The European Leagues & Competitions Thread V2

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Really shows how poor we are form wise. The fact we are only 5 points ahead of City whilst Barca are cruising through this like a training session

[Jase 43,479]

So, after all that trash talking before the game, City find themselves losing 2-0 to Barcelona. Ha!

Pellegrini is such a 'tactical genius' for playing both Aguero and Dzeko at the same time. His squad is hardly disciplined tactically and he does that against one of the very best sides in the world. Bravo Manuel, Bravo.

On the other hand, City getting KOed out of the Champions League this early is bad news for us in the Premier League. Unless of course, we get KOed by PSG in two weeks time...

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

So, after all that trash talking before the game, City find themselves losing 2-0 to Barcelona. Ha!

Pellegrini is such a 'tactical genius' for playing both Aguero and Dzeko at the same time. His squad is hardly disciplined tactically and he does that against one of the very best sides in the world. Bravo Manuel, Bravo.

On the other hand, City getting KOed out of the Champions League this early is bad news for us in the Premier League. Unless of course, we get KOed by PSG in two weeks time...

Then Kompany said: "You can have tougher games when you go to Stoke!"'

In all reality, the whole, on a wet Monday night in stoke, is the biggest load of rubbish ever claimed

[Rapkun 668]

Barca's pressing when they lose the ball is unbelievable. City is alright but collectively they're nothing special for a team with so many good individuals. I'm not sure why they decided to start 2 strikers when obviously they were never going to have much possession.

[dukeman 9]

Let's be honest: English football is very exicting but the quality of football is absolutely shit. Look what's happening to the current Champions of the Premier League. Look at how we play every time we face a top team: 2 efforts on goals and 30% possession.

Well, it seems like I'm fooling myself over this every season, thinking it was a day off from the English squad. But it seems to be a consistent occurence, unless Chelsea is parking the bus against them. Which is the only valid tactic for any English squad against the current Barcelona I think. Thanks for the honest answer.

[Sheva. 5,373]

City are really a bunch of noobs. I could have told you yesterday this is how they would play, with their ridiculous 4-4-2.

[Jase 43,479]

Then Kompany said: "You can have tougher games when you go to Stoke!"'

In all reality, the whole, on a wet Monday night in stoke, is the biggest load of rubbish ever claimed

OR Nasri claiming Barcelona don't scare City. They did Enrique's team talk for him...

[Polo7 3,496]

Pellegrini fucked up. Cocky bastard tried to play 2 up top against Barca. And Milner in a pivot LOOOOL! Shame Newcastle isnt in the Champions League.

[didierforever 7,349]

Pelegrini is probably the most inapt manager of a "big" club.

[Styles 9,790]

Well, it seems like I'm fooling myself over this every season, thinking it was a day off from the English squad. But it seems to be a consistent occurence, unless Chelsea is parking the bus against them. Which is the only valid tactic for any English squad against the current Barcelona I think. Thanks for the honest answer.

It's the only valid tactic against all the top Spanish teams and Bayern. There isn't a single English team that could try and take on any of those teams and outplay or dominate them; it's just park the bus and hope you get lucky.

[obiwan92 217]

I'll say, Barca do look suspect on set pieces.

[Bluelsthecolour 61]

Hahahah Dzeko

Hahaha Pellegrino

Hahaha city

[DYC. 7,542]

It's funny how City and Arsenal are the most impressive sides on the ball in England, but look no more than decent when facing top sides. No wonder why our own Chelsea struggle so much in possession against quality sides. Simply embarrassing how Barca have made City look at times. Not the least bit surprising either.

Sometimes you just have to be honest and admit your inferiority. The English top sides haven't even declined compared to 7-10 years ago imo. In fact, they are very similar and that's the problem. The game has evolved, the demands for top quality have changed and they haven't adjusted in the manner they should have.

The importance of proactive defending, the importance of technique in all areas of the pitch (ball-playing defenders, highly technically gifted players in advanced positions), the importance of tactically clever players rather than fighters (you need both but clever players are more important and valuable). The elite sides of today have simply surpassed the old standards of brilliance by quite a margin. English sides still don't value those demands as they should. Italian teams went through a very similar problem, though they're 'decline' was more extreme because they lost their financial power (bye bye quality players)

Football will always be unpredictable, and the CL is a cup competition, so there will always be upsets. But the English top sides will never look as impressive as the current elite. Just keep convincing yourself the PL is the best in the world because of the financial power. Unless they change, they'll continue to lag behind.

[obiwan92 217]

Wooo, Clichy misses second leg.

[Styles 9,790]

It's funny how City and Arsenal are the most impressive sides on the ball in England, but look no more than decent when facing top sides. No wonder why our own Chelsea struggle so much in possession against quality sides. Simply embarrassing how Barca have made City look at times. Not the least bit surprising either.

Sometimes you just have to be honest and admit your inferiority. The English top sides haven't even declined compared to 7-10 years ago imo. In fact, they are very similar and that's the problem. The game has evolved, the demands for top quality have changed and they haven't adjusted in the manner they should have.

The importance of pro-active defending, the importance of technique in all areas of the pitch (ball-playing defenders, highly technically gifted players in advanced positions), the importance of tactically clever players rather than fighters (you need both but clever players are more important and valuable). The elite sides of today have simply surpassed the old standards of brilliance by quite a margin. English sides still don't value those demands as they should. Italian teams went through a very similar problem, though they're 'decline' was more extreme because they lost their financial power (bye bye quality players)

Football will always be unpredictable, and the CL is a cup competition, so there will always be upsets. But the English top sides will never look as impressive as the current elite. Just keep convincing yourself the PL is the best in the world because of the financial power. Unless they change, they'll continue to lag behind.

[dmode 113]

Barcelona's defense looks massively suspect

[obiwan92 217]

It's funny how City and Arsenal are the most impressive sides on the ball in England, but look no more than decent when facing top sides. No wonder why our own Chelsea struggle so much in possession against quality sides. Simply embarrassing how Barca have made City look at times. Not the least bit surprising either.

Sometimes you just have to be honest and admit your inferiority. The English top sides haven't even declined compared to 7-10 years ago imo. In fact, they are very similar and that's the problem. The game has evolved, the demands for top quality have changed and they haven't adjusted in the manner they should have.

The importance of pro-active defending, the importance of technique in all areas of the pitch (ball-playing defenders, highly technically gifted players in advanced positions), the importance of tactically clever players rather than fighters (you need both but clever players are more important and valuable). The elite sides of today have simply surpassed the old standards of brilliance by quite a margin. English sides still don't value those demands as they should. Italian teams went through a very similar problem, though they're 'decline' was more extreme because they lost their financial power (bye bye quality players)

Football will always be unpredictable, and the CL is a cup competition, so there will always be upsets. But the English top sides will never look as impressive as the current elite. Just keep convincing yourself the PL is the best in the world because of the financial power. Unless they change, they'll continue to lag behind.

Get over it. Barca are shit at defending. have been on back foot entire second half.

These big sides have quality attackers. Doesn't mean they can't be counter attacked through.

[DYC. 7,542]

Everytime I see Kun, I can't help but think how is it possible he didn't sign for Chels after being heavily linked for three years! Top quality player but sadly he's City scum.