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

[buwaytress]

This is the discussion thread for the Champions League (UCL).

Europa League thread is here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5403489
Europa Conference League thread is here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5403490

Hi guys! New thread now self-moderated. Appreciate also if you use the report function for spam. Kindly keep the discussions to the correct thread!

The 2023/24 season started on 27 June 2023 with the first preliminary qualifying rounds. Official schedule is here: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/fixtures-results/#/d/2023-06-27

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Reference and Past Season threads:
Previous season thread from 2019-22 here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5163249

2022/23 Winner: Manchester City (FT | City 1:0 Inter Milan)

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[CLS63]

I actually don't like self-moderated topics. But unfortunately it has been necessary to update topics like this because of the increase in the number of low-quality posts on gambling board.

The teams that are joining the Champions League qualifiers have to start the season very early and this is making things really difficult for these teams. Actually I think that UEFA need to update this format a little. For example, the schedule can be tightened like the World Cup play-offs.

Fenerbahce team which I'm a fan of have got a draw against Dynamo Kiev. I think that Dynamo Kiev aren't going to be able to focus on their matches completely because of the war in Ukraine. Fenerbahce can be a few steps ahead of their opponent about qualifying for next round if they have a good coherence with their new manager Jorge Jesus.

[Harkorede]

The first sets of qualifiers preliminary rounds begins today, it's single knockout game for now, and with winners from both fixtures advancing to another finals for this round, the 2nd match is between Levadia (Est) vs Vikingur Reykjavik (Ice) scheduled for approximately an hour from now, the match is going to be played at a neutral location which means both team should have equal advantage, I would have fancied Vinkingur to win, but due to nature of the game and both teams coming from a high-scoring league, I think Over 2.5 @ a 2.05 boosted odds is a steal.

[buwaytress]

@CLS63 Yeah, when I opened the threads in 2019, it was really because the original ones had been locked and creator left the forum (explained in OP of old threads). Also disliked self-moderated threads but now feel somewhat personally responsible that the threads I created are now spam magnets and I can't do much about them.

@Harko San Marino vs Andorra doesn't quite whet the appetite but teams from those leagues kicked off the season earlier today. Now Estonia vs Iceland at least should be sterner stuff.

To note, this is actually a preliminary round semifinal before the 1st qualifying round! Then they play the final, and then progress to the 1st round qualifying in July. I'm actually a little confused but anyway =)

I know most including myself look at qualifying rounds with disdain, but there was once upon a time Liverpool had to play all the qualifying rounds as holders of the 2004 edition... the first time a team that didn't qualify from the league played the competition (and after that, the exemption became the norm). So I do see the value in these games too Incidentally, in that edition, Levadia Talinn was also in the same round as Liverpool in the 1st qualifying round

[Harkorede]

@Harko San Marino vs Andorra doesn't quite whet the appetite but teams from those leagues kicked off the season earlier today. Now Estonia vs Iceland at least should be sterner stuff.

To note, this is actually a preliminary round semifinal before the 1st qualifying round! Then they play the final, and then progress to the 1st round qualifying in July. I'm actually a little confused but anyway =)

I guess I couldn't have been more right about the overs, an early penalty just after 5 minutes and the an equaliser in the 10th, so that leaves me with 80 minutes to hope for one more goal., done in just 27 minutes.

It's funny how the Uefa scheduled these qualifiers, I'd like to see the usual big play more qualifying rounds than teams from the lower leagues as I suppose that give them better chances of competing, no having to play 5-6 games to make the group stages.

[el kaka22]

Maybe we should start this with some sort of poll as well? That way we will see who thinks who will win it this year. As with every year, I still think that City will play for the finals and there is a good chance they could win. Looking at how fired up Klopp was during this year's finals and the result, I feel like a result where LFC and City plays for the UCL finals would be amazing and insane.

I know that there is a good chance they could face each other before that happens, but if they don't, and face on the finals that would be awesome. Imagine a season where City and LFC decide the EPL winner on the last game, play FA finals against each other, and UCL as well. That would be dream of all EPL fan.

