Official UEFA Champions League 23/24 Thread

[Orchard thief]

Atletico might be effective but Ive never liked Simeone's 'gamesmanship'. The Germans might not be the best side but that was a victory for attacking football last night.

^^
Spot on.

Simeone’s Atletico (lieti ) have consistently been there or thereabouts for a decade now but his insistence on being the pantomime villain has cost his team at times.

It’s not enough for him to win a game, he has to do it by rattling the fuck out of everyone in doing so!

He’s kinda box office but glad his antics haven’t ever been rewarded with big ears.

 

[Philby]

I think Arsenal were far too cautious against Bayern. They needed something to take to Munich imo. Its advantage to the Germans.

Yep. They really missed a trick not taking a lead to Munich.

Even with their injury absences I'd make Bayern narrow favourites now too.

 

[Philby]

^^
Spot on.

Simeone’s Atletico (lieti ) have consistently been there or thereabouts for a decade now but his insistence on being the pantomime villain has cost his team at times.

It’s not enough for him to win a game, he has to do it by rattling the fuck out of everyone in doing so!

He’s kinda box office but glad his antics haven’t ever been rewarded with big ears.

Wot u on about m8

 

[Purple Monkey Dishwasher]

^^
Spot on.

Simeone’s Atletico (lieti ) have consistently been there or thereabouts for a decade now but his insistence on being the pantomime villain has cost his team at times.

It’s not enough for him to win a game, he has to do it by rattling the fuck out of everyone in doing so!

He’s kinda box office but glad his antics haven’t ever been rewarded with big ears.

Fully agreed.

I'm sure our views are somewhat tempered by his sides dumping out both United and Lolpool in recent seasons.

Im glad tho the new added time rules have tackled their time wasting shithousery. He has the players not to be engaging in that crap.

I really hope we get a strong ref tonight in the Real game who will dish out yellows early for City's final third methodical fouling.

 

[Handy Run]

I really hope we get a strong ref tonight in the Real game who will dish out yellows early for City's final third methodical fouling.

They get away with it because they do it in their own third before the opposition can even get the counter going.

The refs seem to think "well the other team wasn't even in city's half so no real danger so no yellow".

It's fucking infuriating.

 

[Meritocracy]

I fancy Bayern inside 90 mins tonight.

 

[Purple Monkey Dishwasher]

I fancy Bayern inside 90 mins tonight.

Agreed.

Kane double will do nicely

 

[Lee Bushwacker]

Arriba Real Madrid!

 

[Purple Monkey Dishwasher]

They get away with it because they do it in their own third before the opposition can even get the counter going.

The refs seem to think "well the other team wasn't even in city's half so no real danger so no yellow".

It's fucking infuriating.

Jose called it out years ago and he was spot on.

If the officials gave them the amount of yellows their systemic fouling deserves they would rarely finish with XI.

 

[Philby]

They get away with it because they do it in their own third before the opposition can even get the counter going.

The refs seem to think "well the other team wasn't even in city's half so no real danger so no yellow".

It's fucking infuriating.

To be fair, although City were well known for this (going back to Fernandinho's time), Arsenal are no strangers to it themselves.

It's something which Arteta took with him from City and has ramped up as Arsenal are increasingly dominated games.

Liverpool have been at it too, for what it's worth. It's natural that sides who pin opposition into their own half a lot will look at the risk/reward of tactical fouling and, either systemtically or individually, decide it's worth risking yellows in transition.

Feels like refs are getting a bit wiser at figuring out which of these fouls warrant a yellow, but they've got a way to go yet.