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

[Cryptomultiplier]

If both play as well as they are now, yes. Haaland top of his game, Messi in some magical moment (hell, even Neymar is already up to half his regular season quota).

~snip~

Interesting, Many people guessed PSG deserved to be in the UCL final in the next few seasons. But they always fail, the best achievement seems to be they reached the Final in 19/20 after winning in the semifinals against Leipzig. But in the Final they had to lose 1-0 against Bayern Munich. Whereas last season they only reached the round of 16 because they lost to Madrid. There are always surprises for UCL, it's hard to decide the final is PSG vs Man City from now on. Maybe when you enter the knockout phase it will be easier.

PSG is one lovely team that has promise in the UCL this season. If they happen to be in the finals and play against Manchester City, it will be one sure game the world would not fail to view. Manchester city may have to use a formation that centres more in the midfield due to Messi, Mbappe and Neymar combo. I see man city holding them well but Haaland might find it difficult, that is if PSG decides to hold possession of the ball as a strategy to win the game. It would sure be a very interesting encounter.

[Lordhermes]

If both play as well as they are now, yes. Haaland top of his game, Messi in some magical moment (hell, even Neymar is already up to half his regular season quota).

~snip~

Interesting, Many people guessed PSG deserved to be in the UCL final in the next few seasons. But they always fail, the best achievement seems to be they reached the Final in 19/20 after winning in the semifinals against Leipzig. But in the Final they had to lose 1-0 against Bayern Munich. Whereas last season they only reached the round of 16 because they lost to Madrid. There are always surprises for UCL, it's hard to decide the final is PSG vs Man City from now on. Maybe when you enter the knockout phase it will be easier.

I don't know the kind of jinx that follows Mancity,they have not been lucky when it comes to the Champions league,and Pep Guardiola really wants to win that trophy before he leaves Mancity,and to me,anything that makes him leave City will be after he has won the Champions league for them.PSG have not been good in champions league at all,despite having those number of players they have,they have not been too good when it come to this league.Maybe this comes as a result of lack of unity among the players in the team, everybody wants to be superior and score more goals than the other,and that does not help any team.Therefore,it is hard predicting who will come out as champions this season.

[shogun47]

If both play as well as they are now, yes. Haaland top of his game, Messi in some magical moment (hell, even Neymar is already up to half his regular season quota).

~snip~

Interesting, Many people guessed PSG deserved to be in the UCL final in the next few seasons. But they always fail, the best achievement seems to be they reached the Final in 19/20 after winning in the semifinals against Leipzig. But in the Final they had to lose 1-0 against Bayern Munich. Whereas last season they only reached the round of 16 because they lost to Madrid. There are always surprises for UCL, it's hard to decide the final is PSG vs Man City from now on. Maybe when you enter the knockout phase it will be easier.

I don't know the kind of jinx that follows Mancity,they have not been lucky when it comes to the Champions league,and Pep Guardiola really wants to win that trophy before he leaves Mancity,and to me,anything that makes him leave City will be after he has won the Champions league for them.PSG have not been good in champions league at all,despite having those number of players they have,they have not been too good when it come to this league.Maybe this comes as a result of lack of unity among the players in the team, everybody wants to be superior and score more goals than the other,and that does not help any team.Therefore,it is hard predicting who will come out as champions this season.

The Champions League title is Guardiola's major goal, but I think what also plays an important role is the question what his next club could be and what would even make sense for him? I think he has everything he wants in Manchester now. He gets to sign any player, he can set up the squad whatever way he wants. Remember when Tuchel fought with Leonardo in Paris about new players? That is not what Guardiola is after.

I think he might even extend the contract once more and City doesn't care whether they pay him 25 million or 30 million. They know that he is one of the world's best. Now he even has Haaland in his squad and I think that is one more reason he might decide to stay for a couple more years. He might once more be the coach of a club that produced another Ballon dor player.

There is one option I believe can be realistic and that is Guardiola keeps going for a couple more years with City and then becomes national coach.

For this season though City is once more the favorite for the title. Last year was the same situation and Real got lucky. I really wish for a revenge game this season, that would be amazing for all the soccer fans out there.

[Pulsar77]

I think we all deserve to see a final between PSG and City , right ? This will a true clash between the best team right now but you can never count Real Madrid out even if I doubt they can make it again this year so PSG vs City should be the one. Favorites ? Hard to chose one but I would like a surprise this year.

