⚽UEFA Champions League Discussion Thread -- 2021/22 winner - Real Madrid!

[Naida_BR]

Really looking forward to Spurs v Bayern next week, Spurs will have to go for it at home, especially after draw away to Olympiakos, and Bayern have the firepower to make this a high-scoring game. We'll be backing over 2.5 and laying 0-0, 1-0 and 0-1.

Tottenham is out of form in the last matches.
Last weekend they lost to Leicester and they weren't able to play good football. With the current conditions, Bayern Munchen wouldn't have any difficulties in beating them on home.

[Scheede]

Really looking forward to Spurs v Bayern next week, Spurs will have to go for it at home, especially after draw away to Olympiakos, and Bayern have the firepower to make this a high-scoring game. We'll be backing over 2.5 and laying 0-0, 1-0 and 0-1.

Tottenham is out of form in the last matches.
Last weekend they lost to Leicester and they weren't able to play good football. With the current conditions, Bayern Munchen wouldn't have any difficulties in beating them on home.

(Unfortunatelly) Bayern started to roll in the Bundesliga earlier than (I would have) expected. So I have to agree with you here, Bayern will possibly give Tottenham a lesson here.

[Avirunes]

Really looking forward to Spurs v Bayern next week, Spurs will have to go for it at home, especially after draw away to Olympiakos, and Bayern have the firepower to make this a high-scoring game. We'll be backing over 2.5 and laying 0-0, 1-0 and 0-1.

Tottenham is out of form in the last matches.
Last weekend they lost to Leicester and they weren't able to play good football. With the current conditions, Bayern Munchen wouldn't have any difficulties in beating them on home.

Spurs are defensively week. Last CL match they had a very good lead and only few errors in defense gave the opponents to equalise the score and they capitalized the most on those chances. Their defense were having a hard time holding Olympiakos attackers. I hope Pochettino makes some changes in defense for the next CL match.

[Harkorede]

Did anyone watch the FIFA Mens Awards 2019 ? Messi was named as the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the year, just ahead of Van Dijk and Ronaldo. Congratulations to Messi, I thought we were going to have 2 consecutive seasons without Messi or Ronaldo claiming the award with both of them losing to Luca Modric in the previous edition.

[slackovic]

To be honest, i am not sure that they can repeat this performance, what we saw the other  night was  maybe best Dinamo game in many years.

The Champions League takes so much energy from the teams. They often don't realize it until the next match comes in the domestic competition.
Dinamo lost yesterday against an opponent they are unlikely to lose against in normal conditions. That is often the case with teams following a strong CL performance, they get mentally and physically tired and aren't able to perform at the levels expected by them.

I watched the Juve-Verona match yesterday and Juventus struggled immensely. They had no control in the middle of the pitch and almost messed up in the last couple of minutes where they could have conceded a goal for 2:2.

In fact, Bjelica, the Dinamo coach, rested most of the players who played against Atalanta and gave other players a chance to play.
It could be said that it was actually Dinamo's second team and the coach obviously had a plan to rest the main players to continue competing in the Champions League.
The plan obviously only partially worked out because they lost the match.
It will not be easy for Dinamo to fight in parallel on 2 fronts.

They will fight harder in Champions League especially after that superb win against a team from Serie A like Atalanta.I think it is the first time for Dinamo to achieve something like this. They will not be much worried for the domestic league as they can recover some lost points easily there compared to Champions League.

I think that is the problem with Dinamo's team - they have to be worried about the domestic league. True, Dinamo coach rested some of the players but that gave others a chance to shine. And what did they do? They lost to the team that didn't have a single win in the domestic championship! That's really embarrassing for the team and the coach was rightfully furious. He even said to the camera that players who won't play good in the domestic league won't play CL games.

Personally, I don’t think the coach meant it seriously.
Coach Bjelica probably wanted to wake the team up and lift them mentally for the next games.
The truth is that the Champions League is a great chance for the Dinamo, both in sport and in financial terms, but they must not relax too much in the domestic league.
Otherwise, they could lose their place in the next Champions League.
Remember Rijeka?
The question is whether DInamo has enough quality players to endure a battle on both fronts?

