Mirth wrote:Well, they have tried to make the TV money allocation slightly fairer but I think it's too early to say if that's had any effect.
They have? How is it being done? Wasn't aware
La Liga 16/17
Quincy Abeyie wrote:Let us just tell ourselves that.
It is though.
Sure it is.
The local players are more talented and better coached but the competition and management is better here.
Shady wrote:Barca get it back to 3-2 then Ter Stegen chips it up for the Celta forward to head in a fourth!
Selling Bravo and sticking with Stegen was a mistake that will bite them on the arse.
Amazing to think that in Cech and Ospina, we have two goalies who would walk into Barcelona's number 1 position.
Tony Montana wrote:The local players are more talented and better coached but the competition and management is better here.
The ultimate comparison can be made in European competition, and La Liga dominates hands down there.
Jed wrote:Shady wrote:Barca get it back to 3-2 then Ter Stegen chips it up for the Celta forward to head in a fourth!
Selling Bravo and sticking with Stegen was a mistake that will bite them on the arse.
Amazing to think that in Cech and Ospina, we have two goalies who would walk into Barcelona's number 1 position.
They want a sweeper keeper that can play it from the back. Now does that sound like Cech?
flobaba wrote:Tony Montana wrote:The local players are more talented and better coached but the competition and management is better here.
The ultimate comparison can be made in European competition, and La Liga dominates hands down there.
I think that's too simplistic. English football has has a rockier road to European success.
How so?
those damn foreign teams are preventing them from advancing.
flobaba wrote:How so?
No winter break, more domestic cups, domestic cups have a higher profile, etc. Premier League is played at a higher tempo under harsher conditions. The wind breaks most people who arrive straight from the south european leagues, which is why they need that long adaptation period. It's not like any of this is a secret. When you put it all together it means that players (and thus teams) tend to break more frequently.
I happen to think La Liga is stronger than Premier League, but the difference is marginal when you exclude the two big elephants in the room. English clubs would have a lot more European success if they weren't held back by their own FA. There seems to be this disdain for European football in England. I'm not sure if it ties into the general disdain for the rest of Europe, but English clubs aren't given the best chance to succeed in Champions League. How many times have we played an away game in Europe on a Wednesday night only to be scheduled for a league game at noon on Saturday?
Not to mention, the other leagues all move their big clubs matches to friday to allow more rest ahead of their European fixtures, but we dont't.
it's not just the big 2. atletico is better than every premier league team as well.
I don't think it's fair to remove Barcelona or Madrid from the equation since they have some of the best players in the world and key reason for the dominance of the league. You might as well exclude Juventus and Bayern from their respective leagues.
Tony Montana wrote:The local players are more talented and better coached but the competition and management is better here.
The management of English teams (both football and executives) is arguably the league's biggest weakpoint. The gulf in funds available to teams in the EPL and La Liga is gigantic yet the Spanish teams are clearly superior, even if you look at local talent that doesn't factor in the likes of Palace blowing 30m on Benteke. It's getting better these days but England is still clearly trailing in this aspect
Ridiculous assist by Ganso, literally nobody on the pitch expected that one. Good to see him doing well in Europe, always thought it was a shame he never fulfilled his early promise. Ronaldinho would've blushed seeing some of the outrageous skills he pulled, hope he pushes on now. Ben Yedder's second goal, back heel nutmegging the keeper to win the game in the 91st was pretty decent too
Not the best nutmeg or goal this match day though:
Mirth wrote:I don't think it's fair to remove Barcelona or Madrid from the equation since they have some of the best players in the world and key reason for the dominance of the league. You might as well exclude Juventus and Bayern from their respective leagues.
It's not just the Champion's League though. Even in Europa league they dominate.
I don't think anyone who watches La Liga with any regularity will dismiss the league as inferior.
Art wrote:Jed wrote:Selling Bravo and sticking with Stegen was a mistake that will bite them on the arse.
Amazing to think that in Cech and Ospina, we have two goalies who would walk into Barcelona's number 1 position.
They want a sweeper keeper that can play it from the back. Now does that sound like Cech?
What good is a 'sweeper keeper' if he can't stop goals raining in. Give me Cech over him any day of the week.
Its better for them to have a sweeper keeper than a pure shot stopper because of their play. They would rather concede goals like these than compromise their entire philosophy.
That Ganso assist made me think of this gem:
Clrnc wrote:Its better for them to have a sweeper keeper than a pure shot stopper because of their play. They would rather concede goals like these than compromise their entire philosophy.
their attack would be significantly less potent with him hoofing the ball like he did against burnley.
jones wrote:even if you look at local talent that doesn't factor in the likes of Palace blowing 30m on Benteke.
He's looking like a very good signing at the moment.
That's not the point though.
Sporting Gijon's GK Ivan Cuellar reacts to a reporter's false accusations with a class rant. Apparently some Depor fan in front of the stadium had an epileptic seizure which made Cuellar look (at the end of the clip below) very seriously in their direction, which the journo tried to sell as him trying to rile their fans up
Love the mix of genuine hostility and courtesy to explain why the bloke is an idiot 
They are pitching a product against a market where most fans follow individual PL teams. Most fans would probably watch their PL team anyway and switch once it gets boring. The clash will entice the casual viewers and spill over from other live games. I like the way La Liga has suddenly woken up and wants a taste of the PL's big bucks. The other day, I read about the Spanish authorities telling clubs to make their grass greener to improve the viewing experience.
It's at the same time as Everton-United, City-Chelsea and West Ham-Arsenal.
I sure as fuck won't be watching the Clasico because of this.
Stupid move.
9 days later
This goal will take some beating.
since that seems to be dead.
What a goal!
I thought this guy had retired :boris:
6 days later
Carrasco has really stepped it up this season:
Xabi Marcelo:
Poor goalkeeping for that Carrasco goal.
another young player who improves under simeone.
Carbon copy of the goal he scored against us.
Carrasco's finishing is really good. One of the best finishers for a winger in the world. I am surprised Wenger never went for him.
Carrasco was already pretty good at Monaco, innit
7 days later
Sergio Roberto getting murdered by Sevilla, fault at goal too. Yet in some corners on here you'll hear that he's better than Bellerin.
Top finish by Messi.
Chili Palmer wrote:Sergio Roberto getting murdered by Sevilla, fault at goal too. Yet in some corners on here you'll hear that he's better than Bellerin.
Can't believe he's the reason Bellerin can't get in the Spain team.