Champions League Thread (the dawn of time - 2014)

[Dr. Pepper]

Very disappointing in the final third again. No real creativity. Hernandez struggles against deep defences as he can't really attack the space behind. Only Carrick really stood out for me, shame he wasted that chance. Other than that he was very good. Anderson isn't his best partner in midfield though, think Giggs would've be better with drive from deep. Once Cleverley's fit again I'd love to see him partner Carrick - would be a good blend I think.

 

[JBlues08]

 

[War]

Ha I thought it was quite nice a nice gesture from Luiz actually.

 

[JBlues08]

Ha I thought it was quite nice a nice gesture from Luiz actually.

Yeah and I guess you could say it worked since Torres scored two goals.

 

[Haarithan]

United and Man City's groups have got me increasingly interesting.

Group C:

Man Utd - 8
Benfica - 8
FC Basel - 5
Otelul Galati - 0

Matchday 5:

Man Utd v Benfica
Galati v Basel

Matchday 6:

Benfica v Galati
Basel v Man Utd

I'm going by the odds, meaning the ones in bold letters are the ones tipped to win their games and no-bolded teams indicate a drawn match.

So United with a win against Benfica and a draw at Basel will take pole position in Group C, while Benfica are expected to partner them heading to the K/O phase.

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Bayern - 10
Man City - 7
Napoli - 5
Villarreal - 0

Matchday 5:

Bayern v Villarreal
Napoli v Man City

Matchday 6:

Man City v Bayern
Villarreal v Napoli

Bayer are pretty much through as group winners having to face a hapless Villarreal side in their upcoming matchday. Napoli-Man City clash should be an absolute cracker! Should Napoli go against the odds and win their match, even that might be of little help given they face Villarreal away from home in their last group game and Bayern are expected to field a second string side away to Man city with top spot already having been secured. All in all, Bayern and City should be going through from here, though I'd love to see Napoli in place of City.

As for the world beaters in Barcelona, well they're in the danger of losing top-spot given they visit Milan a fortnight from now, and should Milan win that encounter - they are most likely to stay top given they visit a relatively weak side in Viktoria Plzen in their last group game.

So, a Man United - Barcelona clash is very much on the cards in the Round of 16!

 

[JBlues08]

So, a Man United - Barcelona clash is very much on the cards in the Round of 16!

Lets see what happened against Matchday 5 first. At the moment, Man City are the one looking more likely to face Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Last 16.

 

[BKB1991]

At the moment, Man City are the one looking more likely to face Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Last 16.

Amen to that.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Lets see what happened against Matchday 5 first. At the moment, Man City are the one looking more likely to face Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Last 16.

Rather them than us. If we face them it'll be worse than when they beat us 4-0 back in 1994 or thereabouts. That was when we were very naive in Europe and were hamstrung by the foreigner rule of the time (a rule that should be bought back, that'll screw City right up). We need a class midfielder in January; Cleverly will be a great player but it's unfair on him to place this burden on his shoulders now.

 

[Bevab]

Can I know what was that rule?

 

[War]

Napoli certainly looked like the best Italian team ATM with that performance. Would be disappointing if City doesn't make the R16, but this was always a tough group.

 

[thedon5]

Cavani is just too good.

I'd be very surprised if he's still wearing Napoli colours next season.

 

[Haarithan]

Can't quite believe you lot overlooked what Benfica achieved yesterday. They were just as good as United on the night and richly deserved those points. Pretty much theirs to lose top spot in their group now, with them hosting Otelul Galati a fortnight from now, while United visiting Basel needing a draw to secure their passage. Like I said earlier, United v Barcelona is very much on the cards now! So is United v Madrid.

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Cavani is just too good.

I'd be very surprised if he's still wearing Napoli colours next season.

There are 2 Uruguayans in our squad already, so I definitely won't rule him out, you know.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Napoli certainly looked like the best Italian team ATM with that performance. Would be disappointing if City doesn't make the R16, but this was always a tough group.

Disappointing? It'll be bloody hilarious!! All that money spent and they crash out at the first stage and I'm sure it'll happen. What are the permutations? Beat Bayern and hope that Villarreal can take a point off Napoli? Good luck with that, Mancini.

As for us, I'm confident we'll be able to at least get a draw in Basle. We should've beaten Benfica, we had the chances to do it, but overall it was a fair result.

 

[m_vaughan]

I said this when the groups were drawn and City was part of that ridiculously tough group (No one knew at the time that Villarreal were going to be so poor this season) that City failing to get into the last 16 would be a blessing in disguise for them in terms of their league ambitions. They need to win the league first.

As far as our game was concerned, well little disappointed we did not keep the clean sheet, but nevertheless it was pure masterclass in the opening 20 minutes going 4-0 up. It was good to see Khedira playing in that advanced role, similar to what he used to do at Stuttgart prior to 2008. I feel he has a natural ability to play in a more attacking role and hope he gets more chances. Unfortunately though that would mean that he'd have to compete with the likes of Kaka and Ozil. It would also disrupt the system for the German national side.

And finally many congratulations to Valencia for that cracking win over Genk. Chelsea v Valencia to decide who makes it to the next round and I would not be surprised if it was Emery's men who do it. Surely Villas Boas will get the sack then.

 

[JBlues08]

Surely Villas Boas will get the sack then.

He may well be gone even before that game.

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The game between Milan and Barca was certainly a great match to watch.