⚽UEFA Champions League Discussion Thread -- 2023/24 | Prelim Qualifiers

[LTU_btc]

So, it's the day when we will hear Champions league anthem for the first time thisseason. Not group stage yet, but I'm excited already. Have several free bets on Sportsbet and one of them I will use on Antwerp ML. IMO, they're a bit better in general and AEK had difficult game with Dinamo Zagreb on Saturday, while Antwerp had one more day to rest and prepare. Other freebet I will use on Rangers - PSV BTTS. I'm quite confident that PSV will advance to group stage, but I wouldn't count on them in away game.
Rakow - Copenhage looks most difficult to predict, no idea what to pick, maybe I will make some random last minute bet justbefore the game.

I think FC Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven will win the match easily.
It's hard to say who will win the Antwerp vs AEK

Not sure why you're so confident about them. Both play away and I don't think so that they're significantly better than their opponents. If they would play at home, it would be different question

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[beerlover]

I'm on vacation, so i'm unlikely to place any bets or even watch the games tonight, but if i were, i'd take Rakow at AH0.0/+0.5 @1.60.  Copenhagen did not wow me in their last two CL away games, Breidablik had numerous chances at home, and Sparta did as well.  Knowing how dangerous the Poles' attack can be, i'm confident they'll get a good enough result before the reverse fixture next week.

Dinamo Zagreb out of the competition, in part due to the incident with their fans in Greece. I thought they had a solid enough squad (and a decent draw) to make CL groups. I see they sold Sutalo to Ajax for $20 mln the other day. Europa League it is then...

I definitely did not expect Zagreb to end up doing something like this, I think it is quite important to remember that they were a team everyone expected to see going ahead, so them losing was definitely not something anyone expected. In any case they are gone now, and I think it should be something important to keep it going. I do agree that it will not be simple and I think it should be considered to be a big deal and we are going to see them have a return.

So, we should see some teams get out before the last games are played as well. Before the group stages start, we are going to end up some more teams that should have been in the groups end up losing as well, it will definitely be a big deal without a doubt.

[Rikafip]

Dinamo Zagreb out of the competition, in part due to the incident with their fans in Greece. I thought they had a solid enough squad (and a decent draw) to make CL groups. I see they sold Sutalo to Ajax for $20 mln the other day. Europa League it is then...

While I do agree that incident in Athens didn't help, they still weren't really favorites against AEK (at least us Dinamo fans didn't think that) and at best chances were 50/50 and draw wasn't good either as they could have gotten weaker teams than AEK.

Regarding Europa League, lets's not get ahead of ourselves as beside Sutalo, Dinamo might be without Livakovic as well as its just a matter of day before he goes to Fenerbahce and then there are still Ivanusec and Petkovic who might leave too. Positives are that new coach is supposed to be an upgrade over Biscan but it will take some time before we see a real impact. Anyway, I expect a close games vs Sparta Prague. Some fans wouldn't even mind Conference League as money isn't much worse while oponnents are weaker which means more chance to get some points for UEFA coefficient.

[Volgastallion]

Yesterday games were a little bit bitter for me, i think PSV was a step ahead of rangers,  but seems like Rangers hold firmly his home. Anyways for me PSV its gonna pass to the next stage in netherlands.

AEK has to play to games in a row for this competition taking into account they played last weekend the remain game against Dinamo, and yes i agree with all of you, it was a surprise to see Dinamo out. Royal Antwert its a very good team, but the close result 1-0 can make them having troubles in Athens.

Today games, are not so good for me, lets see how much goals Galatasaray can score against the weaker Molde.

[LTU_btc]

Yesterday Rangers - PSV game was very exciting and it ended exactly same as year ago - both teams played in Champions league qualifiers last year and match in Glasgow also ended 2:2. It's not win, but such result gives some advantage for PSV before 2nd game at home.
Copenhage won against Rakow at home, though, they weren't playing much better. Rakow scored a goal and when I was watching replay, I couldn't even think that it can be an offside. Probably even Copenhagen wouldn't complain about such goal, but it got cancelled aftr VAR review.
So, yesterday I won my both free bets. Tonight Braga - Panathinaikos is the moist interesting game. PAO already made huge upset by kicking out Marseille, but today I'm going with Braga ML. Maccabi Haifa - Young Boys, BTTS looks like safe bet and also some money on over 2.5 goals. Molde - Galatasaray looks mostdifficult to predict game. Galatasaray so far doesn't looks very confident.

[Pierre 2]

I think last night we mainly observed pretty expected results with all teams. I see no surprises will also happen at second matches. Only Rangers/PSV is bit unexpected. I am expecting both Greek teams to be eliminated this time btw. I mainly watched Galatasaray match last night, they were terrible at central midfield and in overall performance but its about Torreira missing and new transfers not finding enough chance. But Galatasaray still secured a win.

