₦airaland Forum

Some people sha. Imagine bringing up VVD's failure to make the Dutch squad for a tournament that took place 6 years ago as an argument against his current status as the best CB in the game. Was Van Dijk at the same level he currently is way back in 2014? By your logic, today's Salah is wack because he wasn't good enough at Chelsea in 2014. Just look how stupid that sounds.

I was reading an interview earlier today where Sule specifically mentioned VvD and how he raised his game when he moved to Liverpool to become the best in the world and how he (Sule) hoped to do the same.

If the best defender at your club sees VvD as a role model and he's looking to emulate him, who are you to question his quality?

The mainstream media and the PR machine at Madrid has built Ramos to be bigger than what he really is. He hasn't even been the best defender in La Liga in the last few years. Godin and Pique have been better. Pique's outspoken nature when it comes to the politics in Spain has earned few admirers so it's no surprise that he doesn't get mentioned as before.

Godin might not be having the best of times at Inter now but he was certainly the best CB in La Liga before he left. He was the fulcrum of the best defense in La Liga history. A proper stopper, Strong in the air. A fantastic organiser and team leader. Ramos gets a lot of credit for scoring decisive goals, but people forget Godin has that in his locker. His equaliser at the Camp Nou on the last day of the season in 2014 won Atletico their first league title in like forever. He was seconds away from winning the CL for Atleti with his goal that same year. At the World Cup in Brazil, his goal against Italy saw Uruguay through to the next round. Those were just a few of his big game performances. It's almost sacrilegious to think he didn't get the recognition he deserved. All because he didn't have the same profile as Ramos and played for the other team in Madrid.

They say Madrid's midfield and fullbacks leaves the defence exposed. The same midfield that has a destroyer in Casemiro and a safety-first, risk-averse Kroos. Tell us another story. Even Modric the little guy puts in his fair share of defensive work.

Marcelo is the only defensive liability in that backline. Carvajal's defense is very good for an attacking fullback. The guy's tenacity and aggression is something else.

Even before Zidane, Ramos has always had ample protection in front of him. Under Mourinho, there was the double pivot of Alonso and Khedira shielding him. The two Diarras, Gago, Essien etc.Even before Carvajal, he had Arbeloa, a RB who played more like a third CB supporting him in defense.

So why are they trying to make it seem like Ramos is the only one defending at Real Madrid?

Lordave, my nigga! You made front page!

How you dey, bro? It's been a while and we no dey see you for our thread again.

This begging culture is gradually becoming a thing of shame for Nigeria in the international community. We are not only "fantastically corrupt", we are now a nation of beggars. The whole thing is sickening. Whatever happened to our pride as a people? We are now not content with begging and harassing our local celebrities for giveaways, we've gone international. Even the FG begged Elon Musk for ventilators. There is the danger of this shameful act being normalized. People no even dey shame again. Smh.

See people claiming to be Bayern fans, when for NL we no even pass 5 A40, raumdeuter, omotayos01, na so we plenty reach?

I bet those guys are mostly Assnal fans. They want compensation for the emotional trauma inflicted by Bayern all those years

I find Godx's opinion on Ramos interesting as it creates room for a different point of view. I personally think Ramos is a very good defender but i also agree he is a tad overrated. Being overrated doesn't mean you are not good just as you can be the best without being perfect.

The idea of Ramos being a super-defender is one that has been helped in part by his persona. He is football's number one pantomime villain and a master of the dark arts. And he looked cool doing it. Pepe at Real did the same nasty and cynical stuff but somehow we like to think of him as a psycho. Ramos is football's archetypal anti-hero. You love him as much as you hate him. The idea of a streetwise footballer who puts everything on the line to win is something we all love. Leader. Warrior. Lovable rogue.

This stereotype rather than his actual defensive prowess has helped create the general perception of Ramos. Not to mention the glamour of playing for the greatest club in the world.

Sergio Ramos is a fantastic defender but his habitual recklessness sometimes put his teams in difficult positions. His disciplinary record is somehow disappointing for a top CB. Who could forget his stupid decision to pick up a needless suspension against Ajax last season? We all saw what happened afterwards. He manages to get himself sent off every other Clasico but hey he scores in decisive moments and big games and all his sins are forgiven.

