European Football Thread

[Gazz]

I think Barca have been paid off to make the La Liga run-in more interesting too.

[FestiveJack]

Gotta do something to justify that nice big TV deal they did with Sky...

[stokeriño]

In merely the latest example of the ridiculous void twixt Chelsea's youth and senior teams, the U19s have beaten PSG 2-1 to win the UEFA Youth League. Again.

[MDK]

5 minutes ago, stokeriño said:

In merely the latest example of the ridiculous void twixt Chelsea's youth and senior teams, the U19s have beaten PSG 2-1 to win the UEFA Youth League. Again.

So Vitesse are looking good for next season

[Chris2K]

Just my usual reminder that any league where a team can score 14 goals in 2 games and one player can score 8 of them by himself is a worthless and meaningless league.

[Lineker]

Quote

According to Football Italia, the Chinese investors interested in buying Milan have told the president Silvio Berlusconi they want an answer to their bid by Wednesday. The Chinese conglomerate is said to have deposited €150m as a guarantee that it has the financial resources to buy the club. Milan are expected to sell 70% of the club for €720m (£564m) and the remaining 30% in 2017.

[Lineker]

Gus Poyet has been appointed the new Real Betis manager.

RB Leipzig’s Ralf Rangnick injures hamstring in promotion celebrations

[Lineker]

Tony Adams is in negotiations with Brondby about becoming their manager. The former Arsenal centre-half, who is the director of football at Gabala in Azerbaijan, is the favourite to take over from the interim coach, Aurelijus Skarbalius, at the end of the season. Adams has a connection to the Brondby owner, Jan Bech Andersen, through John Terry, the Chelsea captain, who is a mutual friend, and the 49-year-old is ready to leave Gabala to pursue a fresh challenge.

[Lineker]

Frank de Boer has left Ajax. Expecting him in the PL next season. 

[FestiveJack]

Dibs.

[stokeriño]

I have zero basis for it, but my hunch is Everton.

[Lineker]

Well Ronald has already come out and said that his brother wants it.

[stokeriño]

Well then perhaps I am psychic, but only in entirely unhelpful contexts such as this.

[Adam]

He got linked with the post before leaving Ajax, his agent was talking up the possibility of going to England or Spain, specifically mentioning Everton and Valencia.

I'd love him, be a great appointment if you ask me. A born winner, knows what it takes as a player and manager, and certainly knows how to defend as well.

[EddieG]

30 minutes ago, Adam said:

He got linked with the post before leaving Ajax, his agent was talking up the possibility of going to England or Spain, specifically mentioning Everton and Valencia.

I'd love him, be a great appointment if you ask me. A born winner, knows what it takes as a player and manager, and certainly knows how to defend as well.

 

Except on the last game of the season.  

[Szumi]

Barca won La Liga thanks to a Luis Suarez hat trick in a 3-0 win. While he's a well hated figure, you can't deny how great he's been this season. 40 league goals for top scorer, tied Messi for top in assists with 16, and overall 59 goals in 52 games in all competitions. That's pretty damn impressive, even for La Liga

[FestiveJack]

That's incredibly good in a team that's the best in the world in a league set up so that they and one other team succeed at the expense of everyone else.

[MDK]

53 minutes ago, Rocky Horror Szumi Show said:

Barca won La Liga thanks to a Luis Suarez hat trick in a 3-0 win. While he's a well hated figure, you can't deny how great he's been this season. 40 league goals for top scorer, tied Messi for top in assists with 16, and overall 59 goals in 52 games in all competitions. That's pretty damn impressive, even for La Liga

He's been chomping at the bit to win something, good for him. 

[Gazz]

44 minutes ago, Mad Jack said:

That's incredibly good in a team that's the best in the world in a league set up so that they and one other team succeed at the expense of everyone else.

Which is why those two teams are in the Champions League fina... oh.

[FestiveJack]

Yes, other teams have managed to become good in such a league - by turning to foreign investors like the dictatorship of Azerbaijan and just outright refusing to pay their taxes. Oh, and selling all their best players every other season. Still doesn't mean the league isn't set up to benefit Real and Barca more than any other team.