[CL] Champions League 2015/2016 (19 Viewers)

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Zacheryah

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2010
42,251
When it plays to its current level, for the full game, comparing to the past this team is only inferior to last year's juventus.

Our defence has improved, as a unit and individually. Especially Bonucci. Today we praise him. Before last year he was hated by half and ridiculed by many. Strange its forgotten, but i suppose thats a good thing.
Meanwhile licht didnt degrade, and Sandro offers a significany improvement offensively, and seems defensively as sound as asamoah
Pogba against City is better then any Pogba we've seen so far, and Marchisio in the central holding midfield role has also been an improvement, aside from the freekicks. Offcourse, Losing vidal is a big negative.
And in the attack we are significantly superior over anything but last seasons juventus.

Todays team is better then the previous one who faced Bayern. Its just a dire shame we dont have Vidal anymore. Untill he is back in form, I'd pick sturaro over Khedira btw.

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It's irrational, but I have most hope for Lemina to be that player if he gets a chance at RCM. In few games he showed more defensive tackling ability then both Sturaro and Khedira, while being decent technically.
He was more then decent in that Marseille friendly tbh.


The most irritating part, is that at this point we should have figured out who to put at rcm, or make it a tactical choise. But we cant, since we cannot asses them as they've all been injured for the most part.

lemina wasent bad in an abysmal functionning midfield, but he needs alot of games when he's back. Like the other two
 

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Osman

Koul Khara!
Aug 30, 2002
61,503
Pep announced he will leave Bayern in summer. Arsenal? @Fred
Official?

For some bizzare reason I'm thinking Chelsea, ultimate insult to Jose to be replaced by him.


Or most likely City, totally inept coaching but huge potential to change up the squad whoever he likes, and their directors are former Barcelona ones he knows prolly.
 

lgorTudor

Senior Member
Jan 15, 2015
32,951
Official?

For some bizzare reason I'm thinking Chelsea, ultimate insult to Jose to be replaced by him.


Or most likely City, totally inept coaching but huge potential to change up the squad whoever he likes, and their directors are former Barcelona ones he knows prolly.
not official, but recent concrete rumours and I think they are true.

ManU imo
 

Post Ironic

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2013
42,253
It's irrational, but I have most hope for Lemina to be that player if he gets a chance at RCM. In few games he showed more defensive tackling ability then both Sturaro and Khedira, while being decent technically.
Yep. I had high hopes for Sturaro based upon the end of last season, and even offensively after that goal against Napoli, I think it was... but his progress has stagnated and he looks far less confident this year.

Never really thought much of Khedira. He just doesn't work in a midfield with Marchisio and Pogba. There's none of that Vidal heart and grinta.

Lemina seems to be the player with most potential to be a force in the right side of our midfield unless we can move Asamoah there. Lemina shows flashes of that Vidal type play. I hope he's back soon and gets a string of appearances to see if he has the stuff to be a future starter here.

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When it plays to its current level, for the full game, comparing to the past this team is only inferior to last year's juventus.

Our defence has improved, as a unit and individually. Especially Bonucci. Today we praise him. Before last year he was hated by half and ridiculed by many. Strange its forgotten, but i suppose thats a good thing.
Meanwhile licht didnt degrade, and Sandro offers a significany improvement offensively, and seems defensively as sound as asamoah
Pogba against City is better then any Pogba we've seen so far, and Marchisio in the central holding midfield role has also been an improvement, aside from the freekicks. Offcourse, Losing vidal is a big negative.
And in the attack we are significantly superior over anything but last seasons juventus.

Todays team is better then the previous one who faced Bayern. Its just a dire shame we dont have Vidal anymore. Untill he is back in form, I'd pick sturaro over Khedira btw.
Your opinion, but it's not shared by many. Again. The improvement in attack does not make up for our midfield falling off a cliff. There is absolutely no way Marchisio is better than 2012/13 Pirlo. Not in free kicks, not in passing, not in dictating the game. It's not even close. That Pirlo was coming off dominating the Euros, and was a top 10 player in all of football in 2012/13. Marchisio is not even close. And yes Licht has degraded over the last 3 years. He's good, but he's not the same player he was 3 years ago. Don't be silly.

