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***Official 2021-22 Soccer Thread***



if you're into soccer podcasts give the square ball a listen. It is Leeds based but if you enjoy some piss taking out of other teams this is the podcast for you
[ Edited by Waccoe1919 on Feb 10, 2022 at 3:40 PM ]
  • jrg
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 166,549
One more year til I become a soccer fan

Xavi has completely changed the culture and vibe around the team. I fully expect them to make a splash signing or two this summer and get back to where they belong.

Hoping for Halaand. Somehow. Someway. Didn't think even hope will be possible last summer. It's a long shot but Barca is putting themselves in that position to be a consideration.
  • 190836
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 11,952
Originally posted by 4ML:
Xavi has completely changed the culture and vibe around the team. I fully expect them to make a splash signing or two this summer and get back to where they belong.

Hoping for Halaand. Somehow. Someway. Didn't think even hope will be possible last summer. It's a long shot but Barca is putting themselves in that position to be a consideration.

I agree, Xavi has been the game changer. Now, they have to find some money to sign some players.
Annoyed at losing to them yesterday but but showed plenty of fight to get back into it.

old school feel to it with the weather good atmosphere as well

f**k u Kepa!
Originally posted by 190836:
Originally posted by 4ML:
Xavi has completely changed the culture and vibe around the team. I fully expect them to make a splash signing or two this summer and get back to where they belong.

Hoping for Halaand. Somehow. Someway. Didn't think even hope will be possible last summer. It's a long shot but Barca is putting themselves in that position to be a consideration.

I agree, Xavi has been the game changer. Now, they have to find some money to sign some players.



looks like a completely diff team. They ran circles around Valencia and Napoli earlier last week.

Really want Dembele to somehow stay. Pedri is such a special player.

I never thought Barca will ever have anything close to a trio of mids like Iniesta, Xavi, and Busquets again but Gavi (17), Pedri (19), De Jong (24) have looked so amazing last few weeks. Things Gavi and Pedri can do at those ages is just ridiculous. Iniesta and Xavi were not doing that at when they were teenagers.

Long ways to go to become as formidable as them - but wow - Barca could maybe once again have the best mid-field in the World in near future. We will see how they cont to develop - but Xavi has changed everything about this team in such a short time.
Huge (and very positive) changes to the Ballon D'or voting.

It follows season year instead of calendar year
Only top 100 countries get a voter
Criteria has changed (player career history is now removed is the big item here)
Originally posted by 4ML:


looks like a completely diff team. They ran circles around Valencia and Napoli earlier last week.

Really want Dembele to somehow stay. Pedri is such a special player.

I never thought Barca will ever have anything close to a trio of mids like Iniesta, Xavi, and Busquets again but Gavi (17), Pedri (19), De Jong (24) have looked so amazing last few weeks. Things Gavi and Pedri can do at those ages is just ridiculous. Iniesta and Xavi were not doing that at when they were teenagers.

Long ways to go to become as formidable as them - but wow - Barca could maybe once again have the best mid-field in the World in near future. We will see how they cont to develop - but Xavi has changed everything about this team in such a short time.

Xavi's Barca has officially arrived after today's Clásico. Completely dominated at the Bernabeu.

They need to replace the aging players (Pique, Busquets, Alba) but that midfield is a thing of beauty and the catalyst is Pedri. Don't know if they can keep Dembele... he's been great recently. Don't know either if he can stay healthy after Barca or whatever teams signs him this summer. I would try my best to keep Aubameyang for a few years, especially if Halaand signs elsewhere.

If they are able to re-sign Araujo (they have to) and Gavi.... and Ansu Fati comes back healthy next year, then they have the nucleus to get beck to the top of European soccer.
  • 190836
  • Veteran
  • Posts: 11,952
A flawless performance by Barcelona vs Madrid. It's incredible how Xavi has changed this team since his arrival.
Italy loses to N. Macedonia. Will miss WC yet again.
Originally posted by NinerAce:
Originally posted by 4ML:


looks like a completely diff team. They ran circles around Valencia and Napoli earlier last week.

Really want Dembele to somehow stay. Pedri is such a special player.

I never thought Barca will ever have anything close to a trio of mids like Iniesta, Xavi, and Busquets again but Gavi (17), Pedri (19), De Jong (24) have looked so amazing last few weeks. Things Gavi and Pedri can do at those ages is just ridiculous. Iniesta and Xavi were not doing that at when they were teenagers.

Long ways to go to become as formidable as them - but wow - Barca could maybe once again have the best mid-field in the World in near future. We will see how they cont to develop - but Xavi has changed everything about this team in such a short time.

Xavi's Barca has officially arrived after today's Clásico. Completely dominated at the Bernabeu.

They need to replace the aging players (Pique, Busquets, Alba) but that midfield is a thing of beauty and the catalyst is Pedri. Don't know if they can keep Dembele... he's been great recently. Don't know either if he can stay healthy after Barca or whatever teams signs him this summer. I would try my best to keep Aubameyang for a few years, especially if Halaand signs elsewhere.

If they are able to re-sign Araujo (they have to) and Gavi.... and Ansu Fati comes back healthy next year, then they have the nucleus to get beck to the top of European soccer.

Pedri is simply amazing. He reminds me of Iniesta so much. They'll definitely re-sign Gavi. Araujo - I'm not so sure but I really hope they do.

Xavi is brilliant. This is what a great coach can go. He understands what to do on the field but just as importantly he knows how to motivate the players off it. So many times I've seen players score goals and run towards him right away. He's pulling all the right strings.

Once again - Gavi - Pedri - De Jong is just a ridiculously young and talented mid. With a right striker and wings - Barca can once again look unbeatable. Dembele and Fati are perfect wings but both have significant injury history.

There's talk of signing Raphinha - and reports are deal is agreed between the player and Barca but 75m release clause is too much imho. Maybe it can be negotiated down with Leeds. He'd be a great fit on the wings too especially if Dembele leaves.

Aubameyang Is signed till 2025. Lol Barca got him for free. Complete steal. I really like Torres too - he just needs time and consistency. But, I'd still like them to go get a world class striker. Halaand on this team will absolute terrorize opponents but I don't know if Barca can realistically land him. But that will complete the team's attack if they land him and Raphinha (even if they lose Dembele). All about how they can raise money by selling some assets.

Originally posted by 190836:
A flawless performance by Barcelona vs Madrid. It's incredible how Xavi has changed this team since his arrival.

I still can't believe Laporte didn't land Xavi in summer. It was the most obvious move. Even when he eventually got Xavi - he was not his first choice. Anyway - he's here and hopefully for a long time.
Originally posted by jrg:
One more year til I become a soccer fan


Nice ! I'm an LAFC fan, I want to hit St. Louis next year to check out.
been to Portland, real salt, Orlando, Miami and Houston.
I'm going to cincy in a few weeks, Austin fc looks fun.
Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
Italy loses to N. Macedonia. Will miss WC yet again.

Crazy....Euro Champs to missing WC again
About to have the WC draw. Qatar is a stupid choice to host for like 400 different reasons.
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