Many people must be thinking the same for this season. Actually it was the same for the previous one also at least for me. But Real Madrid still won the title by eliminating PSG and Manchester City both.    This was really unexpected for me but I don't think Real Madrid can repeat this two times in a row. I'm aware of how much experienced team they are in the Champions League and how great coach they have now. But we must see a different champion this time.

Manchester City seem more likely to do this especially after adding Haaland to the squad and being a completed team. For PSG to achieve the title, the trio should play extra in all of their important matches. They should keep especially Neymar away from serious injuries as he is quite injury-prone as you know. I wouldn't say no to a finale between Manchester City and PSG also.  

[Pokapoka124]

If both play as well as they are now, yes. Haaland top of his game, Messi in some magical moment (hell, even Neymar is already up to half his regular season quota).

~snip~

Interesting, Many people guessed PSG deserved to be in the UCL final in the next few seasons. But they always fail, the best achievement seems to be they reached the Final in 19/20 after winning in the semifinals against Leipzig. But in the Final they had to lose 1-0 against Bayern Munich. Whereas last season they only reached the round of 16 because they lost to Madrid. There are always surprises for UCL, it's hard to decide the final is PSG vs Man City from now on. Maybe when you enter the knockout phase it will be easier.

In the past two seasons, PSG have been predicted as top favourites to win the champions league but they always fail. They always go far in the competition but when it comes to the final stages to fight and try to clinge the title they always fall off on the way probably because they lack that winning mentality to fight for trophies, it's a new season and another opportunity to try again,lets see how well they will perform this season.

[GiftedMAN]

If both play as well as they are now, yes. Haaland top of his game, Messi in some magical moment (hell, even Neymar is already up to half his regular season quota).
~snip~

Interesting, Many people guessed PSG deserved to be in the UCL final in the next few seasons. But they always fail, the best achievement seems to be they reached the Final in 19/20 after winning in the semifinals against Leipzig. But in the Final they had to lose 1-0 against Bayern Munich. Whereas last season they only reached the round of 16 because they lost to Madrid. There are always surprises for UCL, it's hard to decide the final is PSG vs Man City from now on. Maybe when you enter the knockout phase it will be easier.

In the past two seasons, PSG have been predicted as top favourites to win the champions league but they always fail. They always go far in the competition but when it comes to the final stages to fight and try to clinge the title they always fall off on the way probably because they lack that winning mentality to fight for trophies, it's a new season and another opportunity to try again,lets see how well they will perform this season.

PSG lacks confidence. Also the bonding between the team players was not good in the last season. The chemistry between the players was very poor. Despite having many star players in the team, their performance as a team was poor. But this season PSG is stronger and more stable than before. They are consistently playing well. And with the help of Galtier, the team's internal problems are slowly being resolved. So we have high expectations from PSG this season as well.

I disagree with you on this, over the last few years PSG have had great confidence in the team and the players have been united with each other and that has helped them remain top in the French Ligue1 but when it comes to the Champions League, I think PSG still lack the experience and the winning tactics required to win the Champions League and that has been the major problem of the team. So far this season the bond between the players had been unstable, especially the trio frontline ( Messi, Mbappe and Neymar, if Galtier didn't put an end to it we may see PSG not getting closer to the final this season.

[buwaytress]

I disagree with you on this, over the last few years PSG have had great confidence in the team and the players have been united with each other and that has helped them remain top in the French Ligue1

We must have been following different news then or even seen them play different games. Sure, they swagger around a lot in Ligue 1 but when your closest rivals drop points all day long, you generally can win the title at a canter (ignoring the amazing team built by Lille that fell apart anyway after winning).

Should see the way the team plays sometimes when down a goal, or under pressure. Shoulders down, faces giving up, mad at each other, ignoring each other, no communication between the stars.

Not saying it's a common occurrence but I've only watched a handful of games, enough to say that's not (always) a team that's united and that trust each other.

[Daniel91]

I think the team is just struggling at the main time and it happens to every team once in a while so let us not be so quick to write them off already. They need a little more time, they have a new manager now who hopefully will help improve the squad and bring in new ideas and new strategies to winning games, I believe we will see the impact of these changes in the team very soon. They will come back stronger.

Currently chelsea is really in a period of adaptation again. like a newly formed team. because the new coach must have a different strategy and arrangement with the previous coach. but actually in the last match of chelsea against salzburg chelsea has started to show an improvement in its game. but unfortunately the opposing team's defense cannot be taken lightly. because Salzburg have a good defense. even when Salzburg against Milan ended in a draw. even though milan was in good form at that time.

