Those Barca purists...

[Quill]

I doubt it. Bayern are in with a shout but the 'Mourinho's farewell' factor at Madrid and the fact that Barca are the best team in the world make those two the favourites for me. If Barca can avoid Madrid I think they'll win it, if not, I'd fancy Madrid.

So? Dortmund topped a group with Real Madrid, Man City and Ajax in it - taking 4 points off Madrid on the way. They are also the only unbeaten side left, and after that incredible win last night, will be on such a high. Bayern can easily win it as well - the way they have brushed aside their league and the teams that they've played so far in the UCL - beating Juventus 4-0 is no easy feat!

Both Real and Barca have looked poor over the last few games as well. Barca (certainly havent looked like The Best Team In The World recently) were lucky to get past PSG, and Real looked shocking defensively against Galatasaray.

In reality, this final 4 is truly impossible to call. Personally, if a Spanish team doesn't win, i'll be happy.

 

[roseniorhisgranisfromhull]

So? Dortmund topped a group with Real Madrid, Man City and Ajax in it - taking 4 points off Madrid on the way. They are also the only unbeaten side left, and after that incredible win last night, will be on such a high. Bayern can easily win it as well - the way they have brushed aside their league and the teams that they've played so far in the UCL - beating Juventus 4-0 is no easy feat!

Both Real and Barca have looked poor over the last few games as well. Barca (certainly havent looked like The Best Team In The World recently) were lucky to get past PSG, and Real looked shocking defensively against Galatasaray.

In reality, this final 4 is truly impossible to call. Personally, if a Spanish team doesn't win, i'll be happy.

I'm not saying they won't but I'd be very surprised if it wasn't Barca or Real. Dortmund wouldn't even be in the draw if it wasn't for an incorrect refereeing/linesmans decision last night. Bayern may have blitzed their own league but they looked worried when Arsenal visited the Allianz and Arsenal are no great force. I don't think Barca were lucky, they just knew what they had to do and did it. Had they needed to win 3-0 tonight they probably could've gone up a gear and done that too. Real are a tricky one but don't be at all surprised if Mourinho takes them to victory, he's done it so many times.

 

[Quill]

I'm not saying they won't but I'd be very surprised if it wasn't Barca or Real. Dortmund wouldn't even be in the draw if it wasn't for an incorrect refereeing/linesmans decision last night. Bayern may have blitzed their own league but they looked worried when Arsenal visited the Allianz and Arsenal are no great force. I don't think Barca were lucky, they just knew what they had to do and did it. Had they needed to win 3-0 tonight they probably could've gone up a gear and done that too. Real are a tricky one but don't be at all surprised if Mourinho takes them to victory, he's done it so many times.

Dortmund were on the wrong end of a bad decision as well you know - Malaga's second goal was offside. If that hadn't been allowed, Dortmund, who were all over Malaga, would've probably inevitably scored.

When Arsenal played Bayern, Bayern didn't play a full strength side (they had about 5 first teamers out) - and considering how dominant they had been at the Emirates, scoring 3 away goals, they were always going to take their foot off the pedal.

Barca were lucky - the amount of poor composure shown by PSG was incredible - they could've easily won both legs, but their finishing let them down (sounds like us, to be fair!). They also had to rely on a certain little Argie by the name of Lionel Messi: without him, Barca have looked useless so far this season.

 

[roseniorhisgranisfromhull]

Dortmund were on the wrong end of a bad decision as well you know - Malaga's second goal was offside. If that hadn't been allowed, Dortmund, who were all over Malaga, would've probably inevitably scored.

When Arsenal played Bayern, Bayern didn't play a full strength side (they had about 5 first teamers out) - and considering how dominant they had been at the Emirates, scoring 3 away goals, they were always going to take their foot off the pedal.

Barca were lucky - the amount of poor composure shown by PSG was incredible - they could've easily won both legs, but their finishing let them down (sounds like us, to be fair!). They also had to rely on a certain little Argie by the name of Lionel Messi: without him, Barca have looked useless so far this season.

Bayern started Nuer, Dante, Van Buyten, Lahm, Martinez, Robben, Alaba, Mandzukic and Muller against Arsenal and all of them started against Juventus tonight, so they made 2 changes really and looked appalling against a mediocre at best Arsenal side. I don't believe Barca were playing to their full capacity and always looked in control, even at 1-0 down. As for being useless without him, I believe they won 5-0 at the weekend.

 

[HullCityAFC1904]

I fancy Dortmund to win it again, think the last time was 97 when Paul Lambert was playing for them unless I have got brainfade at this late hour and mixed that up

 

[HullCityAFC1904]

Checked that, Lambert did indeed play marking none other than Zinedine Zidane out of the game, the Deutschlanders won 3-1

 

[Quill]

Bayern started Nuer, Dante, Van Buyten, Lahm, Martinez, Robben, Alaba, Mandzukic and Muller against Arsenal and all of them started against Juventus tonight, so they made 2 changes really and looked appalling against a mediocre at best Arsenal side. I don't believe Barca were playing to their full capacity and always looked in control, even at 1-0 down. As for being useless without him, I believe they won 5-0 at the weekend.

To be fair - winning 5-0 in their league isn't really that hard for them or Madrid.

