***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[shader]

Liverpool gets Middlesbrough FC in Capital One cup.

 

[The Gator]

Liverpool gets Middlesbrough FC in Capital One cup.

The Stewart Downing Cup

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Is there any explanation as to why Zlatan's never played in the EPL? Lack of decent food?

 

[The Gator]

Is there any explanation as to why Zlatan's never played in the EPL? Lack of decent food?

Too much of a challenge

 

[The Gator]

Legend

 

[Eephus]

Liverpool gets Middlesbrough FC in Capital One cup.

The Stewart Downing Cup

The Reds against The Reds

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

 

[charvik]

Balotelli's latest Instagram post: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwEwZVuIAAADjys.png

It will not be boring this year...

 

[charvik]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

GK sent off with 5mins left of ET I think

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

DRAMA!

Drama in the Champions League play-off between Bulgaria's Ludogorets Razgrad and Steaua Bucharest. It has gone to a penalty shootout but Ludogorets have had their goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov sent off in the last minute of extra time. All three substitutions have been made and their centre-half Cosmin Moti goes between the posts for the shootout.

 

[Eephus]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

Cosmin Moţi made his kick and stopped one as well.

He's a Romanian national playing for a Bulgarian side against Steaua.

 

[charvik]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

DRAMA!

Drama in the Champions League play-off between Bulgaria's Ludogorets Razgrad and Steaua Bucharest. It has gone to a penalty shootout but Ludogorets have had their goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov sent off in the last minute of extra time. All three substitutions have been made and their centre-half Cosmin Moti goes between the posts for the shootout.

Per twitter he scored one, and saved one...

 

[charvik]

Viktor Fagerström ‏@ViktorFagerLFC 39s
THE CB AS THE GOALKEEPER WINS THEM THE SHOOTOUT HAHAHA

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Prettier image: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwEsamVIEAEQd-y.jpg:large

Personal preference: Benfica/PSG/Pool/Malmo would be a slam dunk for some of my fellow reds in Charvland...

December game in Malmo? Sure!

 

[Eephus]

Ludogorets

 

[CletiusMaximus]

No one wants to draw Ludogorets.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

Cosmin Moţi made his kick and stopped one as well.

He's a Romanian national playing for a Bulgarian side against Steaua.

Pretty much guaranteed to die in a vampire attack now.

 

[charvik]

Prettier image: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwEsamVIEAEQd-y.jpg:large

Personal preference: Benfica/PSG/Pool/Malmo would be a slam dunk for some of my fellow reds in Charvland...

December game in Malmo? Sure!

That would be extremely sucky, weather wise...

 

[charvik]

Viktor Fagerström ‏@ViktorFagerLFC 39s
THE CB AS THE GOALKEEPER WINS THEM THE SHOOTOUT HAHAHA

One of the saves: https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/F18E5CBB501116525501066956800_2fcb3cff4fa.5.1.432260950446430077.mp4?versionId=gCG8JSSw9ewF1BWE3rOt3euadYACJuHg

 

[gianmarco]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

 

[El Floppo]

Ludogorets apparently has a defender playing goalie for pk's?

Cosmin Moţi made his kick and stopped one as well.

He's a Romanian national playing for a Bulgarian side against Steaua.

Pretty much guaranteed to die in a vampire attack now.

Before I give up a like for this- are we talking dream-boaty teen romance vampire, or Bela (not Bella) type?

 

[El Floppo]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

Because they came in 15th place or something.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

If I don't do this, someone else will.

 

[jonessed]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

Fourth place is like winning a trophy.

 

[jonessed]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

If I don't do this, someone else will.

Son of a...

 

[Spartans Rule]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

 

[gianmarco]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

If I don't do this, someone else will.

I thought EPL gets four spots. How many playoffs to get in overall?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

If I don't do this, someone else will.

I thought EPL gets four spots. How many playoffs to get in overall?

4th spot in epl always plays a playoff to get in the group stage. Arsenal have had to go through playoffs several times.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Remind me again why Arsenal had to have a playoff?

If I don't do this, someone else will.

I thought EPL gets four spots. How many playoffs to get in overall?

There are 10 spots overall decided by playoffs. Five of those spots go to champions of low-ranked countries, and the other five are contested by 2nd, 3rd or 4th place teams from the top 15 countries.

Every country will always have at least one team in the playoff process.

 

[gianmarco]

Ah, thanks.

 

[shader]

Lots of twitter discussions about a Diego Costa hamstring injury

 

[The Gator]

Lots of twitter discussions about a Diego Costa hamstring injury

Searching #horseplacenta now...

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Milan's apparently on the trail of Torres and van Ginkel. Serious question, could Chelsea pay another team a transfer fee to take Torres?

http://www.football-espana.net/45077/torres-set-milan

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Milan's apparently on the trail of Torres and van Ginkel. Serious question, could Chelsea pay another team a transfer fee to take Torres?

http://www.football-espana.net/45077/torres-set-milan

If they'd take his full wage bill, sure. I'll not believe he's gone until I see him standing next to Silvio holding up the shirt.

