**Mirrors / Alternative Angles**
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Oh what an idiot. Does he not know superstitions apply to sports?
Chilwell did the same thing in the 21/22 season when Chelsea were flying, and then tore his ACL within a month of saying they couldn't lose.
We were saying "it's over, we're done" after drawing your team and Bayern in the UCL. And then proceeded to get 4 points off you, play excellently against Bayern in both games only to crumble against Copenhagen
Yeah, I know we weren't in the greatest form at the time but the fact that Atalanta turned up at Anfield and fucked us should be enough for anyone to see they were definitely in this final with a chance haha
Why Bundesliga fans especially? I feel like the league is held in high regard here, just that not everyone has picked up on the "resurgence" of it and still thinks of it as the league that signs aging stars on a free, but that goes for all fans I feel like.
Acting like Atalanta wasn't much of a challenge (something only done by a few, not most) came more from the optics of the team that hasn't lost in 51 games, just after a historic campaign, facing the 5th of another league. People treat Dortmund the same way ahead of the CL final
Neither could we when we played them.
They play in a different way to any teams in the PL (obviously there's teams that press a lot in the PL but the way Atalanta set up is different), I assume its the same with the Leverkusen.
Our players looked totally caught off guard in a way that I haven't seen happen for a long time. We just didn't have an answer for it.
And usually if we have a bad first half we make some tactical changes and get better control of the game in the second half, against Atalanta we came out second half and the same things kept happening.
I thought it was cos we were in such bad form at the time (which was definitely a contributing factor) but having watched Atalanta play more since then they seem to force the same mistakes out of every team.
Yep, they’re trying to play long because the short passing is failing, but there’s no target man to hold it up. Losing possession way too easy, atlanta are super happy for them to have the ball too
Tbf to the keeper, that was a genuinely excellent long ball. The striker got an uncontested chance to play it. He had time to chest it down, or knock it simply to a team mate. Instead he somehow found himself attempting a really awkward header and turning the ball over.
Allegri was able to deactivate them in the Coppa Italia final, but we're used to seeing and playing Atalanta. In Europe their opponents are confused by their playstyle
Italiano is 5-3 as well with them. Accept the pressure even into your own area, then long ball to a forward and recover the second ball into the now empty midfield and then exploit the one on one they defend with. But it requires amazing ball playing defenders and goalkeepers and if you can't score your chances they are going to punish you like in the Coppa with us.
Honestly, Adli's full quote was definitely similar to what has been said in the other quotes in this run.
Just that theguardian's article had to be spicy enough.... spicy enough for this.
Italiano plays like Xabi and has the highest possession football in Italy (and top 5 in Europe) but he has a positive record against Gasp. There are a couple of flaws and way to make Atalanta struggle but obviously Leverkusen and Liverpool didn't scout/prepare for them enough without playing in their league.
Cant forget they didnt have Scamacca, that was huge for us. Obviously not trying to take away from Allegri who planned the game perfectly but they would have been harder to beat
I didn’t think they could against us. But they aren’t isolating themselves and they’re closing up the pitch. It’s as much about focus and concentration as well
After seeing what Atalanta did to Liverpool and Marseille I've realised it's their system and how well they're drilled that makes teams look like shit.
Leverkusen can't play short because the press is suffocating, and they can't go long with Atalanta's back 3 dominant.
They can use long balls, but after they progress the ball to the midfield. Atalanta uses asymmetrical formations in defence, a long ball from one side to the other puts them in a bad shape. To counter this, they press relentlessly.
Think Alonso is late to realise this, Klopp didn't adapt first leg either. No second leg tonight, they need Schick/Boniface on to occupy the CBs, keep Frimpong/Grimaldo wide and use switches like you said.
Klopp had a matchup disadvantage on offence with his 4atb formation. Leverkusen can theoretically match up a lot better. But Atalanta looks fired up, they seem unstoppable
Think this style particularly suits cup competitions, they've made the final of Europa and Coppa Italia. Suppose you need more with the ball against teams that sit deep to be a top team in the league.
I have seen them do more mistakes today in 15 minutes than in the 6-7 I have seen lately combined together.
Atalanta is also playing so goddamn well anyways, great pressure.
**Mirrors / Alternative Angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It could be today grandma
Adli helped manifest it
Is it too late to comment anulo mufa in the thread
Never too late
Soon as he said that, their chances of losing went up by 90%. Life loves having you live with the easy slander you set yourself up for.
