CL draw

Home: Atletico Madrid, FC Porto, Villareal, RC Lens

Away: Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahe, Lask

What a great draw. It both offers some real challenges in Atletico and then quite possibly the toughtest road game in the world at the San Siro, but also some pretty juicy cupcakes in Lask, RC Lens, and maybe even Villreal.

Champions League draw.

https://instagr.am/p/DcjPYoZBX31

Don't sleep on that Fenerbahce away fixture. Traveling to Turkey is always difficult.

Solid group

Dang, was really hoping to not have an awkward away trip to Turkey this year lol

It's crazy how many times we have been drawn with a Madrid club in the UCL in the last 6-8 years:
- Fall 2026 vs Atletico (League Phase)
- Nov 2025 vs Real Madrid (League Phase)
- Sept 2025 vs Atletico (League Phase)
- Nov 2024 vs Real Madrid (League Phase)
- Mar 2023 at Real Madrid (R16 2nd Leg)
- Feb 2023 vs Real Madrid (R16 1st Leg)
- May 2022 vs Real Madrid (UCL Final)
- Nov 2021 vs Atletico (Group Stage)
- Oct 2021 at Atletico (Group Stage)
- Apr 2021 vs Real Madrid (QF 2nd Leg)
- Apr 2021 at Real Madrid (QF 1st Leg)
- Mar 2020 vs Atletico (R16 2nd Leg) --> Heartbreaking ET loss
- Feb 2020 at Atletico (R16 1st Leg)
- May 2018 vs Real Madrid (UCL Final)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7444254/2026/08/28/ibrahim-mbaye-aston-villa-psg-transfer/?unlocked_article_code=1.81A.M9Cq.iDC-Hjwmk7Pc&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-ta

Mbaye to Aston Villa for 55mm Euros.

I think Liverpool let this one go and wanted someone who is more proven, particularly at the EPL level. Hence Sarr.

Liverpool need grownups who have done it in the EPL. Not more teenagers.

I'm not sure that Mbaye is actually that good. He was basically an average player in the French league, which isn't good enough to crack our top 16.

Barcola flying into tomorrow to finalize the transfer. He's a nice addition that will hopefully hit the ground running.

I don't want us transfering players out unless they are fringe players (Chiesa, Endo, Elliot, or Baj). Rumors are swirling around Gakpo and Macca. Even if we transfer them out and bring in replacements, its going to take a while for all of that to settle. In that time we could lose serious ground on the season. If we are dead set on selling those players, it shouldn't be considered until January. If anything the price will just go up.

I am in full agreement. Mbaye is a serious project who's probably going to come off the bench at best at Villa and play cup competitions. He doesn't solve the RW problem whatsoever.

I also do not want to sell Gakpo or Mac Allister. I just think they are going to be valuable this year, and there's almost zero chance we get replacements in for both of them this late in the game. Just hold off. Try to rehabilitate them more under Iraola and sell in January or next summer when there's no world cup.

UP TH REDS!

MAC and Munoz in!

Let's go chop some trees

Munoz on left and Gakpo on right, interesting.

Forest seem to have a lot of guys in midfield and attack.

We're having real trouble controlling the ball on an individual level. Ball seems bouncy and unsettled out our feet.

Forrest the much better team so far. We are a sloppy and turnover mess. 4 attempts at goal to our zero.

We are god awful and. In big trouble

That's so poor. You have to get your line set quicker.

Well deserved by NF. That's been coming as we have been completely overmatched by them. Lucky it's not 2 or 3 nil

Perhaps the biggest thing for Iraola to do right now is get us an offensive identity, because we have none.

I don't think the Szbo as a No. 8 is working….

Thank you Flo.

Nvm. I don't get that.

We have absolutely no midfield. Isak is a ghost. NF running scott free all over the place. And we just turnover the ball over non stop. Only player with a pulse is Munoz.,

And don't understand Gakpo on the right. Completely ineffective and uncomfortable looking

The double pivot is not working with this group of midfielders. They have no idea to play in this system, and are turnover machines. I like Szbo as much as anyone, but his skill set does not fit as a No. 8. He's been dreadful.

Flat out miracle we aren't down 3-0

I think we also deserved a goal that half. Three really good chances and one goal disallowed.

2-1 NF feels like the appropriate score.

Drop Isak at half and let Wirtz play a false 9. Dom can play more forward and Macca and Grav play in the pivot. Last summer was a total failure.

That goal from Wirtz should've counted. Howard is explaining how the play reset and I completely agree.

Yeah, didn't understand that at the time either. Glad they explained it

We must have the worst defensive fullbacks in Europe. Say what you want about Trent's defense, he more than made up for with his set pieces and offensive passing.

If I have to watch Szbo lose the ball one more time I'll freak out.

joemeister said:

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We must have the worst defensive fullbacks in Europe. Say what you want about Trent's defense, he more than made up for with his set pieces and offensive passing.

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100%. Kerkez and Frimpong are completely out of control and their services in are horrific

Is Isak on the pitch?

hoosierAG said:

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joemeister said:

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We must have the worst defensive fullbacks in Europe. Say what you want about Trent's defense, he more than made up for with his set pieces and offensive passing.

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100%. Kerkez and Frimpong are completely out of control and their services in are horrific

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Idk what Kerkez does tbh. He's just a body. At least Frimpong gives you pace and width. Kerkez does absolutely nothing in my eyes.

Who had Cody Gakpo as the best player on the team two games in?