Champions League Thread (the dawn of time - 2014)

[War]

Drogba would need replacing yet, but it wasn't exactly urgent. There was no value in signing Torres for ?50m, as if they had to sign him.

Debatable to be fair.

As for playmakers they could've signed Alexis Sanchez. They could've gone for Modric. Hell they could've just paid that little bit extra and signed Steven Pienaar. There's just no creativity in the side at the moment.

We both Know Modric wasn't a realistic option in January. Why would Modric have left Spurs given how they where playing?. Harry would never let that happen.

Their is no guaranteed that Sanchez would want to play in England & if he would their is no guaranteed he would chose Chelsea. Plus dont forget Pienaar did reject Chelsea for Spurs.

Which overhaul proves as i said, their was no legitimate players who Chelsea could have signed or would have wanted to sign for Chelsea apparently. If Torres had stayed with pool - Chelsea would have had no new players right now (since i think Luiz was influenced into coming to Chelsea based on the news that Torres was going).

It's true that they've been playing 4-3-3 for years now but they have to adapt. The 4-3-3 isn't working so they need to change it. But they can't really play a diamond because they have no playmaker, and they have to play this very open 4-4-2 that most sides will exploit.

Even a creative wide player would've done tbh. Just someone who would bring a burst of excitement and creativity. That's why I think Sanchez is the perfect signing for Chelsea - he's fast, he's eccentric and has that spark of brilliance about him.

Well yea i did say from the inception goal-scoring/creative wingers would have been a good buy given the decline in form of Molouda & Anelka (along with Lampard goals from mid-field being missed due to his early season injury).

So really once they get that type of winger next summer, i see no reason why they would need to change from their traditional 4-3-3 set-up.

 

[AfridiRulez]

CL Semi Finals looking like this:

Barca vs Real
Schalke 04 vs Man U/Chelsea

What are your predictions for the final guys?

I would go for Barca vs Man U final.

 

[Haarithan]

Barca vs Schalke

 

[Bevab]

Real V/S Schalke and Raul's honourable return.

 

[JBlues08]

Real Madrid vs Man United

 

[Bevab]

It happened in my FM11, where I was with Madrid and I won.

Anyway, Real's chances of winning will be slim however versus in-form Barcelona.

 

[War]

ATS anything other than a Barca vs United final will be a shocker for me (although the potential Barca vs Real will be interesting).

No more superlatives can be used to describe Giggs anymore these days, such a legend.

Rooney crossing & play as he dropped into mid-field reminded me of Zidane at his peak. I reckon later in his career as he declines as a striker - Rooney could conceivably play as mid-fielder.

 

[JBlues08]

Can't complain too much in the end. We just weren't good enough over the two legs.

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ATS anything other than a Barca vs United final will be a shocker for me (although the potential Barca vs Real will be interesting).

Nah. With Mourinho around, Madrid vs United in the final is not really that shocking.

And today is the first time Barca won an away game in the knockout stages under Pep Guardiola.

 

[Haarithan]

The moment Chelsea opted to go with the Christmas tree formation , thats the moment i realized any chances of a comeback were done and dusted . You just cannot play that formation when you have out of form misfiring strikers . And it has never seemed to work for them too . Coming to the game , i feel Ramires was really unlucky to get that first YC , the ref was just a tad bit harsh on him . Right now , he would be cursing Evra who should have been sent off in the first leg .

 

[JBlues08]

The moment Chelsea opted to go with the Christmas tree formation , thats the moment i realized any chances of a comeback were done and dusted . You just cannot play that formation when you have out of form misfiring strikers . And it has never seemed to work for them too . Coming to the game , i feel Ramires was really unlucky to get that first YC , the ref was just a tad bit harsh on him . Right now , he would be cursing Evra who should have been sent off in the first leg .

I think the biggest mistake is probably starting with Torres. If Ancelotti started with Drogba, things might have turned out differently. Furthermore, his last substitution baffles me too.

Speaking of yellow cards, you should see Terry's foul on Hernandez. I really have no idea how Terry got the yellow card. He stood on the ground and waiting for to head an incoming ball but Hernandez just ran straight to him and the referee gave Terry a yellow card for that!

 

[m_vaughan]

We need to score that away goal to kill any hopes Tottenham have.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Those punters blathering on about how Barca are too strong bla bla bla are missing out three vital factors:

1. If we meet them in the final, it will be a one off game - Arsenal proved that Barca are beatable over one game, if not two!

2. Just like the Arsenal game, it'll be held in England, Wembley to be precise: basically a home game for Utd. I don't care who it is, but I'd back us against anyone over one game at Wembley. Anyone.

3. We owe them one for two years ago!

All we have to do now is deal with Schalke - which will be tricky, but I'd back us over two games against them.

 

[Auwais]

At the end of the day, Barca deserve the plaudits that go their way. I think you'll realise in a few years time if and when this fantastic team's run at the top is finished, you'll look back and say they were a pretty tweaking good side, MB.

But they're not unbeatable and it wouldn't surprise me if we faced Madrid in the final instead. As much as I'd like getting back at Barca from two years ago, I'd also love the prospect of Fergie sticking it to Mourinho and Ronnie.

However, whether we face Barca or Real, we'd start the final as underdogs and rightfully so.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I know they're a good team, but a have quite a bit of dislike towards Barcelona as a team - always have done - so beating them in the final would be even more sweet - I'd say the same about Real Madrid as well.

Edit: Schalke are no walkover though.

 

[Auwais]

Definitely.

Carrick's performances alongside Giggs in both legs against Chelsea makes me want to see how well he would do partnering Wilshere in England's central midfield.

Thought this quote from Giggs after the match summed it up:

"It was a tough game tonight. We expected they would come at us. We knew we had to try to score as well. We played well down there and had a good game plan. Tonight we scored a couple of great goals. My job in the centre was made easier with Michael Carrick next to me, who had a fantastic two games. It's easier as you get older because you pick your moments."