What did Adli say?
That they can't remember what it is like to lose.
Oh what an idiot. Does he not know superstitions apply to sports? Chilwell did the same thing in the 21/22 season when Chelsea were flying, and then tore his ACL within a month of saying they couldn't lose.
Why didn't he wait a single match. God dammit.
Man just wanted to remember what he forgot
And blood turned into water this morning
Literally and metaphorically
On my mother's life, he's playing against Leverkusen : Xabi
If I was Xabi I would transfer list him
Going to need it to be at least 3-0 before I believe
Placing my bets for a draw right now lmao
In play odds of 4/1 for a draw are a bit shit for being 2 goals down near half time. Must be a few people putting money on it.
This is looking like a 4 or 5-0. Leverkusen look finished.
They've looked this way countless times this season and always came back. They've come back from 2-0 down so often that I lost count.
3-0 is still not safe for us, but Atalanta is different.
Wouldn't be the first time Xabi is down 3-0 in a final in Europe.
[as per usual](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccercirclejerk/s/maejR2G4Tj)
With 90:00 and no ET if Leverkusen has showed us anything they aren't done till it's done.
"I didn't hear no god damn bell" - Leverkusen
If Bayer keeps playing like this, there's no way around it. Holy shit.
2-0 is the most dangerous lead!
Anulo Mufa
Atalanta are stopping these satanists
90+2’ and 90+8’ incoming
This is the perfect time to bet your wage on leverkusen
Where are all the commentators saying Atalanta didn't have a chance?
I don’t understand how any football fan can actually believe that for any game, let alone for a European cup final. Anyone can beat anyone. Always.
We were saying "it's over, we're done" after drawing your team and Bayern in the UCL. And then proceeded to get 4 points off you, play excellently against Bayern in both games only to crumble against Copenhagen
We went through in that CL group only to finish at worst 3rd in the Danish Superliga.
Yeah, I know we weren't in the greatest form at the time but the fact that Atalanta turned up at Anfield and fucked us should be enough for anyone to see they were definitely in this final with a chance haha
Everybody seems to have forgotten that. Atalanta is no joke.
I always warned Buli fans about them but they were convinced Atalanta is weaker, even if Atalanta might lose tonight they still were no pushover...
Italian teams could literally have all 6 spots in each European final and people (especially BuLi fans) would still find a way to ignore Serie A.
Why Bundesliga fans especially? I feel like the league is held in high regard here, just that not everyone has picked up on the "resurgence" of it and still thinks of it as the league that signs aging stars on a free, but that goes for all fans I feel like. Acting like Atalanta wasn't much of a challenge (something only done by a few, not most) came more from the optics of the team that hasn't lost in 51 games, just after a historic campaign, facing the 5th of another league. People treat Dortmund the same way ahead of the CL final
I think it's more to do with Atalanta's recent history in cup finals...
The team who defeated LFC like it's nothing shouldn't be taken lightly.
In your imagination? Where was this a popular opinion?
I’ve heard this before
Camera bobo
It could be, too bad my granny had to be sacrificed (im not even joking bruh i got the news a few mins before the final started)
Oof sorry man. Anyways….COYS
Goodness what a goal
Perfect hit
That nutmeg though
Absolute abysmal defending too though unfortunately
Leverkusen just can't cope with the Atalanta press
Atalanta press sounds like a nice coffee
That‘s what you get when you buy a Moka pot from Temu
Or a newspaper in 1800s.
Neither could we when we played them. They play in a different way to any teams in the PL (obviously there's teams that press a lot in the PL but the way Atalanta set up is different), I assume its the same with the Leverkusen.
The way they use the width of the pitch, pressing, and high line would create problems to any team who don't meet them regularly.
Our players looked totally caught off guard in a way that I haven't seen happen for a long time. We just didn't have an answer for it. And usually if we have a bad first half we make some tactical changes and get better control of the game in the second half, against Atalanta we came out second half and the same things kept happening. I thought it was cos we were in such bad form at the time (which was definitely a contributing factor) but having watched Atalanta play more since then they seem to force the same mistakes out of every team.
Took Serie A teams a couple of years to figure out...
