CL games start this week. Thread is up for match commentary. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/the-2024-25-champions-league-match-thread.2132554/
And here we go .... Olmo out 4-5 weeks with hamstring injury. Nothing that's good can last can it ? I guess we kind of expected it. https://www.barcablaugranes.com/202...ni-olmo-blow-as-club-confirm-hamstring-injury
Saw that one coming 10,000 miles away. Really, ANYONE could have seen this coming, except for Laporta and Deco, apparently.
Yeah, that sucks. Right before 2 tough away matches. At least Pedri is back playing, and FdJ and Gavi are in training.
Yep. This is that @Khan and I meant regarding Olmo. Great player, moves the needle, but just too injury prone… SMH.
So, FDJ and Gavi are also back in group training. Fermin maybe back vs Monaco. Then, Araujo and Christensen next. Keep stacking wins, keep getting healthier. Olmo? He gets back whenever he gets back.
Damn. https://barcauniversal.com/official...youngsters-latest-injury-and-recovery-period/ Get back soon, Fermin. Guille and Tony, come on down!
OTOH, here's a promising development: https://www.barcablaugranes.com/202...e-de-jong-return-date-after-training-comeback
This is one reason why its key to grab a lead early, and to rotate in games: https://www.espn.com.au/football/st...ing-ac-milan-man-united-spurs-chelsea-maresca
Frenkie de Jong is expected to get the medical green light tomorrow and should be available on tuesday vs Young Boys.
They're saying 3 weeks for Torres. At least it comes during a FIFA window. Let's see if Olmo can stay healthy until Ferran returns. Good that FdJ didn't get called up by Holland.
I'm thinking that here's Fati's chance to increase his minutes and to climb the ladder in this roster. I did like some of what he did vs Alaves, and here's hoping he can reclaim his form. Also, whatever Olmo gives or does not give between his stays on the injured list is a bonus. He'll only get hurt again, and then the team will have to carry on without him. As usual.
Return date for the Camp Nou is up in the air. https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-expected-to-return-to-spotify-camp-nou-in-february-report/ “The club is working to have the stadium ready to return at the end of December,” Fort said in the presser. But she clarified that having the stadium ready does not necessarily Barcelona can return to Camp Nou.
I fvkcing hate the Nations League with the fire of 10,000 Arabian suns. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsan...revealed-amid-real-madrid-and-bayern-clashes/
At least Lewa only played 30 minutes tonight. He was on the receiving end of a red card tackle by the Croat goalkeeper, but he stayed on thr field after that so guessing he is OK. Also, played well.
As I understand it, it's a hamstring strain that requires a week or so of rest. My angst about this centers on this idiotic cashgrab leading to unnecessary workload on clubs' players. I suspect it is/was a way to have another "Euro," all but in name. Specific to Barça, after Pedri and Gavi getting banged up playing stoopid international fixtures, this overload could possibly shorten or worsen the careers some of the other gems in the roster.
There is more football, but not as much as you seem to be making it out to be. Keep in mind that the UEFA World Cup qualifiers are shorter than they used to be. Pre-Nations League, UEFA would be well into WC qualifying matches right now. Now we have another competition which is taken more seriously than friendlies, but not as seriously as WC qualifiers. So, you can't make 8 subs at halftime like you might in a friendly, but teams are also not playing their best/same XI every match in the first place. If Poland was playing a qualifier last night, I highly doubt Lewa starts on the bench. Doubt that Mbappe doesn't get a call up from France. etc etc. Save your Arabian sun hate for the expanded Club WC. That's purely additional / doesn't simply replace another competition.
While this is true, as you mentioned, the stoopid Nations League is of a higher intensity than a friendly, while reducing the number of substitutions. I know of NO ONE who actually likes this Nations League. And to your point about qualification, there are always the "free wins" vs Andorra, Faroe Islands, or Luxembourg to "rest" the first XI, whereas I haven't seen the same effect in this "tournament." Oh, and I do hate the expanded CWC. The potential for more UCL matches in this new format is annoying as well. As is the "super"copa cashgrab in Saudi. On balance, MORE football =/= BETTER football in every case.