Chelsea doesn't really have much time to prepare the team and make some big changes.
After two rounds, they are currently in the surprising last place in their Champions League group, and they have two very difficult games against Milan ahead of them.
If they don't win those two games, their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League will be very slim.
Given the strength and quality of the squad, I'm really surprised that Chelsea are doing so poorly in the Champions League.

Chelsea did not start this season as expected and obviously, right now they are in a rebuilding situation. However, at the end of the season, they cannot use that as an excuse for their poor performance or poor standing at the table. So they will have to tidy things up. And they will have to start performing well really quickly if they want to have a good position on the table at the end of the season.

Yes, they have some really hard matches coming up. But I believe this is a chance, this is a chance for Chelsea to prove themselves that they can make a comeback really quickly and be a menace for the teams at the top of the table.

Chelsea don't have much time in the next two games against Milan, they will have to play much better and get much better results if they want to win the top two places in the group.
If they fail to beat Milan, then they will significantly reduce their chances of going to the knockout phase of the Champions League.
Chelsea now has a new coach who doesn't have much time for some changes in the team, he has to immediately raise the level of the game and start winning otherwise he won't stay as a coach for long.

[tokeweed]

I think we all deserve to see a final between PSG and City , right ? This will a true clash between the best team right now but you can never count Real Madrid out even if I doubt they can make it again this year so PSG vs City should be the one. Favorites ? Hard to chose one but I would like a surprise this year.

I think Man City going against PSG would be a one sided affair even with Messi in there.  If you want a real clash then going against the current UCL champions which is Real Madrid would be the best match up for Manchester City at the finals imho.    And remember, Real Madrid eliminated Guardiola's boys at the semis last year.  So they'll surely be raring to go if given the opportunity to play them again.  And the match being a finals match...?  Goose bumps.

[buwaytress]

I think we all deserve to see a final between PSG and City , right ? This will a true clash between the best team right now but you can never count Real Madrid out even if I doubt they can make it again this year so PSG vs City should be the one. Favorites ? Hard to chose one but I would like a surprise this year.

I think Man City going against PSG would be a one sided affair even with Messi in there.  If you want a real clash then going against the current UCL champions which is Real Madrid would be the best match up for Manchester City at the finals imho.    And remember, Real Madrid eliminated Guardiola's boys at the semis last year.  So they'll surely be raring to go if given the opportunity to play them again.  And the match being a finals match...?  Goose bumps.

Now this is the truth, and it goes back to what I've been saying about City: the all-conquering team with the deepest squad depth, the best points per game ration, best goals per game ratio... and creeping up on European experience. The bookies rate them favourites in every competition, for 4 years running. That's not for nothing.

So yes, City in the final, deserved, if they play as well, but I'd want to watch Real vs them any day in preference of PSG.

But that's all moot. Liverpool will be in the final again =p

[KTChampions]

Now this is the truth, and it goes back to what I've been saying about City: the all-conquering team with the deepest squad depth, the best points per game ration, best goals per game ratio... and creeping up on European experience. The bookies rate them favourites in every competition, for 4 years running. That's not for nothing.

So yes, City in the final, deserved, if they play as well, but I'd want to watch Real vs them any day in preference of PSG.

But that's all moot. Liverpool will be in the final again =p

I agree to the Real - City final or the Real Madrid - Liverpool final only if I see City play PSG in the previous rounds. I'm tired of watching my beloved Real do all the work itself  
Real Madrid deserved to get an easy way to the final this year, and City vs PSG in the playoffs is what should happen if there is any fairness in football. Let the oil clubs destroy each other themselves.

[Daniel91]

Now this is the truth, and it goes back to what I've been saying about City: the all-conquering team with the deepest squad depth, the best points per game ration, best goals per game ratio... and creeping up on European experience. The bookies rate them favourites in every competition, for 4 years running. That's not for nothing.

So yes, City in the final, deserved, if they play as well, but I'd want to watch Real vs them any day in preference of PSG.

But that's all moot. Liverpool will be in the final again =p

I agree to the Real - City final or the Real Madrid - Liverpool final only if I see City play PSG in the previous rounds. I'm tired of watching my beloved Real do all the work itself  
Real Madrid deserved to get an easy way to the final this year, and City vs PSG in the playoffs is what should happen if there is any fairness in football. Let the oil clubs destroy each other themselves.

It seems to me that it will be very difficult for Liverpool to win the Champions League final again this year. They don't play at the level of last year, and in my opinion, they are not favorites either in the English league or in the Champions League.
If PSG doesn't solve the personal conflict between Mbappe and Neymar, then I don't give them much of a chance to reach the Champions League final this season either.
It is true that Manchester City is the main favorite to win the Champions League every season for the last few years, but they have always lacked something, some factor X. Whether they got that factor X in Haaland remains to be seen. Real is always one of the main favorites to win the Champions League, and unlike other clubs, they know very well how to win the Champions League.

