2013-14 Club Soccer/Football Discussion Thread

[Keystone Phil]

Yes, I'm starting this already. I'm going through withdrawal and since the international tournament of the year is officially over, this gets the green light. 

League play (in leagues worth following) doesn't start until mid August but there's plenty of transfer news, gossip, etc. to occupy our time. Plus, in early August, the Emirates Cup returns with two of our most passionate posters' (Lief and yours truly) respective teams competing against each other!

Have at it, gentlemen.

[Lief 🗽]

Ah, the Emirates Cup. Finally a chance to end our trophy drought.

Arsenal has been rumored to be in for some great players (Higuain, Julio Cesar, Bender, Fellaini) so hopefully at least a few of those come to fruition.

[NewYorkExpress]

Matches to watch this week..

July 3, 10:00 ET MLS  Seattle vs DC

July 4, 9:30 ET MLS New York vs Colorado... Thierry Henry and the Red Bulls are near the top of their half of the league.

July 5, 2:45 ET League of Ireland Premier division  Derry vs Dundalk. It's two of the top four clubs in the league squaring off.

July 6, 10:00 AM ET Swedish Alksvanliga   Elfborgs vs Atavdabergs... both teams are within striking distance of European paly

[bore]

The most important games in July are, of course, happening on the 18th and 25th, when Hibs take on Malmo for a spot in the third qualifying round of the europa league.















We're screwed

[Franknburger]

In fact, the next big Tournament is already coming up: UEFA Women's Euro 2013 will be starting on July 10. It's only an Euro, so the last Women's WC finalist, Japan and the USA, do not participate, but nevertheless, it's an Euro ..

Sweden-Denmark (July 10), Germany-Netherlands (July 11) and England-Spain (July 12) make up for interesting opening matches in their respective groups. Italy will be taking part as well, Phil. 

[Keystone Phil]

Italy will be taking part as well, Phil. 

I don't follow women's Soccer but best of luck to the Azzurri ladies. 

[minionofmidas]

Azzurre, surely.

[Keystone Phil]

Azzurre, surely.

Ah, yes! I'll embarrassingly admit that as I was typing "Azzurri" I thought to myself, "I know there's feminine form that I ought to know."

[Keystone Phil]

Cavani to PSG looks like a done deal for €64 million.

[Lief 🗽]

Is Zlatan leaving? Not sure why PSG would need both.

[Keystone Phil]

Is Zlatan leaving? Not sure why PSG would need both.

Some people are talking about a swap but PSG supposedly wants the two of them up front so they'd be a monster attacking team. Both were the leading scoters in their respective leagues last season. I agree that it's overkill.

[Lief 🗽]

Is Zlatan leaving? Not sure why PSG would need both.

Some people are talking about a swap but PSG supposedly wants the two of them up front so they'd be a monster attacking team. Both were the leading scoters in their respective leagues last season. I agree that it's overkill.

Well Monaco is getting Falcao so I guess PSG wants to stay a step ahead of them. I wouldn't be surprised if Zlatan goes to some random new team that wants to pay him an obscene salary though (maybe Man City, he hasn't had a chance to become the season's top scorer in the Premier League yet).

[NewYorkExpress]

Next week's games to watch...

July 7, 5:30 PM ET Botafogo vs Fluminiese @ Arena Percanumbo. A showdown of two of the top four teams in Brazil.

July 8, 1:07 ET  Helsingborg vs IFK @ Olympia Stadion. These are the top two teams in Sweden, IFK enters the week with a one point lead.

July 9, Copa Libredatores, Indepente Santa Fe vs Olimpia & Copa Do Brazil, Cruziero vs Goianese.
Both matches are at 8:50 ET

July 10, 6:00 AM Shimzu vs Kashima @ Kashima Soccer Stadium. A showdown of two of Japan's top ten.

July 13

Scotland Challenge Cup  Spartans vs Theaver

[Keystone Phil]

Anyone else watching this silly Messi All Stars vs. World All Stars Friendly in Chicago? 4-4 and it's not even half time.

[Lief 🗽]

Looks like Pep is arrogantly casting off one of the best forwards in the world, Mario Gomez, because he doesn't fit into his precious tiki-taka system. Gomez will now proceed to easily score 20+ goals in Italy this season and probably be league top scorer.

[Keystone Phil]

Leonardo is resigning as PSG sporting director. This will drag out the Cavani saga...

Looks like Pep is arrogantly casting off one of the best forwards in the world, Mario Gomez, because he doesn't fit into his precious tiki-taka system. Gomez will now proceed to easily score 20+ goals in Italy this season and probably be league top scorer.

