"Back of the net!": The Football Thread

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  • Posts: 17,753
    jobo wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    Just came back from the Etihad. I am a bit shocked! I have never witnessed a more silent home crowd! I know the game was technically a formality for City, but still. You would at least expect it to feel like City were playing at home! The more than thousand Basel fans sang all game, credit to them. But apart from them you would think you were at a clasical music concert - except that there the audience at least gives some proper applause and look like they have a good time!

    Appaling! I watched the game with some colleagues that have never been to a football game before. I felt a bit embarassed having to explain to them that it is actually not common that the away fans make all the noise... And to think English football is supposedly famed for their crowd atmosphere...

    Didn't have access to the game on TV, but if this is the case, I'm surprised too! Good game for Elyounoussi, it seems! Maybe there will be some interest from English clubs after this performance?


    Who knows? He was definitely man of the match today. Not only the goal and the assist were good, but he was a constant threat down the left flank and provided some impressive defensive contribution as well. As a Norwegian it was fun to watch!

    That's good to hear! Hope he can continue delivering games like that. The national team sure needs it!
  • Posts: 7,507
    £22 for a CL knockout match!? That's pathetic frankly given most people would surely have bought their tickets before the first leg rendered it pointless.

    You can't even get into most Championship games for that. Was it even full?

    Really hope they go out in the next round. Let's have an SF lineup of true European royalty - Real, Bayern, Liverpool and one of Juve, Barca or Utd (preferably Utd as they would be an easier draw than the other two).


    How does Liverpool have a secure place amongst "European Royalty" and not Barca? They have less domestic league titles as well as less CL trophies. Same goes for United obviously. Bayern also have less CL titles and although Juve's collection of Serie A titles us incredible, in Europe they are (sadly) mostly known for losing finals...
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    I'm not sure how domestic titles have much bearing on anything otherwise Celtic would be European royalty and we're not talking the minor trophies like cup winners cup (even Arsenal have won one of those FFS!) or UEFA just big ears itself.

    I was going for an even spread of one team per country from who was left so obviously Real take Spain's slot.

    The ideal lineup would be Real, Milan, Bayern, Liverpool but obviously Milan in a fallow period.

    But I'll agree Barca certainly deserve to be up there too - certainly more so than Juve and Utd whose European Cup records are pretty mediocre in this company.
  • Posts: 7,507
    Fair enough
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited March 2018 Posts: 7,117
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.

    I'd say Ajax certainly and Inter are the only other teams to have strong claims.

    You need to be a multiple European Cup winner to even be considered European Royalty. You also need to have not just won all your trophies in one period hence Benfica and tragically Forest can't really be considered.

    Anderlecht nowhere near I'm afraid. Perhaps a separate category of European nobility needs creating?
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited March 2018 Posts: 7,117
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.

    I'd say Ajax certainly and Inter are the only other teams to have strong claims.

    You need to be a multiple European Cup winner to even be considered European Royalty. You also need to have not just won all your trophies in one period hence Benfica and tragically Forest can't really be considered.

    Anderlecht nowhere near I'm afraid. Perhaps a separate category of European nobility needs creating?

    In defence of course of Anderlecht, which I'm quite obliged to do, we have won 5 European trophies and were runners-up 4 times.

    "Nowehere near" might be a bit harsh, don't do that to me ;)

    I suppose we are the most succesful team that plays in purple then :)
  • Posts: 19,339
    And Arsenal !!

    Our European record is second to none...er.....no i'm lying to myself .

    At least the scum went out at home last night.....a tiny tiny consolation.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited March 2018 Posts: 9,117
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.

    I'd say Ajax certainly and Inter are the only other teams to have strong claims.

    You need to be a multiple European Cup winner to even be considered European Royalty. You also need to have not just won all your trophies in one period hence Benfica and tragically Forest can't really be considered.

    Anderlecht nowhere near I'm afraid. Perhaps a separate category of European nobility needs creating?

    In defence of course of Anderlecht, which I'm quite obliged to do, we have won 5 European trophies and were runners-up 4 times.

