Knew the lanky blonde lad was going to fluff it, comical outcome. Knew Azpi would too, he was nervous and rushed his routine. Thought Barkley would miss but he hit a good one. It was written in the stars that the little known player brought on just to score a pen would miss.
Europa League 2018/19 | The Noble Wulf Edition
- Thread starter P-Ro
- Start date
Going out on a limb and predicting an all English Super Cup final.
We're gonna beat you in the super cup to decide the best team in Europe.
3 extremely tense nights of football in a row. Only issue I have with this is that the majority of them had an absolutely disgusting end to them.
Chelsea have a better chance to beat Arsenal even in their current state. Rather them win the Europa than Arsenal.
Not just because it was against Chelsea but I always love it when a player is brought on for pens ends up missing.
This bloke interviewing kepa on bt is a weirdo. Talking very slowly and grinning his head off after every question
Feel so sorry for Frankfurt. I got a mate at work who has gone to every single Europa League game this season, massive fan. Really wanted him to go to Baku and enjoy the ride until the end.
Amazing. The top 5 teams all have something on the line. Hope it continues.
Where do I sign? I'd give £100 for that to happen.
Better than the other bloke they have who kept putting his hands on everyone's shoulder. That was creepy as hell.
Yep, was odd. He's Spanish, not a Labrador puppy.
Yeah. Pretty much all of them ended opposite to what I wanted. Not that fussed about Ajax v Spurs anymore but gutted for Frankfurt today.
But this was the semis of the EL.
Should have the final at Wembley. Travelling all the way to Baku with only such a small number of tickets for the fans is such a shame.
Knew that sub for Frankfurt would miss.
Top 5 teams competing for honours this month, and we'll be announcing a new puff wheat sponsor
Top 5 teams competing for honours this month, and we'll be announcing a new puff wheat sponsor
Edit: Ignore me. Google is wrong
Enough reasons not to watch. None of this teams really has been interesting this season.
It's at 8pm UK time
Google is wrong it seems. Whoops
Also can't believe someone hasn't talked to Jorginho about his pathetic penalties. But I guess Azpilicueta's behaviour at the coin toss once again confirms that professional football clubs do not prepare for penalty shoot-outs. Which is baffling to say the least.
just talked to him. He confirmed it.
It’s an absurd opinion really. Spurs vs City, Liverpool vs Barca and Ajax vs Spurs were all incredible ties. Maybe equaled in the past but never bettered.
Oh feck off Chavs 
Oh for sure, its where I'd rather be....
I mean, who wants to go to Madrid when you can go to Baku instead?
Not that he's a key player for Arsenal any more given his terrible form but I presume Mikhi is going to be barred from playing in Azberbijan again?
Jorginho hardly missed one for Napoli. He did cock up his league cup final penalty though.
Higuain refusing to take penalties anymore amuses me. It's like he's thinking the whole press box is full of Argentine journalists ready to lay into him again.
Kepa is really starting to look the part, very good goalkeeper.
Jorginho hardly missed one for Napoli. He did cock up his league cup final penalty though.
Higuain refusing to take penalties anymore amuses me. It's like he's thinking the whole press box is full of Argentine journalists ready to lay into him again.
He’s totally washed up though isn’t he. Looks bloody awful.
Jorginho hardly missed one for Napoli. He did cock up his league cup final penalty though.
Higuain refusing to take penalties anymore amuses me. It's like he's thinking the whole press box is full of Argentine journalists ready to lay into him again.
I hate when centre forwards don't want to take pens. I'd rather see Higuain arguing with Hazard every single time wanting the ball.
That would only happen if the ball was replaced with a cheeseburger.
Nobody is taking one of those from Eden.
I don't care whether forwards, defenders or goalkeepers take them. What's important is that they should only be taken by players who understand that you should hit them top left, top centre or top right and NOWHERE else. And if they don't understand this then they ought to study historical penalty data. I find penalties such as Hinteregger's or Azpilicueta's absolutely infuriating. It's unprofessional.
Nice to go through, shame the final is In Baku. Can’t be bothered with the travelling to go, worst venue in the history of the competition.
Knew Azpi was missing his pen, never seen anyone in such a rush to get it over with.
Knew Azpi was missing his pen, never seen anyone in such a rush to get it over with.
Whilst this is true, I can guarantee you there’s not a single player in either of those squads that can’t put a pen top corner 9/10 times in training. People just revert to safety under pressure and the prospect of putting a pen over is a lot worse than the keeper saving a low one.
It is a bit mad to have a London derby in Azerbaijan. Moving it to Wembley would save fans hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Fact: most people who judge players missing penalties in front of 80.000 stadium attendees and 1 Bio TV spectators couldn't pee in a straight line if more than two people were watching
Would be ideal. Barring paying 2k for flights, its a 3 stop 19 hour flight each way for me, complete nightmare and don't have the motivation for it.
The pressure factor has to be accounted for and can influence the shot quality but I don't accept this as an excuse. The way some players approach penalties (see Azpi's run-up) looks more like a lack of basic preparation. I was particularly disappointed by his as he hit two brilliant penalties vs Spurs and City. I can guarantee you if every player aimed for the top corners, the historical xG value of penalties would be a lot higher than 0.76. On the other hand captains still opt to go second when we know that 60% of shoot-outs are won by the team that goes first. When you consider how data-driven the sport has become and how much is at stake in these games, such basic mistakes are kind of hard to accept.
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