Global Football Odds & Ends

Zososoxfan

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Jul 30, 2009
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From our keyboards to Galtier's bouche...or something to this effect:

PSG will be without Neymar, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle problem that requires surgery, and his absence has been seen as a possible blessing in disguise to give the team more balance.

Instead of playing all three star forwards, with Neymar alongside Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, the Brazilian's absence is likely to mean Galtier can employ an extra midfielder.

"I see there has been a debate around this. It's a loss, clearly. Is the team more balanced? Yes. Is it better like this? I will say that having him is better to score goals," said Galtier.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/paris-saint-germain--frapsg/story/4895371/psg-coach-galtier-neymar-a-loss-vs-bayern-munich-even-if-team-more-balanced
 

candylandriots

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I’m putting this here instead of the Bundesliga thread because I think this one sees a little more interest and I think this article deserves it.

Regular readers of this forum know I won’t shut up about Urs Fischer. He literally gets much louder cheers than any player from the crowd. There will be a statue of him at the alte Föresteri someday, surely. But I guess the English press is picking up on what we’ve been seeing in Berlin the last few years. Dude’s a damn miracle worker.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12827597/urs-fischers-union-berlin-success-in-the-bundesliga-and-beyond-cannot-be-explained-but-it-must-be-admired
 

BrazilianSoxFan

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Great video showing the atmosphere of a Flamengo x Vasco, the "derby of millions". The fans are fucking amazing, this is not even a Brazileirão game, but the Rio State Championship (Cariocão) that no one really cares but for the derbies. Still got almost 70k fans into Maracanã, with all available tickets sold days before the game.

Flamengo is the current Libertadores and Copa do Brasil champion, while Vasco just got promoted back from the second division. But Vasco is under a new administration, an American investment group (777 partners), and completely remade the team, with 13 new players thus far.

The video is in Portuguese, but what the dude is saying doesn't even matter. The images and sounds of the fans and the game speaks for themselves, starting at about 7:35.

View: https://youtu.be/Yq0q3Opd8lw?t=455
 
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InstaFace

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Great pull bringing that derby up, BSF.

I went to Flamengo-Vasco in the state league in March 2010, at the Maracana, in the pouring rain, and it was absolutely bananas. Even though the stadium was only half full. The ultras in the upper deck were having the devil's own time getting the flares to light in the rain, but dammit they kept at it until enough of the place was burning. The people with the fancy seats down by the field largely didn't want to get wet, so they hung out and/or got seats under the upper-deck overhang, and the people in the slightly-cheaper seats who didn't care all moved up to those front few rows and screamed god-knows-what at the Vasco da Gama players the whole game. Two PKs given away by Flamengo (one obvious handball, one kinda brutal DOGSO that only got a yellow) but their goalie saved both, one (somewhat sketchy) penalty awarded to Flamengo and the guy drilled it for the game's only goal. The thing finished with 10 yellows and a 90' straight red.

I don't think it was unsafe for me as long as I wasn't wearing away colors by accident, but my buddy who was fairly tuned into football made sure to equip me with a Flamengo headband, "just in case". I probably spent more time people-watching the crowd than watching the game itself. But actually it looks like it was a pretty good game:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLV7ayrE0R0

(see 9'10")

I can't recommend it enough to everyone if you get the chance. Rio is an unbelievably fun city and other than meeting my now-wife, this was pretty much the highlight of the trip. Would've done Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires if they'd been in town when I was there.
 

BrazilianSoxFan

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I kinda preferred the result of the one I posted... ;)

About it being unsafe, you can see in the video I posted that the ends were exclusive to one side (Flamengo on the north side, Vasco on the south), but the sides were mixed without any problems during the game. There was a pretty brutal confrontation between the ultras a couple kilometers away from the stadium, but nothing happened inside Maracanã.
 

Mighty Joe Young

The North remembers
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Sep 14, 2002
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Big kerfuffle at the BBC today with the broadcaster “requesting” Gary Lineker step away from his Match of the Day duties (he’s an outspoken and public critic of the Tories hateful immigration policies.

