The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

PSG, because it's basically a state enterprise of Qatar, basically has unlimited money and with it unlimited talent. With that in mind, they've won Ligue 1 (which is firmly fifth-best in Europe if that) nine times in the last 11 seasons (and even then they've screwed it up and lost in 2017 to Kylian Mbappe's Monaco and in 2021 to Lille). In the past, they were known for being incredibly posh but not even all that successful. Now all that money still hasn't won them jack shit in the Champions League, which is the competition that matters (especially given how mediocre the French league is). In that 11-year-span, the only times they didn't crash out in the round of 16 or the quarterfinals were 2020 (when they got to the final of the jury-rigged pandemic tournament and lost to Bayern) and 2021 (in which they lost to Man City in the semis).

The only French team to win the Champions League is still 1993 Olympique Marseille, which bribed their last league opponent before the final to roll over and not injure them, which caused them to be kicked out the following year.

 

PSG may be a petrol puppet, but it does have the not inconsiderable advantage of being in Paris. If you’ve already got millions in the bank, a move to Saudi loses its charm.

 

well that bears further reading on my part. Gracias.

 

The French league is a low No. 5 on the European totem pole. And yet they have at least 4 clubs that can hold their own in Europe. I don't even know who's No. 6. Netherlands perhaps with Ajax?

 

Gotta be the Netherlands.

 

Maybe one of our esteemed towel-wearing bone sawyers can buy Stade de Reims and get them over the hump then.

 

https://awfulannouncing.com/soccer/atlas-fc-fake-quote-nazi-joseph-goebbels.html

JFC Atlas, a little perspective goes a long ways.

 

The Irish scored an Olimpico against Canada. Should be on sports reels soon.

 

Speaking of the order of European leagues, I read this morning where Bayern is pushing hard to sign Harry Kane.
That doesn't seem like the best move to me. He'll likely get a huge payday and win trophies there, but going from the Premier League to the Bundesliga is not a step up in terms of big picture.

 

He's done everything individually he can do in the Prem, and while it saddens me to say it, Spurs aren't winning trophies anytime soon. So the move makes personal sense for him.

 

He also might want to get away from an indicted owner.