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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

Slapdash said:
boubucarow said:
If they have to break up my first true favorite league team, at least they are giving it their all.
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Dortmund will be fine imo
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As long as Klopp stays, I don't see much more than a minor drop off. But I first saw this team last season in early Euro play and loved the style. So those that are leaving (especially Lewandowski) are the players I will always first identify with Dortmund.

 
boubucarow said:
Slapdash said:
boubucarow said:
If they have to break up my first true favorite league team, at least they are giving it their all.
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Dortmund will be fine imo
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As long as Klopp stays, I don't see much more than a minor drop off. But I first saw this team last season in early Euro play and loved the style. So those that are leaving (especially Lewandowski) are the players I will always first identify with Dortmund.
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Sure, that can be hard. Dortmund has seen a few players leave during their success but keep on going. I find it hard to believe they would lose Lewandowski and Goetze at the same time. Hummels and Subtoic are two of the best in the business as well.

 
Half way to an insane all German final at Wembley - not something the English FA or London was hoping for to say the least

 
boubucarow said:
Slapdash said:
boubucarow said:
If they have to break up my first true favorite league team, at least they are giving it their all.
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Dortmund will be fine imo
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As long as Klopp stays, I don't see much more than a minor drop off. But I first saw this team last season in early Euro play and loved the style. So those that are leaving (especially Lewandowski) are the players I will always first identify with Dortmund.
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They'll continue to be a top club no doubt. I think BvB is publicly owned and traded, which is probably a good thing these days absent a sheikh or oligarch owner. 37 m for Goetze is good business I think. He's from their youth program and they're getting more than was paid for Hazard, Lucas, Witsel, Martinez, Oscar, cesc, etc. Looking at transfermarkt.uk last night I think Pastore was the only midfielder who cost more in the past two years. There are a ton of good options out there who can replace him. They stole Reus from Gladbach last year for half that. They'll have no problem getting top talent with that money and their CL play. It seems like just a few years ago that Sammer, Moeller, Kohler, reuter et al won the CL. When I checked I realized it was quite a long time ago - '97 - but that's still some good history and they're coming off two straight BL titles, so I'm pretty confident they'll be a strong team going forward even if they lose a few stars this summer. It would be great if they won the CL this year. I think I'll probably be pulling for them.
 
Mjolnirs said:
boubucarow said:
It isn't suppose to be Bayern but it looks like they do have a chance if Lewandowski doesn't see opportunity at ManU.
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Good Gravy! Now TZ saying Bayern has him signed: http://www.tz-online.de/sport/fc-bayern/heynckes-repraesentant-bayern-unterschrift-lewandowski-2871128.htmlThe sports media over there is just crazy.
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That would clinch my hatred for Lewandowski going forward (as is a certainty for everything Bayern).

The finale could be a bizarre show if the German teams avert disaster.

 
Wait, both Götze and Lewandowski are both moving from BvB to Bayern? What's the rivalry history between these two teams? Forgive my lack of Bundesliga knowledge.

 
The Z Machine said:
Wait, both Götze and Lewandowski are both moving from BvB to Bayern? What's the rivalry history between these two teams? Forgive my lack of Bundesliga knowledge.
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That article apparently says that Jupp Heynckes agent has confirmed that Lewandowski will be moving, but Lewandowski has another year on the books and no release clause. And BvB says that they would rather he leave on a free than just accept a transfer bid. In any case, if Lewandowski goes, I imagine there will be multiple bids and that BvB will get a good price.

As for the rivalry history, Dortmund is probably the third most successful team in the history of the Bundesliga, but keep in mind that Bayern is way, way ahead of everyone else. Bayern always seems to be there, and rarely goes more than 3 seasons without the title (Bayern has won 22 titles). Dortmund has won 5, all since 1994, so they're probably the top modern rival. Gladbach was the prime early rival in the 70s, even winning the European Cup when Heynckes played for them.

I'm not sure that Bayern fans really think of a German team as a rival. Maybe 1860 when they're in the first division. My sense is that Bayern views Barcelona, Madrid, and Man United as their rivals.

