Champions League 2016-17

[BonnieShels]

DeL you are a leading light in this anti-Barca faction. Mes que un poster.

[DeLorean]

You'll love this guy so - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/09/luis-suarez-dive-barcelona-cheating-psg

[BonnieShels]

I like Ewan Murray anyway. I was saving that article for my train journey later.

Barca's cheating is not new. And that's before we get into the scientific enhancements that they allegedly utilise.

[DeLorean]

In fairness I thought the article was a bit pretentious (from an English players are whiter than white point of view).

[BonnieShels]

I haven't read it yet. But that is usually the angle that's taken, or it's the angle I assume is behind any article or discussion by an English journalist on diving.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Fair enough! Would be boring if we all saw things the same way.

I was just banned from the Current Affairs forum. Sad!

Oh, the referee was clearly in Barca's pocket.

[OwlsFan]

Oh, the referee was clearly in Barca's pocket.

If he was why did he allow PSG kick the ball away on at least 5 occasions without showing a card.

The 2nd penalty when being seen live, looked like a penalty. Hamilton shouted "penalty" I think but the guy behind the goal would have had a better view but I agree it wasn't one.

Can anyone tell me why Barca is "more than a club" ?

[BonnieShels]

Because they see themselves as the embodiment of all that is good about Catalonia and Catalan Nationalism. Not to mention how they and their members put it up to Franco and (his team RM) in the Civil War.

It's guff.

[DeLorean]

Yeah, that's it in a nutshell. - https://www.fcbarcelona.com/club/identity/card/more-than-a-club-

I don't take any notice of the slogan itself really, pretentious or otherwise. Every club is 'more than a club' to their own supporters.

It's a bit cringing when neutral observers get reeled in by it though, I'm looking at you Liam Brady.

[KrisLetang]

A missed penalty from Sevilla and the Leicester fans can feel it. Nasri sent off.

[BonnieShels]

Well that was like the good old days. Absolute snakes. But I enjoyed that game.

[OwlsFan]

A missed penalty from Sevilla and the Leicester fans can feel it. Nasri sent off.

Shakespeare was being credited by the guy chairing the TV3 Panel for getting Leicester to the last 8 of the CL. I may be wrong but I think Ranieri won the league and got them playing in the CL in the first place and then got them out of the group and to within a 1-0 home win over a Seville team to get to the last 8. All that is soon forgotten. Shakespeare, who will be sacked before too long is now the genius. Incredible.

Never liked Nasri either as a person or as a footballer. Last night cemented my opinion. Wound up by Vardy, who risked his teeth to get him sent off. Leicester won the game with the opposition having over 70% possession. Amazing.

[KrisLetang]

Why is it pronounced "Lester?" I've been butchering that for years. I used to think Cillian was Silly-an too.

[Charlie Darwin]

You're Silly-an.

[osarusan]

35 minutes gone and the way Monaco are playing football is a joy to watch.

[Charlie Darwin]

They've certainly replaced FC Basel in my heart.

[geysir]

Monaco are the potential new Basel, but Charlie they still have a long ways to go before they emulate the doughty swiss epl skelpers.

They had a poor 3rd quarter but were a transformed unit after Man City scored, Monaco just woke up for that last quarter, were first to most every ball, won near enough every challenge and controlled the rest of the game. I love it when a goalie in added time, transforms a meat and veg catch into a spectacular diving save and looks up both hurt and exhausted.

I don't know about you, but every time I heard Lemar, I smiled and thought of Hedley.

[BonnieShels]

Well that was delicious from start to finish.

Eamo's Road to Damascus moment in the studio afterwards was worth waiting on too.

Leicester v Monaco would be certainly the tie of the QFs if it came to pass.

[geysir]

Well that was delicious from start to finish.

Eamo's Road to Damascus moment in the studio afterwards was worth waiting on too.

Leicester v Monaco would be certainly the tie of the QFs if it came to pass.
The masters of the universe (Bayern Munch) are upset by the open nature of the last 8 draw, they feel it's their right to meet the weakest opponent.
I trust you have some sympathy for their plight?
A little morsel of sympathy?

