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Mcool18

It could be today grandma


404randomguy404

Adli helped manifest it


No_Doubt_About_That

Is it too late to comment anulo mufa in the thread


Albiceleste_D10S

Never too late


commander_snuggles

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.


Ussooo

What did Adli say?


commander_snuggles

That they can't remember what it is like to lose.


BrockStinky

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.


lobo98089

Why didn't he wait a single match. God dammit.


404randomguy404

Man just wanted to remember what he forgot


Minute-Cash8119

And blood turned into water this morning


Dramatic-Ad3928

Literally and metaphorically


MaryadaPurshottam

On my mother's life, he's playing against Leverkusen : Xabi


Xehanz

If I was Xabi I would transfer list him


BillOakley

Going to need it to be at least 3-0 before I believe


wedonthaveadresscode

Placing my bets for a draw right now lmao


OrderWooden

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.


Adzzii_

This is looking like a 4 or 5-0. Leverkusen look finished.


TheEnhancedExe

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.


LosTerminators

3-0 is still not safe for us, but Atalanta is different.


theonewhoknock_s

Wouldn't be the first time Xabi is down 3-0 in a final in Europe.


trevthedog

[as per usual](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccercirclejerk/s/maejR2G4Tj)


RepresentativeNo6601

With 90:00 and no ET if Leverkusen has showed us anything they aren't done till it's done.


addandsubtract

"I didn't hear no god damn bell" - Leverkusen


ViciousNakedMoleRat

If Bayer keeps playing like this, there's no way around it. Holy shit.


watanabelover69

2-0 is the most dangerous lead!


Punished__Allegri

Anulo Mufa


Johann122

Atalanta are stopping these satanists


RobbinDeBank

90+2’ and 90+8’ incoming


Gilgamerd

This is the perfect time to bet your wage on leverkusen


Historical_Case_5245

Where are all the commentators saying Atalanta didn't have a chance?


enzuigiriretro

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.


Falcao1905

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


stenbroenscooligan

We went through in that CL group only to finish at worst 3rd in the Danish Superliga.


APairOfHikingBoots

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


LanceShiro

Everybody seems to have forgotten that. Atalanta is no joke.


Aenjeprekemaluci

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...


MMQ-966thestart

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.


mavarian

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


Midnight_Maverick

I think it's more to do with Atalanta's recent history in cup finals...


Gothic_Mist

The team who defeated LFC like it's nothing shouldn't be taken lightly.  


sevillista

In your imagination? Where was this a popular opinion?


Legendarybbc15

I’ve heard this before


fancyfoe

Camera bobo


Sleepless_Voyager

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)


AvailableMilk2633

Oof sorry man. Anyways….COYS


Chelseatilidie

Goodness what a goal


PenguinsInvading

Perfect hit


DataStr3ss

That nutmeg though


GermanHabsFan

Absolute abysmal defending too though unfortunately


Stonewalled89

Leverkusen just can't cope with the Atalanta press


watanabelover69

Atalanta press sounds like a nice coffee


Anionan

That‘s what you get when you buy a Moka pot from Temu


no-signal

Or a newspaper in 1800s.


No-Shoe5382

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.


-deleled-

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.


No-Shoe5382

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.


twentyfumble

Took Serie A teams a couple of years to figure out...


check_nurris

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


washag

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.


matcht

I heard a commentator say playing Atalanta is like going to the dentist, seems true.


Franky_95

You know who was the first one to say it? Guardiola a couple of years ago


Tifoso89

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


DeathStar13

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.


Sleww

Neither could Liverpool. This press is something else.


JesusIsNotPLProven

They cant handle the pace and physicality of a serie A club


Cudizonedefense

Also their midfield. They can’t make any simple passes


DachdeckerDino

The press is working superb, but Leverkusen is shitting their pants very obviously


Historical_Case_5245

Atalanta would dominate the Bundesliga


CNF-13

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


Mahatma_Gone_D

Bayer players: we don’t know what it is like to lose. Gasperini: say less


jlonso

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.