I don't know if he meant it seriously, but he said that to the TV so I guess he was really angry at the players. Those things are usually spoken in the locker room and not in front of the TV cameras. That's why I think he was really angry and he meant it. But he has a point. Players can't expect to play in the international games if they don't show some enthusiasm playing the domestic games.

As for the quality of the players... I think that Dinamo can beat most of the domestic teams with their second team so the coach can rest the most important players for the CL games. I don't see how could teams in the bottom half of the domestic championship win over Dinamo's second team. True, Dinamo's second team must play the game and not just show up at the field like they did against Varaždin.

[DeathAngel]

Did anyone watch the FIFA Mens Awards 2019 ? Messi was named as the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the year, just ahead of Van Dijk and Ronaldo. Congratulations to Messi, I thought we were going to have 2 consecutive seasons without Messi or Ronaldo claiming the award with both of them losing to Luca Modric in the previous edition.

Messi had a great season, he scored & shit load of goals in Spain & I think was the highest goal scorer in the CL. Barca didn’t win the CL though & they lost the final of the Spanish Cup. I don’t think there will be too many arguments about him getting the title of best player though.

[beerlover]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

[Naida_BR]

Did anyone watch the FIFA Mens Awards 2019 ? Messi was named as the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the year, just ahead of Van Dijk and Ronaldo. Congratulations to Messi, I thought we were going to have 2 consecutive seasons without Messi or Ronaldo claiming the award with both of them losing to Luca Modric in the previous edition.

Messi had a great season, he scored & shit load of goals in Spain & I think was the highest goal scorer in the CL. Barca didn’t win the CL though & they lost the final of the Spanish Cup. I don’t think there will be too many arguments about him getting the title of best player though.

I think that Ronaldo should have won this award.
Messi didn't do anything more than Ronaldo did in Italy. Additionally Ronaldo had a weaker team that Messi and still accomplished the same goals.

[snipie]

Tottenham is out of form in the last matches.
Last weekend they lost to Leicester and they weren't able to play good football. With the current conditions, Bayern Munchen wouldn't have any difficulties in beating them on home.

I expect Bayern to win too or at least a draw could be possible.
I am waiting for Barcelona vs Inter, wonder know if Barca will continue its very positive trend 

[DeathAngel]

I think that Ronaldo should have won this award.
Messi didn't do anything more than Ronaldo did in Italy. Additionally Ronaldo had a weaker team that Messi and still accomplished the same goals.

You could spend all week arguing over who should have won it. My personal vote would have gone to Van Dijk but Messi & Ronaldo are two of the greatest players ever.

I dunno, it’s so tough. Van Dijk was one of the most important players who won the biggest trophy.
Messi & Ronaldo are attackers, Van Dijk is a defender. It’s impossible to decide.

[slackovic]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

Agreed. I see that yesterday Dinamo played a domestic cup game against a team from the 4th league. The coach sent Dinamo's first team and they beat poor guys 8:0. Honestly, I don't know why he played with the best players. I guess he was really angry at the younger players for losing that game in the domestic league.

[Rikafip]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

Agreed. I see that yesterday Dinamo played a domestic cup game against a team from the 4th league. The coach sent Dinamo's first team and they beat poor guys 8:0. Honestly, I don't know why he played with the best players. I guess he was really angry at the younger players for losing that game in the domestic league.

Yep, that was the main reason. Dinamo dominates national championship for years, and after few good games in CL, some players  thought that they are too good to play domestic game.
Smart move in my opinion, he  showed them that there are no irrelevant games and that there is no room for complacency. That is how you build wining mentality

[swogerino]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

Agreed. I see that yesterday Dinamo played a domestic cup game against a team from the 4th league. The coach sent Dinamo's first team and they beat poor guys 8:0. Honestly, I don't know why he played with the best players. I guess he was really angry at the younger players for losing that game in the domestic league.

