Top scorer with 24 goals
Top assists with 11 assists
LUIS SUAREZ. Player of the year
Top assists with 11 assists
LUIS SUAREZ. Player of the year
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2013/2014 Soccer/Football Thread
- Thread starter reyscarface
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Pelligrini match ban made my day. Oh man, who would've thought it would be fucking City to complain about the refs and get punished for it.
Also, who else is screwed for the next fpl gameweek. I got 6 players. :( Thinking of just screwing it can getting players for the massive double game week coming up.
Also, who else is screwed for the next fpl gameweek. I got 6 players. :( Thinking of just screwing it can getting players for the massive double game week coming up.
Was honestly fun while it lasted. Can't speak for anyone else but it was obvious to me the easy schedule early on would give us a cushion, and us being eager and fresh. The competitive fixtures along with fatigue and the GOD DAMMIT FUCKING SHIT DUO OF PODOLSKI AND GIROUDDDDDD, started affecting us.
I enjoyed the season and am still enjoying it. A lot of positives to take away from this year, truly.
And hey, it's not over. (It's fucking over.)
What really allowed our squad to struggle was the lack of speedy wing-play and using actual wingers. Truly miss that dynamic.
Also, side question, does anyone credit Mourinho for Chelsea's "success" in the league this year?
I enjoyed the season and am still enjoying it. A lot of positives to take away from this year, truly.
And hey, it's not over. (It's fucking over.)
What really allowed our squad to struggle was the lack of speedy wing-play and using actual wingers. Truly miss that dynamic.
Also, side question, does anyone credit Mourinho for Chelsea's "success" in the league this year?
Yes like you would credit PepG for improving Bayern this year or Klupp for creating this dortmund team or crediting Diego simeone for revitalizing an Atletico team with limiting funds and making them push for the top 2 for the title this year.
Whether you like it or not managers have a huge effect on how their teams play. Whether it be his tactics, Charisma, etc his team is going to play in his idea.
Do you think Dortmund would be the same team if it wasn't for Klupp or would Juve be gunning for a third successive scudetti if conte wasn't in charge?
Mourinho has made chelsea into a team not just relying on mata to make things happen. We are actually challenging for the title again and in that process showing that work ethic necessary to be one the best again.
...So yes mourinho does deserve credit.(Man city though are still the favourites with the two games in hand).
Mourinho is a smart character and he knows how to play the game. To me he's that cool kid who's rep is balanced on a knife-edge and any one mistake will see his credibility tumble but he always has something cool to say to keep it up. He almost lost it at Real so he got out as soon as his rep was beginning to take a dent. But one thing I really respect is his willingness to adapt his tactics, something that infuriates me with Wenger.
To me there seems to be two types of manager, there's the Wenger and Pellegrini type who insist on playing one way and 90% of the time the talent of their players shines through and it works great. Then there's the Mourinho and Ferguson type who don't play one way at all, and they simply love facing the Wengers of this world. I remember an FA Cup quarter or semi where Fergie lined up 8 defenders: Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael, Brown, O'Shea, Jones, Smalling, Evra, the lot of them with Park and I can't remember who was up front, either Rooney or Berbatov. It looked like a shit team and Wenger lined up predictably with RVP, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott and played like they always do, dominating possession and looking pretty. We got beat 2-0 or something by some bullshit Park bundled in set-piece and a counter, it was just embarrassing and I could imagine Fergie and his chewing gum laughing all the way back to Old Trafford. Fergie knew exactly how Arsenal would play so you just set up in a way to negate it completely and play the percentages with your counters and long balls cos you know Arsenal won't.
Another great example is when Mourinho played with an extra defensive-mid, Luiz + Matic, against City. I don't understand why more managers don't do this, if City are playing with 2 strikers then just put in another defensive mid so you have 2 vs 1 against both strikers at all times and you minimise the threat. This would backfire and you'll get dominated if they suddenly played with one striker and 3 in midfield but Mourinho knows Pellegrini won't do that and that's why he can pull it off. It's no coincidence Wenger has never won against Mourinho, because Wenger is so predictable and never changes his tactics so it's easy to setup against!
Rodgers is another manager who changes tactics week by week, going to Southampton he set up in a narrow counter attacking style and it worked. In previous weeks he had Sturridge up front and Suarez almost on the left wing but this week both of them were side by side. This meant they could pressurize Southampton's passing game from the front and have a constant outlet on the break but also having a diamond in midfield meant he still had 4 vs 3 in that area. If Southampton tried to go down the wing then either Allen or Henderson could cover for the 'missing' man. Basically he set up perfectly to counter the opposing team, in a way that his team doesn't usually play. I'm a massive fan of this kind of managing because it makes your team unpredictable.
I just wish Wenger would stop with his idealism, it would be unbelievable and satisfying if he achieved everything in a purist way but it's unlikely to happen. The last thing I'll say is there's one guy who did win everything playing one way with no plan B and he's trying to do it again: Guardiola. You literally need the best players in the world to be able to play one way and win over all counter strategies though, something Pellegrini and Wenger doesn't have.
