OT: 2023 - 2024 Football / Calcio / Futbol / Fußball Thread

[martl]

Originally Posted by ltwtsculler91

So what is the difference between a "50+1" Bayern and Real Madrid? Their ownership structures are more similar than not, and both have illustrious histories in Europe. Score 2 for the traditional clubs.

i was talking about the Bundesliga clubs vs. the Investor's own Barclay Premier League, where Real doesn't play (yet)
You are correct, the ownership structures are similar, although Real may have enjoyed some governmental protection regarding their spending vs. revenue ratio, more than other clubs in other countries, but those are mere details

The remark was a bit tongue-in-cheek anyway, as clubs like Bayern or even BVB are, regardless their ownership status, still very much european money roayalty, both being in the top 10 in terms of annual revenue. Still feels good to beat the sheikhs.

Also, Bayer Leverkusen continues to surf on their own wave, setting a new record for teams of the top-5 EU leagues, making it 44 unbeaten matches across three competitions and advancing to the Euro league's half final. Alonso has some serious momentum built there.

[echappist]

Wow, that was a wild ending.

Real is just relentless like no other team. Tuchel being too passive at the end may have cost them, by inviting pressure. Pavlovic should also have been substituted earlier.

And what was that linesman doing at the end?

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

Wow, that was a wild ending.

Real is just relentless like no other team. Tuchel being too passive at the end may have cost them, by inviting pressure. Pavlovic should also have been substituted earlier.

And what was that linesman doing at the end?

Wow - great game. They say the Bernabéu is magical - was today.
In all sports you are supposed to play to the whistle - except today the whistle was premature. Linesman should have kept flag down til after the play was over.
Announcer called Ancelotti a living legend.

[Ozz]

That was something....Neuer played a great game until he mishandled that shot...bummer.

And what was that....like 15 minutes of extra time??

[Waldo62]

Neuer will not sleep for at least a week. If the first Real goal does not go in, neither does the second.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Ozz

That was something....Neuer played a great game until he mishandled that shot...bummer.

And what was that....like 15 minutes of extra time??

Well, there was quite a bit of delay for the second Real goal, and there was 9 minutes allotted originally.

Originally Posted by wc1934

Wow - great game. They say the Bernabéu is magical - was today.
In all sports you are supposed to play to the whistle - except today the whistle was premature. Linesman should have kept flag down til after the play was over.
Announcer called Ancelotti a living legend.

I'm not sure if it was great. But it was certainly dramatic.

In some ways, i'm kinda glad that the final is not at the Benabéu, but nothing is beyond this iteration of Real. Just so street savvy and full of grit.

Part of me thinks the final is almost forgone, yet I think I will make time to watch (albeit with great deal of trepidation).

[Waldo62]

Originally Posted by echappist

Well, there was quite a bit of delay for the second Real goal, and there was 9 minutes allotted originally.


I'm not sure if it was great. But it was certainly dramatic.

In some ways, i'm kinda glad that the final is not at the Benabéu, but nothing is beyond this iteration of Real. Just so street savvy and full of grit.

Part of me thinks the final is almost forgone, yet I think I will make time to watch (albeit with great deal of trepidation).

I would venture that in the final Fullkrug is good for one goal, but this would be Dortmund's only goal. I also don't think Dortmund can keep Real from scoring.

[wc1934]

Sacchi called Ancelotti after RM's win - part of the phone conversation:

“Then I reminded him how much our Milan ran: Baresi ran, Maldini ran, Donadoni ran, Gullit ran, even you ran… And I added: ‘Our Milan would have massacred your Real, dear Carletto. Pressing, pace, speed…’.

“He didn’t answer me immediately, he thought for a bit and then concluded: ‘It depends on whether I play with Milan or whether I coach Real…’. I repeat: he is truly a phenomenon.”

[wc1934]

Atalanta 3-0 (hat trick by Lookman) over Leverkusen. Bayer's 51 game unbeaten streak comes to an end.

[echappist]

That was certainly unexpected. The pressing was just executed so well, and Lookman capitalized.

I thought when Atalanta played LFC off the pitch, it was due to LFC being too fatigued to cope. But Bayer is different yet still succumbed to it. Well played by Gasparini.

[echappist]

Oh effing hell, Real gets its sixth in ten years.

I knew it was over when Courtois saved Füllkrug's bullet header. This was basically like watching a rerun of the 2022 Final, with Courtois making one save after another...

At one point, they cut away to BvB's former manager, a certain Herr Klopp. He was probably having flashback watching this...

At least there's the Euros to look forward to. It's good to watch a match when I'm not rooting for or against a team. When watching a game while on my trainer, HR during matches I care about (as opposed to watching as a true neutral) is generally 7-10 bpm higher.

[wc1934]

And Kross gets his 6th - amazing.

[echappist]

And now, it's time for the Euros and Copa America.

Germany looks formidable (albeit against limited opposition)

And title holders settled nerves after conceding early.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

And now, it's time for the Euros and Copa America.

Germany looks formidable (albeit against limited opposition)

And title holders settled nerves after conceding early.

They may have settled theirs but I was nervous the entire match - haha

[wc1934]

3 years ago tears of sorrow for Eriksen - today tears of joy!!!