Porto is a very well run club, but their fanbase doesn't extend too far beyond northern Portugal. Both Benfica and Sporting have larger fanbases. They generate lower revenues than SLB, but their net profit is higher due to lower operating expenses. Although their debt is on the rise.I didn't know that Benfica was richer than Porto, especially to that extent.
I agree about the Turkish clubs being surprisingly strong. It was pretty interesting, for instance, to see Galatasaray agree to take on Van Persie's wages this summer (although maybe Manchester United is secretly paying part of that). The numbers compiled each year by Deloitte suggest that its less about broadcasting revenue, however, than about strong matchday and commercial revenue. Galatasaray makes more on matchday than any club in Italy and they are not far behind clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool, which is all pretty incredible when you consider the differences in affluence between Turkey and Western Europe. Turks are mad for football.Porto is a very well run club, but their fanbase doesn't extend too far beyond northern Portugal. Both Benfica and Sporting have larger fanbases. They generate lower revenues than SLB, but their net profit is higher due to lower operating expenses. Although their debt is on the rise.
Benfica has been aggressive in trying to raise revenues during the last 10 years (A campaign to increase membership and then created the television network). From the mid-90s until roughly the new stadium opening up, they were primarily focused on cleaning the financial mess they dug themselves in.
Outside the 4 largest leagues, the clubs whose revenues numbers that surprise me are Turkish. The money they make from domestic television for the Champions League matches dwarfs that of the Portuguese.
Speaking of Porto, what are your thoughts on Ruben Neves? Could he be a regular starter in the Premier League at this age for a top club?Porto is a very well run club, but their fanbase doesn't extend too far beyond northern Portugal. Both Benfica and Sporting have larger fanbases. They generate lower revenues than SLB, but their net profit is higher due to lower operating expenses. Although their debt is on the rise.
Thanks VT.At this age, no. But that's not a problem. Pinto Da Costa is a shrewd negotiator and will not let him go early. He's going to stay at Porto for a while. He's not a foreign signing that they're looking to flip. He came up through their system and has been named captain a few times.
The guy to watch is William Carvalho. He's likely to leave next summer. He's 23 and is big. Sporting increased his wage two years ago, but he's at a point where he's ready to play in another league. The offers his agent will get will be tough to turn down.
Think positively, is Alexis and Wilshire going to be back?Arsenal-Barcelona. Oh well...concentrate on the league. Again.
According to many Arsenal fans, Barca got an easy draw too...PSG-Chelsea
Easiest draws: Zenit, Wolfsburg, Atleti, City.
I don't know much about Zenit, but I was impressed with Benfica against Atletico. They have some talented players and are a physical team.Benfica-Zenit
Easiest draws: Zenit, Wolfsburg, Atleti, City.
You have a case here, Benfica aren´t easy to beat, have lots of international experience and should cause some trouble, especially when you consider that the Portuguese Premier League plays through without a winter break and the Russian Premjer League has a break until 1st of march (CL round of 16 starts in february), so the Russians should feel some rust.I don't know much about Zenit, but I was impressed with Benfica against Atletico. They have some talented players and are a physical team.
There is a break, but to your point it is minimal (Roughly a week). It's been clear that the Russian teams are off after the long break but there's nothing they can do about it. When Zenit hosted Benfica in 2012 the field was frozen.You have a case here, Benfica aren´t easy to beat, have lots of international experience and should cause some trouble, especially when you consider that the Portuguese Premier League plays through without a winter break and the Russian Premjer League has a break until 1st of march (CL round of 16 starts in february), so the Russians should feel some rust.
Juve-Bayern and Chelsea-PSG should be awesome. With Real in shambles right now, I think Roma has a shot against them.PSG-Chelsea
Benfica-Zenit
Gent-Wolfsburg
Roma-Real
Arsenal-Barca
Juve-Bayern
PSV-Atletico
Dynamo Kiev-City
Easiest draws: Zenit, Wolfsburg, Atleti, City.
I don't mind jumping because many kicks are attempts to get just over the wall and very few actually try to go under the wall. But you have to jump straight and keep your eye on the ball. Turning your body facilitates that kind of slight deflection.I don't understand the tactics of jumping during a free kick. It seems to be something that a lot of players don't do well.