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

[Igebotz]

In the second half, Atletico Madrid got a taste of their own medicine. It could have been a different game if they had been professional and played a bit of what they did last night in the first leg, but they chose to play all man defense instead. It was a fantastic Tuesday and Wednesday night of football, but I'm disappointed that my team did not qualify. Our schoolboy defense in the first leg cost us the game, but we were more composed in the second leg. Modric assist was a work of art.

Good luck to Manchester City as they take on a Real Madrid team of 12 players. I'd like to see an all-English final again.n.

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  

[1715257792]

1715257792

[1715257792]

1715257792

[1715257792]

1715257792

[1715257792]

1715257792

[JollyGood]

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

... and then Liverpool in the final.  

Are you sure?  

Villarreal knocked out Bayern Munich and will have a real attempt at attacking the Liverpool defence.

Liverpool should win this tie over two legs and qualify for the final but it is a knockout competition and anything can happen. I am sure Liverpool preferred to play Villarreal over Bayern but they still need to win to get the final.

It was a fantastic Tuesday and Wednesday night of football, but I'm disappointed that my team did not qualify. Our schoolboy defense in the first leg cost us the game, but we were more composed in the second leg. Modric assist was a work of art.

Good luck to Manchester City as they take on a Real Madrid team of 12 players. I'd like to see an all-English final again.n.

Chelsea played like heroes, they went to Real and took them on, they were so close to winning but it was a fantastic game to watch. I feel sorry for Chelsea because they deserved to win the tie but this is football and anything can happen.

Right now I think Real Madrid are my choice to win the competition if they meet Liverpool in the final but if Real meed Villarreal I have a feeling they will cause a massive upset and win.

Manchester City have a mountain to climb past Real Madrid if they want to get to the final.

It can end up being an all English final or even an all Spanish final  

[Igebotz]

Manchester City is a better team than Chelsea, but Chelsea has more experience in the Champions League, so I'm confident they'd beat Real Madrid and won't make the same mistakes Chelsea did. The only advantage Real Madrid has over Manchester City is their experience and the beast in Benzema; if they can contain him, they will win the tie.

Villarreal may be fantastic, but Liverpool is a better team than the Bayerm team they knocked out, and I'm confident they'll win on both legs.

Manchester City is the favorite to win the Champions League.

Chelsea played like heroes, they went to Real and took them on, they were so close to winning but it was a fantastic game to watch. I feel sorry for Chelsea because they deserved to win the tie but this is football and anything can happen.

Right now I think Real Madrid are my choice to win the competition if they meet Liverpool in the final but if Real meed Villarreal I have a feeling they will cause a massive upset and win.

Manchester City have a mountain to climb past Real Madrid if they want to get to the final.

It can end up being an all English final or even an all Spanish final 

[_BlackStar]

Manchester City is a better team than Chelsea, but Chelsea has more experience in the Champions League, so I'm confident they'd beat Real Madrid and won't make the same mistakes Chelsea did. The only advantage Real Madrid has over Manchester City is their experience and the beast in Benzema; if they can contain him, they will win the tie.

Villarreal may be fantastic, but Liverpool is a better team than the Bayerm team they knocked out, and I'm confident they'll win on both legs.

Real Madrid is a team that has starred in the Champions League with 13 titles since 1956 and the most popular was when they won it in 3 consecutive seasons ^{[2016, 2017, and 2018].} But after that they have not made it to the final. Based on the available data, so far Real Madrid have always won the title when they reached the final ^[13/16] but I don't think they can do that this season.

Benzema is strong and very savage, but Manchester City are a different team to Chelsea which will probably make it difficult for him to score especially because of the anticipation they will be. Unfortunately Manchester City had to lose several important players in the semifinal match where Cancelo had to be absent ^{[if the information is correct]} due to card accumulation.

Manchester City is the favorite to win the Champions League.

Please don't ignore Liverpool, mate.  

[Igebotz]

Benzema is strong and very savage, but Manchester City are a different team to Chelsea which will probably make it difficult for him to score especially because of the anticipation they will be. Unfortunately Manchester City had to lose several important players in the semifinal match where Cancelo had to be absent ^{[if the information is correct]} due to card accumulation.

They have a strong squad depth, only Cancelo injury shouldn't be a problem to them not to perform well.

Manchester City is the favorite to win the Champions League.

Please don't ignore Liverpool, mate. 

Not to dismiss Liverpool, but based on past performance, a team that loses in their first final will always win the next one. Manchester lost last year's final, but if they make it this time, they will win.

[dataispower]

Manchester City is a better team than Chelsea, but Chelsea has more experience in the Champions League, so I'm confident they'd beat Real Madrid and won't make the same mistakes Chelsea did. The only advantage Real Madrid has over Manchester City is their experience and the beast in Benzema; if they can contain him, they will win the tie.

Villarreal may be fantastic, but Liverpool is a better team than the Bayerm team they knocked out, and I'm confident they'll win on both legs.