He’s getting tons of support from various politicians and the likes of Ian Wright - who’s boycotting his participation and Alan Shearer

Here’s the Guardian’s live blog on the proceedings

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/mar/10/premier-league-team-news-previews-press-conferences-and-european-reaction-live?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
 

fletcherpost

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View: https://twitter.com/AlexScott/status/1634264832852500488?s=20


Ex players Alex Scott who presents Football Focus on the BBC has ruled herself out of presenting Match of the Day tomorrow. Micah Richards has tweeted saying he was not due to appear, but if he was he'd have taken the same decision as Shearer and Wright.

Make no mistake this is a big story right now. Match of the Day is a TV institution. Mark Chapman often presents football shows on BBC TV so people are waiting to see if he rules himself out. I'm callin this Mutiny at Match of the Day.

Oh and fuck the tories.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,371
Chicago
How Jack Grealish became the most marketable British footballer since David Beckham - The Athletic

Are we sure this isn't Jamie Tartt? John Oliver recently had a riff on Grealish on MiB that he is a living embodiment of Big. He does well with Gen Z because of some body swap. He tells the mascots in the tunnel, "hey, I'm actually one of you!"

“Grealish has an iconic look. Everything about him, from the hair to his calves, is instantly recognisable. If you saw a silhouette of him you would instantly know who it is.

“In a world where we are exposed to more and more advertising, having a cut-through — someone who can capture attention, stop you scrolling or make your head turn at a bus stop — is really valuable for a brand. It’s why something so simple as putting on a hairband works so well. I’m sure with the number of boots he is going to be showing off his legs will be a big thing too.”
Don't skip leg day!
 

67YAZ

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So Ivan Toney is in the England squad? I figured the reason Southgate didn't bring him to Qatar was the gambling charges - not public at the time, but the FA knew what was up. But now he's in? Very confused.

Also, I missed this - Kyle Walker exposed himself in a Manchester Bar?
 

fletcherpost

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Mon the fuckin Scotland.

25% of the ball
233 to 696 total passes.
2-0

Football's a funny sport sometimes. Spain didn't really trouble Scotland all that much. Had the ball most of the time, but Scotland had 3 central defenders who ate most of the balls into the box for breakfast.

Huge 3 points.
 

rguilmar

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Jul 16, 2005
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Mon the fuckin Scotland.

25% of the ball
233 to 696 total passes.
2-0

Football's a funny sport sometimes. Spain didn't really trouble Scotland all that much. Had the ball most of the time, but Scotland had 3 central defenders who ate most of the balls into the box for breakfast.

Huge 3 points.
Lies, damn lies, and statistics. Scotland won and deserved the win. The book on Spain is out, and has been for a long while. Bunker in, condense space in the final third, and take the chances when they come. La Roja just don’t have many players who can create a chance in these types of games. Nico Williams on the dribble, Pedri with his passing, maybe Gavi in some wrecking ball fashion, and that’s about it. They’re all Tiki with no Taka right now. Unless Spain changes how they play or gets much more incisive, they will continue to lose to (no offense to Scotland) less talented teams who play defensively.
 

SocrManiac

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That's bingo. Spain count on teams cowering to their possession like it's the late 2000's or early 2010's. They knock the ball around like the next set of passes will finally find Iniesta, David Villa, or Torres for the incisive move.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Jul 22, 2006
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Leaving aside the tactical deficiencies you guys have pointed out, I'm just not sure they're actually that talented. I mean, not a lot of guys that scare you in that set-up.

Wholly deserved win for Scotland. Hampden was loud.
 

rguilmar

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Yeah, lack of high end talent is the number one issue for Spain. They’re in a bit of a lost generation now with a squad of older players (Aspas, Joselu etc) and younger players. Unfair to the player but I call it the Isco generation because he’s symbolic of the whole group of players who should be in their prime for Spain now. I think people forget just how good he was 5-6 years ago- best player at Real Madrid and possibly all of La Liga- and now he’s without a club. Is he even 30 yet? I think @SocrManiac has it right. Iniesta, Xavi, and Villa aren’t walking through that door.

