Champions League Thread

[Murphy]

Because of parents' evening last night, I missed the first half. Not sure how Alli missed the target with the header.

Not much to say about the second half. Lloris's save was wonderful. I thought it was over the line at the time. And Wanyama was the only one who stood out. Loving him.

If we were playing the home games at WHL, I'd be confident that we'd progress. Not as confident with Wembley, obviously. But I do fancy we can get something at Monaco, so I'm confident-ish.

Barca/City tonight should be fun, but I won't be watching.

[Simon]

I'd still fancy us to progress, probably as group winners. Four points from three games isn't great, but it's a close group - I would imagine 10 points will win it. As long as we don't slip up against CSKA Moscow, I can't see us failing to get out of the group.

[MikeHunt]

Nervy game for Celtic, the average germans are dominating slightly. God bless Kolo eh lads!!!!

[MikeHunt]

Oh and hopefully Biton and Rogic are this shit on Sunday

[MikeHunt]

Oh dear kolo.

[Simon]

This City/Barca game has been surprisingly shit. Really scrappy with neither side able to keep the ball. Even Messi's been crap, despite scoring twice. Bravo's brain fart has killed it as a contest anyway.

[RFF Champ]

Biggest odds a Pep team has ever gone off tonight.

[Simon]

Hat trick for Messi and he's been terrible. Mental.

[MikeHunt]

2-0 really poor defending from celtic there again.

[Darkoke]

That performance from Celtic was as bad as the one against City was good.

[wardy]

Thought I was watching Scotland.

[MikeHunt]

Neymar is a total cock, even with my hatred of celtic I was raging at his antics. Lustig should have fucking smashed the knob. The standard of refereeing was appalling throughout the whole game.

At least i'll be able to get home at a reasonable time after a backshift now you're out, 45 mins sitting in traffic tonight 5 mins from my door.

[Simon]

What did he do?

Did anyone see the highlights from the Besiktas/Benfica game? Completely mad - Benfica were 3-0 up at half time but it finished 3-3, there were three unbelievable goals, a ridiculous rabona assist from Quaresma and one of the funniest goals you'll ever see as Benfica hit the post three times in five seconds before scoring. Mad game.

Also Cavani is now getting that reputation that Ibrahimovic once had, apparently brilliant but refusing outright to ever play well against English teams. He should have had about six goals over the two games with Arsenal.

[Fanny]

Neymar was doing his usual, vile dirty little bastard booting lumps out of people and diving all over the place. I have to say, Messi wasn't much better, asking the ref to card people etc. And as demented as Emilio was in his contact, Suarez was HOLDING ONTO HIS ARM to make it look like he had it wrapped around him.

It was actually a quite respectable display by Celtic. Scott Brown in the first half was just a total warrior, but he'd clearly shot his load in the first 45 and was struggling afterwards. MacGregor and Armstrong were pish and Celtic should always start with Forrest and Roberts.

[Fanny]

another fine display from Celtic again tonight so far - edging possession and equal on shots. Wonder goal from Roberts to open the scoring. Rogers has really worked wonders with this squad - it's largely unchanged from last season which is scarcely believable. I get the sneering at the Scottish Prem and to a degree I do agree with it, but the improvements at Celtic and their European success, comparatively, over the last 15 or so years should really put paid to a lot of that. Then you consider the conveyor belt of developed players that consistently go down to the EPL and enjoy relative success. Good time to be a Celtic fan - CL campaign has been an utterly enjoyable, triumphant 'failure'.

[Romford Pele]

Good result tonight. Best I have seen Gibbs play for years

[Simon]

Hlebs is still raging because Lucas Perez didn't score another hat trick on top of the one he got.

[Simon]

We were good tonight, albeit against very limited opposition. Eriksen was at it for the first time in ages. Winks is beginning to look a real player and Alderweireld coming back is huge. We need Lamela back asap too. Fancy us to get something at United on Sunday.

[Simon]

God it must be infuriating to be an Arsenal fan when the CL rolls around. Actually manage to top the group, and they still get Bayern.

[Murphy]

So dull. When did football become so dull? Or rather, why has it taken me this long to realise.

[Hlebsfall]

BORING. They should scrap being drawn against teams from your own country. Would make it a bit more interesting seeing a different team knock out Arsenal.

[Simon]

City/Monaco and Leicester/Sevilla should be good. Monaco looked very, very good against us, and I don't think it was just us making them look good. Lemar, Silva, Fabinho and Bakayoko will all be playing for top teams within a few years. Possibly Sidibe and Mendy too.

[_me]

Was there anything more predictable than Arsenal drawing Bayern?

[Simon]

Hlebsfall whinging about it.

[Romford Pele]

For fucks sake.

[Peter Griffin]

[wardy]

Barca looking absolute jobby here.

[Simon]

That Di Maria swerve before the third goal is a piss take.

[Pablo Diablo]

What the absolute fuck?

[Hero!]

Benfica sneaking a win in the most Portuguese of ways with a lazy goal and Dortmund tripping over their own feet. Bless up.