[OwlsFan]

Monaco are the potential new Basel, but Charlie they still have a long ways to go before they emulate the doughty swiss epl skelpers.

They had a poor 3rd quarter but were a transformed unit after Man City scored, Monaco just woke up for that last quarter, were first to most every ball, won near enough every challenge and controlled the rest of the game. I love it when a goalie in added time, transforms a meat and veg catch into a spectacular diving save and looks up both hurt and exhausted.


Megaphones should be banned at games. All you could hear throughout the game was some Monegasque shouting in to a megaphone to get the crowd going. Irritating. Almost drowned out George Hamilton stating (when it was 2-1) that if Monaco scored again, Man City would need 2. George gets very confused about away goals and aggregate scores sometimes. A rarity for a game to be won on the "away goal" rule.

[BonnieShels]

The masters of the universe (Bayern Munch) are upset by the open nature of the last 8 draw, they feel it's their right to meet the weakest opponent.
I trust you have some sympathy for their plight?
A little morsel of sympathy?

My cup runneth over

[The Fly]

3 things City don't have: one's a European Cup, two's Kompany and three's a crowd.

[geysir]

Megaphones should be banned at games. All you could hear throughout the game was some Monegasque shouting in to a megaphone to get the crowd going. Irritating. Almost drowned out George Hamilton stating (when it was 2-1) that if Monaco scored again, Man City would need 2. George gets very confused about away goals and aggregate scores sometimes. A rarity for a game to be won on the "away goal" rule.
I have to watch the CL on various streams BT net etc, with English commentators and pundits who have been going on about the best league in the world.
Then there was a period when after saying that they would stop, followed by a bit of awkward dead air silence, "maybe we're not the best but we're the most exciting league in the world" and all were happy again with their lot,
"We're not the best, but we're the most exciting" they all chirped together.
Now they have dropped the "we're not the best" and just concentrate on the "we have the most exciting league in the world" bit.


Monaco's average annual net transfer spend for the last 4 seasons is GBP 13m, Man City's is about GBP 95m p/a
I'd assume there's also a big salary gap.
After yet another early epl euro exit, the pundits offered solutions for Man City's ills and came up with a list of 4 players that they need to replace.
The solutions were that Man City need to spend more money and keep spending it.

[BonnieShels]

I have to watch the CL on various streams BT net etc, with English commentators and pundits who have been going on about the best league in the world.
Then there was a period when after saying that they would stop, followed by a bit of awkward dead air silence, "maybe we're not the best but we're the most exciting league in the world" and all were happy again with their lot,
"We're not the best, but we're the most exciting" they all chirped together.
Now they have dropped the "we're not the best" and just concentrate on the "we have the most exciting league in the world" bit.


Monaco's average annual net transfer spend for the last 4 seasons is GBP 13m, Man City's is about GBP 95m p/a
I'd assume there's also a big salary gap.
After yet another early epl euro exit, the pundits offered solutions for Man City's ills and came up with a list of 4 players that they need to replace.
The solutions were that Man City need to spend more money and keep spending it.

That's similar to RTÉ's analysis. After Monaco well and truly stuffed them they concentrated on what Man City have to do rather than talk about the greatness of Lemar, Bakayoko, Fabinho, Bernardo Silva and Mbappé.

How Subasic had a towering performance after an absolute 'mare in Manchester. How Moutinho's calming influence changed the shape of the team in the last 10 or so. How Raggi ran himself literally and figuratively into the ground.
How the 20yo Malian, Toure came on and replaced him and looked like he'd been there all night.

(EPL failure) Falcao has to come back too...

At one point George referred to a "famous victory" for Monaco... I ask ya, who the fook are Man City? They may have money but they never had Tigana, Barthez, Petit, Djorkaeff, Thierry Henry, Thuram, Trezeguet, Saviola... And some sort of European pedigree in the 80s, 90s and noughties...