Yep, that was the main reason. Dinamo dominates national champipnship for years, and after few good games in CL, some players  thought that they are too good to play domestic game.
Smart move in my opinion, he  showed them that there are no irrelevant games and that there is no room for complacency. That is how you build wining mentality

I think the coach sent the first team not only to win but to keep them in shape for Champions League too.I am sure they have not played 100% of their condition otherwise the result could have easily been 20-0 for Dinamo.
Not all last years Dinamo has dominated alone because there was one or two years where Rijeka won the Championship.

[Rikafip]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

Agreed. I see that yesterday Dinamo played a domestic cup game against a team from the 4th league. The coach sent Dinamo's first team and they beat poor guys 8:0. Honestly, I don't know why he played with the best players. I guess he was really angry at the younger players for losing that game in the domestic league.

Yep, that was the main reason. Dinamo dominates national champipnship for years, and after few good games in CL, some players  thought that they are too good to play domestic game.
Smart move in my opinion, he  showed them that there are no irrelevant games and that there is no room for complacency. That is how you build wining mentality

I think the coach sent the first team not only to win but to keep them in shape for Champions League too.I am sure they have not played 100% of their condition otherwise the result could have easily been 20-0 for Dinamo.
Not all last years Dinamo has dominated alone because there was one or two years where Rijeka won the Championship.

Dinamo Zagreb was champion  13 times in last 14 season, only Rijeka managed to end their run of 11 consecutive championships in 2016-2017 season, but after that, Dinamo again won 2 championships, so i would say that they pretty much dominated. This season also might be interesting, especially if Dinamo goes to next round in Europe.

Last few season Croatian championship has improved, and it was automatically noticeable in  Dinamo performances in Europe, better competition helped them.

[slackovic]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

Agreed. I see that yesterday Dinamo played a domestic cup game against a team from the 4th league. The coach sent Dinamo's first team and they beat poor guys 8:0. Honestly, I don't know why he played with the best players. I guess he was really angry at the younger players for losing that game in the domestic league.

Yep, that was the main reason. Dinamo dominates national champipnship for years, and after few good games in CL, some players  thought that they are too good to play domestic game.
Smart move in my opinion, he  showed them that there are no irrelevant games and that there is no room for complacency. That is how you build wining mentality

I think the coach sent the first team not only to win but to keep them in shape for Champions League too.I am sure they have not played 100% of their condition otherwise the result could have easily been 20-0 for Dinamo.
Not all last years Dinamo has dominated alone because there was one or two years where Rijeka won the Championship.

Dinamo Zagreb was champion  13 times in last 14 season, only Rijeka managed to end their run of 11 consecutive championships in 2016-2017 season, but after that, Dinamo again won 2 championships, so i would say that they pretty much dominated. This season also might be interesting, especially if Dinamo goes to next round in Europe.

Last few season Croatian championship has improved, and it was automatically noticeable in  Dinamo performances in Europe, better competition helped them.

I don't think that the Croatian championship has improved. I think the biggest reason for good performance in Dinamo's European games is that they finally have a really good coach and the team is at it's best. After all, Hajduk, Rijeka and other clubs that were in European qualifications didn't manage to go trough to the group stages.

[Chrystora123]

snip...

Messi had a great season, he scored & shit load of goals in Spain & I think was the highest goal scorer in the CL. Barca didn’t win the CL though & they lost the final of the Spanish Cup. I don’t think there will be too many arguments about him getting the title of best player though.

I think that Ronaldo should have won this award.
Messi didn't do anything more than Ronaldo did in Italy. Additionally Ronaldo had a weaker team that Messi and still accomplished the same goals.

just correcting it, Juventus is not a weak team . the reason that I think is very appropriate is that Ronaldo can improve and adapt quickly.  Indeed Messi's personal achievement is far better than Ronaldo's but I'm not sure if Messi can achieve it all if he is not at Barca.

I expect Bayern to win too or at least a draw could be possible.
I am waiting for Barcelona vs Inter, wonder know if Barca will continue its very positive trend  

Barca vs Inter (3/10/19) will definitely be won by Barca, Camp Nou has become a living witness of Barca unbeaten at home.

