General Football Debates!

[Turson]

Thats really sad. As a Madrit fan I wish him all best. People well being is what counts the most.

 

[King-Panda]

Breaking News: Tito Vilanova will no longer continue as barcelona coach after he suffered a relapse from his cancer, the news was confirmed by sandro rossel barcelona president some minutes ago after the scheduled press conference, as a barca fan i wish tito the best and thank him for all his work and service to us and for helping us to equal the 100 points record tally.

damn he really equalled the record of 100 goals of mourinho? damn...

Anyway, I wish him the best

 

[ReLax -]

Best of luck to Tito! I hope he fights his way out of this.

damn he really equalled the record of 100 goals of mourinho? damn...

Anyway, I wish him the best

Points not goals.

 

[Grim]

Spoiler

trying to keep all Barcelona problems out of my head ... and stay positive about it

Tito's news come as a blow, I seriously don't think there is ANYONE except maybe Arsene Wenger who could tactically fit with Barcas way of playing. But I wish Tito the best and gratitude for a good season.

Pep's first win in game for title against Hamburg ended with 4 - nothing, Thiago made his first appearance and it looked pretty good. Pep has done awesome job so far, and won all friendly games =D

In case someone thinks I just joined the band wagon I'd care to prove you wrong, I announced that I would support Pep at Bayern from the day he was announced as Jupp Heynckes successor

update:

I think it was best decision for Barca to go after ex- Barca B coach and not trying to sign big names like Munchini lol.

also Thiago has scored his first goal for Bayern and also won his first TITLE "Telekom Cup"

and what we learned from pre-season is that Pep loves GOALS. I think it's 36 goals in 7 games

[video=youtube;Xl3NgjcDqXU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl3NgjcDqXU[/video]

Pep is simply making Bayern impossible to predict. No doubt Pep studied 2012/2013 Bayern for any possible weakness that could at some point be exploited and found something along the lines of what Dortmund did in the first half of the UCL final:

Namely, a high press which the Bayern 4-2-3-1 couldn't bypass due to lack of time/passing options. His solution, at least what it seems to be, is a team that is both structured and free form at the same time. Players constantly interchange, but unlike how Barca continually contracts into midfield, and thus lacks any forward penetration, Pep's Bayern is a melding of powerful, vertical movement and stifling interior possession. With Thiago at the base of midfield (undoubtedly the role Schweinsteiger will play), you have an insanely gifted and accurate playmaker capable of playing accurate balls under pressure. But who plays above him and HOW they do so might as well be unknown. Kroos and Ribery are obvious fixtures, with Kroos playing centrally and Ribery buzzing about in a free role. But just in the past two matches we've seen a pair of strikers in Pizarro and Mandzukic to create depth and press the back line and we've seen Muller ghosting around the area as a poacher with Robben freed up and ACTUALLY PASSING.

There's geometric structure yet free form attack backed up with tremendously physical play to stifle opponents. There's variety and flexibility in practice, meaning one can't directly strategize against the 4-2-3-1. Oh, and we're only a few weeks into his first preseason when he can't even speak German that well. This Bayern team is incredibly impressive and fun to watch. It's German industry and power meets Spanish flair and heart.

If this Telekom tournament is anything to go on this Bayern team is special. I can't wait to see what Pep does with Martinez and Schweinsteiger.

:bouncy:

 

[ReLax -]

BM look really good, but lets not make our judgement off a few off season trophies/friendlies. BM will be tested against Klopp Dortmund and Mou Chelsea in coming weeks. the rest of the season is still there to, as fall outs between players, or coach can occur, or the team can get too comfortable, which can result in losing focus. Pep has made a few changes to the team, which seems great for them and they can possibly retain the CL, however I believe Juventus/RM/Chelsea are all in the run for it, and I'd gave Rafa Napoli a shot at it as well as dark horses obviously. Man City still have a lot prove themselves, Arsenal need more signings, and Barca depends on the coach and they need at least two CB desperately, as United need midfield, so they won't as big as a threat as the other sides. Milan will also be a threat, not as big yet. I can see one hell of a season.

 

[Grim]

BM look really good, but lets not make our judgement off a few off season trophies/friendlies. BM will be tested against Klopp Dortmund and Mou Chelsea in coming weeks. the rest of the season is still there to, as fall outs between players, or coach can occur, or the team can get too comfortable, which can result in losing focus. Pep has made a few changes to the team, which seems great for them and they can possibly retain the CL, however I believe Juventus/RM/Chelsea are all in the run for it, and I'd gave Rafa Napoli a shot at it as well as dark horses obviously. Man City still have a lot prove themselves, Arsenal need more signings, and Barca depends on the coach and they need at least two CB desperately, as United need midfield, so they won't as big as a threat as the other sides. Milan will also be a threat, not as big yet. I can see one hell of a season.

for some reason I've have this feeling that match between Pep's Bayern and Mou's Chelsea will end in same fashion as Pep's Barca vs Mou's RM when they first time played 5-0 and I hope I'm right... because usually i'm wrong.

