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FootballGAF 2019/2020 |OT| Does Your Team Got What It Takes To Be Crowned?

Let there be no doubt Liverpool is the best team in the world right now. Weirdly streaky team when it comes to performance, they won't play that well in every game. But when they're on, they're unbeatable.

They were absolutely ON when they faced Atletico and somehow Atletico got through. Simeone should get a statue for that alone.
 

Dark Rider

Member
Let there be no doubt Liverpool is the best team in the world right now. Weirdly streaky team when it comes to performance, they won't play that well in every game. But when they're on, they're unbeatable.

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on the title you earned the BPL trophy fair and square and you were far ahead than any other team in Britain.

Best team in Britain right now? no doubt about it.
Best team in the world right now? I don't think so.

They were absolutely ON when they faced Atletico and somehow Atletico got through. Simeone should get a statue for that alone.

It was not a fluke like you insinuate. Atlético Madrid does this year in and year out for a while with all the big teams in Europe. They won because the were the better team than Liverpool.

I know we will never agree on this :messenger_beaming:
 
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DKehoe

Gold Member
If Manchester United get a UCL spot I can see them being able to sign a new Pogba contract.
How will Manchester United hold up in the UCL though you got the spot? what about the Europa League?

At this point I'm not quite sure where Pogba goes if he did decide to move on after this season. United can extend the contract by another year and there's no financial pressure on them to sell for a price they aren't comfortable with. Madrid and Barcelona seem to be out for financial reasons. Juventus just bought Arthur so I wouldn't expect them to move for him now. PSG is always a possibility but if you're someone of the level of Pogba I think you look at how Neymar has kinda disappeared from the footballing world's collective consciousness apart from when he pops up in Champions League games.

Pogba has a good relationship with Solskjaer and it finally feels like the club actually building something with a plan in mind. If they do manage to bring in Sancho then that's another big statement of intent. Also, his Mum lives in Manchester and has done since he was young, even during his time with Juventus. So he has ties to the area. There was a time when I thought he looked certain to be leaving but now it's looking more likely he might stay. If nothing else, because of the reasons I mentioned above, they have an extra season to prove to him that it's worth staying. The club is also now in a stronger position than they were a while back and aren't relying on him as much.

I feel like the club still has some building work to do before they are a Champions League winning team. But if they keep up this momentum I think they can make a pretty respectable showing.
 

Dark Rider

Member
At this point I'm not quite sure where Pogba goes if he did decide to move on after this season. United can extend the contract by another year and there's no financial pressure on them to sell for a price they aren't comfortable with. Madrid and Barcelona seem to be out for financial reasons. Juventus just bought Arthur so I wouldn't expect them to move for him now. PSG is always a possibility but if you're someone of the level of Pogba I think you look at how Neymar has kinda disappeared from the footballing world's collective consciousness apart from when he pops up in Champions League games.

Pogba has a good relationship with Solskjaer and it finally feels like the club actually building something with a plan in mind. If they do manage to bring in Sancho then that's another big statement of intent. Also, his Mum lives in Manchester and has done since he was young, even during his time with Juventus. So he has ties to the area. There was a time when I thought he looked certain to be leaving but now it's looking more likely he might stay. If nothing else, because of the reasons I mentioned above, they have an extra season to prove to him that it's worth staying. The club is also now in a stronger position than they were a while back and aren't relying on him as much.

I feel like the club still has some building work to do before they are a Champions League winning team. But if they keep up this momentum I think they can make a pretty respectable showing.

To be completely honest as long as Pogba stay away from Real Madrid I'm pleased, and this is my opinion since his days at Juventus. I completely recognize his talent and potential and that he is one of the top players in the world right now IF he is playing at the top of his performance but I hate his attitude and his horrendous lack of consistency, that makes him bad for my team so I was happy when he went to Manchester United. If Manchester United are happy to deal with those things all I can say is more power to you.

Manchester United does look like beginning to try to rectify the situation but they are at the very beginning so anything can happen at this point but Solskjaer is for sure trying and it is always good for the club if the fans like their manager.

As for Manchester United in the UCL yes they can do a decent showing in the groups but they will need to get luck with their draw after that if the team did not get at least 3 new top players.
 
Let there be no doubt Liverpool is the best team in the world right now. Weirdly streaky team when it comes to performance, they won't play that well in every game. But when they're on, they're unbeatable.

They were absolutely ON when they faced Atletico and somehow Atletico got through. Simeone should get a statue for that alone.
Only a few clubs in the world can beat the mighty Crystal Palace.
 

Bo_Hazem

Banned
Manchester-Utd-3-0-Sheffield-Utd-Full-Highlight-Video-%E2%80%93-Premier-League.jpg


:messenger_smiling_horns: :messenger_smiling_horns: :messenger_smiling_horns:
 

Prison Mike

Banned
Let there be no doubt Liverpool is the best team in the world right now. Weirdly streaky team when it comes to performance, they won't play that well in every game. But when they're on, they're unbeatable.

