Futbol Talk

[The Sultan]

Easily the most Spursy outcome imaginable.

Sitting at 16th in the Prem, only a point away from relegation.  Fired your highly regarded new manager 25 matches into the season to then hire a guy who just got fired from Juve before Halloween in his first season.

Despite this, you somehow finished 4th in Champions League qualifying ahead of teams like City, Real Madrid, Barca, and PSG and getting a bye into the round of 16...only to promptly get BLASTED by an offensively challenged Atletico giving up 4 goals in 22 minutes and yanking your keeper.  SHEESH

In retrospect, they should have stuck with Ange. He at least got results out of them when they needed them.

[panda]

In retrospect, they should have stuck with Ange. He at least got results out of them when they needed them.

I don't think the manager matters there. Systemic problems rot the club

[JWags85]

Salah officially announces his departure from Liverpool after the season. Hard to argue with him on the Mount Rushmore of Liverpool greats.  Also basically the embodiment of the transition from Gerrard era Liverpool who, 2005 miracle in Istanbul aside, spent the better part of the decade in the wilderness...to the current juggernaut of the last decade (this year aside  ).

This will sting in May though, far more than TAA did, regardless of how he left.  I distinctly remember wanted him badly in 2014 from Basel, but Liverpool stunk as destination and couldn't get big transfers and he went to Chelsea.  Was stoked when they got another chance a few years later under Klopp, but clearly had no idea he would become this much of a legend. 

His form and pace fell off hard over the last 12 months, which is unfortunate, but he was absolutely unreal last year and carried them to another title.  And he still has flashes like the second half of the Gala match last week.

I wish him nothing but the best going to Saudi and hopefully getting like $50MM a year to cruise and score a bunch of goals without getting clattered by spiteful northern English fullbacks

[Its DJOver]

Oh Italy. How are you the way you are?

Turkey for the US in the WC. Strongest possible team from the qualifiers, still no reason not to top the group.

[Pakuni]

Oh Italy. How are you the way you are?

Turkey for the US in the WC. Strongest possible team from the qualifiers, still no reason not to top the group.

Appleton's Esmir Bajraktarevic with the game-winner.

[jesmu84]

Oh Italy. How are you the way you are?

Turkey for the US in the WC. Strongest possible team from the qualifiers, still no reason not to top the group.

There are a lot of reasons for the US not to top the group.

[JWags85]

Oh Italy. How are you the way you are?

3 missed WC in a row is absolutely remarkable.  But also kind of speaks to the fall off of Serie A, in terms of total league depth.  Historically the good Italian national teams have been filled with the stars of Serie A.  Look at that roster for the qualifiers, not a lot of household name star power unless you're a HUGE Serie A fan.

Look at their most successful recent clubs, Napoli and Inter.  Napoli is driven by 2 Belgians, 2 Scots, and a Dane. Their captain, Di Lorenzo, was a national team mainstay but has fallen out of the rotation in his 30s and wasn't on this qualifying roster.

Inter is captained by an Argentine, back stopped by a Swiss, and the heart of their attack (besides Barella who is brilliant) is a Frenchman, a Turk, an Armenia, and Polish midfielder.  To be fair, Inter has more presence than Napoli with Barella, DiMardo, and Bastoni regularly playing, but the point remains.  Funny enough, Bastoni's probably the main reason they didn't qualify today.

I thought Gattuso was a terrible pick for manager, but it hasn't mattered cause Mancini and Spalletti struggled too.  Insane that they won a Euro while not being able to even qualify for a damn WC.

Appleton's Esmir Bajraktarevic with the game-winner.

Really an awesome story.  Grew up in Appleton, older brother played at Appleton North, played club soccer for SC Wave in Milwaukee before going to the NE Revolution academy.  His friend's dad who supported his dream and helped him with the SC Wave travel portion of his career is actually a MU soccer alum.   

He was in the USMNT youth setup and I think called up once to the national team before swapping national teams, but you read about his story and his family/their experience in the war and his connection to B&H and you can't really fault him.  He'd also have been competing in a crowded midfield

[panda]

Oh Italy. How are you the way you are?

Turkey for the US in the WC. Strongest possible team from the qualifiers, still no reason not to top the group.

Turkey easily clears this usmnt clown show. Questionable roster and tactical decisions coupled with some players who look like they would rather be anywhere expect on that field give me limited confidence going into this summer.