    "Nowehere near" might be a bit harsh, don't do that to me ;)

    I suppose we are the most succesful team that plays in purple then :)

    See my post at 09.30 as to what constitutes European Royalty. UEFA and Cup Winners just don't cut it I'm afraid. Would you settle for Anderlecht being appointed a Baronet?
    barryt007 wrote: »
    And Arsenal !!

    Our European record is second to none...er.....no i'm lying to myself .
    Christ. If Anderlecht are a Baronet Arsenal are Baldrick son of Robin the dung gatherer.
    barryt007 wrote: »
    At least the scum went out at home last night.....a tiny tiny consolation.
    Last night the best night Arsenal fans have had in Europe since 2006 I should think.
  • Posts: 19,339
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.

    I'd say Ajax certainly and Inter are the only other teams to have strong claims.

    You need to be a multiple European Cup winner to even be considered European Royalty. You also need to have not just won all your trophies in one period hence Benfica and tragically Forest can't really be considered.

    Anderlecht nowhere near I'm afraid. Perhaps a separate category of European nobility needs creating?

    In defence of course of Anderlecht, which I'm quite obliged to do, we have won 5 European trophies and were runners-up 4 times.

    "Nowehere near" might be a bit harsh, don't do that to me ;)

    I suppose we are the most succesful team that plays in purple then :)

    See my post at 09.30 as to what constitutes European Royalty. UEFA and Cup Winners just don't cut it I'm afraid. Would you settle for Anderlecht being appointed a Baronet?
    barryt007 wrote: »
    And Arsenal !!

    Our European record is second to none...er.....no i'm lying to myself .
    Christ. If Anderlecht are a Baronet Arsenal are Baldrick son of Robin the dung gatherer.
    barryt007 wrote: »
    At least the scum went out at home last night.....a tiny tiny consolation.
    Last night the best night Arsenal fans have had in Europe since 2006 I should think.

    Hahaha you have no idea how true that is !!

    Shows the sad state of affairs.
    I'm even going for a Watford win on Sunday !
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited March 2018 Posts: 7,117
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.

    I'd say Ajax certainly and Inter are the only other teams to have strong claims.

    You need to be a multiple European Cup winner to even be considered European Royalty. You also need to have not just won all your trophies in one period hence Benfica and tragically Forest can't really be considered.

    Anderlecht nowhere near I'm afraid. Perhaps a separate category of European nobility needs creating?

    In defence of course of Anderlecht, which I'm quite obliged to do, we have won 5 European trophies and were runners-up 4 times.

    "Nowehere near" might be a bit harsh, don't do that to me ;)

    I suppose we are the most succesful team that plays in purple then :)

    See my post at 09.30 as to what constitutes European Royalty. UEFA and Cup Winners just don't cut it I'm afraid. Would you settle for Anderlecht being appointed a Baronet?

    Hm, fair enough.

    Give me a castle in the countryside and I’ll let Arsenal work my land.
  • edited March 2018 Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    At least the scum went out at home last night.....a tiny tiny consolation.
    Last night the best night Arsenal fans have had in Europe since 2006 I should think.

    Hahaha you have no idea how true that is !!

    Shows the sad state of affairs.
    I'm even going for a Watford win on Sunday !

    This is what I'm thinking, too. Might be another Troy Deeney/lack of cojones scenario.

    …Or this. One of those two.
    tumblr_oyjk62i5CB1tf8a5ao1_500.gif?resize=510%2C334&ssl=1
  • Posts: 4,044
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Well, what is your opinion on those teams that used to be among Europe’s biggest teams but are now relegated to second fiddle because they happen to be in a smaller league these days? Say for instance Ajax, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev, Steaua or my beloved Anderlecht? I suppose they are still more ‘royalty’ teams bought together by sheiks and oligarchs.

    I'd say Ajax certainly and Inter are the only other teams to have strong claims.

    You need to be a multiple European Cup winner to even be considered European Royalty. You also need to have not just won all your trophies in one period hence Benfica and tragically Forest can't really be considered.

    Anderlecht nowhere near I'm afraid. Perhaps a separate category of European nobility needs creating?

    Perhaps they could be called Europa royalty
  • edited March 2018 Posts: 17,753
    Here we go…
    giphy.gif
    …Also keeping an eye on Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. Might turn my attention to that game alone, depending on how things go at the San Siro.


