UEFA Champions League 2023/24

[The Lusophone]

Bayern should've had a penalty there - I don't think the Saka is a penalty, but on first viewing I though it was. This angle changed it for me - Saka tries far too hard to initiate contact here.

Kane should've been sent off for his elbow on an Arsenal defender though.

[gunnar hendershow]

The thing about away goals is that they're supposed to create a balance that doesn't need to be created anymore. Clubs tend to play as well or almost as well away as they do at home. And it was inherently flawed because you'll always approach the first leg different than the second leg regardless of whether it's home or away.

I do think the tactical nuances of it were very nice but it's hard for me to justify them from a competitive standpoint.

[Baddar]

I think last night, we saw the flipside of the argument ahead of the 2nd leg.

Yes, the games from Tuesday are essentially write offs now due to the draws, but Barca won an exciting game in Paris 3-2 last night. The 2nd leg of that should be equally as exciting, but if those 3 goals were away goals I sense we'd be watching a far more cagey affair.

 

And it should be known that I was never really against the idea of away goals in the first place, and wouldn't be bothered if they were brought back, I just see the reasons for not having them too.

Metalman's one off games idea would be best for entertainment, but obviously not when it comes to making money so won't happen.

[Gazz]

I don't think one off games would be best for entertainment, because then teams would go into cagey, 'don't make a mistake' mode. It's usually why the final is usually the least interesting match of the knockout stages.

[METALMAN]

This is a nice thought but the empirical evidence (2020 Champions League) suggests otherwise so shut up

[Gazz]

Four 1-0 final's in a row so far so nuh uh

[Baddar]

So, Barcelona were 1-0 up on the night and relatively comfortable - then Araujo got himself sent off following a last man challenge and PSG have scored twice to level the tie at 4-4.

But it's essentially still 0-0 after 145mins of football, so, boring. 😑 

Edit: Mbappe pen makes it 5-4 PSG on agg.

[gunnar hendershow]

Leave it to *checks notes* Atletico to wind up being in a thriller.

[Baddar]

Mbappe clinches it.

[Kaney]

Imagine losing to a side with Eric Dier in it smh

[Colly]

Is it the Spursiest Spursieing to have Kane and Dier knock Arsenal out of the Champions League, removing all likely chance of qualifying in 5th?

[The Lusophone]

History will say they were "roommates"

[Colly]

Obviously not suggesting it had an impact, but City playing Hey Jude over the PA before the penalties was a bit weird.

[METALMAN]

That coefficient lol

[Naitch]

Very interesting that so many English clubs are paying homage to the national team by getting knocked out in the quarter finals. There's still time for Aston Villa to join them!

[Jimmy]

13 hours ago, Colly said:

Is it the Spursiest Spursieing to have Kane and Dier knock Arsenal out of the Champions League, removing all likely chance of qualifying in 5th?

100% worth it. 

 

 

[Szumi]

22 hours ago, Kaney said:

Imagine losing to a side with Eric Dier in it smh

I can only imagine Tuchel is purposely taking the piss continuing to start him over both Upemanco and Kim Min-Jae. 

 

Also, for as much talk as there was on social media on Monday for the Osasuna player taking the worse penalty of the year, Bernardo Silva's penalty was freaking hilarious to see.

[The Lusophone]