The European Leagues & Competitions Thread V2

[Special Juan 27,482]

Apparently what happened is that Schwienstiger was 'unlucky' to get sent off. If it were anyone other than Rooney then it would have been the kind of diving that is destroying football.

There was actually a Vidic one that was actually worse a few minutes before where he and Mandzukic jumped for an aerial ball and he went down clutching his face as if he'd been elbowed in the nose but in fact Mandzukic barely touched his chin. Absolutely disgraceful attempts by united to get Bayern players sent off.

Yeah, the elbow was more of a brush than a full on forceful whack in the face.

Rooney knew it too when Bastian faced him up.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I am not sure whether Pep was seriously being considered for Chelsea´s coaching, but I am in heaven not to see him with Chelsea. This man, plays the most boring football around. One of the reasons, I always despised Barca was because of their styles. I even can accept Chelsea´s bus tours, but his possession tactics, just bores me to tears.

Lack flexibility and pragmatism. Somehow, he's turned the best squad in Europe into a relatively easily defended against team. Last year's Bayern were unstoppable; far from it this year.

[bushman 2,043]

Lack flexibility and pragmatism. Somehow, he's turned the best squad in Europe into a relatively easily defended against team. Last year's Bayern were unstoppable; far from it this year.

That´s exactly how I feel about his shitty tactics. Also, do not forget, the german league became even weaker in this season. Dortmund or Schalke are just two jokers now. I would not be too surprised to see Real popping 3-4 tonight. A little payback for last season?

[Reddish-Blue 2,374]

Doesn't really work like that. Two wrongs don't make a right. The solution would be to have retrospective bans on dives then no one would dive.

I recall Gary Neville discussing retrospective bans on MNF....the problem is, how do you tell the difference between two dives (based on the situation in the game) and what's the appropriate punishment.... 1 match or 3 matches or even more?

[bushman 2,043]

Even though, I do not have a Harvard degree, but can someone explain to me, I may try my hardest to understand it, why Bayern decided to hire Pep?

What exactly did he bring to this club?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I recall Gary Neville discussing retrospective bans on MNF....the problem is, how do you tell the difference between two dives (based on the situation in the game) and what's the appropriate punishment.... 1 match or 3 matches or even more?

Well that would be for a committee of referees to discuss and decide on before making the law. The point is, once you make the law, the case won't happen too often because diving would simply not be worth it anymore. In Italy, for example, they have a three match retrospective ban for deliberate hand balls. Last season, Miroslav Klose accidentally scores a goal with his hand against Napoli, the ref gives it, so Miroslav goes to the ref and tells him that he's scored it with his hand and asks him to disallow it and the ref does.

[Special Juan 27,482]

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2313003/index.html

[bushman 2,043]

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2313003/index.html

Here we go again. Barca got caught again. Is there anything that these a-holes have not done wrong?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Wow, that's huge! I expect them to appeal, but honestly they have no case. They broke the rules big time and deserve the punishment.

It seems the title is between Athletico and Real next season if this is true.

PS: My initial reaction to this was:

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

The Catalan club cannot buy or sell players until the summer of 2015.

[Strike 7,272]

Imagine Pinto as first choice for 2 years

[Reddish-Blue 2,374]

Imagine Pinto as first choice for 2 years

Its Barcelona...watch them sign new players at the end of the season.

[Strike 7,272]

Its Barcelona...watch them sign new players at the end of the season.

they have a deal with Ter Stegen but they can't register him now right? This ban looks solid. I read somewhere Barca are caught on multiple accounts

[Special Juan 27,482]

they have a deal with Ter Stegen but they can't register him now right? This ban looks solid. I read somewhere Barca are caught on multiple accounts

That deal has been signed off for Stegen now, it won't affect it.

[Tiwaz 539]

Imagine Pinto as first choice for 2 years

I just heard it's 2 transfer windows (summer 2014 and winter 2015), so basically 1 season.

[Strike 7,272]

I just heard it's 2 transfer windows (summer 2014 and winter 2015), so basically 1 season.

yeah. correct. 2 windows.

[Reddish-Blue 2,374]

they have a deal with Ter Stegen but they can't register him now right? This ban looks solid. I read somewhere Barca are caught on multiple accounts

I'm sure they will "appeal" the decision and be able to sign Ter Stegen at the very least.

[Rmpr 8,977]

FUUUUCK, who will buy David Luiz now?!