That's right, a Star Wars pun. End of transfer season madness deserves nothing less/more.
So if I read my tabloids correctly this week, Arsenal will be relegated from the Premier League and win the Champion’s League this season, do I have that right? Apart from them all the contenders have looked good thus far, with Man U winning in comfortable fashion without dominating (true to their form last year) while City had a great start to the Pellegrini era.
Of course this week it’s all about the huge clash between United and Chelsea on Monday. Adding to the hype is the fact that ManU have apparently inquired into Mata’s availability. If that is Moyes’ version of a fergian mind-trick it’s a pretty solid first effort. Liverpool have an interesting trip to Villa to see if they can confirm their good start. Won’t be easy against a solid Villains side that was decidedly more unlucky in the Chelsea match than it was against Arsenal. Spurs play Swansea in what should be one for the aesthically-minded. Hopefully by then the Bale saga will have been sorted (probably not). And speaking of epic sagas I am relishing all the details that have emerged from the Will.I.Am transfer. Need more info on Roman’s Dr Evilish 11th hour bid to try to steal him from Spurs. Meanwhile Arsenal are allegedly interested in Benzema, Gourcuff and Di Maria. Chances of any of these happening are pretty slim, but hey, Flamini’s back! Problems solved.

La Liga: I guess there are some games this weekend, but 95% of the stories I saw where Bale-related, so who knows.
Serie A: decent Sampdoria v Juventus game for the opening weekend
Bundesliga: Shalke still looking a loaner for Podolski. 1pt in 2 games will do that to you
Ligue 1: according to the papers (those guys again) PSG are already close to a full-blown crisis, and absolutely need a win at Nantes

EPL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
7:45 ET Fulham v Arsenal
10:00 ET Everton v West Bromwich Albion
10:00 ET Hull City v Norwich City
10:00 ET Newcastle United v West Ham United
10:00 ET Southampton v Sunderland
10:00 ET Stoke City v Crystal Palace
12:30 ET Aston Villa v Liverpool
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
11:00 ET Cardiff City v Manchester City
11:00 ET Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
3:00 ET Manchester United v Chelsea Old Trafford

LA LIGA
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013
2:00 ET Getafe v Almeria
4:00 ET Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
1:00 ET Elche v Real Sociedad
3:00 ET Espanyol v Valencia
5:00 ET Villarreal v Real Valladolid
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
1:00 ET Atletico Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
3:00 ET Levante v Sevilla FC
3:00 ET Malaga v Barcelona
5:00 ET Real Betis v Celta Vigo
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
3:00 ET Granada v Real Madrid

SERIE A
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
12:00 ET Hellas Verona v AC Milan
2:45 ET Sampdoria v Juventus
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
12:00 ET Internazionale v Genoa
2:45 ET Cagliari v Atalanta
2:45 ET Lazio v Udinese
2:45 ET Livorno v AS Roma
2:45 ET Napoli v Bologna
2:45 ET Parma v Chievo Verona
2:45 ET Torino v Sassuolo
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
2:45 ET Fiorentina v Catania

BUNDESLIGA
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013
2:30 ET Borussia Dortmund v Werder Bremen
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
9:30 ET Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Monchengladbach
9:30 ET Bayern Munich v Nurnberg
9:30 ET Hannover 96 v Schalke 04
9:30 ET Mainz v VfL Wolfsburg
9:30 ET TSG Hoffenheim v SC Freiburg
12:30 ET Hertha Berlin v Hamburg SV
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
9:30 ET TSV Eintracht Braunschweig v Eintracht Frankfurt
11:30 ET FC Augsburg v VfB Stuttgart

LIGUE 1
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013
2:30 ET AS Monaco v Toulouse
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
11:00 ET Valenciennes v Marseille
2:00 ET Bordeaux v Bastia
2:00 ET Evian Thonon Gaillard v Stade Rennes
2:00 ET Guingamp v Lorient
2:00 ET Lyon v Stade de Reims
2:00 ET Montpellier v Sochaux
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
8:00 ET Lille v St Etienne
11:00 ET AC Ajaccio v Nice
3:00 ET Nantes v Paris Saint-Germain

cavani and ibra seemed to have good chemistry. just one of those matches where the ball bounces everywhere but into the goal. plus ochoa was kind of beasting

they started slow last year too, so even if they don't win this wkd I don't think it's a huge blow but the French media love to talk about their troubles any chance they get. This was true way before the oil dudes came in

does psg do all their scouting at that bar magneto visits at the start of x men first class?

