joint mission to grow soccer in North America."
LaLiga North America will also handle the sale of media rights on the continent once the deal with beIN SPORTS expires at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.
Sillman said that while there will be efforts on multiple fronts to increase revenue and build awareness, the media rights will be the biggest revenue driver. He said La Liga is already the second-largest soccer league in terms of media rights, behind the Premier League.
"The [North America] media rights now sell for about $120 million to beIN, and if you look at the upticks of the other leagues -- the EPL doubled, the Champions League doubled -- even if we grew 15 to 20 percent a year, you're talking [a total of] $2 billion just in media value," Sillman said.
Sillman said Tebas has been working on the next media rights deal for the last six to 12 months, so the intention is to sustain that effort.
"Obviously, they want to maximize their distribution, so we'll be moving very quickly with Tebas, getting in the marketplace, and understanding what the broadcast and streaming partners are looking for," Sillman said. "La Liga works with Facebook in India and a bunch of the digital players as well. We'll start to figure out the best way to carve up the rights from the digital and live broadcast in Spanish, English, and French for the U.S. and Canada and start to move fairly fast on putting a strategy together."
Sillman said that the process of joining forces with La Liga began 18 months ago with an extensive proposal process. Relevent was chosen in February in part because it had experience working with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid through the International Champions Cup, a summer tournament that the clubs use for preseason.
The particulars of the joint venture were finalized in the last few days.
"Tebas saw what we did with El Clasico [in Miami] as a part of our ICC tournament last summer," Sillman said. "Our ability to tell the story of the history behind the clubs, the league, and the matchups really [helped] build a great spectacle for American fans.
"The [regular-season] match will be a big piece of the joint venture as well. With the precedent set for American sports to be exported all over the world -- MLS going to Japan, the NBA in Europe, the NFL in Mexico and Europe -- there still hasn't been anything with European football in the States, so it's going to be really exciting from that standpoint to import the games to American fans and give them a chance to see it up close for those who may not get the chance to see it in Spain."
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So Lopetegui ketch at Real Madrid at the expense of doing battle with Spain in Moscow and finds himself out the door at Real before November. Was it worth it?
I like Hierro and understood Rubiales' decision to name him as Lopetegui's replacement, but Lopetegui's stock would have risen had he stayed with Spain and taken the long view. Now what?
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So Lopetegui ketch at Real Madrid at the expense of doing battle with Spain in Moscow and finds himself out the door at Real before November. Was it worth it?
I like Hierro and understood Rubiales' decision to name him as Lopetegui's replacement, but Lopetegui's stock would have risen had he stayed with Spain and taken the long view. Now what?
I guess back to coaching youth teams. If the situation was handled better he could've actually coached Spain in the WC and kept the Madrid job, unfortunately both turned out to be a disaster and his status as a coach took a major hit, so in hind sight I don't think it was worth it.
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It was always an odd move to me. I get that is RM and it hard to resist but, given the departure of CR and no suitable replacement anyone with sense would have expected some drop off. RM aside, you spend all this time molding the NT and abandon it at the doorstep of the WC? I want to believe that how the NT played was a reflection of him (Lopetegui) and if that is the case one way or the other his rep as coach was not going to improve based on performance.
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That the Madrid clásico would begin with a moment of silence for Kobe and the other passengers who lost their lives: special! Football honoring basketball.
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Welcome Luka Romero.
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Welcome Luka Romero.
Is that the Mexican kid?
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Mexican born Argentine
PS: I am a big fan of Betis' own Mexican, Lainez. Predicting he'll be a big player in the future
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Mexican born Argentine
PS: I am a big fan of Betis' own Mexican, Lainez. Predicting he'll be a big player in the future
I googled him. Too bad Mexico.
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If you appreciated the football delivered by Deportivo La Coruña particularly in the recent past of the 90s and 00s, and if you appreciate the difficulty of the task Bielsa made appear matter of fact with Leeds, then you'll suffer a bit to see La Coruña having dropped out of professional football. The team provided a platform for some exquisite players and a second home for others that had established themselves at other teams. Players like Bebeto and Rivaldo will definitely feel ah how.
