I know this is going to sound a bit pot-calling, but my pet peeve online at the minute is the fauxpert. Someone with just enough education to perform, taking a micro-moment and wrapping a story around it that isn’t there. Every detail pored over into some sort of divine insight.
‘Emery always gives his instructions to the right ear of his subs. More science to this than meets the eye. He’s trying to create a faster communications path to the analytical side of his brain. He’s saying, ‘this isn’t about emotions today Mr Rightside, this needs you to step forward, this is YOUR moment. Devil is in the detail, and the detail always needs the right ear.’
The fauxpert.
They quite often thrive in finished moments, because anything they say carries resonance. Like, say, going 2-0 down to a Simeone side. So you can imagine my ABSOLUTE delight last night when Allegri and Ronaldo double-teamed to put Simeone to the sword.
How many dickheads last week flooded the internet with ‘Ronaldo is the biggest fraud in the game.’ Giving in-depth 280 character assassinations of one of the greatest players EVER to have graced the planet? (yeah, I’ve read the accusations but we are ‘presumption of innocence’ until there’s a really good documentary about it)
How many nonsense machines went to town on Allegri?
‘How’s ur boyfrend pedro, dont look so elite now’
A manager who has made TWO Champions League finals in the last 5 years! Juventus are a huge club, sure, but they have nowhere near the financial power of City, Chelsea, United or Madrid. For him to power through to the final twice is a fucking miracle of exceptional management.
Anyway, I took a lot of pleasure in that game last night. Plenty of muppets scrubbing their social media presence of the worst hot takes of the year. Opinion sells, I understand better than most, but there is so much cheap extreme opinion out there these days.
The other game of the night saw City crank up into DESTRUCTION mode as they flicked Schalke away like you’d kick a feral dog away if no one was looking… right? You do that too? Anyway, all eyes on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side this evening. I would like to see Liverpool push through to the next round because that’s my shot of patriotism when I’m out here. That said, the increasingly wonky press conferences are starting to look like the friendly Ibiza loving German is losing control of his season. This response to whether it’d be a good idea to tank tonight against Bayern.
“This only happens if the manager is of Liverpool and the pundits are from Manchester United,”
“It is so easy to sit in an office or a studio and talk about things like that.
“We draw a season and say the best way to go through it is to go out of all the cup competitions early. You do that and in that moment the same people go for you like mad. It’s like: ‘You are disrespectful to the competition’.
“Now it is closer to the end of the season and it is allowed to go out of the Champions League without even trying to go through? That’s really mad.”
Though I agree with what he’s saying here, he should just keep those thoughts to himself. It makes him look week and unfocused.
GREAT NEWS for the Arsenal fans… Lacazette had his ban reduced to 3 games so he’ll be available to torment Rennes on Thursday. That’s a huge bonus for the team, he was MOM material against United. We need his swagger and edge if we’re to deal with Rennes in comfortable fashion. Mikhi may also be available.
This Thursday, Emery has the luxury of being able to go balls out again. International break arrives straight after, so any tired legs will be the challenge of the international coaches. Then it’s Newcastle at home when we return, which is a bloody lovely gift to come back to.
Right, more tomorrow, see you in the comments where you shall agree with everything I say all day. x
Bankz is here for the trophy again
Hello
Let’s do this!
4th
BOOOM
Nice one Grooovey.
Haha nicked!
Last night’s game in Turin was pure madness.
A case of Atletico folding up or a case of pure Cristiano magic?
Cheers Banks….errr Banklz
Smart Bankz, but you’re lucky DM is busy on duty..
Congratulations Daddy DM
Oh!
I miscounted. Bankz is off form
Pedro. I think you mean Laca`s ban was reduced to 2 games
Wonder if Simeone has opened that water melon stand yet
The Juve beat down after leg 1 was madness, few on here took to it to further agenda against Ramsay and his leaving.
Simeone set up how Simeone sets up in that position, he’d do the exact 100 more times. It works for him and would have had Morata put that clear chance away just before the half.
But last night Juve had a little something extra, relentlessly attacked and grabbed it back.
Like him or not, CR7 was mythical and wasn’t going to be denied.
Cracker of a game, Ramsay in for one hell of a ride.
Week Sauce (sic)
I always whisper sweet nothings into a feral dog’s left ear before I give it a vicious kick…..
Valentin
Ben Arfa is a known trouble maker. I believe he was released from hi Newcastle contract if my memory serves me right.
PSG were wrong to sign him and are paying the price for the poor scouting.
