The Importance of Being Ernesto - The 2017-2018 Season thread [R]

I hope he doesn't come. He will weaken us and Atletico.

 

I don't get why he stalls (unless they're currently debating money/terms, which seem unlikely if "he has decided"). What does he win by slipping the choice during the French anthem before their opener lol.

 

Just realized (and not sure if it was already mentioned here) but the Spanish Super cup with Sevilla will only be one leg - 12 August in Morocco. Good news!
Seems very soon too.

 

Yes, the one leg idea had been around almost as soon as the season ended because of Sevilla's involvement in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League. Didn't leave much room to fit in two legs for Supercopa.
Also, the LFP had proposed for the season to kick off on August 18-19 which is a week or two earlier than usual. Don't know if the RFEF agreed to the proposal.
A reminder that Huesca, Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid are the three teams promoted from last season. It will be Huesca's first ever season in the top flight.
And based on the past the Liga schedule should be released sometime next week.

 

So the one-leg super copa might only be a one year thing.

La Liga fixtures come out on 23 July.

 

Yes, afaik. Brought about by circumstance.
But this article was from back in May.
http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2018/05/10/5af46538e5fdeaf1648b45e2.html
Of course, if this one proves to be mighty successful then I would guess the RFEF will consider future options.
Personally, I would prefer one leg since I don't really value the Supercopa much. Even the Clasico Supercopas don't get me wound up as much as (dare I admit) the Gamper does.

 

Agreed about the one-leg format being better. The only negative consequence is that it leads to it being played out of the country. Morocco is a short hop away, but before we know it they're going to play this cup in China or L.A.

Anyway, as long as Barca continue to play it every year that's a good sign I guess.

 

We need to think of some decent thread titles.

"A Messi season ahead? - 2018-19 Season thread"
*shrug*

"Hala Ma... uh, I mean Froza Juve! - The 2018-19 Other Teams thread"

 

You guys are lucky - we probably won't be able to even see the La Liga games as things stand

I've been watching Barca for years now on Sky on glorious HD and now some unknown company has bought the rights for four years for about £5 million ( !) and they don't even have a TV channel !!

 

Ernesto Goes to Work: The 2018-19 Season Thread

 

Hmm

 

It was confirmed today that the Spanish Super Cup will consist of just one leg and be played in Morocco. Sevilla wanted the traditional two-legged format (more money), so the decision went Barca's way.

La Liga fixtures will come out on Tuesday (initially was supposed to be tomorrow).

 

That's apt as last season we practically played on one leg by not using Dembele and playing Coutinho out of position on the right wing !!

 

You mean the season we won the double with absolute ease?

 

The season the other two practical gave it away by Sept / October ??

Our football was dire compared to what we're used to plus as I said Valve never trusted a fit and healthy Dembele and kept using Couthino out of position ( right wing ) .

Also went MIA in the champions league again ..

 

Barca were still unbeaten when La Liga title was confirmed. When was the last time you can say that for any club? That championship was very much earned by the team, coaches and all.

I still don't understand how anyone could favor champagne football over winning titles. For those with that line of thinking, name one time you were satisfied with a trophyless season.

Champions League was lost on the away goals rule. One bad night. That's how Cup tournaments work.
The league rewards consistency, a far better gauge at judging how the team performed overall.

 

We're all different .... most footie fans who are old enough - still prefer the wonderful footballing Brazil of Zico , Socrates , Falcao who won nothing to Pele's World Cup winning team ..

 

Agreed

 

Well, Coutinho wasn't eligible for the CL so you can't blame playing him in the wrong position for not winning the CL.

One of the reasons we got Coutinho was his versatility. Also the first goal of the CdR final was down to him playing on the right side.

 

You're not seriously supporting the irrational decision to routinely play Couthinho out of position because he was involved in one goal in a Micky Mouse competition ?

 

Yes, I'm using that match. Why not? He wasn't eligible for CL so the CdR final was one of the more important games he started for Barca. And he started in the "wrong" position and the entire team played brilliantly.

In any case, Iniesta is not around anymore so I expect Coutinho to be on the left a lot this season. Also because Dembele is a year older and hopefully healthy to play on the right now.