⚽ [POLL] FOOTBALL: UEFA Champions League 2023/24

[JollyGood]

There problem for many big clubs in European competitions is that there are only so many teams that can get to a final (two teams), or semi-final (four teams), or quarter-final (eight teams) therefore some will ultimately fail to progress. This is the European competition all the clubs want to participate in and try to win. Even Guardiola with all the money backed by the UAE state has not won the Champions League.

When you have two big clubs, financially powerful and dominant in their leagues such as when Real Madrid played PSG in round 2 of the competition - one of them has to get knocked out - Real beat PSG over two legs. Barcelona were eliminated at the group stage and Manchester United was knocked out by a much smaller club in Atletico, things like that have to happen but it is a shock to see giants fall early in the competition.

I do not see Ronaldo playing for Manchester United next season unless they finish 4th in the Premier League because he will want Champions League football, that is simple, anything less than that would be (as you said) embarrassing. Messi will be there at PSG for another season at least and he is almost guaranteed Champions League next season with PSG,

Here are the next set of games taking place in the Champions League - they are the quarter-final fixtures:

Seeing big teams like Manchester United and PSG exit from the champions league is something very embarrassing,because the two world bests are in those teams,Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two figures that found themselves in those teams,and Ronaldo  playing Europa league is something  I see as embarassing to his personality,and the Europa spot is not yet guaranteed,because their is a fierce war in England between Arsenal,Tottenham,And Manchester United for the European spot.

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[JollyGood]

For the games tomorrow I think the scores will be:

Benfica 1-1 Liverpool
Manchester City 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Liverpool will find it tough going to Portugal to face Benfica. I think this game will end in a draw.

You would expect Manchester City to beat Atletico but what are the chances Atletico would knock Manchester United out first and then knock Manchester City out in the next round?

[Juggy777]

For the games tomorrow I think the scores will be:

Benfica 1-1 Liverpool
Manchester City 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Liverpool will find it tough going to Portugal to face Benfica. I think this game will end in a draw.

You would expect Manchester City to beat Atletico but what are the chances Atletico would knock Manchester United out first and then knock Manchester City out in the next round?

@JollyGood I don’t think Liverpool match will end in a draw, because Liverpool likes to score lots of goals hence my prediction is a 3 - 1 victory for Liverpool. Also Atletico kinda got lucky against Manchester United, but against City they’ll need to pray that City player’s are having an off day because I expect City player’s to breach their defences and win by 2 - 0.

[JollyGood]

If Liverpool play at full capacity they can push Benfica aside with relative ease but I think Benfica have done their homework. They will play with confidence knowing they have home support for the first leg and they will make try their best to maximise that advantage. Over two legs Liverpool should qualify for the semi-final.

As for Atletico they are not playing to the level we have been used to over many seasons but they can cause an upset. Manchester City are favourites no doubt about it but over two legs I am keeping options open on this one.

The fixtures take place tomorrow... we can catch up after the games when we discover who was closer to the correct scorelines 

@JollyGood I don’t think Liverpool match will end in a draw, because Liverpool likes to score lots of goals hence my prediction is a 3 - 1 victory for Liverpool. Also Atletico kinda got lucky against Manchester United, but against City they’ll need to pray that City player’s are having an off day because I expect City player’s to breach their defences and win by 2 - 0.

[JollyGood]

Here are the results for the games played earlier today:

Benfica 1-3 Liverpool

Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid

You were right Liverpool scored a lot of goals, you were completely right with your 1-3 scoreline. You nearly had the other game score correct too 

At this stage you would have to say Liverpool will qualify for the semi-final but Manchester City still have to go to Atletico and perform well otherwise they will be out of the competition.

@JollyGood I don’t think Liverpool match will end in a draw, because Liverpool likes to score lots of goals hence my prediction is a 3 - 1 victory for Liverpool. Also Atletico kinda got lucky against Manchester United, but against City they’ll need to pray that City player’s are having an off day because I expect City player’s to breach their defences and win by 2 - 0.

