CL back in two weeks, everything else looking kinda grim imo (Serie A excluded)

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

My only hope is that Utd doesn't catch City.

I don't really care if Leicester wants to win it though.

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

2 monumental fuck ups by umtiti in the back to gift granada two goals.

barca dominated possession and it was good attacking possession--15 saves by their goalie and 3 shots hit woodwork.

88th minute--still down 2-0. messi cross, griezzman beautiful goal. 90+2? messi -> griez -> ALBA HEADER?!?!

then griezzy score to take the lead in the OT period only to get a weak penalty called to go 3-3, then barca just said "fuck this" and scored twice to end it.

wild.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

Is there a new Griezzy + Alba connection forming? He provided the assist for both of Jordi's goals. The second assist was pretty too.

Seems Griez has been gaining in confidence recently *fingers crossed*

And Frenkie stay scoring too!

---

But hell, what do I know?

combined with FDJ making runs into the box, it's fun to watch again now. a clear gala XI is also nice, as is using Puig as a sub--his energy at 70 minutes really helps. it's a good transition role for him into being a starter.

just need the defense to stop the mental fuckups and umtiti's speed is a liability until he gets to Pique level positional awareness so he can't get outsprinted by fucking soldado.

also nice to see how much it mattered to the players. that was a really positive moment, hopefully they can build on it.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

they're not a CL favorite by a longshot, but they look much better.

key differences:
-araujo today >>>> defender than anyone last year (pique looked gassed and super frustrated and lets his emotion take him out of games. Pique still better than araujo, but the gap is smaller than people want to acknowledge)
-Dest >> roberto and more athletic which helps. and roberto in a rotation >>>>> roberto as regular
-FDJ in the right position. good god does he look unstoppable now
-Pedri >>>>>> rakitic/vidal. much better possession and creation and plays within the system well

add in griez actuall in form and dembele healthy and when fati returns too, and the attack is much better.

Bayern would still beat them, but it wouldn't be so crushing.
-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

But after not just Bayern, but Roma and Liverpool CL disasters, I fully expect Busquets and Alba's defense (or do I trust Pique's) to be an insurmountable handicap in big KO ties. Busquets has been their single biggest problem in big games these past 3 years, I simply don't understand how he ever sees the field for them anymore. Massive liability. Would rather have Puig, or Sergio Roberto (or even Pjanic, or Alena if he was still around) starting ahead of him. Frustrating because with a good coach, 1 or 2 more defenders, and without Busquets, they could be great.

Pjanic ain't it for cover, though--really similar problems. I do think Koeman, with his Roberto sub (before he got injured for another month...) is thinking similarly to you and I like that. and I hear really good things about Jandro at B for CDM in the future. In the bits of barca b i've watched, he looks promising.

Puiq's defensive positioning is kinda a mess for him to play a full 90.

Re defenders: Garcia's coming over the summer, so that should help with the backline. I still hold a small grudge w/ Lucho over his Grimaldo hatred. Man...grimaldo could have solved so many problems. ANd Miranda's not looking quite good enough and Balde's yet to play for barca b. LB is just a complete question mark behind alba, who is himself such a question mark of a player. Dest can cover, but if he does, then roberto or minqueza plays RB and i dont like that option.


-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

also, woof--riqui/pjanic/busi just doesn't make sense as a midfield. glad to see the team pull off another come from behind win, but that was just not good in the first half.

pjanic was getting roasted, and that's fair because he wasn't good enough but busi was just awful sunday. when he's got control of the game, he can still be stellar. but that's a shaky proposition and he needs more mobile players around him to help and that's not pjanic.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

He is the weak link and will continue to doom Barca in big games as he has for 3 years now. Maybe there's really no replacement, since De Jong doesn't play exactly the same role and Sergi Roberto even if healthy is versatile but not exactly an elite DM.

I might play FDJ-Puig-Pedri. Or even go 3 at the back against big teams. Anything but Busquets. Seen that movie too many times now.

the races for 1st and 4th take twists and turns every week

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Man City’s defense used to be comical as fock. They would
beat you by scoring tons of goals. That was the formula behind some of
of his EPL titles. Man City games we’re pretty much a Lock to go over 3
goals. And it also allowed for teams to score and get the upset.

