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

[martl]

The football world's most famous protest arm made his comeback after 350 day off the pitch following a skiing accident. 3 reds in the first half (league record) and Bayern scored 8x in the second (also record). The Harrykane scored a screamer from 55m away (no record still a beauty)

[wc1934]

Napoli vs Milan.
Milan started Musah and Pulisic, as usual - both had an exceptional first half.
Pulisic was pulled for the 2nd half (injury?) and Napoli was able to shine (thank goodness) and salvage a draw at the Maradona.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Napoli vs Milan.
Milan started Musah and Pulisic, as usual - both had an exceptional first half.
Pulisic was pulled for the 2nd half (injury?) and Napoli was able to shine (thank goodness) and salvage a draw at the Maradona.

It's rather crowded at the top of the Serie A table.

I thought Napoli was not doing well (there were talks of Garcia getting the sack), but they are at least in the UCL spots now.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by echappist

It's rather crowded at the top of the Serie A table.

I thought Napoli was not doing well (there were talks of Garcia getting the sack), but they are at least in the UCL spots now.

They have been a mess - Garcia changed things (I think they are much better under Spalletti's system of controlling the ball with quick short passes and a strong centre forward), ADL being himself - Garcia would have been sacked if Conte agreed to a contract, Osimhen with contract issues and injuries from international play. And loosing Kim was huge.
But yesterdays game was fun to watch.

Yup - crowed at the top - Americans assisting:
Pulisic and Musah on Milan
Weah and McKinnie on Juve

[Beldar77]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Napoli vs Milan.
Milan started Musah and Pulisic, as usual - both had an exceptional first half.
Pulisic was pulled for the 2nd half (injury?) and Napoli was able to shine (thank goodness) and salvage a draw at the Maradona.

I have to agree that both Musah and Pulisic were carving out great spots and opportunities in that first half. Reijnders however needs to be better in recognizing the final pass and he cost Milan at least 1 missed goal in the fiorst half.

I didn't get to watch the 2nd half ( as a Milan fan that is probably good).

[JedB]

I was on leave and decided to go from London to Milan and scored a ticket to the AC-Milan v. Juventus game back on 10/22/23.

It was a pretty cool thing to see all 4 Americans starting on pitch.
Pulisic and Musah on Milan
Weah and McKinnie on Juventus

[echappist]

Originally Posted by JedB

I was on leave and decided to go from London to Milan and scored a ticket to the AC-Milan v. Juventus game back on 10/22/23.

It was a pretty cool thing to see all 4 Americans starting on pitch.
Pulisic and Musah on Milan
Weah and McKinnie on Juventus

Really neat.

How much was the ticket, and how did you source it?

And was it safe? The ultra “culture” in many European countries is a tad scary.

[wc1934]

2023 winner of Ballon d'Or is...
Lionel Messi

Again?????
What do you all think?

[wc1934]

Rounding out the top 10
2: Erling Haaland (Manchester City & Norway)
3: Kylian Mbappe (PSG & France)
4: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City & Belgium)
5: Rodri (Manchester City & Spain)
6: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid & Brazil)
7: Julian Alvarez (Manchester City & Argentina)
8: Victor Osimhen (Napoli & Nigeria)
9: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City & Portugal)
10: Luka Modric (Real Madrid & Croatia)

[ltwtsculler91]

Originally Posted by wc1934

2023 winner of Ballon d'Or is...
Lionel Messi

Again?????
What do you all think?

Who else would you give it to?
Rodri may be the next most deserving, but Spain bombed at the World Cup. (Thanks to Luis Enrique picking his buddies and playing him at CB)
Haaland had lots of goals, but nothing in the final...

I see this as a bit of an old school valuing World Cup more than club games, which is fair, and a lifetime achievement award for Messi.

[JedB]

Originally Posted by echappist

Really neat.

How much was the ticket, and how did you source it?

And was it safe? The ultra “culture” in many European countries is a tad scary.

Got the ticket online from: https://www.1boxoffice.com/en
I had to provide them First/Last Name, Birthday and Country Residence
Some tickets may require additional information, like the Tessera del Tifoso (TDT) which is the AC-Milan membership. (for really expensive tickets)

I was in the nosebleeds, in section 338 (by the 6 in graphic) and the ticket was about €120 all in with fees.
===
I was wearing a Brentford Bees hoodie with an AC-Milan (Maldini) jersey from 2008 underneath. There were both AC and Juventus fans roaming around together in the pre-entry parking lots. I never felt unsafe at all not during pre-game, during the game, nor after. There were Juventus fans in my section. The hardcore Juventus fans were segregated and in sections 343 to 350 (by the 2,3 in the graphic). As far as I know there was no silliness in the parking lots after, but couldn't 100% confirm.

The only real issues were when the Ref issued the red card to Thiaw. Then ALL the AC fans were pissed at him. Learned lots of colourful language.

===
I would not go through StubHub, they don't appear to have the proper back end to accommodate the complexities of Tickets + Club requirements as I've outlined above.
.

[echappist]

Thank you. I have always wanted to attend a proper footie match but have some trepidation.

Good to hear you had an enjoyable time.

[echappist]

Oh for f*** sake, Dortmund is no better than a third division team...

This is almost as bad as some fans choosing to follow the Spurs.

Perhaps Xabi Alonso could finally topple with former team?

[Beldar77]

watch the Arsenal Newcastle match? THoughts on Bruno G and the elbow he threw into Jorginho? Or the goal withstanding 3 VAR challenges? I'm a Gunner so I thought inexcusable not a red card abd Joelinton pushed Gabriel with 2 hands in the back. Other perspectives?

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

watch the Arsenal Newcastle match? THoughts on Bruno G and the elbow he threw into Jorginho? Or the goal withstanding 3 VAR challenges? I'm a Gunner so I thought inexcusable not a red card abd Joelinton pushed Gabriel with 2 hands in the back. Other perspectives?

Bruno G should have been sent off.

I have seen the push-to-the-back and other types of interference not to be deemed to be fouls. Really iffy stuff, but it happens.

The offside decision was also quite iffy. I don't think they 1) attempted to determine whether the ball was played forwards or backwards, and 2) in case forwards, any attempt to draw the lines.

Otoh, I've heard that Havertz should also have been sent off. It's all just madhouse. Though Newcastle really seems to have taken the cake when it comes to really unlikeable players. Eddie Howe learned well when he observed Simeone at work...