The Football Thread

vb-saan · 20th April 2018, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by joslicx

End of an era at Arsenal.

Absolutely! Not a fan of Arsenal or United but complete respect for the legendary managers they had in Wenger and Sir Alex! The European trophy will be a fitting farewell to the legend who got his share of brickbats in the last few years.

Interesting to see who the successor will be.

Chetan_Rao · 20th April 2018, 17:15

The last of the old guard, but a revolutionary of his time.

Au revoir Le Professeur, Merci pour les souvenirs!

saildrive · 22nd April 2018, 11:37

COYG![/quote]

The past few days have been filled with sadness. The man who changed this Club; admired and respected the world over had to go through enormous pressure but never uttered a word against anyone.

The world of football where money rules the roost; sticking with his Philosophy to play this beautiful game, hiring and honing new talents; building a new stadium and paying off loans, nurturing players and standing by during their tough phases and most importantly never spending extravagant sums to win trophies will forever remain his signature! Pure Class.

I love this club and most of it is due to the fact that he drew me closer to his style of play. Very few clubs (most of them should be called Corporates) can refrain from commercial interest.

Most of us working in large or medium sized companies would know that the board / management have different agendas and nearly no one will ever know what goes in there. Perhaps his Memoir will spill the beans some day. Perhaps the class act that AW is, those secrets will never be unearthed.

I was pained at times when some fans ridiculed and abused him week in week out, when the likes of significant every player left; AW stood stoic like The Wall; even so called pundits who were ex players called names and for his sacking, but he never ever gave in.

I do hope that we should win trophies, but am certain that Arsenal won't win a premier event for the next two years atleast - cos the board has a different agenda inspite of a new manager even if Luis Enrique / Conte / Ancelloti comes aboard. AW shoes can never be filled.

I will forever miss the man who - Lived and breathed Arsenal every single day for over two decades unlike few players and some puny thankless fans who called for his sacking.

For me, there will be no other Arsene Wenger - THE WALL!

RiGOD · 22nd April 2018, 18:11

Just finished watching the Copa del Rey final match as the live telecast of the same was unavailable. Boy oh boy, it was Barca all the way and I was amazed to see the impeccable coordination and creativity the midfield and offence displayed. Velverde should've realised the importance of player rotation and resting, and the wonders it can work. With the La Liga title almost sealed, the veterans should be well rested before the upcoming El Clasico. And I really hope that they finish this season undefeated.

As for the legend, Andres Iniesta, this should be his last season at Barca. Really sad that they couldn't manage a treble to give the Capitan a befitting farewell :(

tejas08 · 23rd April 2018, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb-san

Absolutely! Not a fan of Arsenal or United but complete respect for the legendary managers they had in Wenger and Sir Alex! The European trophy will be a fitting farewell to the legend who got his share of brickbats in the last few years.

Interesting to see who the successor will be.

Cannot agree more on this! I have been a Manchester United fan for over 15 years and those years of rivalry between Arsenal & Manchester United during the SAF & Wenger era were an absolute beauty.

As much as I hated Arsenal when they were challenging for the Premier League with United, I have to say that the Team that Arsene Wenger made with the likes of Theiry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera, Sol Campbell etc. was a formidable & admirable.

Arsene Wenger is a legend in himself. He will not be forgotten soon.

tejas08 · 23rd April 2018, 09:56

Sorry for the back to back post but wanted to add this to my post.

Read a few other posts from members. Two things that even I wish happen before he leaves:

1. Arsenal win the Europa League as a Farewell gift to Arsene Wenger
2. Manchester United Fans give Arsene Wenger a Standing Ovation this weekend when Manchester United Play Arsenal at Old Trafford. He deserves it. As another member said Manchester United would not have been at that level if Arsene Wenger had not pushed Arsenal so high.

saildrive · 23rd April 2018, 13:00

Only One Arsene; Bob Wilson speaking about him, Class will always be permanent!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qRkygebLM

Chetan_Rao · 25th April 2018, 02:34

Seldom are there boring European nights at Anfield!

Liverpool scintillating going forward, then caught out by their Achilles heel again, the shaky defence. One wonders what this team could achieve with a world-class back 4 and goalkeeper.

No excuses for bad defending, but taking Salah off at 5-0 is what let Roma back into the tie.

vb-saan · 25th April 2018, 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Liverpool scintillating going forward, then caught out by their Achilles heel again, the shaky defence. One wonders what this team could achieve with a world-class back 4 and goalkeeper.

Liverpool's way of ensuring that the 2nd leg's entertainment factor is intact

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

No excuses for bad defending, but taking Salah off at 5-0 is what let Roma back into the tie.

But then, normal to think that at 5-0 the star man can have some rest. And Lovren (again) was at the mix for Roma's first!

Chetan_Rao · 25th April 2018, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb-san

....Lovren (again) was at the mix for Roma's first!

