From when Roman arrived in 2003/4, our CL record was SF, SF, 16, SF, F.... But the press seem to put very little pressure on City's failure to win CL, and their record since the money came in is ELQF, NA, EL16, then in CL: GS, GS, 16, 16. I know they started a bit further back than us and had tougher groups but the sheikhs have been in charge since 2008 and they have not been past the last 16. The Qataris have been in charge at PSG since 2011 and there is huge pressure on them to win the European Cup, and they have had some decent campaigns (unlucky against Chelsea and Barca). Why is there no pressure on City?
They should be doing better but I think there are 2 factors that help explain the difference between them and us. 1. They have had some horrific groups to be fair and bad draws even when they've qualified. You do have to start beating some good teams at some point though. 2. Back when Roman first took over, we were the only 'new' rich club where now you have us, City, PSG, Monaco and the Russians. We also came in at a good time when Real Madrid and Bayern were not the force they are now and Italian football was starting to wane. On reflection it was good timing for us to come into the C.L fold. Look how many really really good sides are competing in it now compared to say 2005. I can't see teams of the quality of Porto (04) and Liverpool (05) winning a C.L any time soon and we made the semis in both them years.
Interesting theory but in a cup competition anything can happen it's not as though Porto or Liverpool had an easy route to the final. What both teams had was a lack of respect for anything put in front of them and I would suggest that is what is missing from the competion other than a power shift the other way. Levrkusen almost pulled it off as did Athletico and again they were teams that went at the opposition no matter who they were, the fear factor was reversed with all the teams I mentioned where the so called big guns wanted to avoid these teams that showed that lack of respect.
I didn't mean to over simplify it and of course in a cup comp anything can happen, but I do think there is a higher quality in the comp now. Porto beat United (a fairly average United at that), Lyon, Deportivo and Monaco in the knock outs. Not a single top top (top?) side in there. Liverpool's run was harder but I don't think any of the sides you faced would be classed in the same bracket to the present Barca, Real and Bayern sides. Just an opinion mind.
There are always points where teams seem to get the combination right like the teams you mention at the moment and of course that make it more difficult for other teams to go on that run, but I'm an old romantic and will always think it's possible.
Who'd be your underdog pick for this year? I'll say Juve - Italy are probably due a team making the final. Think only one since 2007 if memory serves (jose's inter).
If I had to pick one it'll be Basel but that would be crazy stuff! As we both know they don't get scared of the big boys and just go out and play.
Who you think will win this year? I have a sinking feeling we will go out in the next round. Think we will get past PSG and then go out to Barca or someone in the next round.
I quite fancy Barca, as long as Suarez doesn't do anything daft I think he'll be the driving force for them as this comp goes on, the rotation of that front 3 is starting to click and they seemed to understand that Suarez needs to be the one dictating that rotation last night. If they continue like that they'll be hard to stop.
Another team's good or bad press really doesn't enter my way of thinking about football. I don't see how it pertains to what I feel my support should be. In the past other team endured lavish praise and demonisation and neither really meant much to me and now Chelsea are a team all now realise can beat them it still doesn't.
Yeah 2007 was AC Milan's year so since then (08 onwards) only 1 Italian team has made a final i.e Inter in 2010.....I clearly was not being clear!! Out of the last 14 finalist only 1 has been Italian if memory serves which is quite poor but their usual standards.
i think city would of been in with a shout against barca if the ref had not of given barca their standard extra man advantage as city started to find their way into the game
The refs (plural) have always had a big say in the PL. I suppose because they come from so many different countries, it is rarely that you see any consistency. The Spanish ones seem yellow card and whistle crazy, the Scandinavians let a bit more go but flash the reds pretty easily, each country has its' quirks. We have had a torrid run with refs especially that crook Robrero or whatever he was called. Barca like most big name teams , do seem to get more of the 50-50 decisions, but they have had the odd sending off as well. If only EUFA had cloned that great Italian ref Pierluigi Collina, he was the fairest, straightest and best ref I have ever seen.
In light of Arsenal and City's limp dicked offerings this week, it looks like it is on our shoulders again to fly the PL flag in Europe! sigh
