Champions League 2016/17

[Stevencc]

PSG were a joy to watch last night.

Who doesn't love seeing Messi, Suarez, Neymar and co miserably shuffling around the pitch whilst simultaneously having their anuses well and truly spanked?

 

[Libertadores FC]

I agree that's what matters Dirk but it still doesn't leave a good impression on the league.

 

[Dirk]

I agree that's what matters Dirk but it still doesn't leave a good impression on the league.

OK but the fact is: Bundesliga is #2 in the UEFA rankings and Ligue 1 is #5 (with no chance to get to the top 4 (replacing Italy's Serie A and getting another CL spot) in the near future. That is what counts for me and not some single heavy defeats.

PSG were a joy to watch last night.

Who doesn't love seeing Messi, Suarez, Neymar and co miserably shuffling around the pitch whilst simultaneously having their anuses well and truly spanked?

and mocking Saltire with it

 

[SALTIRE]

PSG were a joy to watch last night.

Who doesn't love seeing Messi, Suarez, Neymar and co miserably shuffling around the pitch whilst simultaneously having their anuses well and truly spanked?

6/10

 

[Stevencc]

6/10

It wasn't a joke.

Hopefully Napoli can do the same thing to Real over the two legs.

I'd like to see Arsenal get past Bayern too, but that might be hoping for too much.

 

[Stevencc]

Speaking of ratings, this is what L'Equipe made of the match...

 

[Dirk]

Draxler (8) > Messi (2) + Suarez (2) +Neymar (3)

It wasn't a joke.

Hopefully Napoli can do the same thing to Real over the two legs.

Yes, would be great to see a Champions League Semifinal without the 2 Big guns from Spain.

I'd like to see Arsenal get past Bayern too, but that might be hoping for too much.

 

[Stevencc]

Draxler (8) > Messi (2) + Suarez (2) +Neymar (3)




Yes, would be great to see a Champions League Semifinal without the 2 Big guns from Spain.

I expect Bayern to progress too, of course.

That was Arsenal's lineup the last time they won a Champions League knockout tie...in 2010.

 

[Dirk]

Lord Bendtner

 

[SALTIRE]

It wasn't a joke.

Hopefully Napoli can do the same thing to Real over the two legs.

I'd like to see Arsenal get past Bayern too, but that might be hoping for too much.

What you got against Messi? I can understand the hate with Neymar since he's laughed at you the amount of times you've tried to bid for him; and Suarez is, well Suarez; but Messi is why we enjoy football. For shame Stevie, for shame.

Agree about your other sentence though in that I hope Napoli and Arsenal (finally) progress.

 

[Stevencc]

What you got against Messi? I can understand the hate with Neymar since he's laughed at you the amount of times you've tried to bid for him; and Suarez is, well Suarez; but Messi is why we enjoy football. For shame Stevie, for shame.

Agree about your other sentence though in that I hope Napoli and Arsenal (finally) progress.

Everyone loves to see the crème de la crème get humbled. Messi is the crème de la crème and, as such, it's great to see him not get his own way for once. Same with Suarez and, to a lesser extent, Neymar. It applies to Barca as a whole as well as other clubs like Real, Juve in a domestic setting, Bayern etc. I'm hoping Ronaldo and co fuck up tonight for the same reasons and, though Arsenal aren't minnows compared to Bayern, it is always nice to see the German machine get dismantled - so I'm with you on Arsenal too.

 

[SALTIRE]

Everyone loves to see the crème de la crème get humbled. Messi is the crème de la crème and, as such, it's great to see him not get his own way for once. Same with Suarez and, to a lesser extent, Neymar. It applies to Barca as a whole as well as other clubs like Real, Juve in a domestic setting, Bayern etc. I'm hoping Ronaldo and co fuck up tonight for the same reasons and, though Arsenal aren't minnows compared to Bayern, it is always nice to see the German machine get dismantled - so I'm with you on Arsenal too.

I see what you mean, I've been the same with Federer and Nadal the last few years and the love-in both enjoy (though fair play to the former a few weeks back), and the lack of appreciation for what Djokovic and now Murray are doing. I do enjoy a bit of schadenfreude with Real, Bayern and Juve too tbh, as well as the plights of the other big boys in the PL when they are going through a bad patch. I'm no fan of Arsenal as you know, but it would be good to see them at least put in a decent campaign once in a while, rather than let Bayern steamroll over them again and have the same old (with the exception of Barca) sides hitting the QF's yet again.

 

[Dirk]

I'm no fan of Arsenal as you know, but it would be good to see them at least put in a decent campaign once in a while, rather than let Bayern steamroll over them again and have the same old (with the exception of Barca) sides hitting the QF's yet again.

it is always nice to see the German machine get dismantled - so I'm with you on Arsenal too.

