Champions League Thread

[Namika 922]

Eden Hazard should reportedly be fit for the CL semi-final 1st leg vs Atletico after scans show there's no lasting damage to his calf. (Sun)

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

People are fixated and obsessed with the wrong issue. I'm more worried about the headache AM high intensity and relentless pressing will cause rather than Courtois involvement. We have shown time and again the inability to cope with teams that press us high up the pitch as most of our players lack the technical ability and intelligence to maneuver their way out of such situations. even Barca couldn't handle it. Courtois is the absolute least of my worries.

It is definitely not an easy game. The battle in midfield will be crucial. The one who dominates this are is more likely to win the match. I don;t think our team lacks that intensity and technicality to match up with them. I think we are even as far as the players are concerned or the difference is not that great. But we do have the upper hand tactically. They will try to disrupt our system and we will do the same. The one who forces his system and tempo on the other is likely the one to win.

[nofacej 132]

You people are dicks.

I'm one person, and I'd much rather things were resolved peacefully, but I did find the ethics conversation tiring.

Personally I think the ideal scenario for us is that 8 million gets knocked off Costa's release clause at the end of the season.

Courtois gets experience, doesn't resent us for preventing him from playing, Atletico doesn't have to pay us anything, and we get the player we want.

On the topic of Atletico, they were the team I least wanted to draw of those available, but I think we still have a good chance of overcoming them.

I just hope we don't try to be the aggressors and that they do. We've definitely got the pace in our team to hurt them on the break, but I'm not sure we'd be able to break them down if they decide to sit back.

[Ollie 4,400]

This will be one hell of a tough tie but i'll be lying if i say i'm not thinking about the prospect of another UCL Final. To get to another final and to get there with Mourinho will be the most emotional day of my Chelsea life, especially if we win it. We have the players and with Eto'o, we have a striker that has been in this situation so many times and a winner of 4 UCL's already, scoring in 2 finals.

in 2012 we were with the best Bayern team, better than this years one. Jose's Real Madrid, the best Real Madrid team in the modern era imo and Pep's Barca team, the best team in the world. We have a much bigger chance winning it this year than we had then.

I'm hoping our experience will once again prove to be the difference between us going through. Atletico haven't experienced this in the Champions League before. We have players who have won it, been in many finals and Semi's and a manager who has been here countless times before who has also won it.

We may not be favourites but we sure as hell can win it and then who knows? In a one of game, anything can happen. We have got the best possible draw with the home leg second. Buzzing for this. I can't believe we're back again so soon. It's unbelievable,

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I don't see how Atletico is a easier mashup then Real. Football is not played on paper and it is not always about individual talents. If you look at Real on paper they should be on top of La liga first of all, but they come nowhere near close to Atletico in terms of mentality, Alti is a strong side mentally who will play hard and give it all obviously they get that from their manager who i rate so highly. Also Real are great bunch of individual talent but they also don't come close to Alti in terms of unity and cohesive as a team. Real loss at home against Barca perfectly displays why they will not win the league or the CL, they were obviously the better side against Barca but they bottled it with poor individual mistakes. That kinda mentality will not win you the CL with that kinda lack of composure

I am pretty certain that the CL winner will come out of this fixture.

Experience. Hardly anyone in that Atletico side have been this far in the competition, Real have been there so many times they have ICE in their veins. At this level in the competition its about knowing how to win these games and not being too cavalier and not being too timid. You need a manager whose been there and done it before as well as a squad who have experience at this level.

No question in my mind that Atletico are the weakest of the 4 teams and thats not because I don't rate them, they are playing unbelievable football this year; they have overachieved. For me though Final 4 will come down to experience and Chelsea, Real and Bayern all have that...

[Special Juan 28,759]

The bridge will be fucking rocking come that second leg……Atletico better make sure they are ready, because we will damn sure will be.