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If you appreciated the football delivered by Deportivo La Coruña particularly in the recent past of the 90s and 00s, and if you appreciate the difficulty of the task Bielsa made appear matter of fact with Leeds, then you'll suffer a bit to see La Coruña having dropped out of professional football. The team provided a platform for some exquisite players and a second home for others that had established themselves at other teams. Players like Bebeto and Rivaldo will definitely feel ah how.
Didn't know much of their history but knew them as a club in La Liga, sorry to see them throw in the white flag. I have a feeling more smaller clubs will fold if next season continues without fans in the stands.
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If you appreciated the football delivered by Deportivo La Coruña particularly in the recent past of the 90s and 00s, and if you appreciate the difficulty of the task Bielsa made appear matter of fact with Leeds, then you'll suffer a bit to see La Coruña having dropped out of professional football. The team provided a platform for some exquisite players and a second home for others that had established themselves at other teams. Players like Bebeto and Rivaldo will definitely feel ah how.
Didn't know much of their history but knew them as a club in La Liga, sorry to see them throw in the white flag. I have a feeling more smaller clubs will fold if next season continues without fans in the stands.
It may not be a done deal. Why? The policy is that final matchday encounters all occur at the same time to assure fairness in competitive outcome. Depor's contention is that the final matchday should have been suspended (delayed) to comport with the principle of attaining or maintaining fairness in competitive outcome. Either all teams face kick-off at the same time or none kick-off.
Inside information suggests that La Liga was going to suspend the entire matchday but then opted not to do so. Back channels indicate that players at some teams were against playing ... even at teams that did not have a fear of relegation.
Just to be clear for everyone, the reference here is to the Segunda División of La Liga.
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Here's a clip that's probably among the most authoritative English language summations of La Coruña's seesaw experience:
https://www.youtube.com/v/ObeR8meCaTc
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La Coruna was a damn good team. Their only problem, like most of the other teams in the 1st div., is how to hold off Madrid and Barsa. That is a tall order for all the other clubs. Barsa has their hands on the Catalan treasury, Real has their on the Madrid-Spanish govt purse strings. The oths can't win. From 2000 till the present, only one club has won La Liga other that Barsa and Madrid. Valencia, 2001–02, 2003–04. That is a tough league. And is even tougher when you don't have the purse strings like those 2.
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La Coruna was a damn good team. Their only problem, like most of the other teams in the 1st div., is how to hold off Madrid and Barsa. That is a tall order for all the other clubs. Barsa has their hands on the Catalan treasury, Real has their on the Madrid-Spanish govt purse strings. The oths can't win. From 2000 till the present, only one club has won La Liga other that Barsa and Madrid. Valencia, 2001–02, 2003–04. That is a tough league. And is even tougher when you don't have the purse strings like those 2.
And Atlético Madrid.
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La Coruna was a damn good team. Their only problem, like most of the other teams in the 1st div., is how to hold off Madrid and Barsa. That is a tall order for all the other clubs. Barsa has their hands on the Catalan treasury, Real has their on the Madrid-Spanish govt purse strings. The oths can't win. From 2000 till the present, only one club has won La Liga other that Barsa and Madrid. Valencia, 2001–02, 2003–04. That is a tough league. And is even tougher when you don't have the purse strings like those 2.
And Atlético Madrid.
Thanks for the correct.
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Another team that could not break the Madrid - Barsa stronghold was Villiareal(the Yellow Submarine). From 2002 to 2010, they qualified for CL. They played some great football, but always fell apart when it most counted.
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Yow, Diego Costa in association with Luis Suárez is a revelation. In particular, Costa's selflessness has been eye-opening. Atleti and Celta today was entertaining. Although more invested in an AM victory, ah have to say that Iago Aspas is a GEM of baller to watch. Graceful.
Simeone started Torreira and I dont think Torreira had a training session with the team due to international duty. Torreira's effectiveness is going to be a pivotal element to watch this term.
