Soccer/football thread 2022 | Page 14 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Soccer/football thread 2022

Keane and Souness won a lot of hardware between them, they've been there and done it, and their playing style was key for that period of football. Roy was coached by Clough and SAF, so it's in his DNA that he gave everything he had every single game, the type of player you hate, but would love to have him in your team. Personally I think they never gave Moyes the chance, he was probably the right man and this has snowballed into what we are watching now.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not diminishing Keane and Souness's importance as players (though both were known as dirty even by the standards of the day, particularly Keane. Ask Erling Haaland's dad, for example).

But both were also broadly terrible managers, and aren't much better as pundits, at least if you're looking for game analysis (if you want to know if a pundit doesn't understand modern football, look for ex-players criticising either zonal marking on set plays or high defensive lines). They can be fun to listen to from a "what will they say next?" standpoint, but it's definitely entertainment, not expertise. I love a clip showing Carra losing his mind arguing with an obstinate Keane as much as anyone, so maybe I shouldn't criticise...


The Dutch Pep
I've never seen a managerial appointment take so long and get quite so much drip feed to the media as this one. It's almost like ManU want to put on a show about how careful and diligent they've been.

I think he'll come good given time, and Lord knows he'll get the funds. It's a massive step up from the Eredrivisie, though, and the bright lights of the Premier League circus can be brutal on managers. ManU have been desperate for Ferguson Mk.II (not dissimilar to how Dortmund has been chasing Klopp Mk.II and Liverpool will inevitably do the same one day), and are clearly hoping for someone who will provide stability for a long time. It's why they passed on Conte and likely why they chose ten Hag over Poch, who will likely be available in the summer, if rumours from Paris are true...

went to a TFC game the other night , first in a long while. Jebus that was fun . Also a field on the shore of lake Ontario in April ? who thought that was ever good ?

Always a great time, and the best pro sports experience in Toronto by a long shot. Being by the lake sucks in April, but it can provide welcome relief on muggy summer afternoons. Especially when those pints of lager start to creep up on you in the sun...

If you're ever out in Hamilton, Forge FC can be a fun day, though the crowd is much more sparse at the Donut Box. I've been really impressed at how the CPL compares to MLS, and they've showed themselves well against some quality Mexican sides in the CONCACAF Champions League.
 
The early season TFC games are always a challenge. The STH have it all figured out. Get there right before game time. Hand warmers, toe warmers and dress like it’s five degrees colder than it reads. We soon forget about those games as the weather gets nice. Then we can’t get down there early enough to enjoy a few $7 beers, poutine and the social.


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ManU, ManU, ManU. Just lost to Arsenal, though they actually should be in this one. Missed pen by the broken Fernandes was the key moment. Arsenal not amazing in the second half, but they didn't have to be.

Spurs take on the giant-killing Brentford later needing three points to keep up. They're due a win, as they lost last week...

If Moyes wins the Europa League it'll be worth it, but I have to wonder if they'll regret giving up on the premier league so early.
 
Now this is a real Liverpool derby. Scrappy AF.


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I was actually hoping for Everton to stay up this year, as I felt the Prem was better with them in it. After this shocking first half display, I'm now hoping for a Sunderlandesque freefall into the lower leagues. This is the absolute worst of football from Lampard and the ref is wholly responsible for allowing it to happen. Pickford should be carded for time wasting, Richarlison should be carded for diving, and there should have been 20 minutes added, not 2.

Just hope Liverpool can stay cool and put one past the bus and move on from this embarrassment with no injuries. Chippy is one thing, cheating dirtiness is another...
 
I was actually hoping for Everton to stay up this year, as I felt the Prem was better with them in it. After this shocking first half display, I'm now hoping for a Sunderlandesque freefall into the lower leagues. This is the absolute worst of football from Lampard and the ref is wholly responsible for allowing it to happen. Pickford should be carded for time wasting, Richarlison should be carded for diving, and there should have been 20 minutes added, not 2.

Just hope Liverpool can stay cool and put one past the bus and move on from this embarrassment with no injuries. Chippy is one thing, cheating dirtiness is another...

Pool 1 Bus 0
 
Divock Origi. What an absolute Kop hero. He'll be moving on after this year to start somewhere, which he absolutely deserves, but I'll be so sorry to see him go. He is an expert at breaking down organised defenses, and has bought Liverpool so many late points in tough games. He built the first goal, and now nails his second home (what an assist from Diaz, the human highlight reel). His goals per 90' is off the charts, and I just wish Klopp could find the minutes for him to justify staying.

