ScoRoss 766 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Al-Jazira (UAE Champions) beat Auckland City (OFC Champions League Winners) in the first round. Gremio enters on Tuesday, against the winner of Pachuca vs Wydad Casablanca. Real Madrid enters on Wednesday, against the winner of Al-Jazira vs Urawa Red Diamonds. Edited December 9, 2017 by ScoRoss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan 15,562 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 well it's quite obvious Real will win given that they're top despite having less points than a team that's already won a game 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Chris 2,317 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 If Real don#'t improve from how they have been playing this season, then Gremio will do them in the final. You can't underestimate South American opposition as they will make you pay if you aren't at your best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandoEFC 6,923 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Auckland have this covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 4 hours ago, The Rebel CRS said: If Real don#'t improve from how they have been playing this season, then Gremio will do them in the final. You can't underestimate South American opposition as they will make you pay if you aren't at your best. Agreed. Gremio are a good side and this is the first year that the South American sides get to completely keep their title winning side. Before the competition ended in June and the whole side was taken apart. I still expect Real to win it but it wouldn't shock me at all if they don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero 4,881 Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 (edited) They should really post pone this comp a few weeks and let the MLS champion join in too. Id like to see Toronoto vs Real Madrid. That would be a laugh Edited December 10, 2017 by Cicero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panflute 521 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 The Grêmio vs. Pachuca match did go into extra time, but it still showed that Grêmio was the far better side. After about an hour, Pachuca's forces started to wane, while Grêmio showed the technical prowess and fitness of a top football side. We had to wait a long time for a goal, which may be down to either a lack of creativity or both teams playing not to lose rather than to win, but Grêmio have a good a chance as any Brazilian team to take the trophy back to South America. Real Madrid is an uncertain factor as they haven't played many good matches this season, but even an out-of-form Madrid should still be leagues above Grêmio (let alone Al-Jazira) if we look at individual skill, depth of squad, tactical options, etc. That should make for an interesting final, but somehow it wouldn't surprise me if Real messed up tonight as it is that kind of season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panflute 521 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 On 12/10/2017 at 3:43 AM, Cicero said: They should really post pone this comp a few weeks and let the MLS champion join in too. Id like to see Toronoto vs Real Madrid. That would be a laugh I've been thinking about the possibility to move this comp to another date, but December seems to be the only possible time to do it for it to not interfere with either Champions League or summer competitions/player holidays. The fact that it's always organized in either the Middle East or Japan also makes it a dent in any schedule. I really wish this competition would become a bigger deal. It's a competition to determine the best football club in the world, which should carry a lot of weight, but especially in Europe it's still considered by many to be a glorified training tournament. Maybe if it were organized interspersedly between Europe and one of the Americas instead of some oil nation, it'd generate a bit more interest. But I suppose that due to the geographical distance between each competitor, it'll always remain a nuisance in any trainer's schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan 15,562 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Real Madrid losing 1-0 to Al Jazira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Al Jazira 1-0 up against Real Madrid at half time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 7 hours ago, Panflute said: I've been thinking about the possibility to move this comp to another date, but December seems to be the only possible time to do it for it to not interfere with either Champions League or summer competitions/player holidays. The fact that it's always organized in either the Middle East or Japan also makes it a dent in any schedule. I really wish this competition would become a bigger deal. It's a competition to determine the best football club in the world, which should carry a lot of weight, but especially in Europe it's still considered by many to be a glorified training tournament. Maybe if it were organized interspersedly between Europe and one of the Americas instead of some oil nation, it'd generate a bit more interest. But I suppose that due to the geographical distance between each competitor, it'll always remain a nuisance in any trainer's schedule. I agree, but I'd change the wording of that. Its a competition to determine the champion of the world, but not the best. When Corinthians won in 2012, they had some great players but they were not better than Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Those times when South American club level was world class are long over. Atletico Nacional was the best South American team since Bianchi's Boca Juniors last year but that's the only team that was even remotely close to "world class". Money has killed the level in South America and while its still fun to watch and you get the odd world class team, its not the norm like it was before the 1990's. Every team except the Europeans take this seriously, and I say that loosely because the teams do care but the fans see it as a distraction. Even then though its a competition they are expected to win, and the celebrations from them are not as great as one would hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan 15,562 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Real equalise through Ronaldo after Al Jazira had a goal disallowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandoEFC 6,923 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 The Be in sports commentator sounds like he's on a waltzer. MarceloooooOOOOOooooo RonaldoooooOOOOOOooooo IscoooOOOOOOoooooOOOO CasemiroooooOOOOOOOOoooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 If Real Madrid win and play like this against Gremio, they will be torn apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Every single counter by Al Jazira results in a dangerous chance. The Real Madrid line is so high and offensive. I don't think Zidane will be stupid enough to try that against Gremio but if they do, just a note that Gremio have much better decision making than these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Al Jazira fans were cheering for Real Madrid at the start of this and are now booing them. That is a superb twist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 2-1. Ah well at least we'll get a proper final. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I hate VAR and I'm totally against it as you all know. Al Jazira can't use that as an excuse for their loss. Real Madrid also had a goal ruled out and the offside was the correct call. Although I would prefer to just leave it as a goal if the referee didn't see an offside, there is no excuse for either side here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon 2,669 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Amazing.. This Aljazeera game will be remembered forever and make Blu-ray dvd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panflute 521 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Not a bad team for a television station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirBalon 2,669 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Panflute said: Not a bad team for a television station. Same people that own PSG and City aren’t they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 I always predict the South American sides to give the Europeans a game in the final, but its the first time in a while I actually think they'll win. I hope they do it too. Viva la Gremio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 0-0 between Gremio and Real. Real playing better as most would expect but their finishing has been awful. Gremio with a good final tackle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Disappointed with Gremio. Thought they would give Real more of a game, but they are being completely outclassed. Real Madrid the kings of efficiency as usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Why does Keylor Navas look like he's about to grow hair similar to Calamaty James? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Its honestly just struck me that these are the worst champions since San Lorenzo. Luan and Arthur are literally the only reason they've won the Libertadores. There were a few other decent players like the full backs Cortez and Edilson but overall Atletico Nacional was 3 times the side these are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Just now, Cannabis said: Just proves that South America is not even close to being on Europe's level. You're not wrong But to say our football is irrelevant is a very European centric view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 @Cannabis These days South American clubs get their level through individualism and players who are capable to play in Europe rather than actual fully built squads like Europe is. Flamengo with Guerrero, Trauco and Diego Palmeiras last year with Mina and Jesus Boca with Benedetto, Nandez and Cardona River earlier this year with Driussi and Alario Gremio with Arthur and Luan As a few examples. Its all individualism and that's what will win them their next clash against the Europeans. Quality over quantity for them. European is quality and quantity. Atletico Nacional of 2016 was the only team in the last few years that wasn't based of individualism and every player was just as good as each other. Had the team not been taken apart, they would have given Real Madrid a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panflute 521 Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 It was very nice to see Real play a game like this. Some will see this win as the logical result of the difficulty gap between South America and Europe in terms of club football, but this season in the league, Real Madrid has struggled in almost every single game. Compare this to the semi-final, where Real Madrid gave away so many chances against an inferior team, whereas Grêmio's only real opportunity last night was that Roberto Carlos-style free kick that flew just over the bar. The way they shut that team down, and the way players like Modric, Isco and Varane played, makes me a bit more optimistic about their possibilities for the rest of the season, although even last night it was obvious that Real Madrid has a problem when it comes to finishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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