Football (Soccer) Thread

[FunkMonk]

Can't see Nuno surviving past Christmas. Spurs look horrible and letting in 3 goals in each of the last 3 league matches is well deserved tbh.

Sacking the coach is always the easiest decision, but just in the match today you could tell which side wanted it more, and it clearly was NOT the Spurs.

The team's shape is terrible which is surprising since Wolves under Nuno were very structured. Either whip Dele into shape or bench him. Lucas Moura looked terrible out there, very ineffective. Kane missed 2 opportunities that he would put in any other day.

You have to win the midfield, and the Arsenal ran laps around ours for most of the game. Spurs are now 3 W 3L. 4 goals scored in 6 games is shameful. Just play a 4-4-2 or even a 5-4-1 until you get a few clean sheets.

This Spurs team is being very Spursy. I'm pissed.

I agree. I don't know how well Spurs' players have taken to Nuno, but for Arsenal, these players have now clearly bought into Arteta and his system. The difference between the sides was stark.

Spurs have relied a lot on Kane and or Son to pull goals out of thin air and now that they've floated back down to earth they seem bereft. Something similar happened to Arsenal last year when Auba couldn't buy a goal and he seemed totally out of sorts. It took some of the supporting cast, including the youth stars like Saka and Smith-Rowe, to salvage something from the season. I don't know who steps up for Spurs this season.

[The Larch]

Real Madrid have been defeated at home by Sheriff Tiraspol. 

[Duque de Bragança]

Nice of Real Madrid to make such a diversion, possibly explaining the drive for a Superleague  , for the thrashing received at home by Porto from Liverpool.
No Pepe (injured at the very last minute in the warm-up to the game), Porto goalkeeper not in a good day vs Liverpool again and 5-1 for Liverpool. Losing is not a surprise but by so many goals is turning into an habit. Last decent result was 0-0 in 2018.

[celedhring]

Real Madrid have been defeated at home by Sheriff Tiraspol. 

All the Western movie puns in today's press are the nadir of Spanish culture.

[Duque de Bragança]

Any commendable Western movie puns? 

Preferably those not relying on weird Spanish adaptations of movie titles.

[Duque de Bragança]

Barça's descent into hell continues. How long before Koeman gets the boot?
For the first time in almost 60 years, Benfica beat Barça 3-0, in Lisbon.
The last time Benfica beat Barça in 1961, Final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Eusébio times for those who know.

First victory of a Portuguese club in the Champions League this season. Sporting lost again, this time 1-0 vs Dortmund.

[Sheilbh]

Barça's descent into hell continues. How long before Koeman gets the boot?

As someone with no warm feelings to Koeman or Ancelotti I have enjoyed this week

Also it feels like Ajax might be back to being good for a bit

[Barrister]

I heard on the radio that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica right here in Edmonton.

In mid-November.

With an forecasted temperature of -10c.

Bwahahahaha.

[Josephus]

I heard on the radio that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica right here in Edmonton.

In mid-November.

With an forecasted temperature of -10c.

Bwahahahaha.

Yeah, brutal. It's intentional though.

You should go? Soccer's loved among many liberals.

[Josquius]

Chile has long profited from its high altitude stadium. Canada really should have more games in the frozen North.

[Jacob]

Yeah, brutal. It's intentional though.

You should go? Soccer's loved among many liberals.

I thought Beeb was a socialist now?

[Barrister]

I heard on the radio that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Costa Rica right here in Edmonton.

In mid-November.

With an forecasted temperature of -10c.

Bwahahahaha.

Yeah, brutal. It's intentional though.

You should go? Soccer's loved among many liberals.

Of course it's intentional!  That's why the "Bwahahahaha"!

It would be a cool experience (forgive the pun).  Maybe.

I mean - I'm firmly in the "hockey guy" camp, not soccer, but I'm a patriot too, so there is always something to be said for supporting the national team...


That being said by the way, Edmonton does have a lovely stadium and is set to host World Cup matches (and has hosted Women's World Cup matches in the past), so putting the games here isn't entirely just about cruelty to the latin americans...

[Zoupa]

I'm pretty sure the Canadian team doesn't train in these conditions either, so there's no added benefit.

It's nonsense. Players are going to get hurt.

[Barrister]

I'm pretty sure the Canadian team doesn't train in these conditions either, so there's no added benefit.

It's nonsense. Players are going to get hurt.

I love going to the outdoor rink in winter.  As long as it's not too cold the players will be fine - they get to move around and keep warm.  And at least for football games they typically have these huge outdoor heaters for players not on the field.

The Canadians may not train in these conditions, but they are at least used to them.  I think there's a benefit.

The risk is -10c is like an average expected temperature.  I remember going to the Grey Cup in 2003 here in Edmonton - it was a lot colder than that.  I wonder if the games will be in the afternoon or evening - makes a big difference that time of year...


Oh - it's also Alphonso Davies homecoming.   

[Zoupa]

The big difference between soccer and the other sports you mentioned is obvious. Soccer players barely have any gear or equipment apart from shinpads.

I'm telling you, there will be injuries. It's just not s sport meant to be played at sub zero temps.