Emery did to him what managers at Marseilles and Newcastle had done, nothing new there. A cun*ish player will always be a c*ntish player.
He is Balotelli’s brother from another mama.
Man City v Scheljena an obvious fluke – Fraudiola living on borrowed time.
Pedro stop feeding the CR7 myth: he is an overrated has-been
Schalke
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mesut-ozil/leistungsdaten/spieler/35664/saison/2018/plus/1#gesamt
I feel like this is a good indication of how ostracized Ozil was this season and perfectly shows up the player for what he is. Unfortunately doesn’t show the “illnesses” but there’s strong evidence of him being benched after the fake injuries. November 8 for example not in squad coincides with being benched for Bournemouth and then him pulling a sickie for the next few games. It makes for bad reading honestly
“Someone with just enough education to perform, taking a micro-moment and wrapping a story around it that isn’t there. Every detail pored over into some sort of divine insight.” Used to be called “you’re full of shit” down the pub back in the day. The world is always full of experts who know all the answers. How many economists were saying everything was all fine and dandy at the start of 2007 and then a couple of years later were suddenly the ones who spotted the crash coming first. The counter is Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s characters story about the Zen… Read more »
“Pedro stop feeding the CR7 myth: he is an overrated has-been”
Seriously?
Pedro,
A manager who has made TWO Champions League finals in the last 5 years … BEAT… another manager who has made TWO Champions League finals in the last 5 years!
Yesterday’s result had all to do with the mighty balls of Rapenindho [credit to gambon”
Nothing to do with the greatness of Allegri
Sign great motivated players and they will give inspired performances last last night’s.
It’s like saying Guardiola improved Sergio Aguero, the guy will bang in goals for even Sam Allerdyce.
Another I told you so post by Pedro. I don’t know why you do it we’ll be back to talking about Allegri’s sauce or lack thereof when Barcelona dump them out. I suppose Simeone has small sachets of mayonnaise now that he bottled a second leg? I’m not so sure but still a bottle job.
Receding – no!😀
On a pure stats basis, you just can’t knock the fake Ronaldo. However there is something about his style of play that is a bit jerky and not particularly pleasing to the eye. His step overs and flicks and tricks all look manufactured, deliberate and not aestheticaly pretty.
He lacks the fluidity of a Van Basten, the real Ronaldo, Best, Maradona, Cryuff, Figo and a Laudrup.
Ronaldo IS better than Messi I think but Messi is far more visually pleasing.
It wasn’t Allegri and Ronaldo double-teaming.
This was all on a player of immense class carrying his team on his back.
It was like Michael Jordan on a basketball court.
“Yesterday’s result had all to do with the mighty balls of Rapenindho
Nothing to do with the greatness of Allegri”
Spot on, Dissenter.
Great performance from Ronaldo. I said last season I would have him just above Messi and last night showed again why.
If Messi was in that situation last night he would’ve spend the whole match dropping deep and playing square. He hasn’t got that off the ball game in his locker.
The problem for me last night was Atletico not being remotely interested in playing football and in the end it cost them. I can think of about 4 times where they passed it sideways and sideways and maybe Lemar would beat one player and pass it sideways and this was all meant to just break up the Juve onslaught and slow things down and not to actually try to score or anything like that. It was a poor performance. I’ve never seen Saul as bad and I believe he was doing what was expected of him. Griezmann was incredibly bad… Read more »
Really a narrow view there Dissenter.
Out of the gate Allergi dropped Dybala for Bernardeschi, who had a hand in 2 of the 3 goals with a heat map on par with Megan Fox in knickers.
Juve bombarded Atletico the first 25 min with nothing to show, Allegri moved Bernardeschi to the left and they found net a couple minutes later off one of his crosses. He continued to wreak havoc down that side making that run into box for the penalty.
That Atletico side hadn’t conceded a goal in over a month.
Dissenter -without CR7, the goals and comeback would have been much more in the balance.
But I have to say Allegri had Juve playing with amazing speed, skill and intensity.
He deserves a good portion of the credit
RecedingWhy are you trying to soften the blow
They are only difficult games if your team is sub par
Arsenal haven’t beaten Manchester United, spurs and Chelsea this season and we unlucky not to have beaten Liverpool
Our goal tally is only just shy of Liverpool’s
We should be winning these games. Not always easily. But it shouldn’t be doubted that arsenal football club should be beating wolves Watford and BurnleyThree teams who have been promoted fairly recently and haven’t been swimming in premier league cash like we have for decades
“Receding – no!😀”
That’s a relief Words…phew!!
