The Real Football Thread

[gooner]

But there is also a chance that Lewandowski will stay, Dortmund said they'd rather keep him for one more year and then let him go for free because they don't need the money. They put a deadline for a "very substantial offer" to May 15th but so far there has been no talk of an actual offer coming in

I like Dortmund and I hate to see them losing their best players as they have developed them and acquired them through top class scouting. But money talks and they said something similar with Kagawa when his contract was running down to a year to go.

Heynckes after the game:

"As far as I know, Mario Goetze will be joining Bayern Munich and I don't think Lewandowski will be hanging about too much either," said Heynckes, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola next season.

"Then, of course, you've got two top attackers as well.

"My successor will, of course, be able to take over a perfectly functioning team."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-heynckes-expects-lewandowski-to/687346.html

 

[Christian]

I like Dortmund and I hate to see them losing their best players as they have developed them and acquired them through top class scouting. But money talks and they said something similar with Kagawa when his contract was running down to a year to go.

Heynckes after the game:



http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-heynckes-expects-lewandowski-to/687346.html

With Kagawa it was a bit different I believe - he had an offer from ManU and he said it was his childhood dream to play for them (apparently they are very popular in Japan). Also ManU was not a direct opponent. I think Dortmund wouldn't mind losing Lewandowski to England or any other country but if it means to Bayern I assume the offer must be very substantual for them to consider it

 

[gooner]

With Kagawa it was a bit different I believe - he had an offer from ManU and he said it was his childhood dream to play for them (apparently they are very popular in Japan). Also ManU was not a direct opponent. I think Dortmund wouldn't mind losing Lewandowski to England or any other country but if it means to Bayern I assume the offer must be very substantual for them to consider it

United and the Premier League get more exposure than Dortmund and the Bundesliga in Japan and this appealed to him. Personally I think he made the wrong decision and I agree with Klopp when he said United have used him wrongly. Unless they were going to play him in his best position behind the striker United were never going to see the best of him and too rarely has he played here. Many huge United fans I talk to say the same thing and can't see him fitting in as they always like to play with 2 strikers on most occasions. Things might change under Moyes but that remains to be seen.

Dortmund would obviously prefer to sell abroad but with a year to go the power is more with the player. Just look at Nasri and especially RVP in similar situations at Arsenal. No way did Wenger want to sell a top player to Ferguson but RVP made it crystal clear United were his choice to go to. In the end, even he had to give in and sanction the transfer and that must have sickened him to do so. I see no different with Lewandowski, I'm afraid.

 

[gooner]

Neymar just announced he's signing for Barca on Monday.

 

[l.Harm]

Mandjukic, Mueller and Gomez are out of this world as is. Lewandowski is most likely going to do exactly the same thing and at best will be a minor imrpovement on what they currently have

A lot of money to spend for that, unless they just want to **** off dortmund.

Could have been better put towards replacing that braindead cb dante, who was the only thing that could have stopped Bayern winning today.

Doesn't rule out a replacement for Dante.

Btw I think Lewandowski is an improvement. Gomez isn't the top striker most people think he is. Van Gaal and Heynckes choosed for other strikers (Klose, Mandzukic). Also Löw choosed for a half-injured Klose at high age at the Euros barely a year ago.

Mandzukic is a hard working striker, but Lewandowski has more technical ability and is overall a better player.

Bayern have never had a plan. Their policy has always been to observe what other German teams are doing and then buy all their best players. That's what they did with Leverkusen, Bremen and now Dortmund. Any team in the Bundesliga is basically just a feeding team for Bayern. They have more money than they know what to do with. You should see the people that sit in their executive committee - all CEO's of Germany's biggest companies. There is no limit to the money.

But Gomez for example doesn't fit into Guardiola's strategy. He is still a forward from the old days, so unless he really changes his game I don't know if he has much of a future at Bayern under Guardiola. Also the reason why Guardiola wanted Götze is because he realized that even he couldn't turn Schweini into Messi

Schweinsteiger is no comparison to Messi, probably to Xavi and I rate Schweinsteiger higher at the moment. I consider him as the best midfielder in the world, I wouldn't mind if he gets the Ballon d'Or. He deserves that.