(Monaco are hardly short of cash either)

They can buy who they want but if you persist with defending set pieces like that when a player like Lemar is over the ball then you're gonna lose and lose badly. And long may it continue.

[geysir]

(Monaco are hardly short of cash either)
Monaco spent a fortune on transfers in the season 2013/14 after promotion to League 1, but had to sell most.
Averaging a net spend for last 4 seasons of GBP 13m p/a is not splashing the cash. They did a remarkable job selling their assets and buying smart.
Monaco decided to comply with the FPP rules while PSG and Man City just slithered out of serious sanctions, paid the fines, kept their star players and readjusted their flows of income.
There is some sense of justice restored, justice as perceived by Monaco, now leading PSG in the league and just after kicking out Man City from the CL.

[BonnieShels]

Whoa whoa whoa...

I said they aren't short of cash. I never said they were splashing it.

[geysir]

Not so Bonnie. The club once had money to spend on players, they had to sell and operate within incomes earned, under supervision from Uefa's ffp. The owner may not be short of cash but that does not reflect in how the club operates or it's bank balance.

[BonnieShels]

So Monaco are in penury?

Doing what they did to come in under the FFP rules is laudable and refreshing, but I wouldn't be thinking that they're the Sligo Rovers of the CL just yet.

[DeLorean]

Good preview of Atletico v Leicester here - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39558996

Four intriguing quarter finals in store. Will probably end up watching Juve-Barca and Bayern-Real but the other two are very appealing as well.

[DeLorean]

Juventus seriously impressive last night. 3-0 might have been slightly flattering but they only really coughed up two chances all night and could have scored more themselves. Iniesta and Suarez will normally score those though and it's a completely different tie.

It's amazing the way the narrative on an Italian sides remains the same, TV3 in this case, regardless of their approach or the way they're set up. Juventus basically played with four strikers yet Souness repeatedly spoke about the Italian mindset and how they'd be happy with a 0-0 and maybe hope to nick something a bit more on the break.

Dybala is a class operator. Of course, he owes much of his progress to his great mentor.

http://www.si24.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Palermo_Lafferty_Dybala-630x300.jpg

Worrying stuff in Dortmund, being treated as attempted murder I heard on the radio earlier, predictably enough I guess. At least nobody was badly hurt, this time.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, nothing needs saying wrt Dortmund.

I thoroughly enjoyed Juventus v Barcelona. As you say, a goal for Barcelona would have changed it a lot but Buffon saved expertly from Iniesta. I hadn't seen Dybala before.

I love Juventus' stadium. I think they faced criticism (or at least surprise) for limiting capacity in favour of atmosphere rather than maximising seats (take note Arsenal). What a good decision too. Brilliantly atmospheric stadium and Juventus' record there is seriously impressive.

[jbyrne]

I love Juventus' stadium. I think they faced criticism (or at least surprise) for limiting capacity in favour of atmosphere rather than maximising seats (take note Arsenal). What a good decision too. Brilliantly atmospheric stadium and Juventus' record there is seriously impressive.

was just saying that at home last night. my ideal football stadium

[DeLorean]

The atmosphere was electric. The Italian and German supporters seem to be able to keep the volume levels going all night, similar to the Turkish and Greek teams. The English supporters fade in and out at best. Even Anfield is a library for the majority of games and only comes to life for the really big occasions. Even in those they fade in and out depending on what's happening on the pitch.

Still though, 40,000 is pretty stingy for a club of Juve's size and importance. I wonder if they have the option of increasing it at some point? The biggest thing is that the fans are now right on top of the pitch compared to the old Stadio delle Alpi with the running track around it.

[geysir]

I missed the Monaco Dortmund game, I hadn't copped on to early ko time.
The penalty Bayern won looked very similar to the one Ireland got against Georgia but Bayern didn't have a cool dude in Robbie Keane to dispatch it safely. Great noisy colourful atmosphere in Munchen

[Charlie Darwin]

A distinct lack of cool dudes seems to have cost Bayern the tie tonight.

