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

[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.

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.

But they always end up coming short.  The luck factor in the tourney format like the UCL is huge.  You gotta get the right draw, the squad shouldn't be in an 'off day' and the scheduling of fixtures with league still going on and cup games shouldn't be that hectic.  Last year's semis vs Real Madrid, City was kinda in an off day.  They couldn't impose themselves and really dominate.  And Ancelotti made a couple of changes that changed the texture of the match in their favor then getting a couple of goals in at the final minutes...  The pain.

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[joker_josue]

But they always end up coming short.  The luck factor in the tourney format like the UCL is huge.  You gotta get the right draw, the squad shouldn't be in an 'off day' and the scheduling of fixtures with league still going on and cup games shouldn't be that hectic.  Last year's semis vs Real Madrid, City was kinda in an off day.  They couldn't impose themselves and really dominate.  And Ancelotti made a couple of changes that changed the texture of the match in their favor then getting a couple of goals in at the final minutes...  The pain.

English clubs are already used to having matches every 3 days, or a little less sometimes. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. Before, I think the fact that Real Madrid had a comfortable lead in the Spanish league, which allowed for better management of the games, was fundamental for them to have a good success in the Champions League last season.

[Pulsar77]

English clubs are already used to having matches every 3 days, or a little less sometimes. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. Before, I think the fact that Real Madrid had a comfortable lead in the Spanish league, which allowed for better management of the games, was fundamental for them to have a good success in the Champions League last season.

You've made a good point there.

Real Madrid's being very comfortable in the La Liga was a big help for them to concentrate mostly on the Champions League title. Because Barcelona weren't this much good then and they weren't a big threat to Real Madrid in the title race. But now things have changed. Barcelona are in a very solid condition and they are following Real Madrid right behind in the standings. While they are feeling Barcelona's breath on their neck it is difficult for them to care less about the La Liga.

It is the same for Barcelona also of course but we will see which one of them will deal with this pressure better in the future. Real Madrid have an extra because of their huge experience about this kind of situations. But this is still an opportunity for teams like Manchester City to take advantage of.

[Boristhecat]

English clubs are already used to having matches every 3 days, or a little less sometimes. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. Before, I think the fact that Real Madrid had a comfortable lead in the Spanish league, which allowed for better management of the games, was fundamental for them to have a good success in the Champions League last season.

It probably mattered, but it was hardly decisive. Real Madrid's advantage appeared for a reason, but because Real initially invested/spent a resource to get it - Ancelotti built a schedule of team readiness for the season in such a way that Real could get this advantage. And I can’t say that after gaining an advantage in the championship, Real began to play worse there - even taking into account the fact that Barcelona flew out of all competitions and could concentrate on La Liga, the distance between Real and Barcelona did not decrease, that is, Real continued to go in the champion’s schedule.
This season, it seems to me that Ancelotti again brought Real Madrid to the peak of form very early and this again is bearing fruit so far. And this is very logical - after all, from the point of view of the club, it is better to squeeze the maximum out of the players now, because then they will still spend their energy in the World Cup.

[ilovealtcoins]

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.

It seems this OP deleted posts randomly based on what he doesn't like, regardless of the quality . That's why I don't like self-moderation. It curtails freedom of speech . No matter whether he deletes it or not, I should reply to you.

PSG always had really good confidence when they played in Ligue 1 matches. But I don't see that type of confidence from them when they play against the teams in the Champions League. And they have lost against opponents that they really shouldn't have lost previously. But in this season things seem to be different. It really feels like the team is working together quite well. Now I think the only problem is Mbappe who has higher authority compared to other players on the team. If that is not a problem and if PSG can handle that well I think they have a good chance to achieve great things in this season. And who knows probably also that Champions League trophy will be theirs.

[KTChampions]

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.

Let's look at the opinion of bookmakers:

Manchester city 2.85 - 35% chance of winning, City is overrated in my opinion. A title every three years in the presence of a crowd of competitors? Don't even dream, sheikhs!

Paris Saint Germain 5.55 - 18% but the second place among all contenders? That's just funny.

Bayern Munich 6.05 - in my opinion Bavaria is underestimated, even considering their current problems.

Liverpool 7.55 - 13% looks like a fair estimate, but still Liverpool is overrated.

RealMadrid 10.10 - LOL, comments are redundant.
 
Barcelona 11.70 - the most incomprehensible estimate in my opinion - on the one hand, only 8.5%, which can be called a modest/fair chance. On the other hand, I have not yet seen a single confirmation this season that Barcelona is ready to compete with strong clubs. Why is it fundamentally better than Tottenham (which has a coefficient of 18.9)? I do not see.

