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

[Smartvirus]

That three nil Bayern Munich performance against the average Barcelona team was a solid one and I expected nothing less than that!
The start of the game got me thinking they might not get the win or goals to revenge the award which was supposing to go to Lewandoski but went to Messi who hadn't been in form, but nevertheless revenge has been served which makes us even hope Bayern draw PSG now

Lol,,, but it isn't revenge yet until it affects the targeted and that for R. Lewandowski wasn't Fc Barcelona, its all Lionel Messi which is still very much in the league and with a potential team as well. Though, PSG haven't been really impressive but at least, they've still got chances at the games. Hope the draw gets to merge them, then we would be anticipating some sweet savoury of revenge juice  .
For Manchester united, them playing a Manchester united 1:1 Young boys draw was just the best they could get put of it, looking at the fact that, Young Boys are at the bottom of there group and felt the need to win so as to advance to the Europa at least. They did great but, Manchester United wasn't going to let themselves loose a game at Old Trafford.

[DatKing]

Nearly everything is decided in the groups now except the condition of the Group F. Because Atalanta - Villarreal game was postponed and it is expected to be played this evening. Atalanta must win to continue in this tourney. And even one point is enough for Villarreal to do the same. Maybe Atalanta's recent form in this tourney isn't good. But they have been awesome in the Serie A lately. Maybe they can reflect that performance on this game too and win.

[Pmalek]

They don't have anything to do with it, in my opinion. prove to Messi c'mon, Messi left this team a few months ago, and whether they qualify or not has no bearing on Messi because his team has already qualified.

I never said that they have to prove anything to Messi. I just said that the motivation could be high to kick their asses despite already securing qualification to the knock-out stages. And they did even though Lewandowski didn't score.

Manchester United ran out in a completely changed lineup. I am glad I waited until I saw the team sheets. After looking at them, my bets went on Bayern and Benfica, and no money was wasted on Manchester United. I am sure they caused havoc for many gamblers last night.   

[gabbie2010]

Chelsea were really effective in attacking against Zenit yesterday. Even Werner scored two goals in this game. However, they still couldn't prevent Zenit from scoring the same amount of goals as them and getting one point. As Juventus defeated Malmo, they lost their leadership to Juventus unfortunately. I say like that because I was favoring Chelsea for the 1st position at the end of the group stage.

Chelsea had to draw 3-3 with Zenit and made them have to settle for qualifying for the next round with the status of group runners up after another match Juventus managed to get three points and came out as group winners. The round of 16 will be very tough for Chelsea because they will face teams who won the group like Madrid, Bayern and Ajax. They should be able to come out as group winners due to superior goal difference and head to head from Juventus if they managed to beat Zenit in the last match.

I don't know Tuchel why benched some of their key players who would have changed the match, players like Niguez,Sarr and Barkley are not regular players and you can't risk those type of players in a crucial match, the absence of those resulted to Chelsea drawing their match yesterday against a lowly rated Zenith, though this is not an excuse for a big club like Chelsea, however a win would have make them the group leader possibly playing against a runner-up in another group which could be an easy opponent.

[Red Pie]

The group stages of the champions league will end with the play of the Atalanta-Villarreal match, which has been postponed until today.  We can say that the real excitement is just beginning.  We will watch the matches of strong teams.  I'm already curious about Matches after Groups.

[cryptofrka]

Barcelona got what they deserved yesterday - sometimes they seem like a team with no gameplan at all. Like kids in the schoolyard - everybody running at their own pace, tempo and in random direction.
Benfica got an easy win against Kiev and deservedly goes through to the knockouts.

Chelsea will have a much more difficult opponent due to the goal conceded in the 94th minute, they did rotate heavily for this game but still - conceding 3 goals against Zenit isn't something they should have allowed. They might regret it really soon.

[Cafex]

First of all, I'm not very content about the result of Milan vs Liverpool match as I was supporting Milan. But anyway, congrats to Atletico Madrid for making it! And today, the last matches of this stage are going to be played today. Among those matches, the most interesting match is obviously Bayern Munich vs Barcelona. Because Barcelona must win to be able to advance. I'm saying this considering that Benfica will tear Dinamo Kyiv apart. They have no choice rather than winning in the end if they want to maintain their existence in the CL in case Barcelona lose points.

Well, Milan was bad... I don't know how they won Atletico, I thought they will do more against Liverpool, but once again they disappointed totally! Luckily I played on goals last night, and that was a good decision!

We will see some surprises tonight, as always! Many teams have no other choice than to win if they wish to stay in competition... I guess group G is the hottest one, Wolfsburg (5 pts) vs Lille (8 pts) and Salzburg (7 pts) vs Sevilla (6 pts)... all cards are open, there are no other chances, tonight they will give everything they can and win or they will fail! I decided to play on goals tonight as well, I believe we will see a lot of goals again, open games with a focus on attacks!

