UEFA Champions League

[Flanno]

Well I’m personally excited for the round of 16. Let’s get some predictions folks!

PSG vs Utd- 2 months ago it would’ve been PSG undoubtedly. Now, they are injury riddled and Utd have completely turned it around so I’m going to predict Utd to advance.

Roma vs Porto- Porto

Tottenham vs Dortmund- Dortmund

Ajax vs Real Madrid- Madrid

Lyon vs Barca- Barca

Liverpool vs Munich- Munich

Schalke vs City- City

Atlético vs Juve- Juve

 

[CrazyMatt]

United (but I’m biased)
Roma
Dortmund
Real
Barca
Liverpool
City
Madrid in an upset.

 

[snowman]

PSG - United - PSG
Roma - Porto - Roma
Tottenham - Dortmund - Dortmund
Ajax v Real Madrid - RM
Lyon v Barca - Barca
Pool v Munich - tough - they are without Muller and Neuer, we have no VVD for first leg. Never, ever wanted this game. Ever. Head says Munich, Heart says Liverpool
Schalke - City - City
Athletico - Juve - Juve

 

[Flanno]

Hugely disappointing performance from Utd given their recent form. Huge opportunity at home to an injury riddled PSG and they got spanked 2-0

 

[snowman]

Pogba also sent off so no return leg for him. PSG with no Cavani and Neymar walked that game.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Yep. Even without Neymar or Cavani that team has world class quality. No answer for Mbappe especially. He simply tore United’s defence apart. The half time injuries to Rashford and Martial didn’t help. Hard seeing a way back for United in Paris, especially without Pogba.

 

[sharkafar]

In a strange way, the Neymar, Cavani absences may have had a different type of impact as Tuchel had to change his tactics a bit. It ended up with Mbappe floating on his own almost up front, while they pretty much played a midfield 5. It meant that we were simply unable to retain the ball properly, particularly in the second half as they controlled the middle of the park.
Mind you, the first goal definitely changed the game as it meant they could play counter more effectively, hence Mbappe finding some space and knocking in what was a very good second, while we lost all semblance of shape for about 10 minutes.
PSG are no slouches. There's no disgrace in losing that game. As Ole has said, it's going to be around 2 years before we're ready to mount any serious challenges.

 

[Flanno]

Why 2 years? Your squad is pretty good, more depth than the Liverpool side that made the final last year. With a couple more signings Utd should be challenging on all fronts next season.

Ajax playing very well tonight! Should be leading 1-0 but for a suspect VAR call.

 

[Flanno]

All to do for Juve! Did anyone see Simeone’s celebration?

 

[snowman]

PSG are no slouches.

only elite teams have beat them at their own home ground this year

 

[sharkafar]

Why 2 years? Your squad is pretty good, more depth than the Liverpool side that made the final last year. With a couple more signings Utd should be challenging on all fronts next season.

Ajax playing very well tonight! Should be leading 1-0 but for a suspect VAR call.

The biggest difference between ourselves and Citeh, 'pool and Spurs is they have all had managers and systems in place for a few seasons now. Each of Pep, Jurgen and Poch have a plan, know the types of players they need to fit their plans and have bought and shaped their squads accordingly.
This Utd squad is a mish-mash of 3 different managers and systems over 5 seasons of - on the whole - turgid and uninspiring football. Ole is doing a bang-up job so far but there's no guarantee he'll still be in charge for next season which would mean another change in system and personnel. There is still the need for a new CB (maybe 2) and a right sided forward at least. PSG showed we're not ready to be at that level again yet and so the board need to be very careful about the next managerial appointment and the new Director of Football role. I'm crossing fingers and toes that they get this right. And that we can get a win on Sunday.

 

[CrazyMatt]

A lot of the noise is that Ole has the job. Which makes sense as it’s prety much illogical to take it off him at this point. Results are everything and he’s getting them at the moment. A Director of Football wouldn’t be the worst thing as well to help him out.

As for the squad, I think we only need one new CB as Lindelof is actually playing well enough to keep the spot. I’d like a new RB as well because Valencia and Young shouldn’t be first choice and Dalot isn’t ready for the every day gig. I’d like to see an upgrade on Matic in that number 6 role, he’s been playing well but he’s slow these days. He should still be in the team but not first choice. I like Lingard, but I wouldn’t be against an upgrade on the RW either. Or if Ole likes playing that diamond midfield he used against Chelsea, we could recruit a world class 10 to sit behind Rashford and Martial up front.

Interesting times ahead.

 

[Flanno]

Fair play lads, but I do think Utds squad is far better positioned to succeed now than the squads Pochettino and Klopp inherited.

As for what is needed, I agree with you CM. Definitely a few wing backs, they are so important in the modern age and is a big weakness in your squad I feel. Shaw and Dalot are decent, but Young and Valencia are past it. DM like Kante would be a great buy for you and then a winger (Sancho being the obvious choice, but good luck with that).

 

[Flanno]

Come on Ajax, see this through! Would be incredibly funny to see Madrid get knocked out after Ramos deliberately picked up a yellow to miss the match assuming the job was done.

 

[snowman]

PSG - United - PSG
Roma - Porto - Roma
Tottenham - Dortmund - Dortmund
Ajax v Real Madrid - RM
Lyon v Barca - Barca
Pool v Munich - tough - they are without Muller and Neuer, we have no VVD for first leg. Never, ever wanted this game. Ever. Head says Munich, Heart says Liverpool
Schalke - City - City
Athletico - Juve - Juve

well, ****

 

[Flanno]

Haha yep, football is definitely tougher to predict! Ajax fully deserved their win too, much better team over the two legs. Madrid will go crazy in the summer

 

[snowman]

that free kick in the 72nd minute was ****ing all time

 

[CrazyMatt]

OLE YOU ****ING GENIUS!!! UNBELIEVABLE! THE SONS OF BITCHES ACTUALLY PULLED IT OFF!

 

[sharkafar]

"Football eh? Bloody hell!"

 

[Flanno]

well, ****

Such fine margins. But I’m 2/4 now haha

Crazy Matt 1/4, thanks to your bias. I have to say though, great character from Utd. As much as I dislike Utd, PSG aren’t very likeable either