On the ozil debate I watch this man play and I don’t see anything to justify his inclusion. But then you read that he dropped for chances created against United and think, WHAT? How did I miss that? The problem is that this team is sorely lacking creativity since we lost wilshere and cazorla and ostracised ozil and Ramsey for a while. Xakha and iwobi were our only creative outlets. If emery knew he had no cash to replace these men then why cut out 4 attacking players from your otherwise creatively bereft squad? He was either lied to or… Read more »
“Receding Why are you trying to soften the blow
They are only difficult games if your team is sub par”
Battle Angel i singled out those games with relation to Ozil and not the rest of the team. Someone was pushing the narrative he is basically carrying us over the finish line and i can’t recall a single truly remarkable performance since his return to the team, just glimpses of quality
Reminds me of when we beat BATE from two set piece goals and his “presence” on the pitch was credited
Four chances*
Excuse me
You may not like CR7 persona, but you have to bow to the talent but also the sheer will to win. He is relentless in his quest for success.
I can only imagine what some players could do with his dedication and winning mentality.
Receding What is the difference between ozil and aubameyang then? Against United ozil created 4 chances but appeared to do very little. I didn’t even notice his contributions Against United aubameyang scores a weak penalty. He did little else throughout the game This is a theme every time they play. Both must be carried and protected by the endeavours of their team mates Thankfully Ramsey and xakha worked together and looked brilliant and lacazette as usual presses like a demon. If our team doesn’t play like this then the inclusion of either is a luxury Especially when aubameyang isn’t scoring… Read more »
@Sal
@WOAB
Bernardeschi had an immense game all right but Juventus would have lost that game had they not spent 112 Euroes to buy Ronaldo, they wouldn’t have won. It would have been a heroic failure.
Ronaldo’s big game instincts took over the game.
I read somewhere that Juventus sold $60 million worth of Jerseys online the day the signed Ronaldo and have since sold over $200 million worth of Jerseys.
Players come in sizes, managers are just condiments for the Ronaldo/Messi calibre of players.
Valentin
He credits sir Alex with that mentality.
Up the Brits
What is the difference between ozil and aubameyang then?
One is a striker the other a midfielder
Dissenter
€112 Euros???
I’ve always thought that it’s only poor managers like Emery and Tuchel that suffer catastrophic return leg collapses after a good first leg win.
Never knew Diego Simeone’s cojones could run dry so easily.
RH
In terms of the current debate baldy-locks
“Both must be carried and protected by the endeavours of their team mates”
And this would have been excusable if they were excelling in their supposed specialties but that’s not the case as you rightly point out
One misses chances like he is assured twenty more, the other creates chances no one can readily remember
If Messi was in that situation last night he would’ve spend the whole match dropping deep and playing square. He hasn’t got that off the ball game in his locker.
Paulinho loves a runner!!
Not true though mate
Messi has scored many goals running off the ball.
Rh
We agree then?!
“We agree then?!”
On me being baldy locks or on our two supposed superstars flattering to deceive?
I know that different team plays different philosophy, but I must admit I never liked Athetico Madrid. They seems to enjoy too much to be the empire of shittery. I think that their philosophy is what stop them from breaking that glass ceiling. Their regularity works in the league, but in a Cup competition you can always be victim of circumstances or one night of magic. If you play always with your back to the wall, you increase the risk of an accidental defeat. Mind you that defeat was no accident, it was the sheer will to win of an… Read more »
Un na
112 million Euro 🙂
Thanks for the correction
Battle – Yeah, against open sieves like Arsenal. His off the ball runs dry up against cynical, defensive opponents like Atletico or Chelsea in crunch games. Then he reverts to his comfort zone of dropping deep and looking for a someone to play a one-two with.
Watch Argentina in any tough match over the years and it’s the same story.
Ronaldo doesn’t have that incredible talent but has a more versatile skill set and is stronger mentally.
another Ronaldo v Messi convo I see
Ive always fancied CR7 over Messi due to his power pace and versatility.
Messi is the better dribbler and shooter but CR7 is not too shabby at all.
Pace, power and use of the head favors CR7
Also, as Paulinho points out, Messi has a better supporting cast for the national team.
Ronaldo is the superior athlete, more complete footballer, he also the superior mental.
Messi is the better dribbler, but he relies more on other teammate movement to create an opening for him to motor in. That’s why in a not so good team like Argentina, cynical defenders can neutralise him.
