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

[bct_ail]

Not really related to the Champions League but interesting for the remaining Europa League matches: There is a positive Covid-19 case at the Swiss club FC Basel (https://www.en24.news/2020/07/covid-19-a-positive-case-at-fc-basel.html). They already won the first match against Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 but what happens if more cases appear and their team has to go into quarantine? There has been a similar case at the FC Zürich. They were forced to send their U21 team into competition and lost their next match 4-0 in the league. If Basel has to face the same scenario that could destroy their perfect position from the first match.

I guess this is where isolation becomes very useful. Given the tight timeline, I think the leagues have get done at all costs by the end of next month so i don't think all team players would get infected at any given time frame. If all comes to the worst, while others get infected some will have recovered.

We had such a case in the second german bundesliga. Dresden were the one and only team who have had a Corona Case just before the new start. They couldn’t play and train, had to go into quarantine, 3 games were relocated and at the end they had to play 7 games within 19 days. The bitter end was they have relegate.

But now main problem that there is simply no time left to reschedule games. So, I'm not really sure how to solve this problem. I remember recent case in Russia when there was few cases in one team and players and staff had to go into quarantine. So, they had to send their reserve team to the game and they got smashed 10:1... So, maybe such scenarios is possible in this case too..

I agree there is no time if have to reschedule games, the best alternative is to have to use a reserve team to play. So the match remains
on schedule, but the risk of the reserve team losing is indeed likely to occur.

I don't have a solution for that either. We must all simply wait and see what kind of actions the UEFA will take in such a case. I think they have already discussed it internally.

[Lordhermes]

Yes that's true on the case of dominance, champion league playing deserves steady training, PSG would face a hot blood team Atalanta as they in a continuous play. This would greatly have effect on PSG performance including Bayern Munich too. 

[Naida_BR]

Yes that's true on the case of dominance, champion league playing deserves steady training, PSG would face a hot blood team Atalanta as they in a continuous play. This would greatly have effect on PSG performance including Bayern Munich too. 

We should not underestimate Atalanta.
They are the 2nd team in Serie A behind Juventus and they have clearly earned it this season.
I think that they are going to give diff.ult times when they are going to face their opponent in CL.

[suzanne5223]

Yes that's true on the case of dominance, champion league playing deserves steady training, PSG would face a hot blood team Atalanta as they in a continuous play. This would greatly have effect on PSG performance including Bayern Munich too. 

We should not underestimate Atalanta.
They are the 2nd team in Serie A behind Juventus and they have clearly earned it this season.
I think that they are going to give diff.ult times when they are going to face their opponent in CL.

I agree with you because I also forese Atalanta to do something thrill in the Champions due to the club performance ever since they have been promoted from Serie B to A and they seem to be a threat for every enormous football club and I hope they wont sell their goalkeeper and their striker (Duvan Zapata).

[cryptofrka]

I really like Atalanta and their style of play. However, I think that they lack a bit of balance in big games.

They outscored most of the teams in Europe this season, they are 20+ goals better than any other team in Serie A. But when you play against top teams in top competitions, you need to adapt and to be able to change playstyles.

They really have a good draw, if they manage to beat PSG they will play against Atletico or Leipzig. It is doable and I will cheer for them to reach the final, however I would not give them much chance there. Against a top team like City or Bayern I don't think they would be able to control the game and dominate with their playstyle and they would have big problems with adapting to City's or Bayern's.

Hope they prove me wrong, their story smells a bit like Liverpool's in 2005. Inferior team barely getting out of the group stage, 2 steps away from the finals. Go Atalanta!

[Trofo]

I really like Atalanta and their style of play. However, I think that they lack a bit of balance in big games.

They outscored most of the teams in Europe this season, they are 20+ goals better than any other team in Serie A. But when you play against top teams in top competitions, you need to adapt and to be able to change playstyles.

They really have a good draw, if they manage to beat PSG they will play against Atletico or Leipzig. It is doable and I will cheer for them to reach the final, however I would not give them much chance there. Against a top team like City or Bayern I don't think they would be able to control the game and dominate with their playstyle and they would have big problems with adapting to City's or Bayern's.