add ibrahimovich and it seems like they lead the league in dichotomous surnames/nationalities

so Argentinian athletes with Italian names is nothing new
off the top...Sabatini in tennis, Caniggia, Simeone, Sensini, Zanetti in futbol. Shit, Messi. That's why there are similarities in their approaches to the game (being 'comedianti', mainly).

they've also had a lot of Basques over the years (Burruchaga, Goicoechea)

There was a lot of good feeling heading into the season, but on the back of two excellent away performances, that should intensify for the home opener.

In NYC, we had a huge turnout for the opening match- roughly 30-40 Villa fans, louder than any other club's supporters at Legends at the time. (Of course, Man United were the late game and Chelsea were the next day).

NBC Sports was also there with "pick a side" London Black Cabs and took pics of the Villans in attendance: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.625312950846111.1073741904.101566839887394&type=1

I still root for them.

I'll be in NYC for a 10-day vacay from tomorrow, might check it out if I'm fiending some soccer action

Although the New York Liverpool supporters meet at (I THINK) 11th Street Bar downtown and George Keeley's uptown.

will keep it in mind for the rest of my stay. Was at Nevada whatever last time in town and was severely underwhelmed (and not just because of France's display in the 1st half against Spain)

just like the R*dskins.

maybe this is the year the ascent begins for real!
....maybe

we'll see how they do against Aston Villa shortly (anything less than three points is a disappointment). I like the way they play. I like the freedom afforded the attacking players. but around the final third, so often they just lack the killer touch (if it comes, it's from Suarez, who's so impossible to enjoy). and the backline is hardly world-beaters.

so yeah ... if young talent grows up under Rodgers, they have a shot at moving up past #6, otherwise they're still a few players away imo...

But the growth is there.

Youth. Skill. A system.

Just focus on building a steady foundation and pick off good signings whenever possible.

Meanwhile Arsenal are
>allegedly interested in Benzema, Gourcuff and Di Maria.
>Chances of any of these happening are pretty slim, but hey,
>Flamini’s back! Problems solved.

>Bundesliga: Shalke still looking a loaner for Podolski. 1pt in
>2 games will do that to you

Arsenal really need to be looking at that back line, and finding a DMF from somewhere. And I hope they really don't send Podolski out to Schalke without bringing in a quality striker. I need to make sure we have as few Bendtner sightings as possible.

Spurs-Swans and Chelsea-Utd for sure. Maybe Liverpool-Villa.

Re: that other team in Spain, I hope Neymar starts, Messi rests, and some youngsters get tick (namely Bartra and Roberto). If we get a comfortable lead, bring on Bagnack and/or Dongou towards the end.

I'd go w/

Valdes
Adriano-Pique-Mascherano-Alba
Busquets
Xavi-Iniesta
Neymar-Alexis-Pedro

maybe Bartra for Pique or Mascherano from the start- that would be interesting. No Isco to worry about so why not? Maybe bring Cesc in towards the end but we're gonna need him midweek v Atletico from the jump, particularly if Messi is still hurt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTVspy43xxI

they like Future across the pond?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JZ0Ij52rpxY

On the run. Ramsey - credit where do, but him with more confidence is not a good thing, still trying too much.

All changes nothing- we need reinforcements.

