Champions League 2019/20 (48 Viewers)

[JCK]

It's a common feature of our game and it's because our players are square pegs for round holes of Sarriball.

Shouldn't a proper coach be able to adapt?
Or maybe it should have been more aware of the management of the kind of players we have and assign a more suitable coach?

What do I know? I am only wondering how you got to that observation

 

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[Mokku]

Shouldn't a proper coach be able to adapt?
Or maybe it should have been more aware of the management of the kind of players we have and assign a more suitable coach?

What do I know? I am only wondering how you got to that observation

I can't see behind the scenes or the training sessions but when you look at Pep and Klopp, they have given their teams an identity and the players that fit their philosophy. Can you say the same for Sarri? Also, why did Allegri use Mandzukic as a winger? Was it because we couldn't find him a proper one or did he say that he didn't need one?

I don't want to judge Sarri too harshly because we're in the CL still and top of the league which is very competitive this year. Given the option of having a winger to allow him to play his preferred style he'd probably take it but I get the feeling he wasn't given the option by management.

 

[JCK]

I can't see behind the scenes or the training sessions but when you look at Pep and Klopp, they have given their teams an identity and the players that fit their philosophy. Can you say the same for Sarri? Also, why did Allegri use Mandzukic as a winger? Was it because we couldn't find him a proper one or did he say that he didn't need one?

I don't want to judge Sarri too harshly because we're in the CL still and top of the league which is very competitive this year. Given the option of having a winger to allow him to play his preferred style he'd probably take it but I get the feeling he wasn't given the option by management.

But Sarri just recently said that he did not ask for anyone in the summer nor in January. Why is that? Is he afraid to ask? Does he want to force his style on players that cannot play his style in spite? It's really strange, don't you think?

 

[Mokku]

But Sarri just recently said that he did not ask for anyone in the summer nor in January. Why is that? Is he afraid to ask? Does he want to force his style on players that cannot play his style in spite? It's really strange, don't you think?

Again I don't know what happens behind the scenes and whether he's a chicken, a liar or whatever but our play is not great. It's clear that certain players have disappointed as well, certainly Berna and Ramsey, Rabiot taking ages to adjust, Danilo underperforming and so on.

It's too late now to complain, he needs to make us play the best we can. Allegri tried last year to have us play 4-3-3 and while the league was done, we looked poor in the CL. It was the same issue of trying to get Dybala on the wing and having us more exposed in the middle. Ajax did it and I think Lyon can do it too, if they don't I can see Liverpool or City battering us because they will have a lot of possession and we're not as solid at the back.

On top of that, we're not as prolific either so we couldn't do what Spurs did to City yesterday, taking the few chances that we may get. Furthermore, we struggle to create, some halves we have zero shots on target like Napoli and the first half yesterday which was maybe one long range shot from Bentancur.

 

[Bianconero81]

As long as we avoid meeting Liverpool, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich or Barcelona we are good to go

Bayern and Barcelona shouldn't be that big of a problem. They're both struggling and playing shit football this season.

Real are finding form, so they could be problematic. Liverpool are definitely the team to avoid.

 

[Gigiventus]

I see Madrid knocking out City (City have been atrocious of late). PSG vs Dortmund could be a very interesting tie, but I still give the edge to PSG - they have more weapons and the 2nd leg at home. ATM vs Liverpool could be closer than many anticipate, but there's only one winner here. Napoli vs Barcelona could provide a surprise - Barca have been largely unconvincing, and Napoli seem to be buying into Gattuso's philosophy.

We should dispatch Lyon, but we might actually make it more difficult for ourselves than it should be. Bayern should defeat Chelsea with relative ease, not because Bayern are great, but Chelsea are just too incompetent (novice coach, inconsistency, too many holes in their game). Atalanta vs Valencia is really anyone's tie - Atalanta score for fun, but they also seem to concede with regularity, and throw away games they should be winning - I'd give Valencia the edge due to their European experience/pedigree. Spurs vs Leipzig is another intriguing tie that could go either way, but I give the slight edge to Spurs.


Predictions:

ATM vs Liverpool (2-4 on aggregate. Liverpool draw 1-1 in Spain and complete the job 3-1 at home)
Lyon vs Juventus (2-3 on aggregate. We get a 1-1 away from home and scrape through after a 2-1 home victory)
Dortmund vs PSG (4-5 on aggregate. 2-2 in Germany and PSG winning 3-2 @ home)
Madrid vs City (4-3 on aggregate. 1-1 in Manchester and a 3-2 Madrid win in Spain)
Napoli vs Barcelona (4-4 on aggregate. 2-2 in Naples and 2-2 in Spain. Barcelona win on penalties.)
Atalanta vs Valencia (3-4 on aggregate. 2-1 in Italy with Valencia winning 3-1 in Spain)
Chelsea vs Bayern (2-4 on aggregate. Bayern win both legs 2-1)
Spurs vs Leipzig (3-3 on aggregate. 1-1 in London with Spurs qualifying on away goals after a 2-2 draw in Germany)

Liverpool, Juventus, PSG, Madrid, Barca, Valencia, Bayern, and Spurs in the QFs. I'd love Valencia or Spurs in the QFs please.

Agree with most of those results. Don't think Napoli will be able to take Barca to penalties, as bad as Barca are. Also don't see Valencia beating Atalanta.

Madrid and Liverpool are the only teams I fear. Liverpool for the quality, Madrid for the irrationality of this team in CL, there is always some fear, at the same time nothing brings more pleasure in CL than beating Madrid.

I would gladly take anyone but Liverpool in the QF (if we beat Lyon ofc).

