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The 2019-2020 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
And Manchester United (who will rue the many chances not taken) are out, after a 2-1 defeat to Sevila.
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Plus a failure to convert their chances, which you cannot do against Sevilla, or at this level, and still expect to claim victory.
Welp, that was a frustrating match, and a solid indicator of how far away United still remains from being a true contender despite the progress they've made this season. Now we get to watch Ed Woodward mismanage the transfer window — good times!
Sevilla have been the kings of the Europa League for a while now, I always see them as one of the favorites to win this competition, it's almost in their muscle memory. Even with Lopetegui at the helm.
The thing about the Europa League is that it is a grind to get to the knockout stages but it's actually hard to win it one you get there. You're basically facing good Champion's League-quality teams by this point. Sevilla have a lot less talent (on paper) than Man Utd but they are a solid, well-drilled side with a plan and plenty of experience.
Man Utd have become a more coherent squad of late but there is still a big question as to whether they are good enough to meet expectations (i.e. more than just finishing in the top four, I presume). They have spent an immense amount of money since Ferguson left and by that metric continue to substantially underperform. Fernandes has been a hit and a key player going forward - and his success (and price) highlights how much of a flop Pogba has been. Not that Pogba has always been bad, but he cost record money, and not even Man Utd. can afford to pay record money for that kind of output.
Then again, I suppose they can...it is the privilege of all rich clubs to perennially overpay for players without going bankrupt, until they hit on a squad that can win things. They don't have to be as efficient, or clever, or lucky as everyone else, and can simply rely on their wealth - staying at the roulette wheel, bleeding money, till their numbers come up. Some, like Man City and Liverpool, have also been pretty well-run of late, but they still use their financial muscle as a force multiplier. Klopp and especially Guardiola don't work for peanuts.
The thing about the Europa League is that it is a grind to get to the knockout stages but it's actually hard to win it one you get there. You're basically facing good Champion's League-quality teams by this point. Sevilla have a lot less talent (on paper) than Man Utd but they are a solid, well-drilled side with a plan and plenty of experience.
Man Utd have become a more coherent squad of late but there is still a big question as to whether they are good enough to meet expectations (i.e. more than just finishing in the top four, I presume). They have spent an immense amount of money since Ferguson left and by that metric continue to substantially underperform. Fernandes has been a hit and a key player going forward - and his success (and price) highlights how much of a flop Pogba has been. Not that Pogba has always been bad, but he cost record money, and not even Man Utd. can afford to pay record money for that kind of output.
Then again, I suppose they can...it is the privilege of all rich clubs to perennially overpay for players without going bankrupt, until they hit on a squad that can win things. They don't have to be as efficient, or clever, or lucky as everyone else, and can simply rely on their wealth - staying at the roulette wheel, bleeding money, till their numbers come up. Some, like Man City and Liverpool, have also been pretty well-run of late, but they still use their financial muscle as a force multiplier. Klopp and especially Guardiola don't work for peanuts.
Curious, why would Joe Hart move to Tottenham?
I see that as a surprising 'signing'; if it happens.
I see that as a surprising 'signing'; if it happens.
Both the Spanish and German leagues are extraordinarily non-competitive in terms of who wins titles. And yet Spanish teams (well, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid) have an excellent record for winning the Europa League while German teams have only appeared in the final four times in the last 25ish years, and last won it in 1997.
PSG is leading 2-0 at the half; Leipzig is going to have to get a wiggle on if they want to stay in the match.
Possibly the most plastic club in Europe? Though they do have Tyler Adams.
Ah. I thought you meant the brand. As in the energy drink. ?
That was my question, as well; the significance (or meaning) of this reference has entirely passed me by.
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As did I.
As I’ve never drank a red bull (or any other energy drink), I always associate Red Bull with the F1 team and kind of forget they do the drink as well.
It's not that I want Bayern to win today. Not at all. However, if Lyon somehow pull a massive upset that means PSG will probably win the Champions league, and that is completely intolerable.
I think Red Bull (the drink) is utterly vile, but I suspect I'm swimming against the current there given how much money they make selling the stuff.
I think Red Bull (the drink) is utterly vile, but I suspect I'm swimming against the current there given how much money they make selling the stuff.
Loathsome beverage, agreed.
I would be surprised if Bayern do not win.
Well, you won't be surprised today.
I expect Bayern to thump PSG in the final. They might leak a couple goals to PSG's admittedly fearsome attacking talent - but PSG will surely leak more.
Better Bayern than PSG.
From a romantic perspective, I'd have liked to have seen Lyon do well, but I think that you had the right of it: They would have found it difficult to defeat PSG in the final.
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I would say that Bayern will romp away with it after a fairly even first half.
They just have such an assured quality about them...they get better as the clock winds on, instead of more tired looking.
Not going to happen. Though if it did I would enjoy a laugh at Bayern's expense. But ugh, PSG champions...gross. Everything about them is wrong - the financial doping, the ownership model, the recruitment approach, Neymar, their destruction of Ligue 1 as a competitive league, their chop-n-change attitude to team-building...no neutral can ever want them to win anything.