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

[Swordsoffreedom]

Messi in very end of his career does not want to gamble with a strange coach whom he has not yet worked with before. So from this point of view, Pep is the best coach for Messi. Pep won't leave Manchester City so Messi will come to join the party with Pep.

I doubt that Messi can really help Manchester City. He is 33 and English football is different from the one he used to know in Spain. The game system would have to be adapted to him, which means that ManCity would have to change its current system. That would be bad for a well-rehearsed team. Besides, it would take at least a season to make it work. By then Messi will be 34, almost 35, and none of this will work.

I can't agree with your thought. He is now 33 but he has still good fitness. I hope he can easily serve the team 2 or 3 years. Although English football is totally different than Spanish.  I think English gameplay is faster than Spanish. It will take some time for Messi adopt to English football. But I hope, Messi has the ability to adopt himself to the situation.

[1714519964]

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[slaman29]

So, it is possible that UEFA will use a lottery to decide who won a match, which is a highly controversial decision.
What do you think?

I think, as in the case with the Kosovans versus the Irish teams, where the Kosovo team was first given a chance to get a new team together but still failed to show up, then they were rightly punished by forfeiture (as it was their fault). So I think the lottery system can only be acceptable if BOTH teams agree. Controversial maybe but if both agree, who can argue?

[bct_ail]

So, it is possible that UEFA will use a lottery to decide who won a match, which is a highly controversial decision.
What do you think?

This is so old school. Before May 30, 1970, games were decided by drawing lots or by coin tossing. Only when Karl Wald invented the penalty shootout did it become fairer. The first big tournament was decided through penalty: The European Championship 1976 between CSSR and Germany.

[Naida_BR]

So, it is possible that UEFA will use a lottery to decide who won a match, which is a highly controversial decision.
What do you think?

This is so old school. Before May 30, 1970, games were decided by drawing lots or by coin tossing. Only when Karl Wald invented the penalty shootout did it become fairer. The first big tournament was decided through penalty: The European Championship 1976 between CSSR and Germany.

I don't believe that they are going to turn again to these rules.
After all, there are a lot of money that hide behind the result of a match.
It would be really unfair and will financially devastate the looser of the game.

[Daniel91]

So, it is possible that UEFA will use a lottery to decide who won a match, which is a highly controversial decision.
What do you think?

This is so old school. Before May 30, 1970, games were decided by drawing lots or by coin tossing. Only when Karl Wald invented the penalty shootout did it become fairer. The first big tournament was decided through penalty: The European Championship 1976 between CSSR and Germany.

I don't believe that they are going to turn again to these rules.
After all, there are a lot of money that hide behind the result of a match.
It would be really unfair and will financially devastate the looser of the game.

UEFA has already made that decision.
UEFA has actually shown that they don’t care at all about fair play or the interests of all clubs but only that the competition ends at all cost.
I think we will have an irregular competition in which some clubs due to stricter rules in some countries about coronavirus will not even get a chance to play and may lose by lottery instead of on the field.
It's a huge scandal.

[babo]

@babo Messi is very close to joining Manchester City, and while this deal will prove to be an expensive transfer for them, yet I’m sure that they’ll approve it. Furthermore this deal will also mean that Pep will have to commit for at least two or three years, so you see it’s a win - win situation for Manchester City. Lastly according to rumours Messi is signing a 5 year contract with them i.e. he’ll play 3 years in the premier league, and next 2 year’s he’ll play for City owned Major League Soccer side New York City FC.

Messi in very end of his career does not want to gamble with a strange coach whom he has not yet worked with before. So from this point of view, Pep is the best coach for Messi. Pep won't leave Manchester City so Messi will come to join the party with Pep. In the Europe, there are only 2 big and rich clubs that can meet demand of Messi, PSG and Man City. Pep won't move to PSG so Messi has only choice to make.

With all of his love for Barcelona, I don't think he will move to Real Madrid.  