[shogun47]

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.

Let's look at the opinion of bookmakers:

Manchester city 2.85 - 35% chance of winning, City is overrated in my opinion. A title every three years in the presence of a crowd of competitors? Don't even dream, sheikhs!

Paris Saint Germain 5.55 - 18% but the second place among all contenders? That's just funny.

Bayern Munich 6.05 - in my opinion Bavaria is underestimated, even considering their current problems.

Liverpool 7.55 - 13% looks like a fair estimate, but still Liverpool is overrated.

RealMadrid 10.10 - LOL, comments are redundant.
 
Barcelona 11.70 - the most incomprehensible estimate in my opinion - on the one hand, only 8.5%, which can be called a modest/fair chance. On the other hand, I have not yet seen a single confirmation this season that Barcelona is ready to compete with strong clubs. Why is it fundamentally better than Tottenham (which has a coefficient of 18.9)? I do not see.

There were exactly two games where Tottenham played convincingly strong soccer. That was against Southampton and against (an extremely weak) Leicester City. They barely won against Marseille (one man down for over 45 minutes) and they lost against Sporting Lissabon. The game against Manchester City was rescheduled, which would have actually been the only game to make a first judgment.

Fc Barcelona should have won the game against Bayern. They were the better team, but Lewandowski and I think Gavi screwed it with missing their 1000% chances before Bayern took the lead by means of a corner that found the head of Hernandez.

Except for the first game in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano and the unlucky loss against Bayern, I would clearly see them ahead of Tottenham right now. That doesn't mean they would 100% win a head to head of course, but if the question now was about the odds in a game Barcelona vs. Tottenham, I would probably lean towards a 60-65% to 40-35% in favor of Barcelona. That does not perfectly reflect the difference in the odds provided, but I would definitely say Barcelona seems to be stronger than Tottenham right now.

[CryptoPanda]

From my point of view, Manchester City and Real Madrid are in the best form and position to be listed as favourites to win the trophy and on that thought I also predict both teams except some other teams pick up to good form this and challenge these teams in the champions league but until then It is certainly a competition between madrid and PSG this season.

[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.

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.

I think Manchester City have a different approach and style to sacking managers because if they were to act like Chelsea, Pep Guardiola would have been sacked a long time ago for failing to win the champions league especially after coming so close to semi finals and the finals and losing he would have been sacked immediately but the club has given him more time and support instead which seems very fair after all he has been doing so well in the league and winning other trophies.

[emrecemsan]

I think Manchester City have a different approach and style to sacking managers because if they were to act like Chelsea, Pep Guardiola would have been sacked a long time ago for failing to win the champions league especially after coming so close to semi finals and the finals and losing he would have been sacked immediately but the club has given him more time and support instead which seems very fair after all he has been doing so well in the league and winning other trophies.

Pep Guardiola's unique system is hard to be replaced for Manchester City. This is the main reason they don't even think about sacking Guardiola for not winning the Champions League.

The team have a solid game plan for many years and this is the main factor they have been dominant in the Premier League in this period of time. They have added some other championships to their collection in the meantime of course. Last season was an opportunity for them but they were really unlucky against Real Madrid. Luck factor is also important for a team and Manchester City experienced this very badly. This season the expectation from them has got bigger after Haaland came and started to play like a beast in a short time. Guardiola might finally reach his main goal with this team to relieve finally before deciding to leave the team in the future.

[joker_josue]

I think Manchester City have a different approach and style to sacking managers because if they were to act like Chelsea, Pep Guardiola would have been sacked a long time ago for failing to win the champions league especially after coming so close to semi finals and the finals and losing he would have been sacked immediately but the club has given him more time and support instead which seems very fair after all he has been doing so well in the league and winning other trophies.

Pep Guardiola's unique system is hard to be replaced for Manchester City. This is the main reason they don't even think about sacking Guardiola for not winning the Champions League.

It's not just that. Man City maintain the traditional English culture of continuity, by keeping the same manager for several years. Which makes sense, if a club has a strong structure and a style of its own, it will be easier to maintain success. Players are always changing, due to ideas, injuries and other factors. The structure in this period, if it remains the same, can maintain a good result.

Just look at the majority of English clubs that keep their managers for several years. Sometimes a coach is more likely to leave than to be fired. In England it is very noticeable when a club changes coach many times. It's not a consistent club. And in England the fans, in addition to victories, want to see their club give everything to win even if it doesn't happen.