Pogba looks far worse than the last couple years so far this season. And Vidal of 2012/13 to Sturaro/Khedira/Lemina or anyone we could put in that position is like falling off the tallest cliff on this planet.

Add to this, Barza and Chiello were better in 2012/13 than they are now and that team is easily better. Not more well-rounded, but certainly better.
 

Zacheryah

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2010
42,251
Chiellini and barzagli were not better. Cmob. Giorgio is getting praised about his improving form compared to past years, and barzagli is performing at his absolute best at the moment. But bonucci increased significantly.
Licht is playing different, but has improved over last seasons drop in form.

Against bayern pirlo was a huge liability, the beginning of his end in europe. Marchisio is endlessly better in defence, and tbh in a 352 he wasent very effective compared to 433 4312.
Pogba versus city is better then any pogba in 12/13. Wich is why I said "all players in form". Im confident he will be

We neglect hugely the impact of dybala and a fit clutch or the pressing of mandzukic.

Tactically, that frontline alone edges it.

Last season we were better. But this team in form is much better then 12/13.

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And please. First game khedira played he was praised, only game since his injury he was bad and you are so, so very fast to trash him.
it annoys me. Hes not my favorite either, but can we wait untill he has a few games before we judge ffs

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And please. First game khedira played he was praised, only game since his injury he was bad and you are so, so very fast to trash him.
it annoys me. Hes not my favorite either, but can we wait untill he has a few games before we judge ffs
 

Post Ironic

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2013
42,253
Chiellini and barzagli were not better. Cmob. Giorgio is getting praised about his improving form compared to past years, and barzagli is performing at his absolute best at the moment. But bonucci increased significantly.
Licht is playing different, but has improved over last seasons drop in form.

Against bayern pirlo was a huge liability, the beginning of his end in europe. Marchisio is endlessly better in defence, and tbh in a 352 he wasent very effective compared to 433 4312.
Pogba versus city is better then any pogba in 12/13. Wich is why I said "all players in form". Im confident he will be

We neglect hugely the impact of dybala and a fit clutch or the pressing of mandzukic.

Tactically, that frontline alone edges it.

Last season we were better. But this team in form is much better then 12/13.
You're kidding. :lol:

Barza and Chiello were considered incredible in 12/13. Chiello has been terrible this year so far, with decision making, etc. Red cards, fouls given, penalties conceded. No one thinks Chiello is better this year than in 12/13. And Barza is certainly not better. He's still very good. But 12/13 was his absolute peak. Bonucci is obviously better. So the defense could be said to be a wash. Licht is worse than 12/13 by quite a bit. That and 13/14 were his best seasons. Sandro is better than Asamoah. The back line is equal then.

Midfield has dropped off a cliff. Forward line is much better.

The best you could say is that this team is as good as that team. However. That team topped its CL group, with an absolute domination of Chelsea 3-0 and 1-0 away to Shaktar to close the group stage. That team was also first place in Serie A at this point with 12 wins-2 losses-2 draws. 33 goals scored-10 goals against in the league. We won 3 in the CL-drew 3 for 12 points. Scored 12 goals-allowed 4.

This year we are 4th in Serie A. 9 wins-3 losses-4 draws. 25 goals scored-12 against. 3 wins-2 draws-1 loss in CL. 6 goals scored-3 against.

2015/16 12 wins-4 losses-6 draws--- 31 goals-15 against

2012/13 15 wins-2 losses-5 draws--- 45 goals- 14 against


This team isn't even close yet. Not even close. Our improved attack hardly makes up for the loss of attacking options from midfield. As evidenced by 45 goals that season to 31 this season.

At least be somewhat rational.
 

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,057
Chiellini and barzagli were not better. Cmob. Giorgio is getting praised about his improving form compared to past years, and barzagli is performing at his absolute best at the moment. But bonucci increased significantly.
Licht is playing different, but has improved over last seasons drop in form.