Manchester City is already a strong club and they are lack of X-factor. The factor can be Messi. If the transfer will be made, what to wait for the Champions League new season. The clash between Barcelona and Manchester City, why not? I wait to see the reaction and emotion of Messi if he scores goals in clash with Barcelona. Will tear be dropped like Batistuta did when he scored against the club he loves (Fiorentina)?

I absolutely agree with you, at this point surely the team towards which the great Messi will head will be just that, Manchester City.
I don't even think he can ever go to Real Madrid, I don't see him there as a player: the old-fans would hate him. But is a interesting novel

[Darkoth89]

UEFA has already made that decision.
UEFA has actually shown that they don’t care at all about fair play or the interests of all clubs but only that the competition ends at all cost.
I think we will have an irregular competition in which some clubs due to stricter rules in some countries about coronavirus will not even get a chance to play and may lose by lottery instead of on the field.
It's a huge scandal.

I understand you frustration but how would you handle the situation? Let's say a team has to go into quarantine for two weeks and can't attend the match? So would you simply reschedule the match to a date two weeks later? What about other competitions either one of the teams is attending that are planned at the new date? Like matches in the league or a national cup? What if after two weeks the other team suffers from a Covid19 outbreak and has to go into quarantine?

The calender for every club and the players is already so stuffed. If there are games that need to be moved, it can mess up the whole thing.

(My solution: Let the coaches play a BO3 FIFA match to decide  )

[Daniel91]

UEFA has already made that decision.
UEFA has actually shown that they don’t care at all about fair play or the interests of all clubs but only that the competition ends at all cost.
I think we will have an irregular competition in which some clubs due to stricter rules in some countries about coronavirus will not even get a chance to play and may lose by lottery instead of on the field.
It's a huge scandal.

I understand you frustration but how would you handle the situation? Let's say a team has to go into quarantine for two weeks and can't attend the match? So would you simply reschedule the match to a date two weeks later? What about other competitions either one of the teams is attending that are planned at the new date? Like matches in the league or a national cup? What if after two weeks the other team suffers from a Covid19 outbreak and has to go into quarantine?

The calender for every club and the players is already so stuffed. If there are games that need to be moved, it can mess up the whole thing.

(My solution: Let the coaches play a BO3 FIFA match to decide  )

Sorry but I don't think you understand what the real problem is here. The problem is actually in the double standards of UEFA, because they obviously apply different rules and standards to big clubs compared to the rules they apply to small clubs.
So that I don’t have to repeat everything now, read my previous post to understand what the real problem is with this decision:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5163249.msg55088896#msg55088896

Do any of you seriously think that a situation can happen at all that a match of a big club like Real, Barcelona, Juve can't be played and the winner is decided by lottery?
Even if such an opportunity arose, UEFA would do anything to solve such a dangerous situation for them, to avoid losing big money and for the match to be played at any cost and anywhere.
Has everyone already forgotten how UEFA allowed Atletico to play the Champions League quarter-final match in Portugal?
On the other hand, for small clubs like these two clubs from Kosovo or a club from Slovakia, these rules don't apply and no one in UEFA cares about them and their fate.
UEFA will simply exclude small clubs from the competition or decide on the winner through a lottery, which is something they will never even try to practice with big clubs.
For me, this is a classic example of UEFA's double standards and hypocrisy.

[-CryptoViking-]

Pep is always tinkering with his squad and I am sure he already has everything figured out in his head. If Messi goes to City there will be adjustments from both parties but I expect them to click and produce results almost immediately. I am thinking Pep would play Messi as a false 9, while at Barca he destroyed Real in one game with Messi playing just that position. City has world class players on the flanks and this kind of tactics would suit them perfectly. If Aguero isn't fit striker position is a bit weak, Jesus never really shined there so this is another point for false 9 theory.

Only problem is Messi defensive running, he has been outputting seriously low numbers in this category, worse and worse every year. That could possibly prove a problem for City.

I agree with you in general. Messi and Pep combo is the key, not so much Man City, though the quality and depth it has is a clear advantage for Pep. Pep knows how to use Messi and he will adjust both Messi and tactics to produce. It will be instant as you said, cause they both know how to do it, plus Man City is already like Barca 2, with more substance.

