Stephen Eustaquio

[Kadenge]

12 hours ago, dyslexic nam said:

For that to happen, we better hope that Bombito can grow into a top defensive mid.  Either that or have Priso rediscover his form.  

Kone is too talented going forward to try and constrain in a defensive role so moving Staq up may play to his strengths but it creates new issues with squad balance.  We are already pretty strongly forward-weighted.   

I just hope Bombito plays as a CB or defensive mid for his club next season. He has a combination of size, skill and althleticism that we dont have. Both positions need to be upgraded, but the player I think most are sleeping on is Saliba. I've been super impressed with his play for CFM this past season. Doesn't yet have the flash of Kone but has a great engine, work ethic, passing ability is tops, good on the ball,  pacey and has good size for a 19 yr old. He also showed some grit as the season progressed. Hasn't played as a #6 yet, but he may be able to fill that defensive role. Most teams really don't use a pure #6 anymore and defensive mids are expected to play through a press, which requires  skill on the  ball and pace.

[Joe MacCarthy]

UCL
Porto 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 1 HT
9' Galeno scores for Porto
15' Eustaquio off to a lively start with a couple of long range shots and he took a corner
29' Donetsk scores
43' Galeno scores for Porto

Porto only needs a draw

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Joe MacCarthy

[Kadenge]

2-1 Porto. Staq involved in the play

 

[WestHamCanadianinOxford]

Decent free kick in creates a chance.   Looking forward to that with Canada. 

[InglewoodJack]

Just scored! In his own net. 

[Kadenge]

Unfortunate own goal. Deflects off the keepers legs and bounces off Staq into the goal. 3-2 Porto

[WestHamCanadianinOxford]

Just now, InglewoodJack said:

Just scored! In his own net. 

Knew nothing about it, puts a little edge back in the tie. 

[Kadenge]

4-2 Porto. Old man Pepe still ticking along

[InglewoodJack]

Did Eustaquio take the corner that ended up in a goal? Hoping for a quick redemption 

[WestHamCanadianinOxford]

1 minute ago, InglewoodJack said:

Did Eustaquio take the corner that ended up in a goal? Hoping for a quick redemption 

yes, hockey assist

[Joe MacCarthy]

Eustaquio off at 81'

[Joe MacCarthy]

Porto 5 Shakhtar Donetsk 2 82'

[Kadenge]

 Porto go up 5-2 a min later

[InglewoodJack]

Funny, any of our other players score an own goal and we’re worrying about their playing time or if they’ll get dropped, when Eustaquio does it it’s like, eh, whatever, makes the game more interesting. It’s fine 

 

(that’s not a knock on anyone, just nice we have a player so consistent that one bad mistake in an “important” game isn’t the biggest deal in the world)

Edited December 13, 2023 by InglewoodJack

[Kadenge]

2 minutes ago, InglewoodJack said:

Funny, any of our other players score an own goal and we’re worrying about their playing time or if they’ll get dropped, when Eustaquio does it it’s like, eh, whatever, makes the game more interesting. It’s fine 

I mean not if they are a bona fide starter, but its always a confidence killer for a young player or newbie. There was nothing he could have done. 2 deflections.

[Kadenge]

8 goals in this game and still 3+ mins to play!

[WestHamCanadianinOxford]

Flipped over after he went off to see Tomori hit the post on the break. 

Milan still knock the Barcodes out. 

[dyslexic nam]

As an aside, anyone check on UT?  

[InglewoodJack]

I got a Ronaldinho card in EA FC 24 completely randomly- that’s one of the best cards in the entire game, and I needed Barcelona to win like two games in their (now) last 3 to get him a permanent power boost, so they go ahead and lose to Girona and now Antwerp. I’m disgusted.

Edited December 13, 2023 by InglewoodJack

[Unnamed Trialist]

1 hour ago, dyslexic nam said:

As an aside, anyone check on UT?  

It's not so much today, since we are already qualified first in the group (four of five Spanish teams first in their groups, 2 of 4 English teams dead last). It is last weekend too, being manhandled at home by Girona. 

This is more an internal question, for us Barça fans, but from day one and still now I say Xavi is not a premium coach. I realize we have the excuse of not being able to sign and that is hurting the team, but objectively, the Barça roster is excellent. A bit young, but very strong. 10 days ago vs. Atletico Gundogan, De Jong and Pedri were amazing. The problem is that Xavi is not a premium football coach, and it's a shame considering what a great person he is, so down to earth and agreeable, and what an extraordinary player he was. Meaning we will probably have to live with his limitations for a while (he has his dumbass brother as an assistant, who knows nothing about football), because no one can bring themself to fire him. 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Unnamed Trialist

[Obinna]

Doesn't Porto have superior GD? Why did Barca top the group?

[Acid-Tone]

3 hours ago, InglewoodJack said:

Funny, any of our other players score an own goal and we’re worrying about their playing time or if they’ll get dropped, when Eustaquio does it it’s like, eh, whatever, makes the game more interesting. It’s fine 

 

(that’s not a knock on anyone, just nice we have a player so consistent that one bad mistake in an “important” game isn’t the biggest deal in the world)

Not every own goal is a "mistake", and today's certainly wasn't.

[Acid-Tone]

11 minutes ago, Obinna said:

Doesn't Porto have superior GD? Why did Barca top the group?

They recently changed a 2-way tie in the groups is to be broken by head-to-head results. Barca won 2-1 & 1-0.

[Stryker911]

Deservedly named men's player of the year.

https://canadasoccer.com/news/2023-stephen-eustaquio-jessie-fleming-named-canada-soccers-2023-players-of-the-year/

[Obinna]

Very nice and congrats to Staq!