I haven't viewed City vs Arsenal yet but I'm betting there were more forward passes from Arsenal emerging from that area of the pitch than there were from Atleti. Simeone was satisfied with him today doh. Watch Simeone harness disgruntled players into slayers that avenge the disrespect or lack of love they didn't get at the club they departed. We will know more about Atleti come the Champions League encounter. Meanwhile, despite the flurry of goals in Southampton - Chelsea match, I still think viewing Atleti and Celta was the better call.
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Barcelona hit hard as La Liga slashes salary caps
AFP
Barcelona's salary cap for this season has been cut by almost 300 million euros according to La Liga's list of spending limits for Spanish clubs, announced on Tuesday.
The coronavirus pandemic has had huge economic effects on Spain's top-flight teams, with Barca among those worst affected.
Their wage cap for the 2020-21 season will be 382.7 million euros, down from 671.4 million euros last term, when they had the highest limit in La Liga.
Real Madrid will have the biggest budget this season although theirs has also been reduced from 641 million euros to 468.5 million euros.
Atletico Madrid have seen a decrease of 131.8 million euros to 252.7 million euros, which leaves Atletico with nearly half as much to spend as their city rivals Real.
La Liga's 20 first division clubs will be able to spend a total of 2.33 billion euros on wages this season, which represents a drop of 610 million euros.
Salary allocations in Spain can be spent on players, coaches and academy players, with the aim to bring greater financial stability to the 42 teams in the top two divisions.
Barcelona is already negotiating another round of cuts for their players while Real Madrid may also begin negotiating a reduction in salaries, according to reports in Spain.
Both clubs have been heavily impacted by the pandemic, given their heavy reliance on matchday revenue, as well as income generated from museums and club shops.
Barcelona allowed Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic to leave during the summer transfer window and were open to selling Ousmane Dembele. Real Madrid chose not to make a single new signing for the first time in 40 years.
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About 4 hours away from R9 and Zidane finding no joy today. :wavetowel: That would mean Madrid suffers almost as much as Valladolid.
Things are rarely that straightforward doh.
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About 4 hours away from R9 and Zidane finding no joy today. :wavetowel: That would mean Madrid suffers almost as much as Valladolid.
Things are rarely that straightforward doh.
To that point, both Real and Atleti are losing, 5 minutes into the second half!
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About 4 hours away from R9 and Zidane finding no joy today. :wavetowel: That would mean Madrid suffers almost as much as Valladolid.
Things are rarely that straightforward doh.
To that point, both Real and Atleti are losing, 5 minutes into the second half!
Atleti scores. Real's goal in the other match is invalidated. And what a goal for Atleti ... looked to be a toe poke.
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About 4 hours away from R9 and Zidane finding no joy today. :wavetowel: That would mean Madrid suffers almost as much as Valladolid.
Things are rarely that straightforward doh.
To that point, both Real and Atleti are losing, 5 minutes into the second half!
Atleti scores. Real's goal in the other match is invalidated. And what a goal for Atleti ... looked to be a toe poke.
Fairy tale stuff. Barcelona is paying part of Suarez's wages and he scores a R9 style goal to make it 2-1. :wavetowel: Madrid is still losing to Villareal. Villareal didn't want to play today. They wanted to minimize the impact on the Europa League final.
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Atlético Madrid vs Valladolid is a testament to a relegation and title chase match. 50% possession each.
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Modric made it 2-1, but there will be no title for RM. Stunning thing for Valladolid is that they drew 16 matches. More than any other team. That has to burn!
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Atletico won the game and the title the hard way. They were 10 pts clear a couple months ago, then had a string of bad results in all competitions, serious dip in form. Tripper was missed but he also getting slow. Next season I hope they sort out their mental lapses and win 2 in a row. Simeone is a boss
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Can't get this kind of excitement in a super league. Congrats to Atletico Madrid, well deserved in an enjoyable LaLiga season.
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Atletico won the game and the title the hard way. They were 10 pts clear a couple months ago, then had a string of bad results in all competitions, serious dip in form. Tripper was missed but he also getting slow. Next season I hope they sort out their mental lapses and win 2 in a row. Simeone is a boss
Good point. Compare that to Manchester City who at one point were behind rather than ahead.
