The Footy Megathread!

[Horhay]

Well we keep finding more and more fans, garlad you are just adding to the group. So let's keep all football related content in this thread since we are small group of fans who actually follow we can't make threads that only one person will reply. Anyways Scott, Baliey, Dattebayo and myself all follow pro football. The same people in addition to Bravesfan and jrocca have/play FIFA09.

To answer your question from the other thread, yes I do follow. I don't have a particular team in the EPL, but I enjoy watching the games. However I am liking Liverpool this year, I think if they don't win it now they won't in a long time! they are finally reaching that talent threshold and it's their time! Torres is in a fantastic level and Benitez is having no issues with players so what else can I say? ManU is finally losing grip. Chelsea is a mess I think, they keep buying players and more players that bring a huge ego and that's why the teams is so inconsistent! the egos that team has will not let them find their rhythm. Arsenal has a relatively young team that will only get better and I keep reading everywhere that they might lose Fabregas this next summer....

I used to watch plenty of the Spanish league, but I lost GolTV which used to show all the games every weekend. Fox Sports channel now shows the EPL and the Serie A Italian league which is not bad, but not the same.

 

[frankfish44]

Isn't every league in Europe that way anyway? Front runners are there every single year. Same in the EPL that the same teams always fight for the championship every single yr. If we break it down by leagues, the Spanish situation is not unique at all lately.

England - Chelsea, Man U, Man City predominantly with Spurs and Arsenal challenging for the last champs league spot. Liverpool have been too inconsistent.
Scotland - Celtic & Rangers but Celtic now since Rangers went into bankruptcy
Spain - Barcelona & Real Madrid
Germany - Bayern Munich & Borussia Dortmund
Portugal - Fc Porto & Benfica
Italy - Ac Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus have dominated Italian football. Napoli, Roma, Lazio, Udinese have not had consistent title challenges though Napoli & Roma are off the gates flying this season.
France - Dominated by Lyon for most of the 2000's. Marseilles have been the predominant challengers during that period. PSG just won it last yr after a long wait. Monaco just got promoted back. Lille have been good but not consistent.

So there we have it. All the leagues have dominant teams. Just happens that the EPL is the best marketed league IMO thereby the feeling that it is the best. All the leagues are competitive IMO.

As for Barca running away with the league, I don't mind it being a huge fan. But the Atletico challenge is good for the league and for Barca and Madrid and will keep them on their toes for seasons to come. It has been a long time since the other big team in La liga challenged due to its unique ownership struggles. Simeone seems to have united the 2 owners and now the team is moving forward in one direction.

 

[frankfish44]

Barca Wins El Classico

 

[Horhay]

I keep saying man, Diego Lopez is terrible. Second goal was fantastic by Alexis Sanchez, but Lopez was well outside his area when two defenders were in front of Sanchez. Casillas wouldn't have made that mistake.

 

[frankfish44]

I keep saying man, Diego Lopez is terrible. Second goal was fantastic by Alexis Sanchez, but Lopez was well outside his area when two defenders were in front of Sanchez. Casillas wouldn't have made that mistake.

Diego Lopez is IMO responsible for Madrid still being in contention for the league. As much as I don't like RM, the guy has been the best performer week in week out. His positioning was not bad for the Alexis goal. Just outdone by a better finish. Similar to Daniel Sturridge goal for Liverpool. Just amazing goals/finishes.

As for Casillas, I think it is time for him to seek a new adventure. These type of things happen in football. Lopez hasn't done anything yet to lose his position. The guy has been solid. In all fairness, Casillas's form had dippped a bit and wasn't helped by the hand injury. Lopez stepped in and was solid thereby keeping his position as number 1.

Today, we see how far Arsenal has progressed as they face bitter London rivals Chelsea. Hoping for a gunner's win

 

[Horhay]

Meh all I am saying is that when you have conceded more than two goals per game, you couldn't exactly be doing that great. Yes, Alexis goal was freaking fantastic!

On a side note, damn Ozil brought some serious new life to Arsenal! I am actually enjoying watching them play again, the last few tourneys I only watched to see how they went on self destruct mode game after game. like those Arsenal - west brom games haha.

 

[Thisisnotsparta]

Some absolutely cracking goals at the Bernabeu last night. Check out Rakitic's 2nd in particular, a spectacular strike!

 

[frankfish44]

Well done Arsenal. Coupled with the Chelsea loss thanks to the Magpies, a little gap.

Real really lucky to escape with a win. That was a cracking attempt at a come back by Rayo Vallecano.

 

[frankfish44]

Once again, well done Arsenal & Barcelona. Now go to Old Trafford and keep it up Gunners

 

[Horhay]

Dortmund really paid big time missing all those opportunities.

 

[frankfish44]

Gunners lose a close one and Messi out for 2 months but Barca are 3 clear . Had to be RVP
Other than Man U, all other contenders didn't fare too well.

 

[Thisisnotsparta]

The part that bothers me is the way he celebrated the goal against the team who rejuvenated his career. Talk about zero class. We do need another striker in January, ideally someone like Lewandowski. Would be nice to have someone who can link up play AND get in behind defenders.

 

[Horhay]

**** happens man, like many players have said before, goals are to be celebrated. Everyone will want Lewandowski next summer, specially with a free label. I bet you are going to have a bidding war among teams, not only in EPL, but French, Italian and Spanish teams. Lewandowski is an awesome striker.

 

[frankfish44]

What a comeback by France but then again the Ukraine pretty much "Parked the Bus". Should have been more offensive to protect their lead. France wins for being more offensive

Then a showdown between Sweden and Portugal, pits the 2 best from each side in a goalfest Ronaldo comes out on top. Sweden so intent on getting the 3rd goal, they got hit on the counter twice and game was over.

 

[Thisisnotsparta]

Given the amount of time Messi has been out injured this year or not at his best due to being rushed back, Ronaldo surely has to win the Ballon D'Or. As great as Messi is, he feeds off a team built exclusively around him, whereas Real are like a pick and mix of great talent that doesn't always work as well.

 

[wyatt03]

Come on Millwall gotta beat Barnsley this weekend

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[frankfish44]

Barca lose for the 2nd straight game but on the bright side, the gunner's keep winning Man U lucky to pluck out a draw at Spurs, Newcastle surprisingly on a serious hot streek and Everton showing Martinez was the right man for the job.

PS
I hope they beat man u this weekend

 

[frankfish44]

Well done Everton. Classy win at Old Trafford

Gunners win again

 

[Shayid]

Can't believe we lost to crystal palace last night

 

[frankfish44]

^^ Hammers should have won.

Watching Match of the Day on NBC Sports ( sole broadcasting rights to the Premier Lge in the US ) I was stunned by the goals Luis Suarez scored I particularly love the third goal. Brilliant

 

[Horhay]

The mock draw was not kind to my country, Spain, England and Ivory Coast. I hope tomorrow we get a little better group .

On another note, FIFA helping out France is bullcrap, putting them along with the other European teams in group 2 rather than group 4 along with all the other lower classified teams. That's really annoying.