    Edit: Two minutes played, and AC Milan has already had three corners.

    Arsenal scores!!! Mkhitaryan with a brilliant strike! Deflected a bit, I think.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,117
    Milan started decent enough then Arsenal took over with considerable ease.

    0-2 more likely than 1-1 for the moment.
  • edited March 2018 Posts: 17,753
    0-2 Arsenal, Ramsey! Before that Welbeck had a shot stopped by Donnarumma, and Mkhitaryan hit the bar. Half-time.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?
  • edited March 2018 Posts: 17,753
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!
  • Posts: 12,526
    vzok wrote: »
    Liverpool-Porto was a snorefest. With Liverpool already having a five goal lead, that wasn't at all surprising. Still, would figure them scoring at least one at home.

    ________
    Murray for the World Cup? I'd watch that, haha! He does score goals, the Brighton man. What would the possible strikers be, then? Kane, Vardy and Murray?
    jobo wrote: »
    So... Emery for the Arsenal job then?

    There's a rumour PSG are looking to replace Unai Emery wiht Arsène Wenger. He's been linked with PSG before though, so it's probably just an old rumour making it's rounds in the media again.

    How did Emery's Sevilla team play?

    Ooh they were awful........but I liked them.

    How was their defense? Arsenal sure need improving there.
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Frustrated with yet another draw at home against Forest last night! Need some fire power up front going forward me thinks!

    Did Norwich City create many chances, at least? Read on Twitter that Tettey (and Farke) was frustrated by the draw.

    You read right my friend. They created plenty of chances but failed to convert any. Next up we are away at Hull on Saturday.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,117
    Lazio drawing Dynamo 2-2 at home. Immobile hits the woodwork in the final second of the game.

    Hopefully they can repeat what Juve did and grab a win in Kiev next week.
  • Posts: 17,753
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Lazio drawing Dynamo 2-2 at home. Immobile hits the woodwork in the final second of the game.

    Hopefully they can repeat what Juve did and grab a win in Kiev next week.

    Watched a bit of that game, but switched my attention to Marseille- Athletic Bilbao. Looks like all the action happened in the second half!
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,117
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Lazio drawing Dynamo 2-2 at home. Immobile hits the woodwork in the final second of the game.

    Hopefully they can repeat what Juve did and grab a win in Kiev next week.

    Watched a bit of that game, but switched my attention to Marseille- Athletic Bilbao. Looks like all the action happened in the second half!

    Yes, the first half was pretty boring, the second one was actually very exciting. Four beautiful goals too.
  • Posts: 17,753
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Lazio drawing Dynamo 2-2 at home. Immobile hits the woodwork in the final second of the game.

    Hopefully they can repeat what Juve did and grab a win in Kiev next week.

    Watched a bit of that game, but switched my attention to Marseille- Athletic Bilbao. Looks like all the action happened in the second half!

    Yes, the first half was pretty boring, the second one was actually very exciting. Four beautiful goals too.

    Too bad I missed it. Luckily there were some goals in the other match, as well. Marseille opened the game by scoring after 41 seconds (or something like that)!
  • 001001
    edited March 2018 Posts: 1,575
    Some Jose utd fun before the Battle of Britain. :)

    Quick oil change. :)
    Cugu8txXEAIvs0v.jpg

    All Aboard. Will Jose park the bus against Liverpool ?
    IMG_20171213_175920-e1513159879206.jpg?resize=800%2C532&ssl=1
    Jose comes with his own controller*.Very handy. :)
    mourinho-controller-be-a-prick-make-excuse-park-bus-ong-669055.png
    *Controller sold separately :)
  • 001001
    edited March 2018 Posts: 1,575
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!

    Genius...... :)
    premier-league-winning-managers-since-2012-sacked-mancini-ferguson-retired-23208148.png

    Good win by the Gunners.
  • Posts: 17,753
    001 wrote: »
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!

    Genius...... :)
    premier-league-winning-managers-since-2012-sacked-mancini-ferguson-retired-23208148.png

    Good win by the Gunners.

    The possible result of last night's…result, is that Wenger might save his job for another season - if they don't let AC Milan score a lot of goals at the Emirates, that is.
  • Posts: 19,339
    001 wrote: »
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!