I'm really exercised by Valladolid going down with that many draws. In the Premier League, during the 38 match era, no team has been relegated with that many draws. Ah well, Espanyol and Mallorca are on their way back up. That in itself is interesting because both were demoted in 2019-20. The other demoted team was Leganes and they could return also. We know how some teams return to the Championship and struggle to rebound immediately. All three coming up from La Liga 2 would be sort of special.
Valladolid had several players in absolute tears today. Doubt we will be seeing that from Sheffield. Maybe Fulham.
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Building on the past above: today is the playoff for the final ticket for next season. Rayo Vallecano vs Leganés. Rallying for Leganés because they suffered when Barca marched off with Braithwaite. Not the most fashionable match on a packed match calendar, but one I will be following. If you haven't seen Zidane's son in goal, it's a good opportunity to get a peep. It's a Madrid derby so either way another Madrid area team will be in the top flight.
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Building on the past above: today is the playoff for the final ticket for next season. Rayo Vallecano vs Leganés. Rallying for Leganés because they suffered when Barca marched off with Braithwaite. Not the most fashionable match on a packed match calendar, but one I will be following. If you haven't seen Zidane's son in goal, it's a good opportunity to get a peep. It's a Madrid derby so either way another Madrid area team will be in the top flight.
Link. (https://www.vivoplay.sigue.la/p/spo-6.html?m=1)
0-0 at halfway through the 1st half.
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Luca normally doesn't get a sweat but with the starting GK on international duty he helped Rayo to a first leg 3-0 victory at home (https://youtu.be/b0lAn7jyzjc). First time Rayo had fans in the stadium since more than a year ago. Leganés finsihed 3rd in the regular season standings and Rayo 6th and it is Rayo who have one foot in La Liga for 2021-22. Things do not favor Leganes.
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Look how easily La Liga lost its player of reference. But, boss move by Messi to deliver a Sunday press conference at noon. Nevertheless: torturous to view him dealing with that punch to the gut. If Maradona was alive he would be raining big stone on Barcelona.
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Look how easily La Liga lost its player of reference. But, boss move by Messi to deliver a Sunday press conference at noon. Nevertheless: torturous to view him dealing with that punch to the gut. If Maradona was alive he would be raining big stone on Barcelona.
Ent! That former Barca president apparently was a spendthrift. La Liga's most prized and box office possession got kicked out the door, watch how their ratings will fall.
What's funny is ESPN flexed their muscles over Bein Sports and made a huge bid to broadcast La Liga, this even caused Ray Hudson to resign. Now if PSG gets Messi Bein Sports gets the last laugh...I wonder if Ray will go back?
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Oh! how the mighty has "fallen".
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Barcelona still have too much salary on their books. Depay and other new signings not registered as yet.
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Suárez siddung and watched most of today's opener, then entered and prompted a flaring of tempers. Resulted in two expulsions for Celta.
Both Spurs and Atleti off to good starts. :thumbsup:
Interesting tidbit: Angel Correa opened Atl Madrid's scoring. Dahis de 3rd time for him in recent seasons (since 2017). Other couple seasons were opened by Diego Costa.
Doh know if anyone wants to take up this bet ... I'm betting Costa will find his way back to La Liga ... whether LL1/2.
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Barcelona still have too much salary on their books. Depay and other new signings not registered as yet.
Yesterday they released a statement claiming it was resolved, BUT that statement was refuted by La Liga. Just tuned on and seeing Memphis on de field.
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Ten teams still searching for a win. TEN!
Best prospects for getting off the mark: one of the participants in the Getafe vs Elche and Granada vs Betis match-ups.
Real should dismiss Celta and Cadiz should suffer against Sociedad. Of course, nutten for Espanyol because Atletico Madrid needs to stay in reach of Bilbao.
Most interesting fixture: Osasuna vs Valencia ... although something about Cadiz vs Sociedad suggests it could be less than boring.
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Atletico Madrid has to be included in any reckoning of the best teams at overcoming or nullifying a deficit. Playing Espanyol today is another example. Also maybe among the best teams at playing the final 15-20 minutes + stoppage.