But now?

If City scores two goals, it’s over. They will stop the attack and go defensive,
and shut teams down. They are winning games with low ass scores. And they
are doing it without their heavyweight players. No Aguero. no KDB. No walker.
No Ake.

Stones used to be the laughing stock of the league...but now he is on some
John Terry shit.

No more with just sending everyone forward to blitz the scoreboard. They are closing
down gaps, pushing teams wide, not allowing SOGs, tracking back and dominating
possession.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

We saw it with Kaka, bale, James, and Higuain.
Now we are seeing with Hazard. He is injured again.
That’s ten injuries in 1 1/2 years.

Players are constantly on the shelf injured. The team is never whole.

Back in 2016, when Ronaldo was dealing with ankle injuries,
he dropped Real Madrid’s medical staff and went with his own doctors.
He hasn’t looked back since.

Belgium national team is going to have to intervene or something,
or he is going to have to go with his own people.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

https://twitter.com/XavsFutbol/status/1357360736805285889?s=20

im amazed they've never gotten one of their players legs folded the fuck up doing leg press like this

<--- Big Baller World Order

His people has to be in his ear about it...At this point , go with your own trainers
and doctors or get the fock out of there.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

Lineup looks good. Hoping for the best.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

I always thought Mourinho would bring them down to his level at some point but boy it ain't pretty when it happens

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

just a lifeless and uninspired first half performance from spurs and chelsea had only one shot on target. tuchel does seem to be building something though. apparently players have clear instructions and it's showing on the pitch to mostly positive results (rumor has it frank did not give clear tactical instructions).

tuchel is a manager that should be coaching at the higher levels of the spot, while frank was clearly not ready for a job at a top spot. big difference there.

Lots of balls bouncing around the Spurs box with guys kind of swinging wildly at them, rather than settling and finding an open man or taking a step for a better shot. Sort of hacking away up there rather than staying patient.

I don't know. Maybe that was just a few sequences.

https://twitter.com/TW11I/status/1357498830799982594

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

4 goals and two clean sheets. You love to see it.

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

what a goal
Rashford's cross on the first goal was a1 too

<--- Big Baller World Order

<--- Big Baller World Order

you have to throw yourself at that like a flying squirrel

<--- Big Baller World Order

i'd prefer we bring someone in to compete for the job w/ him rather than just handing it to him like i am sure they want to

<--- Big Baller World Order

This isn’t Hockey. Get your arse up outta here.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

https://youtu.be/LQyR_dVPImE

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

What do they use when they show the starting lineups?

Go say goalkeeper in hockey and see what happens.
Google search goalie, nothing but hockey comes up.

It allows you to know if someone is talking about hockey or soccer.

You know darn well GK is predominantly used in soccer.

Anyway, I was just messing with him and he knows it.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

but it's weird AF.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

Allison, though. Weird.

Loris Karius shit.

I think City already had the title wrapped up but this seals it.

Gotta secure a top 4 now and come back next year with Big Virg and our best midfielders playing in midfield.

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

they have an incredible schedule left to play.

the whole rest of the top 11 is left to go, with 2 against Everton oddly

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

I don’t see them dropping that many, especially doing it while anyone behind them doesn’t drop any.

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

Hahahaha down goes Liverfool.

And just like that we are right upon that 4th spot!

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

I was already dubious as far as our chances, but now it's gonna rely on Mbappe hero-ball even more so even if we go through it's gonna be tedious af to watch

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

---

But hell, what do I know?

---

But hell, what do I know?

But wow, LFCs season is collapsing.

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

The reds have been put to rest, and may they deep sleep
in the abyss of the middle table with Aston Villa.

The Blues have come to take over.

MC,LC,Chelsea,Everton....I would love to see the top 4 finish
like that.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

Good times.

The club has fucked him in more ways than one, but he has really looked like he's having a good time playing with the youngsters these past few weeks and he could usher in a new era ... But, he's probably going to City (

---

But hell, what do I know?