[arimamib]

I think we all deserve to see a final between PSG and City , right ? This will a true clash between the best team right now but you can never count Real Madrid out even if I doubt they can make it again this year so PSG vs City should be the one. Favorites ? Hard to chose one but I would like a surprise this year.

I think Man City going against PSG would be a one sided affair even with Messi in there.  If you want a real clash then going against the current UCL champions which is Real Madrid would be the best match up for Manchester City at the finals imho.    And remember, Real Madrid eliminated Guardiola's boys at the semis last year.  So they'll surely be raring to go if given the opportunity to play them again.  And the match being a finals match...?  Goose bumps.

Manchester City are more enthusiastic about meeting Real Madrid than PSG because there is a smell of revenge there. Real Madrid buried the Manchester City opportunity they had been waiting for, the UCL Trophy has been dreaming of Manchester City for a long time but Real Madrid have seized it.
I hope that the match between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be repeated in this year's UCL final because this match is eagerly awaited by Manchester City to beat Real Madrid and win their first UCL trophy.

[Pokapoka124]

Manchester City have shown how much they want the champions league, it is not a secret ambition as their objectives are clear for everyone to see from how much they spend in getting world-class players and top talents and sack coaches who fail to win the trophy for the club so it is no longer something new. Manchester City are looking stronger this season. I will love to see a final between PSG and Manchester City to see who wants it more.

[Vinaa77]

Manchester City have shown how much they want the champions league, it is not a secret ambition as their objectives are clear for everyone to see from how much they spend in getting world-class players and top talents and sack coaches who fail to win the trophy for the club so it is no longer something new. Manchester City are looking stronger this season. I will love to see a final between PSG and Manchester City to see who wants it more.

Of course all clubs want to lift the champion trophy, because it is the most prestigious trophy between clubs. But I see PSG have more ambition in this regard than Manchester City. We can see in terms of player recruitment, PSG have bought the best players in the world. The striker positions are Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé. In addition, disappointment last season after being defeated by Real Madrid also made them continue to strengthen the team. But we'll see if Christophe Galtier will put his faith in Keylor Navas as an experienced goalkeeper at Real Madrid, or stick with Gianluigi Donnarumma. PSG is also the richest club in France, so it has enough ammunition to strengthen the team.

[emrecemsan]

Manchester City have shown how much they want the champions league, it is not a secret ambition as their objectives are clear for everyone to see from how much they spend in getting world-class players and top talents and sack coaches who fail to win the trophy for the club so it is no longer something new. Manchester City are looking stronger this season. I will love to see a final between PSG and Manchester City to see who wants it more.

This is their biggest opportunity in the Champions League. I wouldn't like to mean that they were bad last season. They had a big chance then too but their being eliminated by Real Madrid was really dramatic as you remember. But this season is different than that one because they have a much more stable squad now after signing Erling Haaland. They didn't have a very productive striker like him since Aguero's brightest times here ended.

Maybe one can think about if one player can really change the fate of the whole team. If that player is Haaland then yeah. He can definitely change many things for Manchester City this season.    Winning the EPL title wouldn't be a surprise but if they win the CL title then he will have the biggest role in it without doubt.

[Smartvirus]

This is their biggest opportunity in the Champions League. I wouldn't like to mean that they were bad last season. They had a big chance then too but their being eliminated by Real Madrid was really dramatic as you remember. But this season is different than that one because they have a much more stable squad now after signing Erling Haaland. They didn't have a very productive striker like him since Aguero's brightest times here ended.

It's not strange nor new that Manchester City have been after the UCL title. Its been the sole purpose of Pep aside from building a better team which he has archived, winning the EPL trophy too and that has been no issue to worry but, its a lot different when it comes to the UCL. The UCL isn't much about the best teams although that counts but, it it were, of course we had the Bayern Munich  episode, we've had the Manchester City episode and somehow, they lose at the last minute. PSG is another team that have got some of the best team and are head locked in the chase for the UCL trophy and still don't get to win.
Erling Haaland might be good but, does he have the experience to better the chances of Manchester City this season? I think of K. Mbappe as a much better player but still, he haven't produced a UCL result for PSG. It might be too much to expect such of Erling Haaland.