Yeah, unfortunately the deal with Napoli fell apart a few weeks ago. He's going to Fiorentina which might mean less playing time for my boy G. Rossi.    I wanted to see a way for him to get a spot in the World Cup squad!

[Goodwin]

Any thoughts on Suarez? He wants champions league football next season - but Liverpool have already rejected a 30 million pound offer from Arsenal. Chelsea are apparently interested as well.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10170147/Arsenal-given-new-hope-as-Liverpool-striker-Luis-Suarez-admits-news-of-interest-is-good-to-know.html

[Keystone Phil]

Any thoughts on Suarez? He wants champions league football next season - but Liverpool have already rejected a 30 million pound offer from Arsenal. Chelsea are apparently interested as well.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10170147/Arsenal-given-new-hope-as-Liverpool-striker-Luis-Suarez-admits-news-of-interest-is-good-to-know.html

There was talk about Napoli grabbing him but I haven't heard that in awhile.

By the way, training began for us today and Benitez (who now goes by the more Italian "Rafè" in honor of his new club) released a nice message to the fans!

[Lief 🗽]

Leonardo is resigning as PSG sporting director. This will drag out the Cavani saga...

Looks like Pep is arrogantly casting off one of the best forwards in the world, Mario Gomez, because he doesn't fit into his precious tiki-taka system. Gomez will now proceed to easily score 20+ goals in Italy this season and probably be league top scorer.

Yeah, unfortunately the deal with Napoli fell apart a few weeks ago. He's going to Fiorentina which might mean less playing time for my boy G. Rossi.    I wanted to see a way for him to get a spot in the World Cup squad!

Maybe they'll play with two strikers? That seems to be pretty common in Italy. Though it depends on how Rossi's recovery is going.

[Keystone Phil]

Leonardo is resigning as PSG sporting director. This will drag out the Cavani saga...

Looks like Pep is arrogantly casting off one of the best forwards in the world, Mario Gomez, because he doesn't fit into his precious tiki-taka system. Gomez will now proceed to easily score 20+ goals in Italy this season and probably be league top scorer.

Yeah, unfortunately the deal with Napoli fell apart a few weeks ago. He's going to Fiorentina which might mean less playing time for my boy G. Rossi.    I wanted to see a way for him to get a spot in the World Cup squad!

Maybe they'll play with two strikers? That seems to be pretty common in Italy. Though it depends on how Rossi's recovery is going.

I should have specified that they have others they're either bringing in or won't lose starting spots thus possibly squeezing Giuseppe out.

[Tender Branson]

Red Bull Salzburg beat Schalke 04 yesterday 3-1 in a test game.

The best goal was scored by Martin Hinteregger (RBS) - a goal from 60 meters away:

http://www.sky.de/web/cms/de/bundesliga-schalke-verliert-in-salzburg--acht-96tore.jsp

[Tender Branson]

Better video of the 60 meter goal by Hinteregger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsqVFWoCrM0

[Franknburger]

First irritations at Bayern Munich: Guardiola has stated that while Mario Götze is a great player, he never really was interested in him, and he was contracted on initiative of President Hoeness and sports director Sammer.

Instead, Guardiola has been pressing Bayern leadership to contract Barcelona defensive midfielder Thiago Alcantara, so Xavi Martinez can move back into defence. Not that Bayern Munich has a bad defensive midfield with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Luis Gustavo. Anyway, Thiago Alcantara shall now be joining Bayern for 21.7 million Euros.

Interestingly, Guardiola's brother is Alcantara's personal advisor, which in not being taken too well by the German press.

[Tender Branson]

Yeah, Mario Götze ...

He recently appeared at a Bayern press conference with a NIKE shirt, despite the fact that the official sponsor of Bayern Munich is ADIDAS ...

Bayern has fined him with 20.000€ now for wearing the shirt at their press conference.

Might be a reason why Pep and the Bayern leadership is not comfortable anymore with Götze playing for them ...

[Franknburger]

Addendum to the Bayern Munich story: Guardiola will face a pretty hard time if he relegates Bastian Schweinsteiger or Holger Badstuber (who has recovered from his injury) to the reserve bench. Both come from Bayern's own youth, are therefore extremely popular with the fans, and should also have strong support within the Club's leadership. This means that the Thiago Alcantara purchase is especially putting pressure on Dante and Luis Gustavo.

Now, I am sure the two will do anything to not miss the 2014 WC in their home country Brazil, which means they need to regularly play Bundeslga and especially Champions League matches. If they see that possibility slipping away, they may - similar to Mario Gomez - try to leave Bayern towards another European club that plays internationally...