Champions League Round of 16 (13th Feb - 14th Mar)

SCP said:
Even Bayern in the last seasons has failed against Spanish clubs, at least since Heynckes, now that he is back...
Click to expand...

Bayern matched Madrid toe to toe last season and, some may argue (me :lol:), they should've won but for some poor refereeing decisions.

That being said, I'm not very hopeful on Bayern beating them this season as I think the quality of their team has gone down from previous seasons with their best players aging. Heynkes though is certainly a coach to make Bayern play above their level against the bigger teams.
 
SCP said:
Even Bayern in the last seasons has failed against Spanish clubs, at least since Heynckes, now that he is back...
Click to expand...

That's the reason I said Bayern. Heynckes is their coach and since his return their form in terms of results is great.
 
roonster09 said:
Yeah, Barca have very good chance against Madrid. Like you said, they don't panic when playing against Madrid.

For me Barca and Bayern are the teams that can stop Madrid.
Click to expand...

I think City would beat Real if they matched up against each other this season.
 
Hopefully City draw Barca so the Pep apostles get all confused who to support.
 
Keeps It tidy said:
I think City would beat Real if they matched up against each other this season.
Click to expand...

I don't think they can, PL lack good counter attacking teams. Madrid are one of the best at it and will score a lot.
 
First it was PSG that was going to destroy Madrid, today it s City and if we draw them it will be whever comes after them. Yes, everyone sucks after Real beat them.
 
Cal? said:
Hopefully City draw Barca so the Pep apostles get all confused who to support.
Click to expand...

It happened already last season and also before that when Barca played Bayern.
 
If United go through to the next round I think we'll end up with Madrid and god damn it I really would want to beat them. They knocked us out three times and that bothers me still. Hopefully Citeh and Pool get knocked out by Barcelona and Bayern, I cant handle the idea that either of them could win the CL.
 
Ecstatic said:
I'm relax because I knew it was very challenging to qualify without Neymar.

On the other hand, last year was a nightmare at the Nou Camp.

I'm vaccinated!
Click to expand...

Why? It is doubtful whether the pampered cry baby would have made much difference. Certainly didn't in the first leg.
 
abdo99 said:
Very wishful thinking but if that was the quarter final draw we'd be laughing so hard at City and Liverpool. Spurs and Juventus could go either way and I agree on the rest. Imagine this as the draw though:
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Man Utd vs Man City
Liverpool vs Spurs
Roma vs Bayern Munich
The ties are always the same boring ones and some all English ties and all Spanish ties would be welcome for once.
Click to expand...
feck that. We play the same old boring English teams at least twice every season. I want to face continental sides in the CL knockouts, to make it a real European night.

Also, I'd rather we got knocked out by Bayern or Barca than City. For obvious reasons.
 
While they no longer play the free flowing football of years past at the same level, Valverde has given Barsa a compact look and a consistency it has lacked in some other years. And Real Madrid's superior CL form is negated by their pathological fear of Barsa. As long as Messi is healthy, they are the favorites IMO.
 
This game must have been Zidane's wet dream coming tru. I have the feeling that he has almost sacrificed this season in order to build the future Real Madrid from the squad he had last season. And now, with worldclass players like Modric, Kroos, Isco and Bale on the bench, we could see parts of this new Real Madrid play and take responsibility at high level. And I think they played fantastic. It was like watching pros playing talents.


El Pasillo said:
Wouldn't really say that Benzema had 'seceral opportunities' during today's game tbh.

He had only 1 chance from a difficult angle where Areola made a great save.

Otherwise, Benzema had a very good game tonight but it will be swept under the rug by his detractors (as usual)...
Click to expand...
Sorry, that’s correct and it was me not being very clear. I was talking about Benzema in general. I think he has been very useful for the team in many ways. Always working very hard, fantastic at keeping the ball and helping others to score. But he has not been very clinical and missed a lot of good opportunities over the season.

I saw he got poor ratings in some papers today. I personally think he was really good. His role wasn't being the primary goalscorer, but yet he is evaluated as one. Always poorly rated in media, but always trusted by ZZ.
 
InLevyITrust said:
Lol doubt it, Kane wouldn’t pass half as much, or be happy to play such a second string role. :lol:. I’d say if Kane ends up there Ronny will be gone.
Click to expand...

Bale was also a big fish in small pond, when joined Madrid he played second string role. Suarez same at Liverpool and Barca.