Real Madrid is a team that has starred in the Champions League with 13 titles since 1956 and the most popular was when they won it in 3 consecutive seasons ^{[2016, 2017, and 2018].} But after that they have not made it to the final. Based on the available data, so far Real Madrid have always won the title when they reached the final ^[13/16] but I don't think they can do that this season.

Benzema is strong and very savage, but Manchester City are a different team to Chelsea which will probably make it difficult for him to score especially because of the anticipation they will be. Unfortunately Manchester City had to lose several important players in the semifinal match where Cancelo had to be absent ^{[if the information is correct]} due to card accumulation.

Manchester City is the favorite to win the Champions League.

Please don't ignore Liverpool, mate.  

if you are to make comparison Chelsea and Manchester city which of them that have squads and strong player, the problem i have with Chelsea is that they are not balanced or plan their matches, Manchester city defeated Chelsea players did not have the idea of defensive and they only think that attacks will be remedy to defeat opponent who is already have plan B for football, champions league is going to Manchester city because you see that their players are not actually performing well.the only Manchester city player who strong is benzema

[JollyGood]

Villarreal may be fantastic, but Liverpool is a better team than the Bayerm team they knocked out, and I'm confident they'll win on both legs.

I have a feeling the underdogs of the tie Villarreal will get to the final. They are a very good team when it comes to knockout competitions. Sure Liverpool are favourites to beat Villarreal over two legs but I cannot write off Villarreal.

Manchester City is the favorite to win the Champions League.

Not for me, I think Real Madrid are favourites to win the tournament 

[tokeweed]

^  I know what you mean.  It's really hard fading Real Madrid with Benzema running hot.  The odds for them winning the UCL is at 6.65 rn.  I think that's good value considering that City does choke at crucial moments just like we've seen them do for the last three UCL seasons now..?  I really thought last year was gonna be their year.  I'm now thinking Pep might not win the UCL with City.  This is his last chance.

But Liverpool is a problem tho.  No one can touch them...  I'm thinking it's gonna be an all English final but yeah, we can't discount Real Madrid.

[JollyGood]

An all English champions league final would be great and another display of the power of the Premier League. It can also be an all Spanish final too 

Every time Liverpool play they look like scoring but will they be able to stop conceding goals in the aim to get past Villarreal?

^  I know what you mean.  It's really hard fading Real Madrid with Benzema running hot.  The odds for them winning the UCL is at 6.65 rn.  I think that's good value considering that City does choke at crucial moments just like we've seen them do for the last three UCL seasons now..?  I really thought last year was gonna be their year.  I'm now thinking Pep might not win the UCL with City.  This is his last chance.

But Liverpool is a problem tho.  No one can touch them...  I'm thinking it's gonna be an all English final but yeah, we can't discount Real Madrid.

[tokeweed]

^  At Liverpool's current form and the way they have been finishing their matches, there is no way Villareal could go through and be at the final.  No way.  It would take something really brilliant from Emery to make that happen.  Liverpool is just really too good rn.

And to your question, yes...  It will be hard for Villareal to score a goal against Liverpool.  They have been pressing real hard and hunting down the ball more aggresively than before, it's not a joke...  But yeah, City on the other hand I could see losing vs Real Madrid.  Maybe it'll go to pens.

[JollyGood]

Result from the first semi-final played yesterday:

Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid


The second semi-final taking place this evening:

Liverpool vs Villarreal


I still think Real Madrid will beat Manchester City and qualify for the final where they will play Villarreal in an all Spanish final  

[Juggy777]

Result from the first semi-final played yesterday:

Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid


The second semi-final taking place this evening:

Liverpool vs Villarreal


I still think Real Madrid will beat Manchester City and qualify for the final where they will play Villarreal in an all Spanish final  

@JollyGood I have a complete opposite prediction it’ll be Manchester City vs Liverpool and it’ll be a premier league finale. Also due to Pep vs Klopp rivalry this will be one of the most exciting match of the season, and with Pep dying to win the champions league it’ll be really interesting if he can finally achieve it, or do you think he’ll once again miss winning it despite reaching the finals.

[JollyGood]

Result from the second semi-final yesterday:

Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal

Well, since your last post Liverpool went on to beat Villarreal 2-0 therefore a Manchester City vs Liverpool final looks the most probable outcome on paper but let us see what happens in the return fixtures when both English teams will be playing in Spain.

@JollyGood I have a complete opposite prediction it’ll be Manchester City vs Liverpool and it’ll be a premier league finale.

[tokeweed]

Result from the first semi-final played yesterday:

Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid


The second semi-final taking place this evening:

Liverpool vs Villarreal


I still think Real Madrid will beat Manchester City and qualify for the final where they will play Villarreal in an all Spanish final  

@JollyGood I have a complete opposite prediction it’ll be Manchester City vs Liverpool and it’ll be a premier league finale. Also due to Pep vs Klopp rivalry this will be one of the most exciting match of the season, and with Pep dying to win the champions league it’ll be really interesting if he can finally achieve it, or do you think he’ll once again miss winning it despite reaching the finals.

