They did sign him from Espanyol over the summer, for the shameful fee of £2.6 million. Otherwise, I fully agree how silly that list is.
Global Football Odds & Ends
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
This is very, very important, but my favorite way to play FIFA (well EA FC 24), is to create my own club, plop them in League 1 or League 2, and then use fb-ref.com to find teenagers playing in Big 5 leagues or the Championship, sign them to cheap deals, and then see if they blossom over the following years. I signed Koleosho at the start of the process, and he's been fantastic and has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the game.
Euro 2024 qualification is so convoluted that Ireland are better off losing their next match to the Netherlands, rather than winning.
View: https://twitter.com/dbabsur/status/1713118398048084175
Essentially group standings determine who qualifies directly, but Nations League results determine who makes the playoffs. Ireland is much better off losing and pushing the Netherlands into direct qualification, since they performed better in Nations League and Ireland has no hope of qualifying directly.
View: https://twitter.com/dbabsur/status/1713118398048084175
Essentially group standings determine who qualifies directly, but Nations League results determine who makes the playoffs. Ireland is much better off losing and pushing the Netherlands into direct qualification, since they performed better in Nations League and Ireland has no hope of qualifying directly.
Neymar left the Brazil - Uruguay match (2-0 Uruguay) after a non contact injury to his knee. Left the field on a stretcher, but of course it’s Neymar so who knows the extent of the injury.
https://apnews.com/article/neymar-brazil-knee-injury-e36c6c96cfc4ca1a450281cff9c158c0
https://apnews.com/article/neymar-brazil-knee-injury-e36c6c96cfc4ca1a450281cff9c158c0
Set for ACL surgery. He must be getting close to the end at this point. He’s had some brutal injuries.
Newcastle has a problem with their big summer signing Sandro Tonali
He’s been caught up in a big betting scandal and is expected to plead guilty - meaning he could face a lengthy suspension.
https://theathletic.com/4980633/2023/10/20/sandro-tonali-newcastle-howe-betting/?source=user_shared_article
Edit:
I see it’s already being discussed in the Newcastle thread
He’s been caught up in a big betting scandal and is expected to plead guilty - meaning he could face a lengthy suspension.
https://theathletic.com/4980633/2023/10/20/sandro-tonali-newcastle-howe-betting/?source=user_shared_article
Edit:
I see it’s already being discussed in the Newcastle thread
Pretty proud of Brighton for this - they are planning the first purpose-built women’s ground.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/29/brighton-purpose-built-womens-football-stadium
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/29/brighton-purpose-built-womens-football-stadium
Read a very sad story about ice hockey player (and American) Adam Johnson who died while playing in a UK hockey league, after his throat was cut by a skate. An unexpected aside is that the goalie for Johnson's team (Oxford City Stars) is Petr Cech. Apparently he's been playing hockey for a while, but I had no idea.
I know pretty much zero about ice hockey. Obviously completely accidental. I did see a “ still” taken at moment of impact in a newspaper. It kind of reminded me off balance karate kick to the throat. Dumb question, but are there neck protectors players can wear to give at least some protection to neck area?
Not quite. Johnson (RIP) played for the Nottingham Panthers, who are in the top tier Elite league. Cech's team are a few tiers lower, but got mentioned in the story because they responded by immediately mandating neck guards for their players.
Yes. USA hockey actually mandates them for youth hockey. I've never understood why people don't stick with them after youth hockey.
Thank God. I’d hope it’s a rule absolutely 100% adhered to by refs checking any youth player taking the ice.
The world isn’t going to like this, but the Ballon d’Or just went to an MLS player.
Thanks for the correction. I should have realized that the third-tier English league was a bit low for a guy who was recently in the NHL.
If no one else bids the 2034 WC is going to the Saudis.
View: https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1719270490148155399
Saudi Arabia looks set to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia decided not to bid for the tournament
The deadline for any further bids is today.
View: https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1719270490148155399
Saudi Arabia looks set to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia decided not to bid for the tournament
The deadline for any further bids is today.
It's 10 years away so I'm not going to start fretting yet, but I suppose this means another winter world cup?
They will finally have the floating air conditioning units that Qatar promised. If the Saudis cannot deliver, then it's another Thanksgiving with soccer.
