Thirder
Most exciting teams that never won anything
- Thread starter B20
- Start date
I think they won the league though
Club Edition:
De Zerbi's Sassuolo:
Remains the most entertaining side I've watched in the last 8 years or so. I was a fervent admirer of their sustained build up, utilising the full backs in deep areas and patiently working their way to get a spare man on the ball capable of making a progressive pass. They were a side with goals in them, but most importantly was the kaleidoscope of movement which made there games a fabulous spectacle. I enjoyed watching them so much, I ended up watching games from the Ukraine league (Shakhtar_Donetsk) once De Zerbi left.
Stuttgart 2020/21:
The exuberance of the side made them a really enjoyable side to watch. Perhaps the most notable thing was the frequency in which they were having shots on goal.
González's ball retention in tight spaces. The exuberance of Wamangituka. Sosa's involvement in facilitating play on the left flank. The midfield conduit of Endo and Mangala. The dogged work of Klimowicz. The fleet footed Coulibaly at their disposal. There was a lot to like about that side. I do think the standout game was spectacle between Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart. I found it somewhat intrinsically beautiful the way Stuttgart frequently had 5 players in the box when the time hadn't reached 30 minutes yet. They were quite clearly going for it, and the efforts were rewarded as they got a second. In this way, the balance had once again turned, as the visitors were now in the driving seat. The game took another twist as Hoffeinheim scored the equaliser just a few minutes into the second half. With momentum shifting, it was the visitors that conceded again as now Hoffeinheim were leading. Just when you think they might do just enough to hang on, a goal from Stuttgart equalized in one of the last kicks of the game. It was probably the game I enjoyed watching the most in 2021 as it had
*An early goal in both halves
* Several shots from both sides
* Both sides took the lead
* A goal in the 90+ mins
* Six goal thriller
Jorge Sampaoli's Marseille - One of my favourite managers in the sport, and it was often scintillating stuff to see his Marseille side. Such a pity that league is often ridiculed, as critics of Ligue 1 would have missed out on some excellent games with Marseille.
Biesla's Athletic Bilbao - The most notable example being the 2-2 draw between Biesla's Athletic Bilbao and Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2021/22 which till this day is one of the best games I've ever watched.
De Zerbi's Sassuolo:
Remains the most entertaining side I've watched in the last 8 years or so. I was a fervent admirer of their sustained build up, utilising the full backs in deep areas and patiently working their way to get a spare man on the ball capable of making a progressive pass. They were a side with goals in them, but most importantly was the kaleidoscope of movement which made there games a fabulous spectacle. I enjoyed watching them so much, I ended up watching games from the Ukraine league (Shakhtar_Donetsk) once De Zerbi left.
Stuttgart 2020/21:
The exuberance of the side made them a really enjoyable side to watch. Perhaps the most notable thing was the frequency in which they were having shots on goal.
González's ball retention in tight spaces. The exuberance of Wamangituka. Sosa's involvement in facilitating play on the left flank. The midfield conduit of Endo and Mangala. The dogged work of Klimowicz. The fleet footed Coulibaly at their disposal. There was a lot to like about that side. I do think the standout game was spectacle between Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart. I found it somewhat intrinsically beautiful the way Stuttgart frequently had 5 players in the box when the time hadn't reached 30 minutes yet. They were quite clearly going for it, and the efforts were rewarded as they got a second. In this way, the balance had once again turned, as the visitors were now in the driving seat. The game took another twist as Hoffeinheim scored the equaliser just a few minutes into the second half. With momentum shifting, it was the visitors that conceded again as now Hoffeinheim were leading. Just when you think they might do just enough to hang on, a goal from Stuttgart equalized in one of the last kicks of the game. It was probably the game I enjoyed watching the most in 2021 as it had
*An early goal in both halves
* Several shots from both sides
* Both sides took the lead
* A goal in the 90+ mins
* Six goal thriller
Jorge Sampaoli's Marseille - One of my favourite managers in the sport, and it was often scintillating stuff to see his Marseille side. Such a pity that league is often ridiculed, as critics of Ligue 1 would have missed out on some excellent games with Marseille.
Biesla's Athletic Bilbao - The most notable example being the 2-2 draw between Biesla's Athletic Bilbao and Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2021/22 which till this day is one of the best games I've ever watched.
The Netherland of the 1998 ~ 2000 VDS, Stam, Davids, Seedorf, Bergkam…
For clubs, Arsenal of the post Henry era. The team that had Fabregas, Nasri, RVP… Actually the entire Wenger-loser era were periods they played exciting football. (They were annoying during the invincible saga though).
I also liked Spalletti’s Roma side of 2016/17, they played a very direct attacking football with Nainggolan, Strootman & DDR on midfield behind Salah-Dzeko…
For clubs, Arsenal of the post Henry era. The team that had Fabregas, Nasri, RVP… Actually the entire Wenger-loser era were periods they played exciting football. (They were annoying during the invincible saga though).