 
The thing about Dortmund, IMO, is that the targets are not just confined to Lewandowski. Hummels, Subotic, and Gundodan are all guys that could be very attractive to some top teams.

I think Gundogan is one of the best all-around CMs in the world. The idea of a Gundogan/Wilshere pairing at CM for Arsenal, for example, would have me drooling. But then I think that CM is Man U's thinnest position, and he'd look good beside Carrick.

Chelsea could use another CB with Terry getting older. They could pay a ton for Hummels or get Subotic a bit cheaper. If Arsenal is really going to spend, I could see them making a run at one of the CBs too.

I think Dortmund could find a striker depending on what happened. Any shakeup would mean another attacking option became available (I doubt Pep will have much use for Pizarro, for example). CB and the type of CM who can press the way Gundogan can (while maintaining technical quality) strikes me as a scarcer position.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
The thing about Dortmund, IMO, is that the targets are not just confined to Lewandowski. Hummels, Subotic, and Gundodan are all guys that could be very attractive to some top teams.

I think Gundogan is one of the best all-around CMs in the world. The idea of a Gundogan/Wilshere pairing at CM for Arsenal, for example, would have me drooling. But then I think that CM is Man U's thinnest position, and he'd look good beside Carrick.

Chelsea could use another CB with Terry getting older. They could pay a ton for Hummels or get Subotic a bit cheaper. If Arsenal is really going to spend, I could see them making a run at one of the CBs too.

I think Dortmund could find a striker depending on what happened. Any shakeup would mean another attacking option became available (I doubt Pep will have much use for Pizarro, for example). CB and the type of CM who can press the way Gundogan can (while maintaining technical quality) strikes me as a scarcer position.
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The flood gates opening is my fear. All the players you mentioned should be initial targets of bigger teams. But the more I look into it, that is life for BVB. Assuming Klopp isn't going anywhere, I suspect they will hunt for more youth to fit into their relentless pressing style of play. Leitner, Bittencourt, and Sahin should be ready for bigger roles with Reus becoming the focus of attack.

Of course that is assuming they don't lose more. If they don't, filling the striker role should be their main focus with Schieber being the best option in house.

 
Doesn't make sense to me either how a CL semifinalist(likely finalist), league winners the past two out of three seasons, are a selling team.

Minus the trophies; are they the German Arsenal?

 
Apologies if this was posted already, I didn't see it. Goff speaking with Klinsmann. Despite what he says about Donovan he better be on the damn team for these upcoming games.

U.S. national team coach Juergen Klinsmann touched on a range of subjects with reporters during a stop in Washington on Wednesday. The highlights:

On Landon Donovan’s recent return to MLS and the prospects of recalling him for the May-June schedule…..

“I am glad to see him back on the field. He is catching up and trying his best. I’m watching. I was at that game [last weekend when Donovan played well with the Galaxy]. I am observing and, down the road, I will make my decisions in terms of who I see in front of him [on the depth chart] and where we see him right now within the roster.”

Klinsmann, however, did not commit to selecting Donovan for the friendlies and qualifiers…..

“There are questions. Looking back at the last two years we’ve been in charge, we have seen a lot of players coming through and making a big impact, showing they are 1,000 percent committed to the cause and to the team and [putting] themselves in a strong position. I am not tossing out names, but there are players clearly ahead of Landon Donovan right now. Things will develop over time and we will see how he will do over the next couple of weeks, months.”

Klinsmann cited intangibles, such as commitment and chemistry, in the evaluation process…..

“We observe what the players are doing in camp, how we go through that difficult stretch of qualifying games. We see the chemistry of the team developing and we try to have a clear picture of every individual player and what he brings to the table in moving this team forward. Most of the time, [Donovan] was not part of the process. It was his choice and I understand that. It’s no problem, but at the same time, we are moving forward. Therefore, it’s not down to one [MLS] game when you score one goal to say, ‘I am back in the team.’ It’s not working that way.

