Helmond Cup update: -> Feel like a broken record, but another late goal for Leverkusen against West Ham to salvage a 1-1 draw. Of course, that's enough for them to advance to the EL semis against Roma. Now, will clinching the Bundesliga so early translate to them finally losing a game? Maybe not as their next match is against Dortmund who have bigger priorities than the Bundesliga atm. Result: 14 Apr (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen 5 Werder Bremen 0 18 Apr (Europa League) West Ham 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1 Next fixture: Sun., 21Apr (Bundesliga) Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen Forthcoming: Bayer Leverkusen v VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga) [RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga)]
Right. Here they had many tools to counter with 11 players and played 110 mins strictly on defense. That was as one way traffic as I've ever seen. But I'd say most would criticize them for doing so themselves. At the end of the say you're still happy if you get the result and go through.
I guess Xabi Alonso will move to Real after the upcoming season. Also, if the rumours are true that Laporta wants to replace Xavi with Rafael Marquez, then we are in big trouble.
Helmond Cup update: A 97th-minute equalizer keeps Leverkusen's unbeaten run going! The goal does make it easier for Real Madrid to get the Helmond Cup before the end of this season (VfB Stuttgart -> Bayern -> LPB) Result: 21 Apr (Bundesliga) Borussia Dortmund 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1 Next fixture: Sat., 27 Apr (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen v VfB Stuttgart Forthcoming: AS Roma v Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga) [VfB Stuttgart v Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)]
Luck has a way of reversing itself. And Karma always knows how to get even. Alonso and Leverkusen are gonna have hell to pay next season, IMO. Winning 10 frikkin' matches at or after minute 90 ISN'T all down to a club having a fighting spirit. That many remontadas is down to luck-boxing their way.
Ya know, given the cavalcade of second post goals surrendered by Barca, because the 2nd post FB either gets sucked inside, or get lost ball-watching, I've watched other clubs' FBs. And even though ARSEnal have had their screw ups, their FBs turn their heads to locate their marks. Nottingham Forests' FBs do the same. Same with most La Liga sides. Pretty much every club in a big league has their 2nd post FBs turn their heads to give a glance to find their marks. It seems like a pretty basic thing to do, something that I would have thought is a basic function of being a FB. Here's hoping Xavi, et al can actually bother to invest some time and effort to get the FBs to do this one incredibly simple thing that has gotten this club bounced from competitions and lost matches for them.
That was close! Almost all top league title races done and dusted across Europe, but Arsenal hung in there. Their goal diff took a bit of a hit in that 2nd half, but they should still be ok on that front.
Have you seen United lately? Got outplayed by Burnley at home last weekend and blew a 3-0 lead v Coventry before that. But yeah, they do seem to elevate their game more often than not when they come up against Arsenal for whatever reason. Spurs won't do Arsenal any favors. I guess if that's a must win match for Spurs they might put up a fight v City, but we'll see. They looked pretty good yesterday despite losing.
Helmond Cup update: This is just getting ridiculous now! Another 96th-minute equalizer keeps Leverkusen's unbeaten run going! It thwarted a chance for Madrid to get the Helmond Cup too! Result: 27 Apr (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen 2 VfB Stuttgart 2 Next fixture: Thur., 2 May (Europa) AS Roma v Bayer Leverkusen Forthcoming: Frankfurt v Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga) [Atalanta v AS Roma (Serie A)]
Bayern flirted with disaster going down a goal in the first half but have scored 2 goals in the 2nd half. But they just missed such a good header opportunity to go up 2 goals. Typical Madrid luck. I am sure it won't come back to bite Bayern ....
Like I said, missed chance biting Bayern in the ass. Tough job now to hold at least a draw in Madrid.
Shame that we couldn't seal the deal with Rodrygo back then, especially he was a fan and we had agreement first (same with Vinicius).
Bayern had a few players not playing in their primary roles, AFAIK. Will they be back at full strength by the time of the return match?
PSG are probably more likely to upset LPB in the final, but despite that I still can't cheer for them. They're just so unlikable.
Dortmund win the first leg. I think they will go to the final if referee doesn't mess up in the return leg. Remember the only reason psg are here because they gifted them a pk vs Newcastle. Need Dortmund win UCL so that will open many eyes that club can compete in UCL. No more poor excuse.
Oh well, its all about the Europa League anyway. Can Leverkusen go through the entire season undefeated and win a treble, plus hang on to the all-important Helmond Cup until the summer? Can an Italian team outside the top 5 in Serie A win the EL? That would mean six Italian teams would qualify for the "group stage" of the Champions League next season.