2023/24 Champions League

[Marty]

Away goals was the one very interesting thing about the knockouts, I was so disappointed when it went away.

It was the only scenario where a defeat could be turned into a glorious victory with just one goal. It added a level of drama that I feel seems like madness to get rid of.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

It was the only scenario where a defeat could be turned into a glorious victory with just one goal. It added a level of drama that I feel seems like madness to get rid of.

I think they should have kept away goals, but not in extra time. That was too much of an advantage for the away side in the 2nd game.

 

[Marty]

I think they should have kept away goals, but not in extra time. That was too much of an advantage for the away side in the 2nd game.

Fair enough IMO.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

It was the only scenario where a defeat could be turned into a glorious victory with just one goal. It added a level of drama that I feel seems like madness to get rid of.

I think Arsene Wenger had a say in that. Can see it back in a couple of years.

 

[McFlash]

You should listen to Talksport on Fridays 10-1300. Simon Jordan taking the piss out of Keown at every possible opportunity. He is so intense, no wonder he never made a coach. Cannot help himself with regard to Arsenal. Reacts badly to any criticism. They will probably get through though.

I would but I just can't bring myself to listen to Talk sport, it's a tabloid of a radio station.

 

[aliyid]

Helps that they weren't even in the CL for 5 of those years

 

[cwy21]

Maybe revisionist history but I thought the removal of the away goals rule was generally supported at first. Am I not remembering last season correctly?

 

[Goldman]

Maybe revisionist history but I thought the removal of the away goals rule was generally supported at first. Am I not remembering last season correctly?

I think it helps the casual viewer as no explanation is required. But as others have said above, I think it makes things less exciting.

All change again next season with the table format. Who knows what shite they’ve got up their sleeve next…

 

[überghost]

A succession of what can only be described as incompetent idiots have tweaked this, added that to the game to 'improve' it with the grand result that the game now, as a whole, is less enjoyable and regressing faster than at any time in the sports history.

A bit like introducing machine guns in biathlon. Only difference - that would be a fun watch.

 

[Marty]

I think it helps the casual viewer as no explanation is required. But as others have said above, I think it makes things less exciting.

All change again next season with the table format. Who knows what shite they’ve got up their sleeve next…

The knockout stage from RO16 to Final will be exactly the same as it is today.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

I would but I just can't bring myself to listen to Talk sport, it's a tabloid of a radio station.

Of course there is some shite but a couple of good progs through the day.
They have Henry Winter on a Sunday . Henry is posh boy who wants to be working class , terribly boring by the lead writer from the Times.
Keown is on this morning , getting upset as always.
Telling us Bellingham is not world class , but Saka might be.
World class is an overused phrase but if anybody is, got to be Bellingham. Taken La Liga by storm at 20yrs old.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Of course there is some shite but a couple of good progs through the day.
They have Henry Winter on a Sunday . Henry is posh boy who wants to be working class , terribly boring by the lead writer from the Times.
Keown is on this morning , getting upset as always.
Telling us Bellingham is not world class , but Saka might be.
World class is an overused phrase but if anybody is, got to be Bellingham. Taken La Liga by storm at 20yrs old.

 

[RuskyM]

The removal of away goals is (as I see it) intending for more games to go to extra time, which ignores the fact that most extra time is dreadful because players are both shattered and shitting themselves at the likelihood of penalties. It adds to the "more is always better" approach that football's business overlords demand which always, always comes at the expense of quality.

As much as it might benefit us I still think the "down to 5th place" thing is ludicrous. How can you call something a competition for the elite if a quarter of a league can qualify?

I dunno. Felt nothing for last years CL when we were in it and feel similarly nothing now as a sort-of-neutral (I want anyone but the ****s to win which admittedly limits my options).

 

[thebenjamin]

The removal of away goals is (as I see it) intending for more games to go to extra time, which ignores the fact that most extra time is dreadful because players are both shattered and shitting themselves at the likelihood of penalties. It adds to the "more is always better" approach that football's business overlords demand which always, always comes at the expense of quality.

As much as it might benefit us I still think the "down to 5th place" thing is ludicrous. How can you call something a competition for the elite if a quarter of a league can qualify?

I dunno. Felt nothing for last years CL when we were in it and feel similarly nothing now as a sort-of-neutral (I want anyone but the ****s to win which admittedly limits my options).

The CL only exists in its current format for the balance sheets of UEFA, the clubs and the broadcasters. Everything is dictated by how they can make more money. Sport really has very little to do with it.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Let’s be honest , if it was champions only it would hardly be elite. I remember Liverpool winning 10-0 in the good old days when it was the European cup.
it would be a stroll up to semi Finals for the so called elite.
If 5th place in the PL is champ lge we take it. Will make a big difference to our signings budget.

 

[Marty]

Let’s be honest , if it was champions only it would hardly be elite. I remember Liverpool winning 10-0 in the good old days when it was the European cup.
it would be a stroll up to semi Finals for the so called elite.
If 5th place in the PL is champ lge we take it. Will make a big difference to our signings budget.

The whole idea of the Champions League came about because Real Madrid and Maradona's Napoli were drawn together in a first round match in 1987.

The final that season was PSV v Benfica. To get to the final Benfica had to beat these four teams over two legs:
Partizan Tirana (Albania)
AGF (Denmark)
Anderlecht (Belgium)
Steaua Bucuresti (Romania)

PSV actually beat Bordeaux and Real Madrid to get there and won the final on penalties, but this is not a tournament format I think we should hark back too much to.

 

[RickyVilla]

The whole idea of the Champions League came about because Real Madrid and Maradona's Napoli were drawn together in a first round match in 1987.

The final that season was PSV v Benfica. To get to the final Benfica had to beat these four teams over two legs:
Partizan Tirana (Albania)
AGF (Denmark)
Anderlecht (Belgium)
Steaua Bucuresti (Romania)

PSV actually beat Bordeaux and Real Madrid to get there and won the final on penalties, but this is not a tournament format I think we should hark back too much to.

Aahhhhh the days when AGF were actually a decent team. I miss them.

 

[Misfit]

Good luck to Lazio tonight

 

[cwy21]

Good luck to Lazio tonight

I suppose they're the side to pull for. Germany easier to catch and pass that Italy if Bayern go out.

 

[GutBucket]

If Sane can tone down his selfishness to at least an 8 from his usual 11 then Kane will score 2-3 goals. Midfield and defence from Bayern are pretty bad though, hope we see many goals on both sides.