They were absolutely ON when they faced Atletico and somehow Atletico got through. Simeone should get a statue for that alone.
Meh
 

godhandiscen

There are millions of whiny 5-year olds on Earth, and I AM THEIR KING.
Let there be no doubt Liverpool is the best team in the world right now. Weirdly streaky team when it comes to performance, they won't play that well in every game. But when they're on, they're unbeatable.

They were absolutely ON when they faced Atletico and somehow Atletico got through. Simeone should get a statue for that alone.
Atlético did their usual thing. It was a good match, but Liverpool got served the same way Barcelona gets served by Atlético Madrid every now and then. It isn’t something to be proud of really, that is just the way Atlético plays. Klopp fell for it; his team had nothing left for the extra time.
Liverpool is a great team, but they need to win at least a double, CL + local league, before they are called the undisputed best team in a year.
 
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Martial with a hatty, and they could have scored much more. Sheffield were poor today (especially without Henderson), but I'll take it.

I think that Bruno Fernandes and Pogba can co-exist, with Bruno being the orchestrator and Pogba being the more improvisational talent. Have someone willing and ready to clean up after them (Fred, McTominay--Ander Herrera would have been great for that role), and you've got a darned good midfield core.

Greenwood showed why he's still young, but it was a learning experience.

All in all, a good show.
 
First of all CONGRATULATIONS on the title you earned the BPL trophy fair and square and you were far ahead than any other team in Britain.

Best team in Britain right now? no doubt about it.
Best team in the world right now? I don't think so.

Thank you friend (yeah we'll never agree on the Atletico issue lol)! I'll be sure to watch tomorrow's game in anticipation, Chelsea owes us one! Personal opinion here, but I think the two best teams in the world right now are in britain. Liverpool and Man City are just on another level. We'll see about Bayern against better competition. Real is rebuilding a bit, Barcelona are soft as always. Don't see how any team can stop City in the UCL, that team is so well oiled.

Then again, they might just face Atletico lol.

Only a few clubs in the world can beat the mighty Crystal Palace.


Haters gonna hate!

Liverpool is a great team, but they need to win at least a double, CL + local league, before they are called the undisputed best team in a year.

To be fair, they were the best second place team of all time last year. They were one fluky Kompany shot away from winning the double. But yeah, I agree that maybe I got a bit carried away. 2 points away from ending a 30 year drought makes it impossible not to get hyperbolic.
 

Dark Rider

Member
Thank you friend (yeah we'll never agree on the Atletico issue lol)! I'll be sure to watch tomorrow's game in anticipation, Chelsea owes us one! Personal opinion here, but I think the two best teams in the world right now are in britain. Liverpool and Man City are just on another level. We'll see about Bayern against better competition. Real is rebuilding a bit, Barcelona are soft as always. Don't see how any team can stop City in the UCL, that team is so well oiled.

So you mentioned Bayern, Raal Madrid and Barcelona
what about Juventus? they are a top team
what about Atlético Madrid? they are a top team don't let your hatred cloud your judgement

Then again, they might just face Atletico lol.

you would love it if Atlético Madrid knocked Manchester City out of the UCL, wouldn't you? :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 
I've heard some doubts about how Juve are performing at the moment--they're getting results, but are definitely not firing on all cylinders.

And City have performed well in the league only to flame out in spectacular fashion in the UCL--it's been Guardiola's main Achilles' heel since he left Barcelona, as it also happened when he managed Bayern.

As a United fan, it would amuse me to no end to see a team knock City out again. This season, victories were at a premium before Bruno arrived, so I'll take what I can get lol
 

Dark Rider

Member
I've heard some doubts about how Juve are performing at the moment--they're getting results, but are definitely not firing on all cylinders.

And City have performed well in the league only to flame out in spectacular fashion in the UCL--it's been Guardiola's main Achilles' heel since he left Barcelona, as it also happened when he managed Bayern.

As a United fan, it would amuse me to no end to see a team knock City out again. This season, victories were at a premium before Bruno arrived, so I'll take what I can get lol

Manchester City are not favorite to win the UCL for the majority of people I feel, but in Britain (and other nations that depend on the UK for their footballing media) have a different view because the UK media skew their coverage to promote their own league (understandably)
 
So you mentioned Bayern, Raal Madrid and Barcelona
what about Juventus? they are a top team
what about Atlético Madrid? they are a top team don't let your hatred cloud your judgement

These are all great teams, but to me Liverpool and Manchester City are just on a different level. The pressure, the ball movement, the penetrating passes, the seamless attack from both sides of the pitch, the compact defense, the high level individual talent from Salah to De Bruyne to Van Dijk to Mahrez... They just have it all. There are clearly tiers of greatness.