[Despairo]

Aside from the English clubs, Napoli and Benfica are worth to mention since they're really strong on their own local league and they're have won 2 matches in UEFA. Napoli already find their missing piece after Min-Jae Kim join Napoli, he have very good performance as a defender, he block many shots. While Benfica, they're already strong and have produced many good players. Even though Nunez already move to Liverpool, but Goncalo Ramos is perfectly replace Nunez position.

[Docnaster]

I think Manchester City have a different approach and style to sacking managers because if they were to act like Chelsea, Pep Guardiola would have been sacked a long time ago for failing to win the champions league especially after coming so close to semi finals and the finals and losing he would have been sacked immediately but the club has given him more time and support instead which seems very fair after all he has been doing so well in the league and winning other trophies.

Pep Guardiola's unique system is hard to be replaced for Manchester City. This is the main reason they don't even think about sacking Guardiola for not winning the Champions League.

The team have a solid game plan for many years and this is the main factor they have been dominant in the Premier League in this period of time. They have added some other championships to their collection in the meantime of course. Last season was an opportunity for them but they were really unlucky against Real Madrid. Luck factor is also important for a team and Manchester City experienced this very badly. This season the expectation from them has got bigger after Haaland came and started to play like a beast in a short time. Guardiola might finally reach his main goal with this team to relieve finally before deciding to leave the team in the future.

Nobody sacks a coach like Guardiola. He doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in sack examples for any reason. Everything is not about champions league. No England club will sack a coach who is winning the English Premier league back to back because he failed to win the champions league.

Guardiola has proven that he is a good coach and has made Manchester City formidable. Winning of champions league is not a test of his capability but a consolidation of his prime work.

[posi]

The team have a solid game plan for many years and this is the main factor they have been dominant in the Premier League in this period of time. They have added some other championships to their collection in the meantime of course. Last season was an opportunity for them but they were really unlucky against Real Madrid. Luck factor is also important for a team and Manchester City experienced this very badly. This season the expectation from them has got bigger after Haaland came and started to play like a beast in a short time. Guardiola might finally reach his main goal with this team to relieve finally before deciding to leave the team in the future.

Manchester City's performance was stable in the last season as well. They had a strong squad. But their attack was a bit weak. But this season they added Haaland to the squad to strengthen their attack. At the same time, Guardiola has changed his match strategy and formation. Manchester City is stronger than ever. With any weaknesses at the moment in their defense, midfield, and forward. So Manchester City is favorites for the Champions League title this season as well. Manchester City might be able to win the title this season if they don't make big mistakes like last season.

[borovichok]

I think this season should be Paris Saint Germain time to win the champions League,they have done everything just to win this tournament, is the only trophy they have not win since they new owners bought the club, the brought Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos last season which for me are the two best in there positions, just like my brother always said at attack, Messi is the best,at  midfield Luca modric is the best then at defence Ramos is the best, unfortunately for Paris Saint Germain last season Ramos was injured all through the season he just played few games while Messi was adjusting to new surroundings but this year both of them have adapt well and are playing to prove their critics wrong, so I think they are the favourite.

[joker_josue]

While Benfica, they're already strong and have produced many good players. Even though Nunez already move to Liverpool, but Goncalo Ramos is perfectly replace Nunez position.

In addition to the good schools that Benfica has, and is taking advantage of the trained players. This season they also made good signings, which have been performing well.
The choice of coach also seems to have been the right one, as he is getting the best out of Benfica's players.

[tokeweed]

But they always end up coming short.  The luck factor in the tourney format like the UCL is huge.  You gotta get the right draw, the squad shouldn't be in an 'off day' and the scheduling of fixtures with league still going on and cup games shouldn't be that hectic.  Last year's semis vs Real Madrid, City was kinda in an off day.  They couldn't impose themselves and really dominate.  And Ancelotti made a couple of changes that changed the texture of the match in their favor then getting a couple of goals in at the final minutes...  The pain.

English clubs are already used to having matches every 3 days, or a little less sometimes. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. And this is valid for almost all clubs, even those that are not in European competitions. Before, I think the fact that Real Madrid had a comfortable lead in the Spanish league, which allowed for better management of the games, was fundamental for them to have a good success in the Champions League last season.

Sure they're used to it but they're still at a disadvantage vs the other clubs across Europe because those clubs have less hectic schedules than the EPL clubs.  So more rest, fresher layers, higher chance of getting the green W.    Even Guardiola and Klopp complained about the tight schedule in the EPL when they first arrived in England.  Not to mention the weather during the busiest part of the year.  It's fkn cold.

