UCL QFs

Milan vs Napoli
Inter vs Benfica

City vs Bayern
Chelsea vs Real

I couldn’t be happier. There’s a very real chance we will be in the final, and if not us then surely it’ll be Napoli which I am completely fine with.

On the flip side, both English teams will surely lose which is also fantastic.

Napoli really about to win the CL

Another CL title for Real beckons

Napoli and Benfica have been among the best teams in Europe but Real CL pedigree is too stronk

Real - Benfica final. The Guttmann curse continues.

Napoli have yet to have a sour patch hit them and i don't count that CI exit, it was an anomaly.

I really hope we beat them to a pulp, our last match against them was an undeserved win for them. Not having Ibra in the CL list was a mistake IMO

Anyways, congrats on Inter reaching the final

Even more salt on PSG's wounds They really had an accessible path to the final had they topped their group.

Madrid fans are unbelievable forever acting the whole world is against them when they literally have the most money in the world and refs in their pocket

Liverpool and Chelsea are real tough opponents this season

Unbelievable draw. Absolutely Unbelievable. Looks like we will have to got through hoops to get to the final yet again. Fml. Way to kill this CL by putting all the big teams in the same bracket

Yeah Madrid is going back to back. They're doing the double again.

I predicted Milan making a deep CL run in the next two years last year. This might be the year.

Casciavit wrote:Yeah Madrid is going back to back. They're doing the double again.

I doubt it. We'll flop in the CDR and won't get to the final in CL with this crooked version of Benz

halamadrid2 wrote:

Casciavit wrote:Yeah Madrid is going back to back. They're doing the double again.

I doubt it. We'll flop in the CDR and won't get to the final in CL with this crooked version of Benz

I can only see Madrid going out if a team parks the bus against them. We both know Chelsea will sit back, but they're shit. Under Potter they aren't compact and aren't competitive in duels, and those are the most important things to play that way. I would be absolutely shocked if they lose against Chelsea.

Then the question becomes will they beat City/Bayern, the final before the actual final. I do believe that City and Bayern are better structurally and tactically, but those elements aren't as important in knockout football nowadays.

It's all about momentum swings, and Madrid have the experience and technical ability to deal with it better than anyone else.

Courtois always keeps them in the game even if it looks like they're getting dominated.

Modric and Kroos have the experience to deal with different game states. They know when to make that extra pass to calm things down, and they know when to speed up the tempo. They're older now, but they have Valverde to help them out defensively.

Then there's Benzema and Vinicius. Benzema has the best technical security out there. Even when he's given shit passes, he still finds a way to control the ball and keep the play going. Then there's an outlet in Vinicius who is the best 1v1 dribbler in the world, and the two of them having amazing chemistry with each other.

Madrid is just super balanced. They're never under sustained pressure because Kroos, Modric, and Benz can hold the ball to relieve pressure. They have shooting threats outside of the box in Valverde, Kroos, and Modric. Vinicius destroys every FB he's up against except for Araujo. Benzema is very clinical and scores from half chances. Their defenders don't make brainfarts as soon as they have the lead. They have options off the bench to help change the tempo of the game. Then there's Courtois who's their insurance policy.

You add that they have a lot of CL winning experience both with Carlo and their players, then it makes them the favorites. They don't lose finals, so I can't imagine Benfica/Inter/Milan/Napoli doing anything to stop them.

If they play against City you can imagine City will get the lead during the game since they dominate their opponents, but does City have the killer instinct to put Madrid away? Signing Haaland should be the difference factor, but it's a question mark. Even if Haaland makes it 3-0, you can bet that Ederson/Laporte will make it 3-1, then the balance changes again. There's no team better than Madrid at dealing with variability. City is one of the favorites every year in the CL, and they always end up choking. It's because they suck at dealing with variability, while Madrid are experts at doing so.

I think Naglesmann will be more pragmatic, but man if he tries to go head-to-head against Pep then I think Bayern will lose.

For example, if he plays Sane in midfield, then City will probably win since they'll create all kinds of pressing traps against him since Sane can't turn with the ball in tight spaces. That's one individual duel City can potentially win.

Haaland makes Upamecano his bitch every time they play against each other. De Ligt will need to put on a MOTM performance.

City's CB's should be comfortable with Choupo Moting. They don't really struggle against traditional target men. It's the dropping strikers who kill them. I wonder if Naglesmann will play Muller/Mane as a False 9 instead.

I think the most interesting duels will be the ones on the wing. Ake vs Coman and Walker vs Davies. Two of the best 1v1 dribblers vs two of the best 1v1 defenders.

Bayern have the advantage in terms of goalkeeping, and difference makers on the bench though.

Honestly, this is the most interesting tactical match-up in years. It has the makings for a classic.

futbol_bill wrote:And they say Madrid always gets the easy draws! Second year in a row where they have to best the top rated clubs to get to final. This time, they put the 3 top rated clubs on same side of draw, meaning the toughest match ups are on the one side!

Looks good for resurrection of Serie A, 3 clubs in CL qtrs and 2 in EL.

LOL ! Liverpool and Chelsea are easy draws this season. They are at their worst in a decade. Stop crying!

Ibra not being on CL list is the clearest sign that Milan are getting this , congrats.

El Gunner wrote:Madrid fans are unbelievable forever acting the whole world is against them when they literally have the most money in the world and refs in their pocket

Liverpool and Chelsea are real tough opponents this season

and the government in their pocket

Robespierre wrote:Ibra not being on CL list is the clearest sign that Milan are getting this , congrats.

Can you imagine if he was at the club for us winning the CL but wasn't on the list

Cruijf wrote:

Robespierre wrote:Ibra not being on CL list is the clearest sign that Milan are getting this , congrats.

Can you imagine if he was at the club for us winning the CL but wasn't on the list

It happened to his idol Ronaldo in 2007.

It's written in the stars, congrats for the 8th.

Wtf looking at the list of teams this yrs CL is weird n one of the weakest QFs? No offense but them Italians n Benfica, not to mention Chelsea like 10th in the league

Somebody just stop Real to another one ffs... they've clutched n fluked their way to enough lol... Pep needs to win it this yr...

El Gunner wrote:Madrid fans are unbelievable forever acting the whole world is against them when they literally have the most money in the world and refs in their pocket

Liverpool and Chelsea are real tough opponents this season

When did you start writing like a Barca fan?

Doc wrote:

El Gunner wrote:Madrid fans are unbelievable forever acting the whole world is against them when they literally have the most money in the world and refs in their pocket

Liverpool and Chelsea are real tough opponents this season

When did you start writing like a Barca fan?

You mean with perfect sense and flawless logic

futbol_bill wrote:And they say Madrid always gets the easy draws! Second year in a row where they have to best the top rated clubs to get to final. This time, they put the 3 top rated clubs on same side of draw, meaning the toughest match ups are on the one side!

Looks good for resurrection of Serie A, 3 clubs in CL qtrs and 2 in EL.

The league is gash this season Napoli is the only quality side, i would not talk of a resurrection just because teams advance far in european competitions. They are lucky to fall in the same side of the bracket with Benfica.

Perfectly flawed sense of logic

Thimmy wrote:Perfectly flawed sense of logic

most money (only team that can afford Mbappe in LaLiga), (secretly) government backed
Refs in pocket
Pool,Chelski easiest opponents


Where flaw?