Although yeah I would greatly appreciate if Atletico dispatched City lol.
 
Manchester City are not favorite to win the UCL for the majority of people I feel, but in Britain (and other nations that depend on the UK for their footballing media) have a different view because the UK media skew their coverage to promote their own league (understandably)

If that's what's actually happening in Britain, I'll take your word for it--I don't live there. But the footballing communities that I inhabit usually don't have City as one of the top favorites--most people that I've interacted with are looking at Bayern or Liverpool as the favorites. So I guess maybe it's just different voices in different circles.
 

Dark Rider

Member
These are all great teams, but to me Liverpool and Manchester City are just on a different level. The pressure, the ball movement, the penetrating passes, the seamless attack from both sides of the pitch, the compact defense, the high level individual talent from Salah to De Bruyne to Van Dijk to Mahrez... They just have it all. There are clearly tiers of greatness.

Although yeah I would greatly appreciate if Atletico dispatched City lol.

Watching all those 7 teams regularly I would put Liverpool and Manchester City at the last two spots in terms of tactics performance and efficiency on the pitch to be honest and I know you will disagree so to each their own.
Currently Atlético Madrid already knocked Liverpool out and I think Manchester City will be knocked out as usual by either Atlético Madrid or another team from those 5 teams.

I have no ill feelings toward Liverpool or Manchester City by the way just my opinion based on what I see on the pitch.
 

Dark Rider

Member
If that's what's actually happening in Britain, I'll take your word for it--I don't live there. But the footballing communities that I inhabit usually don't have City as one of the top favorites--most people that I've interacted with are looking at Bayern or Liverpool as the favorites. So I guess maybe it's just different voices in different circles.

Your post actually agrees with what I said? or I'm missing something?
 
Watching all those 7 teams regularly I would put Liverpool and Manchester City at the last two spots in terms of tactics performance and efficiency on the pitch to be honest and I know you will disagree so to each their own.
Currently Atlético Madrid already knocked Liverpool out and I think Manchester City will be knocked out as usual by either Atlético Madrid or another team from those 5 teams.

I have no ill feelings toward Liverpool or Manchester City by the way just my opinion based on what I see on the pitch.

It's like you said, we're entitled to our opinion. Maybe I need to see more spanish football :messenger_grinning:

Just add a little extra here, as football fans we were robbed of a potential Liverpool and City UCL Finals last season. As a Liverpool fan, I greatly appreciate it. But for pure football bliss, facing off against Tottenham instead of City or even Ajax ended up sucking a lot of the fun out of it. Single elimination games tend to be herky jerky tense affairs, but Liverpool and City in a winner takes all game? That could have been a shootout.
 

Dark Rider

Member
It's like you said, we're entitled to our opinion. Maybe I need to see more spanish football :messenger_grinning:

Yes you do need to watch more Spanish football
and Juventus and Bayern too
It will help you see how each club is doing every season but you need to watch a good number of their matches to get a good understanding of how they are doing so one or two matches are not enough for anything :messenger_smiling_with_eyes:

Just add a little extra here, as football fans we were robbed of a potential Liverpool and City UCL Finals last season. As a Liverpool fan, I greatly appreciate it. But for pure football bliss, facing off against Tottenham instead of City or even Ajax ended up sucking a lot of the fun out of it. Single elimination games tend to be herky jerky tense affairs, but Liverpool and City in a winner takes all game? That could have been a shootout.

For most people watching that game they felt both teams failed them so to be honest after that I don't think many were pleased to see Liverpool in the final because they absolutely were dreadful just like how Spurs were :messenger_unamused:
 
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For most people watching that game they felt both teams failed them so to be honest after that I don't think many were pleased to see Liverpool in the final because they absolutely were dreadful just like how Spurs were :messenger_unamused:

It was an ugly, tense game. Liverpool definitely played like a team under a LOT of pressure. It felt like they badly needed that win to legitimize themselves and every player knew it and couldn't let it go. Klopp had so many close calls in the UCL. I think playing against a more offensive side would have forced Liverpool to play a bit more naturally, if that makes sense.
 

Dark Rider

Member
It was an ugly, tense game. Liverpool definitely played like a team under a LOT of pressure. It felt like they badly needed that win to legitimize themselves and every player knew it and couldn't let it go. Klopp had so many close calls in the UCL. I think playing against a more offensive side would have forced Liverpool to play a bit more naturally, if that makes sense.

I understand completely, it is a nerve wrecking match for the players and they must have felt either now or never so they were paralyzed in fear of making any mistakes. I totally understand but you also must understand how the game looked for neutrals and how much they are disappointed in both teams :messenger_beaming:
so yes people (neutrals watching) were not happy with either and them seeing Manchester City go out earlier as usual would not inspire confidence to wishing they were in the final.
 

