I thought we showed well for ourselves generally. The first half looked good as the team was organized and compact, then pressured the Madrid midfield into mistakes for the counter. I'm glad they didn't go all out bunker to hope for 0-0. It was the right gameplan and was working as well as you could hope because we created a few chances while limiting theirs. The problem is when facing team like RM you pretty much have to be perfect, and we weren't. The second half started off mostly the same way, but then the team started losing steam midway through the second half. Rubens especially looked gassed as he was not 90 minute fit yet. It's not surprising that as soon as he wore down, the offense lost a lot of creativity and started going more direct. I probably would have tried subbing him out instead of Renato but I can't fault La Volpe too much hoping that Sambu could make one magical pass. For me, I'd fly the starters home right now and leave only the reserves for the 3rd place game. 13 > 3rd
LaVolpe no esta de acuerdo contigo, ya dijo que le van a dar a todo para el 3er puesto. Es mas importante ganar bronce mundial, calificar a la Copa Mundial de clubes es muy dificil. Medallas de bronce mundial tienen mas prestigio. En mi opinion, la Liga MX debe de pagar para unas masseuses para ayudar al America recuperar para la ida contra el Tigres.
There are significant drop offs in quality throughout the CWC. Getting to gold or silver is worth spending all resources. Bronze? I'm not so sure. Under normal conditions I'd say absolutely, but this is for a domestic championship. That carries more weight for me. What are the short and long term benefits? Short term, getting bronze is undermined by Atletico being physically spent by brutal scheduling and an emotional tragedy. Long term, nobody really gives a shot about the consolation game. 10, 20, 30 years from now, nobody will care if we got 3rd or 4th. But they will care is we got another championship. I love the CWC and believe it will develop, some day, into one of the major world tournaments. But being champion of your country will always be better than also-ran in the world. Tigres is a very strong team. We will need full power to beat them. I will be pissed if we lose in our centenario because we are exhausted from a consolation game.
People still talk about Necaxa's 3rd pl in 2000. Only 1 other Mexican team has matched that since, and the league has the world record in consecutive CL titles. To have that many opportunities but only medal twice is excruciatingly sad. No one's gonna be saying the medal will come only because the other team is depressed, except the usual haters who know nothing. It will be well earned, it won't be easy to win. Moot point anyway, the gaffer already made his decision, an A-team for Sunday. I'm pretty sure they'll shake off any fatigue for the MX Final. They can rest during the New Year's break.
People remember Necaxa's 3rd place finish because they beat a blue blood (Real) to do it. Nobody ever talks about Monterrey's 3rd place finish because consolation games aren't really important. I had to look up what year it even was and who it was against. You're right that it's moot since La Volpe has already staked his position. If they come back and beat Tigres then I won't give a shit. But I will not be happy if they run out of gas against Tigres regardless of what happened in the consolation game.
Technically we still are. Penalties suck, but it is what it is. Now it's time to get home and focus on 13.
Americanistas lets send our energy to the Ferrari for the final (づ。◕‿‿◕。)づ @SixKick @LGRod @Serg33 #americanistasganandocomosiempre
I feel good about it. We controlled the run of play in the first leg. Other than their goal, they didn't really have much going for them. We had far more dangerous opportunities. If we just keep playing our game we should be fine. Add the fact that Gignac is out, and I'm ready to start putting the Champagne on ice for Christmas. What do you think?
So @Serg33 I forgot. What does La Volpe need to do in yours again? If he wins on Christmas, then and only then are you okay with him staying for 2017?
The championship makes up for his piss poor 1st go around with America. I don't want him to stay, but it's hard to argue letting go of someone who brought you a championship.