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

[tokeweed]

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.

Are you watching the match?  I don't think I've enjoyed a match without making a bet for a looong time.  Lol.  It's just how crucial this match is with just a goal setting City and Real Madrid apart on aggregate.  I want City to win but I wouldn't mind seeing a goal in by Real Madrid and see it go to pens for the lulz.

Anyway if I had a bet it would be BTTS and the over 2.5 combo.  The match is nil - nil right now at HT.  Lol.  It might not make it.  Both squads are kinda tight and prolly a bit nervous out there.

[JollyGood]

Yes am I am watching it. Mahrez just scored making it 0-1 on the night !

Are you watching the match?  I don't think I've enjoyed a match without making a bet for a looong time.  Lol.  It's just how crucial this match is with just a goal setting City and Real Madrid apart on aggregate.  I want City to win but I wouldn't mind seeing a goal in by Real Madrid and see it go to pens for the lulz.

Anyway if I had a bet it would be BTTS and the over 2.5 combo.  The match is nil - nil right now at HT.  Lol.  It might not make it.  Both squads are kinda tight and prolly a bit nervous out there.

[JollyGood]

RESULT:

Manchester City 3-1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid win 6-5 on aggregate.

What a phenomenal game of football. Manchester City were on the brink of the final as they were winning 0-1 on the night and by 2 goals on aggregate but Real Madrid scored 3 goals to win.

It took Real Madrid 90 minutes to get their first shot on target and with 6 minutes time added-on they equalised to take the game in to extra time. A Benzema penalty was decisive to give them the victory.

Congratulations to Real Madrid they will meet Liverpool in the final on 28th May 2022

[tokeweed]

^  Ugh, disgusting loss for Pep and Man City.  And looking at KDB walking around on the pitch at the Bernabeu right now...  It kinda looks like he's already thinking about calling his agent and get himself in the transfer market this summer.  Lolol.  

And yeah, what a phenomenal match that was.  I really haven't enjoyed a game of football without a bet in a while until this one.  Congrats Real Madrid fans.  I don't think the final will top this match imho.  The final could be a boring 1 - 0 or something for either club.  Leaning on Liverpool tho.

[JollyGood]

What a stunning night of football. I think Real Madrid will be crowned champions league winners 2022 because they will defeat Liverpool again just like they did in 2018.

Liverpool will have opportunities to win the game but I think Real Madrid will win it and add another taking their record from 13 to 14 champions league winners.

In the 68th minute Ancelotti took off Kroos and brought on Rodrygo. Manchester City were in control all the way through to the 90th minute when Rodrygo scored two goals in 84 seconds. Benzema scored a penalty to give Real Madrid a 3-1 lead on the night and 6-5 on aggregate.

It seems Manchester City conceded 3 goals in 6 minutes and that is unacceptable at this level. Real Madrid punished them.

[Juggy777]

What a stunning night of football. I think Real Madrid will be crowned champions league winners 2022 because they will defeat Liverpool again just like they did in 2018.

Liverpool will have opportunities to win the game but I think Real Madrid will win it and add another taking their record from 13 to 14 champions league winners.

In the 68th minute Ancelotti took off Kroos and brought on Rodrygo. Manchester City were in control all the way through to the 90th minute when Rodrygo scored two goals in 84 seconds. Benzema scored a penalty to give Real Madrid a 3-1 lead on the night and 6-5 on aggregate.

It seems Manchester City conceded 3 goals in 6 minutes and that is unacceptable at this level. Real Madrid punished them.

@JollyGood I’m yet trying to understand what happened to Manchester City, because this kind of sloppiness from them is unacceptable and I wonder if Pep is jinxed and can’t win the champions league with City, furthermore do you feel that post this loss he will reconsider his future for coaching City?. Also Real Madrid will face an in form Liverpool side, but I feel that you’re right because if Real Madrid play like how they played in the dying moments then they surely can beat Liverpool easily.

