Ecuador NT (Post-World Cup)

I believe the math shakes up favorably for that outcome...the point spread keeps widening- so much so that Tuchel basically conceded the title chase.

 

As long as Alonso stays, Hincapie should also stay put.

Alonso is one of those "once in a generation" coaches similar to Klopp, Guardiola, Ancelotti, etc.

There isn't much stability in EPL coaching at the moment (by tenure or team performance) and Leverkusen (regardless of the year's trophy haul) will be in the Champions League next year so highly competitive games are guaranteed.

The only way Hincapie benefits from a transfer is for financial windfall, but he likely won't get a quality coach again like Alonso, and the risk runs high that a switch doesn't necessarily convert to short-term improvement. Alonso has proven to be a great nurturer of talent and that will help a young Piero become a better professional.

If him/the spine of Leverkusen stays for another year, that tees up highly competitive football for another year, which is the perfect lead-in for the 2026 World Cup, where he can theoretically stand out well (if Ecuador qualifies) and can then move.

I hope Hincapie and Leverkusen/Alonso play it smart and stick around for another year. Title defenses and a CL make for a very challenging season which will be a great test of physical durability but also mental fitness to manage pressure.

 

I think it's just the permissiveness of certain types of fouls. Generally speaking, though, it seems like a league where the pace slows a bit, so defensive prowess is on display more and generally more revered vs. the PL where goals and attacking are in-demand. This might be a bit stereotypical, though, so perhaps I'm overly generalizing.

 

What an epic collapse in Lima.

Horrendous second half.

 

yeah, dropping points in stoppage hurts big time. But a point doesn't hurt the tally-especially away.

 

That would be interesting to see- stemming from the coach, there is certainly potential if they can line up well per match.

Regarding Liga's collapse last night- once again, it's so evident that the team is suffering in the away/international games...we get clocked by Fluminense, we lose to Universitario. Local league aside where nothing is inherently f***ed yet, the issue is the tournament play and how the team pivots from domestic league to travel games. This was a very winnable game, and even a semi-focused Liga would have gone in under Zubeldia...at 50% commitment. If we went in completely locked-in, that game was ours for the taking. EASILY.

I don't blame Alcacer for the departure of players, and this firmly remains an issue with the salty new administration who wants to try things "their way". I do have the feeling that he is in over his head- schedule juggling is what makes the head DT role so difficult.

Where Alcacer has a problem is in the prep work prior to kickoff. We can't sustain rhythm for 90 minutes and this is now the second time we've fielded a clearly injured player either as a starter or as a sub (Julio vs. Flu and Quintero vs. Univ). Compounding that with the loss of Zambrano who was already picking up experience and our holding mid anchor, and what seemed to be like a loss of attitude and focus from the guys, it's a recipe for disaster.

I'm holding less hope for what's to come because this doesn't bode well. We need a very radical change in mindset, tactics, and preparation to play the Libertadores, and at this moment, the club is in a quiet crisis. 5 games left, and we'll likely need 10 points to advance.

 

Caicedo is presently rated as the worst performing player on the pitch....not a good look.