La Liga discussion

Does it matter if it is allowed?

Barca and Real are a law unto themselves in Spain, so do whatever they want.

3 Likes

Feels like a play to put pressure on the authorities.

1 Like

In that case, it won’t be long till they start naming every player they fancy in their team-sheet.

1 Like

Don’t give them ideas

2 Likes

They were still trying to find the money right up to kick off to allow the registration to go through. Fucking circus of a club.

Yeah, they fucking ruined my trip there a couple of summers ago.

2 Likes

Kylian Mbappe has lost limelight at Real Madrid as questions already emerge

Story by Kasra Moradi & Maria Ortega & Dan Burnham

Kylian Mbappe is already under the microscope from the Spanish media after failing to score in his first two La Liga matches for Real Madrid.

The French forward, who made a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Los Blancos on a free transfer this summer, is yet to announced himself at his new club. Mbappe, 25, made his home debut for the reigning Spanish and European champions on Sunday night.

A crowd of 85,000 had gathered at the Santiago Bernabeu, eagerly anticipating a win and Mbappe’s first goal of the season. Despite scoring on his full debut in the UEFA Super Cup, the pressure’s on for his first domestic goal.

However, his much-anticipated finish didn’t materialise, even though Real secured a 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid. Instead, fans were left disappointed by a lacklustre performance from a player tipped to be a future Ballon d’Or winner.

Mbappe found it difficult to operate in tight spaces and squandered both of his significant opportunities to score. To add insult to injury, his substitute - 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Endrick - scored convincingly within minutes of entering the pitch.

For Mbappe, who netted 256 times in 308 appearances for PSG, going two games without a goal must feel like an eternity. It seems the press are also starting to scrutinise his underwhelming performances, with some even suggesting that his big night was eclipsed by Endrick.

Spanish media were unimpressed with Mbappe’s performance at the Bernabeu, with Marca reporting: “Mbappe tried, but couldn’t score at the Bernabeu. Endrick stole the show.” AS echoed: “It was Mbappe’s party, but Endrick stole the spotlight.”

Antena 3 Deportes described his debut as “poor and sloppy”. Adding to the criticism, a Cadena SER columnist remarked: “Players, whatever their name and status, must move.”

Ex-Real player and adviser Alvarao Benito expressed his impatience, stating: “Mbappe is not that player who makes the difference when he has the ball in front of him. Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrigo
 I don’t know, for me, there’s one too many.”

image

Despite the critiques, president Florentino Perez remains unfazed. The esteemed Los Blancos leader, with seven Champions League titles under his reign, is confident Mbappe will prove his worth in time.

After the game, Perez maintained tradition by greeting the players, sharing words of encouragement with Mbappe. He reportedly bolstered the megastar’s spirits by saying: “You’ll get it next time for sure. You were very close to scoring several times today.”

Enrick definitely complicates matters. With both Vini and Mbappe preferring the same role off the left one of them, most like Mbappe, was going to have to adapt to a system that ostensibly had him playing as the striker. But Endrick will show himself to be too good to continue with an experiment like that when it isnt working. None of their options seem conducive to a harmony and cohesion but as I see it:

  • They overlook Endrick no matter how poorly it is going resulting in growing tension in the team and among the fans
  • Endrick forces his way into the side leaving room for only one of Vini or Mbappe, which will certainly cause drama
  • One of Vini or Mbappe is forced to move into a completely different role (RW?) to try to make room for all 3 of them, which is an approach that is also likely to negatively impact Bellingham.

This always felt like a vanity move and nothing from the first couple of games is suggesting there was any grand plan for making it work.

1 Like

Endrick then gets pissed off and we sign him next summer.

Sorted.

1 Like

Barca’s 17 year old CM Bernal tore his ACL in last night’s game. Maybe it is damn luck, but with Gavi still out with the same injury it has the beginnings of a pattern in the development/physical readiness of their kids.

1 Like

This is not a problem confined to the Spanish league of course and if the football authorities deduct points and ban clubs from transfers because of financial irregularities, then why not for racism especially for clubs whose fans do it over and over again. My limited experience at football stadiums, alot of fans will ignore even if someone shouts an offensive phrase but if the majority of the fans don’t weed out these minority racist fans, then the club they loved should be punished and more of these racists should go to jail.

He’s a busted flush.

The should sell him to us for Endo and a packet of crisps and be done with him :wink:

1 Like

Nice article about Dani Olmo:

Sid Lowe is unquestionably one of the best football writers out there.

2 Likes

Didn’t Crouchy take forever and Mbappe is no Crouchy.

Pffffft. Can’t even beat Las Palmas, what chance do they have when they come to Anfield.

https://x.com/Itzhazza12/status/1829243724947128656?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1829243724947128656|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=

3 Likes

Love how they pronounce Bryan Gil with a Spanish accent just to make him sound Spanish.

It’s effectively Bryan Gil and why focus on the Bryan part as well? Isn’t the Gil part the most exotic.

Also why do they say his whole name?

Edit: Seems it’s his first and second name

2 Likes

This Courtois is a bit of a bellend isn’t it? Always seems to be in the middle of something unpopular.

Trying to rile the Atleti fans behind his goal up right after Militao put Madrid ahead and the Atleti fans responded by throwing lighters, bottles and god knows what else. Simeone went over to tell them to calm down. Game currently suspended.

Was wondering what had gone.

Carvajal out for the season. ACL. A blow for Madrid, but they have a lot of depth so suspect they will be okay.