I don't think Guardiola is exactly going to implement Barca's tactics. It would be stupid. They buy Götze because he's a good player. He has great technical ability, good passing and can pass opponents relatively easy. An unique combination I'd say.

guardiola doesnt need to turn goetze into messi. Hes already got messi in robben (the way he played today was as good as the real deal)

No doubt Robben is a great player, albeit a *** and often injured, but I think Götze is a much more similar player to Messi than him. So if he wants to continue a similar style as in Barcelona I think Götze will be his best (local) bet

I think Bayern wanted to sell Robben, maybe they changed their opinion based on last games in the Champions League. Normally Ribéry decides matches for Bayern, but where was he yesterday? No danger at all. Robben is a great player but no way a Messi. Arrogant *** and injured half the time. Btw, I don't think Guardiola has to create a new Messi. It doesn't exist and Bayern's strong point is they don't depend on one player.

United and the Premier League get more exposure than Dortmund and the Bundesliga in Japan and this appealed to him. Personally I think he made the wrong decision and I agree with Klopp when he said United have used him wrongly. Unless they were going to play him in his best position behind the striker United were never going to see the best of him and too rarely has he played here. Many huge United fans I talk to say the same thing and can't see him fitting in as they always like to play with 2 strikers on most occasions. Things might change under Moyes but that remains to be seen.

Dortmund would obviously prefer to sell abroad but with a year to go the power is more with the player. Just look at Nasri and especially RVP in similar situations at Arsenal. No way did Wenger want to sell a top player to Ferguson but RVP made it crystal clear United were his choice to go to. In the end, even he had to give in and sanction the transfer and that must have sickened him to do so. I see no different with Lewandowski, I'm afraid.

I was really wondering what his position would be at Man Utd. Now Van Persie and Rooney play upfront, with Rooney as a kind of second striker. Actually at the beginning of the season Kagawa played in that position. I don't think the main problem is the position of Kagawa, but the way Man United plays. Dortmund plays fresh and frank football. United is a little boring and decides matches in one or two moments. That's the thing that doesn't fit Kagawa.

There's a chance though that Rooney leaves and that could open some things for Kagawa. But it still doesn't change the way of playing, unless Moyes wants to make big changes. But especially in the first season I don't expect him to do that. It would be stupid anyway.

 

[l.Harm]

Btw Eriksen and Dortmund would be a perfect match

 

[The Hitch]

Normally Ribéry decides matches for Bayern, but where was he yesterday? No danger at all.

He set up Robben both times

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Football bids its final farewell to the great Cathedral of Bilbao, Estadio San Mamés, today, which just hosted its last match at the grand old age of 100, the oldest fully built stadium in the country. The team aren't moving far - San Mamés Barria is right next door to its predecessor - however the original cathedral is sadly to be pulled down and turned into a housing development. Its powerful atmosphere with the crowd elevated and so close to the pitch gave it a real character and notoriety, and most fans are sad to see it go. Like most, I kind of wish I could have been there today, although it's also sad that after 100 years of sport, the final match at La Catedral had to end in last minute defeat for Los Leones de San Mamés.

 

[coinneach]

Football bids its final farewell to the great Cathedral of Bilbao, Estadio San Mamés, today, which just hosted its last match at the grand old age of 100, the oldest fully built stadium in the country. The team aren't moving far - San Mamés Barria is right next door to its predecessor - however the original cathedral is sadly to be pulled down and turned into a housing development. Its powerful atmosphere with the crowd elevated and so close to the pitch gave it a real character and notoriety, and most fans are sad to see it go. Like most, I kind of wish I could have been there today, although it's also sad that after 100 years of sport, the final match at La Catedral had to end in last minute defeat for Los Leones de San Mamés.

Sad for you, LS, even though I support Real Sociadad, I agree the stadium in Bilbao is special in a kind of bull fighting way. Martinez wasn't bad for BM last night either, was he?
Real Sociadad got a last minute equaliser against Real Madrid tonigh, but that can't make up for the last minute goal they lost against Gadafe 2 weeks ago: torture for a fan, but they sure play with style

 

[Christian]

Btw Eriksen and Dortmund would be a perfect match

The Ajax coach said that Klopp called him and they talked about Eriksen, and Eriksen has said he thinks he would fit in well in Dortmund so I think chances are not too bad

 

[The Hitch]

More interesting is Neymar. Is he that good or just playing in a inferior league?

