The 2016/2017 Soccer Thread

[Insidious Von]

Chinese football clubs splashed out huge contracts for foreign players, most notably Chelsea's Oscar and Roma's Gervinho. Now they are seeing this as a band aid measure, they are right. Without a strong domestic talent pool, the Football League suffers, the EPL is the best example of that.

 

[Galseigin]

This coming Sunday El Classico at 2:45...

 

[Don Draper]

This coming Sunday El Classico at 2:45...

One for the ages!

 

[Insidious Von]

It's so strange.

They play like Supermen against Real, yet they got goose-egged by Juventus. I thought that with Messi settling into the trequartista position (smart move) they would have found a way to break Juventus down. Chiellini and Bonucci got most of the accolades but it was Alex Sandro and Dani Alves who really shut them down.

Alex Sandro, the new Maicon.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Brazil are gonna win WC2018 with their hand tied behind their backs.

I wonder if Diego Costa now regrets defecting to Spain.
He wouldve fit in perfectly as a #9 with Brazil right now.

Fuck him, he's a traitor

 

[Insidious Von]

Brazil don't need Diego Costa, he's a choker.

If Brazil wins, it will be because of their defense: Marcelo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Alex Sandro

 

[Galseigin]

One for the ages!

Great game...I really liked Rakitic

 

[Don Draper]

It's so strange.

They play like Supermen against Real, yet they got goose-egged by Juventus. I thought that with Messi settling into the trequartista position (smart move) they would have found a way to break Juventus down.

There is nothing like a 'Clasico'. I know that you're very well educated and informed regarding the Art of Futbol, my very esteemed colleague. Unless you have lived in Catalunya and been absorbed by the culture and history of the entire country, it will never resonate in the same way. It will always be an appreciative although academic process.

If you've been arrested for simply speaking Catalan in Madrid (as was my Grandfather). If a bomb goes off a half a block away from you and you hear some maniac scream 'Franco Vive' (Franco Lives) which I recall clearly and was sleepless for several nights. If your Mother's degree was thrown back at her simply because it was written in Catalan and not Castilian and therefore she didn't get the job she was perfectly qualified for. I recall that all too well. This is the make up of the Catalan/Castilian conflict and how it manifests itself through a 'Clasico'. It is social, political, historic and sporting all at the same time. Puyol kissing his Captain's armband, Pique stretching out his Jersey and Messi holding up his are all symbols of triumph and audacity. A true thing of beauty that will be remembered by Cule's and Merengues alike.

I hope this shines a bit of light on the topic.

Great game...I really liked Rakitic

What's not to like? That kick was perfect!

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Brazil don't need Diego Costa, he's a choker.

If Brazil wins, it will be because of their defense: Marcelo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Alex Sandro

And Neymar too

 

[Insidious Von]

I understand totally, don't forget my family, direct and extended, immigrated to Canada because of Il Deficenti. The Liri Valley, where I was born, was totally destroyed during WW II. If Victor Emmanuel III had shown the same resolve, in 1921, that Juan Carlos did in 1981, the Savoys would still be Italy's Royal Family today. I'm mixed on the outright independence though, it could influence politics in Quebec. Spain is a democratic country now, which could make it harder to break away.

Btw Messi holds an Italian passport, and him moving to Inter Milan is not beyond the realm of possibility.

 

[Insidious Von]

CL Derby: Real 3 Atletico 0.

It appears that Diego Simeone's magic has run it's course. The Calderonesi looked listless, Real was always in control. I lost interest are Los Blancos really that good?

Let's hope Juve and Monaco put on a better show.

 

[Don Draper]

CL Derby: Real 3 Atletico 0.

It appears that Diego Simeone's magic has run it's course. The Calderonesi looked listless, Real was always in control. I lost interest are Los Blancos really that good?

Let's hope Juve and Monaco put on a better show.