This was one of the interesting groups indeed. And I'm not very happy about Sevilla's getting out of this tournament after losing to Salzburg by 1-0. I was expecting Lille and Sevilla to advance. We are gonna watch Sevilla in the Europa League from now on and we know that they have a great history in that tournament. Maybe they can reach the final there, who knows.

[Trofo]

Manchester United ran out in a completely changed lineup. I am glad I waited until I saw the team sheets. After looking at them, my bets went on Bayern and Benfica, and no money was wasted on Manchester United. I am sure they caused havoc for many gamblers last night.   

I should have gone with Bayern as well, but I thought Barca needs this much more so they will at least score one goal, so I went with both to score. It is not like Bayern has iron defense, they are usually playing to score few goals more than opponents and even week team in Germany often slip a goal or two against them.

Chelsea really screwed big time yesterday. You can't let Juve get that top spot in last game. Yes you managed to rotate a squad a little but this probably means much harder opponent in first knockout stage. But then again they are good enough to win against anybody so maybe they did not care. I am sure nobody from group winners pot wants to see their name drawn with Chelsea.

[Slow death]

Chelsea surprised me today by their inadequate performance in their defense. Because this caused them to concede three goals from Zenit and to lose their lead in their group also.

lately it has become risky to bet on games involving chelsea, for example in yesterday's game they could have comfortably won but they make mistakes that cost them a draw. I wonder if they can win the next premier league game against leeds

Chelsea missed a big opportunity to keep their lead and we will see if this will cause them to face big difficulties in the next round depending on the opponent.

from the perception I had that chelsea is not concerned with being first in the group

[masulum]

Hopefully this turns out to be true but Milan needed to rely on him less and less already this season,,, not more. So I do not think he is a big factor for them at Serie A on the pitch, they just need him in key moments and at training where his fitness may not have such a big impact as they are now paying him for his experience (I believe).

Of course, I also don't expect all Milan players to depend on Ibrahimovic. However, to reach the championship title, IMO, Milan must have Ibrahimovic at least 50% of the remaining matches, its mean Ibra must be played. Unless, in the winter transfer window there are younger and more qualified forwards, then, even though Ibra does not play, Milan still has a striker to score more goals.

[skscengeng]

I assume that Chelsea had their mind on the Leeds game and that's why they drew with Zenit yesterday by an interesting score like 3-3. Because normally, Chelsea would have defeated a team like Zenit without too much problem. Maybe they lost their lead in the group but I don't think that it is too important for them. We should keep in mind that they are the last champions of this tournament.  

[CryptocurencyKing]

Barcelona got what they deserved yesterday - sometimes they seem like a team with no gameplan at all. Like kids in the schoolyard - everybody running at their own pace, tempo and in random direction.
Benfica got an easy win against Kiev and deservedly goes through to the knockouts.

Chelsea will have a much more difficult opponent due to the goal conceded in the 94th minute, they did rotate heavily for this game but still - conceding 3 goals against Zenit isn't something they should have allowed. They might regret it really soon.

Xavi is still trying to continue that Tiki-taka style of play and i dont see where this plan is heading to. If Barcelona stick to that outdated game pattern of Tiki Taka they are likely to suffer more losses. All clubs have understood their tactical game and they are not ready to change it, hence their lack of impact on many of their opponents. What a shame and toothless display of football against Bayern Munich yesterday. They never looked like they would score at any time. Memphis Depay needs to reverse his previous statement and offer apology for the disrespect rendered unto Bayern before the game.

[tyz]

Chelsea will have a much more difficult opponent due to the goal conceded in the 94th minute, they did rotate heavily for this game but still - conceding 3 goals against Zenit isn't something they should have allowed. They might regret it really soon.

Well, but by finishing first or second you can basically just avoid difficult opponents in the round of 16. From the quarterfinals onwards, everything is reshuffled again anyway. That's why I don't quite understand the discussion about the group placings. Especially not for top teams like Chelsea. With less good teams it is still understandable, but Chelsea has the claim to win the CL again and then they have to pass against all teams sooner or later.

[ziyaaa]

The postponed match, Atalanta - Villarreal is going to be played today if there is not any problem again. It was postponed due to heavy snow. And I think that Atalanta can win this match. Villarreal are ahead of them by one point and Atalanta must win not to be eliminated. Atalanta are in-form lately and they can do this I believe. But it would be a win by a one goal difference I guess.

[Igebotz]

Chelsea will have a much more difficult opponent due to the goal conceded in the 94th minute, they did rotate heavily for this game but still - conceding 3 goals against Zenit isn't something they should have allowed. They might regret it really soon.

