2017/18 Champions League and Europa League thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Dejan Lovren is hilariously awful

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Barca and Bayern almost guaranteed semi finals then - other two ties will be good tho

[Hero]

So Barca, Real, Bayern and City in the semis.

[Guest]

Hold ya horses, Hero, nobody gave us a shot against Chelsea in 05 when the gap was probably bigger!

So Liverpool, Real, Barca and Bayern in the semis. Some real pedigree right there.

City are going to win aren't they...

[Duty281]

Juventus will get past Real quite easily. Delighted by that draw because the bookmakers will overrate Madrid, and it’ll be print money time. Already seeing 2/1 on Juventus to qualify.

City have a huge advantage going forward in that they can rest all their first XI players, if they so choose.

Barca and Bayern will cruise.

[Marky]

Good banter from UEFA in the Europa League draw, with all the UK/Russia tension, sending Arsenal to CSKA Moscow for a Quarter Final 2nd leg

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Europa League quarter-finals: RB Leipzig v Marseille, Arsenal v CSKA Moscow, Atletico Madrid v Sporting, Lazio v Salzburg.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Liverpool scare City, so that’s a great draw.

Real are dominating teams in Europe, and have basically stopped trying in the league, whereas Juve are finally being challenged.

[Hero]

Hold ya horses, Hero, nobody gave us a shot against Chelsea in 05 when the gap was probably bigger!  

So Liverpool, Real, Barca and Bayern in the semis. Some real pedigree right there.

City are going to win aren't they...

It's one of the two closer games to call but I'd still hedge my bets towards City over 2 legs. The Real/Juve is the trickiest to predict though.

[Guest]

Yeah I would be surprised if Liverpool did progress in all honesty.

I think an El Clasico final in the Ronaldo/Messi era would be quite fitting and the clock is running down on that. This year perhaps?

[No name Bertie]

Has anyone seen Mourinho' "12 minute defence" of his sides performance at home to Seville?

I feel he raises some good points (heritage) and I like his show of passion (I wish he showed his passion more often) but ... why can't he say he got it tactically wrong?  It seemed so obvious - and that was the reason why he was absolutely slated by many (not all) football pundits and slated by many of his fans.  He could have said something along the lines of, yes it was a poor performance, I got it wrong this time ... but I get it right most of the time.

Surprisingly Mourinho was not harshly dealt with by Roy Keane - who said that it was player mistakes that led to the goals and some poor performances from the players - rather than anything major from Mourinho.

[Ent]

He is right in most of what he says.

Anyone criticising his tactical approach to games needs to look at what happens when we open up and try to be more attacking, other teams cut through us easily.

Recruitment is where I level criticism at him, with the investment made and I think 3rd most expensive squad of all time we should be doing much better - but some of those investments have been poor and the quality of players isn't there to do better.

[GSC]

Looks like this years spin job is that United were really just a bunch of plucky underdogs in Europe and who could expect them to beat an average team from Spain.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Tactically he is inept for this side and this level of spending. “See what happens when we open up” is not a defence, it’s an indictment. He’s the least impressive manager in the top five.

[GSC]

Theres a difference between being wide open and parking the bus against an inferior side over 180 minutes.

Sevilla didn't "do a job" on United is the worst part, they were far superior over the entire tie.

[Ent]

Yes, beaten by the better side over 2 legs.

Gave up good chances as soon as we went behind and tried to chase the game.

Lacking in quality players is the bottom line.

[GSC]

Lacking in quality players is the bottom line.

Pull the other one...

2 90m+ attackers, Sanchez on insane money. Zlatan on insane money last year. Matic signed at a premium from a rival. 2 central defenders signed for big money. Inherited players like De Gea, Martial, Rashford, Herrera...

United have holes in their squad sure, but at some point you actually have to do some coaching. Pep and Klopp have both improved players they've signed and made teams greater than the individuals in them.

Question recruitment all you like, Pogba looked like the next big star in Europe at a major European club. Mourinho was bought a brand new Ferrari and mysteriously it starts performing like a Ford Focus when he gets behind the wheel.

[Guest]

We get you’re a Pep man.....

[Ent]

Pogba played on the left of a 5 man midfield where pirlo, Vidal, marchiso etc did the actual football and he did YouTube moments.

He's garbage, came on during the week - didn't look like he gave a Poopie and wafted the ball out of play lazily twice.

Sums up modern football, useless.

[No name Bertie]

I think that Mourinho's press conference was good despite how some in the media spin it.  He was questioned about going out to a low quality Sevilla side - and he responded in a strong fashion saying that Sevilla have a better record in Europe over the past 7 years than Man Utd, and that they could be described as a specialist cup side - and have reached this years Copa Del Rey Final.  Many pundits were saying that Sevilla were just an average Spanish side - so I was taken in by that.  Looking at their recent record however there seems no doubt that Sevilla have performed much better in cup competitions than in La Liga.  Overall, I have learnt a lot from listening to Mourinho.  Normally he is grumpy and doesn't say too much.  But he has come out fighting this time round after all the flack he has personally received following Man Utd Champions League exit.

[Ent]

Of course he knows what he is doing.

His first 10 years in management brought a promotion, 2 cl titles, a UEFA cup title, 7 league titles, numerous cups including 3 "trebles".

Unbelievable the man is being doubted because he isn't sweeping aside everyone in front of him having inherited a Poopie squad.

I am a little concerned as he normally is feisty and not defensive with the press but who knows.

[Marky]

Man City had the same issues with being caught out at the back when they opened up, so instead of a new marquee signing upfront they spent the majority of their millions on defenders and a goalkeeper.

