I think the difference is that we're not playing defensively - like Pepe in midfield under Mourinho, or that time Capello started with 3 DMs against Bayern (Emerson, Gago, Diarra). We're playing good football, moving well, creating a lot of chances; just need to be able to put them away more regularly.
They allegedly raised their wage demands as soon as Premier League teams started showing interest. I feel like Cavani wanted to join Atleti but as soon as higher profile teams got involved he started listening. Still, Atleti have themselves to blame really pushing themselves in a corner by giving big big wages to players like Lemar who didn't really push them forward.
I didn’t say we played better in the first half I’m saying they parked the bus and countered when there was an opening hence my bringing up of the possession numbers.
What a twat. I dont care if one goes on to play for a rival. But Morata has been completely disrespectful, making some "Arturo Vidal" level of statements.
Probably the most impressive thing about our defensive record. We're not sitting deep in our own half. We're pressing aggressively, high up the pitch, and like you say, all while playing good football.
Everybody said that was a bad idea when it happened. Bakayoko to Chelsea was also a huge waste of time and resources.
Valverde, Casemiro, Mendy & Varane are really stepping up and making us look like a defending juggernaut. Varane is playing unreal, best CB in the world atm. Mendy is defensive LB mvp and Valverde and Casemiro are best middlefielders in the world atm.
He's really stepped up but in all fairness he's rarely challenged because our defence is so good atm. Not like Ramos is doing bad either.
Unless by "challenged" you mean he has been exposed to one on one, he has had his fair amount of challenges, dangerous shots and clearances and he has dealt with them. Give credit when it's due.
Varane and Ramos are better than VVD, no matter what PL pundits say. People forget VVD is 28, he was a nobody 3 years ago stuck in Southampton.
VVD - Transfer fees: 103M Age:28 Trophies: 1 UCL, 0 relevant league trophies. Varane - Transfer fees: 10M Age:26 Trophies: 4 UCL, 2 leagues, 1 World Cup, 1 Copa Del Rey. There's no comparison to anyone who knows football.
For playing footballers, only comparison worth mentioning is what they'll be able to do in the next game. In that comparison VVD had an upper hand over Varane during last year or so. Now I don't think so.
Completely agree. Varane was substandard for a pretty decent stretch of time. Glad to see him regain his swagger and his form.
LOL Marcelo and Militao having some fun on the bench at Simeone’s expense. 1224098559991205888 is not a valid tweet id
Why not? He won the CL and the World Cup that year. That's more than what Cannavaro achieved in 2006 when he won.
After we lost the friendly this summer to Atleti 7-3 and AS we’re trying as hard as possible to drag the club through the mud, and people losing faith in Zidane before the season had begun. This was Zidane’s response at the time. “I’m certain I have a team that will compete and that’s that,” he said. “We’re going to see good things. Our season will be good, I’m convinced.” One of my favourite things about Zizou is that he seems to always be calm and collected when things aren’t going our way. He comes across as rational (for the majority part, save Lucas!) and perceptive.
Classic Zizou, lol. I think he had a pretty modest season for us. He did play well for Croatia but won nothing though.
Honestly, I am enjoying reading the pages of 27-Jul in the pre-Season thread. Some posts are cracking me up.