robsblubot

I disagree. As one who finds Lukaku's virtues and weaknesses fairly evident, I think teams which will press high and mostly have the ball aren't a good fit for him. That's why he did well at Everton and then In Italy: he needs space to roam

evidently we lost this in the first leg. That forced us to be perfect in this match. We were very good, but not perfect. Being this good should've been enough to go through, but again... that first leg... 😧

lousy shot by Jorgi

what's wrong with them exactly? 😄

I'd go further and say Timo shouldn't have been taken off. Had just scored and was running high in confidence. Plus his movement is always causing problems pinning defenses down. Pulisic has been poor in all accounts.

TBF he does look like Ronaldinho level (his youngsters years @ gremio), but it's hard to say given that those final years will determine so much. I'd edit and remove the link -- they are like freaking magnets 😄

we employed a high press for most of the game... players are understandably tired now in OT.

Perhaps Tuchel should've made an additional sub between RLC and Kante esp the former who looks wasted (did not have a great game either). Lousy goal to concede at this level. Kante is starting to show he's past his peak.

"newer rule says no goal even if accidental" It's a stupid rule IMO, but even as it is, it does not always work that way. There is always some interpretation as how close to the body the hands were etc, and they were very close to Alonso's body.

indeed. Ridiculous call.

robbed simple as

Regardless of the final result/outcome, this is really top shelf stuff!

heh I hate when commentators/announcers ask, "was that a corner?" immediately after someone heads the ball in from the said corner kick.

Pretty much the only player in the squad playing his best atm. What a player and why did we go for Lukaku again? I mean we already had Kai didn't we? crazy shit

they controlled the game from start to finish. Something is off with our team and I don't think it's a single section.... lack of aggression in all areas of the pitch. Yeah one can say it's the defense of middle, but it's all connected esp these days. Regarding Madrid, if Benzema keeps his form then yeah they can win it all -- guy is red hot atm. Also, don't think our bench is good enough compared to other top sides, esp in attack.

His body language is of an uncommitted player, which is the opposite of what he has been for us since his arrival; looks like the reports are right and he wants out. Too many passengers today -- we lost the second ball all game long. Loftus and Zyiech particularly poor without the ball. The defense made silly mistakes like all chasing the same player in counters. Tuchel needs to sort this out and if not possible, then allow players who want to leave to go. The owner, and the club's, situation might be playing a part as well.

ah yeah agreed. Pure hypocrisy of course! Like in the article I posted (from the guardian), the other owners aren't any better (some worse) than Abramovich. On the other hand, the war changed everything. Go a few pages back and I was warning that our sponsors would vanish. Whether Abramovich had Putin's ear or not is irrelevant -- the mere association would be enough now.

nobody hates the rich 🙂 people aspire to become rich. The obsenely wealthy on the other hand, like our very own Russian oligarch for example, are detrimental to free markets, democracy, and capitalism in general. However, this would demands its own thread.... For that reason, some people (yours included) just like democracy and actual free markets a bit better than feudalism. If the wealthy have no boundaries, then when do they stop?

no, there isn't. Laws and regulations are written by men.

There is no need for actual bribes

True, but it does not matter to me, nor does it surprise me. That's why I wrote that it's the literal definition of a Russian oligarch Not speaking about you, but in general, I feel folks don't really get the value of having "connections" -- family, government, "upbringing"

Roman Abramovich: New evidence highlights corrupt deals https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60736185 that's literally how the Russian oligarchs operated: using their government contacts to enrich.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/11/roman-abramovich-vladimir-putin-Chelsea-kremlin-russia Well she's got one thing right for sure: people do seem to love an oligarch 😉 She's also fair by calling out the other absolute garbage owners of other clubs in the PL. I guess they've got to do their money laundering somewhere eh.

Well, that's why I said it was likely not the place. You are talking about specific things, while I think his mere existence should be illicit. Just to be abundantly clear, I think these people don't pay *nearly* the fair share to people who made, and make, their fortunes. Like I said, the power that comes with obscene wealth allows them to choose how and when they want to contribute to society. Folks look a their "donations" and "civic" investments and get all mushy, but if you look at percentages, it's really cheap change for them, and usually with strings attached (tax breaks at the very minimum). Going back to football, I too appreciate what he did for the club. It still does not change the fact that perception is reality when it comes to advertising. That's why I think it will become unsustainable for the club to have him as the owner.

Not really the place because it's not necessarily about this one version of the disease; but he is allowed to exist. He hoards money, resources, and uses his influence to hoard more resources. It's a vicious cycle of money begets power, which begets money, and then power again. Very few things can't be manipulated by such people. In my view oligarchs as well as the "the wealthy", as they are known in the west, shouldn't exist because their existence hinders democracy. Their "vote" is worth A LOT more than the people's. However, like I said, the more important thing from the club's perspective is that he's toxic and will remain so for years to come whether you like it or not.