The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Part 55

[BlackFox]

Jones to leave Man Utd after 'difficult' few years

 

[Kaleb]

FIFA U20 World Cup starts tomorrow

 

[Iceman]

FIFA U20 World Cup starts tomorrow
View attachment 65168
View attachment 65169
View attachment 65170

Cool. Hope England can do well. Wonder how many names I’ll recognise from the squad.

 

[Iceman]

While part of me was hoping for Boro to go up (to see how Carrick would do) I actually think Luton - Coventry is the most hype match up and i'm very excited about it. I feel like no matter which team comes out on top, they will be heavy favorites to finish last next season, but it's still fun to see that 'anyone' can get to PL with a good season, and it's not just the same 6-8 clubs that go up, go down and they flip flop every season who is in PL and who is in Championship.

My West Ham friend said the same - that at least that’s one relegation spot taken up for next year lol. The championship is a unique league where anything can happen, especially with sneaking into the playoffs after a good run and beating bigger teams in the knockout games. I loved Newcastle’s seasons down there and they were the best ones during the Ashley years. Feels like anyone can beat anyone on a given day.

 

[BlackFox]

So after Newcastle's big win the other night its up to us today to get something against Bournemouth and nail down our spot in the top 4 and if Villa can get a result today it might be all over today as well.

Bournemouth are a decent side this season but we really should be able to go there and get the 3 points we need, no excuses.

City could wrap up the title this weekend if Arsenal fail to get much at Forest.

 

[Iceman]

So if Liverpool don’t win today at home to Villa, we’ve pretty much got top 4 sewn up with our goal difference advantage.

 

[Iceman]

Kane puts Spurs 1 up at home to Brentford. They’re out of the CL running but probably desperate to avoid the ECL.

 

[Iceman]

Spurs concede 3 second half! What a way to go out on your last home game.

 

[Iceman]

Overhead kick goal by Casemiro! Utd 1 up at Bournemouth.

 

[Iceman]

Liverpool down at half time. If results stay like this both Newcastle and Utd will qualify for CL.

 

[BlackFox]

Wow a lot to unpack from yesterday then.

City win the title thanks to Arsenal losing to Forest which keeps them up. Have the say the title "race" turned into a bit of an anti-climax but as nobody really expected much from Arsenal this season its still great progress for them, there just might be one or two regrets when they look back from the position they were in back in Jan/Feb. Ah well City were always the likely winners I guess they area head and shoulders above the rest at the moment and have been for some time.

Villa getting a point at Liverpool was a surprise and as we managed to get the job done in Bournemouth we and Newcaslte are now just a single point away from CL qualification, that should be that too with two home games to go for us and Newcastle at home against Leicester.

At the bottom Forests win mean all three promoted sides stay up but Everton were lucky to get a point in the end and are now looking over their shoulders with a bit of sweating to do. Leeds can get above them with a win today at West Ham, tough but not impossible.

 

[Iceman]

City champions and one leg of the treble down! My mate (lifelong City fan) is going to the home match against Chelsea and the atmosphere will be great from before kick off now, regardless of the result now. Arsenal blew it, but still a great season way beyond expectations for them. Even top 4 would have been great for them at the beginning of the season.

Villa still looking good and likely will be more of a threat next season at least to the lower Euro places. They’ve done both us and Utd a favour with that point at Liverpool. I’m hoping we smash Leicester in our last home game and help push them into the championship.

Also crazy times for Forest to pick up that win yesterday and secure safety. At one point. This season they looked like a dead cert for the drop.

West Ham Vs Leeds now. I can’t go but lots of other mates going today and even some Leeds fans going. I’d have liked if Leeds could also stay up.

 

[Iceman]

Wow a lot to unpack from yesterday then.

City win the title thanks to Arsenal losing to Forest which keeps them up. Have the say the title "race" turned into a bit of an anti-climax but as nobody really expected much from Arsenal this season its still great progress for them, there just might be one or two regrets when they look back from the position they were in back in Jan/Feb. Ah well City were always the likely winners I guess they area head and shoulders above the rest at the moment and have been for some time.

Villa getting a point at Liverpool was a surprise and as we managed to get the job done in Bournemouth we and Newcaslte are now just a single point away from CL qualification, that should be that too with two home games to go for us and Newcastle at home against Leicester.

At the bottom Forests win mean all three promoted sides stay up but Everton were lucky to get a point in the end and are now looking over their shoulders with a bit of sweating to do. Leeds can get above them with a win today at West Ham, tough but not impossible.