    Genius...... :)
    premier-league-winning-managers-since-2012-sacked-mancini-ferguson-retired-23208148.png

    Good win by the Gunners.

    The possible result of last night's…result, is that Wenger might save his job for another season - if they don't let AC Milan score a lot of goals at the Emirates, that is.

    That result means nothing to me,the damage is already done.
    This,in fact makes me even more angry,why cant they do this at home in front of hard working fans who pay for the most costly tickets in the PL ?!

    Just turning up when you feel like it is not enough.
  • edited March 2018 Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    001 wrote: »
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!

    Genius...... :)
    premier-league-winning-managers-since-2012-sacked-mancini-ferguson-retired-23208148.png

    Good win by the Gunners.

    The possible result of last night's…result, is that Wenger might save his job for another season - if they don't let AC Milan score a lot of goals at the Emirates, that is.

    That result means nothing to me,the damage is already done.
    This,in fact makes me even more angry,why cant they do this at home in front of hard working fans who pay for the most costly tickets in the PL ?!

    Just turning up when you feel like it is not enough.

    All thing very true, but it's not the fans deciding his future, it's Kroenke & Co. Can imagine them sitting down at the end of the season discussing: «Well, he did manage to beat AC Milan with this team at the San Siro- surely that's enough reason to put the whole "next manager" thing on hold for another season? Now, what should we have for lunch…»
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    001 wrote: »
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!

    Genius...... :)
    premier-league-winning-managers-since-2012-sacked-mancini-ferguson-retired-23208148.png

    Good win by the Gunners.

    The possible result of last night's…result, is that Wenger might save his job for another season - if they don't let AC Milan score a lot of goals at the Emirates, that is.

    That result means nothing to me,the damage is already done.
    This,in fact makes me even more angry,why cant they do this at home in front of hard working fans who pay for the most costly tickets in the PL ?!

    Just turning up when you feel like it is not enough.

    All thing very true, but it's not the fans deciding his future, it's Kroenke & Co. Can imagine them sitting down at the end of the season discussing: «Well, he did manage to beat AC Milan with this team at the San Siro- surely that's enough reason to put the whole "next manager" thing on hold for another season? Now, what should we have for lunch…»

    That's why part of me hope we go out of the EL,just to force through a change.
  • edited March 2018 Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    001 wrote: »
    What lunacy is this? Arsenal finally turning up?

    Still one half to go, and this is Arsenal, after all.

    Valon Berisha scores a penalty for Red Bull Salzburg away against Borussia Dortmund!
    ______
    Mistake from AC Milan almost give Welbeck his first!
    ______
    Valon Berisha scores his second away against Dortmund! Too bad he chose to represent the Kosovo national team over the Norwegian.
    1-2 Schürrle. Can Dortmund turn this one around?


    ___________
    It ends 1-2 between Borussia Dortmund-Red Bull Salzburg. RB the better team, and were dangerous throughout.

    Oh my! Arsenal make it 0-2 away against AC Milan. Two goals and a clean sheet away? INCREDIBLE!

    Genius...... :)
    premier-league-winning-managers-since-2012-sacked-mancini-ferguson-retired-23208148.png

    Good win by the Gunners.

    The possible result of last night's…result, is that Wenger might save his job for another season - if they don't let AC Milan score a lot of goals at the Emirates, that is.

    That result means nothing to me,the damage is already done.
    This,in fact makes me even more angry,why cant they do this at home in front of hard working fans who pay for the most costly tickets in the PL ?!

    Just turning up when you feel like it is not enough.

    All thing very true, but it's not the fans deciding his future, it's Kroenke & Co. Can imagine them sitting down at the end of the season discussing: «Well, he did manage to beat AC Milan with this team at the San Siro- surely that's enough reason to put the whole "next manager" thing on hold for another season? Now, what should we have for lunch…»

    That's why part of me hope we go out of the EL,just to force through a change.

    True. You can't win with this Arsenal team - in any way!
    Joachim Löw was again mentioned a few days ago, and written off due to him only managing the Germany national team the last decade. Still think he's a good candidate, no matter what the press or pundits might think. If it's likely to see him at Arsenal, we can only speculate.
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