Daily Schmankerl: Emre Can to Juventus; Nagelsmann to Leipzig; Bundesliga is best liga

The Bundesliga is the best attended in the world (Kicker)

The German Bundesliga celebrated yet another nearly record-breaking season. In the 2017/18 season, 43,879 tickets were sold on average for each game according to the official information of the 18 clubs. Only the record 2011/12 season saw more fans come to the stadiums (44,293 on average). The Bundesliga beat out the English Premier League by a wide margin—by nearly 7,000 fans. The Premier League averaged somewhat more than only 38,000 per game. As for individual stadiums, Manchester United’s Old Tafford won with a total of 1,424,537 fans, while Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park was the busiest in Germany, with 1,346,766 fans. But only the Allianz Arena was sold out all season in Germany.

Julian Nagelsmann will coach RB Leipzig 2019/20 (Kicker)

The latest Bundesliga coaching move has arrived. After RB Leipzig somewhat surprisingly dismissed Ralph Hasenhüttl in May, the Lawnballers have wasted no time in securing the services of the hottest young coach in the Bundesliga, TSG Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann—but not next season. Nagelsmann is under contract until the conclusion of the 2018/19 season. Hoffenheim thus have a year to find a successor, while Ralf Rangnick himself will serve as interim coach for an entire season. Given the youth of Leipzig’s roster, Nagelsmann’s tender age (he turns 31 on July 31) should not undermine his authority.

Socceroos survive Denmark with a 1-1 draw

Australia’s performance against Denmark was far inferior to their opening game against World Cup favorites France. Denmark seemed to have Australia’s number from the get-go, as Christian Eriksen scored in just the 6th minute to give the Danes an important 1-0 lead. But disaster struck just before the half ended, when Leipzig striker Yussef Poulsen conceded his second penalty of the tournament, which Australia’s Mile Jedinak duly converted. The result leaves Australia with a chance: Denmark have 4 points and Australia 1 (behind France with 6). Denmark play France next, while Australia face Peru: goal differential could become crucial.

France eliminate Peru, winning 1-0

Close but no cigar — Peru fell at the swift boot of Kylian Mbappe in a 1-0 defeat that eliminates them from the FIFA World Cup. The Peruvians threw men forward for the last 40 minutes, plus an additional 5 minutes of stoppage time; however, 57 percent possession did not do them any good. Luis Advíncula and Jefferson Farfan both saw laser shots scrape the top of the crossbar, but France’s Hugo Lloris had no trouble. Sad to see the Peruvian fans leaving Sochi with tears in their eyes. They’ve been eliminated with 0 points and two 1-0 losses with one match left to play against Australia.

— Drake Hills

Croatia dominate Argentina

The contrast could not have been greater: a workmanlike Croatian team playing in solidarity and with purpose and a disjointed Argentina relying on individual prowess but betraying little indication of a shared concept. Croatia cowed Argentina and frustrated Lionel Messi’s efforts to spark his team’s anemic offense. After a scoreless but physical first half, the dam broke when Ante Rebic capitalized on a baffling mistake by Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero, firing a side-volley into the net to open the scoring. Thirty minutes later, Luka Modric scored a fantastic long-range strike from outside of the box, and his midfield battery mate Ivan Rakitic sealed Croatia’s victory with a third goal in stoppage time.

Here is the first goal by Ante Rebic. Yes, Caballero made a fatal error, but Rebic’s technique was sublime.

Newsflash: standing around and raising your hand is not good defense

Juventus Turin sign Emre Can — Man Utd take Fred (no, not that Fred — The Guardian)

Emre Can, occasionally linked to Bayern Munich over the past year, but apparently never seriously considered a viable transfer target by the front office, has left Liverpool for Juventus Turin on a four-year deal pending a medical. That (one would hope) will put an end to the sporadic Can-to-Bayern rumors.

And also of note, Manchester United have splashed a whopping £52m for the Brazilian Fred (no, not the infamous Fred of the 7-1 loss to Germany). This Fred is a 25-year-old up and coming star playing (like many a Brazilian to arrive in Europe) for Shakhtar Donetsk. Whether that signing has any effect on their rumored interest in Robert Lewandowski remains to be seen.

All the big stars except...

Scottish Twitter is a thing

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[Editor: pretty sure zekiel79 made this.]