Checked that, Lambert did indeed play marking none other than Zinedine Zidane out of the game, the Deutschlanders won 3-1

You trying to say something?

Looking at the squad Dortmund had back then, it was a class side, players like Kohler, Sammer, Moller and Riedle (as well as Lambert).

Didn't Matthias Sammer win the Ballon D'or that year?

 

[bum_chinned_crab]

I just totally disagree, I think a lot of the hatred towards them is born out of jealousy, they're so far ahead of everyone else it's frightening. I can't believe anyone could watch them demolish Italy 4-0 in the final of the Euros and then say:

"500 passes without any goal threat, score 1 or 2 and just pass out the rest of the game. Think ive nodded off in all their games.

Whereas teams like Italy and Germany are quality to watch as of late."

They made a mockery of Italy in that game whilst playing great football, their left-back (Alba) was further forward for Spain than Cassano was for Italy most of the game!

I really dont get this argument. Remind me of how many times they have won and retained the Champions League? when people use this argument they make it sound like they've won it 7 years on the trot. They're not even the holders.

 

[bum_chinned_crab]

I doubt it. Bayern are in with a shout but the 'Mourinho's farewell' factor at Madrid and the fact that Barca are the best team in the world make those two the favourites for me. If Barca can avoid Madrid I think they'll win it, if not, I'd fancy Madrid.

How exactly are Barca the best team in the world? Did I miss it when they won a) their domestic league b) The Champions League and c) The World Club Championship?

 

[originallambrettaman]

How exactly are Barca the best team in the world? Did I miss it when they won a) their domestic league b) The Champions League and c) The World Club Championship?

If you did, it was the 2010/11 season.

I think you'll be hard pushed to find anyone who doesn't think that Barcelona are currently the best team in the world.

 

[Disco Dancing Elmo]

I'm thinking Barcelona will win it, but I'd prefer Dortmund to.

I like watching Barca play when they're really on form, some of the passing, movement, link up play and goals are just fantastic. Look at that goal Messi scored against PSG in the first leg when Dani Alves played a chip through ball with the outside of his foot into the box. It was sublime.

Barcelona are the best team in the World, no doubt.

 

[The FRENCH TICKLER]

What a difference a MESSI makes eh ?

PSG were the better team until Messi came on. Then it all changed including the crowd noise.

I wonder if the draw will be rigged so that we have one all spanish semi and one all german semi.?

Heaven forbid an all Spanish Wembley final. Then again its a better option than an all German Wembley Final. imo.

 

[bum_chinned_crab]

If you did, it was the 2010/11 season.

Erm yes, that was my point. They were the best team in the world in 2010/11. It's 2013.

I think you'll be hard pushed to find anyone who doesn't think that Barcelona are currently the best team in the world.

Well I dont, I found that pretty easy. Correct me if Im wrong but isnt the whole point of competitions to decide these things? Im pretty sure Corinthians are the best team in the world until the next World Club Championships take place.

 

[Amin Arrears]

There's some drivel on here, I don't think it can be disputed that Inter Milan are the best team in the world, serie a is the best league in the world and Italy are the best international team in the world.

 

[HullCityAFC1904]

To be fair - winning 5-0 in their league isn't really that hard for them or Madrid.



You trying to say something?

Looking at the squad Dortmund had back then, it was a class side, players like Kohler, Sammer, Moller and Riedle (as well as Lambert).

Didn't Matthias Sammer win the Ballon D'or that year?

He possibly did. I did watch at the time but for some reason aren't remembering it very well. Their manager Klopp is a bit of a genius so that combined with a great team makes me think they could well win it again. Bayern have already won the Bundesliga but I don't think their defence is all that so don't fancy them as much as Dortmund. For me its either Dortmund or Real win it this year, Barca are still a great team but maybe with Xavi aging a bit and some defensive weakness they are not as good as they were. Teams have worked out Piques weakness, lack of pace and they are small from set-pieces.

 

[Tuckin]

Im pretty sure Corinthians are the best team in the world until the next World Club Championships take place.

You base your judgements on a team's quality based on a knockout competition? So Chelsea are the best team in Europe, are they - despite being only the third best in the country (and a distance behind the top two, and in danger of not being in the top 3 this time round)?

 

[Tuckin]

Didn't Matthias Sammer win the Ballon D'or that year?

He was the reigning holder at the time, having won it in Germany's Euro 96-winning year. Fat Ron won it in 1997.

 

[bum_chinned_crab]

So Chelsea are the best team in Europe, are they - despite being only the third best in the country (and a distance behind the top two, and in danger of not being in the top 3 this time round)?

No, because they're out of the current incarnation of that competition. Did you miss that distinction i made when I said 'until the next World Club Championships take place'?

 

[bum_chinned_crab]

There's some drivel on here, I don't think it can be disputed that Inter Milan are the best team in the world, serie a is the best league in the world and Italy are the best international team in the world.

I know you're taking the piss out of me but when I have ever said that about Inter other than when they won the world club championship? And I dont think I have said Italy are the best team in the world when they werent world champions or EVER that Serie A was the best league in the world. I said it's my favourite league, the 2 are very different.

 

[Tuckin]

Do you think Chelsea were the best team in Europe last season, though? They just won a knockout competition. You might as well claim that Liverpool and Cardiff were the best two teams in the country last season.