Prison Mike

Banned
Thank you friend (yeah we'll never agree on the Atletico issue lol)! I'll be sure to watch tomorrow's game in anticipation, Chelsea owes us one! Personal opinion here, but I think the two best teams in the world right now are in britain. Liverpool and Man City are just on another level. We'll see about Bayern against better competition. Real is rebuilding a bit, Barcelona are soft as always. Don't see how any team can stop City in the UCL, that team is so well oiled.

Then again, they might just face Atletico lol.





Haters gonna hate!



To be fair, they were the best second place team of all time last year. They were one fluky Kompany shot away from winning the double. But yeah, I agree that maybe I got a bit carried away. 2 points away from ending a 30 year drought makes it impossible not to get hyperbolic.

One fluky kompanys shot..... Haters gonna hate
 
I kind of knew it seeing your glee over Inter draw :messenger_squinting_tongue:
But what do you think of the swap deal with Barcelona? I feel neither club is improving themselves with this deal.
I think both sides are gettng value.,

Juventus gets a young, promising centerfielder who has struggled at Barca but has looked highly promising both in Brazil and at times in Spain.

Barca gets a proven winner who has been down on his luck recently. Pjanic the last two years has been one of our best players and easily our best midfielder as well as the maestro of our attack. He started this year great and then fell of hard. Very hard. I think he has grown tired of being at Juventus, doesn't like Sarri's system and so he has let this affect his mind. He's had no drive, no pace, very lackidasical off the ball, wasteful in possession at times and general just a blackhole on the team. He's allowed himself to be replaced by the very promising Bentancur as our regista at times. Now Bentancur has a ton of promise himself but he's still not exactly ready but he's passed Pjanic rather recently.

In the end, swapping at 30 year old proven product on high wages for a 24 year old promising centerfielder who has resale value if he fails as well as comes at slightly lower wages seems like a great deal for us.

I think the deal on Barca's side is their attempt to put some pieces around Messi now and go for 1-2 years of pushing to win the UCL and Lol Liga. Also, nevermind the fact Barca are in a VERY VERY bad place financially. This deal lets them balance their books for the the 2019-2020 financial year. Sacrifices had to be made to avoid FFP issues.


Also looks like Arthur gave his approval on the deal. Could be done this weekend.

 
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Dark Rider

Member
I think both sides are gettng value.,

Juventus gets a young, promising centerfielder who has struggled at Barca but has looked highly promising both in Brazil and at times in Spain.

Barca gets a proven winner who has been down on his luck recently. Pjanic the last two years has been one of our best players and easily our best midfielder as well as the maestro of our attack. He started this year great and then fell of hard. Very hard. I think he has grown tired of being at Juventus, doesn't like Sarri's system and so he has let this affect his mind. He's had no drive, no pace, very lackidasical off the ball, wasteful in possession at times and general just a blackhole on the team. He's allowed himself to be replaced by the very promising Bentancur as our regista at times. Now Bentancur has a ton of promise himself but he's still not exactly ready but he's passed Pjanic rather recently.

In the end, swapping at 30 year old proven product on high wages for a 24 year old promising centerfielder who has resale value if he fails as well as comes at slightly lower wages seems like a great deal for us.

I think the deal on Barca's side is their attempt to put some pieces around Messi now and go for 1-2 years of pushing to win the UCL and Lol Liga. Also, nevermind the fact Barca are in a VERY VERY bad place financially. This deal lets them balance their books for the the 2019-2020 financial year. Sacrifices had to be made to avoid FFP issues.


Also looks like Arthur gave his approval on the deal. Could be done this weekend.



I don't think either team will have an upgrade in their midfield performance. Juventus has the potential to get more out of it due to Arthur age so there is more time for him to up his game or be resold as you said, I could be wrong though and both players take the new challenge in stride and actually be useful. Maybe I'm cynical but I feel both clubs gambling on the hope that the player they are buying actually change course and start performing. The FFP rules are relaxed temporarily so I think for the short term this is not a big deal for any team as long as they are not going crazy spending.
 

Teslerum

Member
Yeeeeeeeezzzzzzz, Xhaka coming back is key to our stability as a team.

Which is sad and why I'm counting the days till Partey is announced. Having only 1 midfielder that can be a rock to our team is depressing as hell.

Anyway, Eddie, Saka and Holding especially were great tonight. Bellerin continues to dig his hole deeper and deeper.
 

Dark Rider

Member
Guillem Balague: David Moyes decided Thiago was not a player for him at Manchester United. Thiago could not believe it and being in Munich to sing the contract to join Pep’s team, asked his agent to ring MUFC again. Same answer, not a player needed. Then he decided to join Bayern.



What a time it was for Manchester United.
 
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