...::[The Footy Desk]::... (Part 2)

[TheSantader25]

No but non of their midfielders have the ability to control the rhythm and make creative plays like Kroos and Modric. They bought the same type of workhorse midfielders that are great at moving the ball forward but their midfield has no variety in styles. They bought the same player over and over again.

[smokeless6]

What a night. The atmosphere was electric, and Arsenal were outstanding. They could have won 7-0. Football, eh?

[Jason]

Sick and tired of Onana at this point. Talks the talk when costs you a goal without fail.

 

Needs to be dropped now and sold in the summer.

[Eutyphro]

Onana has always been a very promising goalie from the perspective of us Ajax fans, but some of the errors he's making make you think Matic assessment about him was not completely unfair.

[Jason]

He's cost us a ton of goals since arriving, a frightening amount for a goalkeeper at any level, nevermind PL level.

 

Has to go this summer, the defense will never be confident with him behind them.

[smokeless6]

Liverpool need six points from their remaining six games to claim the title, after Arsenal again dropped points. Looking good.

 

Well done to Rory McIlroy for winning at Augusta yesterday. It's been painful to watch his last decade. He's thoughtful, respectful, honors the game and its traditions, and just seems like a really good dude, so hats off for finally completing the career slam. I only wanted him to win, yesterday, and he made it mighty difficult on himself, but got it done in a playoff. This may seem like it has nothing to do about football, but Rory evidently is a United supporter and wants to bring the trophy 'round to inspire the lads. That should do it.

[TheSantader25]

Things i learnt tonight:

-We have no control without pedri. If he gets injured we are done. Also if balde is not fit soon again we are f*cked since our attack and raphinha are super reliant on him.

 

-Lamine and Raphinha seem to be gassed ever since the international break. We're in big trouble.

 

-Araujo should never start an important game again. No one other than inigo and Cubarsi can execute flicks defense and Araujo becomes a liability sometimes in big games.

 

- I've said this before and will say it again. Removing away goals has given an even bigger advantage than before to the team that plays the second leg at home. They really need to fix this issue. At least maybe give home advantage in second leg based on standings in the group stage. 

 

-and ah yes. Never wear white shorts again. Leave that sh*t for the team in madrid.

Edited April 15 by TheSantader25

[Eutyphro]

Barça seemed like a team trying to save energy in the busy schedule they have and not really up for it today. I get most of what you're saying, but I'd be cautious basing how you see things on this game as I think this game really isn't very representative. I'm a big fan of the current Barça team and what Flick has done with this young group. Today was a weak game for many reasons, but it doesn't really matter, they are in the next round.

Edited April 15 by Eutyphro

[TheSantader25]

Just now, Eutyphro said:

Barça seemed like a team trying to save energy in the busy schedule they have and not really up for it today. I get most of what you're saying, but I'd be cautious basing how you see things on this game as I think this game really isn't very representative. I'm a big fan of the current Barça team and what Flick has done with this young group. Today was a weak fame for many reasons, but it doesn't really matter, they are in the next round.

I mean yes we sat inigo out because he could get suspended and pedri to rest but i have to say from what I've seen in these past two weeks we seem quite tired.

 

Tbh among the current teams in the CL currently I'd give Inter the highest chance so far. Nobody rates them high enough but i think they are a serious force to be reckoned with. Very strong defense that can cause this barca side trouble.

[TonyRyodan]

I think PSG is going to win this Ucl

[Jason]

PSG would still just about be favourites for me. First time I've ever seen them in the CL look as good as they do this year - it's no coincidence that happened once the superstars are all gone either. But Villa showed last night that they're still a bit vulnerable, they were quite unlucky not to take it to extra time I thought. Donnarumma made some good saves too.

 

Barca look really good as well, a PSG vs Barca final would be a great watch.

 

Do agree that Inter are flying under the radar a bit and I wouldn't be surprised if they work their way into the final.

 

Though that all goes out the window if Madrid pull off a miracle tonight, cause then naturally they'd become the favourites again. 

[TheSantader25]

Nope. Arteta's style might not win them the prem but their defense is too solid for cups. They completely killed the rhythm of the game. No chance for any momentum from madrid and their fans. They literally "kill" the game this way. We are gonna gave two interesting semi finals. Both very interesting match ups.

[Jason]

It helped that Madrid's gameplan was nothing more than 1) try and hurt Saka within the first 20-30 minutes and cross it in a lot. Not a strategy that's gonna get a lot of joy against Arsenal, who are strong in the air.

