UEFA Champions League/Europa League thread

Yeah and winning 5-0 with Atletico having 3 sent off would have been good too haha. Their striker situation is dire and they were without their best player, making their gameplan to get an away goal would have been too risky. As it is they just need to win at home where they are very strong against a side inexperienced at this level. Think that's about the best they could have hoped for.

 

I think Atletico missed Turan and most of their crosses played into Chelsea's hands. I am not saying Chelsea should have been too adventurous but they needed more of an outlet and I think tonight highlights some of the key areas their squad lacks, as you rightly said.

 

Agreed, think it showed the problems with their squad rather than approach or tactics.

I still think it was a huge mistake letting Lukaku go out on loan, he's not necessarily the world class striker they need (yet) but neither are Eto'o, Torres and Ba and Lukaku would have been perfect for a night like tonight as on the rare occasions that the ball did go upfield for Chelsea he would have at least given the Atletico CBs problems instead of Torres chasing shadows.

 

Torres was too isolated to impact the game much, they could really do with that Mata chap...

 

I fell asleep in about the 10th minute and then woke up after FT. Sounds like I didn't miss much...

 

You didn't. However, annoyingly Ashley Cole had a pretty good game.

 

Real Madrid: Casillas, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Carvajal, Alonso, Modric, Di Maria, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema. Subs: Lopez, Varane, Marcelo, Bale, Casemiro, Illarramendi, Morata.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Dante, Rafinha, Boateng, Lahm, Ribery, Robben, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Mandžukic. Subs: Zingerle, Raeder, Martinez, Gotze, Weiser, Muller, Pizarro.

 

Bale has had the flu over the last few days, so that is why he is benched.

 

They'll be fine. They've only replaced him with Ronaldo.

 

Certainly hope they win. I really enjoy watching them play.

 

15 Minute Pass Count: Real Madrid 10-116 Bayern Munich.

 

18 Minute Goal Count: Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich

 

Haha, possession football failing.

 

Haven't been paying attention or watching the game, but went to the Beeb website and noticed the 1-0, so clicked on and noticed 80% possession to Munich. My first thought was...

 

I wonder whether Real are deliberately surrendering possession. Maybe they're doing some sort of rope-a-dope. Watching BSB racing highlights on ITV4 at the moment, but I can feel the curious bug coming on. Might have to find a stream.

 

Loving this game so far.

Counter attack vs. Possession, with so much quality all over the pitch

 

Hello, I'm being quoted by players again..!

 

Like him or loathe him, you cannot fail to notice that Glenn Hoddle commands respect amongst his peers. Jamie Carragher has just made a statement on a tactical situation and turned it into a question by asking Hoddle if his thinking is correct, rather than just coming out with it.

 

FT Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich.

 

Very interesting game that. Sure, there wasn't bundles of chances, but always felt Real were threatening, and once again possession football wasn't the winner on the night. Deserved win for Real.