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Osasuna vs Valencia has turned into Man Utd vs Newcastle ... with the exception that it isn't the home team winning. 4-1 after a long period of parity in the scoreline. Might even get worse with five minutes plus stoppage remaining. Yet, Osasuna had been driving HARD at VLC and then things took a turn.
If yuh not just focused on brand name ballers, then take a peek at Guedes.
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Atletico Madrid has to be included in any reckoning of the best teams at overcoming or nullifying a deficit.
Not today! First loss of the season.
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Today is a meat and potatoes football day.
Classic match-up in a matter of less than four hours: Valencia vs Atletico Madrid despite Valencia struggling a bit. A lil later is a derby that might be off the radar of several but is tooth and nails no less: Betis vs Sevilla. This one is the 135th.
Outside Spain, there are several other compelling matches across European football. Milan vs Inter. Arsenal vs Watford. Leeds vs Leicester. Everton vs Tottenham. Feyenoord vs AZ.
In the "New World", it's Catolica vs U de Chile. Long live football.
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Osasuna vs Valencia has turned into Man Utd vs Newcastle ... with the exception that it isn't the home team winning. 4-1 after a long period of parity in the scoreline. Might even get worse with five minutes plus stoppage remaining. Yet, Osasuna had been driving HARD at VLC and then things took a turn.
If yuh not just focused on brand name ballers, then take a peek at Guedes.
Not included by Santos for the current Portugal squad. Somewhat of a talking point in Portugal.
On the field for VLC right now vs Atlético Madrid. Pissed.
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Golaaaaaaaaazoooooo de Griezmann! One of the best of his career! Educated left foot at doctoral level. :notworthy: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
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Today is a meat and potatoes football day.
Classic match-up in a matter of less than four hours: Valencia vs Atletico Madrid despite Valencia struggling a bit. A lil later is a derby that might be off the radar of several but is tooth and nails no less: Betis vs Sevilla. This one is the 135th.
Outside Spain, there are several other compelling matches across European football. Milan vs Inter. Arsenal vs Watford. Leeds vs Leicester. Everton vs Tottenham. Feyenoord vs AZ.
In the "New World", it's Catolica vs U de Chile. Long live football.
I thought about it, but I couldn't bring myself to include West Ham vs Liverpool. Looks like they intend on sending the naysayers a message. Ah well.
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For all the accolades heaped on Simeone regarding AM's defensive solidity, these capitulations are a bit much. 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3. What a way to squander 2 points.
Although not sure from where the 7 minutes stoppage emerged.
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For all the accolades heaped on Simeone regarding AM's defensive solidity, these capitulations are a bit much. 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3. What a way to squander 2 points.
Although not sure from where the 7 minutes stoppage emerged.
That goal in the dregs is similar to what Barca conceded on Saturday 3-3 tie as well. Aspas is a goal scoring machine in La Liga, he's been consistently doing the heavy lifting for Celta Vigo.
The league's shaping up for some excitement throughout the season, no clear cut front runner yet.
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Real Sociedad is drafting a notable story. Perhaps they have something to offer that persists to the end of the season. I like some of their assembled cast. It has been a while since they left everyone in their wake.
Lil dose of the past: many moons ago I happened to become the owner of first RS jersey issued by the club of a player who they had just signed. Player went on to a relatively obscure journeyman career, but I got a few sweats in the jersey. Other than that, no sentimental attachment to the club.
I doubt they issued many jerseys with his name, but I wore mine with a smile.
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Save of the day candidate: Unai Simon backpedaling pushing a scorcher over the crossbar (for Athletic Bilbao vs Alaves). Top shelf!
EDIT: Now unsure as to whether he got a fingertip to it.
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Yesterday Lazio keeper had a lightning reaction to stop a Lautaro volley. I doh know how he even see it much less bat it away. Yes Serie A I know.
La Liga lost quite a bit of shine for me. Time for a trini to get signed there to make it more interesting
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6 goals, a red card each to Dani Alves and a Barça technical staffer, yellow to Xavi ... opening goal by Atletico Madrid, immediate response by Barça, decent showings by new acquisitions etc. would have made for fun viewing were I a neutral. However ah not in that camp ... so less tickled by the result although I hadda respect what Xavi is
proposing cobbling together.
