Soccer 2013-2014

Brando_sl said:

Tevez to Juve, guessing that means Higuain is going to the Gunners.

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Hope that is indeed the case, but if anyone can screw it up - its us. Diving aside, Neymar has been absolutely amazing in this Confed Cup the past few weeks. Spain/Brazil final this weekend would be really fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see what Reina ends up doing - think on his day he is a better GK than Mignolet, but that won't be the case for too much longer and I'm not sure he's down for that kind of competition. Tevez is a good fit at Juve, think he'll do well in Italy.

Biggest xfer saga still seems to be Cavani - only a few clubs can afford him, and none have made any really serious effort to sign him. Thiago to Manc still seems doable - Isco to RM is all I could ask for - would have hated him in the BPL.

Arsenal have done a fair job so far of unloading a lot of dead weight (though I won't be totally satisfied until Bendtner/Chamakh are totally off the books) - but haven't done anything of note yet. Signed Sanogo it would seem, but he's just another decent prospect. Anything less than 2-3 big money moves (for Arsenal that means >$18m) will be met with a ton of dissent. Make or break summer for Arsenal/Wenger, who could genuinely be managing PSG this time next year if things don't go well.

Not long now until summer tours/pre-season tournaments/friendlies get going again....

Not going to debate it, as there are Arsenal fans who feel the same - but I completely disagree. Most goals in Spain the past 6 years save Ronaldo/Messi - the best players on the planet, and he's not even first choice. Playing with Ronaldo and still scoring is okay with me. He may come in and flop, but he's still young/hungry and he's never been the focal point of an attack. That might hinder him as much as help him though, time will tell. He's also been excellent for Argentina, playing with the GOAT. Moot until he signs anyways, but I'd have taken him over Rooney at the start of the summer (a stance a lot of Arsenal fans disagree with). if he comes in at the estimated price of $22m pounds, the price is right as well.

That said, if he's the only "big" player to come in - we still have problems. Arteta is solid, but we need a Fellaini/Bender etc. Hard to see Arsenal spending $40+ on 2 players alone.

Italy should be up by 2 goals at least.... will probably come back to bite them in the ass now. Torres just missed a great chance. Really hoping for a Spain/Brazil final.

Fucking great - love PK's. Bonucci.... fuck man. That was really fun, final/3rd place games should both be really fun.

One of the best 45 min team shifts I've seen in a while - Brazil tactically is tearing Spain apart.... That Luiz block was the play of the half, and Neymar continuing his fantastic form this tournament. What a player. Xavi/Iniesta are invisible. Atmosphere in that stadium looks awesome - kicking myself for waiting to book hotels/tickets for next summer.

First Bayern rapes Barca, now Brazil is absolutely destroying Spain. End of an era? Not sure - think Spain still have to be favorites next summer, but the fact that they literally have no plan b - no other way to play - will be tough for them next summer. Italy should have won earlier this week anyways, but simply weren't talented/clinical enough. Would love to see a Germany/Brazil. Brazils physical play has totally disrupted Spain, and nobody in a Spain kit will feel like they've played to their level tonight.

Scolari deserves some credit as well for his plan tonight - great tournament and warmup for next summer. Can't wait.