It's not Rocket Salad ffs.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Man United are being caught out at the back whilst not playing openly. They don’t seem like a team and they don’t come across as well coached

[Ent]

Man City had the same issues with being caught out at the back when they opened up, so instead of a new marquee signing upfront they spent the majority of their millions on defenders and a goalkeeper.

It's not Rocket Salad ffs.

City have better players and squad, and almost infinite money.

They spent £180 million pounds on defenders alone this season.

Most expensive goal keeper ever.

Just the £45 million on Bernardo silva.

I wonder why they are top of the league...

[Ent]

Man United are being caught out at the back whilst not playing openly. They don’t seem like a team and they don’t come across as well coached

It is not a good set of players, did very poorly not the 2 ties against Sevilla.

But 2nd in the league with wins over spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea this year.

Inconsistent.

[Fernando]

Im just waiting for the inevitable Willian bid cos he likes a workhorse winger

[Ent]

Im just waiting for the inevitable Willian bid cos he likes a workhorse winger

He is a good player and as you say will work hard. Would give us a set piece option and fill the gap on the right side of attack.

But...

Would just be uninspiring and for the money needed I think we could do better and it would be better spent elsewhere.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

So unfair that Man City can spend all this money

[Ent]

So unfair that Man City can spend all this money

Up to everyone else to try and catch up but as always it is difficult to compete when their is a huge financial disparity.

United have financial clout but not to the extent of city and need to be more careful how they spend it in the future.

[Marky]

Man City had the same issues with being caught out at the back when they opened up, so instead of a new marquee signing upfront they spent the majority of their millions on defenders and a goalkeeper.

It's not Rocket Salad ffs.

City have better players and squad, and almost infinite money.

They spent £180 million pounds on defenders alone this season.

Most expensive goal keeper ever.

Just the £45 million on Bernardo silva.

I wonder why they are top of the league...

I do think a part of that is because clubs know they can charge more because it's City, but also you're being naive if you think Man U don't have that kind of money.

Also, for the cost of the two brand new top level fullbacks, Man U got Pogba. Which would you prefer right now?

[Hero]

Asking Ent if he'd rather have a different player to Pogba isn't that hard to guess the answer.

[Marky]

The point is, Man City might have spent more money than Man U, but they've also spent their money a lot better. If Man U hadn't spent £164m on Pogba and Lukaku, they could have easily signed the same defenders and still have a strong enough attack (especially since signing Sanchez)

[Marky]

Just say for example, Man U signed Walker, Laporte and Mendy (or equivalents) instead of Pogba and Lukaku (who cost more than those three)

De Gea
Walker - Bailly - Laporte - Mendy
Herrera - Matic
Lingard - Mata - Martial
Sanchez

Tell me again how it's because City have more money

[Guest]

Asking Ent if he'd rather have a different player to Pogba isn't that hard to guess the answer.

I think a lot of Utd fans are going that way now to be fair.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Just say for example, Man U signed Walker, Laporte and Mendy (or equivalents) instead of Pogba and Lukaku (who cost more than those three)

De Gea
Walker - Bailly - Laporte - Mendy
Herrera - Matic
Lingard - Mata - Martial
Sanchez

Tell me again how it's because City have more money

It's how Jose does things. Attitude on the pitch comes from him, and even if it was just down to bad implementation of instructions, the negative mindset of Jose's coaching means they aren't encouraged to attack their way out of bad form.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Manchester United's problem is the centre back partnership. Last season Bailly/Rojo where really good. But both are injury prone. Smalling and Jones are rubbish. Lindelof can't even play football and united paid £30m on him. Blind is a good centre back but I've not seen him in months.

[Guest]

Ronaldo

[nadeem2099]

GOAT

[GSC]

City's team bus got trashed on the way to the ground and they had to get a replacement apparently

[Duty281]

"Battle of Britain" says the commentator.

[Duty281]

Oh wow. Oxlade!

[Duty281]

3-0. Amazing stuff.

A static City getting torn apart by a rampant Liverpool.

[Guest]

Can't buy pedigree, Duty!

[No name Bertie]

Once Liverpool sort out their well known defensive issues including goalkeeper they could be quite a good side.

[Guest]

One away goal, and City still favourites

[No name Bertie]

In the Liverpool - Man City Premiership game at Anfield the scoreline was at one stage 4-1 and it ended up 4-3.  While the Man City - Liverpool game at the Etihad ended up 5-0 to city.  So hopefully Liverpool will keep going realising they can't discount a Man City comeback.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I wouldn’t put City favourites with an away goal. They’ll concede to Liverpool, so away goal likely to be negated

[Guest]

In the Liverpool - Man City Premiership game at Anfield the scoreline was at one stage 4-1 and it ended up 4-3.  While the Man City - Liverpool game at the Etihad ended up 5-0 to city.  So hopefully Liverpool will keep going realising they can't discount a Man City comeback.

Yeah, with Liverpool down to 10 men and effectively giving up in the 2nd half.

One away goal and it's put to bed.

[Guest]

Can’t see them overturning 3-0. Pep might have to settle for a league & minor cup double.

[No name Bertie]

In the Liverpool - Man City Premiership game at Anfield the scoreline was at one stage 4-1 and it ended up 4-3.  While the Man City - Liverpool game at the Etihad ended up 5-0 to city.  So hopefully Liverpool will keep going realising they can't discount a Man City comeback.

Yeah, with Liverpool down to 10 men and effectively giving up in the 2nd half.

One away goal and it's put to bed.

Hi, I agree one away goal should see Liverpool progress to the semi-final.  What are your views on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson - they look to be very good.  How close are Liverpool to having a great defence / goalkeeper - do they still need to bring some players in? Liverpool's defence seems to be improving.

[Guest]

The defence is still some way off of mounting a title challenge. They'll probably get that right around the time Salah moves to Madrid.

A decent keeper is a must.

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