The Official 16/17 UEFA Champion's League and International Club News Thread

[nik-]

Zidane the half time magician.

[Locke]

Juve's game-plan played right into Real's hands, you knew you likely couldnt keep Madrid off the score sheet so to sit back and invite pressure was not wise.

It was pretty clear that Juve were going for an early goal and then locking it up.

While the Madzukic goal was fantastic my favourite was that second Ronaldo goal.

He splits two of the best CBs in the game effortlessly and slots the ball past one of the all-time great keepers. Just an outstanding goal.

[White Out 403]

tough loss for Juve, I wanted Mario Mandzukic to win a CL, and my god, his goal was probably the nicest I've seen in years. What a strike.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah I really don't get the game plan from Juve - you couldn't play for a 1-0 or 2-1 win.

Shades of Euro 2012 for me - play a different system all season/tournament long and then change your tactics to play a defensive game in the finals and invite the other team into your half.

Should have played with the same formation they played with against Barcelona instead of introducing Barzagli back into the lineup.

[d_phaneuf]

A lot of it is just the better team though

Madrid took the next step when Bayern inexplicably gave them Toni Kroos

Him and Luka together are arguably the two best deeper lying midfielders in the world right now, the two of them with casemiro is very similar in style to what barca had with biscuits, Xavi, Iniesta

[rubecube]

Not that I think it would have made a difference, but Ramos is such a piece of crap. That dive was Sanchez bad and the fact the ref bought it was even more disgraceful.

[nik-]

He definitely embellished. But going out of your way to step on someone while you're on a yellow card is a level of stupidity that deserves to be punished.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

In the last 13 months, Ronaldo has lifted the Champions League trophy twice, the Spanish league trophy, the BAllon D'Or, and EURO 2016.

10 goals in the quarters/semis and final(5 matches) in this year's Champs League. The man's scoring abilities on big stages just can't be touched.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

In the last 13 months, Ronaldo has lifted the Champions League trophy twice, the Spanish league trophy, the BAllon D'Or, and EURO 2016.

10 goals in the quarters/semis and final(5 matches) in this year's Champs League. The man's scoring abilities on big stages just can't be touched.

It took the message coming from Zidane to finally allow some rotation in game time. Zidane has kept his mileage lower this year and it really showed in the home stretch of the league and in the CL.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by nik-

It took the message coming from Zidane to finally allow some rotation in game time. Zidane has kept his mileage lower this year and it really showed in the home stretch of the league and in the CL.

He's 32, he was bound to slow down, and was coming off a short summer last year where he hurt himself, so the rest was a must.

[nik-]

Well, rest being a must and getting Ronaldo to agree to that aren't necessarily entwined haha

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by nik-

He definitely embellished. But going out of your way to step on someone while you're on a yellow card is a level of stupidity that deserves to be punished.

Seems like most replays dont show it and people are judging based only on the push.
https://twitter.com/cambiasjoel/stat...02955222683648

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by nik-

It took the message coming from Zidane to finally allow some rotation in game time. Zidane has kept his mileage lower this year and it really showed in the home stretch of the league and in the CL.

Making Him a striker and changing the formation for it was really smart

Some of it might have been a bit of luck because of bales injuries, and when they were all fit the BBC were so good. But going with a 4-1-2-1-2 hybrid type thing suits the team so much better and really let's Ronaldo's finishing shine, he doesn't impact the game as much outside the attacking third but this might have added a few years to his career as an elite player

[devo22]

Dortmund have signed Ajax coach Peter Bosz as Tuchels replacement.

[CroFlames]

Modric and Kroos were machines in that game, particularly the 2nd half. Crazy how they can control the match like that.

As a Croat, it's disappointing to see these amazing Croatian stars unable to win trophies for their national side.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Modric and Kroos were machines in that game, particularly the 2nd half. Crazy how they can control the match like that.

As a Croat, it's disappointing to see these amazing Croatian stars unable to win trophies for their national side.

Well...you could have Croatia play against Real Madrid and see how they do. It likely wouldnt be pretty.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well...you could have Croatia play against Real Madrid and see how they do. It likely wouldnt be pretty.

.... what?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

.... what?

Elite Club Teams are better than most National Teams.

I didnt think I'd literally have to spell it out for you, but there it is.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

.... what?

I think what he was trying to say was, well...you could have Croatia play against Real Madrid and see how they do. It likely wouldnt be pretty.

[White Out 403]

Ya I get that... but I think what the original persons point was that... Croatia has a lot of fantastic players who are key role players on the best clubs around the world, but disappoint at the national level. Croatia is under performing as a nation. Croatia would be dismantled by Real Madrid , of course.