The European Leagues & Competitions Thread V2

[Jase 43,479]

Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri

A hero in the league, a zero in Champions League: Roberto Mancini is the Zlatan Ibrahimovic of the managers.

Maybe that comparison is a little bit harsh on Ibrahimovic but Mancini's record in Europe has been really poor. Nothing much has changed for him at City so far...

[OneMoSalah 8,784]

I actually think Dortmund is the ideal football model to follow. Both financially where they manage to be successful in a tough league despite spending wisely and on the field where they play an attractive brand of football that is more realistic for teams to emulate than what Barcelona play. They play beautiful, quick counter-attacking game. They open up space beautifully for their attackers and are adept at passing short and long. Even in this game where Dortmund vastly outplayed City, City still had 64% of the possession. I find that style much more exciting than the infinite midfield passing of Barcelona. I think people obsess about possession too much anyway. Just my POV.

Its a good style to play but if the other team uses the ball effectively like Barca/Spain then your gonna be chasing for a while.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Its a good style to play but if the other team uses the ball effectively like Barca/Spain then your gonna be chasing for a while.

The good thing about counter-attack is that you don't have to chase. You can sit back and wait. Besides, how many teams in the world can pass the ball like Barca? None.

[OneMoSalah 8,784]

The good thing about counter-attack is that you don't have to chase. You can sit back and wait. Besides, how many teams in the world can pass the ball like Barca? None.

True but if they use the ball well, then you could have long spells without it in useful areas. I prefer our current style of football now tbh anyway!

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Dortmund utterly, and purely dominated Citeh tonight. They could have destroyed and humiliated them (by 5-6) but in truth they probably did that anyway by playing them off the Park. Hart had the best performance he willl arguably ever have in his career. Incredible to think Dortmund were this good away from home. I can't see Citeh getting anything out of the reverse fixture and thus Can't see them getting through. I severely underestimated Dortmund. Largely because they haven't impressed before on the Champions League stage. However, on this evidence, Dortmund are right up there behind Barcelona and Madrid. Incredible intensity. Their style of football could even give Barcelona a run for their Money. Citeh getting lucky with a harsh penalty. Sure as hell would like to avoid Dortmund in the KO stages.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

True but if they use the ball well, then you could have long spells without it in useful areas. I prefer our current style of football now tbh anyway!

Not sure what our current style is. I don't think we have one yet. We are mostly just relying on individual skill to try to create goals. I just think possession is vastly overrated. Look at our match against Stoke, one of the worst road teams in the Premier League. We had the ball most of the time, had it in decent areas and created 1 good scoring all game which came off of a an incredible bit of individual skill. I care much more about creating and preventing opportunities to score.

[OneMoSalah 8,784]

Not sure what our current style is. I don't think we have one yet. We are mostly just relying on individual skill to try to create goals. I just think possession is vastly overrated. Look at our match against Stoke, one of the worst road teams in the Premier League. We had the ball most of the time, had it in decent areas and created 1 good scoring all game which came off of a an incredible bit of individual skill. I care much more about creating and preventing opportunities to score.

We need to find that ruthlessness to create and score more chances and try and keep the ball as well. It will be difficult though but we constantly look like we are improving our style of play. Need to play as well against the big teams as the small teams though.

Still think Dortmund should of walked this 5-0, Joe Hart omg what a game.

[Leif 6,006]

So... Manchester City still winless in the Champions League so far this campaign then. *Laughs an evil laugh to self.*

[edetarod 2,155]

Madrid and Dortmund will go through

[HRiver 1,512]

Man City belong to the Europa league.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

First, i got to say that we're by far the best english club in Champions League games. Last year results for english clubs were not a surprise.

And City are looking very poor, its not just that Mancini was outclassed by Klop - which was expected, until now their defense and especially their central midfield is just awful. Plus their players dont have enough urgency, looking very apathetic at times, and its not the first time. last season they almost lost the title with the same attitude. And the responsibility is mostly on Mancini. I dont think City will ever get very far in this competition with him.

[ashleyng 6]

Chelsea is the only hope of English football this season. Di Matteo really has a knack of the cup games.

By the way, Malaga has been pretty awesome. If they manage to finish top four in La Liga and reach the round 2 of CL they will pretty much have the money to solve the mess left by the Arabs.

[Shogun 721]

City have been shite all season.

[Fulham Broadway 16,921]

_{Dortmund were excellent. And their support was fanatstic-sold out 5500 in a day and a half -check it out in Manchester}

_{https://twitter.com/casualmind_/status/253534444680511488}

_{Shouldnt have had a penalty against them either}

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Both the Mancs are horrible at the Champions League. Citeh don't have it in them to win the Champions League for at least a couple more years. Even then they need to get a good manager to do it. Mancini is pretty rubbish. ManUre are too weak and have no balance. As others have said, in a cup competition we are undoubtedly the best English side.

[Milan 17,859]

[Milan 17,859]

Jose Mourinho on Mario Balotelli

in an interview with CNN:

"Mario was good fun. I could

write a book of 200 pages of my

two years in Inter with Mario, but

the book would be not a drama.

The book would be a comedy! I

remember one in Kazan. We

went to Kazan in the Champions

League. In that match, I had all

my strikers injured. No Milito, no

Eto'o. I was really in trouble and

Mario was the only one. Mario

gets a yellow card in minute 42 or

43. So, when I go to the dressing

room at half time, I spent, I

would say, 14 minutes of the 15

speaking only for Mario. "Mario, I

cannot change you. I cannot

make a change. I don't have a

striker on the bench. Don't touch

anybody. Play only with the ball.

When we lose the ball, no

reaction. If somebody provocates

you, no reaction. If the referee

makes a mistake, no reaction.

Mario, please"

Minute 46, red card!"

[Shogun 721]

taste of the champions league and they think they're the big I AM by the looks of things judging by spurs attendance for panathanaikos today, only took over 531. Dawson just scored.