Spain left a full 16 players from the WC off of this roster and rotated another 8 players from the team that started against Norway. I’m not saying that Spain had an army of better players who didn’t play last night, but rather that it is a team with a lot of very good players but no great ones.

Scotland played well and earned a historic victory. Sorry to distract from that. Congrats on the win!
 

fletcherpost

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Yeah, lack of high end talent is the number one issue for Spain. They’re in a bit of a lost generation now with a squad of older players (Aspas, Joselu etc) and younger players. Unfair to the player but I call it the Isco generation because he’s symbolic of the whole group of players who should be in their prime for Spain now. I think people forget just how good he was 5-6 years ago- best player at Real Madrid and possibly all of La Liga- and now he’s without a club. Is he even 30 yet? I think @SocrManiac has it right. Iniesta, Xavi, and Villa aren’t walking through that door.

Spain left a full 16 players from the WC off of this roster and rotated another 8 players from the team that started against Norway. I’m not saying that Spain had an army of better players who didn’t play last night, but rather that it is a team with a lot of very good players but no great ones.

Scotland played well and earned a historic victory. Sorry to distract from that. Congrats on the win!
You're very gracious. Spain are still favourites to top the group and rightly so. I'll be rooting for them big time when they play Norway, home and away. I wonder what changes Spain need to make moving forwards to carry more of a goal threat. Is it players, or formation?
 

speedracer

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Just looking over Spain’s old squads…holy moly, is Alvaro Morata really the best forward they’ve fielded over the last decade (not exactly world class, and a guy whose talent for getting behind a defense is probably way less useful against teams that are already sitting back)?
 

rguilmar

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You're very gracious. Spain are still favourites to top the group and rightly so. I'll be rooting for them big time when they play Norway, home and away. I wonder what changes Spain need to make moving forwards to carry more of a goal threat. Is it players, or formation?
Spanish soccer identity is just so wrapped up in possession of the ball. I’d start with the impossible idea of changing the philosophy of how the entire generation of players was brought up. It’s like they’re just trying to emulate the great team that won back-to-Back Euros and the World Cup. But that team had an all time great midfield with players who played for the same club and more or less grew up together, an all time great central defender pairing, and two of Spain’s best strikers. Not only that, but the game has changed. More and more chances come in transition and forcing turnovers than in methodical buildup play. In the old Furia Roja days the team was much more balanced and aggressive. Now they’ll have the ball most of the game, not create much, lose the game, and wonder why.

I’d just put the team in the hands of the young guys- Pedri, Gavi, Yeremi, Gabri Veiga, Nico Williams and so on, and just tell them “we’re not going to have 75% possession, we are going to lose the ball trying to create goal dangerous situations, and that’s ok. I want you to attack the goal.” I’d be fired after that first game. Or maybe at halftime.

You’re right though. They do have a lot of talent. It’s one of those strange situations where Spain will look better against the elite teams of the world because these teams won’t bunker against them. They just lack top end difference maker talent to break down a low block.

Just looking over Spain’s old squads…holy moly, is Alvaro Morata really the best forward they’ve fielded over the last decade (not exactly world class, and a guy whose talent for getting behind a defense is probably way less useful against teams that are already sitting back)?
Another good example of the talent available to Spain. Morata is a very good player when he’s in form, probably the best that Spain has available, but he’s not in the Villa/Torres class and isn’t a great fit for how they play. But even looking at Villa and Torres during those glory years, neither was very effective for long stretches for Spain. If memory serves, there were games where neither started and Spain basically put 6 midfielders out there (I want to say Cesc essentially played a false 9). Counterpoint is that both Villa and Torres started in some of those World Cup games. Spain never really scored a boatload of goals even when they were the best and most feared team in the world. Now without that quality it’s going to be even harder.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Spanish soccer identity is just so wrapped up in possession of the ball. I’d start with the impossible idea of changing the philosophy of how the entire generation of players was brought up. It’s like they’re just trying to emulate the great team that won back-to-Back Euros and the World Cup. But that team had an all time great midfield with players who played for the same club and more or less grew up together, an all time great central defender pairing, and two of Spain’s best strikers. Not only that, but the game has changed. More and more chances come in transition and forcing turnovers than in methodical buildup play. In the old Furia Roja days the team was much more balanced and aggressive. Now they’ll have the ball most of the game, not create much, lose the game, and wonder why.