Shekpe players just be disgracing their clubs for all these esports tournaments wey dem dey play. Imagine Reece James losing 0-8 to Andre Gomes for ePL. Mount sef chop 5 for Cantwell hand for another competition. Azpi lose 2-0 for one. In fact, the only time a Chelsea player won was when Abraham beat Hudson-Odoi 5-2. SMH.

Roland17:
As much as I love and have defended him, this is good radiance. We need to move on from Ozil and many others after this season, that has been my position. I hope a concrete offer comes from China.

China ke? The man is basically persona non grata there after the outrage over his comments on the treatment of a certain group of Muslims in China. Any club signing him will be committing PR suicide. Ozil sef no go wan go there.

The US is a more likely option. I hear he has business interests in America and he is also looking to grow his brand. Zlatan has left and there is a gap in the MLS for another big name player from Europe. I think he should move if a decent offer comes in.

A number of alternatives are open to Coach Hansi Flick in light of the injury to his star man. He could turn to the old, tested but not trusted trick of playing Muller as a false nine. Or better still play Gnabry in that same role. Heck, he could give rising star Zirkzee a shot at CF.

Of all these options, the Gnabry one looks the most appealing and likely. The Germany international is no stranger to this role, having trialled in a more central position under Jorgi Low during the Euro qualifiers and friendlies.

Gnabry is clearly not the same type of player as Lewy so Bayern would have to alter their approach when attacking. Lewy was usually the target of direct balls from the back because he could hold up the ball and bring others into play. Playing with his back to the goal, he could lay off the ball to teammates running in behind. While Gnabry lacks the strength and aerial prowess to do this, he has other attributes that could see him succeed in this role.

Unlike Thomas Muller, he is comfortable playing on the half-turn. Gnabry's close control and dynamism allows him to navigate tight spaces. Like most false nines, he can operate 'in the hole' and along the halfspaces. Gnabry constant movement and drifting to the wings could cause problems for opposition CBs who could get torn between following him or holding their position.

While extolling Gnabry's skillset, there's another player that could complement his abilities and make him excel at this role: Leon Goretzka. While capable of playing as part of a double pivot, Goretzka's best position is in an advanced 8 position. There, his biggest strengths are on display. His all-round game, covering ground and winning duels. His aerial ability and not forgetting those late runs into the box to get on the end of cutbacks and crosses. It's no surprise comparisons have been drawn with Michael Ballack.

With Goretzka, Bayern can still retain that physicality and aerial threat in the final third. Gnabry can play off Goretzka, with the latter knocking down balls for him to run onto. Another option is Goretzka running into the central space vacated by Gnabry who has moved to the wings to put in a cross. It's not hard to see that Goretzka provides a perfect foil for Gnabry.

Goretzka also offers Bayern another threat on the counter. He might not look like it but he is adept at starting and finishing off counters. Imagine Davies, Gnabry and Goretzka running a three-man counter.

I'm hoping Flick sees the potential of this partnership and gives it a try. There's enough evidence of the two playing together for the German national team that this might work.

Lewy's injury is obviously a big cause for concern for Bayern. The lack of a quality back-up option for Lewy is one issue the club hasn't really addressed in recent seasons. The club has never considered it a matter of urgency given the Pole's consistency and incredible fitness. Half-hearted efforts were made in fixing the problem by improvising and playing Muller as a false nine, a role in which he looked uncomfortable and ineffective. When that experiment proved unsuccessful, the club went for Sandro Wagner, the third in a transfer raid on Hoffenheim. An old-school poacher who wasn't suited to Bayern's dynamic game, he left for China after only two seasons.

With Lewy in his 30's, the search for a successor has taken on more importance but mysteriously the club has failed to actively pursue strong replacements. Luka Jovic was on Kovac's transfer wish list but the club vetoed the move saying he would have been too expensive for a non-starter. The player would later move to Real Madrid for a reported 65 million euros that summer, providing cover and competition for Karim Benzema.

Then there was Timo Werner. Heading into the final year of his contract at Leipzig, he looked like the perfect signing. Young, German and fast, he fitted into President Hoeness's dream of building a Bayern with a strong German core. But the club never really looked like signing him, not even at a measly price of 30 million euros. Questions were raised about his best role and his ability to play against packed defenses with little space to operate.

