2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

[KG]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

Tbf, all the money Prem teams have hasn't translated into success in Europe either. Bayern has won it more recently than an English team.



Then you have teams like Atleti who is usually considered a top 5 CL team, and their budget pales in comparison to even the poorest top 6 Prem team.

I think it took PL teams some time to adjust to the new influx of tv cash in terms of squad development and construction. Historically flush clubs like Liverpool and United now have quality depth while City has spent also given Pep the kind of squad to compete for all trophies. Even Arsenal, Spurs, and Chelsea have decent quality depth (not to level of the aforementioned three clubs) when compared to other clubs across Europe.

Atleti’s definitely an outlier BUT we all know their books are cooked. Between the “private” investors and the Spanish government bailing them out a few times they’re a bad season(missing out on the UCL cash) from a fire sale. Luckily Valencia can’t seem to get right


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[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

I'm still so confused as to what Kovac's exact plan was for the game yesterday, Obviously giving up the early goal to Mane is not ideal, but they played so reserved for so long in a game that they now needed goals to win.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

Bayern fans - including the one I watched with yesterday - **** on Mueller, but he was exactly the player they needed in that game to help Lewa not be so isolated. James basically gives up if you mark him closely, which is what happened. Him in a nutshell yesterday was jogging towards a ball that was heading for the end line that he could've gotten to if he bothered to try. Instead it goes out for a goal kick. Couldn't have a guy like that on Liverpool. Bayern's plan was to isolate TAA and Robertson in 1 on 1s and try to hit Lewa on one of his runs. Gnabry did have some success against Robertson. Ribery still has a trick or two in him, but he's not a full game impact anymore, and they probably should have risked Coman on from the start because TAA struggles with players like him.

As I said when he picked up the yellow in the first leg, Kimmich would be a huge miss for them. Robertson and Mane exposed Rafinha while Bayern was busy worrying about Salah on the other side.

Bayern players gave up when it became 2-1 because they knew they were not going to score 2 goals against the Liverpool defense.

I watched that first Mane goal about 20 times last night. Give Mane time, space, and a 1-on-1? Scuffed shot wide. First touch to bring down a long ball with his back to it away from the charging keeper, turn him with the 2nd touch, and chip the ball with his weak foot between two defenders perfectly with the 3rd? No problem. The Mane experience. He is red hot right now.

[Brahvocado]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

Also, further evidence that Messi is an alien.

That assist for Pique’s goal lmao, I don’t understand how Messi even knows he’s there, but it’s so deliberate and pinpoint that there’s no way he just blindly hit a cross.

Outrageous.

[Brahvocado]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

I think it took PL teams some time to adjust to the new influx of tv cash in terms of squad development and construction. Historically flush clubs like Liverpool and United now have quality depth while City has spent also given Pep the kind of squad to compete for all trophies. Even Arsenal, Spurs, and Chelsea have decent quality depth (not to level of the aforementioned three clubs) when compared to other clubs across Europe.

Atleti’s definitely an outlier BUT we all know their books are cooked. Between the “private” investors and the Spanish government bailing them out a few times they’re a bad season(missing out on the UCL cash) from a fire sale. Luckily Valencia can’t seem to get right


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Atleti’s books might be cooked but they still don’t have anywhere near the amount of money to spend as PL teams.

Anyway, on the topic of PL teams adjusting to the influx of cash, I’ve never been much of a fan of that line of thinking. Look at us, we were an immediate threat in Europe and stayed that way for quite a while.

Prem teams waste a LOT of money, it’s one of the main reasons other leagues hate us so much.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

James has been a strange follow in the world, he hasn't impressed me much outside of doing all the things I knew he could do, he hasn't really improved it feels like. Bayern also have a weird compliment of players to do attacking. For everything Mueller is his positional fluidity seems to throw some of the more rigid players for a loop. Kimmich was obviously a big miss for them, but I think their lack of a real offensive identity hurt them more. Bombing down the wings was nice, but it sure wasn't effective. Kovac's inability to adjust to the game hurt them a lot, and in someways this is why I didn't think Bayern would provide much of a threat to Liverpool.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

Atleti’s books might be cooked but they still don’t have anywhere near the amount of money to spend as PL teams.

