Why would Pulisic eventually have to leave Dortmund? Can they really not keep up with wages? They've got really everything else an elite player could ever ask for.
2017 Champions League Knockout stage
- Thread starter Senator Donut
- Start date
These days are like Christmas for me.
Atletico has to hold on to a 1-0 first-leg victory. Playing at Leicester today, Atleti can just about seal its place in the semifinals by scoring one away goal. I'm going with a 1-1 draw.
Bayern has a much tougher task after falling 2-1 at home to Real Madrid. Bayern needs to win by two goals to advance, which is not impossible but certainly challenging.
Atletico has to hold on to a 1-0 first-leg victory. Playing at Leicester today, Atleti can just about seal its place in the semifinals by scoring one away goal. I'm going with a 1-1 draw.
Bayern has a much tougher task after falling 2-1 at home to Real Madrid. Bayern needs to win by two goals to advance, which is not impossible but certainly challenging.
Yes. Here is the UEFA top 20 in wages according to their FY15 report:
1. Barcelona - €340m
2. Real Madrid - €289m
3. Chelsea - €284m
4. Man C - €276m
5. Man U - €266m
6. PSG - €255m
7. Arsenal - €250m
8. Bayern - €236m
9. Liverpool - €216m
10. Juve - €198m
11. Milan - €164m
12. Tottenham - €141m
13. Roma - €137m
14. Wolfsburg - €120m
15. Inter - €120m
16. Dortmund - €118m
17. Zenit - €113m
18. Schalke - €111m
19. Swansea - €110m
20. Aston Villa - €110m (lol)
In FY15, Barcelona and Real Madrid were the top two in broadcast revenues (La Liga has lopsided revenue sharing). 17 of the next 18 clubs were from the EPL. Juve was #11. Even Bayern didn't register in the top 20. That means in FY15, Dortmund was pulling in less TV money than Sunderland, West Brom, Stoke, Crystal Palace, etc... The EPL TV money advantage is huge.
Gate receipts are a bit more mixed. Bayern is #4, Dortmund is #12 and only seven English clubs made the top 20. The number two German club was actually Hamburg at #11 overall.
Lots of good stuff from UEFA here:
http://www.uefa.org/MultimediaFiles/Download/OfficialDocument/uefaorg/Finance/02/42/27/91/2422791_DOWNLOAD.pdf
Wage stuff starts on page 87. The average club wage in the Bundesliga is €69.5m, as compared to €134.5m in the EPL. Amazingly, Serie A is just behind the Bundesliga and nudges ahead on aggregate (20 clubs in Serie A vs 18 in Bundesliga).
To be clear, I agree with those who want Pulisic to stay at Dortmund for a while (which is basically everyone), but big stars at clubs like Dortmund end up leaving because BVB is firmly in the second tier of the global hierarchy, financially speaking.
Thanks @Titans Bastard -- I knew there was a gap, but expected them to be closer to Spurs than Swansea! That really clarifies the split for the top-earning teams.
I'd put even odds on Vidal doing something stupid and picking up a second yellow before the match is done.
Fuck, Bayern really should have scored there.
Fuck, Bayern really should have scored there.
Neuer is incredible. Much like Messi, its just hard to imagine another player being better than him.
Edit: Lololol, and as a I write that, he gives up a really bad rebound.
Edit: Lololol, and as a I write that, he gives up a really bad rebound.
So is everyone on Bayern other than Lewa, Real's D is actually super impressive. CRon really is a twat, this team might be better off without him.
Alaba has been creating great space with his runs, but every time he tries to cross or shoot he looks terrible.
Also - Ronaldo with terrible decision making on that 2v1. As a fullback, that's exactly what you want a guy to do in that situation - hesitate & be indecisive.
Also - Ronaldo with terrible decision making on that 2v1. As a fullback, that's exactly what you want a guy to do in that situation - hesitate & be indecisive.
FTFY. Real really dominating the play IMO, but just horrifying play in the final third, particularly by Kroos and CRon. Also, if I'm Zizou I tell Casemiro to keep his ass planted behind the other 2 MF.
Bayern need more threat in the middle. Lewa by himself is drawing two defenders but no one on Bayern is able to capitalize with the space. I'd consider bringing Muller on for Xabi and having Vidal take over the pivot.
HERE WE GO! Dumb foul by Casemiro, even if it was a judgment call for the ref, not blatantly wrong.
Is Muller healthy? I can't imagine not having him in this game if so. He's one of the best handful of players in the world.
He twisted his ankle a few weeks ago, but he hasn't played well this year, I think he has 4 or 5 goals.
He's definitely not in form.
He hasn't been a regular selection for Ancelotti all season. There is no real role for him in Carlo's system and he has been in pretty awful form all year. He was horrendous playing striker in the first leg of this tie.
Bayern has too many semi-fit players on the field. Hummels isn´t at 100%, Boateng is already doing his "i´m cool"-trot, but it´s because of injury and not being 100%. Then Vidal is so stupid and gets the yellow in the 5th minute and is on the verge of being sent off after another Real guy turns 23 times. Lewandowski probably also isn´t at 100% after just coming back from injury. And some guys (RibRob, Xabi) are just old, although they are just holding their own.
Considering all of those problems, Bayern is really happy how this plays out so far. They knew they had to get two goals and RM is on their often talked about 50+ games goals streak...
Considering all of those problems, Bayern is really happy how this plays out so far. They knew they had to get two goals and RM is on their often talked about 50+ games goals streak...
Casemiro is a bawse, what a strong play and long ball to CRon, who despite being a prissy dickhole is excellent in the air. Bayern really behind the 8-ball now.
WHOA! Shoddy defending there. This match had excellent chances in the first half with crap finishing and now the defenses are giving them away.
Yeah, and after not giving the yellow to Real, that's Tim Donaghy-like. Not a good look.
EDIT: Lewandowski out now.
If there is any justice, the ref will give Casemiro a yellow the first time he touches another player. But if Zidane is smart, he takes off Casemiro at the break.
Both teams hitting speculative long balls. With a first half as fast as it was, completely understandable. What a save by Neuer on CRon!
Bayern can´t do more (for the moment) and is collecting their breath, Real doesn´t want to do more. They are just doing a little, but not really pressuring Bayern, considering how easy they get through to Bayerns box.
Casemiro either gets sent off or he should not take a pen if it goes that far. Karma is your friend!!!
Casemiro either gets sent off or he should not take a pen if it goes that far. Karma is your friend!!!
We love to bitch about instant replay slowing down sports in America, but come on - this is why it's needed. Fuck Madrid and fuck Ronaldo.
It's nitpicky, but Ronaldo's third was also offside. He was juuuust ahead of the ball.
This referee needs to have a long wait before he gets another game of this magnitude.
This referee needs to have a long wait before he gets another game of this magnitude.
I thought the Bruins game last night was bad. Between the offside, Vidal's phantom foul, and Casemiro getting off scot-free, this stinks to high heaven.
And with that Real has punched their ticket, what a run by Marcelo. Easily my favorite Real player. At least 2 Spanish teams in the semis.