 

[Zam_Olyas]

He is allright but i don't know playing with Messi, as they say messi is man eater in the team.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

England V Ireland tonight?

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

More interesting is Neymar. Is he that good or just playing in a inferior league?

If you're really interested in that question watch some Neymar vs. XYZ videos on youtube that have every touch of him against an opponent. That way you can judge for yourself. I think he's quality but you can hardly tell how he'll do in europe because he will have to chance his game into something much more efficient and a third of his moves won't wok in a good league I think.

Btw: Ecuardor vs. Germany B (no regular starter) 2:4 (1:4), pretty good first half. Very unecessary 2 goals conceded.

 

[gooner]

England V Ireland tonight?

Poor game but with the exception of the last 10/15 mins Ireland were fairly comfortable against them.

James McCarthy was the best player on the pitch and like I said in a previous post up thread, he is more than good enough to play for a top 4 club. Coleman played well at right back and nullified the threat of Chamberlain who I feel hasn't kicked on in his development this season after initially impressing when arriving at Arsenal 2 years ago. Big season for him next year. Forde looked really assured in goal and has replaced the retiring Given adequately. I still feel the team could do with a bit more creativity in midfield as I would like to see the introduction of Wes Hoolahan but Trap doesn't seem to fancy him for the time being. Regarding the goal what a header by Long. Top class.

It still baffles me the criticism that Trap gets. I think many Irish fans, media and pundits alike need to wake up and get a reality check. He has done as well as he can with the resources he's had and all we have to do is look at the clubs of the players to see we don't have one playing at a Champions League club. Nevertheless we still get the idiots over here calling for his head when we concede a last minute goal by Alaba against Austria to draw at home in the last qualifier. This was after drawing away to Sweden 3 days earlier in another qualifier. No big deal to me as I find there is little difference in the sides from the games but the reaction over here was pathetic with reporters even asking would he resign afterwards. Some have short memories and all they have to do is look at the previous manager in Staunton to see what a shambles and laughing stock we were. Trap inherited all this and turned it around to qualify us for our first major tournament in the Euros last year which was our first since 2002 and only our 4th major tournament in total. This is Trap's third qualifying campaign and we have only lost 3 qualifying games against Russia, Germany and France in a play-off. Now tell me is this sackable with the resources that Trap has. Not even remotely.

As for England, I find their is no cohesion or understanding of each other's play. Just look at their group at the moment and you can see they are making very hard work of getting the automatic qualification spot for the World Cup and could find themselves in a difficult play-off if they don't buck up their ideas fast. Wilshere is badly needed for this side and it's vital he gets back to full fitness for next season. Overall I have my doubts with this England team going forward and can see them being of little threat at the World Cup next year.

 

[Christian]

re: Neymar. That fat criminal Uli Hoeness has revealed that Neymar was Guardiola's first choice. But Bayern refused, after their bad experience with Breno (in jail for having burned his mansion down), they no longer sign young guys straight from Brazil. So they turned to Götze instead

 

[gooner]

So the treble is now achieved by Bayern. In the end they made hard work of their win tonight against Stuttgart. Stuttgart started well but how on earth Bayern didn't get a penalty when Tasci brought down Robben in the box is beyond me. The decision to start Gomez over Mandzukic was justified in the end even though it was a surprise to see at the start. Nevertheless you can see why they still want to sign Lewandowski though. Gomez's first touch and link up play is average to say the least and Lewandowski is head and shoulders above him in regards to this. Many think it was Gomez's last game for Bayern anyway so it was a good way to go if this is indeed the case. Interesting where he might go if he's on the move.

Great achievement by Heynckes. Follow that up Pep.

 

[coinneach]

They played their worst game of the season tonight BUT they won!!!!

Congrats Real Sociadad...Champions League next year!!!!!

(Unless UEFA decide on sanctions for past involvement with a doctor in the news recently)

 

[Christian]

Many think it was Gomez's last game for Bayern anyway so it was a good way to go if this is indeed the case. Interesting where he might go if he's on the move.