[geysir]

Considering BM were down to 10 in the 2nd half, Madrid were distinctly cautious about taking advantage. First half was good, the second half was dull as dish water.

[DeLorean]

I thought Real pretty much battered them after Bayern were reduced to ten, chance after chance for fifteen minutes before they eventually took one.

[DannyInvincible]

UEFA's insistence (https://www.balls.ie/football/dortmund-manager-slams-uefa-disgraceful-treatment-following-bus-explosion-363055) that the Dortmund-Monaco game go ahead today was crazy. The incident yesterday - in which lives could very easily have been lost - was clearly an extremely distressing and traumatic one for the entire Dortmund team and staff. How they'd be expected to be mentally right to play a game a day after that, I have no idea.

Nuri Sahin admitted in a post-match interview that his head wasn't even focused on the game earlier until he was already half-way through it: https://twitter.com/ViasatFotball/status/852234963281956866

[DeLorean]

Crazy alright. I think they should have just refused to play as a club though, instead of giving their individual players the option. That would have put UEFA in an impossible position really and shown up their decision as ridiculous and insensitive, instead of complaining about it after they lost.

[OwlsFan]

A distinct lack of cool dudes seems to have cost Bayern the tie tonight.

I'll tell you who cost Bayern: Dunphy. Before the game he said that "Ronaldo was a shadow of his former self". I texted my friends to put money on a Ronaldo hat-trick. Hopefully they didn't because he only scored two.

Poor form for UEFA to ask Dortmund to play a day after they were all almost murdered. I know the calendar gets a bit congested at this time of the year but....

[DannyInvincible]

Crazy alright. I think they should have just refused to play as a club though, instead of giving their individual players the option. That would have put UEFA in an impossible position really and shown up their decision as ridiculous and insensitive, instead of complaining about it after they lost.

I see UEFA are now claiming they didn't force the clubs to play the game and that the rescheduling decision was made after both clubs were consulted: http://www.the42.ie/borussia-dortmund-monaco-3338213-Apr2017/


A UEFA spokesperson said: “The decision to play the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco FC on Wednesday at 18.45CET was made on Tuesday night at the BvB Stadion Dortmund in cooperation and complete agreement with clubs and authorities.

“UEFA was in touch with all parties on Wednesday and never received any information which suggested that any of the teams did not want to play.”

[DeLorean]

Maybe the lack of communication was between the Dortmund suits and the team management/players.

[geysir]

I thought Real pretty much battered them after Bayern were reduced to ten, chance after chance for fifteen minutes before they eventually took one.
I had considered Madrid to be the nr 1 team left in the comp and BM nr 2.
Bayern were pretty much rubbish from the 2nd half ko onwards, even Lahm carelessly the ball away. That's mainly why I thought it was a poor 2nd half, I thought RM should have been able to bury the tie on the night. Battered isn't a word I'd use, RM managed to create a few very good chances in the 2nd half but really only turned the screw after Bayern were obviously all knackered out.
In the possible event of Lewandowski and Hummels returning, bench Muller, the door has been left open for Bayern to rescue the tie.

[geysir]

I see UEFA are now claiming they didn't force the clubs to play the game and that the rescheduling decision was made after both clubs were consulted: http://www.the42.ie/borussia-dortmund-monaco-3338213-Apr2017/
I get the impression that Dortmund did not make their case properly. Their bosses should have got together with Monaco's bosses and agreed together to ask/demand for a postponement, but they didn't. Clearly the players were effected but the plight of the players wasn't fully appreciated until the game progressed. Then they all start moaning to Uefa.

I was reminded of Neil Lennon and how reluctantly his fortitude was appreciated after the the time he turned up to play for NI against Norway in a friendly after receiving death threats, hundreds loudly booing his every touch and a spineless NI manager post game. Lennon still refused to give in and turned up to play in an away fixture and just stood down after he was told his family had received death threats.
Even after all that, you still had people thinking Lennon brought this all upon himself.