“I have always said we will observe him like we observe all of the other players over a stretch of a longer period and then decide whether he is in that picture or not. … There is a chemistry being developed of a group and you always have to feel where this is moving towards. He hasn’t been part of the development of this team most of the time. Chemistry is very important.”

With several players sitting on yellow cards, Klinsmann said he might invite two or three additional players, beyond the typical 23, to the May camp. He emphasized the importance of keeping extra players in form at the conclusion of their European seasons in case they are needed on short notice during the stretch of three qualifiers in 12 days in June.

On Carlos Bocanegra playing regularly again for Racing Santander and whether that improves his chances of a recall…..

“Thankfully now he is back playing. At the same time, we have promising players breaking through like Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron. We have options. And Carlos is aware of that. Carlos knows it’s competition. It’s a continuous competition going on there and he is in the middle of that.”

On Michael Bradley…..

“He is a face we want to have as an example to a young group of players coming through the ranks because he is a sponge. He just wants to continuously learn and improve. He is always curious, he is always asking questions. He learned Italian in a couple of months. He wants to understand the culture, he wants to understand the lifestyle.”

On Stuart Holden’s recovery and possible return to the national program this summer…..

“Stuart excites us. He is really coming back. What he really needs is games, games, games — minutes, minutes, minutes. It’s looking very positive.

“He doesn’t want a [summer] break! He said, ‘I had a break for 1 1/2 years.’ ”

On the CONCACAF Gold Cup roster in July…..

“We save most of [the top-flight European-based players] clearly for the World Cup qualifiers and then give them a well-deserved break. And then we have to build a very competitive roster for the Gold Cup.

“It’s tricky. Who is in a rhythm? The Scandinavians are in a rhythm. The MLS players are. Mexico is in a similar break like Europe, so it makes it difficult. Whoever from Mexico you leave out of the May-June camp, most likely we will leave them out of the Gold Cup as well because they would come from vacation and they can’t catch up. It’s a challenge for us.”

On the danger of bringing young players into the senior national team too soon…

“It would do all of them the best if you keep their feet on the ground. You don’t bring them up too fast to a level where they are maybe overwhelmed. I am not saying soccer-wise. They might be able to catch up pretty fast, but are they able to deal, suddenly, with the type of recognition and exposure? We clearly saw with our Olympic team, they weren’t ready to get that exposure. They weren’t ready to see themselves on ESPN. They thought they were already there and it was too late to bring them back to the ground. Caleb [Porter] wasn’t able to do that in that moment and — boom — there goes your team chemistry. That was probably the best Olympic team over the last 20 years. There was so much quality in that team but they didn’t get their act together. So you want to be careful with the next generation coming through and don’t make them, at the age of 19 or 20, something they can’t be yet. Give them time, give them the up and downs. Keep them on the ground.”

Klinsmann suggested young MLS players are put on a pedestal too early…..

“It was easier to digest the Olympic disaster for the guys who were abroad because they were back in their environment. They were back in line [at their club]. … Maybe MLS [shouldn't] make them poster boys for things they can’t be. They can’t deal with it yet. It’s just normal. … We hope there is a new wave coming through and challenging whoever is in front of them but we also know it’s not happening overnight. We have to protect them as well. They need to develop that inner-hunger and become consistent over a long period of time.”

On playing on temporary grass at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field for the World Cup qualifier June 11 against Panama…..

“We just hope the grass settles and the conditions are very, very good. They have promised us they are doing everything possible to have a great surface. Hopefully we have ideal conditions to play that game.”

On the decision to accept temporary grass in order to play in Seattle…..

“We have tried to get to the Northwest. The challenge is, when do we get the team to the Northwest with the European-based players? That region is hungry for those types of games.”

Temporary grass has not always worked well. Did you consider playing on the artificial turf?

