DYC.

Cristiano Ronaldo is originally Brazilian? When did this happen? Born in Portugal, son of Portugese parents...

Taken down by the mighty Paulinho and co. Embarrassing defeat.

Mehh the hate was just as strong when Chels finished 6th in 2011/12. I've always found it suprising how City aren't nearly as hated. Anyway, Utd seem to be without a holding midfielder. And no proper partner for Smalling. Unless he's lying of course. He'll have to shuffle quite a bit. It will depend on the approach for the most. Chels is capable of winning if they really go for it. Not easily, but definitely possible. Utd are in good form, but they're not that good. If Mou plays it safe and goes for the draw, that's alright too. I think we'll see two boring draws against Utd and Arsenal. 5 point lead with 5 games to go. Beat Leicester and it's a wrap.

That's the centre midfielder, right? I did not pay too much attention to him, but he was good. He did well to marshall the centre of the pitch and protect the defence. Zenit only managed to cause trouble through wing play. Practically the entire second half was played on Zenit's half, so he did not have much to do, but he and his team mates did well to stifle any potential counter-attack.

I look at their team and think Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva and Aguero, Dzeko are 'good enough'. Jury is still out on Bony, though I don't see how he fits in the starting XI. Fernandinho can be pretty good with the right partner I think. Managala has been very poor but deserves another chance since he cost a lot money. And I guess Clichy is okay (I personally don't rate him though and would replace him) Kolarov, Milner and Jovetic could be gone in the summer. Toure, Demichelis, Sagna are declining. Nasri, Fernando, Navas are squad players. They're in a very difficult situation.

Well, what do you know... 5 teams from the same country, that would be something.

Max 4 teams per country, unless they changed the rules (I doubt it). Sevilla winning the EL would cause another Tottenham 11/12 scenario, meaning no Atletico/Valencia. It makes the race for 3rd a lot more interesting.

I think they're in very similar position to Chelsea in 10-12. They have a very old side. A lot big name players, but lacking in the sufficient amount of quality. Replacing Toure (I don't think Toure is capable of getting back to his old level) will be quite the task. Without him, they're (centre) midfield is decent at best. They seem to be in need of quite the quality injection in their backline as well. And can they continue with 4-4-2? They seem to be moving to a system with a lone striker, but they don't have proper wingers. And they don't have a lot money to spend because of FFP restrictions. At least that's why I've read. So unless the likes of Mangala, Fernando, Fernandinho, Nasri and/or Navas heavily improve, they look more like a top 4 side than a genuine title challenger imo.

I don't think any manager could make them challenge for the title next season tbh. Very much on the decline and they seem to be planning quite the changes next season.

Very true. I also rate Villarreal, though they're a more 'typically Spanish' side (going through a rough spell at the moment though). Also capable of causing any side problems when they're in good form. It's a shame Sevilla can't play in the CL. Emery receives very little praise, even though he's been doing a great job for a multitude of years. I look forward to see Valencia in the CL, hopefully they can keep majority of their group. Improve even. I would love to see them get Jackson Martinez for example. I think he would be perfect for them. Winning the EL this year would make it 3 UEFA Cups/ELs and 1 CL. That's quite incredible. I think City will go for him.

Btw, a Benitez side putting a (very) attacking display in an away game.. Never thought I'd see that happen. Wolfsburg were terrible, constantly giving the ball away. You're always going to lose if you're so incredibly sloppy on the ball. And Knoche makes Terry look like a speedster.

I've been very impressed by Sevilla. In fact, they always impress me when I see them. They're so versatile in their football. A dynamic outfit and strong on both ends. Should've been ahead by a couple of goals, but 2-1 is not too bad. I can see them beating Zenit away. It would be a shame if they went out.

Remember that Ivanovic is just following orders. His role was almost the complete opposite last season. Ivanovic playing the Alves role is like David Villa playing the Drogba role, it makes no sense. I really hope it won't be the same next season. And I remember how last season it was the opposition only having to worry about one player. Now it's two and need to upgrade to three. Progress I guess. Though I have to say, Cesc's been getting good amount of space for the most part in this 2nd half of the season. He's not being tightly marked on a weekly basis, far from it I'd say. I don't know what's wrong with him. It's not like he's terrible but simply not as good as first.

What a joke. If Kane is a better choice because he plays in a inferior team, than Austin should be the clear winner. It does not work that way. Hazard has not been as good as Ronaldo and Suarez, that's fair, but he's better than Rooney in 09/10 (robbery), Bale in 10/11 (robbery) and 12/13 and arguably as good as Van Persie in 11/12. You don't have to score 20+ goals to shine, ask Bergkamp, Pires and others.

Hazard for the double! Never happening though because of the Kane hype (not entirely undeserved). They should really change the cut off age btw. Winning YPOTY at 24 is too much, you're not a youngster at that age. 21 or under at the start of the season would be much better, and would give the youngsters who still deal with inconsistency far better chances to win.

I don't remember that tbh, but at least that's one player. I would go insane if Terry, Cahill and Cesc did what those three did in a CL 1/4. 10 min into the game and you're already 2-0 behind...

Good point. No Motta, Verratti, Zlatan and unfit CBs. I still think Barca would've won though and gone through comfortably over 2 legs. Group stage matches aren't the same. Even Ajax are capable of giving Barca a hard time in the group stages. Suarez, Messi and Neymar is too much firepower.

True. I would 'freak out' in some way as well, definitely. But they're a good team though. I wonder how the Bayern fans are doing...

They can make the final if they avoid Barca in the next round (if they make the next round).

Players of that kind are incredibly valuable, but it's not just that. You also need movement, intensity and incisiveness. Porto really outworked Bayern today. They were running like crazy. No team can perform like that in every game though, so it will be interesting to see if they can manage it again. Can't wait for the game at Allianz.

I want to see this in Chelsea colours so badly. Pressing, pace, dynamism, attacking and defending collectively.

I didn't understand how he was playing either. Apparently, they only have 3 CBs. Motta was injured as well so he couldn't fill the role in. But I agree, they should not have played him. A fullback or midfielder filling in would've been better. Not that I care. I hope Barca destroy them at Camp Nou.

They're so dull without him and Ribery. You can notice Alaba's absence as well. They have a squad filled with great players but those players lack incisiveness, width and the individual quality to conjure up some magic. They made a big mistake going into the season without a backup for Robben and Ribery.

Tbf, he should not be playing. He suffered a hamstring injury just 10 days ago. He's heavily restricted in his movements. Suarez's 2nd goal was absolutely brilliant though. Top class. Barca have embarrassed another team. That front three is too good. Three players that can hit you with individual brilliance. Strong defensive display as well. Can't say I envy PSG for having to face them. That game is over. How is it possible for 3 players to make major individual errors in the same game? Dante, Boateng and Alonso have really cost their side today. Huge win for Porto. They were fantastic overall. The intensity, the pace.. Amazing. Combined with quality play on the ball. They played without fear and went at Bayern. Attacking and defending collectively, that's what it's all about. Bayern were poor. They lose too much quality, invention and individual brilliance with both Robben and Ribery out. It's like Chelsea without Hazard and Matic/Costa. They're capable of destroying Porto at home (if Robben and/or Ribery is back), but Porto are no pushovers. I think Porto will manage to go through.

It was outside the box!