Italy is really conservative when it comes to choosing managers for themselves. They have always preferred Italian managers so far just as they have done with Spalletti last. Mancini could have kept his job if they didn't get a shocking result against North Macedonia. Now there is another psychological war for Spalletti this time to move North Macedonia out of their way. 

I hope that Spalletti will be victorious unlike Mancini. I'm just hesitant about Italy after seeing their recent performances (even the one against Malta).

This team actually have a bigger capacity than this. Spalletti needs to have a good chemistry with the players.

^Ajax is a talent factory. They've relied on producing and grooming talent to sell on and make profits while being just good enough to win a historically less competitive league to qualify for UCL, which brings in further revenues.

They'll always be attractive for young players because of that route -- their problems now are club management and scandal, and eventually not having enough good players to keep making the difference. And I said two seasons ago that they actually need to rethink their strategy. You need to retain players and cultivate a little more instead of churning them out, particularly now that their league competitors are getting much better.

P.S. Yes, yes, I'm trying to get over Liverpool. But better to purge the bad results at group stage with second stringers.

What's new about the league getting corrupt? Both players held themselves but only one got booked, so attackers are permitted to pull defenders but defenders are not allowed to grab attackers; the double standard of officiating this season is worrisome and will only worsen. Antony Taylor was demoted for his terrible decision against Wolves, only to return for another disasterclass. Lol

I've always respected bald refs until Anthony Taylor came into the picture.

^  You mean overall this whole season he's been disappointing...  I think the last race was his highlight for the whole season.  Lol.  But yeah, the question is if he could still redeem himself next season as Red Bull could have already earmarked a guy to replace him after his contract with the team ends.  As for who the replacement is, dunno...  But I'm hoping it's Daniel Ricciardo.  On his good days, he's way better than Perez imho.

Anyway, from a betting perspective...  Nada.  Verstappen at 1.29.  Not much meat on the bone imho.  But it could be a volatile race as this setmof drivers haven't raced in Vegas before.

What car is fastest on the straights?

Stuttgart was one of the clear picks for me this round - they actually hammered Dortmund and the scoreline should have been bigger.
Dortmund had a midweek CL game, and was playing away to an in-form team - I expected a lot more people to go with them.

@cls63, I pulled one back. Do you feel the pressure?

Edit: just finished my transfers for the week and I am quite happy with the team. Should be good going forward. Be prepared Martinelli will go nuclear today, I was switching between him or Bowen for Maddison and landed on Bowen. Gonna regret this one but took it because of xMins. Also gives me a nice amount of cash in the bank for future transfers.

Man these seats are a sweat deal. You are still quite close for this bargain of a price, lucky you. Also lucky you that Efes deliver a crazy game with a hot comeback by Zalgiris but the win for Efes in OT, must have been exiting to watch I guess.

Seems it was night of comebacks, Zalgiris returned from -18 and sent game to overtime, Olympiacos also had -18, but then was was close from win, Partizan had -15, but managed to win game. Congrats with Efes win. While Zalgiris had similar problems as they have all season long and if they won't sign any player soon, there is no chance to reach playoffs for them.
Atmosphere at Stark arena was amazing again and maybe one of main reasons why Partizan won today. I tried to switch to game in other Belgrade arena where Maccabi and Bayern played without spectators and it was hard to watch, instantly got flashbacks to Covid times.
And my prediction about Valencia didn't aged well, they got completely sweeped by Milano .

They think they can solve the problems just by changing the manager. I don't think this solves anything. Beşiktaş have structural problems. They are trying to save the day with short-term changes. But they need to think more professionally. I think Rıza Çalımbay will not solve the problems either.

This week Fenerbahçe will play away to Adana Demirspor. I think they will lose points again this week. Adana Demirspor are a better team than Trabzonspor. And they get good results in home matches. Fenerbahçe may take another wound in the race for the league title.

Unfortunately, despite having a better second half than the first, Fenerbahçe left the field with a 2-0 defeat. Especially in the first minutes of the second half they had some good positions and attacks but they couldn't make the finishing touch as needed. Fortunately, they got good results in the first games and they didn't get into trouble.