[LTU_btc]

It's good idea to make this thread self-moderated (especially if you will really moderate it. Previous threads simply turned into another spam megathread where people posted just to fill their post in Gambling board quota.
I didn't saw such big win of Vikingur coming - 6:1, I saw them and Levadia as similar level teams. They will face Inter Escalades on Friday and it shouldn't be difficult for Vikings.
BTW, draw of first qualifying round was also made and there we have some teams that made noise in Europe last season like Bodo/Glimt or Sheriff:
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0276-154cc25545c1-6471a679f56f-1000--first-qualifying-round-draw/

It's funny how the Uefa scheduled these qualifiers, I'd like to see the usual big play more qualifying rounds than teams from the lower leagues as I suppose that give them better chances of competing, no having to play 5-6 games to make the group stages.

I think it's normal that teams from leagues with lowest rating have longest path to the group stage. After all, UEFA don't really want to see small teams playing inChampions league group stage.

[snipie]

@buwaytress, best thing to do with self moderated topic to limit repetitive posts. I would like to see a poll for Champions League winner for 2022/23 season. I know it is harder to do with EL and ECL but here is easier and it can be updated every period if necessary. The poll can look like :
- the winner will be a club from : EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1...
Or
- the winner will be : Real Madrid, City, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern, PSG, Chelsea, Juve...

Edit: First one to vote and I picked City. I think they could do it this time with Guardiola and Haaland!

[buwaytress]

@el kaka22 @snipie
As requested, poll. I didn't arrange anyone in order of favourites and also didn't put in what I guess might have normally been in the mix (Ajax maybe?) but who cares eh?

Early top favourite as per bookmakers still Manchester City, as it has been for the past 3 seasons at least. I should know, I've been betting against them ha! Liverpool overbooked so the odds make them look favourites. Bayern, Real, PSG probably undervalued?

From Fairlay:

Man City: 3.770
Liverpool: 5.540
PSG: 6.540
Bayern Munich: 8.060
Chelsea: 13.100
Real Madrid: 11.680
Barcelona: 16.130
Juventus: 26.200
Atletico Madrid: 31.240
Tottenham: 21.170
Inter Milan: 31.240
Borussia Dortmund: 41.320
RB Leipzig: 51.390
AC Milan: 41.320
Ajax: 50.180
Napoli: 51.390
Sevilla: 51.390
FC Porto: 101.790
Sporting: 152.190
FC Salzburg: 152.190
Marseille: 152.190
Bayer Leverkusen: 150.440

[snipie]

@el kaka22 @snipie
As requested, poll.

Thanks. I don't see many members interacting yet, I think they are afraid from the self moderated topic but eventually they will join later once we get closer.

Man City: 3.770
Liverpool: 5.540
PSG: 6.540
Bayern Munich: 8.060
Chelsea: 13.100
Real Madrid: 11.680
Barcelona: 16.130
Juventus: 26.200

Cut the rest since I doubt they could advance to the finals unless there will be a very lucky draw for them. I find it funny to see Real Madrid odds like that although they are the champions of this version! BTW is this odds correct?
I have only a problem about Real place in this list, I prefer to put them after City and before Bayern with close odds between these clubs.

[tokeweed]

Aaah feels nice in here.    It's about time the old spammy threads get locked and start new self moderated ones.  If only there was an option for multiple mods for one thread, I'd be happy to volunteer with the modding duties.  

I haven't looked at the outrights yet but as for the poll, I gotta pick City.  I mean they're due to win it this time right?  They've been so close for a couple of years now...  Third time's a charm me thinks.  And Guardiola rides with a huge W into the sunset.

[LTU_btc]

There is preliminary qualifying round final today between Inter Escalades and Vikingur. Game already started, Vikingur is heavy favorites, but score is 0:0 after 15 minutes. If score won't change for some time, live ML for Vikingur will be a good option.
About outrights odds, is just for me it looks weird that Real is so underrated? C'mon, PSG @6.54 and Real @11.68

[el kaka22]

PSG is a bit further out if you ask me, City lost it very close during semi finals, last 2 minutes and two goals saw Real Madrid go further, if we remove those, we are going to see them doing much better. However, PSG is not like that, they lost to the same team so I cannot really blame them, but they have tied a lot of money into the team they have, so it is making their job harder to keep it going, you could remove one player from City and add another, doesn't matter who that player is, but if you remove some players from PSG, then they become horribly worse.

