⚽ Sportsbet.io ⚽ Spanish La Liga ⚽ Football Pool Discussion Thread 2023/2024

[slaman29]

What a bad start for me, almost like last season! I'm counting on my team tonight to help me make up for the lost points but honestly as long as we get 3 points I'm happy. First game post-Messi era, it's a new dawn for us. Just hope we pull it together and don't get all the reds and yellows we started out like last season!

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[Trofo]

Just watched whole Barca game and I must say I liked what I saw. They are playing fast football and Sociedad was nowhere to be seen. Griezmann and Braithwhite played big parts when defending as well, Depay looked dangerous every time he had ball in his feet. They only need Griezmann to find attacking form and Ter Stegen to come back from injury to again start dreaming about big things.

In the end Sociedad scored 2 goals but they did not deserve even that much. I had both to score on my ticket so good for them but they did not show much today, I had a feeling they are plying only to avoid total disaster instead trying to win.

[LTU_btc]

Just watched whole Barca game and I must say I liked what I saw. They are playing fast football and Sociedad was nowhere to be seen. Griezmann and Braithwhite played big parts when defending as well, Depay looked dangerous every time he had ball in his feet. They only need Griezmann to find attacking form and Ter Stegen to come back from injury to again start dreaming about big things.

In the end Sociedad scored 2 goals but they did not deserve even that much. I had both to score on my ticket so good for them but they did not show much today, I had a feeling they are plying only to avoid total disaster instead trying to win.

Indeed, very solid game of Barca, if not these 2 goals conceded in the end. But these goals don't reflect game at all. Who need Messi when we have Braithwaite? Just kidding . But seriously, it was probably best his game in Barcelona. Depay also played solid game.
Late game between Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano starts now. Idss for Sevilla win is low, so I took over 2.5 @2.15.
Also, not sure why they gave such big odds for Atletico - 2.2 was bargain.

[slaman29]

I took Atletico, Barca and Sevilla, but was very idiotic to put City in together in my accumulator so failed. Worse was City was the first game along with Atleti. I should have doubled down on the remaining 3. Indeed 2.1x on Atletico was so good odds LTU... too bad I got too greedy.

Just watched whole Barca game and I must say I liked what I saw. They are playing fast football and Sociedad was nowhere to be seen. Griezmann and Braithwhite played big parts when defending as well, Depay looked dangerous every time he had ball in his feet. They only need Griezmann to find attacking form and Ter Stegen to come back from injury to again start dreaming about big things.

In the end Sociedad scored 2 goals but they did not deserve even that much. I had both to score on my ticket so good for them but they did not show much today, I had a feeling they are plying only to avoid total disaster instead trying to win.

You can't imagine how relieved I felt seeing Braithwaite take the responsibility. Now we just need Fati, Stegen, Dembele all back fit and we can have a bit more stability in the front and back department. I almost agree with you about Griezmann but I've learned all about not relying on him anymore.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Late game between Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano starts now. Idss for Sevilla win is low, so I took over 2.5 @2.15.
Also, not sure why they gave such big odds for Atletico - 2.2 was bargain.

yeah, in the end, easy round for La liga, with all top teams winning their respective matches
Atletico won it, but it was not all roses for them during the match, Sevilla showed that they are here to be fourth again, decreasing Valencia chances for new CL next season

will be interesting to see Villareal tonight, what they could put on the pitch, Granada had their seasons, and this will lead to down part of the table probably

[tomahawk9]

Barca should score a couple, but I can't guarantee they'll not let in a few either!

you were right on the money.
I wanted to play a betbuilder yesterday with btts and total goals but SB wasn't allowing multi selections, i had to settle with singles but could've won bigger :/

anyhow, a couple of games tonight, i have both Villareal and Bilbao to win in our pool, but i don't see value in moneyline odds. I might just chill, go for a no football bets monday

Griezmann and Braithwhite played big parts when defending as well, Depay looked dangerous every time he had ball in his feet.

the team can finally defend with 10 men!    Koeman and the squad will never say it, but i think they're glad they now have one extra player for a defensive role

Now we just need Fati, Stegen, Dembele all back fit.

heh! 

[casperBGD]

~snip

anyhow, a couple of games tonight, i have both Villareal and Bilbao to win in our pool, but i don't see value in moneyline odds. I might just chill, go for a no football bets monday
~snip

yeah, good decision, Bilbao was expected to get a draw (although not goalless), but Villareal should do better, they are obviously not in the best shape for now
in the end, shitty La liga round, when you count-out top4 teams, you have five draws and VCF won tough game with Getafe

is that making us member of top5 in Spanish football again, this could be a good season for Valencia in the end

[slaman29]

15/17 for me, as usual a horrible start. I really should quit these pools hehe.

Now we just need Fati, Stegen, Dembele all back fit.

heh! 