[Coyster]

Manchester City have shown how much they want the champions league, it is not a secret ambition as their objectives are clear for everyone to see from how much they spend in getting world-class players and top talents and sack coaches who fail to win the trophy for the club so it is no longer something new. Manchester City are looking stronger this season. I will love to see a final between PSG and Manchester City to see who wants it more.

I don't think City sack coaches who do not win them the Champions League, if that was the case they would have sacked Pep Guardiola who has been in charge of the team for about 6 or so years and have failed to win the Champions League for City, even when Mancini and Pellegrini left the club, it wasn't because they didn't win the CL, it was because they both were not able to make City a very consistent team in the big stage, the team was somewhat erratic then, and thus they needed a manager that could give them a certain standard.

Having said that, Manchester City are yet to sack Pep Guardiola because of the consistently high level City have been playing under his management for the past 6 years or so, winning quite a lot of trophies and breaking numerous records in the process, they might not have been able to win the CL just yet, but his achievements with the team surpasses a CL trophy. City want to win the CL, no doubt about that, but they will be very happy with Pep and the level he has brought the team to, and they will not exchange him for a manager that will win them the CL and take them back to an inconsistent/erratic level. By the way, i would also love to see a CL final between City and PSG this season.

[shogun47]

I think we all deserve to see a final between PSG and City , right ? This will a true clash between the best team right now but you can never count Real Madrid out even if I doubt they can make it again this year so PSG vs City should be the one. Favorites ? Hard to chose one but I would like a surprise this year.

I think Man City going against PSG would be a one sided affair even with Messi in there.  If you want a real clash then going against the current UCL champions which is Real Madrid would be the best match up for Manchester City at the finals imho.    And remember, Real Madrid eliminated Guardiola's boys at the semis last year.  So they'll surely be raring to go if given the opportunity to play them again.  And the match being a finals match...?  Goose bumps.

Manchester City are more enthusiastic about meeting Real Madrid than PSG because there is a smell of revenge there. Real Madrid buried the Manchester City opportunity they had been waiting for, the UCL Trophy has been dreaming of Manchester City for a long time but Real Madrid have seized it.
I hope that the match between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be repeated in this year's UCL final because this match is eagerly awaited by Manchester City to beat Real Madrid and win their first UCL trophy.

I guess that is true for the players, but on another level the game between Manchester City and PSG would be a clash of the financial titans in the soccer world, the sheikhs. I think there is a lot of prestige involved when these teams meet also on a political level.

The sheikhs from PSG have done everything they could to keep the team together as it was and strengthen it over time. If you have Messi, Mbappe and Neymar, what else can you do to win it?

Well, now that City also has Haaland that game would be extremely fun to watch. Both teams are unbelievable strong in their offense and I am sure we would get to see some nice action on the pitch. All eyes would be on Mbappe and Haaland. The goals Mbappe scored against Real Madrid last season were crazy.

Taking those goals into account, PSG against Real would also be fun because Mbappe now declined an offer and both club bosses have been arguing since then.

[Smack That Ace]

If both play as well as they are now, yes. Haaland top of his game, Messi in some magical moment (hell, even Neymar is already up to half his regular season quota).
~snip~

Interesting, Many people guessed PSG deserved to be in the UCL final in the next few seasons. But they always fail, the best achievement seems to be they reached the Final in 19/20 after winning in the semifinals against Leipzig. But in the Final they had to lose 1-0 against Bayern Munich. Whereas last season they only reached the round of 16 because they lost to Madrid. There are always surprises for UCL, it's hard to decide the final is PSG vs Man City from now on. Maybe when you enter the knockout phase it will be easier.

I don't know the kind of jinx that follows Mancity,they have not been lucky when it comes to the Champions league,and Pep Guardiola really wants to win that trophy before he leaves Mancity,and to me,anything that makes him leave City will be after he has won the Champions league for them.PSG have not been good in champions league at all,despite having those number of players they have,they have not been too good when it come to this league.Maybe this comes as a result of lack of unity among the players in the team, everybody wants to be superior and score more goals than the other,and that does not help any team.Therefore,it is hard predicting who will come out as champions this season.

This year's Champions League championship is likely to be decided by three teams; Man City, Paris Saint Germain, and Real Madrid, which I think are the best bets.
I believe Real Madrid are going to be the champions of the Champions League, as they are always known as the "goats" of the Champions League.
This year Manchester City acquired Erling Haaland, which has really added a lot to their attacking power, while PSG already has a world-class attacking trio at their disposal.
This is a must-win game for all of the 3 teams, so I predict they will all reach the semi-finals. It’s up to the gameday which teams will reach the final.


Good Luck
Duke