 

Feels like a transitional season for Madrid, Ancelotti's one of the best ever but I think the squad no longer suits his style of management, they need someone to organise them a bit more. Just throwing Mbappe, Vini Jr and Jude up the top end of the pitch and going "win us the game" isn't going to work so well against the elite clubs in 2025.

[TonyRyodan]

Dude left PSG to win the UCL, now he is out and his old team is in the semi-final for only the third time in their history if I'm not mistaken... Wild

[smokeless6]

Arsenal fully deserved their win, they were the better sides over both legs. They were the better side IN both legs. Gotta hand it to Arteta, who got his tactics spot on. They have struggled in the league, but knockout competitions are a different beast and he and his team stepped up when it mattered, and fair play to them. I would also put my money on PSG considering the four remaining sides. But honestly, any of them could win this thing. Inter are rock solid defensively. Barca are Barca. Arsenal showed they have it in them to knock off top teams, and do it convincingly.

 

Rice's rockets could not have been predicted, but those knocked it right out of Madrid I think. They came yesterday to win, and never looked near. Beaten before the ball was dropped I think.

 

 

[Jason]

Football, bloody hell.

[Eutyphro]

HARRYYY MAGUIRREEEEEE

[TheSantader25]

 

 

 

[Jason]

I watched the highlights back and I still can't quite believe what I saw. Legendary game of European football.

 

In more depressing news, Hojlund's sh*t. I would genuinely start Maguire up top over him, 100% serious. Every time Maguire goes up there which these days is quite often he looks ten times more effective than Hojlund. With Zirkzee out of the season it wouldn't shock me if Amorim tries it at this point, cause getting a tune out of Hojlund is proving impossible.

[Eutyphro]

It was a beautiful night of football. I was pretty much already yelling 'HARRYYYY MAGUIIIIREE' randomly, and to see him make the winning goal and the commentator yell it made it perfect. Bruno had a great game. He was a constant threat. United in possession is still really very weak though, but hopefully Kobbie can be more involved again and they can improve. I'm overall not sure of Amorim, but he might be a better cup coach than a league coach. They should really get another striker though cause Hojlund is pretty much Martial 2.0. He looks like he has got potential but his performances are very weak.

Edited April 19 by Eutyphro

[smokeless6]

Rory must have stopped over Carrington with the trophy and look what happens.

[Jason]

It was a bit of a carbon copy or Rory's win wasn't it? Looked like we were coasting and then threw it all away only to pull it back at the very end.

[smokeless6]

Yes, good analogy. They were collapsing and then suddenly they won. Yeah, kinda like Rory on Sunday.

 

United in next year's UCL? Not out of the question now

[Jason]

Not that we've done well vs Spurs this year, cause we haven't, but I'm far more concerned with the semi final at the moment. I still have nightmares of the Fergie era when we dropped into the EL and Athletic Club absolutely demolished us over two legs. Ran us off the park completely.

 

United vs Spurs would be a spicy final though, two clubs in circus mode in must win games for different reasons.

[TheSantader25]

Bilbao is in good form this season with big man Valverde. Gonna be an  interesting match against united.

[Eutyphro]

Bilbao vs Man U would've been a nice final. I'm not gonna be as hyped if it's Spurs vs Man U.

[TheSantader25]

Biggest crybabies on the planet are stirring sh*t up again. It's honestly pathetic.

[TonyRyodan]

Yamal and Vini didnt performed the best both could but was a good game to watch

 

Hey Ancelotti, come to Brazil now 

[Jason]

Listen I know La Liga's always been a bit of a drama fest but f*cking hell what has happened to Real Madrid lately?

 

They've went from a team who'd lose the first leg of a CL quarter final 5-0 and then end the season lifting the trophy to a disjointed team of cry babies.

[TheSantader25]

Yamal got 2 crucial assists. He did more than enough. Madrid have always been like this. The mask usually slips easier when Barca is having a good season.

 

We are f*cked after 120 mins for inter tho. They did their job. Put pressure on the ref. He was scared to call 2 clear pens which could end the game in 90 mins. Yet he went to VAR for the only one that wasn't a pen. 1 match ban for rudiger and vini incoming. Yet lewa got 4 games for touching his nose.

 

Laliga's scheduling this season has been atrocious. Who the f*ck puts a cup final before a CL semi final.

Edited April 26 by TheSantader25