The Real Football Thread

[Brullnux]

Two goals in eleven games. None against Barcelona over two legs and none away at Monaco. Juve's defence is seriously good.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Ajax finally doing something nice again in Europe, it's been more than 20 years! Ajax - Lyon was a great match yesterday, with a ridiculous amount of chances for both sides. I knew there was a chance for Ajax, looking at the defense of Lyon, but I really didn't expect Ajax to win to be honest, let alone with such numbers. With two crazy attacking sides, two defenses that are prone to individual errors and the side which is better on paper playing at home and having to set something right, I expect a very spectacular return match with a lot of goals again.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Bahhh that finale was a bit depressing. Of course people are allowed to play any tactic they want and United deserved the victory yesterday and I know I'm biased, but United parking the bus against Ajax yesterday was kind of pathetic. The team that Ajax fielded didn't even cost 20 million in transfers while United is basically the richest team in the world. Mourinho really has no sense of shame (which isn't anything new obviously). But yeah, it's his right to play ugly pathetic football and park the bus against a much weaker team and it works, I guess.....

Nevertheless, Ajax doesn't need to be ashamed about this loss, the difference in budget is much bigger than the difference in quality was yesterday. It's kind of pathetic that the richest team of the world is reduced to playing like this against a team with a budget of ~80 million.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Bahhh that finale was a bit depressing. Of course people are allowed to play any tactic they want and United deserved the victory yesterday and I know I'm biased, but United parking the bus against Ajax yesterday was kind of pathetic. The team that Ajax fielded didn't even cost 20 million in transfers while United is basically the richest team in the world. Mourinho really has no sense of shame (which isn't anything new obviously). But yeah, it's his right to play ugly pathetic football and park the bus against a much weaker team and it works, I guess.....

Nevertheless, Ajax doesn't need to be ashamed about this loss, the difference in budget is much bigger than the difference in quality was yesterday. It's kind of pathetic that the richest team of the world is reduced to playing like this against a team with a budget of ~80 million.

It's par for the course to see Mourinho's teams 'parking the bus.' He did it all the time with Chelsea. The inexperience of Ajax lost out in the end. They had a great tournament in general, some iffy moments and games where they had to squeak it out (Schalke, for example), but to make their first European final in 21 years is a great step forward. The question now is how many of these young players will they keep? I assume that some of them will get offers from other big clubs and it may be tough for them to turn an offer down, but if the club can keep them for another 2-3 years, they can do some major damage in Europe, quite possibly winning a EC or CL.

 

[King Boonen]

Mourinho parked the bus? I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you!

He gets results if that's all a team cares about (like Man Utd).

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Re: Re:

The question now is how many of these young players will they keep?

A couple of years ago Ajax had a period where they really struggled financially, but in recent years they changed their policy a bit focusing even more on their own youth and developing talent than they used to and being really strict on themselves with the amount on money they spent on contracts and transfers. This has actually been very successful and Ajax have (for Dutch standards) a lot of money in the bank nowadays. Consequently, they don't really need the money for the transfers and they actually did a pretty good job getting almost all their young players to sign long contracts. That being said, if the young players want to leave themselves, there's sometimes little you can do, or you have to risk getting into conflict with your best players like with Dimitri Payet this year.

But yeah, Ajax has a crazy talented side this year. Maybe the most impressive one for me is the 17 year old CB Matthijs de Ligt, who actually was one of the Ajax players doing quite well yesterday. Even in European games he showed a lot of composure, he managed the physical level easily and he's very good on the ball (as Ajax defenders should be). He's a very balanced, physically very strong, intelligent and technically capable CB at only 17 years of age. His only downfall is maybe that he is a tad slow. But for me, there is no doubt that De Ligt will be a world-class centre back, barring injuries. You see very young talented attackers more often, but I've never seen such a young CB with such composure and such an imposing physique. He's the youngest player to ever start in a European finale btw!

Also, excessive complaining about defensive football is a Dutch thing, don't take it too seriously, I know I'm wrong.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Re:

Mourinho parked the bus? I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you!

He gets results if that's all a team cares about (like Man Utd).

Parking the bus, scoring on the counter and having a morally questionable guy as manager has always been the United way. Mourinho fits perfectly.

 

[Põhja Konn]

In every single big game Mourinho's first instinct has always been to avoid losing which sooner or later leads to bus parking tactics. What was the hardest to swallow about yesterday's game was the manner of United's opening goal. Luck like that was the last thing this United side and specially their manager deserved to have.