[rachman mahesa]

I expect Bayern to win too or at least a draw could be possible.
I am waiting for Barcelona vs Inter, wonder know if Barca will continue its very positive trend  

Barca vs Inter (3/10/19) will definitely be won by Barca, Camp Nou has become a living witness of Barca unbeaten at home.

If Barcelona conditions like the previous season, surely I am sure Barcelona will win later. But unfortunately this season is very much a change, both for Barcelona and Inter. Barcelona hasn't even been on a positive trend, while Inter are very good right now. A draw is very likely to occur in this match.

[Daniel91]

You do have to play reserves time to time and bench players (and sometimes youth as well) anyway, most of the time teams do it for cup games, in my country until the teams are in quarter finals or face a good team they usually make the youth team play so they can gain some experience, so the strategy to put young people or bench during domestic games are not really that bad of an idea, it creates a good vibe with the team that would mean if you show up you will get playing time, and those young kids can be the future of Dimano.

You can lose some games but in the end I think when they get the jitters out they will still be at high table in domestic league so they should keep focusing on champions league, after all how further could they realistically go? When they get eliminated they will go back focusing on the league.

Agreed. I see that yesterday Dinamo played a domestic cup game against a team from the 4th league. The coach sent Dinamo's first team and they beat poor guys 8:0. Honestly, I don't know why he played with the best players. I guess he was really angry at the younger players for losing that game in the domestic league.

Yep, that was the main reason. Dinamo dominates national champipnship for years, and after few good games in CL, some players  thought that they are too good to play domestic game.
Smart move in my opinion, he  showed them that there are no irrelevant games and that there is no room for complacency. That is how you build wining mentality

I think the coach sent the first team not only to win but to keep them in shape for Champions League too.I am sure they have not played 100% of their condition otherwise the result could have easily been 20-0 for Dinamo.
Not all last years Dinamo has dominated alone because there was one or two years where Rijeka won the Championship.

Dinamo Zagreb was champion  13 times in last 14 season, only Rijeka managed to end their run of 11 consecutive championships in 2016-2017 season, but after that, Dinamo again won 2 championships, so i would say that they pretty much dominated. This season also might be interesting, especially if Dinamo goes to next round in Europe.

Last few season Croatian championship has improved, and it was automatically noticeable in  Dinamo performances in Europe, better competition helped them.

I don't think that the Croatian championship has improved. I think the biggest reason for good performance in Dinamo's European games is that they finally have a really good coach and the team is at it's best. After all, Hajduk, Rijeka and other clubs that were in European qualifications didn't manage to go trough to the group stages.

In football, to achieve good results, a long-term strategy and good organization, good leadership, experienced coach and stable finances are essential.
In Croatian championship only Dinamo have all of this in continuity and that is why they are untouchable.
Dinamo has always been missing something in European competitions for the last 30 or so years but now, finally, all the dice stacked up well and Dinamo have a team that can fight for second place in his group and even give good resistance to Manchester City.

[slackovic]

In football, to achieve good results, a long-term strategy and good organization, good leadership, experienced coach and stable finances are essential.
In Croatian championship only Dinamo have all of this in continuity and that is why they are untouchable.
Dinamo has always been missing something in European competitions for the last 30 or so years but now, finally, all the dice stacked up well and Dinamo have a team that can fight for second place in his group and even give good resistance to Manchester City.

True, Dinamo is much more better team than it was all those years they were losing from teams like Ludogorets. But I wouldn't go that far and say that they can fight for the second place. OK, I'm not sure how strong is Shakhtar, but I think Dinamo will be happy with the third place and spring in the UEFA Europa League.

[Upgrade00]

If Barcelona conditions like the previous season, surely I am sure Barcelona will win later. But unfortunately this season is very much a change, both for Barcelona and Inter. Barcelona hasn't even been on a positive trend, while Inter are very good right now. A draw is very likely to occur in this match.

Despite their poor start to the season, Camp Nou has remained a fortress and Barcelona are unlikely to lose there. The fans and atmosphere appears to elevate the performance of the team to a level they can not match when on the road.

Inter are also a very good side and just had a strong win against Lazio. Conte is doing a very impressive job over at Italy.