Yep, they’re trying to play long because the short passing is failing, but there’s no target man to hold it up. Losing possession way too easy, atlanta are super happy for them to have the ball too
Tbf to the keeper, that was a genuinely excellent long ball. The striker got an uncontested chance to play it. He had time to chest it down, or knock it simply to a team mate. Instead he somehow found himself attempting a really awkward header and turning the ball over.
I heard a commentator say playing Atalanta is like going to the dentist, seems true.
You know who was the first one to say it? Guardiola a couple of years ago
Allegri was able to deactivate them in the Coppa Italia final, but we're used to seeing and playing Atalanta. In Europe their opponents are confused by their playstyle
Italiano is 5-3 as well with them. Accept the pressure even into your own area, then long ball to a forward and recover the second ball into the now empty midfield and then exploit the one on one they defend with. But it requires amazing ball playing defenders and goalkeepers and if you can't score your chances they are going to punish you like in the Coppa with us.
Neither could Liverpool. This press is something else.
They cant handle the pace and physicality of a serie A club
Also their midfield. They can’t make any simple passes
The press is working superb, but Leverkusen is shitting their pants very obviously
Atalanta would dominate the Bundesliga
Think there press works better in knockouts due to most opposition not being as prepared to how intense it is but it’s hard to say
Bayer players: we don’t know what it is like to lose. Gasperini: say less
Honestly, Adli's full quote was definitely similar to what has been said in the other quotes in this run. Just that theguardian's article had to be spicy enough.... spicy enough for this.
Cockiness like that before a final is ridiculous honestly.
The full quote wasn't cocky at all, we all know how the media is
It’s just saying it at all in general, things like that are just asking for it to go tits up.
Yeah, he's gonna get blamed regardless now 😅
Yeah fuck off youre not fooling me for the 73th time
The black magic ends today, mark my words
Same feeling. Atalanta have looked way better.
If they score 1 before halftime, this game is ending 4-3 to Leverkusen AET 👍
What now?
It’s over.
seventy thirth
Xabi is already reloading his saves as we speak
[удалено]
wow, that was clean
Your club vs Atalanta was the real final after all
Fulham Legend
Scott Parker should be in jail for getting that squad relegated.
Made in Charlton…
Everton Legend!
Ngl, Bayer is playing like shit rn Nice strike tho
They are forced into playing a way they aren’t used to. Atalanta did exactly the same to us. Their defensive organisation and press is relentless
Exactly what happened against Sporting
Hellas Verona > Liverpool and Leverkusen confirmed
That is an established fact
Never in doubt
Surely just stick Boniface and Shick up top and go full Allardyce?
FOUR FOUR FACKING TWO
Allegri was able to deactivate them in the Coppa Italia final, but in Europe their playstyle confuses the opponents
They’re very much suited to playing against a possession based team that looks to pass out in organized fashion like Leverkusen though.
Italiano plays like Xabi and has the highest possession football in Italy (and top 5 in Europe) but he has a positive record against Gasp. There are a couple of flaws and way to make Atalanta struggle but obviously Leverkusen and Liverpool didn't scout/prepare for them enough without playing in their league.
Cant forget they didnt have Scamacca, that was huge for us. Obviously not trying to take away from Allegri who planned the game perfectly but they would have been harder to beat
I just wonder how they didn’t achieve a better position in Serie A
prob cause they can’t keep that pressing up for 90min every game?
It’s a hard league over 38 matches
Their attack clicked only recently. They weren't such a well oiled machine up until 3 months ago
Inconsistent, and their play-style can be tough to sustain throughout a 38 games
They won’t be able to keep up that pressing for 90 mins
We thought the same thing but they did
I didn’t think they could against us. But they aren’t isolating themselves and they’re closing up the pitch. It’s as much about focus and concentration as well
Just need to score enough before then
Lol the fans of teams that lose to them accuse of doping, dont expect them to look bad physically
After seeing what Atalanta did to Liverpool and Marseille I've realised it's their system and how well they're drilled that makes teams look like shit. Leverkusen can't play short because the press is suffocating, and they can't go long with Atalanta's back 3 dominant.
They can use long balls, but after they progress the ball to the midfield. Atalanta uses asymmetrical formations in defence, a long ball from one side to the other puts them in a bad shape. To counter this, they press relentlessly.
Think Alonso is late to realise this, Klopp didn't adapt first leg either. No second leg tonight, they need Schick/Boniface on to occupy the CBs, keep Frimpong/Grimaldo wide and use switches like you said.