[tokeweed]

^  I think we have to give credit to Ancelotti.  If you watch the match again it looked like he anticipated Pep's move in getting Kyle Walker out for Zinchenko by taking out Kroos for Rodrygo a couple of minutes before.  With Zinchenko in, Cancelo had to move to the right since Zinchenko can only play at the left and he was assigned to track Rodrygo but he isn't as fast and intelligent as Cancelo.  And if you noticed, taking out Modric and Casimero for Asensio and Camavinga changed the texture of the game.  Real Madrid was then straight out applying constant pressure on City for the final minutes of that match.

I'm not sure if Ancelotti had an idea on Walker not being able to play 90 minutes tho.  So getting Rodrygo in then Pep getting Walker out was prolly coincidence.  But if Ancelotti did have an idea and did anticipate it then the move was pure genius.

[JollyGood]

I think if we try to understand what happened to Manchester City we will never be able to compute the collapse. This was another great opportunity for Guardiola to get to the champions league final but yet again he failed.

He won two champions league finals a manager and both were with Barcelona and both finals were against Manchester United. In 2008/09 season they beat Manchester United 2-0. In the 2010/11 final they beat Manchester United 3-1. As a manager, Guardiola never won the champions league with Bayern Munich and now with Manchester City and with an ageing Manchester City team he might have missed his chances.

The tragedy for him is that the Barcelona team of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and others were credited with winning the champions league in 2009 and 2011. Guardiola needs to win this trophy otherwise his reputation will always be questioned.

@JollyGood I’m yet trying to understand what happened to Manchester City, because this kind of sloppiness from them is unacceptable and I wonder if Pep is jinxed and can’t win the champions league with City, furthermore do you feel that post this loss he will reconsider his future for coaching City?. Also Real Madrid will face an in form Liverpool side, but I feel that you’re right because if Real Madrid play like how they played in the dying moments then they surely can beat Liverpool easily.

[tokeweed]

^  It's just one of those things...  An inferior team winning a crucial match because the manager outfoxed a supposedly much better manager.  It happened before with Alex Ferguson, Mourinho and all the other great managers. But will it happen to Klopp at this specific final match?  I don't think so.  And I'll just keep it simple...  I'm just betting it straight, Liverpool to win at 2.11. 

What about you guys?  Anybody on the Real side?

[JollyGood]

Yes I am going with Real Madrid to win the final. Liverpool will end the season as 2nd in the Premier League and 2nd in the Champions League final. They should be happy with being crowned FA Cup winners and EFL Carabao Cup winners.

^  It's just one of those things...  An inferior team winning a crucial match because the manager outfoxed a supposedly much better manager.  It happened before with Alex Ferguson, Mourinho and all the other great managers. But will it happen to Klopp at this specific final match?  I don't think so.  And I'll just keep it simple...  I'm just betting it straight, Liverpool to win at 2.11. 

What about you guys?  Anybody on the Real side?

[Igebotz]

^  It's just one of those things...  An inferior team winning a crucial match because the manager outfoxed a supposedly much better manager.  It happened before with Alex Ferguson, Mourinho and all the other great managers. But will it happen to Klopp at this specific final match?  I don't think so.  And I'll just keep it simple...  I'm just betting it straight, Liverpool to win at 2.11.  

What about you guys?  Anybody on the Real side?

Nobody!!! They should be happy that they faced toothless Chelsea in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup finals and won both games on penalties; they are far from the best team; Real Madrid will undoubtedly thrash them in the UFC final, and I can beat my chest on that!!!

Yes I am going with Real Madrid to win the final. Liverpool will end the season as 2nd in the Premier League and 2nd in the Champions League final. They should be happy with being crowned FA Cup winners and EFL Carabao Cup winners.

How did Klopp win manager of the year over a league champion? Is it now more important to win the League Cup and FA Cup than to win the league after 38 tough games? It's ridiculous.

Haaland arrived in Manchester City to finalize his contract.

[Rruchi man]

Yes I am going with Real Madrid to win the final.