Today is the Copa Libertadores final at the Maracaná. Fluminense are going for their first title in the modern era against Boca Juniors. An estimated 100,000 Boca fans have traveled to Rio for the game, and there have been some incidents, most notably at the Copacabana.
The final is today at 4 pm on Bein.
https://x.com/alertanews24/status/1720183602019733799?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
https://x.com/planetanews13/status/1720229727376462173?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
The final is today at 4 pm on Bein.
https://x.com/alertanews24/status/1720183602019733799?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
https://x.com/planetanews13/status/1720229727376462173?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
This has been a real fun game to watch. Thanks for flagging it, I wouldn't have thought it'd be this early in the day otherwise.
Fluminense play a really interesting style of football, that kinda belies all the modern thinking of the European game. I watched Flu beat River a few months back and it's somewhat noticeable in the tactics. Did anyone watch the game and notice that gameplay patterns were starkly different?
Bayern fan here - no excuse for losing to Saarbrucken - obviously, that should never happen. Our board inexplicably sold Benjamin Pavard late in the transfer window, and then loaned out Josip Stanisic to Leverkusen only to replace both of them with nobody. That left Bayern remarkably thin at CB and RB. Their only CB are Dayot Upamecano (who wasn't in the squad in the Pokal due to a hamstring injury), Kim Minjae, and Matthijs de Ligt (who was subbed off with a knee injury early in that match). They used an academy player in midfield (because Leon Goretzka was still injured), and lightly used Bouna Sarr at RB (because Noussair Mazraoui was also out with an injury). Kane also didn't play.
The result was a patchwork lineup that looked incredibly disjointed. Saarbrucken's first goal was a result of a miscommunication between Kratzig and Minjae. Bayern made some subs in the second half and dominated possession and created a ton of chances, but got hit on a late counter for the winner. Saarbrucken's coach said that if the game went into extra time there was no way they would have won.
It's a shame, because the result is detracting from what's likely one of Bayern's best starts in nearly a decade. They have their best point total through 10 matchdays in the Bundesliga since 2015, and they have scored the most goals and have the best goal differential through 10 matchdays in Bundesliga history. They're also unbeaten in the UCL so far.
Of course, Leverkusen looks terrific so far and it seems like it's going to be a two horse race. I expect Bayern to add some re-inforcements in the winter transfer window.
Yes I caught the game. Diniz’s tactics are definitely different. I think I mentioned it in the game day thread but I’ve heard called anti-positional, a-positional, and anti-Pep. The tactics are pretty true to the name with players given license to move much more freely. It’s fun to watch when you see Marcelo on the exact opposite spot on the field from where we are used to seeing him, or when they totally overload one side of the field with like 8 players. I know he’s the “interim” manager for the national team but I imagine the tactics will be better suited to the club game because players really need to know each other and their tendencies, and develop the rapport and trust needed. It helps having versatile and technical players all over the field.
I regret not seeing them play more this summer when I usually catch more games in Brazil. They’re really fun.
The Brazileirão Série A is getting close to the end and things are getting really interesting right now.
Botafogo had a surprising start to the season, sprinting to an early lead that was over 10 points ahead of second place, but has entered into a tailspin and is now tied with Palmeiras and 6 points ahead of sixth, Flamengo.
On the other end of the table, 5 points separate 9th place Fortaleza (42) and 17th place Cruzeiro (37).
Botafogo had a surprising start to the season, sprinting to an early lead that was over 10 points ahead of second place, but has entered into a tailspin and is now tied with Palmeiras and 6 points ahead of sixth, Flamengo.
On the other end of the table, 5 points separate 9th place Fortaleza (42) and 17th place Cruzeiro (37).
Interesting story about Medi Abalimba, fringe talent, who has done some prodigious futbol (and football) related scamming in the UK and France.
I don’t know if you guys care about Italian ball but this was a cool game. Check the time of the goals
View: https://youtu.be/NOwwX-ck6aM?si=f6FzJCDjHrGHInKZ
View: https://youtu.be/NOwwX-ck6aM?si=f6FzJCDjHrGHInKZ
Nice breakdown. It’s cool to see someone explain its impact on opponents. I do wonder if some European club take a swing at signing Diniz this winter. They’d have to really commit to him and his style of play though. I’d love to see it.