[ILuckyGuyI]

I think last night we mainly observed pretty expected results with all teams. I see no surprises will also happen at second matches. Only Rangers/PSV is bit unexpected. I am expecting both Greek teams to be eliminated this time btw. I mainly watched Galatasaray match last night, they were terrible at central midfield and in overall performance but its about Torreira missing and new transfers not finding enough chance. But Galatasaray still secured a win.

I'm afraid that Galatasaray's defending was quite poor in this game. Torreira's absence is also an important factor in this of course. However Nelsson's performance also was poor. He has been like this since the first qualifier games honestly. It is like he is still having difficulties in getting ready for the season.

But Galatasaray need to do something about this until the group stage. Because if they still continue to have similar problems after Torreira is back the group stage can be much more challenging for them.

I would like to see my team showing more resistance. Maybe we manage to beat this kind of teams anyway but it wouldn't be the same against bigger teams in groups.

[Volgastallion]

I think last night we mainly observed pretty expected results with all teams. I see no surprises will also happen at second matches. Only Rangers/PSV is bit unexpected. I am expecting both Greek teams to be eliminated this time btw. I mainly watched Galatasaray match last night, they were terrible at central midfield and in overall performance but its about Torreira missing and new transfers not finding enough chance. But Galatasaray still secured a win.

Yeah i dont know what happen to Galatasaray yesterday, they were really bad on defense, but still winning and i think in the home game they are not gonna face any problem to reach the next stage, and i hope so, because Molde its so weak and i dont like so weak teams on group stages of UCL.

About AEK and Braga, Braga its a much more defensive team, but if you broke thei seal, they can have very big problems, lets see if AEK in Athens can make something better.

[bitgolden]

I think last night we mainly observed pretty expected results with all teams. I see no surprises will also happen at second matches. Only Rangers/PSV is bit unexpected. I am expecting both Greek teams to be eliminated this time btw. I mainly watched Galatasaray match last night, they were terrible at central midfield and in overall performance but its about Torreira missing and new transfers not finding enough chance. But Galatasaray still secured a win.

I'm afraid that Galatasaray's defending was quite poor in this game. Torreira's absence is also an important factor in this of course. However Nelsson's performance also was poor. He has been like this since the first qualifier games honestly. It is like he is still having difficulties in getting ready for the season.

But Galatasaray need to do something about this until the group stage. Because if they still continue to have similar problems after Torreira is back the group stage can be much more challenging for them.

I would like to see my team showing more resistance. Maybe we manage to beat this kind of teams anyway but it wouldn't be the same against bigger teams in groups.

We know it is too late for the game upcoming, but at the same time we are hearing Ramos rumors as well, and some big name midfield rumors as well and they are all told to be "wait until the group stages so they come in", meaning those players first want to see them in the group stages, and if Galatasaray wins the next game (or draw) that means they will be in group stages and could get Ramos and another world famous midfielder.

I am not saying it will happen, just saying those are the rumors I see on transfermarkt. I think even without them, with some time, they will get in better shape and do as well as they hope they would, that should be more than enough and shouldn't be a big deal, they could make it work somehow.

[MK-74]

Galatasaray played very well last night and won.
Icardi did the show again. He is a very good striker, he shows himself in every game.
The second game will be easy for us. A good game awaits us next week.

[emrecemsan]

We know it is too late for the game upcoming, but at the same time we are hearing Ramos rumors as well, and some big name midfield rumors as well and they are all told to be "wait until the group stages so they come in", meaning those players first want to see them in the group stages, and if Galatasaray wins the next game (or draw) that means they will be in group stages and could get Ramos and another world famous midfielder.

I am not saying it will happen, just saying those are the rumors I see on transfermarkt. I think even without them, with some time, they will get in better shape and do as well as they hope they would, that should be more than enough and shouldn't be a big deal, they could make it work somehow.

Ramos was rumoured for Besiktas first but now his name is called with Galatasaray. I assume his priority might be Galatasaray if he comes to the Turkish Super League. Because they have an advantage of playing in the Champions League. They will qualify for the groups most probably as well. But his demands are really high as far as I know.

He must be demanding more than 10 million euros for his salary and there are so many bonuses included on a potential contract as well. This deal can cost them a lot while they have already spent too much money this summer. But to tell the truth a centre-back transfer would be really useful while Nelsson is this bad.

[LTU_btc]

Braga played solid game, had 2:0 lead, but that Panathinaikos goal in last minute is big game changer before 2nd leg. They have good chance to reach group stage.
Maccabi Haifa - Young Boys game ended without goals what is a bit unexpected for me.

Galatasaray played very well last night and won.
Icardi did the show again. He is a very good striker, he shows himself in every game.
The second game will be easy for us. A good game awaits us next week.