Who were the other promoted sides? I forgot. Looks like one big team going down then out of Everton and Leeds (assuming Leicester don’t overtake them both).
I think Newcastle and Man Utd deserve top 4 this season (will be very happy for both Howe and ETH when confirmed), but Liverpool will likely be challenging again next season.

 

[Iceman]

Rodgrigo scores with a volley direct from a long throw! Leeds deserve the lead to be fair. West Ham have looked like their minds are on the ECL final.

 

[Iceman]

Rice gets an equaliser after good pressure from West Ham since the Leeds goal.

 

[Iceman]

Bowen makes it 2-1. Not looking good for Leeds.

Also Brighton beating Southampton 2-0, which would help shore up 6th place.

 

[BlackFox]

Who were the other promoted sides? I forgot. Looks like one big team going down then out of Everton and Leeds (assuming Leicester don’t overtake them both).
I think Newcastle and Man Utd deserve top 4 this season (will be very happy for both Howe and ETH when confirmed), but Liverpool will likely be challenging again next season.

Bournemouth, Forest and Fulham.

 

[Iceman]

City beat Chelsea through Alvarez. Title presentation up after but a bunch of supporters on the pitch for now.

 

[PepS]

Rice looked like he was saying his farewell’s to the home crowd today. Having said that, we won’t get him.

 

[Iceman]

Rice looked like he was saying his farewell’s to the home crowd today. Having said that, we won’t get him.

Who do you think will get him? Chelsea/Utd?

 

[Iceman]

It was Bergkamp-esque as Wrighty said on MOTD.

I think Arsenal's inexperienced squad and lack of squad depth did for them in the end but it definitely was their return to being a genuine contender and lots for Arteta to develop on in the summer window.

Yeah Liverpool are on a really good run but this where we see if our teams have the mettle and mentality to finish the job as it's in our own hands. As for a 2nd trophy, gotta be honest I don't hold out a lot of hope for beating City in the FA Cup final, I think it's going to be up to Real Madrid to prevent the treble.

The way Brighton have actually improved since De Zerbi took over from Potter has been remarkable, they've went from playing good stuff to actually scoring plenty of goals and putting teams away, their player recruitment is first class and it looks like they've unearthed another gem with Enciso.

I see what you did there!

I think Leicester look very likely and Everton might well lose their top flight record as bar the recent anomaly against Brighton they've looked poor.




I thought about Martinelli, Mitoma and Isak for that other forward spot, them and Gabriel Jesus have all had good patches but not as consistent as the others I listed.

Yeah, one of my favourite recent goals, pretty unique.

I’d like to see Arsenal competing going forward so hopefully they have another great season and build on what they achieved here. Even if they improve though, that may have been their best chance at a league title - until Pep leaves at least.

Late reply so some of this is now pretty much resolved. Looks like our teams had just about enough to get it over the line with Liverpool not maxing out their available points. Also Real are now out of the picture (in spectacular style) so it’s all down to Utd and Inter. I wouldn’t be surprised if Inter got steamrolled in the final, especially if City manage to get an early goal and force them to attack. If this treble happens it will feel very undramatic compared to Utd’s!

I was half-expecting Brighton to start falling away after losing Potter and so many of their big players. It shows how important player recruitment without going for obvious expensive targets is. I think it’s no coincidence that Newcastle jumped in to get Dan Ashworth from Brighton after seeing how strong their process is.

Poor Frank.

I’m hoping we can contribute to sending Leicester down next game. Otherwise it’s all down to the last game now and we’re going to lose one big team at least out of Everton and Leeds.

Makes sense Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli and Jesus are a solid front 6 for Arsenal. If they can build on that and deepen their squad, it could be interesting next season. Should be able to keep the momentum going with the extra champions league place (I believe from next season) and Spurs and Chelsea possibly not being at the races still.

 

[Iceman]

Vinicius Jr says racism is 'normal' in LaLiga after crowd chants during Real Madrid's league match in Valencia

 

[B]

Rice looked like he was saying his farewell’s to the home crowd today. Having said that, we won’t get him.

For me, he is WAY too expensive for the type of midfielder he is & also just how good in general he currently is. David Moyes is talking about £120m for him which I find laughable.

 

[PepS]

Who do you think will get him? Chelsea/Utd?

I think so, or maybe even Newcastle. Wouldn't be surprised to see City take a punt either, just to troll everyone.

 

[PepS]

For me, he is WAY too expensive for the type of midfielder he is & also just how good in general he currently is. David Moyes is talking about £120m for him which I find laughable.

I don't think he will ultimately go for that amount. I think the price will fall in between the £80-90m range.