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What is clear is that we have a lot of possession but create little in terms of clear chances. Fiorentina nullified us and teams with a clinical attack will punish us. We need to find the best 11 where we are solid in defence and also direct in front of goal so that we make chances. Yesterday was a lot of dicking about and sideways passing.

Fiorentina conceded 3 goals and scored 0 while nullifying us. How do you break down a team that parks the bus to such a degree? pretty much exactly like we did.

 

[Mokku]

Fiorentina conceded 3 goals and scored 0 while nullifying us. How do you break down a team that parks the bus to such a degree? pretty much exactly like we did.

Everyone parks the bus against City and they still manage at least 20 shots on goal with 10 of them on target. Whenever they lose, its because of crap defending by themselves or an inspired goalkeeping performance by the opposition. My point is that we can play crap from time to time but if we are clinical we can get past the likes of City in the CL however, we create little which is my worry and that is down to players not performing in our system.

In the context of CL, if we played like we did against Napoli and Fiorentina, we'll be out against Lyon. Its fine to be on crap form by we're too inconsistent, we looked amazing against Cagliari then garbage against Napoli. With Allegri, we could look crap but we were solid in defence so I knew we always had a chance to snatch a win.

 

[Afghan_juventus]

For me favorites are:
1. Pool
2. Real
3. PSG
4. Juventus

 

[Cerval]

For me favorites are:
1. Pool
2. Real
3. PSG
4. Juventus

I'd put Juve over PSG we have more experience. If they get it together Paris could potentially have a say. But my hunch says they'll have trouble with Dortmund and even go out if BVB play their cards right

 

[zizinho]

Madrid and Liverpool are the 2 teams to avoid as long as possible. everyone else, we are favorites imo

 

[il brutto]

For me favorites are:
1. Pool
2. Real
3. PSG
4. Juventus

I'd go with

1. Pool
2. Citeh
3. Bayern
4. Juve

City have been disappointing in the league but I think CL was always their main goal this season and they will be more motivated there. I also feel Real might not have enough goals in their team to go all the way this season. I expect there to be a lot of goals in this years knockouts as most teams aren't too convincing defensively.

 

[pavluska]

Real looking better now or getting overrated like last year?

 

[Cerval]

I'd go with

1. Pool
2. Citeh
3. Bayern
4. Juve

City have been disappointing in the league but I think CL was always their main goal this season and they will be more motivated there. I also feel Real might not have enough goals in their team to go all the way this season. I expect there to be a lot of goals in this years knockouts as most teams aren't too convincing defensively.

City have shortcomings, I don't think the reason they're not focusing on the league is because of CL

I agree that Bayern shouldn't bre written off

Real Madrid are doing great at the moment. I see them beating City

 

[il brutto]

City have shortcomings, I don't think the reason they're not focusing on the league is because of CL

I agree that Bayern shouldn't bre written off

Real Madrid are doing great at the moment. I see them beating City

Granted I've not seen much of Real this season, but I saw their game against Valencia recently and they looked unconvincing in that game. Could just have been a shit game from them of course.

City are shit in defense, but Laporte coming back should help a bit. Real look decent in defense but struggle to score. Will be an interesting tie for sure.

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Real looking better now or getting overrated like last year?

They do look better than last season and most importantly more balanced with Valverde and Mendy adding some much needed dynamism to their team. Their biggest problem is that apart from Benzema none of their players really score. Their other attackers are an unfit/injured Hazard, a couple of Brazilian kids, a Welsh that rather plays golf and an unfit Isco.

Will be interesting to see how they do against a City side that is still one of the best attacking teams in the world.

 

[pavluska]

Granted I've not seen much of Real this season, but I saw their game against Valencia recently and they looked unconvincing in that game. Could just have been a shit game from them of course.

City are shit in defense, but Laporte coming back should help a bit. Real look decent in defense but struggle to score. Will be an interesting tie for sure.

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They do look better than last season and most importantly more balanced with Valverde and Mendy adding some much needed dynamism to their team. Their biggest problem is that apart from Benzema none of their players really score. Their other attackers are an unfit/injured Hazard, a couple of Brazilian kids, a Welsh that rather plays golf and an unfit Isco.

Will be interesting to see how they do against a City side that is still one of the best attacking teams in the world.

Real-citeh and spurs-leipzig seem like the only close ties. Not that favs always win.

 

[Bianconero81]

Real-citeh and spurs-leipzig seem like the only close ties. Not that favs always win.

Add Dortmund vs PSG to the list. Also, if Mane isn't fit against ATM, it could be tough for Liverpool.

Napoli won't be a walk in the park for this Barcelona. Atalanta vs Valencia is also a tight one.

 

[pavluska]

Add Dortmund vs PSG to the list. Also, if Mane isn't fit against ATM, it could be tough for Liverpool.

Napoli won't be a walk in the park for this Barcelona. Atalanta vs Valencia is also a tight one.

Psg's mid lacking balance was their Achilles heel in previous years. They seem more balanced this season.

 

[Mokku]

I think Barcelona are going out, its Messi saving them every game now. New manager, no Suarez, pathetic Griezmann, I can see Madrid winning the league too.

 

[HelterSkelter]

I would love nothing more than seeing Barcelona and that choking garden gnome crash out, but they are going to destroy Napoli. Probably win by 3 or 4 goals on aggregate.


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[Bianconero81]

I would love nothing more than seeing Barcelona and that choking garden gnome crash out, but they are going to destroy Napoli. Probably win by 3 or 4 goals on aggregate.


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They can barely beat the likes of Levante and Granada. What makes you think they're beating Napoli by 3-4 goals on aggregate? Have you seen this Barcelona play? They look lethargic and devoid of ideas. Ansu Fati is a bright spot for them, but their midfield is decidedly average (at least performance wise) and with Suarez out, Messi will have to do everything, especially since Griezmann is ass.