Not intended to downplay Spurs, there is a big difference in playing for Madrid and Spurs. Just because he is star at Spurs doesn't mean he will be at Madrid too.
 
Siorac said:
feck that. We play the same old boring English teams at least twice every season. I want to face continental sides in the CL knockouts, to make it a real European night.

Also, I'd rather we got knocked out by Bayern or Barca than City. For obvious reasons.
Click to expand...

Exactly, i would take Madrid or Barça before taking Spurs or Pool. we want to be in the CL to face those king of sides. We have the FA cup for Spurs, P̶o̶o̶l̶ or C̶i̶t̶y̶.
 
I would like to play the winner of Shaktar-Roma :D No truly, I would like to play an european team and not Pool, Chelsea or Spurs. The matches would look like PL games.
 
Mr H said:
Exactly, i would take Madrid or Barça before taking Spurs or Pool. we want to be in the CL to face those king of sides. We have the FA cup for Spurs, P̶o̶o̶l̶ or C̶i̶t̶y̶.
Click to expand...
:lol: well played.
 
Tincanalley said:
Yes; ideally Spurs get Real. Can English clubs not get each other in the next stage of the draw? I know - we still have to win second leg... but if, if, if...
Click to expand...
Surely we have enough in us to beat Sevilla at home. And as far as I know it’s an open draw from now on?
 
Fully expecting Spurs to go through tonight, with Liverpool and City obviously already there. I am a bit fearful of our chances though! I wouldn't be surprised if we slip up and go out on away goals, our first leg performance was pretty poor. I wouldn't count Chelsea out yet either, as long as they can play like they did in the first half at Old Trafford and not the second, or the City game. I don't fancy them to go to Barcelona and win in 90 minutes, but sneaking through in extra time or on penalties is a good shout. Very good opportunity for England to have 4-5 teams in the last 8. Everyone will want to draw Roma/Shaktar assuming ourselves and the other favourites advance. Odds are all the English sides will face each other :lol:

Not sure about anyone else, but I'd much rather play the likes of Bayern, Barca, Real (and obviously the winner of Roma/Shaktar) than any of the English sides.. And not just because we play them at least twice a year already anyway. Imagine going out of the Champion's League to Liverpool :wenger:
 
Havak said:
Fully expecting Spurs to go through tonight, with Liverpool and City obviously already there. I am a bit fearful of our chances though! I wouldn't be surprised if we slip up and go out on away goals, our first leg performance was pretty poor. I wouldn't count Chelsea out yet either, as long as they can play like they did in the first half at Old Trafford and not the second, or the City game. I don't fancy them to go to Barcelona and win in 90 minutes, but sneaking through in extra time or on penalties is a good shout. Very good opportunity for England to have 4-5 teams in the last 8. Everyone will want to draw Roma/Shaktar assuming ourselves and the other favourites advance. Odds are all the English sides will face each other :lol:

Not sure about anyone else, but I'd much rather play the likes of Bayern, Barca, Real (and obviously the winner of Roma/Shaktar) than any of the English sides.. And not just because we play them at least twice a year already anyway. Imagine going out of the Champion's League to Liverpool :wenger:
Click to expand...

It will be a surprise if we go out. We are the clear favourites. Forget about our away performances, we have been very strong at Old Trafford and it looks like a typical Jose Mourinho European competition scenario - go away to get a draw or a slim win, then return home to finish off the tie. Sevilla had a good game against us because they are one of the strongest Spanish sides on home soil. Let's see how they withstand the OT pressure when they come.
 
Spurs vs Juve should be a good game, Juve looked really uncomfortable under the high press and the intensity of Spurs press will probably be raised a little in front of their home fans. Thought they were bullied in midfield as well, needed some muscle in their to step up and make it a scrap against the physicality of Spurs midfield.

A little bit more composure and assured passing under the press by Juve and they could get some good counterattacking opportunities if they break out. And some more grit in midfield to wrestle that area away from Spurs will be needed to get some decent possession stats. Matuidi and Khedira need to step up and at least make it difficult for Dembele/Dier/Wanyama. Dunno how much of the ball the attacking trio of Higuain, Dybala and Costa will see in dangerous areas if they dont step up in the midfield battle.