I’d just put the team in the hands of the young guys- Pedri, Gavi, Yeremi, Gabri Veiga, Nico Williams and so on, and just tell them “we’re not going to have 75% possession, we are going to lose the ball trying to create goal dangerous situations, and that’s ok. I want you to attack the goal.” I’d be fired after that first game. Or maybe at halftime.

You’re right though. They do have a lot of talent. It’s one of those strange situations where Spain will look better against the elite teams of the world because these teams won’t bunker against them. They just lack top end difference maker talent to break down a low block.



Another good example of the talent available to Spain. Morata is a very good player when he’s in form, probably the best that Spain has available, but he’s not in the Villa/Torres class and isn’t a great fit for how they play. But even looking at Villa and Torres during those glory years, neither was very effective for long stretches for Spain. If memory serves, there were games where neither started and Spain basically put 6 midfielders out there (I want to say Cesc essentially played a false 9). Counterpoint is that both Villa and Torres started in some of those World Cup games. Spain never really scored a boatload of goals even when they were the best and most feared team in the world. Now without that quality it’s going to be even harder.
Regarding Torres - I don’t think the national team ever had Torres at his peak (LFC) years (2007-2009) In fact, if memory serves his decline started with an injury on international duty?

[fake edit - a knee injury in Jan/2010 seemed to be the biggest of his many knee and hamstring problems -exacerbated by one at the WC ]

https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11661/9088027/what-went-wrong


The Chelsea version of Torres was but a shadow of his former glorious self. Was he on the Spain team during his first Atletico spell?
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Wonder if they have had preliminary discussions with Nagelsmann‘s camp, to pull the trigger now. An expensive lesson for the new ownership, regardless.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Mitrovic gets an eight game ban for his misadventures … this was set by an independent commission. The FA is appealing as they deem it “too light” . Marco Silva gets a two game touch line ban.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/04/fulham-aleksandar-mitrovic-eight-game-ban-shoving-referee-marco-silva?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other


Mitrovic received a straight red card for pushing Kavanagh as Fulham imploded at Old Trafford. That brought an automatic three-match suspension but the commission imposed an extra three games for violent conduct towards a match official – a charge that Mitrovic had denied – and two for using “improper, abusive, insulting and threatening” language. The Serbia international admitted the latter offence, which also brought the £75,000 fine.

Silva, whose dismissal alongside that of Willian prompted Mitrovic’s furious outburst, admitted using abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards Kavanagh and the fourth official. He denied throwing a water bottle towards the assistant referee. That charge was upheld, however, and resulted in a £20,000 fine as well as the touchline ban. Silva received another £20,000 fine for questioning the integrity of the referee during his post-match press conference. A further £40,000 penalty was issued against Fulham for failing to control their players.”
 

swiftaw

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Given Fulham have 10 games left in the season I’m surprised they didn’t just go with a 10 game ban.
 

Cellar-Door

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Mitrovic gets an eight game ban for his misadventures … this was set by an independent commission. The FA is appealing as they deem it “too light” . Marco Silva gets a two game touch line ban.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/04/fulham-aleksandar-mitrovic-eight-game-ban-shoving-referee-marco-silva?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other


Mitrovic received a straight red card for pushing Kavanagh as Fulham imploded at Old Trafford. That brought an automatic three-match suspension but the commission imposed an extra three games for violent conduct towards a match official – a charge that Mitrovic had denied – and two for using “improper, abusive, insulting and threatening” language. The Serbia international admitted the latter offence, which also brought the £75,000 fine.

Silva, whose dismissal alongside that of Willian prompted Mitrovic’s furious outburst, admitted using abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards Kavanagh and the fourth official. He denied throwing a water bottle towards the assistant referee. That charge was upheld, however, and resulted in a £20,000 fine as well as the touchline ban. Silva received another £20,000 fine for questioning the integrity of the referee during his post-match press conference. A further £40,000 penalty was issued against Fulham for failing to control their players.”
If he played for one of the traditional big clubs he'd have gotten nothing at all, as the long history of similar incidents shows.
 