I know I know I know  

Now the only thing I'm worried about is Barca supposedly in 1.6 BILLION debt, which is horrendous to learn (although maybe not such a big surprise).

Guys like Fati are less than a year on contract, and if we cannot offload the high wage players, then we also lose the youth talents because we can't even sign or extend them. It's not yet big news yet so maybe I'm wrong but what a nightmare if it's a valid concern.

[icopress]

Now the only thing I'm worried about is Barca supposedly in 1.6 BILLION debt, which is horrendous to learn [...]

I checked, and I see that the club's debts do not exceed € 1.35 billion, although in reality, the financial affairs of Barcelona are not as bad as they seem, especially with the fact that Messi will no longer burden the financial statements of Barça. Although I cannot deny that Barca has really been living beyond their means for the past ten years, spending more and more money on salaries (much more than others and probably spending was higher than income).

In any case, I do not know the exact figures to operate with facts, but I am almost sure that the figure of 1.3 billion is greatly overestimated, if we talk about the balance (since the Catalans also have a lot of debtors). Anyway, Messi's departure is a great opportunity to start from scratch, working with young players.

[slaman29]

I checked, and I see that the club's debts do not exceed € 1.35 billion, although in reality, the financial affairs of Barcelona are not as bad as they seem, especially with the fact that Messi will no longer burden the financial statements of Barça. Although I cannot deny that Barca has really been living beyond their means for the past ten years, spending more and more money on salaries (much more than others and probably spending was higher than income).

In any case, I do not know the exact figures to operate with facts, but I am almost sure that the figure of 1.3 billion is greatly overestimated, if we talk about the balance (since the Catalans also have a lot of debtors). Anyway, Messi's departure is a great opportunity to start from scratch, working with young players.

I always assume that figures are underestimated, rather than over:) The things people like to hide are usually not good news or debts owed to them, rather hidden costs and liabilities. But I suppose at this point, it doesn't make a difference anymore 1 billion, 1.3 or 1.6. It's just a bad, bad news that we have to find a way around.

Don't forget Superbru picks everybody!

[casperBGD]

~snip
I always assume that figures are underestimated, rather than over:) The things people like to hide are usually not good news or debts owed to them, rather hidden costs and liabilities. But I suppose at this point, it doesn't make a difference anymore 1 billion, 1.3 or 1.6. It's just a bad, bad news that we have to find a way around.

Don't forget Superbru picks everybody!

https://www.ft.com/content/c2c8565a-e282-481c-8897-0530b0c81bce

one interesting article (it is pretty long), regarding Barca up, and sliding since 2015 CL title
TL;DR; - they are comparing Barca with ancient Rome, and predict that Barca will slide from top4 in La Liga in following seasons, but also explain what "La Liga Fair Play" means, and what is a problem with Barcelona wages, and why they could not sign Messi, and will have to let go few more until the end of the season
interesting times for Barca, seems that their financials are in the tunnel, and light is not that close at the moment

[Trofo]

I always assume that figures are underestimated, rather than over:) The things people like to hide are usually not good news or debts owed to them, rather hidden costs and liabilities. But I suppose at this point, it doesn't make a difference anymore 1 billion, 1.3 or 1.6. It's just a bad, bad news that we have to find a way around.

Don't forget Superbru picks everybody!

That is usual case but this time there has been a board change and it is in the interest of current president to give full debt situation and throw the blame on previous president. I believe those numbers are on the point since shit has hit the fan and there is no purpose in concealing anything. Shift the blame on old board and do the best possible to stabilise the club financialy, no other way.

[slaman29]

Trofo and casperBGD

Thanks for the article, unfortunately I couldn't read it (I think I already read 3 FT articles and then they block your IP after that unless you pay for it and I can't do anything on my browser using it from work). Will try read it later on mobile.

This is a strange world in football. I remember 15 years ago English teams like Manchester United and Liverpool were getting taken over and their fans were so angry, and everyone talked about the Barca model of club ownership and that it was the best in the world, that we didn't even need a shirt sponsor, we just put Unicef.

And actually this changed in 2016, when they put Rakuten on their shirt. So in 10 years somehow they went from financially strong to weak, and now even the club fan ownership can't do much about it.

I fear you are right, and FT is right, but well, what can us fans do but continue to support our club through tough times right?

[LTU_btc]

This is a strange world in football. I remember 15 years ago English teams like Manchester United and Liverpool were getting taken over and their fans were so angry, and everyone talked about the Barca model of club ownership and that it was the best in the world, that we didn't even need a shirt sponsor, we just put Unicef.

And actually this changed in 2016, when they put Rakuten on their shirt. So in 10 years somehow they went from financially strong to weak, and now even the club fan ownership can't do much about it.

I fear you are right, and FT is right, but well, what can us fans do but continue to support our club through tough times right?