Anyway, my matches to watch next week are Inter vs Barca and Sevilla vs Dortmund.  How would you guys act on these matches from a betting perspective?

[KTChampions]

Let's look at the opinion of bookmakers:

Manchester city 2.85 - 35% chance of winning, City is overrated in my opinion. A title every three years in the presence of a crowd of competitors? Don't even dream, sheikhs!

Paris Saint Germain 5.55 - 18% but the second place among all contenders? That's just funny.

Bayern Munich 6.05 - in my opinion Bavaria is underestimated, even considering their current problems.

Liverpool 7.55 - 13% looks like a fair estimate, but still Liverpool is overrated.

RealMadrid 10.10 - LOL, comments are redundant.
 
Barcelona 11.70 - the most incomprehensible estimate in my opinion - on the one hand, only 8.5%, which can be called a modest/fair chance. On the other hand, I have not yet seen a single confirmation this season that Barcelona is ready to compete with strong clubs. Why is it fundamentally better than Tottenham (which has a coefficient of 18.9)? I do not see.

There were exactly two games where Tottenham played convincingly strong soccer. That was against Southampton and against (an extremely weak) Leicester City. They barely won against Marseille (one man down for over 45 minutes) and they lost against Sporting Lissabon. The game against Manchester City was rescheduled, which would have actually been the only game to make a first judgment.

Fc Barcelona should have won the game against Bayern. They were the better team, but Lewandowski and I think Gavi screwed it with missing their 1000% chances before Bayern took the lead by means of a corner that found the head of Hernandez.

Except for the first game in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano and the unlucky loss against Bayern, I would clearly see them ahead of Tottenham right now. That doesn't mean they would 100% win a head to head of course, but if the question now was about the odds in a game Barcelona vs. Tottenham, I would probably lean towards a 60-65% to 40-35% in favor of Barcelona. That does not perfectly reflect the difference in the odds provided, but I would definitely say Barcelona seems to be stronger than Tottenham right now.

  Hmm... it's not even funny to be honest. The ability to realize moments is the same skill as any other. Bayern were stronger in this match and saying that Barcelona should have won is not serious. Just as frivolously as some still talk about the fact that Real Madrid was lucky last season.
By the way, you probably think that Barcelona should have won the Europa League last year, right?

As for comparing Barcelona and Tottenham, the point is not in their personal comparison (and by the way I'm not sure that Tottenham is weaker than Barcelona in a personal meeting), but in the fact that in order to become a champion you must defeat the rest of the competitors (and not one). I do not see a single factor that would say that Tottenham are weaker than Barcelona on average relative to other rivals, but there are such factors regarding Barcelona - for example, their inability to play against the bus and simply disciplined teams playing on the counter.

[jaberwock]

I think this season should be Paris Saint Germain time to win the champions League,they have done everything just to win this tournament, is the only trophy they have not win since they new owners bought the club, the brought Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos last season which for me are the two best in there positions, just like my brother always said at attack, Messi is the best,at  midfield Luca modric is the best then at defence Ramos is the best, unfortunately for Paris Saint Germain last season Ramos was injured all through the season he just played few games while Messi was adjusting to new surroundings but this year both of them have adapt well and are playing to prove their critics wrong, so I think they are the favourite.

They certainly look like a team that could win it this year, but to be fair they looked like that last year as well. Look at their roster this year, and what they have achieved so far, they are really playing at a different level and they are looking better than even last year. I believe that they could win it, but they need to figure out that locker room trouble first.

They are acting like child when things do not go their way, it's a very tough job to recover ones belief in themselves when someone loses it, and when they get scored, they do not have that fire to make a comeback, they need that because in further stages of UCL they will need it.

[AakZaki]

I think this season should be Paris Saint Germain time to win the champions League,they have done everything just to win this tournament, is the only trophy they have not win since they new owners bought the club, the brought Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos last season which for me are the two best in there positions, just like my brother always said at attack, Messi is the best,at  midfield Luca modric is the best then at defence Ramos is the best, unfortunately for Paris Saint Germain last season Ramos was injured all through the season he just played few games while Messi was adjusting to new surroundings but this year both of them have adapt well and are playing to prove their critics wrong, so I think they are the favourite.

Of course they had made it to the finals but they failed. With the current condition of the players, of course, they are the favorites to win. But I think they're going to go through some tough games. Last season if you remember Madrid were also not seeded but they were champions. Sometimes you have to remember, there are always surprises in UCL matches. In addition we must bear in mind there are internal problems between their three stars. I think it's a ready issue to go back to being a destroyer of teamwork.