[Sebas.tian]

Here are the results for the games played earlier today:

Benfica 1-3 Liverpool

Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid

For Liverpool, the result was perfectly good because at 17 minutes Ibrahima Konate open the let with one goal to prepare the mind of their fans that victory is sure at the end of the match. Benfica tried to stop Liverpool not to achieve more goals but at 34 minutes Sadio Mane gave the second goal that caused a big jubilations for the fans, for the early goals they had achieved so far in the match. At 49 minutes Darwin Nurnez helped Benfica to achieve one goal which was giving their fans hope that the match will end up draw, But at 87 minutes Luis Diaz gave the third goal that made the match to end up 1-3 for the favour of Liverpool.

Atletico Madrid struggle to defend the game to end up draw but Manchester city later got the opportunity to defeated Atletico Madrid 0-1 to achieved the victory.

[Juggy777]

Here are the results for the games played earlier today:

Benfica 1-3 Liverpool

Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid

You were right Liverpool scored a lot of goals, you were completely right with your 1-3 scoreline. You nearly had the other game score correct too  

At this stage you would have to say Liverpool will qualify for the semi-final but Manchester City still have to go to Atletico and perform well otherwise they will be out of the competition.

@JollyGood I don’t think Liverpool match will end in a draw, because Liverpool likes to score lots of goals hence my prediction is a 3 - 1 victory for Liverpool. Also Atletico kinda got lucky against Manchester United, but against City they’ll need to pray that City player’s are having an off day because I expect City player’s to breach their defences and win by 2 - 0.

@JollyGood yes I was sure that Liverpool would score lots because Klopp isn’t a defensive coach, and he would like to kill any hopes Benfica player’s would have hence it’s a good result for Liverpool. Also for City not a bad result as I expected Atletico to defend heavily in this fixture, but you’re right in the away fixture they’ll have to do even better, and I expect City to win because Pep has lots of experience of playing in Spain.

[JollyGood]

Konate managed to score his first goal for Liverpool but the goal from Diaz calmed nerves because at 1-2 up Liverpool were feeling the pressure from Benfica and the home crowd. I think Liverpool will win the home leg of the draw and will qualify for the semi-final with relative ease.

Atletico nearly caught Manchester City on the break numerous times but failed to capitalise. I think what is certain is that Atletico will score in 90 minutes in the return leg in Madrid but I am not sure Manchester City will score. I have a feeling Atletico will go through to the semi-final and it will be Manchester City and Guardiola that will be left bitterly disappointed.

For Liverpool, the result was perfectly good because at 17 minutes Ibrahima Konate open the let with one goal to prepare the mind of their fans that victory is sure at the end of the match. Benfica tried to stop Liverpool not to achieve more goals but at 34 minutes Sadio Mane gave the second goal that caused a big jubilations for the fans, for the early goals they had achieved so far in the match. At 49 minutes Darwin Nurnez helped Benfica to achieve one goal which was giving their fans hope that the match will end up draw, But at 87 minutes Luis Diaz gave the third goal that made the match to end up 1-3 for the favour of Liverpool.

Atletico Madrid struggle to defend the game to end up draw but Manchester city later got the opportunity to defeated Atletico Madrid 0-1 to achieved the victory.

[tokeweed]

Here are the results for the games played earlier today:

Benfica 1-3 Liverpool

Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid

You were right Liverpool scored a lot of goals, you were completely right with your 1-3 scoreline. You nearly had the other game score correct too 

At this stage you would have to say Liverpool will qualify for the semi-final but Manchester City still have to go to Atletico and perform well otherwise they will be out of the competition.

Yup.  I fear for City tbh.  Winning by just a goal in the first leg leaves Pep and his boys very vulnerable at the reverse fixture.  It's going to be pretty tough for City to break that defense again as they tend to become stale during a match.  I feel like Atletico wins by a goal too taking it at pens...  Which I don't mind.  Pens to decide who goes thru is always fun. 