Hope they prove me wrong, their story smells a bit like Liverpool's in 2005. Inferior team barely getting out of the group stage, 2 steps away from the finals. Go Atalanta!

Agree with most of the points made above. I would just add another point. Atalanta maybe isn't the best at adapting to other teams play style, but other teams are also not used for their opponent to attack them with whole squad. I think especially PSG could have a problem with that since large majority of their games they have to play against teams defending with their whole squads. This could be a very different and tough game for them. On the other hand I think Atletico Madrid would made an easy job of eating Atalanta. They will be perfectly happy to defend whole game, kill the tempo as much as possible and then score a goal or two on counters.

[EdenHazard]

Agree with most of the points made above. I would just add another point. Atalanta maybe isn't the best at adapting to other teams play style, but other teams are also not used for their opponent to attack them with whole squad. I think especially PSG could have a problem with that since large majority of their games they have to play against teams defending with their whole squads. This could be a very different and tough game for them. On the other hand I think Atletico Madrid would made an easy job of eating Atalanta. They will be perfectly happy to defend whole game, kill the tempo as much as possible and then score a goal or two on counters.

Crazy season for Atlanta who found themselves play aggressively in most of the whole season matches ..

Some of praiseworthy stats that atlanta created so far :

Atalanta scored 2.71 goals in average.
Conceded 1.26 goals per match.
69% of Atalanta's matches ended with both teams scoring. Average total goals per match for Atlanta is 3.97.
95 goals scored , breaking the all time high goals scored in a single season in serie A.
More to come by become a champions league finalist?
We'll see when they beat PSG unexpectedly.

[hd49728]

Crazy season for Atlanta who found themselves play aggressively in most of the whole season matches ..

Some of praiseworthy stats that atlanta created so far :

Atalanta scored 2.71 goals in average.
Conceded 1.26 goals per match.
69% of Atalanta's matches ended with both teams scoring. Average total goals per match for Atlanta is 3.97.
95 goals scored , breaking the all time high goals scored in a single season in serie A.

In Italy and Serie A, Atalanta is a biggest surprise in last two seasons. No one expected they beat AS Roma last season for the 4 position and a spot in Champions League. This season, they even do better than the last one. They are Tottenham in Italy. Tottenham had an amazing season in Champions League last year, why not the same one for Atalanta this time?

More to come by become a champions league finalist?
We'll see when they beat PSG unexpectedly.

PSG is good in their player quality but the problem, the biggest one, for them is their very weak mentality. With weak mentality, they lost important games and sometimes important moments in Champions League. Atalanta has due dilligent changes to beat PSG.

[masulum]

Atalanta has due dilligent changes to beat PSG.

I agree, even many people doubted Atalanta because they had just played in the Champions League, this was normal. However, if PSG players underestimate them this will become a big problem for them. PSG can't just see Atalanta's as new name in the champions league. It's no coincidence that the draw with Juventus and become in 2nd place right now. Just look at their record in important matches this season.

first half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Draw vs Lazio
3. Draw vs Napoli
4. Lose vs Juventus
5. Win vs Milan
6. Draw vs. Inter

the second half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Win vs Lazio
3. Win vs Napoli
4. Draw vs Juventus

This result is enough to be a motivation for Atalanta to face PSG. 1 defeat against the Italian giants, PSG players should not underestimate Atalanta.

[buwaytress]

Yep, the break benefited teams like Atalanta a lot more. Thin squad, who played game in game out, and without breaks, so they recuperated and came out strong, but they'll fade again like United currently is, so they better go win some good games in the next few weeks.

I'm not excusing them at all, of course. Happy they've given us good games and man what a late blooming striker they got! My deal was with Lazio though, but even if they don't win I'm happy they're finally back with the big boys (Lucas Leiva my heart with him too!).