Actually, there was Qatar Foundationband Qatar Airways before Rakuten, so Barca have shirt sponsor for 10 years already. In past most Barcelona players were from academy and club didn't spend so much money on transfers and were able to live without shirt sponsor. But things have changed under Rossel - he changed club business model and started buying stars like Neymar for hindreds of millions. And as we see, such model with terrible management doesn't work and club now in huge debt.

[Trofo]

Actually, there was Qatar Foundationband Qatar Airways before Rakuten, so Barca have shirt sponsor for 10 years already. In past most Barcelona players were from academy and club didn't spend so much money on transfers and were able to live without shirt sponsor. But things have changed under Rossel - he changed club business model and started buying stars like Neymar for hindreds of millions. And as we see, such model with terrible management doesn't work and club now in huge debt.

I am actually thinking this crises will be good for Barca in the long run, maybe 5-10 years time frame. Some if not most of the iconic players in Barca have started their processional carriers from Barca youth team. To write some of them from recent history that I remember from top of my head:
Lionel Messi - he came as very short kid (some disease?), nobody believed he could play professional football, there were some treatments involved in his early days
Xavi, Andrés Iniesta - You don't get better midfield duo than this
Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué - proper defenders and dressing room leaders, team captains
Sergio Busquets, Victor Valdés - I don't rate these two as high as before mentioned, but Busquets is still very important part of the squad

If Barca turns to their youths and it seems like it will have to....

[boltz]

But will Barcelona have a crisis in the next years ? I doubt it honestly. Yea , they might have issues regarding money but their young academy is having some great young talents right now and I'm sure a lot of them will be on Barca 1st team sooner than we expect.

 I also do think that this year was the last one with transfers with names and from now one, the academy will slowly take over and don't get me wrong , Barcelona is having a golden youth academy. This will give time for everyone who is involved in club to regroup.

[slaman29]

I continue to do so badly in this pool even though it's the league I bet on the most. I guess now I know why I should just not play anymore:)

Actually, there was Qatar Foundationband Qatar Airways before Rakuten, so Barca have shirt sponsor for 10 years already. In past most Barcelona players were from academy and club didn't spend so much money on transfers and were able to live without shirt sponsor. But things have changed under Rossel - he changed club business model and started buying stars like Neymar for hindreds of millions. And as we see, such model with terrible management doesn't work and club now in huge debt.

Oh actually you're right, I totally forgot about that. I have a burning memory of Unicef on the shirt for so long I forgot all about that as well but there you go. They started fooling around with money and then the money became a problem. They didn't even need expensive transfers already did so well without all the Galacticos of Real.

Lessons will hopefully be taught to them but I have no hope.

[Harkorede]

I continue to do so badly in this pool even though it's the league I bet on the most. I guess now I know why I should just not play anymore:)

I had the same notion last season, despite La Liga being my 2nd favorite league after the EPL (due to being Barcelona supporter). However, I think I'm not so familiar with majority of the teams any longer after proper study, I used to rate most teams basically on what I thought they used to be rather than they currently are, I'm speaking of teams like Valencia, Getafe, Bilbao, Villarreal and co.. most of these teams used to be fight for the top 6-8 place, but last season they all struggle a lot and cost me a lot points.

[casperBGD]

~snip
I'm speaking of teams like Valencia, Getafe, Bilbao, Villarreal and co.. most of these teams used to be fight for the top 6-8 place, but last season they all struggle a lot and cost me a lot points.

but Bilbao and Villarreal had solid season, if I remember correctly, and Villarreal even won Europa league

nevertheless, last round highlight for me is that Luis Maximiano joined Granada, and I hope that he will take no.1 shirt as first goalkeeper, which will put Granada on low conceiving position this season (something to keep an eye on), it is interesting that Sporting Lisbon gave advantage to Adan, on their goal, and let one of most promising European goalkeepers to leave

last match proved that Levante ground is, as always, a tough ground for Real Madrid, good game, six goals and fifth draw in eigth matches in this round, two more to go today, both leaning to draws

[slaman29]

I continue to do so badly in this pool even though it's the league I bet on the most. I guess now I know why I should just not play anymore:)

I had the same notion last season, despite La Liga being my 2nd favorite league after the EPL (due to being Barcelona supporter). However, I think I'm not so familiar with majority of the teams any longer after proper study, I used to rate most teams basically on what I thought they used to be rather than they currently are, I'm speaking of teams like Valencia, Getafe, Bilbao, Villarreal and co.. most of these teams used to be fight for the top 6-8 place, but last season they all struggle a lot and cost me a lot points.

La Liga's my favorite but I guess it is just because I've followed Barca for such a long time. I do know even most of the games been shown on tv was from EPL but I always really liked the Spanish style plus the crowds and those drums at the stadium.

It's different when betting I guess, as you study different things and are less emotional?