At 4-2, with time on the clock, a change in momentum/match dynamic were the only items to suggest rescue of a point. That not having happened, Barcelona moves into the CL spot.
AM still in de running but although 4 of the top 5 have a match in hand (exception being Sevilla) ... Sevilla and Real Madrid should have enough separation to make the insecurities a concern for Betis, Sociedad, Barcelona and Atleti.
In the midst of all of AM's frustrations is the not widely known fact that Simeone is so so so so close to being the "winningest" foreign coach in La Liga. Under normal service that achievement would have been put to bed by now. Won't be long.
At the other end of the table, Cadiz squandered an opportunity to dig some dirt out of the hole in which they are buried. A win would have seen them leapfrog Mallorca, but Mallorca walked away from the head to head with 3 points and a 5 point cushion. Might have been a good idea not to have passed on Diego Costa.
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Yesterday Lazio keeper had a lightning reaction to stop a Lautaro volley. I doh know how he even see it much less bat it away. Yes Serie A I know.
La Liga lost quite a bit of shine for me. Time for a trini to get signed there to make it more interesting.
Each league is a specialty in itself with some subtle qualities. Doh let marketing and branding keep you away.
As for a Trini getting signed ... ah well! Wouldn't recommend holding yuh breath despite mobility through the ranks being less of a headache than in other places.
By the way, Tenerife (Shaq Moore's squad) is in 4th place in La Liga 2 ... so yuh could wave de flag there.
They just had a compelling amount of $$$ dangled at them for him but they declined. Although he isn't getting the minutes he did before, they still value him in the squad. Given what they have going on, that makes sense. Promotion bid over topping up the coffers.
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Dani had a goal, an assist and a red card.....he made an impression for sure. Maybe those transfers was the much needed spark that Barca needed to push for top 3. On the flip side, RM vs Granada was a good game as well. They were able to pull though without Benzema and Vinicius. The second half of the season should be entertaining.
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Dani had a goal, an assist and a red card.....he made an impression for sure. Maybe those transfers was the much needed spark that Barca needed to push for top 3. On the flip side, RM vs Granada was a good game as well. They were able to pull though without Benzema and Vinicius. The second half of the season should be entertaining.
Like yuh realize I danced by Real Madrid. :devil:
I thought the chance of the match fell to Granada's new acquisition from Ferencvaros, Uzuni. He slept on it. That would have put Granada 1-0. CR7 should call him and cuss him.
One way or the other, it likely wouldn't have changed the outcome because Granada is lacking in quality defensively - although they are among the teams who have most managed to wiggle draws out of adversity. Only Bilbao have more drawn matches. Yet, Valencia and Cadiz also have a bag of draws and have leaking issues.
One would have thought RM would have made lighter work of Granada.
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Yesterday Lazio keeper had a lightning reaction to stop a Lautaro volley. I doh know how he even see it much less bat it away. Yes Serie A I know.
La Liga lost quite a bit of shine for me. Time for a trini to get signed there to make it more interesting.
Each league is a specialty in itself with some subtle qualities. Doh let marketing and branding keep you away.
As for a Trini getting signed ... ah well! Wouldn't recommend holding yuh breath despite mobility through the ranks being less of a headache than in other places.
By the way, Tenerife (Shaq Moore's squad) is in 4th place in La Liga 2 ... so yuh could wave de flag there.
They just had a compelling amount of $$$ dangled at them for him but they declined. Although he isn't getting the minutes he did before, they still value him in the squad. Given what they have going on, that makes sense. Promotion bid over topping up the coffers.
Shaq Moore is a sensitive topic for some here, but I'll add this tidbit for context: there are only 6 US players playing in La Liga 1 or 2 (Dest, Hoppe, Miazga, Musah/Moore and Jonathan Gomez). Dest and Musah are US imports in every sense. The remaining four are US born and at least partially formed/influenced. Miazga, Moore and Gomez have a profile in common in having had JNT experience with a nation other than the US in addition to the US. If we get ticklish about it, we can say the US landed "only" four players in Spain's top ranks.
