Football/Soccer Discussion 11/12

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/the-best-commentary-to-sergio-agueros-title-winner-for-manchester-city-v-qpr/

Get goosebumps hearing these over and over!

It was a pretty crazy match, I never thought City would be in a losing position. QPR had a clear plan to get behind the ball from the off, I don't think Joey Barton's douchebagery really played into it much in the end, the tactics didn't appear to change - credit to them for getting those goals, but once City equalised you kind of knew another one would come. I'm glad to see City win it over United. Premier league history in the making.

And as much as I'd like to say City bought the title, I think Kompany made the apt point that these players came to the club to make history - and for many of them, who had practically nothing growing up but a football, you can't help but feel they deserved it. United were pretty formidable this season too, but in comparison to previous generations they've been average and I think they'll be in trouble when their old players retire.

My club Liverpool have been piss-poor. I no longer have an opinion on Daglish, I've never thought it was healthy to have an icon or a legend as your manager. All I say is, with that 100 million + in Rafa's hand, I don't think this would have happened. If the new owners are willing to invest another 50/100 million (optimistically) in players under a new manager, but they're not under Daglish, then I'd rather see a new manager come in. Next season is so so crucial, I worry the owners don't quite understand. Once you become a mid-table team it is so difficult to break out of it.

On the plus side Carroll is starting to look a hell of a lot better. Can't help wishing that for this season Newcastle had kept him, and Liverpool got Cisse and Ba.

Come on you Irons, back in the Premier League. Thought we were going to lose it at one point, the defence was bad.

Chelsea won the Champions League, I wonder if Di-Matteo will become the full time manager?

( Edited 20.05.2012 10:20 by Stulaw )

So fucking glad Chelsea won it! Di Matteo deserves the job now. What a season this has been. Roll on the Euros!

How you reckon West Ham will do in the Prem, Stu?

I gotta give Chelsea a ton of credit. I thought for sure Bayern had it, as they were playing home, and were absolutely owning possession wise. Chelsea didn't even have some of their stars too! This pretty much confirms Drogba's all star status also. Before I used to hate on him because he falls down a lot, but when he wants to step up, he'll deliver big time.

Also, just a question, but why did Neuer take a penalty kick? I didn't know that was possible.

Goalies have the right to take penalties just as much as anyone else. Clearly Bayern didn't have others willing to take one, and Neuer himself had probably been practising for the occasion.

I think West Ham will do fine as long as Big Sam's still the manager, they do need to sure up their defence a bit, I think we need an actual right back(Faubert's a Winger, and Demel's a center half), and we should buy McCartney and Lansbury(if we can). I'm surprised we didn't play Ravel Morrison at all through out the season, with all the press surrounding him.

But yeah, we'll definitely stay up next season, I don't think we'll have a top half finish and a F.A Cup final like the last time though lol.

I think Di-Matteo should get the Chelsea job, it's the club he ended his playing career with, and he seems to have the player's respect in the dressing room.

Can anyone explain to me why Drogba is leaving Chelsea? He just won the fricken Champions League!!!

Well, not long back he wanted a two-year contract extension, but Chelsea were only willing to offer one year. At the ripe old age of 34 in footballer's years it could be seen as a bit of a gamble by the club and not worth the huge amount of money it costs to pay his wages. He said that he doesn't want to be sitting on the bench as he watches a new team be formed over the coming season. He had been wanting to leave for a good two or three seasons, so this is the perfect time to leave on a high. He has won every major trophy with Chelsea, and since he says he's after a new challenge elsewhere, this is the right time to do it (he's linked with a move to the new megabucks club Shanghai Shenhua, where former team-mate Anelka is currently player-manager). It's too much of a risk for him to stick around at a club he might not get much of a look in with next season.

Well, since E3 was personally a major letdown (not including Pikmin 3, The Last of Us, and Watch Dogs), I'm looking forward to Euro 2012. What are your guys' predictions? I think group B will be the one to look forward to most. Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal!!! Unless Ronaldo pulls off miracles, they're gonna be the unlucky ones out. Group A with Poland, Greece, Russia, and Czech Republic looks like the weakest out of the four. Sucks that Cahill's out too for England.

Was planning to post in this today, since it begins tomorrow. Can't wait. It's come around fast!

We've done a little sweepstake in work. All chipped in a quid and drew a random team out from a hat. I got first pick and got Croatia. It was pretty much fate, to be honest, since my hero Eduardo plays for them. They're not favourites but they've actually got a pretty damn decent team. They could spring a surprise so I'm being optimistic.

In reality, though, I quite fancy Germany or Holland. Holland might end up getting some revenge on Spain for the WC. I think Spain are beatable, but I hope Torres has a good tournament. Portugal are poor and would be nothing without Ronaldo. I would love it so much if Nicky Bendtner scored a couple to drag Denmark through.

Sick! Shinji Kagawa's now on Man U! Still is a shame that Honda's still in Russia though.

Always makes me happy to see more Asian players in the Prem. Absolutely agree on Honda. He's just scored a hat-trick for Japan against Jordan, and Kagawa got on the score sheet, too. Arsenal should have signed Honda last season. Just waiting to see more of Ryo Miyaichi in the first team now.

Russia v Czech has proper made up for the poor Poland v Greece game. Arshavin's on fire and he's in my Dream Team, along with Shirokov who scored their 2nd.

So, the QFs.