Plus CR7 has proven that he could do it on a cold, rainy night in Stoke.
Messi has never been out of his comfort zone.
He has never done it for his country.
A very good player but not a great. That’s not a diss before everyone loses their mind. Best didn’t. Eusebio didn’t. David Batty didn’t.
Maradona will always be Argentina’s no.1.
Ronaldo better than Messi. But not as aesthetic. As per my previous post.
Dissenter, Nobody denying calibre of CR7, consistently biggest game player i’ve seen and that extra edge needed. But for Allegri to get that performance out of the side, can’t diminish that. I was exhausted after watching the pressing efforts of Can, Matuidi and Pjanic. Bossed the middle winning the ball back time after time with zero time for Atletico to breath. Simeone crowded the middle to counter that Allegri sent Cancelo and Spinazzola into space on flanks. Allegri had Bernardeschi on the right side, left side then dropped further back to incorporate Dybala. I’d call it more of an Allegri… Read more »
Dissenter
Are you being serious in your attempt to strip Max Allegri of any credit?
You don’t half take up some odd stances at times, Ronaldo is peng but he needs a team to play for him at this stage in his career.
Allegri nailed it last night and twatted a side that simply don’t concede in multiples. Top management supplemented with supreme talent and execution by a goat.
Sal
I hear you
My point is that 10 Allegris without Ronaldo would not have won that game
It took the desire and instinct of one of the greatest of all time footballers to drag Juve over the line.
Sometimes managers are just observers in an amazing spectacle that is unfolding.
When that game is reviewed 1, 3 or 5 years from now, it will be called the Ronaldo victory. Juve’s risk for signing him has already paid off.
Dissenter..
I don’t think your Michael Jordan comparison is very good. to be honest.. Jordan needed Phil Jackson..he didn’t win anything until he had him, and as it turned out Phil Jackson was a pretty good manager … Did it at LA too.. Allegri has to get a fair share of his credit.. He out managed Simeone on the night.. even had they lost.. He made all the right calls.
CC
Juventus had a good squad, pre-Ronaldo that wouldn’t have won last night’s game even if Allegri got all his tactics right.
Don’t forget they were playing a Simeone managed team defending a 2-0 lead.
We are not going to agree on this one point.
Mid West
If Juventus go on to win the CL, it will be because of Allegri and the entire squad.
My point is that there are certain moment in sporting lore, when exceptional players take over a game. Last night was one of such instances.
There were other Juventus players who were untouchable like Bernardeschi but without Ronaldo it would have been a glorious failure
One thing about Allegri: he had me rubbing my eyes in confusion, wondering how Emre Can has evolved into a world class player!
Also Atletico would most likely had gone through had Diego Costa played. He would have driven a dagger though the heart of Juve
Yeah and Atletico would have gone through if they hadn’t played so shite too.
Yes, wonderful team Juve. And they are prepared to pay mega money for Ramsey’s services.
To think there were some geniuses on here who thought the best Ramsey could do is play for West Ham or Everton.
Dumb cvnts, as the Hound would say.
Ronaldo also has tested himself in various leagues and won everything.
Messi too much a comfort zone type player
Both players had struggles growing up- Messi with his height, Ronaldo with the loss of his father early in his life.
Meastro Massimo was immense. Shut down all counters and applied huge crossing pressure because that’s how you can defeat a deep block. Didn’t just pick his most dynamic forward Dybala, picked the aerial warriors Mandzu and CR7 in tandem. Picked Spinazzola who’s barely played a minute to come in and wreak havoc on the left.
Can’t imagine thinking the players would have just come up with all that themselves.
Great input Marko
What we thinking for Liverpool vs Bayern?
anyone fancy Lyon to take it today?
Can’t stand the fake Renaldo.but you’ve got to hand it to him.ive finally accepted him as one of the greats though as gunz pointed out hi isn’t aesthetically pleasing on the eye as many other great players in the skills we truly admire,such as dribbling like best or messi.he is without a doubt the supreme athlete which enhances other aspects of his game.like being able to almost hang in the air for his heading ability. & yes unlike messi & others has done it on a rainy night against the orcs….
Flat earthers Marko and Dissenter balling hard today with their insights.
Dan / Trent, great comments.
Pedro,
“Flat earthers Marko and Dissenter balling hard today with their insights.”
lol,
you’re the one using Juventus win as an “I told you so moment”
Besides it’s wrong to say the earth is round, a lot more correct that flat-earthers
Our planet is actually a bumpy spheroid
Midwest, great point.