I wouldn't say that Galatasaray were that good. First goal that they scored was against game logic as Molde started game much better. But yeah, that late goal which let Gala to win the game was big hit for Molde ambitions.
And that Icardi goal was something special - perfect one touch shot.

[MK-74]

Galatasaray vs Molde tomorrow night. in the first match Galatasaray won 3-2, Icardi scored a beautiful goal.
Most probably Galatasaray will win tomorrow and go to the groups.

[buwaytress]

So the path to UCL group stage is now clearer. All tonight's favourites progress.

Draw happens this Thursday and we know Pots 1 and 2 already, less interesting for me without Liverpool but I'd love to see how group of death will look like.

Galatasaray vs Molde tomorrow night. in the first match Galatasaray won 3-2, Icardi scored a beautiful goal.
Most probably Galatasaray will win tomorrow and go to the groups.

I was really hoping for a Molde upset here (mainly because they scored 2) but all their effort was too late.

[CLS63]

I was really hoping for a Molde upset here (mainly because they scored 2) but all their effort was too late.

Molde were much better than their opponent in terms of game. However unfortunately Galatasaray managed to be the team to qualify for the groups with the help of their luck as well. I was thinking that the Norwegian team would advance from the round if the goal Molde scored in the 81st minute wasn't disallowed by VAR due to offside. I think Galatasaray have a potential to make a surprise in the groups despite their bad game in this round.

[MK-74]

Galatasaray didn't play well tonight but they were lucky.
Molde played well but they were not lucky. They conceded an early goal and were demoralized.

Galatasaray went to the groups, let's see which group will go and who will be matched.

[LTU_btc]

Tomorrow expecting PSV win against Rangers in regualr time. Copenhagen looks like significant favorite against Rakow, especially after win in 1st leg away. But expected a bit lower odds for their win. AEK - Antwerp game looks very difficult to predict, everything can happen there.

Galatasaray didn't play well tonight but they were lucky.
Molde played well but they were not lucky. They conceded an early goal and were demoralized.

Galatasaray went to the groups, let's see which group will go and who will be matched.

Yeah, that early goal was big hit for Molde, but they managed to recover. I would say that Galatasaray played with fire a bit. If not VAR, 2nd Molde goal would be counted and game would go to extra time. Fortunately for me, Gala few minute later after that scored their 2nd goal, won the game ans saved my bet.

[Captain Corporate]

I have to say Galatasaray played a bit more refrained style of football that wasn't really want us fans really wanted to see. We want to see attacking football, not side to side passing all game long and then try to defend football. We had two goals, one from penalty, another was a freekick that luckily got in (like the first game), it became a common joke that if they didn't had anyone at the wall, they would have won. Long story short, we are talking about a scenario where Galatasaray is playing timid and not defensive but more like slow, veeeery slow football. Thats not going to be good for us on the long run, it will definitely hurt us. Lets see Zaha and Ziyech and if any other transfers happens then them to get in, with them maybe it will get better.

[Pulsar77]

I have to say Galatasaray played a bit more refrained style of football that wasn't really want us fans really wanted to see. We want to see attacking football, not side to side passing all game long and then try to defend football. We had two goals, one from penalty, another was a freekick that luckily got in (like the first game), it became a common joke that if they didn't had anyone at the wall, they would have won. Long story short, we are talking about a scenario where Galatasaray is playing timid and not defensive but more like slow, veeeery slow football. Thats not going to be good for us on the long run, it will definitely hurt us. Lets see Zaha and Ziyech and if any other transfers happens then them to get in, with them maybe it will get better.

I didn't understand this way of play either. It was like they were aiming only to preserve the score advantage on aggregate that was all. But if you are a team with high level attacking power you should make use of this as much as possible. If you are taking on a bigger team then I can understand this style. But if the situation is the opposite then you should continue playing an attacking football as you did before.

Molde could have punished them really hard if they were a more capable team. They almost did this in fact if it weren't for the disallowed goal by VAR decision. I don't doubt Galatasaray's strength in offense area but don't think the same for defending unfortunately.

[Abu-Naim]

I didn't understand this way of play either. It was like they were aiming only to preserve the score advantage on aggregate that was all. But if you are a team with high level attacking power you should make use of this as much as possible. If you are taking on a bigger team then I can understand this style. But if the situation is the opposite then you should continue playing an attacking football as you did before.

What do you expect from a team that has two goals advantage and think they can defend it till the end of the match?

The did that to protect their home and secure their Champions' League group stage ticket which they did regardless of the style of play.
Galatasaray was better than Molde because they defeat them home and away, but this performance is not enough to compete in the Champions League, but with players like Zaha and Ziyech they already signed, they will be stronger in attack and will probably score more goals than they used to in the Champion's League.