This win now allows United's PR departement to spin the season as being a moderate success, whereas despite securing two secondary trophies and CL ticket, it was anything but. With the squad they had, they should have challenged Chelsea all the way in the league as well as show much high level of overall play. While during the winter it looked they are moving in the right direction, it all descended into chaos when spring arrived.

United will certainly splash the cash this coming summer and Mourinho will get newer, better toys at his disposal for next season, but with this season he proved he is a worthy successor to Moyes and Van Gaal. He used to be a charismatic and inspiring leader (also controversial and devisive character) who could take any team and make them great. Now he comes off as a grumpy old man perennialy looking for excuses and someone or something to blame for his own shortcomings.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

agree with all of the comments on JM and United. I hate the way they play and now because of their manager JM I hate them even more.

I was really wanting Ajax to win. They are young and super talented.

here is to a player revolt at United in the future, these pro's don't like to play for him longer than a year or two.

 

[Brullnux]

It was nice that United won, though, all things considering. At least gave their fans something to be happy about after the events of this week.

 

[jsem94]

Bernardo Silva to City is done.. Pep means business.

Morata on his way to Milan, with Auba a possibility and Bellotti another possibility.. insane business if anyone of those happen.

Di Maria on his way to Inter maybe, Perisic+money for him.. would be sick. Spalletti about to become the new Inter coach too. Roma will struggle to replace him well, but they will have Monchi from Sevilla as a sporting director which is insane. Inter went and poached Sabatini from Roma, so will try to emulate the recent high league finished of Roma.

 

[sir fly]

I think I've already watched this evening's match.

Similar, but different...

 

[Gigs_98]

I think the final yesterday was quite good. Unfortunately Juventus was completely done after Ronaldo's 2nd goal, otherwise that still could have gotten very exciting.
On a side note, I can't decide what was the scene of the game. Either Mandzukic's incredible goal or Ramos courageously fighting on after he was brutally fouled.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I think the final yesterday was quite good. Unfortunately Juventus was completely done after Ronaldo's 2nd goal, otherwise that still could have gotten very exciting.
On a side note, I can't decide what was the scene of the game. Either Mandzukic's incredible goal or Ramos courageously fighting on after he was brutally fouled.

I think Juventus looked very tired after the first half. The way they played in the 2nd half, there is no way Real would not have won somehow.

 

[Põhja Konn]

I think the final yesterday was quite good. Unfortunately Juventus was completely done after Ronaldo's 2nd goal, otherwise that still could have gotten very exciting.
On a side note, I can't decide what was the scene of the game. Either Mandzukic's incredible goal or Ramos courageously fighting on after he was brutally fouled.

I think Juventus looked very tired after the first half. The way they played in the 2nd half, there is no way Real would not have won somehow.

Agree, most likely Real would have won it one way or the other, but i think the manner the second Real's goal came really hurt Juve. It must have felt like a sucker punch to them and probably caused the lapse of concentration which allowed Ronaldo to end the game as a contest.

 

[ferryman]

Re:

yesssss!!!!!!!!!!!! kane equalises

after the cheating scots got lucky winning free kick with a dive

crushed! that england did not win............but not so bad if scotland are unable to qualify

Mark L

A wee bit bitter. It was a bit of a dive but was a clumsy challenge and probably a free kick anyway. Two cracking free kicks from Griffiths at the end there given the circumstances, what 2 mins to go, against the Auld Enemy and at home in a must win game!! A deserved equaliser by Kane and England were not surprisingly the better team. Don't worry if you it makes you feel better, Scotland won't qualify, leaving room for another diddy team, say someone like Norway

 

[Brullnux]

Commercialism strikes again. Football matches may be reduced to 60 minutes, with stoppages in play every time the ball goes dead, to avoid time wasting. So basically American football.

To stop the time wasting, adopt rugby style rules where the referee is able to stop time during a long stoppage.

 

[kingjr]

Re:

Commercialism strikes again. Football matches may be reduced to 60 minutes, with stoppages in play every time the ball goes dead, to avoid time wasting...

...and play commercials

 

[The Hitch]

Well it would be good for football to adopt some changes. Just because its the most popular sport in the world by far doesn't make it flawless.

 

[roundabout]

Re:

Commercialism strikes again. Football matches may be reduced to 60 minutes, with stoppages in play every time the ball goes dead, to avoid time wasting. So basically American football.

To stop the time wasting, adopt rugby style rules where the referee is able to stop time during a long stoppage.

How much actual playing time there is now? I've seen stats for some matches where it was quite a bit less than 60 minutes.

