European Leagues Thread 2012-2026

[Sanguine]

Interesting* stat - Luis Suarez is now Barcelona's joint-third highest La Liga scorer ever, with 131 goals. First, hadn't realised just how many goals he had scored since his move, but second, it occurred to be that that's not many goals by which to be the third highest scorer ever at Barcelona. Had a look and sure enough only five players ever have over 100 league goals, Samuel Eto'o in fifth with 103.

Kluivert got 90 in seven years, Rivaldo 86 in six. Lineker was only there three seasons, Maradona two, Romario two, Ronaldo only one.

For a club that has dominated like Barcelona, it's a surprise that until Messi (who has more than twice as many goals as Cesar Alvarez, who played in the 50s) they haven't had many players who have stayed at the club for a long time, and consistently scored goals.

Hasn't that always essentially been the Barca way, certainly with forwards - buy in a top striker at the peak of his career, ring 2 or 3 strong years out of him before moving him on to part pay for a move for the next guy on the block.

True, guess I'd just not really noticed before. Can add Neymar to that list too (68 in four seasons).

[Winston Biscuit]

He is now putting out stats for his 9 years old son

[Winston Biscuit]

Istanbul Basaksehir lose at home to 2nd bottom Goztepe with Cameron Jerome scoring the winner. This means Galatasaray can go top on GD if they win their game in hand

The 2 clubs play each other on the penultimate game of the season

[Winston Biscuit]

PAOK win the Greek league. First non Athens team to win it for 31 years

[stealthpapes]

Istanbul Basaksehir lose at home to 2nd bottom Goztepe with Cameron Jerome scoring the winner. This means Galatasaray can go top on GD if they win their game in hand

The 2 clubs play each other on the penultimate game of the season

Looked that lot up as I'd never heard of them before. In the Turkish third tier as recently as 1997.

Can anyone tell me why the Super Lig badge has a photo of Rocky in it

[Winston Biscuit]

Istanbul Basaksehir lose at home to 2nd bottom Goztepe with Cameron Jerome scoring the winner. This means Galatasaray can go top on GD if they win their game in hand

The 2 clubs play each other on the penultimate game of the season

Looked that lot up as I'd never heard of them before. In the Turkish third tier as recently as 1997.

I wrote about them before on here (maybe in the undiscovered world thread). They are Erdogan's club. His brother runs them, your business gets awarded certain govt contracts if you sponsor the club, their fans are people bussed in from local council offices. I have a Turkish friend who flies back a few times a season to watch Galatasaray and he has told me about other generally accepted rumours about them including Arda Turan joining them on £100,000 a week (to sit on the bench and spend his evenings publicly living it up) as a thanks from Erdogan for being such a public supporter during his election

[stealthpapes]

oh alright seems legit

[Winston Biscuit]

Been watching the Dortmund game. 25 minutes to go and they are 3-1 down at home to lowly Schalke and down to 9 men.

They still had a really good chance of winning the league as Bayerns fixtures are very tough, but this feels like they have blown it big time

[Winston Biscuit]

Nainggolan
https://twitter.com/otfbravo/status/112 ... 05185?s=19

[Winston Biscuit]

PSG lose the cup final on penalties. Mbappe got sent off and then Neymar had a little jab at a fan in the crowd https://twitter.com/David_Heras/status/ ... 27968?s=19

[sandman]

He is now putting out stats for his 9 years old son

I know. How dare a father be proud of his son. Disgusting.

[Winston Biscuit]

Been watching the Dortmund game. 25 minutes to go and they are 3-1 down at home to lowly Schalke and down to 9 men.

They still had a really good chance of winning the league as Bayerns fixtures are very tough, but this feels like they have blown it big time

Bayern can only draw. Title race back on!

[Stranded]

Been watching the Dortmund game. 25 minutes to go and they are 3-1 down at home to lowly Schalke and down to 9 men.

They still had a really good chance of winning the league as Bayerns fixtures are very tough, but this feels like they have blown it big time

Bayern can only draw. Title race back on!

Yep Bayern's draw keeps it alive but Bayern can now afford to draw one game and still win the title on GD - assuming Dortmund win all 3. Dortmund exploded at the weekend against the weakest Schalke team in years - I know a derby can bring out the best in weaker sides but not a good day at the office.

Next week could be pivotal - Bayern host bottom club Hannover (who will be relegated if they lose) whils Dortmund travel to 9th place Werder Bremen (who's season is over).

Bayern's final two are Leipzig (a) and Frankfurt (H) - Leipzig are 3rd but their season is over really as they will finish there whilst Frankfurt may need a point or 2 to get to the Champions League. How focussed Frankfurt will be may depend on if they get past Chelsea or not.

[Hendo]

Istanbul Basaksehir lose at home to 2nd bottom Goztepe with Cameron Jerome scoring the winner. This means Galatasaray can go top on GD if they win their game in hand

The 2 clubs play each other on the penultimate game of the season

I am sure that will be a nice quiet affair...

[Sanguine]

Christ. Iker Casillas has been taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack in training.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48125061

[Winston Biscuit]

PSG lose again. They've been a right shambles recently .

[Winston Biscuit]

The Serie A race for Champions Leagus places resembles the PL a bit with clubs seemingly doing all they can to not secure one. Atalanta have now got themselves up to 4th and are just 3 points off 3rd. With teams slipping up ahead of them, Torino in 7th are now only 3 points off a CL spot.

[Winston Biscuit]

I know someone who is a fan of Paderborn who just secured promotion from the German 3rd division and could still clinch the title. They have by miles the best goal difference, when they win they win big. they have scored 24 and conceded 0 in their last 7 games

Wrote that^ 1 year ago today. Paderborn are now in an automatic spot to go up to the Bundesliga with just 3 matches left to play. It's very tight at the top and they do have to play Hamburg in those last games though.

[sandman]

Iker has posted an update on Twitter.



"Everything controlled here, a big scare but with the forces intact. Thank you very much everyone for the messages and the love"

[Stranded]

I know someone who is a fan of Paderborn who just secured promotion from the German 3rd division and could still clinch the title. They have by miles the best goal difference, when they win they win big. they have scored 24 and conceded 0 in their last 7 games

Wrote that^ 1 year ago today. Paderborn are now in an automatic spot to go up to the Bundesliga with just 3 matches left to play. It's very tight at the top and they do have to play Hamburg in those last games though.

2. Bundesliga is a very exciting promotion race this year, or at least turned into one - a few weeks ago it was looking like a procession for Cologne and Hamburg (the relegated clubs from last season).

Cologne are still out in front by 5 points but have only take 2 points from the last 4 games - including a 4-4 draw at bottom club Duisburg and a 3-0 defeat at Dresden, which should see Dynamo safe from the drop.

Their dip in form is nothing compared to Hamburg's collapse, they have failed to win in 7 and only picked up 3 points in that time. They lost to Union Berlin in the last game which saw them slip out of the top 3 and therefore out of even the play-off place.

6 games ago Paderborn were 9 points behind Hamburg but now lead them by a point.

All 3 of these clubs have relatively easy run-ins but as Paderborn have to host Hamburg, Union will feel quite confident of nicking 2nd spot.