Against bayern pirlo was a huge liability, the beginning of his end in europe. Marchisio is endlessly better in defence, and tbh in a 352 he wasent very effective compared to 433 4312.
Pogba versus city is better then any pogba in 12/13. Wich is why I said "all players in form". Im confident he will be

We neglect hugely the impact of dybala and a fit clutch or the pressing of mandzukic.

Tactically, that frontline alone edges it.

Last season we were better. But this team in form is much better then 12/13.

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And please. First game khedira played he was praised, only game since his injury he was bad and you are so, so very fast to trash him.
it annoys me. Hes not my favorite either, but can we wait untill he has a few games before we judge ffs

- - - Updated - - -

And please. First game khedira played he was praised, only game since his injury he was bad and you are so, so very fast to trash him.
it annoys me. Hes not my favorite either, but can we wait untill he has a few games before we judge ffs
:tup:
 

Zacheryah

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2010
42,251
You're kidding. :lol:

Barza and Chiello were considered incredible in 12/13. Chiello has been terrible this year so far, with decision making, etc. Red cards, fouls given, penalties conceded. No one thinks Chiello is better this year than in 12/13. And Barza is certainly not better. He's still very good. But 12/13 was his absolute peak. Bonucci is obviously better. So the defense could be said to be a wash. Licht is worse than 12/13 by quite a bit. That and 13/14 were his best seasons. Sandro is better than Asamoah. The back line is equal then.

Midfield has dropped off a cliff. Forward line is much better.

The best you could say is that this team is as good as that team. However. That team topped its CL group, with an absolute domination of Chelsea 3-0 and 1-0 away to Shaktar to close the group stage. That team was also first place in Serie A at this point with 12 wins-2 losses-2 draws. 33 goals scored-10 goals against in the league. We won 3 in the CL-drew 3 for 12 points. Scored 12 goals-allowed 4.

This year we are 4th in Serie A. 9 wins-3 losses-4 draws. 25 goals scored-12 against. 3 wins-2 draws-1 loss in CL. 6 goals scored-3 against.

2015/16 12 wins-4 losses-6 draws--- 31 goals-15 against

2012/13 15 wins-2 losses-5 draws--- 45 goals- 14 against


This team isn't even close yet. Not even close. Our improved attack hardly makes up for the loss of attacking options from midfield. As evidenced by 45 goals that season to 31 this season.

At least be somewhat rational.
What ? No, absolutely no. Chiellini ? slippn Chiellini ?

Read any analyst currently and they are all praising the stallwart Chiellini performance. I recall in 12/13 Alot were talking about the decline of him since 2008. last year he improved as the year went on, and he has set some major performances in big games.

Barzagli was amazing in 12/13, and is currently operating at similar levels. Just ask around what others currently think of him. Hence, the unknown barzagli even made the uefa team of the groupstage. Licht plays different. He was worse last year. He's back to his good form this year. Dont forget, there isnt a pirlo to send him behind the defence. Backline is improved, but tactically, improved alot. I dont like high defences, i much prefer Allegri's deep defence, and we are excellent at it.

Midfield is weaker. Pogba-Marchisio-Vidal with pereyra last year was the strongest i've seen at juve. But the main issue is Pogba's form, wich will improve, and the rcm. Yeah, that rcm is quite the issue. In the past Vidal made up for alot of the shortcommings of the team. However, Marchisio makes up for that gaping hole Pirlo was. We lose aggression and creativity, we gain defensive solidity . Several players more then made up for the creativity (we create a million chanches every game), but the aggression is a major issue.

The attack is insanely better. theoretically. Dybala is insane. Mandzukic and Morata can be insane. Problem is Mandzukic didnt start scoring untill recent, and Morata stopped scoring recent. We got issues in beeing clinical, but its not quality, its form


See, we cant discuss numbers. You know this. 12/13 was a solid unit that got improved. 15/16 is a big overhaul that needed to land on its feet. We had a few "one off" goals against, but we create perhaps 3 times more chances. Problem is that we have not been clinical. Again, this issue will fix itself when form improves.