Anyway, I couldn't find any good odds on a crypto bookie (not like the one coinlocket posted on 15th): https://fairlay.com/market/champions-league-winner-2020-all-in-5/?referral=2130e697-c138-436a-a753-de8ca2436301

Anyone got better ones?

Manchester City @ 4.45
Bayern Munich @ 4.0
PSG 6.0
Barcelona @ 9.0
Atletico Madrid @ 8.5
Atalanta @ 11.0
RB Leipzig @ 15.5
Juventus @ 16.0
Real Madrid @ 21/1
Napoli @ 51
Lyon @ 76
Chelsea @ 151

Barca at 9/1 look good?

But Real to advance at 3/1 look ok to me. City is City and Ramos is Ramos.

[$crypto$]

Yes that's true on the case of dominance, champion league playing deserves steady training, PSG would face a hot blood team Atalanta as they in a continuous play. This would greatly have effect on PSG performance including Bayern Munich too. 

We should not underestimate Atalanta.
They are the 2nd team in Serie A behind Juventus and they have clearly earned it this season.
I think that they are going to give diff.ult times when they are going to face their opponent in CL.

It is true that Atalanta cannot be underestimated because I see that in Serie A this game is very interesting and also strong and can even beat the other big teams in series, so I think this is a big threat for PSG to face Atalanta when performance improves.

But remember the competition in CL is very tight so both teams will try hard to win and keep attacking to advance to the next.

[babo]

~~~~

first half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Draw vs Lazio
3. Draw vs Napoli
4. Lose vs Juventus
5. Win vs Milan
6. Draw vs. Inter

the second half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Win vs Lazio
3. Win vs Napoli
4. Draw vs Juventus

This result is enough to be a motivation for Atalanta to face PSG. 1 defeat against the Italian giants, PSG players should not underestimate Atalanta.

I love Atalanta, i think can win for some little reasons:
- now he has very high morale, after second half of season
- unfortunately the chances of winning the italian championship are few

i think they focus in this game, PSG lose al 80%

[Lillominato89]

~~~~

first half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Draw vs Lazio
3. Draw vs Napoli
4. Lose vs Juventus
5. Win vs Milan
6. Draw vs. Inter

the second half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Win vs Lazio
3. Win vs Napoli
4. Draw vs Juventus

This result is enough to be a motivation for Atalanta to face PSG. 1 defeat against the Italian giants, PSG players should not underestimate Atalanta.

I love Atalanta, i think can win for some little reasons:
- now he has very high morale, after second half of season
- unfortunately the chances of winning the italian championship are few

i think they focus in this game, PSG lose al 80%

Atalanta is the most beautiful fairy tale of the last 40 years of Italian football, it reminds me very much of Leicester and Leipzig, but unlike them they don't have the opportunity to win the championship, but in my opinion it will make a great game against PSG and give us a dream, what do you think?

[swogerino]

Atalanta has due dilligent changes to beat PSG.

I agree, even many people doubted Atalanta because they had just played in the Champions League, this was normal. However, if PSG players underestimate them this will become a big problem for them. PSG can't just see Atalanta's as new name in the champions league. It's no coincidence that the draw with Juventus and become in 2nd place right now. Just look at their record in important matches this season.

first half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Draw vs Lazio
3. Draw vs Napoli
4. Lose vs Juventus
5. Win vs Milan
6. Draw vs. Inter

the second half of the season
1. Win vs Roma
2. Win vs Lazio
3. Win vs Napoli
4. Draw vs Juventus

This result is enough to be a motivation for Atalanta to face PSG. 1 defeat against the Italian giants, PSG players should not underestimate Atalanta.

I think Psg will not underestimate them but I also think that Psg will have an easy game against them when they face them because Atalanta lacks the experience in this level of the Champions League.We know it is their first time here so they will have a difficult time against any of the remaining teams in Champions League right now.