If y’all do not want him, send him right on over.

We will give you Werner.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

What I don't understand is why Willian came on in lieu of Pepe, who was unlucky to be dropped

Bukayo Saka is so so sooo good!

I mean he was on fire when he came to Arsenal about a year ago or so.
Arteta took over, and he seems to have fallen out of favor.

I remember when he was with Lyon, I wanted him badly after Conte got rid of
Diego....Board never made a move.

Why do you guys want to sell him?

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

lol

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

I was gonna say Ziyech, but that'd be a bit much for laca. Obviously Mount is off limits, for no good reason.

Pulisic & arsenal training staff will get along great.

Mount has been Chelsea’s best player this year, him and Mendy.

I thought he was going to be nailed to the bench by Tuchel ..nope

Boy is too good....

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

You just had to take a shot at Mount.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

>You just had to take a shot at Mount.

But you motherfockers will kneel.

Smut, I see you in my rear view mirror now.

I’ll give my review on the game later.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

Especially a Steve Bruce Newcastle side.

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

Magilla, party of one.

Your waiter will now take you to your middle table.

Sir, I can add another chair. It appears your colleague, Smut,
will be joining you in a few weeks.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

Mbappe good.

And he keeps scoring.

draxlers dribble could go on a coaching video about making a defender commit to a decision

and veratti's little flick was a beaut

excellent finishes tho, and his first one had a sweet little dribble to the left to get free

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

debacle of a coaching performance. your midfield was shit and...you just kept playing them. and you rotate 3 of 4 defenders in for this? christ.

busi and pedri were both bad. just a lot of bad touches and lack of urgency and koeman didn't make a sub till 75 minutes in (other than Dest which was probably pre-planned due to his return from injury)?!?!?

no chance messi stays after barca show how far behind we are to other UCL squads.
-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

Busquets and Pique. Pique who is playing his first game in 3 months. What is the fucking logic?
We've got young, fast, athletic defenders who have been playing week in and week out in Mingueza and Araujo and Pique benches them? And Lenget has been terrible this year. How does he start? Even Umtiti has been somewhat returning to form. And the way Jordi Alba has cost in big games recently? Firpo much?

Just terrible.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

Araujo is injured. He definitely would have/should have started.

hindsight says minqueza too, but Dest probably couldn't play a full 90 and maybe koeman was scared to risk minqueza and dest on at same time with minqueza only cover at RB? (I'm reaching, I know)

Busquets was abominable and misplaying passes. he simply can't keep up with elite midfields anymore and it's been obvious for years. Pedri clearly looked rattled and Veratti feeds off that shit too. but pjanic's looked almost as bad recently.

even take away injuries and let aruajo play and rearrange your starters and play roberto for busquets (best possible replacement, i think, on the current squad) and it probably would have lost 2-1 or 3-2 but it wouldn't have been fucking embarrassing. and maybe if ansu fati were healthy it'd compete, but then tbf, you'd have to give PSG neymar and yeah...barca's a step behind right today.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

>Mbappe good.

---

But hell, what do I know?

I'm not sure if I'm happier about that or that insane result. Haven't watched anything, at this stage I'm just relieved my 8month old baby girl can sleep in a room above 50 degrees, but maaaannn I listened to the last 5 minutes on the radio and was honestly shook

Off to find a replay on cbs.com

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

You’re in the states?

I’ve been shoveling snow all week. Midwest was hit an artic blast and tons
of snow.

ALL HAIL THE KING of LOSING: LEBRON
Bulls | Bears | White Sox | Yankees | Notre Dame | Illinois | Chelsea | Real Madrid

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

---

But hell, what do I know?

not gonna celebrate until the second leg is in the bag obvs, a dragon is never more dangerous than when it's wounded

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Happy to hear you and yours are alright.

---

But hell, what do I know?

this shit is so fucked

________________

https://i.imgur.com/ZkkZekl.gif

And all are struggling. Hope power and water comes back to all soon

Away goal bonanza.

both playing off like a Wesley Sneijder

<--- Big Baller World Order