[meetdoscar 335]

Am i the only one thinking we will win at athletico? I hope not. Mourinho knows unlike a bayern or madrid match-up who can turn a tie away because of their obvious attack, we can end this tie in the first leg with a 2-1 victory in favour of chelsea. It is very like mourinho to spot weaknesses and athletico's biggest weakness is a loss at their home. They are a team that do not score much so if they get beat in the first leg at home, the tie is over never mind the return leg. I am sure mourinho knows this and will play for this. Its all about winning the tie at athletico, its so obvious. A win is very achievable with the right tactics. Playing long balls to Ba up front and foward pressing will trouble them a lot.

[dee25 1,044]

Experience. Hardly anyone in that Atletico side have been this far in the competition, Real have been there so many times they have ICE in their veins. At this level in the competition its about knowing how to win these games and not being too cavalier and not being too timid. You need a manager whose been there and done it before as well as a squad who have experience at this level.

No question in my mind that Atletico are the weakest of the 4 teams and thats not because I don't rate them, they are playing unbelievable football this year; they have overachieved. For me though Final 4 will come down to experience and Chelsea, Real and Bayern all have that...

I think this is such an underestimation of Atleti. You're in for a surprise.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I think this is such an underestimation of Atleti. You're in for a surprise.

Nah... not at all. I watch them TONS! This is about the final four and the lesser of 3 evils. If I had my choice between Atleti, Bayern or Real I'd take Atleti over two legs for sure.

[dee25 1,044]

Nah... not at all. I watch them TONS! This is about the final four and the lesser of 3 evils. If I had my choice between Atleti, Bayern or Real I'd take Atleti over two legs for sure.

You watch them tons and think they're the weakest of the four teams?

To each his own I guess.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

You watch them tons and think they're the weakest of the four teams?

To each his own I guess.

Who is the weakest in your expert opinion? keeping in mind of course that I say this in the final four of the champions league where experience counts.

[Joker10 946]

Experience. Hardly anyone in that Atletico side have been this far in the competition, Real have been there so many times they have ICE in their veins. At this level in the competition its about knowing how to win these games and not being too cavalier and not being too timid. You need a manager whose been there and done it before as well as a squad who have experience at this level.

No question in my mind that Atletico are the weakest of the 4 teams and thats not because I don't rate them, they are playing unbelievable football this year; they have overachieved. For me though Final 4 will come down to experience and Chelsea, Real and Bayern all have that...

Atletico has not overachieved, they are at where they should be. Among the best in Europe, simply they belong in the last 4. This Atletico side is experienced, may not have CL experience but they have made numerous cup runs in the last few years.

Dortmund made to the final last season, without numerous attempts in CL. This Atletico side been together for a while, their style is very dangerous in CL football. This is a freaking good team.

I am not a believer in Real. Ramos can get sent off in a dime of moment, they will concede goals that they shouldn't. They play the worst "team/unity" football out of the remaining sides. They have had a easy road to the semi final, not really tested. Also Ronaldo could miss the first leg in Madrid, this could get ugly.

[dee25 1,044]

Who is the weakest in your expert opinion? keeping in mind of course that I say this in the final four of the champions league where experience counts.

I completely agree with @Joker10 and with what @remains of the day said. This Atleti team is a very, very organised, drilled and settled side.

While the other three teams are still adjusting and adapting to a new system, tactics, coaching methods etc these Atleti players have mastered Simeone's system so they don't have much weaknesses to exploit. There are question marks as to whether they have the depth to compete on two fronts ( I don't think they do) but anyone who thinks this tie will be only slightly more harder than PSG will be very surprised.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Atletico has not overachieved, they are at where they should be. Among the best in Europe, simply they belong in the last 4. This Atletico side is experienced, may not have CL experience but they have made numerous cup runs in the last few years.

Dortmund made to the final last season, without numerous attempts in CL. This Atletico side been together for a while, their style is very dangerous in CL football. This is a freaking good team.

I am not a believer in Real. Ramos can get sent off in a dime of moment, they will concede goals that they shouldn't. They play the worst "team/unity" football out of the remaining sides. They have had a easy road to the semi final, not really tested. Also Ronaldo could miss the first leg in Madrid, this could get ugly.

To each his own for sure.