He's like Mignolet. Hero or zero, nothing in between.

All said and done, Liverpool are still favorites to go through. Roma would have belief from what they did to Barcelona, but Liverpool right now look like they can get a goal or two anywhere in the world.

vb-saan · 25th April 2018, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

All said and done, Liverpool are still favorites to go through. Roma would have belief from what they did to Barcelona, but Liverpool right now look like they can get a goal or two anywhere in the world.

Definitely! I was expecting a 2-1 or 3-2 for Liverpool, so 5-2 is definitely good enough to hang on

Chetan_Rao · 26th April 2018, 12:35

Don't want to jinx anything, but a Madrid-Liverpool final looks like a real possibility, pun unintended.

Great forward lines, not so solid defenses. Goals guaranteed.

Would be interesting all over the pitch, with so many intriguing individual battles; Ronaldo v van Dijk, Firmino/Robertson v Carvajal/Benzema on one wing, Salah/TAA v Marcelo/Asensio on the other, Henderson/Milner v Isco/Modric, Mane roaming free, lurking around the box.

A BBC pundit summed it up best, Liverpool can concede three or four, but they can score four or five too.

One hopes for an epic final

vb-saan · 26th April 2018, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Don't want to jinx anything, but a Madrid-Liverpool final looks like a real possibility, pun unintended.

Great forward lines, not so solid defenses. Goals guaranteed.

Would be interesting all over the pitch, with so many intriguing individual battles; Ronaldo v van Dijk, Firmino/Robertson v Carvajal/Benzema on one wing, Salah/TAA v Marcelo/Asensio on the other, Henderson/Milner v Isco/Modric, Mane roaming free, lurking around the box.

Completely agree! Unless Roma do a repeat, its almost kind of given

And if so, this will be a wonderful chance for Liverpool to go against a not-so-hot Madrid side; though the latter have an advantage of being in CL final as a routine!

strawhat · 19th May 2018, 23:57

Great game management by Antonio Conte to win the FA Cup. Chelsea were so resilient on top of it. Reminded me of a certain Portugese self proclaimed "special one" in his prime.

United ran out of steam on several occassions. They had lots of sterile possession. Whenever they ventured forward Chelsea's MF/back 4 sometimes back 5 repelled them, aided by the excellent Courtois. On the rare one or two occassions when United were able to breach Chelsea's defence, they were profligate. Phil Jones' stupidity was the difference in the end(how on earth was that not a red!). Mou must be fuming.

Remains to be seen if Conte will remain a Chelsea manager at the start of 2018/19 season. For all we know Roman might have already decided to send him back to Rome.

strawhat · 23rd May 2018, 15:07

Unai Emery named the manager of Arsenal.

Link

This is after several reliable sources pointed to Mikel Arteta as the favourite. News emerged yesterday that Unai replaced Mikel as the top man. This came as a complete surprise to everybody. I think most Arsenal fans would have been elated if it was Allegri. Not sure what prompted Ivan Gazidis and co. to change their mind in the last moments. Sad but I think we have burned our bridges with Arteta

Comparatively though Unai Emery seems a better choice considering his experience. He has a proven record with Sevilla where he won 3 consecutive Europa League's. I guess his stint with PSG will be termed a failure even though he won the Ligue 1 and a few cups.

I think at Arsenal he will be given a chance to prove himself and he can deliver. He has the tactical nous to do it and his teams are generally much more solid defensively, something Arsenal aren't. Its a huge challenge no doubt.

20th April 2018, 17:15	#1757
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,747 Thanked: 28,087 Times	Re: The Football Thread The last of the old guard, but a revolutionary of his time. Au revoir Le Professeur, Merci pour les souvenirs!
	() Thanks

22nd April 2018, 11:37	#1758
saildrive BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 184 Thanked: 54 Times	Re: The Football Thread COYG![/quote] The past few days have been filled with sadness. The man who changed this Club; admired and respected the world over had to go through enormous pressure but never uttered a word against anyone. The world of football where money rules the roost; sticking with his Philosophy to play this beautiful game, hiring and honing new talents; building a new stadium and paying off loans, nurturing players and standing by during their tough phases and most importantly never spending extravagant sums to win trophies will forever remain his signature! Pure Class. I love this club and most of it is due to the fact that he drew me closer to his style of play. Very few clubs (most of them should be called Corporates) can refrain from commercial interest. Most of us working in large or medium sized companies would know that the board / management have different agendas and nearly no one will ever know what goes in there. Perhaps his Memoir will spill the beans some day. Perhaps the class act that AW is, those secrets will never be unearthed. I was pained at times when some fans ridiculed and abused him week in week out, when the likes of significant every player left; AW stood stoic like The Wall; even so called pundits who were ex players called names and for his sacking, but he never ever gave in. I do hope that we should win trophies, but am certain that Arsenal won't win a premier event for the next two years atleast - cos the board has a different agenda inspite of a new manager even if Luis Enrique / Conte / Ancelloti comes aboard. AW shoes can never be filled. I will forever miss the man who - Lived and breathed Arsenal every single day for over two decades unlike few players and some puny thankless fans who called for his sacking. For me, there will be no other Arsene Wenger - THE WALL!
	() Thanks

