Futbol 2013-2014

[surfer]

30 for 30 Hillsborough is the best thing I've ever seen on ESPN. Some of those images and quotes will haunt me forever. Apparently it can't legally be shown in the UK for some reason.

"They looked like dead fish in a trawler net."

[crawjo]

I've got it set to DVR tonight. Looking forward to watching it. That had a real impact on me as a child. I remember seeing a picture of those people pressed up against the fence, dying...I think DeLillo used one of those photographs in Mao II.

[surfer]

I think DeLillo used one of those photographs in Mao II.

I had forgotten about that.

“like a religious painting, the scene could be a fresco in a tourist church”, "a crowded twisted vision of a rush to death as only a master of the age could could paint it."

"the future belongs to crowds"

[surfer]

I had a discussion with a United fan the other day and he seems to think that Everton's season is a total one-off and that Moyes is a better manager than Martinez, I didn't laugh but it wasn't easy.

Lots of outlets reporting that Moyes has been sacked

[surfer]

I have a feeling Chelsea / Atletico could be very dull.

I think I may have oversold it, even.

[crawjo]

Watched the Hillsborough documentary the other night. It is indeed probably the best in the 30 for 30 series. The footage of that day was frightening for me to watch. I tend to be a bit claustrophobic anyway, so the idea of being anywhere near a crowd that size unnerves me. I do think the fact that so many people were struggling to get into the grounds that day speaks to a culture around football fandom that knows no equivalent in the United States, at least not in my experience. Yet looking at the events, the tragedy seems so completely avoidable, the solutions really quite simple. It's hard to believe that the police weren't more prepared, and disgusting how they tried to blame the victims after the fact.

[surfer]

The footage of that day was eerie, shocking, amazing, terrifying. Beyond one's visceral reaction to the tragedy, the larger crime (as has been pointed out by many) was the coverup afterwards. Forget Duckenfield's complete inexperience and lack of planning, the fact that he watched this all unfold from the command tower literally meters away and did and said nothing the whole time. And then the redaction of the officers statements (sadly not that surprising), the decision to first and foremost take BACs of all the victims, and to blame the gate opening on the fans when it was Duckenfield who ordered it open. Also the failure of the majority of the police to even assist the victims as the tragedy was unfolding. That line of unmoving officers across the width of the field. And the decision of The Sun to print on the front page slanderous statements about the victims (to this day apparently Liverpool fans boycott The Sun). And on and on and on.

I'll admit getting a bit emotional when the Liverpool fans start the "Justice for the 96" chant during the politician's visit to Anfield (a mere 5 years ago!).

[roger.haddad.]

Can't comment on the 30/30 since I haven't seen it.


But wow what a terrible week for CL football, hoping next week is a little better.

[surfer]

[roger.haddad.]

Chelsea is so good at sort of playing football its unbelievable. 19th Century if I've ever seen it, and yet, they lead at the half.

C'est la vie.

[roger.haddad.]

Liverpool 73% - 27% Chelsea possession
0 - 2

What a bummer, but it's all good. Was hoping Palace could do us some favors but clearly not happening lol.

Guess we'll just have to see what happens.

[surfer]

I'm pretty sure that's not how the fairy tale is supposed to end, with the knight slipping on a banana peel and letting the barbarians waltz into their castle to loot and pillage. The football god(s) is a cruel bitch of a mistress.

[roger.haddad.]

That's exactly it dude, the only people writing the script are the media, and they want Liverpool to win it cause it would be the best story. Hence, the hype began and steamrolled into this thing we have now.

Best part was reading Mou's post-match interview defending his tactics, which seemed eerily similar to West Ham's not too long ago.

Either way, the team with the most points will win.

[surfer]

19th Century if I've ever seen it.

The funniest thing about the repeated reference to this quote, is that it is the exact opposite of what Mourinho wanted to imply:

In the football matches of the 19th century defensive football was not played, and the line-ups reflected the all-attacking nature of these games.

In the first international game, Scotland against England on 30 November 1872, England played with seven or eight forwards in a 1–1–8 or 1–2–7 formation, and Scotland with six, in a 2–2–6 formation. For England, one player would remain in defence, picking up loose balls, and one or two players would hang around midfield and kick the ball upfield for the other players to chase. The English style of play at the time was all about individual excellence and English players were renowned for their dribbling skills. Players would attempt to take the ball forward as far as possible and only when they could proceed no further, would they kick it ahead for someone else to chase. Scotland surprised England by actually passing the ball among players. The Scottish outfield players were organised into pairs and each player would always attempt to pass the ball to his assigned partner. Ironically, with so much attention given to attacking play, the game ended in a 0–0 draw.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_ ... _football)

[Alastair]

Mainly because of the offside rule of the time, inherited from the rugby version of football. For a long time you couldn't pass forward, hence the dribbling until you lost possession, and the rest of the team following you.

There's a great book about tactics over the years called "Inverting The Pyramid" that I recommend people interested in this sort of thing should read.

http://www.amazon.com/Inverting-The-Pyr ... 1568587384

[Alastair]

I actually want City to win the League just so that Liverpool don't. Happier for the city (small "c") of Manchester to get another title than the Scousers break their drought.

[roger.haddad.]

I actually want City to win the League just so that Liverpool don't. Happier for the city (small "c") of Manchester to get another title than the Scousers break their drought.

Shame on you.

[surfer]

There's a great book about tactics over the years called "Inverting The Pyramid" that I recommend people interested in this sort of thing should read.

Great book, I reviewed it over on the Reading thread.

[roger.haddad.]

Anyone else a bit surprised at the Madrid/Bayern game?

I know Bayern has been apathetic lately but 4-0 at home is disgraceful.

The back-to-back CL title hunt lives another day.

[Wombatz]

Champions League: Bayern Munich

They're not looking much of a force yet, but of course it's very early. Still, it's very hard to imagine they could regain the same focus and determination they had last season. That kind of major attitude was completely un-Bayern, winning games by sheer willpower if need be (I tend to root against them, but found that completely impossible because they were so damn worthy). Also they probably now lack the personnel for plan b if a game starts going wrong. So I think they'll go out in the quarters ...

They did much better than I would have thought, national competition being less stiff this year, and opponents self-destructing right on time (e.g. Arsenal). Now Guardiola's taking on sole responsibility, as if tactics were a machine that took over games and he didn't so much depend on the player. Which is part of why they never regained last year's major attitude, even when they were still playing great ... next year should bring some serious bickering. It's nice to root against them again (as it should be).