Football Soccer Football Soccer Football Soccer

[JJRod]

Granted it was RB Leipzig and Atalanta, but Neymar can be an amazing player when he wants to. He hasn�t liked this great in the pitch since he lead Brazil in the 2013 Confederations cup.

[Szef]

I dunno man I kinda like these one off knock out games. Hope they keep it for next season.

Yeah I'd rather see a one match in a neutral venue than 2 legs with away goals possibly being the difference

But it won't happen because too much money is involved

Definitely

I quite like this formula. Games are more dramatic.

[F l i c k e r]

Herrera wasn't kicked out?

Its Europa at least for Lukaku and Sanchez (can't remember were Young ended up).. idk even with United not being that successful of late the competition is just not very prestigious imo.. better then nothing I guess.. Just feels like everything outside the Champions league and PL has been completely devalued over the years

He left on good terms then? I wasn't sure/ don't remember clearly.

But it's crazy that those guys are all in finals now. Even Di Maria and Depay has a shot right now for it as well.

But you're right. The Europa league is more for those middling clubs like Sevilla. For clubs like Manchester United and even Chelsea, who've won it all really. It's a consolation to win Europa.

[F l i c k e r]

Bayern with business as usual.

Maybe Lyon can pull off a Monaco or Porto though.

[Sparked_26]

Bayern are so strong.

I like how they play too. The attacks are so quick and incisive. To me that looks like how you should play. They actually do turn over possession more than most of the great teams of recent years but it's because they're playing high risk/maximum reward style passes.

I dont want to kick Barca when they are down (I do!) but they were always boring at their very peak. They deserved Chelsea coming back from 2 nil down with 10 men and about 3 % possession. Just to shake them out of their worst excesses. At one point they would barely take a corner, take a throw in forwards, or take a pop outside the box. They were so, so, so dry. Blew my mind that people said they enjoyed watching them play and seem to mean it. I don't really know how you could like football and watch a keep ball session.

Their success actually made football a bit sh.it for a while when everyone tried to copy them.

I am up for people emulating Bayern Munich. It will make for some spectacular games.

They deserve this CL and actually probably another few.

[MOTHERDUCKER]

He left on good terms then? I wasn't sure/ don't remember clearly.

But it's crazy that those guys are all in finals now. Even Di Maria and Depay has a shot right now for it as well.

But you're right. The Europa league is more for those middling clubs like Sevilla. For clubs like Manchester United and even Chelsea, who've won it all really. It's a consolation to win Europa.

I think we wanted him to stay

I really hope Bayern beats PSG.. much like barca.. i just cant stand PSG or Neymar

Also you beat whats in front of you.. but that is one easy run to the finals jesus

[MOTHERDUCKER]

Also is there any doubt at this stage Ronaldo>>Messi

The guy has done it in multiple leagues and internationally. Same cant be said for Messi..

I do wonder if he finally leaves Barca and switches leagues how he would do in the PL.. about time people accept Xavi and Inesta had a ridiculous impact on his earlier career

[Caught Square]

I have a feeling PSG are gonna win the final.

Bayern will be favourites, but I don�t think they�re as formidable as people think. Lyon really should�ve punished them a few times and even in the Barca game it was end to end for 30 mins before they were just to old and unathletic to keep up.

They are extremely ruthless though, can�t take that away from em.

I think it�s gonna be a big night for Mbappe, who I don�t see having much issue getting in behind that defence. He�s been looking really sharp despite coming back from the ankle injury.

[hayZ]

Also is there any doubt at this stage Ronaldo>>Messi

The guy has done it in multiple leagues and internationally. Same cant be said for Messi..

I do wonder if he finally leaves Barca and switches leagues how he would do in the PL.. about time people accept Xavi and Inesta had a ridiculous impact on his earlier career

I definitely think you're in the minority there.

He played for the best team in England historically, he played for the best team in Spain historically and he is playing for the best team in Italy historically. I understand if you used that example if he joined teams which were not elite tier in their league and he brought them up to a level where they were elite but that isn't the case. Sure it has some value but I think when you looked into that point it isn't AS impressive as it sounds. The finer details matter.

Messi has great figures internationally but he can't carry the team on his own. You have had average players who have won Champions Leagues/World Cups and amazing players who haven't. Ronaldo played his part obviously but if you look at Messi's performances, I don't think performance-wise he is off Ronaldo at all. The fact that Ronaldo has won the Euro's does add some weight to the argument but just like the previous one, once you delve into it more the truth comes out. Messi has reached a World Cup final. Twice Copa America final. You could argue Copa America is harder to win than the Euro's depending on who you ask.

Messi is a far more influential player for Barca. Ronaldo for the last 4 years has relied on others to set him up mainly. Which they do as Real and Juve have some of the best players in the World. Real are still doing well with him. Juve are doing about the same with or without him. If you take Messi out of Barca, they would be struggling horrifically.

He's been putting on great performances with or without Xavi/Iniesta. He's 33 now so same age Ronaldo when he went to Juve iirc. It'd be unfair to expect him to go to the PL out of his prime to boss it up like he would have done 5 years ago. I'd still expect him to do well and I think he could in a team like Man City but the PL is not the Serie A. Far tougher league top to bottom.

[Sparked_26]

The argument there is why does Messi's supporting cast not help him.

Dembele, Coutinho, and Griezemann were assembled at great expense. They are all very good players . The latter 2 are world class.

Is it because the team is so geared to Messi and using their own wan.ky maxim he is 'more than a player? That they get lost, or they are literally undermined.

Nobody has ever pandered to a player to the extent that Barca do with Messi. Maybe Napoli and Maradona?

My feeling that Messi is obviously more mercurial but if I was another top player I'd rather play with Ronaldo.

Their whole philosophy is basically Messi at this stage. All that La Masia stuff is falling by the wayside and their strategy is just as haphazard as Man U and Chelsea's have been until recently.

I expect Barca find their way to the middle of the pack like Chelsea and Man U