It’s kind crazy that out of roughly 100 top flight teams in the top 5 leagues, that club management is this inconsistent.
I do love that Urs Fischer is on the list though. Urs forever.
Ghanaian striker Raphael Dwamena collapsed in an Albanian league game and passed away at 28. He had previous heart issues, collapsing during a game in Austria and failing a medical for BHA several years back. RIP.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67394325
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67394325
At a “top” club you only get so many chances because the fans expect a title. Not good enough to finish top 4 or whatever year in year out.
Relegation form or the threat of it of course gets you fired, and that takes in a much bigger bunch of clubs.
the group of clubs in the middle, where the manager doesn’t lose his job for not winning silverware but also doesn’t face relegation pressure, is not large. Aren’t many Thomas Franks out there in the Lounge for Well Regarded Coaches of Longterm Midtable Mediocrity. Eventually his club will move in one direction or the other.
Of course, I get all that. But "mediocrity" is a relative term that I think that I would have included a much larger group of stable-ish teams. This probably should have gone with the discussion (was it @Kliq ?) about whether teams' management has too short a leash.
I agree that it’s not healthy for such rapid turnover. Stability is underrated in the rush to satisfy the mob’s blood lust.
The Newcastle board is meeting re Howes future. He’s got a whole starting XI in the trainers room. Absolutely insane.
Perhaps the Newcastle Board should be investigating its sporting director for not doing due diligence before signing Tonali? Newcastle has overachieved under Howe. It would be madness to sack him now.
Agreed. Bet the players love him too.
On f/k/a Twitter I’m seeing rumors of Emery for Newcastle. Obviously the Newcastle owners could just add a couple of zeros to the end of his current salary, but in football terms I’m not sure I’d want the move if I’m Emery- what he’s done at Villa is even more impressive than the fantastic job of Howe at Newcastle & he probably has all the goodwill a manager could want.
On f/k/a Twitter I’m seeing rumors of Emery for Newcastle. Obviously the Newcastle owners could just add a couple of zeros to the end of his current salary, but in football terms I’m not sure I’d want the move if I’m Emery- what he’s done at Villa is even more impressive than the fantastic job of Howe at Newcastle & he probably has all the goodwill a manager could want.
It’s fascinating to me that very little of the managerial failure/player quitting has any lingering stench. If a high profile manager fails miserably, even at a couple of big teams, he can still find employment (see: Mourinho, Jose and Conte, Antonio). Hell, most have teams lining up.
In Howe’s case, He hasn’t really even failed. Liverpool’s training staff are nodding appreciatively at an injured list that is actually worse than theirs. Isn’t Newcastle starting ticketed fans at this point?
Similarly, a player that quits on his team to join another one doesn’t seem to have any questions about him. No second thought of “Well, he quit on them, might quit on us.”
In Howe’s case, He hasn’t really even failed. Liverpool’s training staff are nodding appreciatively at an injured list that is actually worse than theirs. Isn’t Newcastle starting ticketed fans at this point?
Similarly, a player that quits on his team to join another one doesn’t seem to have any questions about him. No second thought of “Well, he quit on them, might quit on us.”
Maybe it's just my bias or how the sports media reports on US vs. European sports, but European football does seem to have a much greater appreciation for things getting stale. IOW, in Euro football, it's pretty widely accepted that the manager has to turn over his squad every so often (a/k/a the proverbial "cycle") or the manager needs to go if the players are preferred. Now, the NFL builds in the roster refresh as a requirement with the salary cap and all the player movement, but it's something that doesn't get discussed much in the US, whereas in Europe it's one of the first things considered when assessing a club's performance.
Anyone who put in for the Euro24 lottery - results of the first draw are available. I, and all my friends here that entered, all got shut out We mostly put in for the low-cost tickets. However, a friend in our group chat said this: "A colleague of mine had a packages of together 4000 euro. Several matches in Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart … He got one match for group stage in Leipzig!"
Well - now one guy reported back (Joe L from the survivor pool), that he got 3 games including the FINAL!!!!
Patrick Stewart to take Manchester United chief executive role when Richard Arnold departs - The Athletic
Jean-Luc Picard/Professor X to take over Utd
Jean-Luc Picard/Professor X to take over Utd