“No. We talked to the players. Even if the grass isn’t perfect, they prefer it.”
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Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
The Z Machine said:
Wait, both Götze and Lewandowski are both moving from BvB to Bayern? What's the rivalry history between these two teams? Forgive my lack of Bundesliga knowledge.
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That article apparently says that Jupp Heynckes agent has confirmed that Lewandowski will be moving, but Lewandowski has another year on the books and no release clause. And BvB says that they would rather he leave on a free than just accept a transfer bid. In any case, if Lewandowski goes, I imagine there will be multiple bids and that BvB will get a good price. As for the rivalry history, Dortmund is probably the third most successful team in the history of the Bundesliga, but keep in mind that Bayern is way, way ahead of everyone else. Bayern always seems to be there, and rarely goes more than 3 seasons without the title (Bayern has won 22 titles). Dortmund has won 5, all since 1994, so they're probably the top modern rival. Gladbach was the prime early rival in the 70s, even winning the European Cup when Heynckes played for them. I'm not sure that Bayern fans really think of a German team as a rival. Maybe 1860 when they're in the first division. My sense is that Bayern views Barcelona, Madrid, and Man United as their rivals.
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I think this is accurate as to who Munich views as its competition. Despite recent results, I'm sure that Hoeness, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, et al view the rest of the Bundesliga as no more than feeder clubs for Bayern. I was somewhat surprised to see, when reading about the Goetze deal, several quotes from Matthias Sammer. Sammer was a star player and manager at Dortmund, but is now on the Executive Board at Bayern and has the title "sporting director".
 
Mjolnirs said:
Slapdash said:
Why would the floodgates open? It isn't like Dortmund is a small club; they're a top club in the best league in Europe (apparently) and are always near the top for attendence. Who doesn't want to walk out on the pitch to this: http://25.media.tumblr.com/187a9c05b7cf70f978edb4949a991395/tumblr_ml0a8y1J0G1r2xls3o1_1280.jpg
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That is an amazing image.
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This is another awesome one I saw: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/09/article-2306522-1933B85C000005DC-580_634x331.jpg

Creeeepy.

 
Slapdash said:
Mjolnirs said:
Slapdash said:
Why would the floodgates open? It isn't like Dortmund is a small club; they're a top club in the best league in Europe (apparently) and are always near the top for attendence. Who doesn't want to walk out on the pitch to this: http://25.media.tumblr.com/187a9c05b7cf70f978edb4949a991395/tumblr_ml0a8y1J0G1r2xls3o1_1280.jpg
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That is an amazing image.
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This is another awesome one I saw: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/09/article-2306522-1933B85C000005DC-580_634x331.jpg

Creeeepy.
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Needs more flares.

 
Madrid derbi today in the Calderón. Game is 2:00 PM Eastern. If Atlético can beat RM for the first time in like a decade, they can draw level in the table for 2nd. RM will be without CR7 and are coming off a straight thumping by BvB, so they could be of two minds here 1) it doesn't matter what happens here, only the next CL game, or 2) They don't want to fold to their rival letting the slide continue.

I guarantee Atlético will be up for this game, since this one and the Copa final are the only two games that matter for them for the rest of the season. They're 13 points up on 4th place (unbelievablly Real Sociedad! the surprise package this year) with 6 games left.

¡Aupa Atleti!

 
GoFishTN said:
jonessed said:
GoFishTN said:
:doh:
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AVB has done well this season, but he blew this game. His starting lineup made no sense
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At least they got a point. I guess.
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That's one point from Wigan all season.The team can't afford the depth required to compete for a full season. Naughton and Huddlestone are mediocre even as squad players, Defoe is an impact sub, Dempsey isn't effective on the wing, and Holtby hasn't fully adapted. The new stadium will free up a lot of money, but that's still several years away.
 
AFC Wimbledon secured their Football League status after beating Fleetwood Town 2-1 at Kingsmeadow.

The Dons, who were in the drop zone at the start of the day, needed a win to stay up and took the lead through a Gary Alexander header.

Andy Mangan equalised with a close-range header for Fleetwood soon after.

Neil Ardley's men had to find another goal to survive and it came when Jack Midson converted his penalty after Rob Atkinson fouled Curtis Osano.

The Dons' win, coupled with defeats for both Barnet and Dagenham, means they end the season two points clear of the relegation places.
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88th best team in England!

 
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