The team we have now, needs consistancy and to be in form. Thats the main issue. When it hits form, its clearly better then any team apart from 15/16.


If Lemina breaks trough, Morata regains confidence and clutch form, Pogba regains consistancy and form and Dybala continues his growth, this team can become superior to last year before the season ends.


Morata, Pogba and Dybala will happen. Lemina is the very big questionmark. I sincerely hope he can.

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...and he finally get's the team he deserves :heart:


btw. i think we do have the better team now.
make a poll and it will be at least 50-50.
Quite honestly i think Arsenal might be one of the best suited teams for Guardiola.


Their main issue has been their midfield. It has mostly explosive offensive minded players with good technique, and no defensive backing. Their offence is quite excellent.

Guardiola's main talent is to create a team thats plays in a way it doesnt use defensive midfielders

I mean cmon, a midfield with Ozil, rosicky, ramsey, wilshire, and players like sanchez and giroud.


I can see him make a fastpaced passing team of that.
 

Post Ironic

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2013
42,253
What ? No, absolutely no. Chiellini ? slippn Chiellini ?

Read any analyst currently and they are all praising the stallwart Chiellini performance. I recall in 12/13 Alot were talking about the decline of him since 2008. last year he improved as the year went on, and he has set some major performances in big games.

Barzagli was amazing in 12/13, and is currently operating at similar levels. Just ask around what others currently think of him. Hence, the unknown barzagli even made the uefa team of the groupstage. Licht plays different. He was worse last year. He's back to his good form this year. Dont forget, there isnt a pirlo to send him behind the defence. Backline is improved, but tactically, improved alot. I dont like high defences, i much prefer Allegri's deep defence, and we are excellent at it.

Midfield is weaker. Pogba-Marchisio-Vidal with pereyra last year was the strongest i've seen at juve. But the main issue is Pogba's form, wich will improve, and the rcm. Yeah, that rcm is quite the issue. In the past Vidal made up for alot of the shortcommings of the team. However, Marchisio makes up for that gaping hole Pirlo was. We lose aggression and creativity, we gain defensive solidity . Several players more then made up for the creativity (we create a million chanches every game), but the aggression is a major issue.

The attack is insanely better. theoretically. Dybala is insane. Mandzukic and Morata can be insane. Problem is Mandzukic didnt start scoring untill recent, and Morata stopped scoring recent. We got issues in beeing clinical, but its not quality, its form


See, we cant discuss numbers. You know this. 12/13 was a solid unit that got improved. 15/16 is a big overhaul that needed to land on its feet. We had a few "one off" goals against, but we create perhaps 3 times more chances. Problem is that we have not been clinical. Again, this issue will fix itself when form improves.


The team we have now, needs consistancy and to be in form. Thats the main issue. When it hits form, its clearly better then any team apart from 15/16.


If Lemina breaks trough, Morata regains confidence and clutch form, Pogba regains consistancy and form and Dybala continues his growth, this team can become superior to last year before the season ends.


Morata, Pogba and Dybala will happen. Lemina is the very big questionmark. I sincerely hope he can.
The point is, and it's an incredibly obvious one, is that you can't call this team better until they actually show they are better, which they have clearly not done so far. Right now, as things stand, the 2012/13 team is easily better and it's not particularly close. As evidenced by record, CL performance, goals for and goals against.

Could this team be better in the future? Yes. It could also be better than last year's team hypothetically if Dybala continues to explode, Pereyra comes back from injury in top form, and someone takes over the RCM role. But, unless we win the scudetto and CL this team cannot be better than last year's team by season's end.

And no it's not clearly better when it hits form. Because who the hell knows what that form will be? The games against ManCIty? Sure. The 3-0 against Chelsea in 2012-13 was easily as impressive. If this team can show it's even better than that, great, I'll be psyched. But right now, the best form we have shown this season, which is over 3 months in now, is not better than 2012/13. So stop saying it's clearly better, that's just not true, it's all based on hypotheticals of the team continuing to get better which it may or may not do.