 

[King-Panda]

Sadly, seems that ronaldo will stay in spain...
If Rm gets Bale, AVB will.have more than enough to build a super team. Hulk would be amazing there. And if Coentrao is included.in the business.will.be great, hes a really good payer, just been unlucky in Spain. Whoever watches him.plahing for Portugal or when je played for SLB, mad player...

bad.spelling, I'm using my.phone

Best of luck to Tito! I hope he fights his way out of this.


Points not goals.

thats what i meant, my bad

 

[Kurogane]

Pep ruined bayern....

what do you guys think ?

 

[King-Panda]

Pep ruined bayern....

what do you guys think ?

disagree. Before going back to Guardiola let me remind you that last year, we saw a super Bayern. Smashed all the teams in their league and also come in champions league... won barcelona 8-0 pn aggregate.... Jheeez

Pep been there for like, 1-2 months but he'll need some time. And they played against Dortmund, their manager is quite good. So too early to judge...

Anyway, I just want to see Chelsea, led by Jose Mourinho, beat Bayern in European Super Cup.
It wasnt even Guardiola that made barcelona play in that style, it was Frank Rijaard that started it, and with a team like barcelona with messi in, its a bit easy....

 

[Totsuka No Tsurugi]

if it ain't broken don't try to fix it!!! just go along with the current team that win everything last season,
i wonder how Lewandowski feel about this ahahahahaha.................

 

[Escorpiius]

Klopp's decision to play Gundogan further up the pitch was fantastic, while Pep's decision to play Thiago as sole DM backfired.

Personally, I think that was the main tactical lesson of that match, where Klopp won. Gundogan scored a fantastic surled-sitter, triggered Van Buyten's own goal, was the most active midfielder. Crisp passing and great passing.

Thiago was good in his passes - in fact, his 2 pass to Lahm in both Bayern's goal remain crucial. But he wasn't, at ease in front of the defence. Especially when Starkke was shaky and Van Buyten was pretty slow.

I'd also praise BVB for their hardwork in pressing and their fitness, so soon in the season. Even Sahin, who was out-of-shape seemed to have discovered a new life. On the other hand, Kroos/Muller/Mandzukic/Alaba seemed lacking form currently. Great players but the lengthy season seemed to have taken a toll on them.

Also, for a coach like Pep who preaches teamwork and teamplay, this was something that Bayern lacked in that match. Their 2 goals are due to individual brilliance.

Lewandowski seemed pretty restrained in his joy during the goals but he played extremely well though. And did his sole-striker job splendidly well. Barely made any mistakes. Whether he is an ingrate or not, or whether he is unhappy at BVB or not - I'd say, he is a through professional on the pitch, because imo, he played at 100%.

Overall, the season is still long but a deserved victory for BVB.

 

[-God of War-]

Guardiola is making a lot of changes on Bayern.
Still, we won't see the same powerful Bayern of the last season. Pep has a different style. He will make Bayern better in some points, but weaker in some other.

Bayern will have a better passing game, attack and midfield. But probably they won't have a good defence. At least not as good as the one they had with Heynckens.
They good some really big results in the friendly matches, but they're friendly after all.
And Bayern won 2-0 against Barcelona again, in the final of a friendly cup. Still, can't believe they lost 4-2 against Dortmund.
There is a difference here. At least with what I saw, Bayern made some big mistakes in defence. And the first goal for Dortmund was actually because of the GK's fault.
Amazing goals from both teams. But really, the fact that Bayern lost in such a way makes me a little sad. I wasn't expecting such a thing.
The match wasn't really "on fire" but the first real test for Guardiola came into a fail. Still, it's a SuperCup. But congratulations BVB, well deserved.
Even if I'm a Bayern fan, the fact that these two German clubs are in the top makes me a little happy. Can't wait to see Germany in the upcoming WorldCup 2014.

Not much words to say. But this lost game for Bayern, hasn't told anything yet. Still a long way to go.

 

[miromiro]

Guardiola hasn't failed. But after you've just won everything possible in the previous season, you lose motivation, and don't really care much about a meaningless cup. They knew they were better, but just didn't feel motivated at all. They even played without Ribery and a few others.

 

[ReLax -]

Pep ruined bayern....

what do you guys think ?