22nd April 2018, 18:11	#1759
RiGOD BHPian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 218 Thanked: 312 Times	Re: The Football Thread Just finished watching the Copa del Rey final match as the live telecast of the same was unavailable. Boy oh boy, it was Barca all the way and I was amazed to see the impeccable coordination and creativity the midfield and offence displayed. Velverde should've realised the importance of player rotation and resting, and the wonders it can work. With the La Liga title almost sealed, the veterans should be well rested before the upcoming El Clasico. And I really hope that they finish this season undefeated. As for the legend, Andres Iniesta, this should be his last season at Barca. Really sad that they couldn't manage a treble to give the Capitan a befitting farewell :(
	() Thanks

23rd April 2018, 09:56	#1761
tejas08 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 382 Thanked: 1,455 Times View My Garage	Re: The Football Thread Sorry for the back to back post but wanted to add this to my post. Read a few other posts from members. Two things that even I wish happen before he leaves: 1. Arsenal win the Europa League as a Farewell gift to Arsene Wenger 2. Manchester United Fans give Arsene Wenger a Standing Ovation this weekend when Manchester United Play Arsenal at Old Trafford. He deserves it. As another member said Manchester United would not have been at that level if Arsene Wenger had not pushed Arsenal so high.
	() Thanks

25th April 2018, 02:34	#1763
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,747 Thanked: 28,087 Times	Re: The Football Thread Seldom are there boring European nights at Anfield! Liverpool scintillating going forward, then caught out by their Achilles heel again, the shaky defence. One wonders what this team could achieve with a world-class back 4 and goalkeeper. No excuses for bad defending, but taking Salah off at 5-0 is what let Roma back into the tie. Last edited by Chetan_Rao : 25th April 2018 at 02:37. Reason: Grammar
	() Thanks

26th April 2018, 12:35	#1767
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,747 Thanked: 28,087 Times	Re: The Football Thread Don't want to jinx anything, but a Madrid-Liverpool final looks like a real possibility, pun unintended. Great forward lines, not so solid defenses. Goals guaranteed. Would be interesting all over the pitch, with so many intriguing individual battles; Ronaldo v van Dijk, Firmino/Robertson v Carvajal/Benzema on one wing, Salah/TAA v Marcelo/Asensio on the other, Henderson/Milner v Isco/Modric, Mane roaming free, lurking around the box. A BBC pundit summed it up best, Liverpool can concede three or four, but they can score four or five too. One hopes for an epic final Last edited by Chetan_Rao : 26th April 2018 at 12:38.
	() Thanks

19th May 2018, 23:57	#1769
strawhat BHPian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SBC/SC/VSKP Posts: 270 Thanked: 501 Times	Re: The Football Thread Great game management by Antonio Conte to win the FA Cup. Chelsea were so resilient on top of it. Reminded me of a certain Portugese self proclaimed "special one" in his prime. United ran out of steam on several occassions. They had lots of sterile possession. Whenever they ventured forward Chelsea's MF/back 4 sometimes back 5 repelled them, aided by the excellent Courtois. On the rare one or two occassions when United were able to breach Chelsea's defence, they were profligate. Phil Jones' stupidity was the difference in the end(how on earth was that not a red!). Mou must be fuming. Remains to be seen if Conte will remain a Chelsea manager at the start of 2018/19 season. For all we know Roman might have already decided to send him back to Rome. Last edited by strawhat : 20th May 2018 at 00:04.
	() Thanks

23rd May 2018, 15:07	#1770
strawhat BHPian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SBC/SC/VSKP Posts: 270 Thanked: 501 Times	Re: The Football Thread Unai Emery named the manager of Arsenal. Link This is after several reliable sources pointed to Mikel Arteta as the favourite. News emerged yesterday that Unai replaced Mikel as the top man. This came as a complete surprise to everybody. I think most Arsenal fans would have been elated if it was Allegri. Not sure what prompted Ivan Gazidis and co. to change their mind in the last moments. Sad but I think we have burned our bridges with Arteta Comparatively though Unai Emery seems a better choice considering his experience. He has a proven record with Sevilla where he won 3 consecutive Europa League's. I guess his stint with PSG will be termed a failure even though he won the Ligue 1 and a few cups. I think at Arsenal he will be given a chance to prove himself and he can deliver. He has the tactical nous to do it and his teams are generally much more solid defensively, something Arsenal aren't. Its a huge challenge no doubt.
	() Thanks