[geysir]

EL news, excellent refereeing from some Spanish bloke at Lyon v Besiktas this evening. Also he couldn't help himself from offering a genuine consoling gesture towards the Besiktas goalie after he made a howler for Lyon's second.

Not like those nasty rugby refs who just poke fun at players' shortcomings.
Soccer 6 Rugby -2

[DeLorean]

I had considered Madrid to be the nr 1 team left in the comp and BM nr 2.
Bayern were pretty much rubbish from the 2nd half ko onwards, even Lahm carelessly the ball away. That's mainly why I thought it was a poor 2nd half, I thought RM should have been able to bury the tie on the night. Battered isn't a word I'd use, RM managed to create a few very good chances in the 2nd half but really only turned the screw after Bayern were obviously all knackered out.
In the possible event of Lewandowski and Hummels returning, bench Muller, the door has been left open for Bayern to rescue the tie.

I'd agree with your pecking order even if the bookies didn't, Real being number one I mean, not so sure about Bayern being number two.

I think 'battered' is certainly a more accurate word than 'cautious' to describe Real's dominance after the sending off. Sure, ideally, they would have loved to have finished the tie but it wasn't for the lack of ambition. They took complete control, the game was played in Bayern's half and generally pretty close to their goal.

I actually thought it was really impressive by Real, they were still playing a very strong team away from home, even if they did have a numerical advantage.

I checked with the BBC match tracker to see if things unfolded as I had thought and I think it backs up what I'm saying. I've extracted everything of relevance from the time of the sending off until Ronaldo's winner. I think it indicates total dominance in any man's language and but for Neuer and some poor finishing (as opposed to Real's lack of ambition) the tie would be over.



61'
Dismissal.
Second yellow card to Javi Martínez (FC Bayern München) for a bad foul.

66'
Attempt missed. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.

69'
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcelo.

72'
Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Marco Asensio with a cross.

73'
Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Daniel Carvajal.

73'
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Manuel Neuer.

73'
Attempt saved. Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Luka Modric.

75'
Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Karim Benzema.

75'
Attempt saved. Casemiro (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Karim Benzema.

76'
Attempt blocked. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.

77'
Goal!
FC Bayern München 1, Real Madrid 2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marco Asensio with a cross.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Chiellini's goal was like a defender's version of the Berbatov "just taking a lie down" volley.

[geysir]

I'd agree with your pecking order even if the bookies didn't, Real being number one I mean, not so sure about Bayern being number two.

I think 'battered' is certainly a more accurate word than 'cautious' to describe Real's dominance after the sending off. Sure, ideally, they would have loved to have finished the tie but it wasn't for the lack of ambition. They took complete control, the game was played in Bayern's half and generally pretty close to their goal.

I actually thought it was really impressive by Real, they were still playing a very strong team away from home, even if they did have a numerical advantage.

I checked with the BBC match tracker to see if things unfolded as I had thought and I think it backs up what I'm saying. I've extracted everything of relevance from the time of the sending off until Ronaldo's winner. I think it indicates total dominance in any man's language and but for Neuer and some poor finishing (as opposed to Real's lack of ambition) the tie would be over.

After all that tricky like stats waffle, you neglected to appreciate the import of "the door has been left open for Bayern to rescue the tie" :)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Seeing the refereeing decisions that have went Real Madrid's way in this tie, I am sorely tempted to put a hundred grand on Barcelona overturning the deficit against Juventus.

[DeLorean]

After all that tricky like stats waffle, you neglected to appreciate the import of "the door has been left open for Bayern to rescue the tie" :)

It was insanely naive on my part. I thought that by demonstrating that Real had at least nine shots at goal in a mere eleven minute spell, that it might force you to soften your bizarre stance that they became cautious after the sending off. :)

Mad game tonight. Poor decisions went against Bayern, marginal ones against Real. Overall I thought the right team went through but you'd like if it could happen without the controversy. Some day soon perhaps.