Miazga is on loan. The others are full-fledged. Even discounting for age, Moore has been on the scene longer and really merits respect for the grind he has put in.
This cohort of 6 players is about as large as it has ever been. Conversely, there are 10 Spanish players in MLS (the 3rd largest national contingent by number). For what it's worth, the majority of the cohort (US players in Spain) are defenders.
Mexico has 6 in LL1. Subject to correction, I do not think there are any Canadians in LL1 or LL 2. By contrast, 5 of the 6 Mexicans are attacking players.
Maybe food for reflection. Maybe not.
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RM couldn't have showed up tonight of all nights? Steups. 4-0 and 35 minutes still left to play. Vexing.
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Wow!!! A 4-0 whipping by Barsa! The going for Mbappe!
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Deeks, last week ah was watching Almeria vs
Cadiz Elche and ah say ah feel Deeks would like dis baller based on what he has posted over the years ... tuned in today viewing Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid, who I see in Sociedad's colors: de same baller, Umar Sadiq! acquired by Sociedad as replacement for Newcastle's new acquisition (Isak). Yuh might remember him from his U20 days.
Ah sorry to see him leave Almeria and equally sorry to see Isak depart Sociedad. Dahis where the similarities end. I think they will have diverging fortunes.
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Deeks, last week ah was watching Almeria vs Cadiz Elche and ah say ah feel Deeks would like dis baller based on what he has posted over the years ... tuned in today viewing Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid, who I see in Sociedad's colors: de same baller, Umar Sadiq! acquired by Sociedad as replacement for Newcastle's new acquisition (Isak). Yuh might remember him from his U20 days.
Ah sorry to see him leave Almeria and equally sorry to see Isak depart Sociedad. Dahis where the similarities end. I think they will have diverging fortunes.
To my surprise he started in the CL match against Manchester United. He was withdrawn after an underwhelming first half.
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Not to bring up old news, but only because Musah has impressed me from jump.
I was in disbelief about his age, knowing how that age thing goes with some African countries/players.
But when I saw that he was born in a NYC hospital, I felt better.
In my crazy head, I see him as a combo of Yaya Toure/Patrick Vieira, and wish my United had gotten a hold of him.
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Not to bring up old news, but only because Musah has impressed me from jump.
I was in disbelief about his age, knowing how that age thing goes with some African countries/players.
But when I saw that he was born in a NYC hospital, I felt better.
In my crazy head, I see him as a combo of Yaya Toure/Patrick Vieira, and wish my United had gotten a hold of him.
Did you see the scorcher he "scored" 2 weeks ago? Unfortunately it was called back for a teammate's infraction in the construction of the attack. Felt bad for him because that golazo merited official recognition of the work he has put in.
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Not to bring up old news, but only because Musah has impressed me from jump.
I was in disbelief about his age, knowing how that age thing goes with some African countries/players.
But when I saw that he was born in a NYC hospital, I felt better.
In my crazy head, I see him as a combo of Yaya Toure/Patrick Vieira, and wish my United had gotten a hold of him.
Did you see the scorcher he "scored" 2 weeks ago? Unfortunately it was called back for a teammate's infraction in the construction of the attack. Felt bad for him because that golazo merited official recognition of the work he has put in.
Hahahaha, yes I saw the "scored" goal. But seriously he has me watching Valencia games now, look forward to see where he ends up.
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That loss today is adding to the emerging rumblings calling for Xavi's head. Quite the day. Right now Betis is on the heels of the lead pack. They just took the lead against Almeria. Pellegrini is silently being consistent.
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Oh! How the mighty has fallen. Humble pie now
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Bellingham has announced his arrival in Spain with a compelling first half in Match 1. No small feat to make introductions starting with the cauldron that is San Mames.
NB: two fundamental players for England will not be featuring in the Premier League. Works for me.
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Yes, he did look very good yesterday.
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I liked his celebration too. He basically said "I've arrived".
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Memphis Depay goal for Atletico at de weekend, check it out.