Nobody is discrediting what Atletico have accomplished this year, but it would be foolish to think they carry more of a threat than battle tested Bayern or Real. Of course they belong here they've played incredible football, no one is underestimating what they are doing. If you ask me you're underestimating Real Madrid and Bayern

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I completely agree with @Joker10 and with what @remains of the day said. This Atleti team is a very, very organised, drilled and settled side.

While the other three teams are still adjusting and adapting to a new system, tactics, coaching methods etc these Atleti players have mastered Simeone's system so they don't have much weaknesses to exploit. There are question marks as to whether they have the depth to compete on two fronts ( I don't think they do) but anyone who thinks this tie will be only slightly more harder than PSG will be very surprised.

Yes very well organized and drilled but not battled tested at this level and the intangibles will have an effect at this stage in the competition with the teams so close. Sorry inexperienced manager, inexperienced squad is without a doubt the more favourable tie to defending champions, manager with 2 wins or 4-time semis, generational talent and a winning experienced manager.

And you're mincing words to great effect here. I never said it would be a walk in the park what I did say, and it holds, is Atletico are the weakest of the four teams left in the competition. Still waiting to hear who you think is weaker... If it is indeed Real Madrid I would argue you are underestimating them.

[communicate 2,703]

Nah... not at all. I watch them TONS! This is about the final four and the lesser of 3 evils. If I had my choice between Atleti, Bayern or Real I'd take Atleti over two legs for sure.

If I can pick i will pick bayern

[termninja 5,290]

Compared to 2012, this year we have much higher chances of reaching the final and winning CL. A tough tie against Atletico for sure, but if think about it, if someone asked at the beginning of the CL would you take a CL semi final against Atletico, everyone would've said yes

Hopefully, Eto'o and Hazard manage to be 100% ready and no one else gets injured. We have a rather good chance at CL this season!

Can't wait for the game!! :blue scalf:

[communicate 2,703]

Yes very well organized and drilled but not battled tested at this level and the intangibles will have an effect at this stage in the competition with the teams so close. Sorry inexperienced manager, inexperienced squad is without a doubt the more favourable tie to defending champions, manager with 2 wins or 4-time semis, generational talent and a winning experienced manager.

And you're mincing words to great effect here. I never said it would be a walk in the park what I did say, and it holds, is Atletico are the weakest of the four teams left in the competition. Still waiting to hear who you think is weaker... If it is indeed Real Madrid I would argue you are underestimating them.

This is the same team who got a draw against RM (actually draw flatters Real because Costa missed tons of chances).

Against madrid n barca, we can play our game COUNTER and COUNTER which is what we r good at. Atletico is a different team. They are scrappy, defensive (they play 442 close to their own box against barca, there is no way real or bayern will ever do that), organized. Team that we don't like playing against

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Nah... not at all. I watch them TONS! This is about the final four and the lesser of 3 evils. If I had my choice between Atleti, Bayern or Real I'd take Atleti over two legs for sure.

If I could chose, It would be:

1. Real

2. Bayern

3. Atletico

The reason is simple.

Real are weakened (injuries). Plus Mourinho against them would be a HUGE factor.

Bayern: Yes they are probably the best team on paper out of those 3 teams, but we've beaten them and drew against them in the supercup.

Atletico showed us in the supercup they are a team to count on. Plus we havent faced them as much AND every underrestimates them, which is really dumb.

[lionsden 4,689]

It is definitely not an easy game. The battle in midfield will be crucial. The one who dominates this are is more likely to win the match. I don;t think our team lacks that intensity and technicality to match up with them. I think we are even as far as the players are concerned or the difference is not that great. But we do have the upper hand tactically. They will try to disrupt our system and we will do the same. The one who forces his system and tempo on the other is likely the one to win.

And they have a superior midfield imo. (matic is not eligible, don't forget). also their midfield as a unit has been together for a while, much more balanced than ours and are better at retaining posession when need be. I just can't see how a midfield of lampard, Ramires, Mikel and Luiz can dominate AM's. bypassing the midfield and going route 1 for the most part is our best option imo.