Some Italian clubs are rumoured to be interested - Napoli and Firenze

 

[gooner]

The love in we see currently for Mourinho now on Sky Sports News and how the media lap him up is nauseating.

Nothing but an eye gouger who wasn't missed in the Premiership one bit when he was away. The Spanish football media wouldn't take his nonsense and only in England is his behaviour welcomed where the media adore him.

 

[DominicDecoco]

The love in we see currently for Mourinho now on Sky Sports News and how the media lap him up is nauseating.

Nothing but an eye gouger who wasn't missed in the Premiership one bit when he was away. The Spanish football media wouldn't take his nonsense and only in England is his behaviour welcomed where the media adore him.

In a sport where the associated people only are beaten by NBA players in being pathetically boring I find him refreshing. Good to have The Special One back.

 

[gooner]

In a sport where the associated people only are beaten by NBA players in being pathetically boring I find him refreshing. Good to have The Special One back.

Nothing refreshing about a guy who gouged someone's eye, called Arsene Wenger a "voyeur", said Carvalho needed an IQ test, Anders Frisk had to retire over him because he suggested something untoward went on with Rijkaard and Frisk when Chelsea met Barca at the Nou Camp. Frisk ended up getting death threats. Look at his rant after Madrid lost to Barca in the Champions League semi-finals where he came up with all sorts of conspiracies and even suggested Barca were getting favouritism through their sponsorship with UNICEF. Also mocking Ranieri where he called him a loser and ridiculed his management style. This is the same Ranieri who you never see getting embroiled in rows with other managers and carries himself in the right manner. I could go on and on. He brought a toxic element to Spanish football and just look at the reaction of various football figures in the Spanish game to see the kind of influence he was there. They couldn't wait to get rid of him and now we see the love affair with the British media begin. Like I said nauseating.

The Premiership was better off without him.

 

[The Hitch]

Special one? More like deluded one. Seriously any idea particularly gullible people who believe everything the media tell them had that narcisinho was some sort of genius who knows what he is doing, should have gone out of the window when he tried that crap about barca being favoured by uefa in the cl a few years ago.

It was a stupid comment from an egomaniac who believed his own hype and thought that everything he said would be interpreted by everyone else as the word of god. It didn't win him the game, it didn't stop barca from winning the cl it didn't help him win the cl and it made no sense.

His nonesence about omlets, the **** he pulled against rijkard, the assault on the barca assistant are all other examples of the same thing. He behaves like a spoilt 4 year old and tells everyone its clever. And because very few people in football have an iq above 50, they have some end up interpreting it as intelligence.

Most people as mentally unstable as mourinho end up holding up cardboard signs on the street and shouting that jesus is coming. Mourinho found his way into a pond where moron psudo journalists point at him and tell him he is special. But in the end, the instability is there for all to see.

 

[gooner]

Just look at Rob Beasley(a Chelsea fan) with The Sun. Mourinho's best buddy in the media and who does all his dirty work for him. A straight out mouthpiece for him.

One thing is for certain, I will be staying off all various news channels next Monday when he is unveiled at his press conference. No doubt we'll hear more well rehearsed comments that will play to the gallery and make the English media's day.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Frisk ended his career due to a pathetic performance. A performance which is only seen in Asia in matches that 'suddenly' are popular to a few heavy bets... I obviously don't applaud the death threats but critism was expected after that and Morinho was not even close of being the worst regarding that. Not even close.

Besides, most of the hilarious s'hit he's bringing to the table is simple mind games. It really isn't difficult to filter.

Football has become so ridiculously boring in recent years. They can's make a simple tackle without being sent off, they can't give a good bollocking without being banned for several games. Managers and players are programmed to say: 'we look foward to a good game'. 'We are eleven players on the pitch', 'it was a tough game against a good opponent despite winning 11-0'. Yaaawn. Have you seen mid-game interviews with NBA players? It's so empty and meaningless that it's almost funny. Football is turning towards that.

I hope he'll bring some controversy into the picture. He's a character. And if one can't laugh a bit about his obvious BS then it's their loss, I guess.. I'm looking forward to a good laugh at least.