It would take a great manager, and I mean like a world star levels of manager to bring that team to its success, great roster, but definitely a ton of talking heads, a manager could set them straight.

[Coyster]

I voted for City in the polls, not that i would have voted for another team even if i did consider that team to be favorites, i'm a City fan so i always think we are favorites to win every trophy, and in earnest we are. It is crazy though, how in the last three seasons or so everyone thought City would have won the Champions League, but we couldn't just get across that line, i sincerely hope this is the season we do manage to get across the finish line and finally lift that elusive trophy. But typical CL is always going to be tough, PSG are also in search for their first CL, Liverpool are also very strong, and then there is the champions Real Madrid, it is going to be as competitive as usual.

[MonsterV]

City has been one of the absolute top favorites for a few years now. Will be no different this year. Of course, that still applies to Paris St German. They were knocked out by Real Madrid last season, but to be honest, PSG was pretty much done with that. I think PSG is not much less than City at all. But with Haaland there, it can make a difference. But what are we talking about, PSG has Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. A dream vanguard. Final City-PSG would be nice 

[coinlocket$]

When is the drawing?

It should be pretty soon this year considering the world cup in the winter.

[Marvell1]

When is the drawing?

It should be pretty soon this year considering the world cup in the winter.

The first qualifying round is going to start on the fifth of July, and the match is going to be between Pyunik and CFR Cluj. To be honest I am not very keen on watching the qualifying rounds at all.

I am actually interested in watching the bigger teams fight against each other. But I don't know probably I will watch a few matches because I am someone who always appreciates good football. I also appreciate people playing really aggressively and players of both teams getting red-carded multiple times in a single match but that's another story.

[Daniel91]

City has been one of the absolute top favorites for a few years now. Will be no different this year. Of course, that still applies to Paris St German. They were knocked out by Real Madrid last season, but to be honest, PSG was pretty much done with that. I think PSG is not much less than City at all. But with Haaland there, it can make a difference. But what are we talking about, PSG has Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. A dream vanguard. Final City-PSG would be nice 

You are right, in recent years Manchester City and PSG have been constantly mentioned as the main favorites of the Champions League, but every time another club wins the Champions League, from Chelsea which was a somewhat unexpected Champions League winner, to Real, Bayern and Liverpool.
It just shows how very difficult it is to predict a Champions League winner and that big money can't guarantee success.
It looks like Manchester City with Haaland will be even stronger than last season but Pep still has to prove he can win the Champions League with some other club that is not the strongest Barcelona in history, with Messi, Iniesta and Xavi.
Somehow I have a feeling Real could make it to the finals again  

[Falconer]

Man City: 3.770
Liverpool: 5.540
PSG: 6.540
Bayern Munich: 8.060
Real Madrid: 11.680
Barcelona: 16.130

Manchester City's odds are still ahead, that might be justified considering they can almost always keep and build their team with a number of quality players. I don't know what they think about Real Madrid who seems to be underestimated based on the odds, it's a bit funny but maybe they forgot that Real Madrid have won the title in 3 consecutive seasons.

Some of the teams I quoted above are teams that I think are good to be favorites in the Champions League next season. Regardless of who reaches the final then I'm very sure one of them will definitely be there. Doubtful about Real Madrid, that's fine but they have a chance when underestimated.

[CLS63]

I must admit that I'm not surprised with Manchester City's being shown as the favourite team to win the title. They have a wonderful squad right now. The Erling Haaland transfer was completed much earlier than I expected. I waited for a tough race between some big teams to sign him actually. Manchester City still continue to strengthen their squad and they are close to signing Kalvin Phillips from Leeds. Guardiola wants to win this title to reach the biggest goal of the team but we will find out what happens. While they were doing that Liverpool signed a great player like Darwin Nunez also. It would be lovely to watch these players in the Champions League next season.