[babo]

I agree with you in general. Messi and Pep combo is the key, not so much Man City, though the quality and depth it has is a clear advantage for Pep. Pep knows how to use Messi and he will adjust both Messi and tactics to produce. It will be instant as you said, cause they both know how to do it, plus Man City is already like Barca 2, with more substance.

That's right, you are both right! I also agree, it is the combination of these two professionals that creates a powerful synergy: Pep and Leo Messi.
It often happens that a coach has his own reference players with whom he works very well: it is absolutely normal, indeed.

[kassex]

According to rumors, Messi remains for another year. More details will be available later. It will be interesting how he will play next season and how Koeman will get along with him.

[Lillominato89]

@babo Messi is very close to joining Manchester City, and while this deal will prove to be an expensive transfer for them, yet I’m sure that they’ll approve it. Furthermore this deal will also mean that Pep will have to commit for at least two or three years, so you see it’s a win - win situation for Manchester City. Lastly according to rumours Messi is signing a 5 year contract with them i.e. he’ll play 3 years in the premier league, and next 2 year’s he’ll play for City owned Major League Soccer side New York City FC.

Messi in very end of his career does not want to gamble with a strange coach whom he has not yet worked with before. So from this point of view, Pep is the best coach for Messi. Pep won't leave Manchester City so Messi will come to join the party with Pep. In the Europe, there are only 2 big and rich clubs that can meet demand of Messi, PSG and Man City. Pep won't move to PSG so Messi has only choice to make.

With all of his love for Barcelona, I don't think he will move to Real Madrid.  

Manchester City is already a strong club and they are lack of X-factor. The factor can be Messi. If the transfer will be made, what to wait for the Champions League new season. The clash between Barcelona and Manchester City, why not? I wait to see the reaction and emotion of Messi if he scores goals in clash with Barcelona. Will tear be dropped like Batistuta did when he scored against the club he loves (Fiorentina)?

I absolutely agree with you, at this point surely the team towards which the great Messi will head will be just that, Manchester City.
I don't even think he can ever go to Real Madrid, I don't see him there as a player: the old-fans would hate him. But is a interesting novel

I also think that in the end the great Messi will go to play in the Premier League, Manchester City is the team that currently can afford it, difficult for him to go to Real Madrid, it would be a hard blow for the Barcelona fans, even if anything can happen, I still remember the passage of Figo from Barcelona to Real Madrid. Messi will hardly go to play in Italy or France

[babo]

I also think that in the end the great Messi will go to play in the Premier League, Manchester City is the team that currently can afford it, difficult for him to go to Real Madrid, it would be a hard blow for the Barcelona fans, even if anything can happen, I still remember the passage of Figo from Barcelona to Real Madrid. Messi will hardly go to play in Italy or France

Inter can affort it too. Chinese man have many money.. and he can spent it

[snipie]

According to rumors, Messi remains for another year. More details will be available later. It will be interesting how he will play next season and how Koeman will get along with him.

Yeah I read it too previously. Since no one is willing to pay that huge fee then he will have to stay and wait for the next year. The question is will he signs another contract for Barca or not?

[cryptofrka]

Inter can affort it too. Chinese man have many money.. and he can spent it

It is not a problem of being able to afford it anymore - many rich owners/clubs can afford top players. Even though FFP is a joke, the clubs still have to work under some rules and no club can pay Messi's release clause and still fulfill the FFP requirements - not even close.

Man City got away with cooking the books already this year so they will not want another investigation.

Buying Messi is impossible right now - unless Barcelona lower their demands to something under 100 million. Which they said they will not do.

[snipie]

Inter can affort it too. Chinese man have many money.. and he can spent it

It is not a problem of being able to afford it anymore - many rich owners/clubs can afford top players. Even though FFP is a joke, the clubs still have to work under some rules and no club can pay Messi's release clause and still fulfill the FFP requirements - not even close.