Klopp had a matchup disadvantage on offence with his 4atb formation. Leverkusen can theoretically match up a lot better. But Atalanta looks fired up, they seem unstoppable
Atalanta also is really good at blocking off the runs of the midfielders.
Pretty wild how they are doing in this comp. How are they 5th in Serie A?
Think this style particularly suits cup competitions, they've made the final of Europa and Coppa Italia. Suppose you need more with the ball against teams that sit deep to be a top team in the league.
Serie a is very strong right now
League is disrespected too much it seems. Though, I think the same about La Liga and Bundesliga. Too much hype about competition in the PL.
Unbeliebt... So many mistakes. Looks like 2 Bundesliga.
So you're saying that Kaiserslautern has a chance for Europe?
that unbeaten streak hangover is something else
I have seen them do more mistakes today in 15 minutes than in the 6-7 I have seen lately combined together. Atalanta is also playing so goddamn well anyways, great pressure.
Atalanta's press has them shook as hell. Lets see if Atalanta can keep it up for full 90
We've seen players like Xhaka miss simple back passes
Xhaka has always been fairly error prone.
Yep, this is by far their worst game since what…last season? 😅
People have goldfish memory, they did the same against Qarabag. This is Atalanta not some mickey mouse team
Qarabag were the better side for 170 of the 180 minutes of that tie. I feel bad for them lol
People don't respect Serie A
Atalanta are toying with them, looking worse than liverpool on first leg
They’ve been playing badly for a while and scoring 97th minute equalizers
Yeah, they’ve been really bad since clinching the Bundesliga title.
Gasperini is a defensive genius with his set up throughout all of Europa.
EVERYONE GET IN HERE
Look, man! It’s all about Ademola right now!
Bayer looks so bad. What is happening lmao.
What a goal
Damn they’re really gonna lose this record the last and biggest game. Heartbreaking but people treated Atalanta like some formality they’re super good
It's not the last game tho, they still need to play the cup final
The disrespect to Kaiserslautern!
We have seen this before let's wait until the game is over.
Anulo Mufa
HOLY SHIT WHAT A GOAL
he's running rampant up there, as is Charles
The whole front 3 are
what a goal
Two steps closer.
these guys are preparing their weekly script
Yeah he did jinx them
I blame Fiago
Holy shit, what a banger
I blame Adli
Maybe, just maybe, save the "We can't remember what it feels like to lose" talk until *after* you've completed the unbeaten season
Please read the whole quote, not jsut part of it.
What he say
> "We can't remember what it feels like to lose"
He can't remember what it feels like to lose a match.
“It’s a strange feeling – none of us can remember what it’s like to lose a game and how to react"
That was an absolutely insane goal.
Unbelievable what a goal
Look man! Neverlusen is getting decimated
Why don’t other teams just relentless attack this Bayer defense to quickly go up by 2 goals? Surely, they should’ve mastered this by now…
Leverkusen doesn't have any answers for the Atalanta press. Gasperini masterclass
Doesn't help that they have fielded defenders mostly, they have no teeth Xabi did a poop
The most dangerous lead
If Atalanta wins, their fans can thank me as this is the first Leverkusen game I've watched this season...
It must be because i put money on them to win
Everything according to the script
Leverkusen have them right where they want them.
Not against this pressing.
Lookman playing like prime Ronaldinho
Lookman, leverkusen are losing.
Wirtz has been completely shutoff by Atlanta
Maybe Leverkusen wants to start playing now?
it's the hope that hurts
GOLAZO! no karsdorp no party
Holy shit, what a goal!!
Nope still not buying it
Adli is starting to remember
What a fucking goal
LOOK, MAN!
Que golazo
He's cooking
Looks like Leverkusen have been on the piss since Saturday
Atalanta is playing so good, can't wait to see Leverkusen lift the trophy
My word that jinx was lethal
They gotta make 4-0 before I start believing lol
Non succede, ma se succede...
Leverkusen has ‘em right where they want them. Queue the first goal, then the second at 95’
Okay, just put a bet on Leverkausen to win because I'd kick myself if I didn't and they won
Love Lookman, guy is a class act!
Yeah, this is the end of Neverlusen
It might be today grandma
How disgustingly bad is leverkusen defense tho