Futbol Talk

[JWags85]

I was thinking about this too. On the other hand, I do think it's infinitely better in it's current state than it was a few years ago. In a few years I'm hopeful we'll get to the point where it's pretty seamless and useful like it is in tennis.

I think its gotten better due to technology being more precise, but the issue that makes it unwatchable, and I don't think can be fixed without specific rule changes around it, is the "judgement call" aspect.  Offsides reviews could be seamless and useful quickly.  But when they allow either the ref or the video assistant to track back as far as they deem relevant, it gets cumbersome and stupid.

I watched a random match on Peacock in December, can't recall which.  Counter attack, really nice passing, great goal.  VAR pops up.  Commentators couldn't figure out why, all attackers were aside by a mile, acres of space on the attack with no challenges.  Turns out there was a "foul" on the change of possession, but not just on the change...the LB tackled an attacker, ball went to another attacking midfielder, who moved to the center for a dribble or two and then got stripped, which ignited the counter attack.  But that LB tackle, that the ref didn't even look twice at, was suddenly deemed beyond the pale in super slow-mo ruling out a goal almost a minute later. 

[Pakuni]

I think its gotten better due to technology being more precise, but the issue that makes it unwatchable, and I don't think can be fixed without specific rule changes around it, is the "judgement call" aspect.  Offsides reviews could be seamless and useful quickly.  But when they allow either the ref or the video assistant to track back as far as they deem relevant, it gets cumbersome and stupid.

I watched a random match on Peacock in December, can't recall which.  Counter attack, really nice passing, great goal.  VAR pops up.  Commentators couldn't figure out why, all attackers were aside by a mile, acres of space on the attack with no challenges.  Turns out there was a "foul" on the change of possession, but not just on the change...the LB tackled an attacker, ball went to another attacking midfielder, who moved to the center for a dribble or two and then got stripped, which ignited the counter attack.  But that LB tackle, that the ref didn't even look twice at, was suddenly deemed beyond the pale in super slow-mo ruling out a goal almost a minute later. 

Yep.
It's akin to overturning a touchdown because an offensive tackle got away with holding five players earlier on the drive.

[Its DJOver]

Was known to be coming but the HEX is officially dead. 

New format looks stupid too, you can qualify without even playing Mexico or Canada. Have to finish top 2 in a 4 team group made up of (in theory) the top 24 teams from CONCACAF to make it to the final stage where you again have to finish top 2 in a 4 team group made up of (in theory) the top 12 teams from CONCACAF.

[Its DJOver]

Who do Spurs even target?

[Pakuni]

Who do Spurs even target?

Roberto De Zerbi parted ways with Marseilles today. Probably not a coincidence.

[JWags85]

Roberto De Zerbi parted ways with Marseilles today. Probably not a coincidence.

Bingo.  Cause you don't sack a manager who finished 2nd last year and currently sits in 4th just because the Champions League performance was disappointing...at a club that hasn't reached the knockout stage in 15 years.

Be interesting to see Thomas Frank's progression from here.  I don't recall his salary at Brentford, but I'm sure the $8MM he was getting from Spurs was at least triple what he was making.  So that, plus the payout he'll now get makes it worth it always.

Reputationally, he should be fine, as top level football manager roles are very mercurial and its totally a fit thing.  But you'd hope he doesn't go the way of Graham Potter whose career imploded after he failed at Chelsea (great at Brighton, bad at Chelsea, terrible at West Ham, not good now for Sweden) or even more apt, the complete derailing of Big Ange's career.

[JWags85]

In today's edition of Champions League VAR losing the spirit of the game, Olympiakos scores a beautiful free kick goal via a flicked header.  But wait, VAR can't let that stand.  They determine another while another Olympiakos attacker ducked out of the way, the ball brushed his shirt, super slow mo replay shows it flutter...NO GOAL!! Thanks VAR for improving the game!

[The Sultan]

In today's edition of Champions League VAR losing the spirit of the game, Olympiakos scores a beautiful free kick goal via a flicked header.  But wait, VAR can't let that stand.  They determine another while another Olympiakos attacker ducked out of the way, the ball brushed his shirt, super slow mo replay shows it flutter...NO GOAL!! Thanks VAR for improving the game!

So what's the alternative? You either have no VAR, which isn't great, or you disallow VAR to review certain things that can be clearly seen on replay.

[Its DJOver]

Yea, VAR has it's flaws, but that was a pretty easy call. One replay, even at full speed and you can see the touch from an offsides position. Just look at the sh!t show the FA cup was last weekend without VAR, or how VAR couldn't intervene to save Kalulu against Inter last weekend. 

[BM1090]

Yeah, I'm good with this intervention. It's the ones where they go back in play to 30-60 seconds before the goal to find an off-ball foul in the buildup that have to go.

[The Sultan]

Yeah, I'm good with this intervention. It's the ones where they go back in play to 30-60 seconds before the goal to find an off-ball foul in the buildup that have to go.

Yeah, I can agree with that as well. I think the fuzzy "in the build up" is something that can we can do without.

[JWags85]

So what's the alternative? You either have no VAR, which isn't great, or you disallow VAR to review certain things that can be clearly seen on replay.

I'm all for direct VAR intervention...goal scorer offsides, handballs/fouls in the box, etc...  Obviously the review of fouls in build up is stupid and egregious, but I think the scrutinizing every aspect of the goal scoring moment, including teammate involvements, can be a bit much.

Yea, VAR has it's flaws, but that was a pretty easy call. One replay, even at full speed and you can see the touch from an offsides position. Just look at the sh!t show the FA cup was last weekend without VAR, or how VAR couldn't intervene to save Kalulu against Inter last weekend. 

That's sort of what I meant with this incident.  I mean, to be fair, my issue with the Olympiakos call is more that I HATE that particular application of offsides.  If its called in the moment, fine, but going back to review an minute unintentional touching by a non-scoring player, I just don't care for it.  It wasn't called in the moment initially by the referee or the linesman

It's like a glancing handball in the box by a defender, arms basically at their side.  Nothing thought of it. Then its reviewed and they microanalyze how far their arm was from their side and determine "natural arm position" in a subjective manner.  Is it technically the correct call?  Sure, but its just over legislating the game with VAR.