 

[Brullnux]

Re: Re:

Commercialism strikes again. Football matches may be reduced to 60 minutes, with stoppages in play every time the ball goes dead, to avoid time wasting. So basically American football.

To stop the time wasting, adopt rugby style rules where the referee is able to stop time during a long stoppage.

How much actual playing time there is now? I've seen stats for some matches where it was quite a bit less than 60 minutes.

60 minutes is estimated, but stoppages could ruin the flow of the game, unless there is a limit on how long they can be. Long stoppages filled with adverts are one of the reasons I am only able to watch the highlights of American football matches.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Commercialism strikes again. Football matches may be reduced to 60 minutes, with stoppages in play every time the ball goes dead, to avoid time wasting. So basically American football.

To stop the time wasting, adopt rugby style rules where the referee is able to stop time during a long stoppage.

How much actual playing time there is now? I've seen stats for some matches where it was quite a bit less than 60 minutes.

60 minutes is estimated, but stoppages could ruin the flow of the game, unless there is a limit on how long they can be. Long stoppages filled with adverts are one of the reasons I am only able to watch the highlights of American football matches.

Pauses in American football are naturally longer though, since the whole teams change after a turnover or a punt. In football breaks are usually way too short for add breaks. However this would finally stop players wasting time deliberately which is definitely one of the biggest problems I have with football.

 

[Brullnux]

It's very sad seeing u21s be this unsporting in the European championships, diving and throwing themselves about as if they've been shot. Apparently it starts from a young age. The Czechs made the Italians look like saints today, and that is saying something. Referees need to be stricter, any simulation should be punished with a yellow. It's so frustrating to watch. And also, if a referee deems the reaction after a foul to be unnecessarily extravagant, they should be allowed to reverse which way the foul goes, like you sometimes get in other sports for backchat to the referee. Harsh, maybe, but it will hopefully deter anyone from this ridiculousness.

During the game today Italy were better, but my God Petagna is tremendously bad. He is a mixture of the bad qualities of Eder and Pelle, and by himself managed to relinquish three goals; just for him, the Czechs deserved to win.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re:

It's very sad seeing u21s be this unsporting in the European championships, diving and throwing themselves about as if they've been shot. Apparently it starts from a young age. The Czechs made the Italians look like saints today, and that is saying something. Referees need to be stricter, any simulation should be punished with a yellow. It's so frustrating to watch. And also, if a referee deems the reaction after a foul to be unnecessarily extravagant, they should be allowed to reverse which way the foul goes, like you sometimes get in other sports for backchat to the referee. Harsh, maybe, but it will hopefully deter anyone from this ridiculousness.

During the game today Italy were better, but my God Petagna is tremendously bad. He is a mixture of the bad qualities of Eder and Pelle, and by himself managed to relinquish three goals; just for him, the Czechs deserved to win.

I agree.

But reading about how they want to change the game time and stop clock etc. makes me sad also.

The diving needs to be stopped. It will ruin the game.

 

[Põhja Konn]

Re:

It's very sad seeing u21s be this unsporting in the European championships, diving and throwing themselves about as if they've been shot. Apparently it starts from a young age. The Czechs made the Italians look like saints today, and that is saying something. Referees need to be stricter, any simulation should be punished with a yellow. It's so frustrating to watch. And also, if a referee deems the reaction after a foul to be unnecessarily extravagant, they should be allowed to reverse which way the foul goes, like you sometimes get in other sports for backchat to the referee. Harsh, maybe, but it will hopefully deter anyone from this ridiculousness.

During the game today Italy were better, but my God Petagna is tremendously bad. He is a mixture of the bad qualities of Eder and Pelle, and by himself managed to relinquish three goals; just for him, the Czechs deserved to win.

Sorry, but the bolded part is one of the most absurd proposals I have heard on the subject, a complete overreaction to an issue of secondary importance. Diving is only a problem if one cares more about superficial appearance than an actual integrity of the game.

Things like systematic and premeditated scapecoating of referees by clubs (most often through their managers), match fixing and corruption are far bigger problems that could potentially do an actual damage to the longer term future of the game. But those subjects are also more difficult to discuss about in public, for obvious reasons. Its much easier to lament about some players going down easily and present that as a trend that threatens the future of the entire game . A consequence which would justify implementing absurdly draconic countermeasures, which in reality would hurt the game more than the diving itself.

In essence the whole debate about diving is a case of one part of football fanbase considering their way of seeing the game being superior to every other interpretation of it and actively trying to enforce this view upon everyone else to an extent where it actually gets written into the laws of the game itself.