OT: Soccer Thursday/Friday Open Thread
Not sure we're going to match the drama that was yesterday, but todays Soccer Open Thread is brought you by ibuprofen and one humongously humbling headache. Also, the dream becomes reality as Genk and Gent get together in Europa League this afternoon. Soccer Gods be good. All the time.
Today’s Schedule:
UEFA Europa League Round of 16, Leg 1
1:00p Apoel v Anderlecth – ESPN 3 / Fox Soccer 2 Go
1:00p Rostov v Manchester United – FS2
1:00p Kobenhavn v Ajax – Fox Soccer Plus
3:05p Celta Vigo v Krasnodar – Fox Soccer 2 Go
3:05p Schalke 04 v Borussia M’gladbach – ESPN3 / Fox Soccer 2 Go
3:05p Lyon v Roma – Fox Soccer Plus
3:05p Olympiakos v Besiktas – ESPN 3/ Fox Soccer 2 Go
3:05p Gent v Genk – Fox Soccer 2 Go
La Liga
(FRIDAY)
2:45p Espanyol v Las Palmas – beIN Espanol
Serie A
(FRIDAY)
2:45p Juventus v Milan – BeinSports
Bundesliga
(FRIDAY)
2:30p Bayer Leverkusen v Weder Bremen – FS2
Ligue 1
(FRIDAY)
1:00p Nice v Caen – BeinsportsConnect
2:45p Marseille v Angers - BeinsportsConnect
Notes
*Europa League Round of 16 involves 2 legs, of which this is the first. Away goals are accounted for in the knockout round.
*This will function as our Thursday/Friday thread for both days.
*If you don’t see a league or team listed that you want to follow and discuss, let me know and I’ll add it (within reason). I’m not going out of my way to make sure Scunthorpe or Drogheda United are covered here.
*These Times are Eastern TIme
*Games on Major TV Networks are in Bold
Enjoy, cheers, and Go Blue!
Curious if Bremen will continue to claw its way out of the relegation zone - that's been quite a drama this season. I kind of like them because of the streak, but they have been playing with fire for a couple of seasons now.
Pulling hard for Rostov, of whom I know nothing. Because ... obvs.
Would like to see Schalke go down, because (i) BVB and (ii) they were Hitler's favorite team.*
The one I'd most like to see is Olympiakos v. Beşiktaş. My understanding is that the Beşiktaş supporters are absolutely insane, so I imagine even away (at a relatively close game) the atmosphere will be great.
*Why yes, I do know that this is not Schalke's fault. But BVB and chance to deploy Godwin? Sure, I'll do that.
Looking forward to an Ajax win in Denmark today. I'd settle for a draw but it would be nice to get a couple of away goals.
Europa league still holds a key spot in UCl for next year, so the game aren't 100% pointless, but pretty close. It's the only way United is making the UCl next year, because 4th is going to be very tough to secure in the league, especially with Zlatan out 2 league games and the FA game against Chelsea next Monday.
Yes, considering Juventus is sitting comfortably at the top of Italy and the German league is Munich's, I don't see the title implications that you are reffering to, so yes, those games are minor. The Europa league is the Europe's NIT. The only real prize is an Auto birth in next years UCl. A nice prize but nothing to write home about. It's not even on my radar.
Of the comeback win yesterday. Holy shit Barcelona was gifted two penalities.
Yeah, don't blow a massive lead, but come on those were BAD calls.
Yes, the penalties were very soft, especially the Suarez one. Suarez is such a diver it's ridiculous. He was barely touched and was grabbing his throat like Macgruber just ripped it out. For his skill and talent, he is such a little bitch, it's not even funny. At least Neymar has toned that aspect of his game down since joining Barca, even though he did flop a few times last night. At the end of the day though, Barca deserved the win. They pressured PSG all game, and honestly, it could have been 10-1. We can blame the refs all we want, but Barca scored 6, and if you have a 4 goal lead in the first leg, that is all on you PSG. What do expect from the French though. They have a history of turtling under pressure.
I watched the reply last night. Neymar flopped like 5+ times during the game, including on both penalties. I'm not saying those weren't penalties. But, top-flight strikers have an option -- fight through the contact and continue to play hard, or, drop like a rock at the first hint of contact. Neymar clearly prefers the latter. I mean, this morning who can blame him, it worked. But it's disgusting.
Not that Lebron James hasn't flopped a time or two, so I don't mean to be criticizing the sport. (I mean, I did watch a rerun of a UCL game.) But it's a bit out of control.
There are definitely teams that get the benefit of the whistle and teams that get the shaft. Barca are a hell of a team, but they have 2 of the biggest floppers and actors in the game in Neymar and Suarez. Suarez was rightfully carded for simulation, and Neymar looks pathetic when he is writhing in pain for fouls that contain the most minimal of contact. At least it takes an actual foul to bring Messi down, that is why he is the best. My team, Man City get the exact opposite treatment by the refs. In the last year Aguero and Sterling have recieved a total of 8 yellow cards for simulation, where they were clearly fouled and should have been awarded pk's. There was an argument by pundits that actually said that it would have been right for Sterling to go to ground after clearly being fouled instead of fighting through it like he did trying to make something happen.
It is definitely the most annoying aspect of soccer for me. It's why I despise guys like Lebron who do that bush league shit. They are simply too good for that.