Carlo Ancelloti is ensuring that he has plenty options on his team trying to ensure that his team will be able to stop Liverpool who are very hungry for the win and see this game as a platform to get their revenge from their last final with Real Madrid which was very disappointing for them. Contrary to what most persons thought that Bale, Hazard and Alaba  will not feature in the game, but reports are that they have joined training and will be part of the squad that face Liverpool.

[Alisha-k]

Yes I am going with Real Madrid to win the final.

Carlo Ancelloti is ensuring that he has plenty options on his team trying to ensure that his team will be able to stop Liverpool who are very hungry for the win and see this game as a platform to get their revenge from their last final with Real Madrid which was very disappointing for them. Contrary to what most persons thought that Bale, Hazard and Alaba  will not feature in the game, but reports are that they have joined training and will be part of the squad that face Liverpool.

It's quite obvious that Carlo will release his big guns and it's also necessary too. Should too much attention be centered on benzema, Liverpool could notice and decide to hold him down. I put my money on Real carrying the cup. FA and carabao were won as consolation for when they lose on Saturday.

[tokeweed]

^  It's just one of those things...  An inferior team winning a crucial match because the manager outfoxed a supposedly much better manager.  It happened before with Alex Ferguson, Mourinho and all the other great managers. But will it happen to Klopp at this specific final match?  I don't think so.  And I'll just keep it simple...  I'm just betting it straight, Liverpool to win at 2.11.  

What about you guys?  Anybody on the Real side?

Nobody!!! They should be happy that they faced toothless Chelsea in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup finals and won both games on penalties; they are far from the best team; Real Madrid will undoubtedly thrash them in the UFC final, and I can beat my chest on that!!!

Yes I am going with Real Madrid to win the final. Liverpool will end the season as 2nd in the Premier League and 2nd in the Champions League final. They should be happy with being crowned FA Cup winners and EFL Carabao Cup winners.

How did Klopp win manager of the year over a league champion? Is it now more important to win the League Cup and FA Cup than to win the league after 38 tough games? It's ridiculous.

Haaland arrived in Manchester City to finalize his contract.

Ooo nice!  Some little friendly banter on the night of the match.  I hope you guys could be active itt.  It's just so much fun having to laugh and talk to you guys while the game is playing live.  

Dunno man...  It feels like Klopp is saving his squad for this moment and having lost his first UCL final vs Liverpool, I don't think he'll allow it to happen again.  Not saying they couldn't lose but Klopp and his boys wouldn't be going out of this without a fight.

Any props that we should be looking at here?

[skarais]

Dunno man...  It feels like Klopp is saving his squad for this moment and having lost his first UCL final vs Liverpool, I don't think he'll allow it to happen again.  Not saying they couldn't lose but Klopp and his boys wouldn't be going out of this without a fight.

Any props that we should be looking at here?

Of course Klopp will not let Liverpool always be conquered by Real Madrid easily. His team's previous defeat to Real Madrid should have taught him a lesson and experience so it doesn't repeat itself this season. I am very curious about what he will do in the final, but he must prepare a good strategy to apply during the match so that his chances of winning the title this season are not wasted.

[Igebotz]

Nobody!!! They should be happy that they faced toothless Chelsea in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup finals and won both games on penalties; they are far from the best team; Real Madrid will undoubtedly thrash them in the UFC final, and I can beat my chest on that!!!

Ooo nice!  Some little friendly banter on the night of the match.  I hope you guys could be active itt.  It's just so much fun having to laugh and talk to you guys while the game is playing live. 

Dunno man...  It feels like Klopp is saving his squad for this moment and having lost his first UCL final vs Liverpool, I don't think he'll allow it to happen again.  Not saying they couldn't lose but Klopp and his boys wouldn't be going out of this without a fight.

Any props that we should be looking at here?

I don't like to chat during games, but I will definitely run a commentary on this one on Saturday if I'm not too busy. The pressure is on Liverpool, who want to exact revenge on Real Madrid after they lost the league the last time they met. I'm not sure any English fans are rooting for Liverpool in this one, as they have gradually become the league's most despised club.