Werner renewed his contract and under new manager Julian Nagelsmann, he has upped his game, scoring and even creating goals. His running battle with Lewandowski for the Torjagerkanone has been one of the most interesting subplots of the season and his goalscoring exploits have not gone unnoticed with the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona said to be interested.

Now with Lewy out for about a month and the club fighting on three fronts, the issue has reared its head again. How will Bayern cope without their best player?

Luckily, the situation might not be as bad as it looks and an unlikely combination might just provide the answer.

airmark:
How will i get an L if City knock Bayern out and fail to win Ucl?

See sense. Pep knocking out Real and then Bayern is an L for you anyway we look at it. Shebi you claim the man is a fraud?

airmark:
Congrats i pray you meet Man city, next round. Boathand must show his calamitous self.

You want us to meet Man City? That's strange. Anyways, you are guaranteed an L regardless of who qualifies so you might want to be careful what you wish for.

To be honest, we weren't that good against Chelsea. Our passing game was average and we gave balls away in dangerous areas a couple of times. That Coman was up against Alonso for over an hour and couldn't take him on and beat him for once was shocking. I don't even remember him putting one cross into the box. The guy come get injury on top. I can't wait for Sane to come, make all this nonsense stop.

Davies had a great game but i'm a bit concerned with his defending. He looks good but if you watch closely you will see he's most times recovering than actually winning the duel first time. A couple of times Mount got in behind him and was through on goal only for him to catch up just in time. A fellow speedster, say Mbappe would be far gone. But don't mind me, the boy is only 19 and will only get better.

I've got nothing but love for Pavard . I know he's not a natural RB and i understand playing him allows more stability in defence and he's there to stay but abeg he should work on his offense small. He doesn't have to gallop forward like Prime Alves. Funny enough, his stats look good. He's scored a couple of that his signature goal and a few assists to boot but i'm still uncomfortable watching him at RB.

They should just hand the keys to the city of London over to Gnabry. Make dem even make am Mayor join. The boy means business whenever he steps foot into London. Rich vein of form, he's in also. That dip in form late last year now looks a distant memory. I just need him to keep up this form now that his partner in crime Lewy is injured.


Airmark, Unlimited22 how una dey? I'm looking forward to watching the second leg with a relaxed mind

larride:
18 - Feb - 2014 = Man City 0 - 2 Barca
Neymar was subbed in at the 74th min.

12 - Mar - 2014 = Barca 2 - 1 Man City
Neymar started and was subbed off at the 80th min.

24 - Feb - 2015 = Man City 1 - 2 Barca
Neymar started and was subbed off in the 80th min.

18 - Mar - 2015 = Barca 1 - 0 Man City
Neymar played full match.

23 - Feb - 2016 = Arsenal 0 - 2 Barca
Neymar played full match.

16 - Mar - 2016 = Barca 3 - 1 Arsenal
Neymar played full match.

14 - Feb - 2017 = PSG 4 - 0 Barca
Neymar played full match.

8 - Mar - 2017 = Barca 6 - 1 Barca
Neymar played full match.

14 - Feb - 2018 = Madrid 3 - 1 PSG
Neymar played full match.

6 - Mar - 2018 = PSG 1 - 2 Madrid
Neymar out injured.

12 - Feb - 2019 = Man Utd 0 - 2 PSG
Neymar out injured.

6 - Mar - 2019 = PSG 1 - 3 Man Utd
Neymar out injured.

18 - Feb - 2020 = Dortmund 2 - 1 PSG
Neymar played full match.

Mr thorrvik55, are you sure you are not the one spreading that false claims on BBC?

I don't think he's entirely wrong. Neymar has actually missed at least a game every year since 2015 owing to either injury or suspension during that Feb-March period coinciding with his sister's birthday and the Rio Carnival. Even, in the years you claimed he was fit, you only listed 2 games.

So are you telling us Neymar played only 2 games in a space of a month, without being injured or suspended?

You see say your rebuttal no strong.

Unlimited22, how far na? How tomorrow go be?

airmark:
You guys are favourites, but with Boathand playing, anything can happen.

