2024/2025 International Club Football Thread

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

That's so long ago it might as well have been Constantinople lol.

That is nobody's business but the Turks'!

[Senator Clay Davis]

Would be nice to have a final like that again though, recent finals have been so boring and conservative.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Would be nice to have a final like that again though, recent finals have been so boring and conservative.

Its tough and I wish I had a better suggestion, but its no secret why the Semis are really the best part of the UCL unless somehow the Final goes off the rails and the handcuffs get taken off.

We all lament the same thing about International games. There is so much pressure 'not to lose' that its tough to play to win.

Today's match is a perfect example. Everything was on the line and they both went for it and it was fantastic. No Holds Barred.

[SuperMatt18]

It's always kind of annoyed me that the entire tournament is played as group stage and then two legs, and then all of a sudden for the championship it's a single game.

It's weird too when money is King...you're telling me UEFA couldn't make more money with a home and away two leg final?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It's always kind of annoyed me that the entire tournament is played as group stage and then two legs, and then all of a sudden for the championship it's a single game.

It's weird too when money is King...you're telling me UEFA couldn't make more money with a home and away two leg final?

I dont know. The thing is, the Final is announced in an entirely different City, how do you manage that?

When I went to Liverpool vs. Real Madrid in Paris it was supposed to be in St. Petersburg but some jackass decided to invade Ukraine.

How do you do two legs? I dont necessarily think it'd be a bad thing, but at the same time a 'Winner Takes All' final has it's appeal as well.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It's weird too when money is King...you're telling me UEFA couldn't make more money with a home and away two leg final?

How are you supposed to sell €50,000.00 hospitality packages to that though?

[SuperMatt18]

You still could. Just play the games in the finalists cities.

People will figure it out.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It would certainly be great for the fans because it would mean more regular fans get a chance to be involved in the final. But considering the turnaround from the SF to the Final is less than a month it's hard to imagine you'll be able to get even close to the kind of money a one off event could generate. I must say I did enjoy the COVID CL with a single elimination knockout stage in basically one hosting environment, so I'd be down to bring that permanently, but it'll never happen, because again not enough money to be made there.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Ridiculous penalty, good save Raya.
20 minutes to find something.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Would be a classic PSG choke to lose now after missing that penalty to seal it.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Or not lol. Well, I mean this would be an even bigger choke so maybe?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Would be a classic PSG choke to lose now after missing that penalty to seal it.

Your jinxes are undefeated lol

It would be funny if this PSG team finally makes the breakthrough after choking so many times with the Mbappe, Messi, Veratti, etc core.

[Winsor_Pilates]

That's game.
Stupid trophy less season... again.
Life as an Arsenal & Flames fan isn't fair.

[Johnny199r]

It was clear for anyone who watched PSG earlier in the competition that they are dominant. It should be a great final vs Inter.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Your jinxes are undefeated lol

It would be funny if this PSG team finally makes the breakthrough after choking so many times with the Mbappe, Messi, Veratti, etc core.

What can I say, I'm a man of singular talent lol. But this PSG attack is so much better than those previous teams, and that midfield is phenomenal, without Rice playing his ass off this would be a humiliation for Arsenal.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

That's game.
Stupid trophy less season... again.
Life as an Arsenal & Flames fan isn't fair.

At least they got this far, and weren't cheated by bad ref calls like our Flames in 04 and Gunners in 06.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I mean that PSG choking gene is strong, but that Saka miss is brutal and might keep the choke out.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

It was clear for anyone who watched PSG earlier in the competition that they are dominant. It should be a great final vs Inter.

Ehhh kind of. Dominant feels like a bit of a stretch.

They lost to Arsenal (2-0), Athletico (2-1), and Bayern in the league play stage and finished middle of the table.

Destroyed Brest.

The two legs against Liverpool were pretty even with each team controlling one of the legs, and Donnarumma played great in that extra time and PK to get the win.

Got a big lead on aggregate on Villa but almost blew it, and now have controlled an Arsenal squad that haven't been good in the last month or two.

Should be a good final though, I'd give the early edge to PSG in terms of squad talent.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's a great stylistic matchup, very similar to Barca-Inter. PSG aren't as suicidal with their defensive line as Barca were, but they do throw those fullbacks forward so they will be susceptible to the counter, while PSG's forward group can cause all sorts of issues for the Inter backline. Feels like Inter will need a monster game from Barella to silence that PSG midfield.

[Locke]

I think this Final is going to be fun, I'll be pulling for Inter because, F Petro-State clubs, but I do think PSG are the front-runners here.

Without a Dog in the fight I'm going to pull for Inter. I have a good Italian friend, I dont think he cheers for Inter, but whatever.