If we fail to win the scudetto this season, you saying we're clearly better than 12/13 will look pretty laughable. So I suppose this is your guarantee that we will win the scudetto? :p
 

Ocelot

Midnight Marauder
Jul 13, 2013
18,943
Chiellini has declined a bit, Barzagli stayed mostly the same (maybe slightly worse now), while Bonucci has improved dramatically. Evra/Sandro vs. Asamoah is a tie as well im, which leaves with the midfield three (which has declined) and the attack (which as massively improved).

Oh, and Licht, who was better back then.

In total it'd be hard to say tbh. Last year's season was pretty clearly the best of all since Calciopoli, but

ZAZINNNHOOOOOOOOO FUFUFUFUFFUFUFUFUFUFUF WHAT A GOAL @bianconer_AUS
 

Red

-------
Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
Juve lost against Bayern last time because of having mediocre forwards and a coach who refused to vary his style of play.

Oh, and that Bayern were one of the strongest, most balanced teams I've ever seen.

Juve are significantly stronger than they were and Bayern are weaker.

Bayern will go in as favourites, but I think Juve have a very good chance to get through.
 

PhRoZeN

Livin with Mediocre
Mar 29, 2006
16,931
The point is, and it's an incredibly obvious one, is that you can't call this team better until they actually show they are better, which they have clearly not done so far. Right now, as things stand, the 2012/13 team is easily better and it's not particularly close. As evidenced by record, CL performance, goals for and goals against.

Could this team be better in the future? Yes. It could also be better than last year's team hypothetically if Dybala continues to explode, Pereyra comes back from injury in top form, and someone takes over the RCM role.
:agree:

And also agree with Mr Reds comments above. That bayern that beat us was something special, now they have a bunch of weaknesses. At the end though we just need to keep the ball more often. Like they say whoever loses the ball loses their balls.
 

Zacheryah

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2010
42,251
The point is, and it's an incredibly obvious one, is that you can't call this team better until they actually show they are better, which they have clearly not done so far. Right now, as things stand, the 2012/13 team is easily better and it's not particularly close. As evidenced by record, CL performance, goals for and goals against.

Could this team be better in the future? Yes. It could also be better than last year's team hypothetically if Dybala continues to explode, Pereyra comes back from injury in top form, and someone takes over the RCM role. But, unless we win the scudetto and CL this team cannot be better than last year's team by season's end.

And no it's not clearly better when it hits form. Because who the hell knows what that form will be? The games against ManCIty? Sure. The 3-0 against Chelsea in 2012-13 was easily as impressive. If this team can show it's even better than that, great, I'll be psyched. But right now, the best form we have shown this season, which is over 3 months in now, is not better than 2012/13. So stop saying it's clearly better, that's just not true, it's all based on hypotheticals of the team continuing to get better which it may or may not do.

If we fail to win the scudetto this season, you saying we're clearly better than 12/13 will look pretty laughable. So I suppose this is your guarantee that we will win the scudetto? :p
But this is why i named the team's form. Conte's 12/13 juve started in good form from previous season and barely chances, and kept it up.

We went trough a period of change and injuries, and had to find out feet again. However, from what we gather now, if we'd get our form up, we are very damn good.

If the entire team is in form and consistant from januari till the Bayern game, its better.

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:agree:

And also agree with Mr Reds comments above. That bayern that beat us was something special, now they have a bunch of weaknesses. At the end though we just need to keep the ball more often. Like they say whoever loses the ball loses their balls.
big issue with the juve back then, wich has not been stated to much here, is that keeping of the ball.

We had 2 forwards who were completely outclassed against bayern. You cant win like that, we had 0 capability to go forward.

The fact alone that we now have a balanced team, that can field 1 or 2 forwards who can receive and keep balls and build up, is such a massive improvement, it wins the entire argument on its own.
 

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,057
Good pair of forwards is more important than people think. The difference between Barca and Juve in June was their incredible forward line. In every other area we were on par, at least.

Compared to Conte's 2013 Juve when Quag and Matri started the away game vs Bayern, we now have players like Dybala, Morata and Mandžukić battling it out for two spots in attack.
 
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