2013/2014 Champions League Thread

[The Big Chill]

CL semi-final, crowd is buzzing, one of Europe's richest clubs vs a recently surging club with a young manager and plenty of young, exciting talent. Maybe I'll see what else is on, this is boring. Thanks, Jose.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

How can people say the Premiership is the top league when all their clubs park the bus against the rest of Europe?

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

How can people say the Premiership is the top league when all their clubs park the bus against the rest of Europe?

Chelsea is only one club. Besides that, the argument is generally based on the depth of the league, not that the top clubs are the best in Europe.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Chelsea is only one club. Besides that, the argument is generally based on the depth of the league, not that the top clubs are the best in Europe.

United did it last round. I agree, the depth of the Premiership is better than other leagues but it's a poor display by its top clubs in the biggest competition

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

United did it last round. I agree, the depth of the Premiership is better than other leagues but it's a poor display by its top clubs in the biggest competition

The English clubs haven't looked great, but they've won 3 of the last 10 CL titles. That's more then any other league except Spain, who've also won 3.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

The English clubs haven't looked great, but they've won 3 of the last 10 CL titles. That's more then any other league except Spain, who've also won 3.

Parking the bus is a strategy for small clubs when they play the big clubs. Chelsea is the bigger club with more resources. They should be driving possession

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Parking the bus is a strategy for small clubs when they play the big clubs. Chelsea is the bigger club with more resources. They should be driving possession

I completely agree. Jose's tactics make for a stale, boring game of football. I hope Atletico smash them for that very reason.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Hopefully Chelsea has enough pride to not park the bus at home, but I'm not counting on it.

Tomorrow's match should hopefully be very entertaining. Bayern needs to step up and play better than they have in the last month or Real Madrid will take it

[Locke]

That was embarrassing. 70/30 possession against a team whose entire payroll is probably less than Torres makes.

[SuperMatt18]

Are we forgetting that this is the same team that beat Barca and dominated Milan (although a terrible version of them) already this year? Also currently top of the Spanish league and have gotten results against Barch and Real Madrid in domestic play as well.

Sure it wasn't attractive, and Chelsea should have been able to drive the play, but Jose parked the bus and did what he needed to do to get a result at a tough away stadium.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Are we forgetting that this is the same team that beat Barca and dominated Milan (although a terrible version of them) already this year? Also currently top of the Spanish league and have gotten results against Barch and Real Madrid in domestic play as well.

Sure it wasn't attractive, and Chelsea should have been able to drive the play, but Jose parked the bus and did what he needed to do to get a result at a tough away stadium.

Its a dangerous game though, Atletico get one at the Bridge and I dont know if Chelsea can score 2.

[Barnet Flame]

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Are we forgetting that this is the same team that beat Barca and dominated Milan (although a terrible version of them) already this year? Also currently top of the Spanish league and have gotten results against Barch and Real Madrid in domestic play as well.

Sure it wasn't attractive, and Chelsea should have been able to drive the play, but Jose parked the bus and did what he needed to do to get a result at a tough away stadium.

I don't think Atletico are being discounted, just that there is an expectation that the semifinals of the CL will feature two immense clubs going toe-to-toe. Chelsea's tactics are just dissapointing from a neutral perspective, if you ignore that they were completely expected.

[d_phaneuf]

chelsea players heat map from earlier

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I'd like to see Bayern go with:

Mandzukic
Ribery-Muller-Robben
Martinez-Schweinsteiger
Alaba-Dante-Boateng-Lahm
Neuer

But I'm expecting Kroos to be in for Martinez. Should be a great game, hopefully Bayern comes out and is able to score a couple. My gut says 3-2 RM but I'm hoping for 2-2 or 2-1 Bayern

[cam_wmh]

i want to see a shoot out.

4-3

whos in net for RM?

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I wasn't even close in my line-up prediction

Mandzukic
Ribery - Kroos - Robben
Lahm - Schweinsteiger
Alaba - Dante - Boateng - Rafinha
Neuer

Wish Muller was in there, but that's a solid line-up. Hopefully Rafinha keeps his temper under control

[Locke]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

I wasn't even close in my line-up prediction

Mandzukic
Ribery - Kroos - Robben
Lahm - Schweinsteiger
Alaba - Dante - Boateng - Rafinha
Neuer

Wish Muller was in there, but that's a solid line-up. Hopefully Rafinha keeps his temper under control

I'm a little disappointed. Martinez was an amazing holding midfielder last season allowing Schweinsteiger more freedom. Why doesnt Pep play Martinez more?

[Locke]

Good tempo to this match, its been great so far. Much better than yesterday's match.

[cam_wmh]

Should be 3-0

Da Maria & Ronaldo both missed sitters.