OT: 2024-2025 Football/ Soccer/ Fußball/ Calcio /Futbol Thread

[echappist]

Hope everyone enjoyed watching the Euros and the Copa.

Another season is already here, and it looks Leverkusen is back to its old ways, winning matches at the death. Der fußball kommt nach hause zu Leverkusen?

Also, what a screamer of a goal by Xhaka.

[wc1934]

Hey Jim - yup another season. First game and my Napoli was embarrassed.

[echappist]

Don't worry, lead-foot Lukaku is heading your way. Unfortunately, that probably means that Super Eagle's Super Striker will move out.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

Don't worry, lead-foot Lukaku is heading your way. Unfortunately, that probably means that Super Eagle's Super Striker will move out.

He wants out so they have bee trying to move him since the end of last season. Isn't even on the bench.
I have said this for awhile - Lukaku looks out of shape. But he clearly wants to reunite with Conti.

[echappist]

@wc1934, hope you caught that game. Was not expecting France to get rolled like that at home, especially not when it took a very early lead.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

@wc1934, hope you caught that game. Was not expecting France to get rolled like that at home, especially not when it took a very early lead.

Screaming in agony after only 14 seconds - thought it was going to be downhill from there. Beating France at home is not an easy feat - missing some key players, but have they slipped a bit? I thought Mbappé would be more effective on the counter.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Screaming in agony after only 14 seconds - thought it was going to be downhill from there. Beating France at home is not an easy feat - missing some key players, but have they slipped a bit? I thought Mbappé would be more effective on the counter.

Hard to say. France has its ups and downs, and in truth, who doesn't?

That midfield is still a bit of question mark. I'm sure Dechamp will get it sorted though.

[martl]

Meanwhile in the conference league match between Germany and Hungary, it became clear why "France Football" does not consider Jamal Musiala (1 goal 3 assists, also top scorer of the Euros) to be one of europes top 30 players worthy of a "ballon d'or" nomination. I wonder how many top managers would say "hire him? Nah id rather have Calhanoglu or Hummels"

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

Hard to say. France has its ups and downs, and in truth, who doesn't?

That midfield is still a bit of question mark. I'm sure Dechamps will get it sorted though.

Did today - but he was welcomed with a chorus of boos!

[wc1934]

San Siro - Milan Derby and Pulisic shines! He was clearly one of the best players on the pitch.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by wc1934

San Siro - Milan Derby and Pulisic shines! He was clearly one of the best players on the pitch.

That was unexpected. Milan looked porous like a sieve against LFC, and Mancini appeared to have done a great job against City.

Milan was given almost no chance, but oh my it over-turned the apple cart.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

That was unexpected. Milan looked porous like a sieve against LFC, and Mancini appeared to have done a great job against City.

Milan was given almost no chance, but oh my it over-turned the apple cart.

They were terrible against Liverpool. But Captain America did score - 3 goals in last 3 games.
Today Morata and Abraham showed their talent, but Leao leaves you scratching your head - That guy is such a natural, but doesn't play hard - just goes thru the motions.

[kytyree]

While he’s not sunk to the Anthony Martial level yet, Leao reminds me of him. Do something so amazing and then you end up wondering where they went.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by kytyree

While he’s not sunk to the Anthony Martial level yet, Leao reminds me of him. Do something so amazing and then you end up wondering where they went.

Yup - he was just going thru the motions today - aside from a few runs he displayed very little effort. EVERYONE was sprinting back to play D, and he was just sauntering about. Must have driven his teammates crazy -

[echappist]

Serie A is a bit wild this year.

Don't think anyone would have thought Napoli would recover enough to do this well. And Pulisic is apparently the joint leading scorer.