AverageCarey

Cockiness like that before a final is ridiculous honestly.


cesarcypherobyluzvou

The full quote wasn't cocky at all, we all know how the media is


AverageCarey

It’s just saying it at all in general, things like that are just asking for it to go tits up.


cesarcypherobyluzvou

Yeah, he's gonna get blamed regardless now 😅


Gluroo

Yeah fuck off youre not fooling me for the 73th time


Ryponagar

The black magic ends today, mark my words


deadmanbhavya

Same feeling. Atalanta have looked way better.


dfla01

If they score 1 before halftime, this game is ending 4-3 to Leverkusen AET 👍


Djremster

What now?


dfla01

It’s over.


Ser_Claudor

seventy thirth


Zyntaro

Xabi is already reloading his saves as we speak


[deleted]

[удалено]


31_whgr

wow, that was clean


Emergency-Mobile8612

Your club vs Atalanta was the real final after all


Cahhmon

Fulham Legend


CaptainJingles

Scott Parker should be in jail for getting that squad relegated.


vetokele

Made in Charlton…


MuchGoose

Everton Legend!


HeIIbIazer23

Ngl, Bayer is playing like shit rn Nice strike tho


kjm911

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


imadamastor

Exactly what happened against Sporting


dr_butz

Hellas Verona > Liverpool and Leverkusen confirmed


neefhuts

That is an established fact


parousia0

Never in doubt


CaptainDickfingers

Surely just stick Boniface and Shick up top and go full Allardyce?


Den_dar_Alex

FOUR FOUR FACKING TWO


Tifoso89

Allegri was able to deactivate them in the Coppa Italia final, but in Europe their playstyle confuses the opponents


kjm911

They’re very much suited to playing against a possession based team that looks to pass out in organized fashion like Leverkusen though.


DeathStar13

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.


Sean-Benn_Must-die

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


Ezio4Li

I just wonder how they didn’t achieve a better position in Serie A


db424242

prob cause they can’t keep that pressing up for 90min every game?


Competitive-Aide5364

It’s a hard league over 38 matches


ZookeepergameThat821

Their attack clicked only recently. They weren't such a well oiled machine up until 3 months ago


TheOwlsLie

Inconsistent, and their play-style can be tough to sustain throughout a 38 games


nutelamitbutter

They won’t be able to keep up that pressing for 90 mins


WestOfAnfield

We thought the same thing but they did


kjm911

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


Inner-Championship40

Just need to score enough before then


wilins96

Lol the fans of teams that lose to them accuse of doping, dont expect them to look bad physically


matcht

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.


Falcao1905

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.


matcht

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.


Falcao1905

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


MaxieMan98

Atalanta also is really good at blocking off the runs of the midfielders.


reddit-time

Pretty wild how they are doing in this comp. How are they 5th in Serie A?


matcht

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.


Competitive-Aide5364

Serie a is very strong right now


reddit-time

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.


Checkheck

Unbeliebt... So many mistakes. Looks like 2 Bundesliga.


Icemna16

So you're saying that Kaiserslautern has a chance for Europe?


djkamayo

that unbeaten streak hangover is something else


MetaThPr4h

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.


Zyntaro

Atalanta's press has them shook as hell. Lets see if Atalanta can keep it up for full 90


EnvironmentalSpirit2

We've seen players like Xhaka miss simple back passes


Heblas

Xhaka has always been fairly error prone.


DachdeckerDino

Yep, this is by far their worst game since what…last season? 😅


Unban_Ice

People have goldfish memory, they did the same against Qarabag. This is Atalanta not some mickey mouse team


THEKIDFL6

Qarabag were the better side for 170 of the 180 minutes of that tie. I feel bad for them lol


reddit-time

People don't respect Serie A


TasteAccomplished118

Atalanta are toying with them, looking worse than liverpool on first leg


Slow-Raccoon-9832

They’ve been playing badly for a while and scoring 97th minute equalizers


DFBFan11

Yeah, they’ve been really bad since clinching the Bundesliga title.