Los Colchoneros always lose their mojo when it comes to facing their arrogant and entitled cousin who they've never gotten along with. In fact, no one does. Los Merengues aren't that good but are very lucky. A huge amount of games won in the last minutes of many a match because the other team chocked or just looked the other way.

Juve and Monaco put on a better show but only ever so slightly. Hoping that Gigi can lift Big Ears at least once in his dignified career. Merengues losing to the Old Lady in the final will be even sweeter and will resonate louder and longer.

 

[Insidious Von]

If Juve get through the return leg without conceding it will be Henrik Lunqvist's thrid attempt at grabbin the big ears.

IMHO Moise Kean is just as good as Kylian Mbappe and a full year younger. Juve are not about to burn him out before his time, he's gotten some game action and has two goals. And, unlike Balotelli, he's not about to pout due to his lack of playing time.

 

[Galseigin]

Los Colchoneros always lose their mojo when it comes to facing their arrogant and entitled cousin who they've never gotten along with. In fact, no one does. Los Merengues aren't that good but are very lucky. A huge amount of games won in the last minutes of many a match because the other team chocked or just looked the other way.

Juve and Monaco put on a better show but only ever so slightly. Hoping that Gigi can lift Big Ears at least once in his dignified career. Merengues losing to the Old Lady in the final will be even sweeter and will resonate louder and longer.

Monaco and Juve's game was nice, Monaco kept going at them ..but couldn't get thru ..they lost they mojo after the first goal and even more after the second goal. I thought they were going to put one in..but. I hope Juventus wins for a change

 

[Insidious Von]

The plight of the EPL: Harry Kane vs Gallo Belotti.

Both are exceptionally skilled 23 year olds with a two month gap between them, combined they have scored almost 50 goals. Due to the dearth in English talent Kane has had to shoulder the burden of leadership for club and country. He has been scoring consistently for the last three years, he got schooled by Chiellini in an International friendly but it didn't dent his confidence at club level. He's still young and will learn how to deal with heavy marking - if he doesn't end up like Michael Owen first.

This is The Rooster's first year as a starting forward, he spent most of his development with provincial clubs notably as Paulo Dybala's strike partner at Palermo. He joined Torino in the summer of 2015 but spent the year as a substitute. Last summer Quagliarella joined Sampdoria and he got his chance to start. He hasn't looked back and is currently Serie A co-capocannonieri with 25 goals. Last month, Torino slapped a $115 million buy out clause that any club outside of Italy must pay for his transfer rights.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Ajax has one foot in the EL final.

They will beat either ManU or Celta, it wont matter who they face

 

[Insidious Von]

Phil, how dare you!

Manchester United is the greatest team in the world coached by the greatest manager in the world....I hope Ajax destroys them.

ManU is offering Monaco 76 million Pounds for Kylian Mbappe, the director said mange la merde e morir give us 130 million and we may consider it. They got suckered into paying 86 million Pounds for Paul Pogba, so why not.

 

[glamphotographer]

Canada Soccer has approved CPL Canada's premier league soccer. They will go bust in few years as MLS expands.

 

[Insidious Von]

If the CPL is a developmental league MLS will support it.

I got a surprise today, I saw part of a women's game between Barcelona and PSG. PSG is the women's league powerhouse and Ashley Lawrence is a starter. She was a substitute against Germany to give the veterans their moment to shine, we could have won the Gold Medal, Herdman fucked up. Lawrence and Beckie should be the engine of the National Team going forward. Yes, I'm pissed that Christine Sinclair has decided not to retire.

A product of the Vaughan Azzurri.

 

[Insidious Von]

Janine Beckie, born in Alberta raised in Texas, is considered the most talented women's player in North America. Won an NCAA Title with Texas Tech. The Americans were pissed when she chose to play for Canada. Had to play out of position against Germany to accommodate Sinclair, it cost us a Gold Medal. I was civil toward Sinclair, the Socio ripped her apart for her selfishness.