Kliq

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Mitrovic getting a long suspension for physical violence I think brings us one step closer for my dream scenario: A Miro and Mitro tag team.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Apparently Lampard, who was in attendance at Stamford Bridge yesterday, may be coming back as caretaker manager for Chelsea to finish out the season:
View: https://twitter.com/david_ornstein/status/1643671706752655360


Enrique and Nagelsmann appear to be the front runners for the gig going forward, but there’s no timetable for sorting that out and any club hiring Nagelsmann will have to work out compensation with Bayern.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Jan 10, 2004
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Apparently Lampard, who was in attendance at Stamford Bridge yesterday, may be coming back as caretaker manager for Chelsea to finish out the season:
View: https://twitter.com/david_ornstein/status/1643671706752655360


Enrique and Nagelsmann appear to be the front runners for the gig going forward, but there’s no timetable for sorting that out and any club hiring Nagelsmann will have to work out compensation with Bayern.
this is fucking crazy. Few Evertonians will have a bad word to say about Lampard personally. He seemed to really love and respect the club. But he is not a good manager. Seeing what Dyche has done with the same players, after a number of off-the-pitch morale-busters in the bargain - Lampard has no idea how to set up a club and have them play to a plan for 90 minutes.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Mitrovic gets an eight game ban for his misadventures … this was set by an independent commission. The FA is appealing as they deem it “too light” . Marco Silva gets a two game touch line ban.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/04/fulham-aleksandar-mitrovic-eight-game-ban-shoving-referee-marco-silva?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other


Mitrovic received a straight red card for pushing Kavanagh as Fulham imploded at Old Trafford. That brought an automatic three-match suspension but the commission imposed an extra three games for violent conduct towards a match official – a charge that Mitrovic had denied – and two for using “improper, abusive, insulting and threatening” language. The Serbia international admitted the latter offence, which also brought the £75,000 fine.

Silva, whose dismissal alongside that of Willian prompted Mitrovic’s furious outburst, admitted using abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards Kavanagh and the fourth official. He denied throwing a water bottle towards the assistant referee. That charge was upheld, however, and resulted in a £20,000 fine as well as the touchline ban. Silva received another £20,000 fine for questioning the integrity of the referee during his post-match press conference. A further £40,000 penalty was issued against Fulham for failing to control their players.”
I never saw this incident. How bad must it have been for Marco Silva to lose his shit like that? He is the most mild-mannered sideline boss that I can think of, in the PL or elsewhere.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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this is fucking crazy. Few Evertonians will have a bad word to say about Lampard personally. He seemed to really love and respect the club. But he is not a good manager. Seeing what Dyche has done with the same players, after a number of off-the-pitch morale-busters in the bargain - Lampard has no idea how to set up a club and have them play to a plan for 90 minutes.
The idea here is less about Lampard the manager and more about Lampard the guy who can play out the string without Chelsea fans yelling too loudly because he's Lampard.

Which is still weird given that they're still in the Champion's League, but hey, Chelsea.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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The idea here is less about Lampard the manager and more about Lampard the guy who can play out the string without Chelsea fans yelling too loudly because he's Lampard.

Which is still weird given that they're still in the Champion's League, but hey, Chelsea.
Oh sure. I get it. But still.

No job let’s you fail upward like the Goodison dugout.
 

SocrManiac

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Abramavich is still behind the scenes pulling the strings, isn’t he? Chelsea’s continuity of stupid through two ownerships doesn’t make sense otherwise.
 

InstaFace

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Wouldn't Abramovitch have just thrown 9 figures at the problem, though? I'm sure Chelsea fans are, or soon will be, pining for the good ol' Roman glory days. This "spend only what you bring in" nonsense is for the little clubs.
 

Seven Costanza

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Abramavich is still behind the scenes pulling the strings, isn’t he? Chelsea’s continuity of stupid through two ownerships doesn’t make sense otherwise.
If the continuity of stupidity continues to haul in trophies at the pace Chelsea has in the last 20 years, long may it continue.