Additionally worth noting that Allegri has a history of turning games around and making his smarts count.
Two Champions League finals. Allegri is a superstar manager with all the sauce.
Worth noting, that doesn’t make Simeone any less saucy. Top manager out though on the day.
Same with the Tuchel debacle last week. Totally mugged by a horrible decision, some woodwork and lady luck. Doesn’t mean he’s a shite manager.
If Lyon lose, I think we might have a chance for Aouar
If a miracle happens and they win, no chance. he going to City.
Ronaldo, Messi… Pfft… Giroud would’ve scored both of those headers.
Jokes aside, there’s no denying Messi’s talent but if given only one out of two, I’d prefer Ronnie boy on my team. Just that extra bit of hunger, desire, and motivation is what sets the two apart for me.
Guns, you not think he’s a little out of our purchase realm now?
No one got my Stereophonics reference today?
Been listening to them again.
What a band.
Everyone gets excuses made for them as long as Pedro fancy’s you
If he doesn’t then you are “tanking hard”
Pedro- Bruh , its a pipe dream but who knows…
We have a nice French connection and Laca knows him so maybe some small hope
#WelcomeNzonzi
RH, if you’re good, you get excuses.
Pedfro
Are you aware that the referee in charge of the Barcelona vs PSG game at the Nou Camp was formally sanctioned?
You’re making is seem like Tuchel’s PSG were the only on to get robbed.
Emery’s PSG were also robbed by poor officiating.
Dissenter, dropping a 4 goal lead isn’t getting robbed.
Or we just look at the youth system at Lyon- raid them for their best prospects.
Ajax too
Raidin time
“RH, if you’re good, you get excuses.”
Who decides who is “good”?
“Dissenter, dropping a 4 goal lead isn’t getting robbed.”
When do the players take the blame?? When you like the manager i guess
PSG were going through in that game up until the 90th minute, maybe PSG players should focus less on posturing as big club players until they win something outside France
Pedro “Worth noting, that doesn’t make Simeone any less saucy. Top manager out though on the day.” Same with the Tuchel debacle last week. Totally mugged by a horrible decision, some woodwork and lady luck. Doesn’t mean he’s a shite manager.” One is a defensive bum, the other is an offensive bum. Both are very one dimensional, and rarely change their tactics/formation, if at all. Both lost, and deservedly so. Our defense would’ve definitely improved under Simeone but I can only imagine the style of football we’d be playing under him. And forget scoring 2+ goals a game. We’d be… Read more »
RH, I do.
Upstate, Tuchel a tactical bum? Really?
No one who watched that United game can say with a straight face they deserved to go through.
Pedro
“No one got my Stereophonics reference today? Been listening to them again. What a band.”
They are no Modern Talking.
Upstate, yellow card
Pedro,
There’s a saying “you make your own luck”. When my kids ask me to wish them luck on a test, I tell them they don’t need any if they studied hard. I don’t buy these “shady” decisions, woodwork, etc.. crap. If PSG were better, they would’ve gone through. Same goes for Atleti/Simeone. They both F’d it up.
Pedro
“Upstate, yellow card”
What?! You’re not a Modern Talking fan?! I’m outta here…
Simeone and Tuchel are bums?
Christ almighty. Can somebody who watches football log on please?
Flat earthers Marko and Dissenter balling hard today with their insights.
Good one. You must have missed where I gave him credit for bringing on an attacker for a defender and where I commented on the ballsy 4 attackers move. I assume you weren’t happy with me criticizing Simeone.
Also why are we the flat earthers your lot are the ones spreading falsehoods and deny facts. But sure can’t we go a day without making it about Emery
“No one who watched that United game can say with a straight face they deserved to go through.”
No they didn’t
“RH, I do.”
Of course
Just like your old friend from yesterday Tedesco was dripping sauce and innovation a year ago, you even had a whole post devoted to him, less said about Paul Clement the better
So good.
https://youtu.be/O-GWnC__Hes?t=54
You’ll notice no one is saying Allegri or Simeone are shit or anything of that nonsense about sauce but Simeone absolutely should be criticised for last night. You knew Juve were going to score at least 1 at home and you also knew that an away goal meant they needed 4 and he did fuck all
RH, I’d work on coming up with an opinion of your own every now and then before digging out the person that supplies you with 1000 words of pure ecstasy every day.
Marko, you told Sal that Ozil had been banned yesterday after calling him silly.
That is flat earth stuff.
Not as good as this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp2qcCrdBLA