[babo]

Atalanta is the most beautiful fairy tale of the last 40 years of Italian football, it reminds me very much of Leicester and Leipzig, but unlike them they don't have the opportunity to win the championship, but in my opinion it will make a great game against PSG and give us a dream, what do you think?

sure, I agree everything you say about this small team with great potential!
I think the chances of winning the cup are very low (for lack of experience) but it will certainly give headaches to the bigger teams ahahaha
I think they will fear it (i hope)

[Darkoth89]

Atalanta is the most beautiful fairy tale of the last 40 years of Italian football, it reminds me very much of Leicester and Leipzig, but unlike them they don't have the opportunity to win the championship, but in my opinion it will make a great game against PSG and give us a dream, what do you think?

sure, I agree everything you say about this small team with great potential!
I think the chances of winning the cup are very low (for lack of experience) but it will certainly give headaches to the bigger teams ahahaha
I think they will fear it (i hope)

Atalanta in the Champions League reminds me a lot of Ajax from last season. It would be such a great story for them reaching the next round. And I think the way these remaining matches are played out favours teams like Atalanta. At first I can totally see them beating PSG in the quarter finals. Paris is completely out of the playing rhythm and Atalanta is looking very strong since the restart of the Serie A. Then they would face Napoli, Barca or Bayern (don't think Chelsea has a chance against Bayern). Though game but everything is possible. Especially since these last games are played in a tournament-style.

[Raflesia]

Atalanta in the Champions League reminds me a lot of Ajax from last season. It would be such a great story for them reaching the next round. And I think the way these remaining matches are played out favours teams like Atalanta. At first I can totally see them beating PSG in the quarter finals. Paris is completely out of the playing rhythm and Atalanta is looking very strong since the restart of the Serie A. Then they would face Napoli, Barca or Bayern (don't think Chelsea has a chance against Bayern). Though game but everything is possible. Especially since these last games are played in a tournament-style.

Atalanta's style of play is quite interesting, even I am interested to see this style of course will start when the champions league starts again, even though it faces a big team but I think it will be passed, why do I pay attention to Atalanta because in series it is quite interesting after several times won against big teams and here I conclude in the CL that will start maybe this game style will not change and will be like this for the next round.

[Lillominato89]

Atalanta is the most beautiful fairy tale of the last 40 years of Italian football, it reminds me very much of Leicester and Leipzig, but unlike them they don't have the opportunity to win the championship, but in my opinion it will make a great game against PSG and give us a dream, what do you think?

sure, I agree everything you say about this small team with great potential!
I think the chances of winning the cup are very low (for lack of experience) but it will certainly give headaches to the bigger teams ahahaha
I think they will fear it (i hope)

Atalanta in the Champions League reminds me a lot of Ajax from last season. It would be such a great story for them reaching the next round. And I think the way these remaining matches are played out favours teams like Atalanta. At first I can totally see them beating PSG in the quarter finals. Paris is completely out of the playing rhythm and Atalanta is looking very strong since the restart of the Serie A. Then they would face Napoli, Barca or Bayern (don't think Chelsea has a chance against Bayern). Though game but everything is possible. Especially since these last games are played in a tournament-style.

exactly, Atalanta is very reminiscent of last year's Ajax, but Atalanta doesn't have the same glorious history as Ajax, which makes it more fascinating.

[Coyster]

But Real to advance at 3/1 look ok to me. City is City and Ramos is Ramos.

Lol, Ramos isn't playing. It's a good odd because Real Madrid going through is not impossible, but with the advantage city have (2 away goals) and the absence of Ramos in this game (serving his match ban for a red card in the first leg) i think city might just have the edge over Madrid and quality for the quarterfinal. Madrid are prolly still in celebration mood after winning the laliga City may be the more motivated of the two teams.

[Fatemablabla]

PSG striker K. Mbappe just got a very nasty tackle from Saint- Etienne in Coupe de France finale. . I think his season is over. If it happens PSG will be in very bad situation in UCL. They also did a bad tackle on Neymar also. Though he scored on goal already and PSG is leading the game by 1-0. Coach should take off Neymar in the 2nd half. It will be better for them. Also, wish a very fast recovery for Mbappe.


Click the image to see the gif, don't know why the gif is not working.