Finishing second below Juventus is a blessing in disguse looking at possible fixtures at the knock out stage. They will most likely play one of these teams: Bayerm, Ajax, Real Madrid, or Lille. When they return to full strength, Chelsea will easily defeat the other teams. However, I'm concerned we'll have to face Bayern because we haven't had an easy knockout stage match since 2007.

[OcTradism]

Of course, I also don't expect all Milan players to depend on Ibrahimovic. However, to reach the championship title, IMO, Milan must have Ibrahimovic at least 50% of the remaining matches, its mean Ibra must be played. Unless, in the winter transfer window there are younger and more qualified forwards, then, even though Ibra does not play, Milan still has a striker to score more goals.

Ibra came and changed them. He brought not only goals but also confidence to his young team mates. Together they have been improved in last 3 seasons and they have a first Champions League season after many years.

In Serie A, they are at the top of table. Also I don't see in Serie A, AC Milan are depending too much on Ibra. He did not play too many matches for them because of injuries but AC Milan still stay at top. Good enough and dependence on Ibra is decreasing.

Xavi is still trying to continue that Tiki-taka style of play and i dont see where this plan is heading to. If Barcelona stick to that outdated game pattern of Tiki Taka they are likely to suffer more losses.

It is not out-dated and Manchester City are playing another variant or upgraded tiki-taka. Issues in Barcelona are their players are not at world-class like when Xavi is core of their squad and tika-taka. Don't blame this defeat on Xavi. Remember when Messi was here, Barcelona was destroyed more terribly by Bayern. Give Xavi and Barcelona time to digest this defeat and come back.

[Minor Miner]

Xavi is still trying to continue that Tiki-taka style of play and i dont see where this plan is heading to. If Barcelona stick to that outdated game pattern of Tiki Taka they are likely to suffer more losses.

It is not out-dated and Manchester City are playing another variant or upgraded tiki-taka. Issues in Barcelona are their players are not at world-class like when Xavi is core of their squad and tika-taka. Don't blame this defeat on Xavi. Remember when Messi was here, Barcelona was destroyed more terribly by Bayern. Give Xavi and Barcelona time to digest this defeat and come back.

Xavi cannot be blamed for Barcelona's defeat. Barcelona's squad is very weak and inexperienced compared to other title-seeking squads. We can't expect much from such a team. Xavi has taken charge of the team. He will now stabilize the team somewhat. Fix their gameplay and strategy. Then next season if Barcelona can take some star players in the team then maybe they can be strong. I don't expect much from this team until new players are added.

[bitjoin]

Xavi is still trying to continue that Tiki-taka style of play and i dont see where this plan is heading to. If Barcelona stick to that outdated game pattern of Tiki Taka they are likely to suffer more losses. All clubs have understood their tactical game and they are not ready to change it, hence their lack of impact on many of their opponents. What a shame and toothless display of football against Bayern Munich yesterday. They never looked like they would score at any time. Memphis Depay needs to reverse his previous statement and offer apology for the disrespect rendered unto Bayern before the game.

The presence of Xavi as Barcelona coach to continue the tiki-taka style,
Each coach has many variations on each tactic used, so it can't be considered taki-taki an outdated tactic.
When Xavi was still active as a Barcelona player, he became the brains of the tiki-taka game and could set the rhythm of the game and the chances he created turned into goals.
This trend is being carried out by Xavi to bring Barcelona back to the spirit of the game. when the tiki-taka strategy can blend in with all players, it will be very difficult to stop the flow of incoming balls. 6 trophies in one season is proof of how dangerous tiki-taka tactics are.

[Hidrofor]

Atalanta are going to be playing a home game vs Villarreal today. And this is going to be the end for one of these teams in the Champions League. Villarreal are more advantageous now as we see them one point ahead. But Atalanta are a very capable team and this is a home game for them. They can win this if they give their everything. But if I bet on this game, I would choose both teams to score.

[Luzin]

Xavi cannot be blamed for Barcelona's defeat. Barcelona's squad is very weak and inexperienced compared to other title-seeking squads. We can't expect much from such a team. Xavi has taken charge of the team. He will now stabilize the team somewhat. Fix their gameplay and strategy. Then next season if Barcelona can take some star players in the team then maybe they can be strong. I don't expect much from this team until new players are added.

You are right, Xavi only accepts the rest of the decisions of Koeman and the club management. So at the moment he is just maximizing the players. Xavi tries to maximize the potential of existing players, because he didn't come at the start of the season.
Blaming Xavi is certainly not entirely right, but if you look at Xavi's experience, he still has little experience when he became the coach of a club as big as Barcelona. But it's interesting what Barcelona will do in the winter transfer market. They should buy new players, to improve the team's weaknesses.