European Football Thread

by Fernando Fri 09 Aug 2013, 8:30 pm

First topic message reminder :

To be used for discussing European transfers and matches from Anywhere but the PL

La Liga
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Seria A etc

The Bundesliga & Ligue 1 start today with Big Spenders PSG in Action as are German Champions Bayern Munich

by Guest Wed 04 Feb 2015, 10:16 pm

Think they will just survive, still plenty of time & Reus coming back from injury, will spark life into them. Be funny if they did go though, imagine the exodus this summer, Reus, Gundogan, Hummels, Mkhitaryan & Bender just to name a few.

by Gerry SA Wed 04 Feb 2015, 10:35 pm

John wrote:Think they will just survive, still plenty of time & Reus coming back from injury, will spark life into them. Be funny if they did go though, imagine the exodus this summer, Reus, Gundogan, Hummels, Mkhitaryan & Bender just to name a few.

They are all over the shop at the back though. Anyone who just hoofs a long straight ball and the back 4 falls to pieces.

by Guest Sat 07 Feb 2015, 3:53 pm

John wrote:Think they will just survive, still plenty of time & Reus coming back from injury, will spark life into them.

As I said, they should have just enough. Currently 2-0 up at Freiburg & Reus has scored.

by Gerry SA Sat 07 Feb 2015, 10:53 pm

Interesting to note should Dortmund go on a 6/8 matches streak of victories they could still seal a top 4/5 finish. With the quality in their squad it's not totally out of the question.

by monty junior Tue 10 Feb 2015, 12:13 am

Other than Bayern and Wolfsburg the teams don't have any consistency, so it's not out of the question that they could still be in the top 4. Having said that they have a lot of trouble scoring this season, though Reus being back will help them it will be sad to have the CL without Dortmund after the incredible progress they've made.

by Gerry SA Tue 10 Feb 2015, 1:02 pm

Interestingly Marco Reus has signed a new deal with Borussia Dortmund, which takes him up to June 2019.

Could be a ploy just to get a higher buyout clause into the deal, as it was rumoured the previous buyout was on £20m

by Guest Tue 10 Feb 2015, 1:06 pm

Yeah, they know he's gone this summer, making sure they receive the best possible deal for him.

by monty junior Tue 10 Feb 2015, 11:35 pm

I hope he stays at Dortmund but it really depends on where they finish. It's better to have a spread of world class players over Europe to make the CL more interesting.

by Gerry SA Sat 14 Feb 2015, 12:31 am

Dortmund won back to back league matches for the firat time since weeks 2 & 3, following an entertaing 4-2 victory against Mainz. Now 14th in German league.

Mainz gave it a good go and lead 1-0 until the 50th minute. Then Dortmund finally clicked into gear. Sutotic leveled the score. Before Reus bagged the second. Mainz pulled it back to 2-2, but Dortmund's quality saw them close it out with goals from Aubameyang(stunning pass from Reus) and Sahin.

Dortmund re-finding their swagger. 10 points off Europa league and 12 off CL.

by Gerry SA Sun 15 Feb 2015, 11:06 pm

by Fernando Sat 21 Feb 2015, 8:17 pm

Reports coming out of Italy tonight that Parma have been dissolved as a club and will be relegated to Serie B, a club that had no debt on the summer when it was purchased, 8 months later it was in €96m of debt and their match this week was cancelled because they couldn't afford to even switch the floodlights on, it's an absolute tragedy for Italian football.

Apparently Hernan Crespo was quoted as saying, We don't have Water for training.

by Gerry SA Sat 28 Feb 2015, 10:08 pm

Dortmund's revival continues. Fourth straight Bundesliga win and after being bottom at the turn of the year, they've rocketed up to 10th now. 8 points of CL qualification.

by Gerry SA Tue 03 Mar 2015, 9:34 pm

Dortmund's revival continues to gather momentum as they advanced to the DFB-Pokal 1/4 finals with a 2-0 win over Dynamo Dresden, both goals scored by Ciro Immobile.

by **Crimey** Tue 03 Mar 2015, 11:41 pm

The Dortmund revival is confusing for me, is the German league just weak? Lots of teams at the bottom with small amounts of points with Bayern just way ahead?

by Guest Wed 04 Mar 2015, 8:48 am

the league is shockingly poor. Dortmund will end with a top 6 finish at this rate & Klopp might win a cup. So much for relegation & the sack

by monty junior Wed 04 Mar 2015, 1:52 pm

Fernando wrote:Reports coming out of Italy tonight that Parma have been dissolved as a club and will be relegated to Serie B, a club that had no debt on the summer when it was purchased, 8 months later it was in €96m of debt and their match this week was cancelled because they couldn't afford to even switch the floodlights on, it's an absolute tragedy for Italian football.

Apparently Hernan Crespo was quoted as saying, We don't have Water for training.