Man City got away with cooking the books already this year so they will not want another investigation.

Buying Messi is impossible right now - unless Barcelona lower their demands to something under 100 million. Which they said they will not do.

I think Messi drama comes to an end. He declared few hours ago that he will remain in Barcelona to avoid legal battles vs his club, although he mentioned his intention to leave months ago. source + all over the news.

[Lillominato89]

I also think that in the end the great Messi will go to play in the Premier League, Manchester City is the team that currently can afford it, difficult for him to go to Real Madrid, it would be a hard blow for the Barcelona fans, even if anything can happen, I still remember the passage of Figo from Barcelona to Real Madrid. Messi will hardly go to play in Italy or France

Inter can affort it too. Chinese man have many money.. and he can spent it

yes the Chinese man has a lot of money but does not want to spend it, but now the news has come out that Messi will stay at Barcelona for another year

[kawetsriyanto]

I think Messi drama comes to an end. He declared few hours ago that he will remain in Barcelona to avoid legal battles vs his club, although he mentioned his intention to leave months ago.

It is probably not a drama, mate. It may be true that he really wants to leave Barcelona. Unfortunately, he has no choice for now as the club may not allow him to go. You know that Barcelona may lose power if Messi leaves now. However, Messi already stated to stay and I think it is the time to end the rumor. Let's see what's happening in Barcelona in the next season with the captain (Messi) stays in the club. We expect that Barcelona still has the power to be competitive if they can keep their most influential player. 

[snipie]

I think Messi drama comes to an end. He declared few hours ago that he will remain in Barcelona to avoid legal battles vs his club, although he mentioned his intention to leave months ago.

It is probably not a drama, mate. It may be true that he really wants to leave Barcelona. Unfortunately, he has no choice for now as the club may not allow him to go. You know that Barcelona may lose power if Messi leaves now. However, Messi already stated to stay and I think it is the time to end the rumor. Let's see what's happening in Barcelona in the next season with the captain (Messi) stays in the club. We expect that Barcelona still has the power to be competitive if they can keep their most influential player. 

It is actually a drama for him and his family but also his fans. Check the source I pointed at and his interview, he wants truly to leave, trusted Barca's president promises which failed him, he doesn't want to start a court battle against his club and his kids +probably his fans too were crying when they heard him planning to leave Barcelona. By this I mean it is a drama... unfortunately 

[Darkoth89]

Sorry but I don't think you understand what the real problem is here. The problem is actually in the double standards of UEFA, because they obviously apply different rules and standards to big clubs compared to the rules they apply to small clubs.
So that I don’t have to repeat everything now, read my previous post to understand what the real problem is with this decision:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5163249.msg55088896#msg55088896

Do any of you seriously think that a situation can happen at all that a match of a big club like Real, Barcelona, Juve can't be played and the winner is decided by lottery?
Even if such an opportunity arose, UEFA would do anything to solve such a dangerous situation for them, to avoid losing big money and for the match to be played at any cost and anywhere.
Has everyone already forgotten how UEFA allowed Atletico to play the Champions League quarter-final match in Portugal?
On the other hand, for small clubs like these two clubs from Kosovo or a club from Slovakia, these rules don't apply and no one in UEFA cares about them and their fate.
UEFA will simply exclude small clubs from the competition or decide on the winner through a lottery, which is something they will never even try to practice with big clubs.
For me, this is a classic example of UEFA's double standards and hypocrisy.

I really missed your previous post, sorry about that.

Even back then I was already surprised that Barca players didn't have to go into quarantine after Umtiti was tested postitive right before the match against Bayern. Or that Athletico had 2 Covid 19 cases before their match against Leipzig (Correa and Vrsaljko) and there was no quarantine for other players. I can only explain it that way that this was last season and that the UEFA put new rules in place for this new season 20/21 that consider this whole new situation since the Coronavirus outbreak. Otherwise one cannot really understand the decision against Slovan Bratislava (they could have attended the matches with their youth teams, right?).