Anyway, on the topic of PL teams adjusting to the influx of cash, I’ve never been much of a fan of that line of thinking. Look at us, we were an immediate threat in Europe and stayed that way for quite a while.

Prem teams waste a LOT of money, it’s one of the main reasons other leagues hate us so much.

I mean, the money doesn't necessarily translate to success, what it translates to is being less risk-averse. Everton's a great example of a club that has spent a ton of money and doesn't have near enough to show for it. Clubs across Europe spend that kind of cash and have it not work out and they could end up like any number of teams that did exactly that.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

That assist for Pique’s goal lmao, I don’t understand how Messi even knows he’s there, but it’s so deliberate and pinpoint that there’s no way he just blindly hit a cross.

Outrageous.

I know, I just laughed at that. What is he even?

[Krebstar]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

I'm still so confused as to what Kovac's exact plan was for the game yesterday...

I think he's also still confused as to what it was.

[Brahvocado]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

I know, I just laughed at that. What is he even?

I’ve seen so many of his assists that, even after watching multiple replays and angles, still don’t seem like he could have properly seen the run

[Krebstar]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

I know this isn't exactly the right thread, but after that performance (even going out to a quality Liverpool side) could Kovac's time be ending in Munich even if he delivers a league title? After the slow start, and a poor showing in Europe, I just don't see the expected league title saving him.

Although...who would even replace him considering Nagelsmann is heading to Leipzig? They don't seem like they'd be up for another season with him, but their options could be limited unless I'm not thinking of an obvious German-speaking manager who could be available.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

The red JuppPhone is always on the desk. Though I think that well is dry tbh. They really should stick with Kovac and refresh the roster. It's time to cut the dead weight.

I'm honestly surprised that Joachim Löw is still the national team manager considering their disastrous WC and Nations League results. He'd be a name if available. Though then they're immediately moving on from Mueller, Boateng, and Hummels with Kimmich being emo. But it might be worth it.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

I think under normal circumstances, this would warrant talk of a sack, but I think Kovac should be given another year or so to update the squad and fully implement the ideas(whatever they might be) into the club. Give Gnabry and Coman the keys to the wings, give James his walking papers back to Madrid(I assume) Give Sule a partner that isn't in decline and figure out what you want out of your midfielders, are Tolisso and Sanches still the future, etc. I don't think the situation is as dire as it feels writing it out as they have plenty of talent, they definitely need to figure out how to use it properly though.

[KG]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

Atleti’s books might be cooked but they still don’t have anywhere near the amount of money to spend as PL teams.

Anyway, on the topic of PL teams adjusting to the influx of cash, I’ve never been much of a fan of that line of thinking. Look at us, we were an immediate threat in Europe and stayed that way for quite a while.

Prem teams waste a LOT of money, it’s one of the main reasons other leagues hate us so much.

Atletli's been 10th in outlays over the last 8 years and in just the past 3 they've spent nearly 300 million. Considering they had a year transfer ban in that time too makes it even more crazy. I don't know where they got all this money from considering they have a huge tax payment due to the Spanish government in 2020 but they've been big players in the market recently and as long as this recent success in the UCL continues, they'll probably be splashing more cash.

I mean, the money doesn't necessarily translate to success, what it translates to is being less risk-averse. Everton's a great example of a club that has spent a ton of money and doesn't have near enough to show for it. Clubs across Europe spend that kind of cash and have it not work out and they could end up like any number of teams that did exactly that.

Everton's really the best example of how to not spend money and obtain success but once Chelsea, City, and recently Liverpool opened up the checkbook, trophies ensued. Well not in the case of Liverpool (yet) but the top 8 clubs in terms of transfer outlays since 2010 are:

1. City
2. Chelsea
3. Barca
4. PSG
5. United
6. Juventus
7. Liverpool
8. Real Madrid
9. Roma
10. Atletico

That's pretty much all of the EPL, Serie A, La Liga, and Ligue 1 (since their influx) titles in that span. Same with the UCL.

Footy is def the one sport where you throwing cash around can buy titles.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: 2018-19 UEFA Competitions Thread

we're now arguing on two different axes, this is what I meant by the discussion never going anywhere and being pointless.