I also liked Spalletti’s Roma side of 2016/17, they played a very direct attacking football with Nainggolan, Strootman & DDR on midfield behind Salah-Dzeko…
Here´s a couple of brilliant teams that fits in here...
Brazil 1982 - Denmark 1984-1986 - Netherlands 1974/1998 - Pocchetinos Spurs
Brazil 1982 - Denmark 1984-1986 - Netherlands 1974/1998 - Pocchetinos Spurs
Palmeiras Parmalat in 96
Rivaldo, Djalminha, Cafu, Muller(very underrated player), Luizão.
They won the Paulixão, but it's a minor trophy.
Rivaldo, Djalminha, Cafu, Muller(very underrated player), Luizão.
They won the Paulixão, but it's a minor trophy.
I didn’t really watch them but the PSG team of 01-02 had Ronaldinho, Anelka, Okocha as well as Heinze,Arteta and Pochettino and only seemingly won the inter-toto cup ( which is basically pre-season tournament). I can’t imagine they were a boring side.
I found them more exciting to watch under Redknapp for the most part.
Poch's side had that extremely exciting CL run, and nothing Redknapp's teams did could ever get close to that. Not just the semi final against Ajax that everyone remembers but the QF win over City and the group stage was a very close run thing too with Inter and Barcelona in the group. Talking more about the brand of football over the duration of their time there.
Lots of similarities between Redknapp's teams and Fergies United sides in how they wanted to play, just that Spurs had worse players. It's why we'd always beat them but in general they were really good to watch.
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Threads like this are borderline depressing. I see so many good shouts and though it may be nostalgia- it feels like so many teams had some world beaters on them not that long ago.
Dortmund 2012-13
Arsenal late 2000s early 2010s
Napoli with Cavani, Lavezzi, Hamsik (edit -won the Italian cup but still)
Colombia 2014
Riquelme's Villarreal
Arsenal late 2000s early 2010s
Napoli with Cavani, Lavezzi, Hamsik (edit -won the Italian cup but still)
Colombia 2014
Riquelme's Villarreal
Arsenal
Sir Bobby Robson/Newcastle were a fun team to watch. I think the closest they got to silverware was the UEFA Cup when they narrowly lost to Marseille in the semis 20 years ago.
Laurent Robert was a role model in school with all the kids trying to replicate those ridiculous goals he could score.
Laurent Robert was a role model in school with all the kids trying to replicate those ridiculous goals he could score.
Loved Deportiva La Coruna back in the day. Though I think they did win La Liga. Bielsa at Bilbao was also a good side to watch.
Stoke era under Pulis and Delap.
07/08 Arsenal was a brilliant side imo.
Was all doom and gloom as Henry left that summer but Fabregas and Van Persie started to step up as leaders and Hleb was very good for 2/3 of that season, same for Rosicky before he inevitably got injured.
Reminded me of them last season as it started to fall away around March/April but they were a very good watch that season and a fantastic Man. United team that could've easily won the treble once more just about reeled them in.
Man. United 11/12 aswell. Were involved in loads of high scoring games that season, 8-2 v Arsenal, 4-4 Everton, Bolton 5-0 etc and back to front it had more about it than the one that comfortably won the league the next season in Fergie's final year.
Boro 96/97 deserve a thread on their own. Two cup finals but lost both and got relegated with all of Juninho (think he was voted best player in the league), Ravanelli who scored 30 goals and Emerson.
Anyone who moans about fixture congestion go on soccerbase and have a look at the schedule they had from the February up to the final day, was ridiculous although one of those games was self inflicted as they didn't turn up to Blackburn just before Xmas and had to then play it on the final Thursday of the season.
Anyone who moans about fixture congestion go on soccerbase and have a look at the schedule they had from the February up to the final day, was ridiculous although one of those games was self inflicted as they didn't turn up to Blackburn just before Xmas and had to then play it on the final Thursday of the season.
I guess a lot of people will mention Hungary of the early fifties, but I never saw them play.
I absolutely loved Romania in the mid-nineties with Hagi, Dumitrescu, Raducoiu and co and the Czech Republic of the mid-noughties with the likes of Nedved, Poborsky,, Smicer, Baros, etc, Shame both only had one good tournament each and didn't win it, but they were very exciting.
I absolutely loved Romania in the mid-nineties with Hagi, Dumitrescu, Raducoiu and co and the Czech Republic of the mid-noughties with the likes of Nedved, Poborsky,, Smicer, Baros, etc, Shame both only had one good tournament each and didn't win it, but they were very exciting.
Denmark 1984-86 was a great team.
Colombia 1994. Pele actually tipped them to win the World Cup that year.
Italy had a great team in the early 90s.
