World Soccer

[Matnum PI]

Meanwhile, the Round of 16 Champions League draw:

Porto vs. Arsenal
Napoli vs. Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad
Inter vs. Atletico Madrid
PSV vs. Borussia Dortmund
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City
RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid

I'm curious to see who is a threat to Man City and Real Madrid. Maybe none...

[FannOLax]

Meanwhile, the Round of 16 Champions League draw:

Porto vs. Arsenal
Napoli vs. Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad
Inter vs. Atletico Madrid
PSV vs. Borussia Dortmund
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City
RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid

I'm curious to see who is a threat to Man City and Real Madrid. Maybe none...

Haven't been overwhelming in the Bundesliga, but Bayern could be a threat. As much as I hate to say it, Arsenal too. Then there's the fact that Man City has looked less overwhelming than Bayern. Funky year; with Man United in the group stage but Liverpool not, and Messi playing for a US team. Good chance for Bellingham to shine.

[Seacoaster(1)]

Meanwhile, the Round of 16 Champions League draw:

Porto vs. Arsenal
Napoli vs. Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad
Inter vs. Atletico Madrid
PSV vs. Borussia Dortmund
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City
RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid

I'm curious to see who is a threat to Man City and Real Madrid. Maybe none...

Haven't been overwhelming in the Bundesliga, but Bayern could be a threat. As much as I hate to say it, Arsenal too. Then there's the fact that Man City has looked less overwhelming than Bayern. Funky year; with Man United in the group stage but Liverpool not, and Messi playing for a US team. Good chance for Bellingham to shine.

Arsenal?

[ardilla secreta]

Fridays Result
Aston Villa 1 Sheffield United 1
A testament of the strength of the Premier League. Villa misses a chance to go top of the table for at least a day and require late game heroics against the bottom dwellers to grab a draw.

[FannOLax]

Fridays Result
Aston Villa 1 Sheffield United 1
A testament of the strength of the Premier League. Villa misses a chance to go top of the table for at least a day and require late game heroics against the bottom dwellers to grab a draw.

You are so right Ardilla. Today's results confirming this: Luton 1 Newcastle nil; and Fulham nil Burnley 2.

[ardilla secreta]

It’s astonishing how mediocre and lifeless Chelsea and Manchester United have become. Both of these legendary clubs were so flat as they often are. Neither team have a look of wanting to please their coach, especially 10 Hag. He needs to go after the holiday period although I’m enjoying his presence.

[ardilla secreta]

It’s astonishing how mediocre and lifeless Chelsea and Manchester United have become. Both of these legendary clubs were so flat as they often are. Neither team have a look of wanting to please their coach, especially 10 Hag. He needs to go after the holiday period although I’m enjoying his presence.

[FannOLax]

Double stumble by Arsenal, losing at home to West Ham then at unfancied Fulham. Perhaps we'll see the Gunners spend large in the January transfer window. Fun game between Liverpool and Newcastle, with Lpool solidifying its hold on first place. But can the red Merseysiders win the title with their leaky defense? Man City has had its own stumbles, but I can easily imagine the Citizens going on a long, ruthless winning streak. The red half of Manchester is feeling blue after that loss at Forest. Tottenham games are wildly entertaining, with Spurs riding their luck to beat Bournemouth. Luton Town will not go down without a fight.

[Matnum PI]

Franz. RIP.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... es-aged-78

[Brooklyn]

Franz. RIP.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... es-aged-78

I will never forget the 1974 WC in which he had his hands full with Johan Cruyff and the rest of the Dutch Masters. Manager Helmut Schön engineered a superb defensive plan with the Kaiser leading the defense and which led to Germany's win. But it was his superb work with the NY Cosmos in the old NASL that won him many thousands of American fans. Imagine him and Pele' on the same team. Those three Championships sure were fun to watch. What a great time had in NYC as sports fans in those days!

[Seacoaster(1)]

Anyone catch that breathtaking Newcastle-Manchester City game yesterday?

Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QotUnAR-yE

[FannOLax]

Anyone catch that breathtaking Newcastle-Manchester City game yesterday?

Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QotUnAR-yE

I'm not sure if there's a better midfielder in the world than Kevin de Bruyne. If he gets back to full match fitness and stays healthy, Man City will be liking their chances in all competitions.

[FannOLax]

Jurgen Klopp stepping down as Liverpool manager after this season https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -of-season
He will not be easy to replace. How will this affect the end of this season?

[Seacoaster(1)]

Jurgen Klopp stepping down as Liverpool manager after this season https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -of-season
He will not be easy to replace. How will this affect the end of this season?

End of an era, and the players, many of whom have never known another manager, will be motivated.

Xabi Alonso is the talk of the town...and a former Red??

[FannOLax]

Jurgen Klopp stepping down as Liverpool manager after this season https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -of-season
He will not be easy to replace. How will this affect the end of this season?

End of an era, and the players, many of whom have never known another manager, will be motivated.

Xabi Alonso is the talk of the town...and a former Red??

Yes, he was a Liverpool starter in that 2005 Champions League final that Liverpool won by erasing a 3 -0 deficit. He seems to be the clear favorite.

[ardilla secreta]

Maidstone United, National League South 6th level defeated Ipswich Town, 2nd place Championship 2nd level 2-1 at Portman Road. This is why the FA Cup is still relevant and watchable.

[Seacoaster(1)]

Maidstone United, National League South 6th level defeated Ipswich Town, 2nd place Championship 2nd level 2-1 at Portman Road. This is why the FA Cup is still relevant and watchable.

Watched the highlights of this one this AM; wonderful, and awesome that it happened at Maidstone's venue.

[FannOLax]

The FA Cup is the oldest cup competitoon in soccer / football. Terrific tourney! Unfortunately, the expansion of the European Champions Cup into the Champions League has devalued the FA Cup, as finishing 4th in the league is now better than winning the FA Cup.

Massive win over the weekend by Arse over Liverpool. Could end up with a three-way dog fight for the league title, plus a tough fight for 4th place.

[ardilla secreta]

The FA Cup is the oldest cup competitoon in soccer / football. Terrific tourney! Unfortunately, the expansion of the European Champions Cup into the Champions League has devalued the FA Cup, as finishing 4th in the league is now better than winning the FA Cup.

Massive win over the weekend by Arse over Liverpool. Could end up with a three-way dog fight for the league title, plus a tough fight for 4th place.

Nobody gave Arsenal a chance, now they’re right back in it. This has to be the most balanced the league has been.

They can really do without the League Cup and FA Cup replays. Too many games.

[Seacoaster(1)]

We are though 24 games (23 for City), and the top of the table is really tight: Liverpool by 2 points with an extra game played over City, and by 2 points with the same number played as the Gooners. The fight at the top, the fight for the last Champions League slot, the fight over playing in Europe, and the fight over relegation all coming down to the last few games if things continue as they have. Another great finish coming.