I hope they former owner is severely prosecuted, like you say Parma had rebuilt themselves nicely in to a position financially where they could get back towards the top in Serie A before they took over. Even last year they finished in the top 6 but the terrible figures they were posting on the books didn't even get the chance to compete.

by monty junior Wed 04 Mar 2015, 2:22 pm

It's not really that amazing it was only half way through the season, in the PL if a lowly club won 4 in a row too they wouldn't be far off tenth either. Teams are at the bottom because they haven't been doing well so a run of wins will always move you past similarly poorly performing teams.

by Jermaine2015 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:04 pm

A rather humbling 0-2 defeat for my beloved FC Bayern last night to the very well organised and disciplined Borussia Monchengladbach.

Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the greatest managers of all time, but his continual failure to adapt a system that suits a classic #9 is a real short fall of the great man.

Firstly at FC Barcelona, he craved the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but once Guardiola couldn't get Ibrahimovic into his heavy possession based game, Ibrahimovic was quickly sold off.

Roll forward 5 years and history is again repeating itself. FC Bayern managed to secure the prized signing of Robert Lewandowski, yet due to Guardiola's obsession with possession, the brilliant Lewandowski is like the odd man out at the Allianz.

Guardiola needs to utilze Lewandowski better, who is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world. Should Guardiola not solve the Lewandowki problem, there won't be any shortage of potential suitors for the Polish superstar.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:14 pm

He is no where near the greatest managers of all time at the moment, it takes more than taking over quality Barcelona and Bayern Munich teams to be spoken of in that regard.

by Jermaine2015 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:26 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:He is no where near the greatest managers of all time at the moment, it takes more than taking over quality Barcelona and Bayern Munich teams to be spoken of in that regard.

Taking over quality at FC Barcelona? Guardiola replaced Rijkaard(whom many considered FC Barcelona's best coach until Guardiola surpassed him) who's dream team crumbled. Guardiola remodeled FC Barcelona into a relentless unstoppable beast.

And whilst FC Bayern might've been an 'easier' project, he earned that with what he achieved at FC Barcelona.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:29 pm

That Barcelona team were not in turmoil and it gets said all the time, it was a team full of top class players and to be honest Guardiola is yet to prove he's a top class manager, both teams had won the champions league in the preceding two years.

by GSC Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:32 pm

Yeah, they kinda were.

by Jermaine2015 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:33 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:That Barcelona team were not in turmoil and it gets said all the time, it was a team full of top class players and to be honest Guardiola is yet to prove he's a top class manager, both teams had won the champions league in the preceding two years.

Two years is along time in football my friend.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:46 pm

A team in turmoil doesn't come third in the league and get to the champions league semi-finals, it's overblown hyperbole to give Guardiola a status is not deserving of.

by GSC Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:52 pm

Barca's run to the semi final in 2007-08 was about as challenging as Uniteds in 2010-11.

And we all know about the competitiveness of La Liga beyond the top 2 (which Barca didn't make).

by Ent Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:55 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:A team in turmoil doesn't come third in the league and get to the champions league semi-finals, it's overblown hyperbole to give Guardiola a status is not deserving of.

Must have been a nightmare taking over a side with puyol, abidal, yaya toure, iniesta, xavi, messi, eto, Henry then getting 80 million to spend.

by GSC Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:56 pm

Must've been particularly gutting when Xavi was about to join United before Pep convinced him to stay

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:59 pm

At no point was Xavi ever about to sign for Man United, you must have been taking too much notice of the papers, we had all but signed Torres, Gattuso, Pirlo etc. according to them in 2006.

by Jermaine2015 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 11:02 pm

Frank Rijkaard's final season(2006-07), FC Barcelona yes finished third but an eye watering 18 points behind the champions Real Madrid. No laughing matter...

Guardiola came in and revitalized a shell shocked FC Barcelona, and the rest is history as they say.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon 23 Mar 2015, 11:04 pm

Sorry but that is such a load of rubbish, a shell shocked team does not get to the last four of the champions league and push the eventual winners right to the limit, they were still a top class team.

by Ent Mon 23 Mar 2015, 11:05 pm

Never heard that xavi rumour before.

by Gerry SA Mon 06 Apr 2015, 9:14 pm

Bayern beat Dortmund 1-0 on Saturday, with Robert Lewandowski scoring the only goal on his return to Signal Iduna Arena.

Bayern are 10 points clear and ended Dortmund's 7 game unbeaten streak(5W and 2D). Dortmund highly unlikely to even make the 2015-16 Europa League.

by Guest Tue 07 Apr 2015, 11:33 am

At least 18 months without european footy for Dortmund, most likely we will see the mass exodus, people thought would occur after they were runner up in champs Lge a few year back.

by **Crimey** Tue 07 Apr 2015, 1:26 pm

Yeah Dortmund might have a big rebuilding job to do over the next couple of years. Hummels and Gundongan will likely leave. They might struggle to keep hold of Reus as well, Manchester City will probably be interested, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona all already have a world class left winger so other than Manchester City I can only see PSG interested, possibly Bayern to replace Ribery who is ageing but can't see Reus making that switch.