I know it's Everton, and I'm supposed to hate them, but their list of Grealishesque punchable players is so long. Between Richarlison's histrionics, Gordon's diving and Pickford's mime-like arm waving and facial expressions, they're awful. Add in them hiring a smug Tory to take over from Rafa, and I'm now officially on the schadenfreude train...

Oh, and genius moment of comedy from Alison there...
 
Divock Origi. What an absolute Kop hero. He'll be moving on after this year to start somewhere, which he absolutely deserves, but I'll be so sorry to see him go. He is an expert at breaking down organised defenses, and has bought Liverpool so many late points in tough games. He built the first goal, and now nails his second home (what an assist from Diaz, the human highlight reel). His goals per 90' is off the charts, and I just wish Klopp could find the minutes for him to justify staying.

I know it's Everton, and I'm supposed to hate them, but their list of Grealishesque punchable players is so long. Between Richarlison's histrionics, Gordon's diving and Pickford's mime-like arm waving and facial expressions, they're awful. Add in them hiring a smug Tory to take over from Rafa, and I'm now officially on the schadenfreude train...

Oh, and genius moment of comedy from Alison there...

I stopped watching. What did Alison do?
Mimic Pickford?
 
I stopped watching. What did Alison do?
Mimic Pickford?
Yep. Caught a looping ball with lots of space on his own in the box, looked around for a moment, then dramatically fell on it like he'd been shot...

Almost as amusing as Everton making a big stink about Gordon not drawing a penalty from Matip and writing a letter to the PGMOL demanding an explanation. (If you watch the replay from the front, you can clearly see Gordon pulling a Vardy special by taking a step in front of Matip and away from the ball, even treading on his foot.) The ref was directly behind and would have clearly seen the move, but having been treated like a mug by Gordon all game, wasn't buying his nonsense...
 
Any predictions for the City v Madrid match today?
 
City 2 - Real 0 after 11 minutes.
De Bruyne 2’
Jesus 11’


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City 2 - Real 0 after 11 minutes.
De Bruyne 2’
Jesus 11’


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4-3 right now to City. That’s a good aggregate score to take back to Spain though and I’m happy to see City worn down a bit.

I’ll settle for that. How much do Real need to win by to take this one in the next game?
 
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Away goals don't matter anymore, so the math is straightforward, no advantage to Madrid for scoring three away.

I didn't watch, but according to a buddy I spoke to at 4-2, it was about 6-1 on xG, with City missing a bunch of chances and Madrid scoring all of theirs. Mahrez apparently missed a couple of sitters?

Assuming Liverpool get past Villarreal (hardly a given at this point!), I'm ambivalent about who I'd rather they meet in the final. I'd love an opportunity for revenge over the Ramos takedown of Salah, and City winning would be awful on so many levels, so I think I'd rather see Madrid in Paris. Chelsea finally won their Champions League, but City and PSG being shut out has been one of the few stories in world football where money alone hasn't been able to buy success...
 
Away goals don't matter anymore, so the math is straightforward, no advantage to Madrid for scoring three away.

I didn't watch, but according to a buddy I spoke to at 4-2, it was about 6-1 on xG, with City missing a bunch of chances and Madrid scoring all of theirs. Mahrez apparently missed a couple of sitters?

Assuming Liverpool get past Villarreal (hardly a given at this point!), I'm ambivalent about who I'd rather they meet in the final. I'd love an opportunity for revenge over the Ramos takedown of Salah, and City winning would be awful on so many levels, so I think I'd rather see Madrid in Paris. Chelsea finally won their Champions League, but City and PSG being shut out has been one of the few stories in world football where money alone hasn't been able to buy success...

Bummer about the away goals. I fancy Real Madrid on their home turf though.

Too nervous about Liverpool to be honest. There’s been a few cracks since the second half against City and the Everton game jitters. The clinical dismantling of United was a relief though.
 
Could do with two more to let them rest some legs in the away fixture...

The timing on that Salah pass was millimeter perfect. He may not be scoring in bunches lately, but his assist numbers are through the roof.
 
Oooh. Van Dyck. Lots of chances, so good to see the smiles on the Liverpool players. They are really enjoying this.
 
I'll take it. Totally one-sided, and not too much running required. Would've preferred a bigger lead to give Klopp more rotation options, but they play a very disciplined style.

One note to Everton and Atletico: see? You can play a disciplined, compact and defensive game without the relentless diving, dirty tackles and whining to the ref. It's possible, and you get to keep your dignity as a bonus...
 
Everton v Chelsea 15 seconds in and Toffees are diving.
So much diving.

Apparently Everton fans were lighting fireworks off outside the Chelsea hotel last night in an attempt to keep them awake. That is SO CONCACAF of them.
 
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