Off one game he ruined BM? Last season BM narrowly beat BVB, 3-2, 1-0 and 2-1 were the scoreline and two draws, so BVB have been the only team able to step toe to toe with BM, and considering the current side didn't have many starters playing like Schweinsteiger wasn't 100% fit, as Martinez is injured, Ribery wasn't playing, Kross returned from a lengthy injury, no Neuer, and Dante came on late in the game. I don't mean to take anything away from BVB an inspirational side and Klopp is a genius Pep is just another manager in his list he has beaten now. Pep is still tinkering with this side the way he wants it and they've changed formation, while under a new manager it'll take a few games for them to find their footing.

It wasnt even Guardiola that made barcelona play in that style, it was Frank Rijaard that started it, and with a team like barcelona with messi in, its a bit easy....

No. It was Rinus and Cruyff who finished it. All these guys had their own unique style of play add on to it.
Under Rijkaard, Barcelona were known for a 4–3–3 with plenty of flair with Ronaldinho being the centre point of the attack. Guardiola team became more disciplined with a greater focus on possession and a disciplined and aggressive pressing style. Rijkaard believed in physical presence, Pep believed in technique. Rijkaard main guards were Dinho/Deco/Eto'o and Pep was Messi/Xavi/Iniesta.

Guardiola is making a lot of changes on Bayern.
Still, we won't see the same powerful Bayern of the last season. Pep has a different style. He will make Bayern better in some points, but weaker in some other.

Bayern will have a better passing game, attack and midfield. But probably they won't have a good defence. At least not as good as the one they had with Heynckens.
They good some really big results in the friendly matches, but they're friendly after all.
And Bayern won 2-0 against Barcelona again, in the final of a friendly cup. Still, can't believe they lost 4-2 against Dortmund.
There is a difference here. At least with what I saw, Bayern made some big mistakes in defence. And the first goal for Dortmund was actually because of the GK's fault.
Amazing goals from both teams. But really, the fact that Bayern lost in such a way makes me a little sad. I wasn't expecting such a thing.
The match wasn't really "on fire" but the first real test for Guardiola came into a fail. Still, it's a SuperCup. But congratulations BVB, well deserved.
Even if I'm a Bayern fan, the fact that these two German clubs are in the top makes me a little happy. Can't wait to see Germany in the upcoming WorldCup 2014.

Not much words to say. But this lost game for Bayern, hasn't told anything yet. Still a long way to go.

True about the first part, but I wouldn't worry about the defence. You didn't have either Martinez and Schweinsteiger who shielded the defence last season playing, nor did BM pressure much. I believe Pep is giving a few other players a couple of these competitive games to see what they can offer, such as Thiago, Shaqiri, Kross, and Gustavo. These guys will be most likely bench players, unless one of them performs well.

 

[Mr Satan]

[video=youtube;vY075-EJqqE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY075-EJqqE[/video]

Got to admit but that was one hell of a slap.

Judging on the game right now; FC Bayern vs Sao Paulo FC, Bayern haven't been so impressive, but hopefully after half time they get their stuff together.

 

[Gokillerz]

arsene is poor, 100pounds budget, 1month to go, 0 transfer...

 

[Pesh]

Aand Madrid are trying to break transfer records again...

 

[Escorpiius]

Aand Madrid are trying to break transfer records again...

Or Levy is once again, going to get way way more money than a player's worth...yet again, after Van der Vaart, Berbatov, Modric ect... and now, Bale.

 

[King-Panda]

Ronaldo... Cristiano Ronaldo, is at the moment the most expensive player ever!

How come Madrid paid so much for him? Because he scored many goals for his team that year, freekicks, shots from long range, all kind of goals, but also his skills, that are quite good to watch. He had also won the Best player in the world, he didn't have to prove anything else....


Now they are asking for like £80-130 millions for Gareth Bale???
He did a good season, good player, but he he should cost £50-65 millions, around the same price as neymar/falcao... He's no golden boot, he's not "something else"....



But apparetly Tottenham president got pissed off because last year they took Modric, that forced them to sell him, this year the same is happening, but they made a deal with bale, didn't go champions and madrid is ofering good moeny

arsene is poor, 100pounds budget, 1month to go, 0 transfer...

the fact that they don't spend much doesn't mean they don't have much. But they should get 2-3 good players if they want to do osmething in champions, the investment will be worth it

 

[Totsuka No Tsurugi]

C'mon Escorp Modric worth the price so idk what you're talking about. probably you still annoyed by that one GOAL ? ahahaha JK, but seriously Modric worth the money, probably you should mention that NPOWER LEAGUE brat who was bought for 15 million by MANU