Then they have a real worry about the depth of the squad, players who aren't their star players but still important like Aubameyang, Bender, Sokratis, they're players that will be important going forward but other clubs with European football may be able to snatch up at the right price.

They also might lose Klopp, with rumours that Manchester City and Real Madrid will both be looking for new managers, possibility that PSG will to considering still a decent chance that PSG won't win the league.

by Ent Tue 07 Apr 2015, 2:18 pm

Have to feel a bit sorry for dortmund.

Build up a good side that won 2 leagues and a double, lost a very close cl final to bayern. Regularly losing their best players and now look set to be decimated.

by **Crimey** Tue 07 Apr 2015, 2:50 pm

There a lot of parallels with Atletico Madrid, but Madrid are still doing really well. They have also lost their best players over the last couple of years: Aguero, Falcao, Costa but keep on going and have only got better. I know their bubble will likely burst eventually, but for now they seem to be coping with what Dortmund couldn't.

by Ent Tue 07 Apr 2015, 3:14 pm

I wouldn't say they are better as they won la liga last year.

They also have had/have a lot more money than dortmund.

by kiakahaaotearoa Tue 07 Apr 2015, 5:22 pm

Atletico have signed Simeone until 2020. A new sponsor and I think an assurance that some money for some signings especially for a forward or two are good news for the club.

Next Tuesday is the huge defining moment for the club this year. They should retain a champions spot but the CL is the only trophy Simeone hasn't won with the club and it's clearly a goal of his, however unlikely it seems. But a final and a league win have the fans believing the impossible with El Cholo at the helm.

by Ent Tue 07 Apr 2015, 5:29 pm

They have the Indian sign over real so I wouldn't be surprised to see tem make the semis.

by kiakahaaotearoa Tue 07 Apr 2015, 6:24 pm

I'm hoping those mental demons will be there. Real should easily win. Off to the stadium now. Let's see if Koke can strike some form. He was woeful against BL.

by Jermaine2015 Tue 07 Apr 2015, 9:48 pm

Undoubtedly Borussia Dortmund will sale 5/7 players in the summer. Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Ciro Immobile will certainly leave.

Marco Reus isn't as likely to leave, he holds a special place in his heart for the Yellow Wale, coupled with his lengthy injury spells - he may feel he owes the fans another 12 months. Furthermore he won't be sold unless his 68m Euro buyout is activated.

Players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Neven Subotic and Henrik Mkhitaryan could be pouched by other teams in Champions League/Uefa Cup.

Dortmund will bounce back but it may take 3/5 years

by Ent Tue 07 Apr 2015, 10:11 pm

I thought they just signed immobile?

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 07 Apr 2015, 10:19 pm

They ain't fans

by Jermaine2015 Wed 08 Apr 2015, 9:23 pm

Whilst Ciro Immobile is a very good striker, he's not Robert Lewandowski. Therefore he will be offloaded in the summer. Filling Lewa's big boots was always going to be tough, unfortunately for Immobile Dortmund's poor form and injuries to their star players made it that much tougher.

by Gerry SA Sat 11 Apr 2015, 9:51 pm

Bayern Munich continue their relentless march to the Bundesliga with a 3-0 win over Frankfurt. Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace, including a brilliant volley, and Thomas Muller got a third late on. 6 games to play and Bayern are 10 points clear.

Meanwhile Borussia Dortmund lost for the staggering 13th time in the Bundesliga this season.

by Gerry SA Sat 11 Apr 2015, 9:59 pm

PSG remain on course for the quadruple after breezing passed Bastia in Coupe de la Ligue final 4-0. A brace a piece for Zlatan and Cavani

by Fernando Sun 12 Apr 2015, 6:38 pm

Emir Spahic fired by Bayern Leverkusen for starting a brawl after the German cup final

by James_182 Mon 13 Apr 2015, 12:24 pm

Honourable mention to Lazio, who are the form team in Europe with 8 wins on the spin. Up to second in Serie A and playing lovely stuff. Would be intrigued to see if they can get a CL place and how they would shape up in the competition. Great blend of youth (Cataldi, Keita Diao, De Vrij, Onazi) experience (Klose, Mauri) and players at their peak (Biglia, Radu, Candreva, Marchetti). The Manager has done a great job this season and they have the Coppa Italian final also to look forward too.

by Jermaine2015 Sat 25 Apr 2015, 9:54 pm

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Hertha Berlin that could seal the Bundesliga title tomorrow, depending on whether Wolfsburg can beat Borussia Monchengladbach to keep it alive for one more week.

by Gerry SA Sun 26 Apr 2015, 10:22 pm

Jermaine2015 wrote:Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Hertha Berlin that could seal the Bundesliga title tomorrow, depending on whether Wolfsburg can beat Borussia Monchengladbach to keep it alive for one more week.

FC Bayern confirmed Bungesliga champions after Monchengladbach beat Wolfsburg 1-0 with a 90 minute winner from Max Kruse. A 25th league championship and 3 in a row clap

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