Or I guess they could cede the midfield and give Spurs the lions share of possession and hope to nick a couple goals on a quick break.
 
breakout67 said:
If PSG want to win the CL, they're gonna have to get a better manager in. Emery did well to win 3 europa leagues with Sevilla, but the CL is a different prospect.
Click to expand...
IMHO, PSG has a serious prima donna's problem. Even managers with strict tactical discipline like Ancelotti managed to loose the title.
Most of PSG players are there because of the wages, not because they want to win the UCL.
 
André Dominguez said:
IMHO, PSG has a serious prima donna's problem. Even managers with strict tactical discipline like Ancelotti managed to loose the title.
Most of PSG players are there because of the wages, not because they want to win the UCL.
Click to expand...

Yes, they're a spineless bunch, and they're out. Couldn't happen to a nicer club. Delightful.

On an unrelated note, interesting to see that, along with Atletico, Real Madrid and Barcelona are also now using a 4-4-2 system. Seems to be making a resurgence after years of 4-2-3-1/4-3-3.
 
Theses matches make me all the more excited to be going over to Manchester for the return leg next week. My first CL game and first game under lights. All you muppet bastards better be singing your hearts out :drool:
 
I really expected so much more from PSG

There seems to be no pressure to perform, the players can show up and play however they want and there is no consequences as they still get paid and get to live a nice lifestyle in Paris

Real are having a terrible season by their standards and didn't even play that good yet they looked like they were 2 levels above PSG

If Real start playing close to their best again then they can win a 3rd in a row by the looks of it
 
Infra-red said:
Yes, they're a spineless bunch, and they're out. Couldn't happen to a nicer club. Delightful.

On an unrelated note, interesting to see that, along with Atletico, Real Madrid and Barcelona are also now using a 4-4-2 system. Seems to be making a resurgence after years of 4-2-3-1/4-3-3.
Click to expand...


To make a good use of a 4x3x3 you need a specialist players in the defensive miedfielder position. And if the other 2 mfs don't have good energy levels and/or workrate they can leave the defensive midfielder isolated when in transition.

The 4x2x3x1 was a system that perfectly fits the 4x3x3: you are matching the opponents shape. I think the main reason why the 4x2x3x1 rised was to counter the "new wave" 4x3x3 that showed up along with Barça's Guardiola. But for the 4x2x3x1 to work well, you need two working horses as pivot mfielders, and an exception "nr10" who will act as support striker when attacking and help the mf players when defending.

Now, since players with the above profiles are not many, I think managers had to adapt their ideas. In the end, the 4x4x2 systems are only used on possesion. When the team is defending the shape goes back to 4x2x3x1, normally.
 
The massive irony of the Madrid game last night is that it was RM showing that spending a lot of money on Galaticos doesn’t actually work very well.
Unless you mix it with home grown talent as well and gel it in to a team.

Quick napkin calculation tells me that Real Madrid starting XI cost about the same as Neymar?

Vasquez & Asensio, notably, so involved in the crucial first goal and barely cost anything.

Ronaldo is aging like fine wine, I used to not like him (at MU) but I have to now admire him as a top professional. He’s older than Rooney ffs!

I think he’s actually got better in the last 3 years even if he scores a bit less. He’s less selfish, seems happier, look at the smile on his face. He scores in big games over and over. What a player.

Matuidi and Dybala back for Juve tonight massive difference, wondering if Juve will actually quite like the game being at Wembley as well. I think it'll actually be harder than the away game for Spurs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Massive game for us tonight, should be a cracker if the first leg was anything to go by. We need to start fast and get an early goal.
 
I don't know why but for some reason I feel Spurs are going to bottle it tonight. Being called the favourites by everyone means the pressure is on them and going into the first leg that pressure wasn't there. Not many gave them a chance but I'm not sure they'll cope with the pressure tonight. Juventus to progress.
 
abdo99 said:
I don't know why but for some reason I feel Spurs are going to bottle it tonight. Being called the favourites by everyone means the pressure is on them and going into the first leg that pressure wasn't there. Not many gave them a chance but I'm not sure they'll cope with the pressure tonight. Juventus to progress.
Click to expand...

I would say the same thing but we have a lot more confidence this season, our recent form lately, and finishing top of our group. Hopefully we have a little more back bone.
 
Why are you all talking about next round as if this one is over? We already won Sevilla? Juve won Tottenham? Please...

What if Basel scores 6 goals, and keep their sheet clean? What is funny?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.