Champions League Thread (the dawn of time - 2014)

[thedon5]

Barcelona's defence showed frailties once again. They need an established central defence back.

Pique and Puyol is usually a good partnership, but they need someone quality to replace the aging Puyol at some point and step in when either gets injured.

Bit like how they brought in a sensational midfielder in Fabregas who can act as cover and as a replacement for Xavi. If they can get that defender, I'm sure they'll be dominant for even longer.

Dammit, would've made my day if United and City both lost today, but alas, it was not to be.

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It certainly was a nice freekick which Hulk scored for Porto.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

So, after being held by Napoli at home 1-1, Mancini says the first sensible thing since he's been in charge of the joke club - that they're naive. Well done, Mancini - good call. However, he then goes on to say that he's confident they can win their next game at Bayern Munich - that's away from the comfy 'Utd' stadium - it's not just his club who are naive, it's him as well.

Welcome to the CL, City. When we first got into the CL we were the best team in England by some distance, yet we got found out in the CL. Prepare for the same sort of thing - slapping mid table Premiership teams is one thing, doing the same in the CL - you're in for a rude awakening and you're not even the best team in England yet.

 

[Auwais]

Nice to see Napoli get a point after the lacklustre performances by Italian clubs against English opposition the last few seasons. Mazzarri got his tactics spot on.

 

[JBlues08]

Gotta love all the drama with Man City last night. And they were totally outclassed by Bayern!

 

[Bevab]

Had it not been for Hart, Bayern would have turned it into a rout!

 

[JBlues08]

Unfortunately though, nobody seems to be talking about any Champions League matches from last night because of Tevez.

 

[iridescentt]

Kalou to the stake!

 

[Bevab]

Barcelona outclassed BATE in another match. What was surprising was that Barcelona were freely passing inside BATE's half and BATE were hardly trying to reclaim the ball. The Catalans defensive line was well pushed up, a fact that shows their control over the game.

 

[iridescentt]

BATE weren't going to pull a Rubin Kazan out of the hat. We all knew that. There wasn't going to be any other result other than what we saw today.

 

[Bevab]

BATE were hardly trying to get the ball, despite the fact that it was near their box.

 

[iridescentt]

Expect to see the result higher than 5-0 if they were asked to attack the ball. The Belarusian champions are no where near the level Barcelona are (no offence intended, just saying) and as such they would've been ripped IMHO with a couple players out of position whilst trying to catch up with Barca's passing and finishing range + athletic ability.

Either way. Lesson learnt, they gain experience from this trip with Barca. Continue on and hope for the forthcoming matches against Milan.

 

[thedon5]

Nice victory for Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain is looking really nice.

Most of the games this round were really thrilling. Gotta love your CL football.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

What an unbelievable decision that was just now to send Vidic off - it was a yellow at most! Idiot referee - now Vidic is out of the Benfica game, isn't he? I'm not sure who we have next.

We're rubbish tonight by the way - let's hope we don't play like this on Sunday...

 

[JBlues08]

Although it was an own goal, Bayern finally conceded and City got lucky. Tough luck for Villarreal.

 

[m_vaughan]

Lyon were Atletico in disguise tonight But good win nevertheless. Second half performance was near flawless. Really impressed with Benzema's game - was brilliant throughout.