The Football Thread.

TeleMaster

Champions of Europe, we know who we were.

menamestom

Rocker said:

Now that the PL is over for this season and noting the failure of any British clubs to reach, let alone win, any of the European cups on offer, it might be time to assess the standard of football in the PL.

Firstly, looking at the Scottish Premiership, other than the big two, any games I watched on TV were interesting and competitive.  But when the big two, who are much 'better' than the rest, play in Europe, they are shown to be of a much lower standard of football than the European opposition.  The only possible conclusion to be drawn is that Scottish football teams and the Scottish Premiership are of a lower standard than almost every major European league.

The failures of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa also suggests that PL football is of a lower standard than their equivalents in Europe.  PL matches are very competitive but teams seem more concerned about not losing a match than actually winning it.  One possible reason is that there is too much money in the PL, too much at stake so coaches set up teams to 'not lose' games.  I found the Liverpool -v- Atalanta games and the Aston Villa games to be particularly disappointing.  I expected that both English teams would progress without any serious concerns, yet teams that are nowhere near the top of their respective leagues made top English teams look clueless.

Maybe it is time for British clubs to (slightly) alter their focus and concentrate on going out to win football games.
 

So last year it was 2 out of three competitions won by PL teams.

Champions league winners 3 out of the last 5 years

Man City were only knocked out be a decent Madrid team, by a very fine margin.

Germany, Spain, France have less competition throughout the league, the delta between top and bottom teams in quality and finance is bigger than in the EPL.  Put another way, the competition is less for the bigger teams, meaning more easy games.

And in the case of Germany and France, they play less games and have bigger winter breaks.

If you only look at single games without context, your point almost stands. 

Shrews

Champions League predictions

The Germans to take Bellingham out and scupper our Euro chances with a metatarsal injury. That's my prediction for this match.

As for the actual result, Real to win 2-0 ... and Bellingham to lift the trophy on crutches. Goalscorers (Bellingham x2 on 36,44)

guitars4you

Going to favour the team in all white - no surprise there - Plus have always been a fan of Modric so add V Jnr and Rodrygo and I hope to see an electric performance 

marooned

Hopefully Sancho will deliver another great game like he did in the first semi, but I feel Real will be too strong with that front line they have and Kroos pulling the strings.

3-1 Madrid

swiller

3-1 madrid. 

BigBearKris

2-1 Dortmund. Wishful thinking but still, would be a great story.

Bellingham... meh! 

Nightswan

Heart says Dortmund but head says Madrid....they rarely lose these finals.

TeleMaster

Come on Dortmund! 

guitars4you

4-2 thriller after ET

Nightswan

Damn! Big chance for Dortmund.....got to hit that first time!!

TeleMaster

Nightswan said:

Damn! Big chance for Dortmund.....got to hit that first time!!

Three in quick succession!!! 

guitars4you

I think they Could do with a vol control on Ali - I really do

He should know better - He really should

I’ll tell you right now
 

It really is

Nightswan

TeleMaster said:

Nightswan said:

Damn! Big chance for Dortmund.....got to hit that first time!!

Three in quick succession!!! 

Yeah. They should be ahead. Make that 4 good chances.

DesVegas

Great final so far and great quote from Jose M. I said to my players "make sure it's their families crying after the final, not ours"

Cold

TeleMaster

Nightswan said:

TeleMaster said:

Nightswan said:

Damn! Big chance for Dortmund.....got to hit that first time!!

Three in quick succession!!! 

Yeah. They should be ahead. Make that 4 good chances.

That counter attack they've got is insanely effective.

Nightswan

TeleMaster said:

Nightswan said:

TeleMaster said:

Nightswan said:

Damn! Big chance for Dortmund.....got to hit that first time!!

Three in quick succession!!! 

Yeah. They should be ahead. Make that 4 good chances.

That counter attack they've got is insanely effective.

Very good. They are killing them on the counter....just need to make one of them count. Madrid are not on it here at all so far.

guitars4you

Not the easy game that many thought it would be for RM

Probably better for the game if BD score first 

Nightswan

Dortmund have been exceptional in that first half. I just hope they don't live to rue all those missed chances. They've kept Vinicius quiet which is key to beating this Madrid side. Madrid are really off colour but as we've seen before they never panic and always seem to find a way.

Nightswan

Ah Bollocks! Madrid score. Inevitable really.