[Simon]

City/Monaco tonight should be a belter - Monaco made us look dreadful in both games against them earlier this season - Bernardo Silva is nailed on to be one of the next big superstars IMO, he's incredible. Can't say I noticed much of Lemar and Mbappe who are getting a lot of the headlines now but Bakayoko, Sidibe and Moutinho were all great too. Don't think it's much of a big shout now because they're smashing Ligue 1 and so everyone is waking up to them, but they will give City a real game over the two legs.

[Simon]

[Simon]

What a fucking game.

[Andy]

Mad game. City's defence is so so bad.

[Canuck]

Monaco look tired. Hopefully they can get a second wind and bring it back a goal or so for an exciting second leg.

[Simon]

This is legit one of the best games I've ever seen. Mayhem.

[Murphy]

Shame I missed that last night. I was quizzing.

They've done well in Europe, but I really fear for Leicester tonight. Sevilla appear to be going well in La Liga. This could be bad...

Not that the odds were great, but I was so close to putting a bet on Leicester to get relegated pre-season.

[Hero!]

Porto looking superb here! Red card in the first 20 minutes, beautiful!

[Simon]

Now then...

[Pablo Diablo]

So. That was something.

[Simon]

Jesus fucking Christ.

[RuneEdge]

Oh my God.

[The Rosk]

What the actual fuck

[Hlebsfall]

That penalty decision for Suarez at the end was an absolute fucking joke. Barcelona are in the pocket of UEFA.

[RuneEdge]

Don't think I'll ever see a better comeback in the Champion's League. That away goal would've killed off any other team.

[Andy]

Fucking great when you realise you're watching history unfold like that. Incredible.

[Simon]

Neymar ffs

[Murphy]

I wondered what the odds were on Barca getting through when when Paris scored. I mean, 20 minutes to get 3 didn't seem that far fetched the way that game went.

Could have checked, like, but I was busy drinking.

[Romford Pele]

That is how it is done.

[BBF]

I wondered what the odds were on Barca getting through when when Paris scored. I mean, 20 minutes to get 3 didn't seem that far fetched the way that game went.

Could have checked, like, but I was busy drinking.

250/1

[Reech]

Fucking great when you realise you're watching history unfold like that. Incredible.

The wife (who isn't really a sports fan) was transfixed by it too. Amazing.

[Murphy]

250/1

Should have put the pint down then.

[BBF]

My favourite stat from last night was that PSG completed just four passes between the 85th minute and the full time whistle and three of those game direct from kick offs after conceding goals.

[Slare]

That was unbelievable last night. My old man had a tenner on 6-1 Barca at 50/1 - gave him the old 'oh good shout' before the game and blessed his senility. What a game.

[RuneEdge]

My favourite stat from last night was that PSG completed just four passes between the 85th minute and the full time whistle and three of those game direct from kick offs after conceding goals.

Another one I saw online was that the entire Barca backline apparently had more possession in the PSG half than their own.

[BBF]

Should have put the pint down then.

I just checked the fluctuation and it went to 655/1 just before the Barcelona free kick was given where Neymar scored. At that point the % chance of Barcelona winning was 0.2

[Murphy]

Aye, not surprising with 88 minutes on the clock.

[Murphy]

Atletico for Leicester then. Not a bad draw, that. You expect Atletico to win though of course.

Munich/Real and Barca/Juve could be good fun too.

[Simon]

I dunno Atletico would be just about my last choice, an exceptionally talented side but without the arrogance to think they can just swat Leicester aside. Simeone just wouldn't let it happen. Don't get me wrong you wouldn't fancy Leicester against any of the sides left in but I could imagine Madrid or Barca half-arsing it and making life difficult for themselves.

[SheltonLondon]

Yeah would have much preferred one of the glamour ties for them. Agree that they'd actually probably have more of a chance against one of Barca or Real. Atletico and Simeone are far too gritty!

Should be fun though!

[Murphy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39543905

67%. I found that tough.

Looking forward to Juve and Barca later. And tomorrow, I can't watch Atletico/Leicester knowing that Madrid and Munich are on the other side.

[Simon]

69%, that was fucking difficult.

[MMH]

100%*

I had a strange moment where I actually knew who the youngest player to play in the CL was without even looking at the options. Strange the random facts you store in your head.

*not really

[wardy]

83% - had about a million guesses on the first one though. Some were obvious and I knew the Sauzee one as I read about the first Champions League recently

[Murphy]

I got all smug after reading the first question, thinking the answer was Mike Newell.

[wardy]

Did someone try to blow the Dortmund team bus up? Mental.

[Pablo Diablo]

So Juve couldn't even score 4 in the first leg. No chance against Barca in the second leg.

[Chris]

So the police are saying that the Dortmund team was the target of the attack and it's possible someone was waiting for the bus to pass by before triggering the explosive. They're examining a letter claiming responsibility. Madness.

[JP]

Apparently the secret to winning to Champions League is to be Real Madrid or Barcelona, then no matter how you play the officials will ensure you go through.

It is fucking ridiculous.