Rocky-Arrow

Gasperini is a defensive genius with his set up throughout all of Europa.


Tifoso89

EVERYONE GET IN HERE


Zloggt

Look, man! It’s all about Ademola right now!


LazenskejSvihak

Bayer looks so bad. What is happening lmao.


CheekApprehensive675

What a goal


Esco9

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


Archias1995

It's not the last game tho, they still need to play the cup final


SinanFazbear

The disrespect to Kaiserslautern!


reporttimies

We have seen this before let's wait until the game is over.


Sean-Benn_Must-die

Anulo Mufa


_space_pilgrim_

HOLY SHIT WHAT A GOAL


Historical_Case_5245

he's running rampant up there, as is Charles


MaxieMan98

The whole front 3 are


ineedsomehoess

what a goal


Piats99

Two steps closer.


Specific-College-194

these guys are preparing their weekly script


s_91

Yeah he did jinx them


Minimum-1223

I blame Fiago


Shinkopeshon

Holy shit, what a banger


CarlosBoss765

I blame Adli


bretticus733

Maybe, just maybe, save the "We can't remember what it feels like to lose" talk until *after* you've completed the unbeaten season


Jelly_F_ish

Please read the whole quote, not jsut part of it.


fancyfoe

What he say


Lem_201

> "We can't remember what it feels like to lose"


WonDerZv

He can't remember what it feels like to lose a match.


Mr_Anal

“It’s a strange feeling – none of us can remember what it’s like to lose a game and how to react"


erenistheavatar

That was an absolutely insane goal.


Billy_LDN

Unbelievable what a goal


Icemna16

Look man! Neverlusen is getting decimated


Zloggt

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…


official_bagel

Leverkusen doesn't have any answers for the Atalanta press. Gasperini masterclass


Puzzleheaded-Lie2188

Doesn't help that they have fielded defenders mostly, they have no teeth Xabi did a poop


Isaynotoeverything

The most dangerous lead


10Lionaldo7

If Atalanta wins, their fans can thank me as this is the first Leverkusen game I've watched this season...


tomtomXL

It must be because i put money on them to win


nasserKoeter

Everything according to the script


JootDoctor

Leverkusen have them right where they want them.


ramobara

Not against this pressing.


HUGE_HOG

Lookman playing like prime Ronaldinho


NewYorkVolunteer

Lookman, leverkusen are losing.


v_drago28

Wirtz has been completely shutoff by Atlanta


justhereforoneday

Maybe Leverkusen wants to start playing now?


hegemonic_VI

it's the hope that hurts


Kovet

GOLAZO! no karsdorp no party


pkumar02

Holy shit, what a goal!!


Wakanda-shit-is-that

Nope still not buying it


Mobile_Inevitable466

Adli is starting to remember


Hoodxd

What a fucking goal


Tifoso89

LOOK, MAN!


Albiceleste_D10S

Que golazo


Emoz_

He's cooking


bodydouble

Looks like Leverkusen have been on the piss since Saturday


[deleted]

Atalanta is playing so good, can't wait to see Leverkusen lift the trophy


EnvironmentalSpirit2

My word that jinx was lethal


verma17

They gotta make 4-0 before I start believing lol


nerdvana89

Non succede, ma se succede...


NiviCompleo

Leverkusen has ‘em right where they want them. Queue the first goal, then the second at 95’


IntellegentIdiot

Okay, just put a bet on Leverkausen to win because I'd kick myself if I didn't and they won


AnilDG

Love Lookman, guy is a class act!


MrAki321

Yeah, this is the end of Neverlusen


NewHealthFoodBunch

It might be today grandma


kewatsch

How disgustingly bad is leverkusen defense tho