Saul's the most lovable character.

Hi friends
Had a crazy day moving! Tired as hell!
Anyone else ask themselves where Kondogbia got the money to buyout his contract? I am sure he hasn't earned anywhere near that in his short career.

Monaco, or that's what all the Spanish media have reported.

Everywhere I have seen he himself bought out his contract not Monaco. He is just joining them as a result.

la real still drawing with lyon

Can't watch the game, bloody power blackout

I guess I should be used to this living in a 3rd world country.

dont worry wummy i let you know if anyone scores

Thanks IOAG

1-0 la real

2-0 vela again

all over

Evening LRF is back guys!

(Been back for a week actually, just had a lot to sort out and unfortunately forgot about this place. )

I'm here now and I'm prepared for an intense La Liga Season (although not my most favorite European League). Obvious the 2 best Clubs will be the Top 2.

Not sure how Sociedad will fair this season (I assume they got to the Group Stage of the CL?) but I can see them being a Everton where they push each Season, but once they get in, they just can't hold down a place.

But hope tey aren't another Moechengladbach or St. Eitenne or Lille.

Reala!

Henrik's gonna be a happy lad too.

Wump, I'm very fuzzy as to the exact details, but this is how I understand it: buyout clauses are part of the contractual agreement between club and player. It's the player who has to buy out his contract. This can actually prove a sticking point because it apparently involves the player having to declare income tax on the money received from the buying club.

What normally happens is that instead of the player having to intervene, the selling club simply agrees a direct transfer with the buying club to bypass those taxes, but the selling club isn't forced to accept this solution. Thus the final price of the transfer can work out significantly higher. That's why Madrid paid €10M over Illarramendi's clause this summer and is also what foiled their move to sign Aguero from Atleti.

Not sure how Sociedad will fair this season (I assume they got to the Group Stage of the CL?)
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Hi LRF. They beat Olympique Lyonnais 2-0 tonight and 4-0 on aggregate. Everton didn't actually make the GS did they?

No, la Real won't be a 'permanent' CL side. They've got to enjoy it while it lasts, they're a great club with a great tradition and youth system. Much sought-after CB Iñigo Martínez dismissed any idea of a move elsewhere in the off-season: "I wouldn't miss playing the CL with La Real for anything in the world."
Not many players left like that.


Spanish Supercopa final second leg just started. First leg finished 1-1. Barça-Atleti in case you needed reminding.

Saul's the most lovable character.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdhTL5G32Gw

lovely play by atleti

Diego Costa is a tank

he has become arguably one of the best forwards in europe

Valdes

i dont him either

Good to see Sociedad get in. You're right they will seldom get into the CL what with RM/FCB holding down two spots, Atleti the third and then Valencia/A.N.Other with the fourth. Regular European football os there if they work hard and spend well mind.


OT but a decent League Cup win for us yesterday. Delighted Fabian Delph got a goal, and a very fine team goal it was too, quick tika tika esque passing for it! Spurs in the next round so unlikely to progress. .. still.



Any Europa League games tonight of note?

Not checked yet.

Enjoyed the Supercopa match last night, highly entertaining despite the 0-0 scoreline. Superb intensity and desire to win, befitting of a proper trophy. Maybe the FA should consider giving the Community Shield official status. I like the two leg format too. Two sellout crowds, two games with the home side giving it their best for their fans, scores to settle in the second leg...

Atleti gave Barça two very tough games. I'd actually say they were probably the most deserving team over both legs. Valdes earned Barça the trophy with two spectacular saves last night. Despite Barça's possession, Atleti's game plan was better executed and they created more and better chances imo.

Not much to say about the refereeing. Can't judge the sending off because of the lack of a proper camera angle, but from a distance it looked like a tussle between both players. Filipe Luis doesn't strike me as a player who'd intentionally lash out at an opponent, but who knows, the lino had the best view on the pitch.

In any case, you're much more likely to draw yellows and reds when you play a highly physical game and you look to rough up the opponent and disrupt their rhythm. I think the foul count was something like 23-10, Atleti trod a fine line in that sense, and were fortunate in that I think the number of yellows was equal on both sides.

How many times did Alves die last night? He really is irritating, couldn't hold back a smile when Godin trampled on his back.

Highlight of the game though must have been Diego Costa facing off with the ref. The ref must have been shítting himself.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/real-madrid/10272433/The-secrets-behind-the-development-of-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo-revealed-by-Rene-Meulensteen.html
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Good article.

Man's a free agent now. Bring him in as Director of Development?

Dani Güiza now playing in Paraguay after his spell in Malaysia.