Anyway, who you guys got between Chelsea and Real Madrid?  I feel like Real is being disrpespected here at 3.80, draw no bet at 2.60.  :/

[JollyGood]

Yup.  I fear for City tbh.  Winning by just a goal in the first leg leaves Pep and his boys very vulnerable at the reverse fixture.  It's going to be pretty tough for City to break that defense again as they tend to become stale during a match.  I feel like Atletico wins by a goal too taking it at pens...  Which I don't mind.  Pens to decide who goes thru is always fun. 

I think Guardiola will fail to get his Manchester City team past Atletico because that 1 goal advantage will probably not be good enough to secure them qualification.

Anyway, who you guys got between Chelsea and Real Madrid?  I feel like Real is being disrpespected here at 3.80, draw no bet at 2.60.  :/

Results from the games played earlier this evening:

Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid

Villarreal 1-0 Bayern Munich


To answer your question before the game I could not have answered but after the result it is clear that Real Madrid should qualify for the semi-final. Tuchel has worked wonders with Chelsea but it looks as though they will be knocked out. If he manages to mastermind a victory in Madrid then Tuchel will elevate himself even more with Chelsea fans and the footballing elite.

The surprise for me was Villarreal beating Bayern 1-0. I still think Bayern will win the return leg and will qualify for the semi-final. Up to this point I would say that Liverpool, Atletico, Real Madrid and Bayern will be the semi-finalists.

[tokeweed]

^  Yeah I was surprised at that Bayern vs Villareal score line.  Lmao.  And it was lined at 1.65 win for Bayern which Hark recommended as a pick, which I thought was a value line too considering it's Bayern Munich.  But alas, in CL football you just never know what's going to happen.

Won the Real Madrid draw no bet one tho and followed another one of Hark's picks, BTTS at 1.97 which also hit.  

And yeah, def doubling down now that I fear for City.  Lol. There's just something in the CL that makes them choke at the really most important matches.

Edit:  I couldn't find a prop for which clubs goes through to the semis.  I wonder what the line is for Atletico.

[JollyGood]

Benzima absolutely destroyed Chelsea with his display, what a hat-trick. Each of his 3 goals had something brilliant about them.

The first header, to control it with accuracy after the speed at which he connected with the cross was brilliant. His second header was great to get it back across the goal and beat the goalkeeper but his third goal was stunning too. The way in which he chased the ball and forced Mendy to make the mistake and then for Rudiger to not even clear the ball away when challenged by Benzima was a disaster because Benzima he put the ball in the empty goal.

Liverpool are as good as already through to the semi-finals. Bayern Munich should get through to the semi-finals but as you said it is the Champions League, anything can happen in a knockout competition. As for Manchester City they will face a determined Atletico 

^  Yeah I was surprised at that Bayern vs Villareal score line.  Lmao.  And it was lined at 1.65 win for Bayern which Hark recommended as a pick, which I thought was a value line too considering it's Bayern Munich.  But alas, in CL football you just never know what's going to happen.

Won the Real Madrid draw no bet one tho and followed another one of Hark's picks, BTTS at 1.97 which also hit.  

And yeah, def doubling down now that I fear for City.  Lol. There's just something in the CL that makes them choke at the really most important matches.

Edit:  I couldn't find a prop for which clubs goes through to the semis.  I wonder what the line is for Atletico.

[tokeweed]

^  I'm expecting Bayern Munich to go out there and blow Villareal away at the second leg.  I don't think Nagelsmann will be out foxed again.  But from a betting perspective, dunno...  Looking at the lines everything has nothing that entices me.

As for Real Madrid vs Chelsea, still going for Real Madrid draw no bet at 1.95.  There's also Real Madrid to win and BTTS combo at 4.50 which is good value imho...  For the matches tomorrow I like Benfica team total under .5 at 2.18.  I don't think they get one in at Anfield.

[JollyGood]

Results from the games last night:

Bayern Munich 1-1 Villarreal

Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea


I also expected Bayern to dominate Villarreal but they only managed a 1-1 draw therefore Villarreal go through to the semi-finals and Bayern are knocked out. The game was heading for a 1-0 full time result which would have allowed the game to go to extra time but Villarreal scored in the 88th minute to make the final score 1-1 but they won the first leg 1-0. Final aggregate score 2-1 Villarreal.