It's painfully obvious that he's far more comfortable attacking than he is dropping...now, we will get away with that against the likes of Fenerbahce and Fulham, but not against the higher tier teams who will make us pay for the lack of cover in the defensive midfield.

never had a team but always liked Arsenal. This would be a good time to jump on the bandwagon while they "suck"

shit is a travesty. plain old target play (without any service to boot) for Jozy. like seriously, who the fuck told him the move to Sunderland was the right one? I want names ... don't these players think AT ALL about the fact that they need the right setup around them to succeed? dude might have been better off just coming to MLS for some Clint money, at least then he'd get to employ a skill set besides "running" and "jumping" for a team.

gonna be a long year for Jozy, leading up to a World Cup no less ... Brad Guzan might very well be wearing the crown for American players overseas right now ... err, wait -- Michael Bradley. but Guzan is the lead delegate in Britain.

he always looks a threat to score.

problem is, other than random lobbed forward headers, he might actually touch the ball four times max in a match.

shits digusting. i know it's only 2 games, but Sunderland just looks lacking.

my homie who follows La Liga said (dunno if this is true) that Real Betis wanted him and he shoulda went there.

https://twitter.com/PCarrESPN/status/371300112468676608/photo/1

and none of them looking very dangerous at all.

most of those few touches in the box were with his back turned as well.

they got over on Arsenal because Arsenal was too error prone. the real challenge before Liverpool today was finishing (got one so far...) and minimizing mistakes (Lucas + Gerrard doing well so far).

good showing from Liverpool so far. this is how it's supposed to look when things are going right in Rodgers' system (maybe another goal or two to go with the possession, though...)

But I think that's equally on PL for not finding ways to integrate more of the squad over the last week.

I thought Villa did well to control the second half, and but for Mignolet being brilliant, could have easily drawn or even won.

did Villa just really move their back line up + kill Liverpool by reducing space? Mignolet personally responsible for 4/6 of Liverpool points after two games.

EDIT: Also, it's amazing what a competent analysis team can do. NBC's MOTD was showing the impact that Gerrard had in scuppering Villa's attacks, and backed it with several examples of him intercepting entry passes or thwarting runs by Delph or Bacuna. That would have never happened on Fox Soccer.

With a little Kolo Toure thrown in.

Stevie G did a lot to get the points this week.

*troll*

...go Red Devils.

*sigh*

Yes, that's the team I would want to play for.

and he's the best one!

I think he's only played Torres because he feels he has no other choices, currently, but otherwise, hasn't played Mata or Azpilicueta, sent Romeu out on a season long loan, all this after the Iker/Ramos falling out.

The problem is mata does not provide any defense, and that does not fly with jose. He does not track back, nor does he fits jose's deep playing system.

If you have noticed, chelsea plays farther back now, where hazard and oscar have to go get the ball from the pivot, because lamps and ramires are not passing mids. they don't link up with the attackers. That is why it is hard for chelsea to get in the box, especially against A villa.

Playing deep allows the backline of the defense to setup and become more compact.

However, I think jose realizes that playing a false 9 is best, to draw a centerback out,thus creating space. Torres did that against Hull City.


I wasn't big on bringing jose back. he has become very pompous in my eyes, especially during his interviews, and his approach on the willian deal was down right disgusting ....this might be real madrid all over again. ...He is totally removing the natural,attacking nature of the team, and chelsea has become quite boring as of late.

and lamps should not be starting over marco....no way no how...lamps is beyond slow. He can still bend the ball and score goals, but as far as passing, defense and pace go, he is total shite.

and dont even get me started on daniel sturridge!

This is ridiculous. Our play is only at the midline. We can't get forward or stay forward.

lamps/ramires cannot hold the ball. Mikel can. He is a master at it.


mikel/marco need to be in the pivot.


And shirley does not have a clue on how to work in the box as a striker ...he has speed, but lacks positioning.

and hazard looks mortal in this formation ...he is playing too too deep.

Manu is dominating this game.

when you always play 100 year old Giggs ahead of him

we're already up on united by 3 points, and we are just going to settle for a draw?

the ideal should be to go up on MU by 6 points!

Terrible tactic by mourinho.no excuses.

and lampard is done, done, done.

great job by the backline, though ...ivan,cahill,terry, cole were excellent.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BSn9uOxCAAAABbC.png

we actually played better with him on the pitch. He passes well and creates space. His trigger days are long gone, but he plays well with the three amigos.