I'm fine with this. Tbh I am a bit relieved too that, although both of you can't stand Arsenal in the league, you'll keep your fingers crossed that they'll advance against Bayern. Because so often I read in English football forums that the fans of club x don't give a shit about club y when they play in Europe and mocking when they fail.
This is normally unthinkable here in Germany. I, for example, don't like Bayern in the Bundesliga but when they play in Europe I'll keep my fingers crossed too that they'll advance.

 

[Stevencc]

I'm fine with this. Tbh I am a bit relieved too that, although both of you can't stand Arsenal in the league, you'll keep your fingers crossed that they'll advance against Bayern. Because so often I read in English football forums that the fans of club x don't give a shit about club y when they play in Europe and mocking when they fail.
This is normally unthinkable here in Germany. I, for example, don't like Bayern in the Bundesliga but when they play in Europe I'll keep my fingers crossed too that they'll advance.

I wouldn't always cheer on an English side in Europe but Arsenal are one of those sides that I find to be quite inoffensive compared to the likes of Liverpool and City (obvious reasons for both) and Chelsea (how can anyone like Chelsea?) so I like to see them do well in Europe so long as it doesn't affect United which, unfortunately, it hasn't for a while! I also like to see Spurs do well in European competition and, this season, it would be nice to see Leicester do well too - as unlikely as that is.

 

[Dirk]

Have faith in Arsene Wenger. The man knows what he is doing.

edit: So, I'm on my way now (can't be arsed to post during a match). Hope we'll see a good match!

 

[SALTIRE]

Yeah I don't want to see any other English side bar Liverpool win in Europe, but Arsenal at least try to do things the right way, play good stuff and I wouldn't object to seeing them get far without winning it all of course!

 

[Stevencc]

Yeah I don't want to see any other English side bar Liverpool win in Europe, but Arsenal at least try to do things the right way, play good stuff and I wouldn't object to seeing them get far without winning it all of course!

How about the Scottish sides in Europe? Would you support them as they are Scottish representatives or hope they lose because they are (at least most of the time) Rangers and/or Celtic?

 

[epic73]

How about the Scottish sides in Europe? Would you support them as they are Scottish representatives or hope they lose because they are (at least most of the time) Rangers and/or Celtic?

Probably support them as Scotland isn't a country that often has teams who can contend for European titles. I support Cork City who have come 2nd in the Irish league to Dundalk for 2 or 3 years running but if Dundalk made it out of the Europa League group stage I would be happy.

 

[Stevencc]

Robben scores a screamer variation of the Robben Classic™

 

[Benji]

That Insigne goal is something else. Looks like a goalkeeper error from one angle, looks unsaveable from another.

 

[G.B]

Probably support them as Scotland isn't a country that often has teams who can contend for European titles. I support Cork City who have come 2nd in the Irish league to Dundalk for 2 or 3 years running but if Dundalk made it out of the Europa League group stage I would be happy.

 

[Stevencc]

Nicely done by Sanchez on the third attempt.

 

[SALTIRE]

How about the Scottish sides in Europe? Would you support them as they are Scottish representatives or hope they lose because they are (at least most of the time) Rangers and/or Celtic?

Depends on my mood with Celtic, some days i like them, others I am reminded of all the shite their fans get up to and I want them destroyed. Rangers just no for a few reasons.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Kalidou Koulibaly proving yet again that he's one of the worlds best defenders. Had Ronaldo in his pocket all half.

 

[mistermagic]

The french league is still one of the top leagues in the world, yeah not as good as the Italian, English, and Spanish leagues but its still a very good league.

I wouldn't say that we are better than the Prem, La Liga or the Buli but we are miles better than Serie A. Of that I have very little doubt. It amazes how anyone still thinks this league is actually worth something. There's no money and the schools aren't doing their job properly. Italian football needs a complete reboot German-style.

The French league is the Scottish league with a bit of money thrown in

I wouldn't expect you to understand as your judgment is blighted by money. Ligue 1 is very defensive but lately we've managed to bring in quality coaches (Unai, Favre, Jardim, Conceicao) who make the league more entertaining to watch than usual. I can see why you'd think it's rubbish as most games are dull (although I doubt you watch Ligue 1 week in week out for some reason) but our true strength is in nurturing young talents. It is my opinion that we have the best academies in the world.
Comparing us to the SPL is a bit ridiculous really: I don't think they gave you Hazard, Boufal or Payet in the last few years.

 

[Benji]

Koscielny goes off and Arsenal concede twice in two minutes after looking quite comfortable in the second half.

 

[mistermagic]

Koscielny goes off and Arsenal concede twice in two minutes after looking quite comfortable in the second half.

This basically proves my point.

 

[Blitzballer]

merkage

 

[Benji]

Two of the Bayern players are retiring in 4 months. Arsenal's are wondering why they can't keep up with them.

 

[PDS]

Anyone got the 'stop he's already dead' Simpsons meme for Arsenal yet?