As there are no injuries to report, both teams will have their best players available for the game.

I've already thrown $50 to Real Madrid at the odd price of 3.45 odd

[JollyGood]

Maybe because Klopp was the manager that took his team to the final of the Champions League at the same time won both domestic cup finals as well as runners up in the Premier League by just one point with a total of 99 points. At one stage the quadruple was a possibility and even there is a chance it can be a season ending treble of cups for Liverpool. I still think Real Madrid will win.

I hope Salah and van Dijk are fully fit to play because there was a doubt after their recent injuries. Salah obviously suffered with a bad injury after Ramos was involved in a struggle with him that forced him off after just 24 minutes when the two teams met in the final in 2018. Ramos is now at PSG but Liverpool would want to win as much as Real Madrid.

If their best team is facing the best Real Madrid team then it should be a good final game of the season to watch.

Yes I am going with Real Madrid to win the final. Liverpool will end the season as 2nd in the Premier League and 2nd in the Champions League final. They should be happy with being crowned FA Cup winners and EFL Carabao Cup winners.

How did Klopp win manager of the year over a league champion? Is it now more important to win the League Cup and FA Cup than to win the league after 38 tough games? It's ridiculous.

Haaland arrived in Manchester City to finalize his contract.

[Igebotz]

Maybe because Klopp was the manager that took his team to the final of the Champions League at the same time won both domestic cup finals as well as runners up in the Premier League by just one point with a total of 99 points.

Outside of the league competition is not counted; the award is intended only for league performance, and aside from winning both cups on penalties, A manager who has never won manager of the month since the season began? Suddenly win the award over the league-winning manager? The award for player of the season can come from any team, but the award for manager of the season must always go to the league winner. Perhaps as recompense..

I hope Salah and van Dijk are fully fit to play because there was a doubt after their recent injuries. Salah obviously suffered with a bad injury after Ramos was involved in a struggle with him that forced him off after just 24 minutes when the two teams met in the final in 2018. Ramos is now at PSG but Liverpool would want to win as much as Real Madrid.

If their best team is facing the best Real Madrid team then it should be a good final game of the season to watch.

Salad is fit, but I'm not sure about VDJ's injury; hopefully he'll be ready for the game; I don't want to hear excuses if they lose to Real Madrid.

[JollyGood]

Salad is fit

Salad

I'm not sure about VDJ's injury; hopefully he'll be ready for the game; I don't want to hear excuses if they lose to Real Madrid.

I think it is a matter of when they lose.

Even after defeating Manchester City in an epic semi-final and having a battle against Chelsea, I think Real Madrid will be strong enough to take on Liverpool and beat them. If Liverpool put out a team without Salah, Allison or van Dijk there will always be excuses about why they lost.

[AndySt]

Dunno man...  It feels like Klopp is saving his squad for this moment and having lost his first UCL final vs Liverpool, I don't think he'll allow it to happen again.  Not saying they couldn't lose but Klopp and his boys wouldn't be going out of this without a fight. Any props that we should be looking at here?

Of course Klopp will not let Liverpool always be conquered by Real Madrid easily. His team's previous defeat to Real Madrid should have taught him a lesson and experience so it doesn't repeat itself this season. I am very curious about what he will do in the final, but he must prepare a good strategy to apply during the match so that his chances of winning the title this season are not wasted.

In any case, the current Liverpool is a more tactical team than Real Madrid. It was the fact that Josep Guardiola paid more attention to tactics, rather than relying on the individual game of players like Carlo Ancelotti, that was called one of the reasons for the defeat of Manchester City. That is, the team lacked a plan B when tactical plan A began to crack at the seams, after Real Madrid quickly equalized the score, and then went ahead in extra time. However, I would not blame Manchester City so much for this, because it is difficult to quickly rebuild when the other team quickly compares the score in added time and the situation turns upside down.