[wardy]

And they do that by giving Bayern 2 penalties?

[JP]

You gotta make the con look good mate. They've seen the Ocean films, they know their shit.

[Romford Pele]

They want that classico CL FINAL

[Spedizzo]

there is no way Barcelona pulls this off and advances

mark my words!

[RuneEdge]

I can't see Juve conceeding 4 goals without responding. But 3-0 and then Barca advancing on pens sounds doable.

[Simon]

Has Barzagli ever started a game of football? His entire career is made up of 10 minute destroyer cameos when his team are defending a lead. Bloody good at it though.

[Simon]

And they do that by giving Bayern 2 penalties?

Yeah this. I'm so sick of these transparently bullshit conspiracy theories.

[Ringo]

Monaco/Juve and Real/Atletico. Best draw. Don't want another Madrid derby in the final.

[Murphy]

I want and expect Juve to beat Real in the final.

Maybe not expect, but certainly wouldn't be surprised.

[JP]

Yeah this. I'm so sick of these transparently bullshit conspiracy theories.

Yeah, I wasn't being serious mate, just bemoaning awful officiating.

There's a bias in refereeing, but it's overwhelmingly subconscious.

[RuneEdge]

Buffon so deserves a CL medal. Its crazy to think he doesn't have one.

[RuneEdge]

15 mins in and its 2-0 to Atletico.

[RuneEdge]

Game over, nothing to see here.

[wardy]

Hello again.

[Andy]

5 goals from 3 shots on target!

[wardy]

Just glad to be here Andy, hopefully we get all the big European mainstays like Real Madrid, Bayern and Arsenal.

[wardy]

OH WAIT hahhshahsahhsoapisad;awe

[Andy]

I'm happy you're through, good for Scottish football

[SheltonLondon]

Mon the hoops!

[wardy]

Celtic will qualify for the quarter finals and if we get an English team at any point we'll beat them at home.

[Pablo Diablo]

Group A: Benfica, Manchester United, FC Basel, CSKA Moscow.

Group B: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Anderlecht, Celtic.

Group C: Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, FK Qarabag.

Group D: Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Sporting CP.

Group E: Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Liverpool, NK Maribor.

Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli, Feyenoord.

Group G: Monaco, FC Porto, Besiktas, RB Leipzig.

Group H: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, APOEL Nicosia.

How Group E or G and Group B or H can be from the same competition is something.

[Simon]

Guarantee we end up needing a draw against APOEL in the last game to qualify against the odds and fuck it up.

[Slare]

Relatively happy with that draw.

Group G would've been lovely but we never got a death group.

In the most optimistic of optimistic thinking - 6 points from Anderlecht, beat one of the big two at home and try and scrape a point anywhere else.

Realistically though, third would be lovely.

[MikeHunt]

Hahahaha!

Draw against Bayern or PSG at home everyone will think it's happening only to lose to Anderlecht at home and blow it all.

I predict some major scuddings coming your direction.

[wardy]

Couldn't have drawn much tougher pot 1 and 2 opponents but I fancy our chances against Anderlecht home and away. We'll probably get an absolute doing off Bayern and PSG but we need to believe that we can still beat anyone at home.

[Simon]

Couldn't have drawn much tougher pot 1 and 2 opponents

FUCK YOU

[wardy]

Yours is a bastard as well but I think group B and D each have 2 teams that expect nothing less than to lift the trophy.

[wardy]

All the usual English wankers are writing us off as a shit team from a tinpot league who'll get 0 points 'as usual'. But the way I see it, we managed to beat absolute world class sides with guys like Gary Caldwell and Efe Ambrose in our team. Are the current PSG and Bayern teams better than Ancelotti's Milan? I think we've got a far better manager and squad than we did in those days so I'm remaining cautiously optimistic.

[Simon]

To be fair you are a shit team from a tinpot league. Saw people complaining about Scott Sinclair not getting a call-up for England on Twitter yesterday, sorry lads but scoring a ton of goals and looking really good in a terrible league is not really enough.

[wardy]

I don't disagree with that but he'll play well in the Champions League against world class opposition just like he did last year and still won't get a sniff because he's not doing it against Burnley and Huddersfield. Anyway, my point is that we've done it before and we can do it again, tinpot league or not.

[Simon]

Yeah I'm sure you can overachieve like you have done in the past, but you can't really begrudge people criticising the team or the league, it's fair comment IMO.

As for Sinclair, the point is that in Scotland he doesn't even have the chance to impress against teams of Burnley or Huddersfield's standard, let alone top clubs. If he does so well in the Champions League that it's impossible to ignore the possibility that he's good enough for England then maybe he will get a look in, but that's unlikely to happen - even the best players are unlikely to stand out in the CL if they play for a weaker team, Sinclair not lighting up the CL wouldn't necessarily mean he isn't good enough for the national side - and in that case, playing well in a league that is simply not comparable to the Prem isn't enough to warrant a call-up. It's reasonable to assume that all the players ahead of him in the England reckoning, many of whom don't stand out in the PL, would also tear up Scotland.