Just set a new record for highest number of goals in a round of EPL matches. 45 goals across 10 matches.
Helmond Cup update: Leverkusen still undefeated in all comps this season, but two difficult matches this week - #3 and #2 team in the Bundesliga. Result: 27 Jan (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen 0 Borussia M'gladbach 0 3 Feb (Bundesliga) SV Darmstadt 0 Bayer Leverkusen 2 Next fixture: Tue., 6 Feb (German Cup) Bayer Leverkusen v VfB Stuttgart Forthcoming: Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) [VfB Stuttgart v Mainz (Bundesliga)]
And under the "let's continue to curse Rosell and Bartomeu" files: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...court-orders-barcelona-pay-23m-agent-payments I'm sure MOST bigger clubs have done this at some point as well.
Helmond Cup update: Bayer Leverkusen passed last week's tests with flying colours and are now undefeated in their 31 matches played this season, with only 4 draws in that spell! Result: 6 Feb (DFB Pokal) Bayer Leverkusen 3 VfB Stuttgart 2 10 Feb (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen 3 Bayern Munich 0 Next fixture: Sat., 17 Feb (Bundesliga) FC Heidenheim v Bayer Leverkusen Forthcoming: Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz (Bundesliga) [Union Berlin v FC Heidenheim (Bundesliga)]
Watching the ref get subbed out for the 4th official in the LPB-Sevilla game right now Never seen that before. Ref seems to have gotten a leg cramp
Helmond Cup update: Leverkusen drew Qarabag FK for the second time this season in the Europa League. Result: 17 Feb (DFB Pokal) FC Heidenheim 1 Bayer Leverkusen 3 23 Feb (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen 2 Mainz 1 Next fixture: Sun., 3 Mar (Bundesliga) Koln v Bayer Leverkusen Forthcoming: Qarabag FK v Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz (Europa) [Borussia M'gladbach v FC Koln (Bundesliga)]
Haaland's class, no doubt. But perhaps this also means that the EPL maybe isn't as strong top-to-bottom as advertised. The top 4 in the EPL are as good as any on the planet, to be sure. But, there are some garbage teams in the bottom 1/3rd in the EPL.
Its more like top 8 or 9. I know, I know, Chelsea and Man Utd haven't looked great lately, but compared to the 6th, 7th and 8th-place teams in other leagues. And I think Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa are all better than Girona. Just look what they're doing in Europe.
I do think that SMART front office management has won over stoopid in pretty much every league in every sport on the planet. And I do agree that Brighton and Villa in particular are well run as well. I don't know that those two would necessarily beat Girona, because they're also well-run. I also think that in the English-language media, that brits fall all over themselves to be self-congratulatory about all things football. Particularly as it pertains to the quality of their league and spending. For my part, I think that spending is not directly congruent with quality. I think there is an inflationary aspect to trying to sucker some kid into living and playing in England, particularly away from London. And as a result, English clubs have to pay more, to get a player to go to the EPL over other leagues. To your point about "top 8 or 9" in the EPL being quality or my view of it being their Top 4, I know I'd take Athletic, Betis, or La Real over manURE or West Ham, just based on their coaching. Brighton are a fun side, but they can't defend this season. On the bottom end, none of the sides below Brentford are worth watching, and to be sure the relegation zone is shyte in England. In La Liga, at least Aspas/Vigo are entertaining, Sevilla are entertaining, and the relegation zone is equally shyte.
Great vibe at San Mames last night for the Copa del Rey semi! I guess its also a good time for Barca to play there if there ever is a good time (3 days after a big match for Athletic). A win this weekend would essentially wrap-up a CL spot for Barca.
Pretty eventful finish to the Valencia x Madrid game. Valencia also had a PK near the end of the game but VAR called it off . Then the ref blows the whistle after a Madrid corner as the ball is played to the wing … but Madrid continues the play , ball is crossed for a Bellingham goal . Time added was 7 mins and it was already almost 99th … but there was a stoppage in injury time 2 x 2 - FT
After reviewing the end of that game , Manzano ********ed up twice . One it looks like he put the whistle in his mouth but only blew right as the cross was being put in . He should have blown before . Two , there was more than 2 min on the VaR PK review … so the game technically probably should have gone until 99th min . He also blew the whistle on Valencia attack in the first half at a weird time . Pretty bad overall and I’d be pissed of that was against my team . Having said that … let’s bring the lead to 6 points tomorrow .
In other news , Suarez with 2 classy finishes against Orlando . First one is classic Suarez … he finished a hard paced pass as if it was nothing . Still has great reflexes
There were multiple games Barca game where x minutes ET were given and half of it were the opposition players were on the floor and the game still finished at 9x:00 That is why I find it funny. The Valencia players were furious at him and Manzano was like look at the clock. Even Baraja came to demand an explanation https://imgur.com/91odFDQ The guy did the same thing for the second half. He has been consistent. Consistently shit but still consistent The title is still Reals
Arsenal have scored at least 4 goals in 5 out of the last 7 EPL games. And in 4 of them they scored 5 or 6 goals. WTH is going on ???
And 3 against Liverpool isn't too shabby either. Feels like there are way more goals being scored in the EPL than usual. I had mentioned that a new record was just set when 45 goals went in during a 10-match round in early-Feb. Since then we had weekends with 37, 34 and 36 goals scored - consistently a lot. Not sure what the overall numbers for the season say though....
Helmond Cup update: Result: 3 Mar (Bundesliga) FC Koln 0 Bayer Leverkusen 2 Next fixture: Thur., 7 Mar (Europa) Qarabag FK v Bayer Leverkusen Forthcoming: Bayer Leverkusen v Wolfsburg (Bundesliga) [Qarabag FK v Zira (Azerbaijan)]