To me there seems to be two types of manager, there's the Wenger and Pellegrini type who insist on playing one way and 90% of the time the talent of their players shines through and it works great. Then there's the Mourinho and Ferguson type who don't play one way at all, and they simply love facing the Wengers of this world. I remember an FA Cup quarter or semi where Fergie lined up 8 defenders: Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael, Brown, O'Shea, Jones, Smalling, Evra, the lot of them with Park and I can't remember who was up front, either Rooney or Berbatov. It looked like a shit team and Wenger lined up predictably with RVP, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott and played like they always do, dominating possession and looking pretty. We got beat 2-0 or something by some bullshit Park bundled in set-piece and a counter, it was just embarrassing and I could imagine Fergie and his chewing gum laughing all the way back to Old Trafford. Fergie knew exactly how Arsenal would play so you just set up in a way to negate it completely and play the percentages with your counters and long balls cos you know Arsenal won't.
Another great example is when Mourinho played with an extra defensive-mid, Luiz + Matic, against City. I don't understand why more managers don't do this, if City are playing with 2 strikers then just put in another defensive mid so you have 2 vs 1 against both strikers at all times and you minimise the threat. This would backfire and you'll get dominated if they suddenly played with one striker and 3 in midfield but Mourinho knows Pellegrini won't do that and that's why he can pull it off. It's no coincidence Wenger has never won against Mourinho, because Wenger is so predictable and never changes his tactics so it's easy to setup against!
Rodgers is another manager who changes tactics week by week, going to Southampton he set up in a narrow counter attacking style and it worked. In previous weeks he had Sturridge up front and Suarez almost on the left wing but this week both of them were side by side. This meant they could pressurize Southampton's passing game from the front and have a constant outlet on the break but also having a diamond in midfield meant he still had 4 vs 3 in that area. If Southampton tried to go down the wing then either Allen or Henderson could cover for the 'missing' man. Basically he set up perfectly to counter the opposing team, in a way that his team doesn't usually play. I'm a massive fan of this kind of managing because it makes your team unpredictable.
I just wish Wenger would stop with his idealism, it would be unbelievable and satisfying if he achieved everything in a purist way but it's unlikely to happen. The last thing I'll say is there's one guy who did win everything playing one way with no plan B and he's trying to do it again: Guardiola. You literally need the best players in the world to be able to play one way and win over all counter strategies though, something Pellegrini and Wenger doesn't have.
SPL in a nutshell.
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Madrid derby is probably going to end up as the game of the season.
It has everything. The atmosphere, passion from the players and three great goals.
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That was indeed the match of the season so far. It was asham that RealM 2nd goal was basically a mistake by Suarez. It was coming though, Atletico were tired after pressing like maniacs for the majority of the game.
Atletico should of gotten a penalty in the 1st half and pepe was lucky to still be on the field. Then costa had a couple of chances to increase the lead but uncharistically missed then.
Fair result but given the last 10 or so minutes but atletico will be kicking themselves for not finishing their chances.
The headlines will probably be about the play acting such as Costa getting booked for an accumulation of "dives" but that is what made this game so good. Plus the crowd was up for it which made it an even better spectacle to watch.
Man of the Match: Arda Turan.
Flop of the Match: probably between Bale and Lopez.
Now have to wait for the Juve v Milan game!!!!!!!!!!!
This Madrid derby is probably going to end up as the game of the season.
It has everything. The atmosphere, passion from the players and three great goals.
____________________________________________________________________________
That was indeed the match of the season so far. It was asham that RealM 2nd goal was basically a mistake by Suarez. It was coming though, Atletico were tired after pressing like maniacs for the majority of the game.
Atletico should of gotten a penalty in the 1st half and pepe was lucky to still be on the field. Then costa had a couple of chances to increase the lead but uncharistically missed then.
Fair result but given the last 10 or so minutes but atletico will be kicking themselves for not finishing their chances.
The headlines will probably be about the play acting such as Costa getting booked for an accumulation of "dives" but that is what made this game so good. Plus the crowd was up for it which made it an even better spectacle to watch.
Man of the Match: Arda Turan.
Flop of the Match: probably between Bale and Lopez.
Now have to wait for the Juve v Milan game!!!!!!!!!!!
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A draw is no good to either team, I really want Atletico to do it but I fear it will be the usual RM or Barca in the end and Costa leaves and this great effort will be forgotten about.
edit: I'm never betting on Napoli again, completely useless!
edit: I'm never betting on Napoli again, completely useless!
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Shame Milan couldn't capitalize on their dominance in the 1st half. Juve used the same tactics that they used against Roma, where they sat back and allowed Milan to have the majority of the ball. However without Vidal Juve couldn't spring those deadly counter attacks.
...and then Juve took their chances and milan essentially gave up.
