European Leagues Thread 2012/2013

[From Despair To Where?]

There is something about Bilbao and wider Spanish Basque region that I find quite fascinating. I would be a Sociedad fan if I was out there. An old friend of mine was from San Sebastien and they always made it sound lovely.

I think Bilbao and Socieded (who recently stopped it) have a policy of only playing Basque born players and never ever buying anybody pretty much

Sociedad had for years a policy of having overseas players but not Spanish non basques

Fun fact - Athletic Bilbao fans never call their club by that name. It's called Athletic Club over there. Bilbao FC was another club, set up by British workers, that Athletic Club, set up by the Basques, were forced to merge with years ago.

I was going to say John Aldridge became Real Sociedad's first foreign player 30 years ago.

Dalian Atkinson played there as well. He was their first black player and this being less enlightened times, the fans nicknamed him The Squid.

Athletic Bilbao had a reputation for nicking all the best youth players in the region.

[Pepe the Horseman]

There is something about Bilbao and wider Spanish Basque region that I find quite fascinating. I would be a Sociedad fan if I was out there. An old friend of mine was from San Sebastien and they always made it sound lovely.

Loved the Sociedad team that ran Real close back in 2002/03. A young Xabi Alonso. Kovacevic and Nihat up top. And Valeri Karpin <3

[Whore Jackie]

I think Bilbao and Socieded (who recently stopped it) have a policy of only playing Basque born players and never ever buying anybody pretty much

Sociedad had for years a policy of having overseas players but not Spanish non basques

Fun fact - Athletic Bilbao fans never call their club by that name. It's called Athletic Club over there. Bilbao FC was another club, set up by British workers, that Athletic Club, set up by the Basques, were forced to merge with years ago.

I was going to say John Aldridge became Real Sociedad's first foreign player 30 years ago.

Dalian Atkinson played there as well. He was their first black player and this being less enlightened times, the fans nicknamed him The Squid.

Athletic Bilbao had a reputation for nicking all the best youth players in the region.

And Kevin Richardson.



Great article in The Guardian a few months ago about them

[Stranded]

Budesliga clubs can welcome back full stadiums next weekend for the first time. Varies from state to state but most will be allowed to have between 70 and 100% capacity. Only a small percentage of unvaccinated people will be allowed however and must show a valid test result to enter - otherwise only vaccinated or recovered people can attend.

Frankfurt ultras going all Wizard as Eintracht have opened the terrace on their request but due to the compact nature of terracing have requested that masks be worn (following discussions with the local health authorites) - as a result, the Ultras are boycotting the game.

[Sanguine]

'Disappointing' start to the season for Villereal in that they remain unbeaten after 7 games yet are only 11th in the table, which can't have happened too often.

[Simmops]

'Disappointing' start to the season for Villereal in that they remain unbeaten after 7 games yet are only 11th in the table, which can't have happened too often.

[Simmops]

Samir Nasri go FAAAAAAT

[Sanguine]

Pedri has often looked this year like one of the next young stars of world football, and Barcelona have reflected this in his new contract - expected to sign this weekend until 2026, with a €1bn release clause.

[Winston Biscuit]

Pedri has often looked this year like one of the next young stars of world football, and Barcelona have reflected this in his new contract - expected to sign this weekend until 2026, with a €1bn release clause.

Its Spanish employment law they have to have one in their contract, so the players can negotiate a higher wage if they allow the clubs to set the clause stupidly high so it effectively become null and void and it means the club can then negotiate a future potential transfer on their own terms. Its just a way of getting around the law requirement and effectively getting rid of the release clause. There are loads of players in Spain that have release clauses of hundreds of millions, some pretty bang average players among them.

I have noticed the press here love reporting the release clause though trying to almost pretend that it is set because that is how much the club must value them at.

I wonder if any player has been happy to have the clause set at one of these stupidly high levels but has demanded one higher than anyone else has ever had, just to appease their ego

[Sanguine]

Pedri has often looked this year like one of the next young stars of world football, and Barcelona have reflected this in his new contract - expected to sign this weekend until 2026, with a €1bn release clause.

Its Spanish employment law they have to have one in their contract, so the players can negotiate a higher wage if they allow the clubs to set the clause stupidly high so it effectively become null and void and it means the club can then negotiate a future potential transfer on their own terms. Its just a way of getting around the law requirement and effectively getting rid of the release clause. There are loads of players in Spain that have release clauses of hundreds of millions, some pretty bang average players among them.

I have noticed the press here love reporting the release clause though trying to almost pretend that it is set because that is how much the club must value them at.

Ah, had no idea, ta!

[Winston Biscuit]

On the flip side, release clauses are illegal in French sports contracts so the French authorities often say no one there has one, but it has been speculated a lot since Neymar went to PSG that he was made to take out a personal legal contract with the owners of PSG which basically equates to a release clause. Though I heard a journalist once say that it would make for an interesting court case if Neymar tried to test it as the law may well dismiss his personal agreement with the owners

[From Despair To Where?]

Pedri has often looked this year like one of the next young stars of world football, and Barcelona have reflected this in his new contract - expected to sign this weekend until 2026, with a €1bn release clause.

Its Spanish employment law they have to have one in their contract, so the players can negotiate a higher wage if they allow the clubs to set the clause stupidly high so it effectively become null and void and it means the club can then negotiate a future potential transfer on their own terms. Its just a way of getting around the law requirement and effectively getting rid of the release clause. There are loads of players in Spain that have release clauses of hundreds of millions, some pretty bang average players among them.

I have noticed the press here love reporting the release clause though trying to almost pretend that it is set because that is how much the club must value them at.

Ah, had no idea, ta!

Alfa Semedo has a release clause of something like €25,000,000. Obviously he's not worth a tenth of that but it didn't stop LordCKS w@nking himself silly on Twitter over it because he doesn't understand how contracts work in other countries.

[Simmops]

Rather mental sending off in an Irish league game.

Goalkeeper let's a goal in and then charges and his defender, smashing him in the head and then strangling him

Aaron McCarey: 'It's just madness, it's crazy' - Leeman on keeper's red card for striking team-mate - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58935199

[paultheroyal]

Managers reaction after the game was disgraceful. Rather than condemning the incident he says "need to look at how we conceded the goal".

Clearly discipline issues at that club and be surprised if he manages and goalkeeper plays again.

[Winston Biscuit]

Juventus lose at home to Sassuolo after conceding in the 95th minute

10 games in to the season and they are 13 (THIRTEEN) points off Milan who are top.

Amazing start from Milan who have dropped just 2 points so far. If Napoli win their game in hand tomorrow then they also match Milan's record

[Winston Biscuit]

Barcelona lose to Vallecano and remain 9th.

Top of La Liga is looking fun at the moment. Though Real Madrid and Atletico have games in hand which would see them go back to the top if they win.

[Winston Biscuit]

Monchengladbach 5 - 0 Bayern

Still 10 minutes to go

[URZZZZ]

Barcelona lose to Vallecano and remain 9th.

Top of La Liga is looking fun at the moment. Though Real Madrid and Atletico have games in hand which would see them go back to the top if they win.

In what must be the least surprising news of the month, Koeman has now been sacked, inevitable for a while really

[Ark Royal]

Monchengladbach 5 - 0 Bayern

Still 10 minutes to go

Gladbach's second goal was a thing of beauty. Goal of the season contender: https://youtu.be/nqY2nmIXXVk?t=46

[Sanguine]

One of the worst penalties you will ever see, by Granada's Luis Suarez. Albeit it does appear that the turf around the penalty spot gave way.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59088923