 

[Eephus]

Alessandro Del Piero signed with the Delhi Dynamos of the Indian Super League. The Indian league ends in January so it's possible he could come to MLS after that. He'll be 40 by then.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Lots of twitter discussions about a Diego Costa hamstring injury

Searching #horseplacenta now...

#whateverworks

 

[Sebowski]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

 

[The Gator]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

Don't be so defensive

 

[Sinn Fein]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

Thats a bit misleading - because the seeding process is based on how teams perform in Europe over the last 4 years - its not really an indication of where the team currently is - talent-wise.

Liverpool is knocked by not participating in Europe in 2 of the last 4 years, but the team they have today is very good - not Suarez-good, but still potentially a top-10 team in Europe.

 

[jonessed]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

 

[Eephus]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

The away legs also factor into the desireability of the draw. Mid-week matches in Belarus or Bulgaria are never a picnic and can affect form in a team's home league.

 

[Eephus]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

It's even better if you imagine the rant being delivered by Messi lounging in a Speedo.

 

[Sebowski]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

Thats a bit misleading - because the seeding process is based on how teams perform in Europe over the last 4 years - its not really an indication of where the team currently is - talent-wise.Liverpool is knocked by not participating in Europe in 2 of the last 4 years, but the team they have today is very good - not Suarez-good, but still potentially a top-10 team in Europe.

Exactly. They've had one good year in 5. I don't expect them to get out of the group save for a super easy draw and some luck.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Alessandro Del Piero signed with the Delhi Dynamos of the Indian Super League. The Indian league ends in January so it's possible he could come to MLS after that. He'll be 40 by then.

It is amazing this guy is still producing. The A League is certainly not the best league in the world but it is half way decent. He knocked 24 goals in 48 matches.

 

[The Gator]

@LaurensJulien: So, Pot 1 for group stages draw tomorrow: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Benfica, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

@LaurensJulien: Pot 2: Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit St Petersburg.

@LaurensJulien: Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray and Athletic Bilbao

@LaurensJulien: And pot 4: AS Roma, Anderlecht, AS Monaco, NK Maribor, Malmo, Bate Borisov, Apoel and Steaua Bucharest or Ludogorets (in extra time)

The two Portuguese teams are, relatively speaking, the easier draws in Pot 1.

Pot 2 is pretty stacked with Dortmund, City, Juve, PSG. Considering their stadium was just damaged by bombs and they're selling off most of their foreign stars, Shakhtar would be by far the easy draw. Basel also maybe a little weak for Pot 2.

Pot 3 is pretty balanced, no major weak link. Liverpool the strongest team.

And obviously in Pot 4 Roma and Monaco are the teams to avoid. Pretty big gap between them and the rest.

Liverpool isn't the strongest team in pot 3. That's just typical EPL bias. They are right where they should be. What have they done on the European level to deserve better? Champions League isn't the EPL. It is better. You need to prove it there. Ask Man City if just showing up in a jersey that says Barclays is good enough to get by group stage.

Thats a bit misleading - because the seeding process is based on how teams perform in Europe over the last 4 years - its not really an indication of where the team currently is - talent-wise.Liverpool is knocked by not participating in Europe in 2 of the last 4 years, but the team they have today is very good - not Suarez-good, but still potentially a top-10 team in Europe.

Exactly. They've had one good year in 5. I don't expect them to get out of the group save for a super easy draw and some luck.

http://youtu.be/kEmS11bSHhY

 

[Sinn Fein]

Rojo story keeps getting better:

Louis van Gaal’s defensive concerns could deepen after it emerged that the Premier League are yet to sign off on Marcos Rojo’s transfer, partly because of Sporting Lisbon’s involvement with funding group Doyen.

Rojo moved to United for £16million eight days ago but has not yet played for Van Gaal. It had been thought that obtaining a work permit was the only delay in his registration being ratified but Sportsmail understands that the Premier League are still processing the paperwork associated with Doyen’s claim to 75 per cent of the transfer fee.

The delay would need to be overcome by 12pm on Friday if Rojo is to be eligible for the important encounter with Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. It is uncertain whether that will prove the case.

 

[jonessed]

Rojo being on the books, but in eligible to play would be hilarious.

 

[Sinn Fein]

You think the FA ever dicked around with SAF?

 

[jonessed]

You think the FA ever dicked around with SAF?

I doubt SAF was ever dumb enough to buy a player that had this many eligibility issues.

 

[The Gator]

You think the FA ever dicked around with SAF?

Isn't it common to wait to finalize a contract until the WP is approved? I seem to recall Suarez didn't officially sign for 3-4 days after he was in Liverpool for this reason.