Real Madrid's three goals could be crucial here.  All Ancelloti has to do is let his squad play snug and try to win the second leg at 2 - 0 to win at aggregate and they progress to the finals.  I hate it that UEFA removed the away goals rule.  It was one of those things what made the UCL very interesting as a tourney.  There was a kind strategy built around because of it.  Kinda like in F1 when a driver's fastest lap at quali Q2..  The tires he used in that fastest lap will be his only starting set of tires at the race.  They removed this rule too which sucks.

[Igebotz]

Real Madrid's three goals could be crucial here.  All Ancelloti has to do is let his squad play snug and try to win the second leg at 2 - 0 to win at aggregate and they progress to the finals.  I hate it that UEFA removed the away goals rule.  It was one of those things what made the UCL very interesting as a tourney. 

The away goals rules ruined the beautiful game for a long time, so I'm glad they were removed; now, only the best team with the most goals will advance, and no team will sit back looking for an away goal.

I want Manchester City to finally win this one so they can show PSG how to recruit players instead of just buying world class footballers who have already won everything in their careers. If you want to win the Champions League, you must bring in new bloods who are hungry to win trophies, and that's what Manchester City has been doing for years now and it's paying off.

[Igebotz]

Don't think many people can say city developed their players and didn't buy them. The whole team was bought. With the exception of Phil foden, a future ballin winner in my eyes, who could potentially play for another 20 years. Who else is there? The majority of them were under the radar before they came to city, but they were "stolen away" from small clubs and had no choice to sell with the millions offered to them. The players are all on huge contracts and look at pep, the head figure is the ultimate recruitment of top level football.

Most of the players won their first major trophy at Manchester City; they were all potential players who developed into world-class players at Manchester City; unlike PSG, they did not go around signing world-class players for ridiculous amounts of money and salary in order to win the Champions League. KDB is Manchester City's highest paid player, earning around £400k per week, which is comparable to what an average PSG player earns.

Excellent recruitment and organisation, but to say this was through youth squad is ridiculous.

You misquote me here.

[JollyGood]

The away goals rule was always contentious but it was widely accepted because teams playing home and away could always factor it in when playing but it seemed unfair. Penalties after extra-time might not be the best way to find a winner either but it is better than the away goals rule.

As it stands we are looking forward to two semi-finals with their second leg games with two English teams and two Spanish teams trying to win this competition. It is such a difficult competition to win, I wish all four teams the best in their attempts to reach the final 

The away goals rules ruined the beautiful game for a long time, so I'm glad they were removed; now, only the best team with the most goals will advance, and no team will sit back looking for an away goal.

[Igebotz]

Why are you always so neutral? I thought you were a Liverpool fan, but I was mistaken; you don't support any of the top four teams in the league, but you watch and follow English football more. In my entire life, I've never seen a neutral fan . The English side will win the league, they have taken over from the Spanish teams

The Spanish teams are very active in the transfer market right now, trying to get back on track, and I wouldn't be surprised if Messi returns to Barcelona.

The away goals rule was always contentious but it was widely accepted because teams playing home and away could always factor it in when playing but it seemed unfair. Penalties after extra-time might not be the best way to find a winner either but it is better than the away goals rule.

As it stands we are looking forward to two semi-finals with their second leg games with two English teams and two Spanish teams trying to win this competition. It is such a difficult competition to win, I wish all four teams the best in their attempts to reach the final 

The away goals rules ruined the beautiful game for a long time, so I'm glad they were removed; now, only the best team with the most goals will advance, and no team will sit back looking for an away goal.

[JollyGood]

The semi-final game taking place this evening:

Villarreal vs Liverpool

Liverpool are already winning the tie 0-2 courtesy of the first leg but this is the semi-final and anything can happen. I am not willing to write off Villarreal just yet but Liverpool are clearly on the brink of another Champions League final  

Why are you always so neutral?

I try to look at the situation from as many perspectives as possible therefore come across as neutral  

I thought you were a Liverpool fan, but I was mistaken; you don't support any of the top four teams in the league, but you watch and follow English football more. In my entire life, I've never seen a neutral fan

There are many football fans that are neutral. They enjoy the game and can appreciate a good solid performance as much as a great attacking or defensive display without taking sides  

The English side will win the league, they have taken over from the Spanish teams

I am not as confident as you. I think Real Madrid will win this competition.

The Spanish teams are very active in the transfer market right now, trying to get back on track, and I wouldn't be surprised if Messi returns to Barcelona.

It would be a surprise to see Messi leave PSG and return to Barcelona but he is not the same player he was 10, 7 even 4 years ago because of his age. Do Barcelona even want him back?

If Neymar is having problems at PSG it might be more likely to see him return to Barcelona instead of Messi and about Mbappe he could be on his way to Real Madrid.

[JollyGood]

RESULT:

Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool

What a game. Villarreal make it 2-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate but Liverpool fight back to win 2-3 on the night and 2-5 on aggregate. Liverpool are through to the final of the champions league where they will meet either Manchester City or Real Madrid.