When shirley was moved back to his natural position(winger), chelsea started to gain some consistency on offense.


We have a lot of attacking players, and mou just wants to do defense, defense, defense. I can't take it.

Hazard's game is being destroyed before our very eyes...He looks like a slugger who is being forced to bunt on every at bat. ....

I have no choice but to sit back and see how everything unravels, but we have been boring in three straight games, and getting worse with each new game

Christian Eriksen to Spurs next?
Nani to Juve????

http://gifsoup.com/view/93403/money-mayweather.html

i mean ... cotdamn.

he deserves it and they need it.

What ever happened to Nery Castillo... he was really good for a summer.

injured at the moment though. He shat away all his talent. He got fat, had a bad attitude, bounced around too many clubs, and both of his parents died of cancer within a year's time. I'm surprised he landed in La Liga but it was on a free transfer and it's Rayo so why not.

atletico was thugging it up and barca wasn't handling it well. have mourinho's tactics from real madrid spread? if so, this is going to be a long, boring ass year.

so many fouls. so many obvious decisions to foul on purpose. and the espn3 commentary was painfully bad.

i hate to say it, but xavi looks like he's finally a step too slow/cautious. alexis was surprisingly ineffective with neymar and messi and messi had to drift to midfield to get any threat on the ball. really like a compilation of all the flaws of last season, including a classic busquets missed tackle leading to a breakaway chance. cesc was invisible, messi off, iniesta completely invisible once he was introduced. only pedro looked good in his minutes, really. and the backline was decent, though alves was a weak point and alba didn't add that much in attack.

-----------
Y'all stupid...should've tanked for Lebron/Wiggins in 2014 -Rex LongFellow

It's only funny till someone gets mad. Then it's hilarious.

http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/7e/e7/0,,10268~12183422,00.jpg

Look at their Champions League Draw.

Arsenal(ENG)
Marseille(FRA)
Dortmund(GER)
Napoli(ITA)

people said that about Montpellier, Schalke and Olympiakos last year?
seems unlikely...

this year's group is clearly more dangerous. I don't think Marseille will seriously contend despite their hot start, but Napoli and Dortmund is a tough draw, no matter how you slice it.

I still don't like his game, but that's well deserved
also, Paris got off easy, again. kinda makes you wonder...

*edit*
also, I replied in the wrong place like it was 1999

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BS2ZsGfCQAA7hUp.jpg

uHHHHH damn.

This has to be like 5 years running.

in group h?

Last year's Barca group was Celtic, Benfica, Spartak Moscow (forgot this one)

-----------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON BRUINS, 2011 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS

2010 OKAY COLLEGE FANTASY CHAMPION

Dortmund, Napoli, and Marseilles...ugh, not a good look for us.

but, yeah, arsenal got fucked good.

not as hard as celtic, but they're in pot 3 or 4, so ...

Strikers die at the bridge. That seems to be the model now. We had a great striker in Deadly Danny, a stud of a player who possesses all the elements that a striker should have. Now he never walks alone.

Insert the french afrikan Ba, but he is never given a chance.....


We acquire a 31 year old striker, signing him to a 1 year deal, which means we are going to be on the market for another striker next year.All the while, Mr. Lukaku, a young ferocious afrikan striker, is just wasting away on the pine, or should I say imperial polymer seats.

Mourinho is destroying my beautiful chelsea day by day.....parking buses,basketball like countering,long boring balls over the top, and constant turnovers because players lack the ability to link up

our front will look like this pretty soon:

----------- eto'o -------------

shirley - -oscar - - willian--

lamps(sigh)------ramires(sigh)

I would not be surprised if he benches hazard.

Jose days are past him, and he is an old dog who cannot do new tricks.

well, chelsea and that other petrothugged squad (damn if that 40m for pedro were true? love the guy but ...)

should be able to at least make it out of the group stages this year. jose can buy another striker or three in jan should eto'o not work so whatevs

David ‏@davidjaca
3m
COPE claims #MUFC made a formal offer of €30m for Ander Herrera. Report said Athletic will only discuss if €36m clause is met.

*bangs head against wall*