Czech Republic v Portugal
Germany v Greece
Spain v France
England v Italy

Tough to predict these. I will say Portugal, Germany, Spain and Italy to go through.

Germany v England

France v Portugal

Let me say first off that I don't really like how head to head is over goal differential. It's much more simpler the other way around when there's 4 teams in the picture.

Secondly, group A sucked big time. At first I thought Russia had it easy. Guess not. Now because of this draw, Portugal and Germany have insanely easy games.

Group B, or the group of death, was sad and unexpected. Ronaldo actually showed up to play for his country! The Dutch on the other hand...How is it possible?!?! Their team is STACKED. Anyways, Germany looks like the best team in the tournament so far.

Argh, I really didn't want Spain to make it to the next round in group C. I think I know why I despise Spain, Sergio Busquets. What a fool. I looked at their roster, and they have players I like, like Iniesta, Xavi,Pique, and Fabregas. But just because of the idiot Busquets, my opinion of the team goes down. Sucks the Croatia didn't make it. Italy played really good too.

Group D was pretty expected. It was awesome seeing Rooney back in it. I'm sure we'll see many more goals in the rest of the tourny.

So, right now, I think it's gonna be Portugal, Spain, Germany, and England.

Edit: Oh, and Ukraine got robbed. When are they gonna put a replay system in?!?!


( Edited 20.06.2012 00:35 by bornforthis43 )

The player that passed the ball in the first place was offside anyway. But yeah I agree, we do need goal line technology, or better linesmen, I mean there should be 2 on each side, not those ones behind the goal that do nothing.

( Edited 20.06.2012 00:42 by Stulaw )

Yep, the offside rules are inconsistent. Same phase of play, new phase of play? It's like they just decide when they want if it is or it isn't. Spain goal shouldn't have counted. But that free header against Casillas should have gone in - should have headed it down!

Oh good - I fucking hate Busquets, too. Cheating, diving bastard. Hate seeing his face every time he plays.

And yeah, it's an absolute disgrace there's no goal line technology yet. Sick of having this conversation now. What the fuck was that linesman next to the goal doing? Idiot.

4 out of 4. I should have put a bet on!

Italy absolutely deserved to go through. They battered England.

Semis:
Portugal v Spain
Germany v Italy

You would have to say it's likely to be a Spain v Germany final, but it could just as easily be the other way around. If Italy play like they played today, they could do it.

How many tournaments will it take for us to figure out that England don't have an extra gear? Lower expectations helped us somewhat I suppose, but what's disappointing is we started out playing well and then slowly got sloppier. If you ask me Rooney was not worth the inclusion, that match-fitness is much more important. Defoe hasn't played so much this season, but I think he could have been the more consistent and clinical striker we needed.

Still, it wasn't absolutely awful. And that's enough for English folk right?

( Edited 25.06.2012 02:55 by The Strat Man )

Germany was pretty lackluster, good for Italy though. Even though I want Italy to win, it's really looking like Spain's gonna get their third major title. Hopefully, for Italy's sake, Spain plays like they did against Portugal.

Also, did anyone else see Mario and Luigi in the Italian crowd lol?

Oh thank fuck Italy went through! So glad. Balotelli is a ledge.

Really annoyed Portugal lost to Spain. They were on top all the first half, and I'm sick of Spain's boring passing play. Much rather watch Italy's style. I'm annoyed Spain haven't played Torres so much, or any strikers for that matter. Stupid decision by Portugal not to make Ronaldo take first pen, though.

Hoping Italy crush Spain in the final now.

...it's really looking like Spain's gonna get their third major title

I missed Mario & Luigi :/

( Edited 28.06.2012 21:54 by Azuardo )

bornforthis43 said:

Also, did anyone else see Mario and Luigi in the Italian crowd lol?

Yeah, the commentator said they were 2 Marios, either that or he was referring to Balotelli as well.

( Edited 29.06.2012 15:01 by Stulaw )

Yea, wtf. Is Portugal stupid?! How do you not let Cristiano Ronaldo, in my mind the best player in Europe, kick a pk?!

Edit: America's gonna be SCREWED when they go to the World Cup in Brazil. All their big names except Altidore and Bradley are gonna be mad old. There's no one young who's good at all. No prodigies at all. Unless Freddy Adu somehow lives up to the hype...which will probably never happen.

And yea, Spain did seem weaker than usual. It'll be a good game.

( Edited 29.06.2012 23:29 by bornforthis43 )

Super Mario was outstanding. I loved his celebration for the second goal. They guy is a legend, whether he's awesome or ridiculous he's always entertaining - quite the character. It's scary to think he's only 21 as well - I don't remember Ronaldo being quite that confident in his own abilities at that age. I recall a lot of papers suggesting at the end of the season than Mancini had lost his patience with Balotelli, he definitely ain't going nowhere now surely.

Oh and just a quick Liverpool note. I'm so happy we got Brendan Rodgers, I think he could be the perfect fit. He's young and ambitious, but has some very detailed, well-thought out footballing ideas based on years and years of experience and research. The free-flowing attacking football of Swansea is more than welcome at Anfield. But he'll bring smarter tactics to Liverpool all-round. To me he's a great mix between the chess-like strategies of Benitez and the passionate, attack-minded Daglish. I think he's the man. I just hope we stick with him for the long haul. Liverpool are like England, we're miles behind the rest, more than we think.