I know you are looking forward to seeing Boateng's show of shame but God no go gree for you

Boateng or no Boateng, we are beating you guys.

Happy 55th birthday to Hansi Flick. A win tomorrow would be a welcome birthday present.

I'm not expecting anything less than a win against Chelsea. There has been plenty of talk from the players and the bosses about how badly we want to win the CL. There is no lack of desire but we need to back it up with performances on the pitch. Starting from tomorrow.

Last season's exit at R16 was a great disappointment. We've always made it to the semifinal stage for so long. Now, i strongly hope It's a case of taking two steps backward to take that big step forward.

No need to revisit what happened against Liverpool last season. Negative tactics from the coach and a few key players missing. I had never seen us play so cowarldy, even at the Allianz Arena.

That will definitely not happen tomorrow. We will take the initiative and attack, knowing what ever happens there is still the second leg to play for at home.

diggz:
Slowly but surely him must learn before he turns almajiri

Elruditor is always putting himself in a difficult position. I understand it's his opinion and he has a right to it but no be everytime person go dey chook mouth on everything especially when your recent record isn't that good. I don dey watch am for sometime now. He has this history of rooting for upsets and backing the underdogs even when all reason points otherwise. He gets lucky sometimes, like City coming back to win the league after being 7 points behind Liverpool last season. Others, it falls flat on his face and makes him look foolish. The current season being an example. Even as Liverpool's lead continued to stretch, my guy still insists City will win the league come May, literally putting his hand on the line in the process

The gimmick behind his thinking is an interesting one. If the improbable or unexpected happens, he appears like a prophet and can gloat, saying "i told you so". If the situation is the reverse, he says he only made the prediction in jest or something along the line of '"we all knew that was going to happen anyway". That way, he has nothing to lose, and a few brownie points to his name.

But big credit to him, despite the Ls he has always been honest, albeit stupidly arrogant and adamant while at it. Going against popular opinion is Elruditor's trademark. He believes it makes him different. Where there is wisdom of the crowd, Elruditor sees herd mentality. Dude is intelligent but his hubris is his biggest flaw. His self-conceitedness is ever present in his choice of a username. Eruditor. Bro, we know you are smart. you don't need to rub it in our faces.

He reminds me of another Barca fan from not too long ago. His name was DarkRebel or something. Maybe they are one and the same person or maybe It's a Barkabot thing.

I should probably write a paper on this. The Demystification of Elruditor

diggz:
You too see am abi? That boy wan turn almajiri like this so

Laugh wan tire my belle. Elruditor sha wan cause wahala for himself.

I just pray make the guy no go misyarn enter trouble one day.

Unlimited22:
LMAO
Boss, you can say that again.

I have been following that dude since his days at Twente.

I also want Sancho, Alex Telles, Timo Werner and Milan Skriniar

One down, four to go. More importantly, i'm happy you left out a goalkeeper in your list. In Kepa and Caballero we trust!

Unlimited22, my guy. It looks like you will be getting one of your dream signings in Ziyech. I really like the boy. Na Bayern fvck up. He was offered to us last season with only a year left on his contract. But no, we turned him down only to later loan a finished Perisic and an expensive flop in Coutinho.

Abeg, remind me of the remaining names wey dey on that your transfer wishlist again. You never know if someone from Cobham dey follow this thread.

airmark:
Your team won't miss him.

I agree with you on this. Perisic hasn't really impressed me. It's a bit strange considering the guy was one of the best wingers around 2 years ago. You can't fault his workrate and attitude but he's not doing enough on the ball for me. Same with Coutinho. There's no way those 2 are staying beyond this summer.

Happy 25th birthday to Joshua Kimmich. Fighter. Leader. Mein Kapitan.
Mehmet Scholl can go bang his head on a wall.

I nearly forgot about our Neymar fanboy. Good to see he's still around and hasn't changed one bit.

The boy is clearly ready to defend the Aparisports badge to his last breath. No one insults the RAUM and gets away with it. Not the least a member of the Citadel.

Ibime:
Good analysis Prof.

We will now highlight the key tenets that underpin both groups.