There were positives for Milan but they need to invest in new players badly. Kaka, Robinho, de jong and other wouldn't start for Roma, Napoli or Juve.
...and then Juve took their chances and milan essentially gave up.
There were positives for Milan but they need to invest in new players badly. Kaka, Robinho, de jong and other wouldn't start for Roma, Napoli or Juve.
i'm struggling to see why this guy is being deemed as the best fit to replace victor valdes at barca.
in barca's system, the GK plays almost as a third CB when playing from the back. He has to be extremely comfortable on the ball and this guy has already made this error twice. valdes was never the best GK in the world but he was a great fit for barcelona's passing game. not sure about this guy
in barca's system, the GK plays almost as a third CB when playing from the back. He has to be extremely comfortable on the ball and this guy has already made this error twice. valdes was never the best GK in the world but he was a great fit for barcelona's passing game. not sure about this guy
I am going to go out on a limb and guess that you guys haven't watch Ter stegen regularly.
He is one of the best keepers in the Bundesliga and @ 21 has a lot of room for improvement. He is very good with the ball at his feet, a good distributor of the ball and a reliable sweeper.
The best keepers in the world made similar mistakes when they were older.
Also Barcelona have been scouting him for 2+ years now, so they would have looked every aspect of what he is good at and what he needs to improve on.
He is one of the best keepers in the Bundesliga and @ 21 has a lot of room for improvement. He is very good with the ball at his feet, a good distributor of the ball and a reliable sweeper.
The best keepers in the world made similar mistakes when they were older.
Also Barcelona have been scouting him for 2+ years now, so they would have looked every aspect of what he is good at and what he needs to improve on.
I admit I've never watched him play. I just saw gifs of his mistake in the USA friendly match and this one. I can't imagine Valdes making a mistake like this one. Maybe fumble a shot or a cross but I always saw him as someone who is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet.
but yeah, I'm sure the barcelona scouts know more about him than me lol
Mourinho has already confirmed that Courtios will be with the team next season. Both Chelsea and courtios are going to discuss the future after the world cup.
I don't really expect Lukaku to stay tbh. Got a feeling he will be sold. If Courtois gets no play time just because Cech is considered a legend I will legitimately be pissed off.
International Friendlies tomorrow.
Looking forward to a couple of Matches.
Germany vs Chile - A favourite ( Behind Brazil and Argentina imo) against a very good Chile team that I wouldn't be surprised if they get out of their group knocking out either Spain or Holland. Oh and Vidal>Toure for the last time.
Spain vs Italy - Two teams who are in the same boat in that two of their best ever players are at the twilight of their careers in Xavi and Pirlo with really talented youngsters who are going to take over in a couple of years in Thiago and Verratti.
switzerland vs Croatia - Two teams no one is going to talk about but are full of talent and world class players.
France vs Netherlands - Full of talented player and should go far in the cup later this year. It will be interesting to see the lines up of each team particularly the french back four and midfield.
Belgium vs Ivory Coast should also be interesting.
Looking forward to a couple of Matches.
Germany vs Chile - A favourite ( Behind Brazil and Argentina imo) against a very good Chile team that I wouldn't be surprised if they get out of their group knocking out either Spain or Holland. Oh and Vidal>Toure for the last time.
Spain vs Italy - Two teams who are in the same boat in that two of their best ever players are at the twilight of their careers in Xavi and Pirlo with really talented youngsters who are going to take over in a couple of years in Thiago and Verratti.
switzerland vs Croatia - Two teams no one is going to talk about but are full of talent and world class players.
France vs Netherlands - Full of talented player and should go far in the cup later this year. It will be interesting to see the lines up of each team particularly the french back four and midfield.
Belgium vs Ivory Coast should also be interesting.
mexico vs nigeria <:D
i still can't believe we're second in the table with 10 games remaining
we have so many midtable players but we somehow look like title contenders. i just get the feeling that we are going to find a way to win in every game. never felt that way before
we have so many midtable players but we somehow look like title contenders. i just get the feeling that we are going to find a way to win in every game. never felt that way before
Then you haven't watched Victor Valdes playing enough. For a long time he was mocked for making many stupid mistakes, it's just that the last 3-4 years Barcelona and him have played so well that nobody remembers anymore. But if you watch him carefully, he's terrible at defending free kicks and corners. Like, really bad, Barcelona's team this season has been criticized for being bad at defending free kicks/corners and in my opinion, the main reason to their problem is Victor Valdes.
Despite that, I do think he's good at ball handling, don't get me wrong. But just watch him defending any corner and you'll understand why I have such a bad opinion of him.
Jesus Chile pressing was insane.
They pressed germany when they tried to pass it out then even when germany managed to pass it out everyone of Chile's players were back defending.
Thank god Germany doesn't have to face them in the group or even in the next round. Gl Spain/Holland.
They pressed germany when they tried to pass it out then even when germany managed to pass it out everyone of Chile's players were back defending.
Thank god Germany doesn't have to face them in the group or even in the next round. Gl Spain/Holland.
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