Men's Soccer (Football) Thread [Archived] Soccer • Page 611

Didn't PSG JUST sign Draxler in January?

 

I gave in

 

It's difficult because the coach's role at Real Madrid is so unique that trying to evaluate their influence can be tricky. With Zidane, there's absolutely no way, from a purely coaching perspective, that he's better and more knowledgeable than Benitez or Ancelotti. It's just impossible.

What that role really requires is for you to be a good group leader. Zidane seems to have the perfect balance, which has allowed him to manage the egos in the squad, whilst being astute enough to set them up in an organised and relatively balanced way. I don't think they're on a level yet to be spoken of as one of the greatest teams ever (which is what some seem to be suggesting) but they are incredibly efficient. Zidane deserves a lot of the credit for that.

 

Agreed. He was an absolute icon to me as a player, and I would love to see him keep winning and be spoken of as highly as someone like Ancelotti or even surpass him as his managerial career goes on. But he is still a rookie in the grand scheme of things!

I think it helps him greatly that he's won everything when he was a player when it comes to man-managing people like Ronaldo because there is an automatic respect that is/was not given to people like Benitez when he came in (and Zidane doesn't act like a douche like Mourinho does). I saw an article on how Zidane has helped Ronaldo change his whole approach to his game to counteract his physical "decline" (lmao) due to his age, and I can't help but feel there are not that many managers out there that could do that. (not that I want to take away from Ronaldo himself and what he knows he is and isn't capable of etc.)

 

If you guys want to see the very best of Championship level defence, watch these highlights.

 

don't need to watch highlights to tell me the defending is bad if martyn waghorn celebrating is the thumbnail lol

 

Victor Valdes has retired.

 

Club record fee for Davinson Sanchez. He looks great but it's a little risky considering his experience. Very happy this is finally sealed up though. Hopefully Keita Balde is next in line.

 

Thought De Ligt was more impressive in the Europa League final. Doesn't mean much as I thought both were very bad in the match.

 

I really don't get what Barca was doing yesterday with that formation. Hopefully, when Suarez is healthy, they go into more of a 4-2-3-1 look with Messi behind Suarez. Add Coutinho and Dembele on each side of Messi and that's a nice attack.

 

Like this one? Haha. Paulinho as cover for one of the 2. Roberto moving around in there as needed, too.

 

Yes, exactly haha

It fits their personnel so much better. There was no rhythm yesterday because players were out of position. The ball movement was terrible.

 

Yup. Without Neymar, we need an extra midfielder to help regain that "DNA." Rakitic/Roberto/Messi already have that great right side understanding when the rest is balanced. And Rakitic making delayed runs out of the midfield is one of my favorite things about his playing style. Busquets/Iniesta/Alba have the same chemistry on that side. Baffling how we all can see it, but it's not what gets played.




Also - Suarez out for a month. C'mon Paco, regain that vital form you used to have. I'd rather cheer you on.

 

It also hurts for me to say this but Real is playing some of the most beautiful soccer I've seen. So many great, fun players to watch.

 

As if Hummels and Mata weren't two of the most likable guys in the game already.

 

WHY IS THIS IN THE BRAND.. oh

 

HARD TO BELIEVE ANYTHING ELSE IS EVEN HAPPENING RN TBH EVEN TRUMP SHUT UP FOR A BIT TODAY

 

Let's just hope that absolute shithead doesn't come in here though

 

So they're trying to have the transfer deadline before the season starts next year. Which is a World Cup year. Should make for a disaster summer window.

 

Bakayoko declaring himself fit for this weekend's game against Spurs. Ideal situation for someone making his debut - play half-fit because the squad is so thin, against one of the best teams in the country, not be able to keep up with them, have a bad debut game, get slated by everyone, pick yourself up and just keep going from there. Brilliant!

(extremely Homer Simpson voice) oh, by the way - I was being sarcastic...

 

Well Spurs are trying to push Trippier into the game and I doubt he's 100% either.

 

Chelsea can always give debuts to Fabregas-Peters and Cahill-Peters

 

It always makes me laugh that City are owned by Abu Dhabi United Group