For example, if you score 70% and above in the following test, you qualify for membership of ApariSports. Readers should feel free to mark themselves.

If you agree that:

Pep is a God -20%
VVD is a fraud - 20%
Hazard is a shakushaku master - 20%
EPL is a weak league - 10%
Cuntay is a local fraud - 5%
Beasting finals is the criteria to differentiate players - 5%
Anything Airmark says is wrong - 5%
Net-spend is irrelevant, only total spend counts - 5%
Other interchangeabe criteria as Raumdeuter deems fit eg Belotti, Kychokewack, Boateng, KDB, David Luiz etc - 10%


Alternatively you can score yourself for membership of Citadel here. Anything above 70% qualifies you for membership:

Pep is a fraud - 20%
Hazard is a God - 20%
EPL is the best league - 10%
VVD is a God - 10%
Boateng is a calamity - 10%
Iniestas is a eunuch - 10%
KDB should not be mentioned with Hazard - 10%
Anything Raumdeuter says in wrong - 5%
Other interchangeabe criteria as Airmark deems fit - 5%

I score myself 20% on ApariSports criteria and 60% on Citadel. Which means that though I do not qualify for membership of Citadel, I lean more toward their views. How about you Prof?

Excellent submission from my esteemed senior colleague. I couldn't have drawn up a more balanced scoring system. I think you forgot to add another of Raum's cardinal sins: John Terry is a fraud and was a carryalong.

I took the test and some in cases, i was neutral. Like the God and Fraud thingy. Those were extreme veiwpoints and i couldn't bring myself to pick one. All in all, i scored 15% on the Aparisports meter and 30% on the Citadel side.

I clearly don't belong to either school.

In conclusion, further research will be conducted on what drives these schools of thoughts. The motives of their founding fathers and their ultimate goal in the long run.

A40:
A day earlier actually gee

Oh. Mistake on my part. I will keep that in mind.

You people no go kill persin. The Citadel vs Aparisports. The two dominant school of thoughts on football matters on Nairaland.

I personally don't subscribe wholly to their teachings. I feel some of Airmark's views while conservative and reasonable are slightly off while some of Raumdeuter's are downright heretical. Where do i start from? Is it his many attempts to distort football history as we know it or peddling false narratives and spinning intricate webs of logic and sophistry. The man is IBB and OBJ rolled into one. The world's foremost authority on the arcane discipline of Amalanomics

Raumdeuter has managed to gather a following of sorts. Individuals who look to learn the dark arts of logic manipulation from the master himself. His most illustrious student is one Elruditor who will carry on his legacy when the old fox can no longer continue. He started well but somewhere along the line he fell off. I personally find his arrogance amusing. The one wey burst my brain na his stubbornness in admitting Liverpool will win the league. Even going as far as saying he would literally eat his hand if they do. Well, we are already counting down.

There are also other members of both schools time and space will not allow us to discuss. Maybe another time.

There has also been indications of some previously unknown monikers seeking admission to either schools. One Sulele and one Expert guy comes to mind. Recruitment is clearly in progress with both sides looking to get some fresh faces in.

What started as a simple rivalry between two individuals with continually different opinions has blown up into something bigger. The like this section has never seen. Club affiliations are thrown aside. There is no Chelsea or Barca or Man Utd. There is only Citadel and Aparisports.

Will a third force emerge? One that might give these two a run for their money. We wait and see but for now We continue to follow this intriguing battle.

A40:
Gracias hermano. Gracias

You are welcome. Interestingly, you are birthday mates with the one and only Arjen Robben. Nice company, if you ask me.

I'm in shock!

Kobe gone just like that. This life ehn. Events like this make you question every breath you take knowing it could just be your last.

Damn! RIP Black Mamba!

airmark:
A40 has a birth date? Maybe he randomly chose one, for academic registration purposes.

I no know anything about that one o. Can't you be nice for once?

Belated birthday shoutout to A40. Coming a bit late but better late than never.

Wishing you long life and prosperity, bro.

Airmark, come here. Don't you have something to say to your very good friend?

Aguero has scored at least 20 EPL goals every season since the end of the season of his supposed demise and is on course to hit that mark again

Lord, if this is the definition of finished, let me be 'finished' this year. Amen