Would of helped our chances if Ole made a few subs
Brazil 82
Newcastle 95-99
Senegal 02
Leeds in the early 00s
Czech 04
Portugal 00-06
Ghana 06-10
Italy 2016
Tottenham with Bale
Napoli Sarri
Belgium golden generation
Newcastle 95-99
Senegal 02
Leeds in the early 00s
Czech 04
Portugal 00-06
Ghana 06-10
Italy 2016
Tottenham with Bale
Napoli Sarri
Belgium golden generation
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Same for the Dutch side of the 70s.
Atalanta 19-20
Sarris Napoli
Bielsa Bilbao
Spurs under Poch
Sarris Napoli
Bielsa Bilbao
Spurs under Poch
Mostovoy/Karpin/Mazinho era Celta Vigo. I thought they were often more exciting and fluid in possession than Deportivo or particularly Cuper/Benitez's Valencia, but they lacked that extra bit of depth and same quality of forward that those teams had.
Probably 11/12?
Robson's Barça. They did won the CWC though, but even at the time it was considered a useless trophy.
England 90 was much better. Did a brilliant World Cup in terms of attacking football but managed to score their chances against West Germany and the rest is history.
I loved watching Bulgaria in the 90s.
Stoichkov was my favourite player outside of United when growing up.
They played beautiful football.
No idea how good the team actually was, but they were definitely exciting for me.
Stoichkov was my favourite player outside of United when growing up.
They played beautiful football.
No idea how good the team actually was, but they were definitely exciting for me.
I thought England 04 was the most exciting team that never won a thing on paper?
Owen
Rooney
Scholes
Lampard
Gerrard
Beckham
Joe Cole
Hargreaves
Neville
Terry
Sol Campbell
Ashley Cole
Players bolded were undisputed world class players, 5 of them finished Ballon d'or top 3. Joe cole, Hargreaves and Neville were also solid sub-world class players
Owen
Rooney
Scholes
Lampard
Gerrard
Beckham
Joe Cole
Hargreaves
Neville
Terry
Sol Campbell
Ashley Cole
Players bolded were undisputed world class players, 5 of them finished Ballon d'or top 3. Joe cole, Hargreaves and Neville were also solid sub-world class players
Klopp's Liverpool 18-19, 20-21 and now 23-24.
That’s actually a good shout.
86-87 Spurs. Hoddle, Waddle, Ardiles. Clemence in goal. 49 goals from Clive Allen. 3rd in the league behind Merseyside. Lost in semi-finals of league cup after replay. Lost in FA cup final. Probably the most glamorous English side of that era.
Absolutely
Came here to say this. Those Mazzarri teams were great to watch
Big Ron's West Brom.
Dave Sexton's QPR
Dave Sexton's QPR
You just feel Ange's Spurs will be on this list soon enough. I also have very fond memories of the Chile team that had Zamorano and Salas up top. Two of my favorite partnerships growing up.
As well as Stoichkov I remember Letchkov from that team, tidy player.
I had a bit of a thing for the Czech Republic at one point. They had good generation and a half of players and could be fun to watch but had their best result slightly earlier than the time I liked them. Nedved the obvious one, but there was also Rosicky, Poborsky, Baros, Patrik Berger, big Jan Koller up front, Jankulovski and Ujfalusi at the back, Petr Cech in goal. Decent team. Nedved, Poborsky and Berger were in Euro '96 when they made the final, the others came a long a little later. I think they were all playing for the national team circa 2002 when they failed reach the World Cup with a stacked squad and again for Euro '04 when Greece dumped them out in the semis.
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Since it's a team that NEVER won anything, that leaves quite few options.
Hungary might take the cake
Yet a particular team that played great and didn't win the competition where it was involved, many:
The Dutch's in 74 a classic
Real Madrid from the Hugo and Buitre era in CLs, great team that couldn't make it in Europe.
Almost every Power House or Traditional team in WC82 (my favorite one): Brazil, France, Germany...
Holland, Brazil, and to a lesser degree England and Argentina in 98 were cool teams
I really liked Argentina 2006, yet I think it was a team capable of a great domination in one half and later take a nap and loose or tie stupidly. The Copa America 2007, great names, great tournament level, absolutely AWFUL Final. I never dig at all the whole Arg 2002 praise, bar a couple of friendlies against Germany and Italy.
Hungary might take the cake
Yet a particular team that played great and didn't win the competition where it was involved, many:
The Dutch's in 74 a classic
Real Madrid from the Hugo and Buitre era in CLs, great team that couldn't make it in Europe.
Almost every Power House or Traditional team in WC82 (my favorite one): Brazil, France, Germany...
Holland, Brazil, and to a lesser degree England and Argentina in 98 were cool teams
I really liked Argentina 2006, yet I think it was a team capable of a great domination in one half and later take a nap and loose or tie stupidly. The Copa America 2007, great names, great tournament level, absolutely AWFUL Final. I never dig at all the whole Arg 2002 praise, bar a couple of friendlies against Germany and Italy.
They'd just won the league though so I'm not sure they count