Vickzq wrote:hertolo wrote:So while Braga will advance, I do hope that Sion may snatch one or two points for the coefficient for Switzerland.
I wouldn't be that sure about the outcome. It's not only that the draw was nice for Braga, it's also that it's really pretty ok for Sion this way.
Had the feeling that they prepared everything for this year's revenge vs. UEFA in Europa League... so far, that was accurate.
It is pretty ok for Sion. (however I do have the impression that we draw way more often against Portugal than say German teams
).
Thunder_PT wrote:You assume wrong. But a) I already thought more about Dortmund to begin with (I hope this isn't disrespectful too) and b) they lost that game with their reserves, right after beating Wolfsburg away. Overall, their good results outweigh the bad ones and consider the level of their opponents.
You cannot fault Basel for what their opponents are in normal league games. It's not like they can change countries after all. And it's not like there are easy games in the league, as each game has to be won first against teams on the defensive all the time.
I'm not going to pretend I watch all Basel games. I watched 4 of their games in the last 2 seasons: they were outplayed twice vs. FC Porto (5-1 aggregate, could have been a lot more) and exchanged away wins with Belenenses. I wish I could watch more, but time isn't unlimited. You're Swiss, so you know them better (though you might also be biased), but I do follow their results. And you're basically telling me I should ignore the results vs. Maccabi and Belenenses (or their 3 league defeats) as just slip ups, but I should see the wins against Fiorentina and Liverpool (last season) as the norm? The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. Look at Sporting, beat Benfica away 3-0, lost vs. Skenderbeu 3-0...
What I'm saying is that you know Sousa, and since he left, you assume they are rubbish. You place quite a lot of value on a name that you don't really hear a lot of good of in the places he left (but one does not hear too much from Hungary, Israel and Switzerland...). I'm not saying you should ignore the bad results, just that they all had specific reasons which may not apply in February. The underestimation of Swiss Football happens quite a lot and it is getting annoying since Swiss Football has been on the rise for 10 years now in the rankings. Slowly of course, but it would be nice to see that reflected.
Of course another problem is that in European Football you seldom play against teams of the same strength (since pots) and thus you cannot really compare yourself against an equal opponent (unless you're one of the biggest teams and in the last rounds).
(also why should a meaningless group game against belenenses count? and looking at final scores in playoff-games is kinda meaningless since it's only advancing which counts)
It's kind of an interesting effect that everybody seems to overestimate the nations that one is following more. For example in Switzerland, German Bundesliga or Italian Serie A are followed quite a lot more than the French Ligue 1 or the English Premier League or even the Spanish one, so one tends to bet more on them. It's this focus on the big names that is strange and kinda wrong, no?
My points are just their results. Plus, I merely ranked them, didn't rate them. If you're saying I'm wrong, then could you point out where? Who am I overrating, Krasnodar? Olympiakos? Should they be behind Basel?
Of course, since Basel won a lot more in the last five years than these two teams. And that's really the only way to rate teams since comparing the strength of current teams becomes more of a guesswork. Market value is a hint, but then so many other factors apply.
Well, if it's about disrespectful language, let it be known it was not my intention. But if "St-Étienne" should be smiling" is offensive, then the internet is really becoming a place where you can't say anything without offending someone. I've said nothing about Basel I wouldn't say even more about Braga who I'm supporting in the EL.
It's disrespectful since it's condescending. Had you written they "can count themselves lucky" or they "should be happy" it would have been a lot better since both teams can be that, namely content with the draw. Smiling however has the connotation of looking down on someone and being relieved. There's so much in language that I agree with you the internet can be nervebreaking. I've always experienced this forum however as quite polite (exceptions apply).
In the end, I will not partake in a quote war, but I simply had to react to that "smiling" statement. These "back and forths" don't lead anywhere once the basic arguments have been exchanged and I guess that means you are allowed to one round back again, but I do hope you see my points
St.-Etienne-Basel 70-30 
