I kinda have to chuckle at PSG. All the teams left in the CL, (PSG, Chelsea, Madrid and... City) all but PSG have agreed to join this super league. Now it appears all but PSG will be thrown out of the CL. I’m assuming they thought PSG was going to join and they would’ve made the announcement after the CL but PSG said no and those clubs released the news . They messed up PSG’s best chance at winning a CL.
Where would he go. That’s the best spot for him to continue his career. Epl no thanks so many useless cups, no breaks rough footy. psg? Even worse.
Hmmm, I'm not sure how true this is as I simply read it in another comment elsewhere, but someone was saying that with this new "Super League" clubs teams would no longer have the obligation to release their players to the NT. Makes sense since the whole thing won't be governed by FIFA/UEFA, although technically they still are playing their domestic leagues under FIFA (that is, if they don't disaffiliate them as they're threatening).. however, maybe disaffiliation is precisely what they're seeking so they can reinvent all the rules? This whole thing is a mess. The worst part is that the whole "historic clubs" argument coming from the Super League is a complete farce.... for example, if these were really the most successful clubs, what the hell is Arsenal doing there? Sure, they've had some great teams in the past, but they don't have any international glory. If anything, Ajax should be there instead since they have quite some history lifting Champions League trophies (4 titles, twice runner-ups)... hell, even Porto, PSV, Marseille, and Celtic have gotten a taste of glory, unlike Arsenal or Tottenham. Then there's Man City........ historical?? They barely started existing 10 years ago! It's all really a pathetic ploy to round up the most marketable teams to be able to sell the tournament to the American and Asian markets. Simple as that. Also, notice how practically all the participants (except Barca and Real) are privately owned by investors (mostly foreign).. that just about tells you everything you need to know.
... just saw FIFA's statement: "their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams" The billionaire club owners right now:
There is another aspect that could come into play. For example, if Madrid wants to spend 50ME on some kid from Flamengo and there is the potential threat that FIFA can ban players from FIFA events who play for these clubs, do you think the CBF will go to the club and say, "Don't send him to Madrid, because we may need this in a future tournament? "...And if you do, we'll ban you from Libertadores action for three years or even send you to the second division." I think FIFA will have to get on the phone with all the big federation heads and make a power-move. --------------- European football has been pretty mundane in recent memory. Over the last ten years, the teams that won the leagues or made the CL were the same teams. So, playing to make the top-four was a formality for most of the time. For them, nothing is going to change. They are probably laughing at their federations and saying, "Who is going to watch your league without us!?" This is very much an "I eat first" narrative by these clubs. Selfish through and through. The European Plastic League.
To be honest I'd be MORE interested in the domestic leagues without those big teams. Finally some unpredictable results (besides Leicester's epic run a while back).
Palacios starting today against Bayern as Leverkusen are fighting for a European spot (id that will even exist anymore). 8 minutes in Palacios left his guy open in RCM which allowed the easy cross in and goal against. Poor defensive coverage...
I mentioned this on the “Other Teams” thread and it is hilarious. Perez was running his mouth last night how this league was for the fans!
The fools were expecting fans to be bowing down to them drooling over seeing games like Real-Man U and Barca-City every week.... they weren’t expecting such adverse negative reactions from the vast majority I’m actually a bit proud to see how most people completely disapproved of the idea. It shows the game still has heart and passion. FIFA should still find a way to sanction the involved clubs though, even if this whole thing folds as it’s currently being speculated
Madrid will probably get 3 years or so. I remember 7 years ago or so, when Barcelona-Madrid a total of 6 or 7 times in a year. It lost its value. It was like again? Say what you want about the corruption in football but when the big boys play each other once every 4-5 years, that means something.
The Olympic groups were just drawn, and we're lined up alongside Spain, Egypt, and Australia: ⚔️ The draw for the Men's #OlympicFootball Tournament has thrown up some intriguing clashes!#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/aWBvZJw3Zq— FIFA (@FIFAcom) April 21, 2021 I believe Egypt plan on taking Salah as one of the over-23 players. Not sure where Liverpool stand on the matter, though. Not sure who Spain will take, as they'll be playing the Euros the month before and will probably not want to repeat players. Worth noting -- If we advance, we're practically set to face either Brazil or Germany in QFs, depending on who finishes first and second in Group D (....and assuming there are no surprises).
Well , we simply need to blast them all like in 2004-2008 youth era. We passed Brazil, Italy, Spain , Netherlands & anyone during u21 & u23 tournaments in those years and Im sure we're capable of repeating it.
We have some nice players in the U20 sphere, but no world beaters like we had in 2004 & 2008. We did well in the Pan America games 2019 with players like Gaich, Valenzuela, Nicola Gonzales and Urzi, but I don't what to expect from the Olympic games
Lol. Host country Japan happens to get the easiest QF match(If they make it out). Color me surprised! But granted, they do have France in their group and you know the Mexicans take the Olympics seriously. If we manage to get out of the group stages, which I think we will, it will be a great match in the QF stages. After that, it will be playing for a medal.
At club level, Di Maria somehow still playing at same level as Neymar & Mbappe, and you cant explain that. I think Icardi should be on Copa , Aguero & Dybala has a disappointing season.
100% - I don't care about Wandagate (sorry Maxi). Icardi has proven as a capable goal scorer at the #9. We haven't had a lot of luck since Batigol in that position, Crespo & Kun were nice but failed in the WC, and Higuain.. . well. . . let's not go there. Regardless, if Icardi doesn't even get a call-up in the friendlies, I'm not going to be very optimistic about our chances. For a knock-out tournament, you definitely need two things; a reliable goalkeeper and a reliable goal scorer (preferably a in the form of a #9). We have about 3 very reliable goalkeepers (Musso, Emi and Armani) - we just need to make sure we bring an attacking team that can consistently score. And I think Icardi gives us the best chance
Yep, although I dont think Crespo failed. He was subbed out quite early in 2006 QF. Remember how we qualified to that WC? Crespo's brace against that team. In Copa 2007, he scored 3 goals in like 100 minutes and then injured for the rest of the tournament. At least in his case, the failure has nothing to do with his finishing ability. You're correct about the importance of having a true #9 presence. It has been a the NT problem since Crespo retired. Higuain wasnt exactly a true #9 in terms of playing style (plus always choking) and we has been relying on smaller guys like Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Lavezzi, Correa and recently Lautaro to score goals. Lautaro might have shown his quality in NT but we all know the stronger sides will park the bus and fouling us all day to frustrate the frontlines and then hit on counter. This is where the presence of true #9 who can tap a loose ball , escaping an offside and providing a constant aerial threat would be important. That Icardi last goal was Batigol like.
I doubt Icardi will be starting over Lautaro as Lautaro is still the favorite, but with the form that Icardi is in right now, he should be in the squad.
Every Argentina NT should train heavily on breaking the parked bus. Of the 10 CONMEBOL members only Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador make consistent efforts to play us without parking the bus. We need to bring a #9 that can poach - no more filling the team up with a bunch of enanos that can't head a corner.
Brazil parked the bus under Dunga and only hit on counter. They commited a whopping 45 fouls in 2007 final, averaging 1 foul every 2 minutes. They didnt even play football that day.