Now on to Real Madrid vs Chelsea. All I can say is that anybody that wants to know what a great game of football looks like should view this link. The highlights capture the amazing flow of the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ3yQZPX7dE

Chelsea were defending champions and were so close to going through to the semi-final. They dominated large parts of the game and attacked Real throughout but in the end they were knocked out even though they won 2-3 on the night. Real Madrid go through to the semi-final 5-4 on aggregate.

As a team, Chelsea played some of the most fantastic football I have seen in recent times. Tuchel is a world class manager, if he leaves Chelsea at the end of the season the team will suffer while a new manager brings his own ideas.

^  I'm expecting Bayern Munich to go out there and blow Villareal away at the second leg.  I don't think Nagelsmann will be out foxed again.  But from a betting perspective, dunno...  Looking at the lines everything has nothing that entices me.

As for Real Madrid vs Chelsea, still going for Real Madrid draw no bet at 1.95.  There's also Real Madrid to win and BTTS combo at 4.50 which is good value imho...  For the matches tomorrow I like Benfica team total under .5 at 2.18.  I don't think they get one in at Anfield.

[tokeweed]

^  Yeah...  Def a wtf moment for Bayern Munich supporters.  Lmao.  And to think I had them as one of the most likely winners of the UCL this year.  Now it's looking like Villareal is the dark horse of the tourney.

Anyway lost my bet on Real.  I shoulda played the BTTS and over 2.5 goals too which was lined at around 1.97...  I was looking at it but ignored it.  Meh.  Benfica team total under .5 goals at 2.18 later to break even.  

Edit:  Man City to win and under 3.5 goals combo at 2.30 seems to be a decent line.

[Zanab247]

Results from the games last night:

Bayern Munich 1-1 Villarreal

Bayern Munich players really missed many goals that would have make them to defeat Villarreal yesterday to qualify for semi final but they missed their opportunity which gave Villarreal opportunity to qualify for semi final yesterday. Many people predicted that Bayern Munich will use home advantage to win Villarreal 3:1 to achieve the victory but the match later ended up 1:1 but the final aggregate was 2:1 for the favour of Villarreal.

[JollyGood]

Results from the games this evening:

Liverpool 3-3 Benfica

Atletico Madrid 0-0 Manchester City


Liverpool qualify for the semi-final by beating Benfica 6-4 on aggregate

Manchester City qualify for the semi-final by beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 on aggregate

[Juggy777]

Manchester City qualify for the semi-final by beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 on aggregate

I have to admit that Atletico surprised me with their aggressive approach, and how did Stefan stay on the pitch despite that headbutt is beyond explainable to me. Furthermore the game could have gone towards the penalty shoot out had Atletico scored in the last minute, but Ederson made a wonderful safe and managed to help City qualify for the semi finals.

[JollyGood]

Atletico did not surprise me with the way they headed in to this game. They were playing the best way they could in an attempt to beat Manchester City and they nearly succeeded. Atletico dominated the game but just could score because of the way Manchester City defended. Most of the second half was played inside the Manchester City half because Atletico pressed.

Manchester City will now meet Real Madrid in the semi-final 

I have to admit that Atletico surprised me with their aggressive approach, and how did Stefan stay on the pitch despite that headbutt is beyond explainable to me. Furthermore the game could have gone towards the penalty shoot out had Atletico scored in the last minute, but Ederson made a wonderful safe and managed to help City qualify for the semi finals.

[Cnut237]

I have to admit that Atletico surprised me with their aggressive approach, and how did Stefan stay on the pitch despite that headbutt is beyond explainable to me.

The referee was in a difficult position, and probably didn't want to further inflame an already tense situation by brandishing a red card. Refs do act this way sometimes, and I think it's the wrong approach, they need to stamp their authority on the game. The minute you let the players believe they can get away with violence, it descends into anarchy.

Manchester City will now meet Real Madrid in the semi-final 

... and then Liverpool in the final.