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Champions League Thread


Madmax
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I absolutely agree with iseah10 that the importance of experience is often overstated and exaggerated. To my mind the 3 biggest factors in winning a competition like the champions league, in order of importance are

1) Luck: with injuries and suspension, referring decision going your way and the opponent not converting the chances they create and vice versa.

2)Quality and depth of the team

3) Manager/tactical superiority.

Those 3 factors are far more important than experience imo.

Experience, and the mental strength, this is more important than anything. Think of Chelsea, in past 5 years, we have had a very poor team in Premier League, but always doing very very well in Europe. This is because many players have played Champions League semi final, final, so many times, it is just everyday thing now for them. They are not worried. Look at Real Madrid, much better team than Chelsea past 5 years, never getting to the final.

This is why we are beating Napoli and PSG after losing heavily first leg, they do not have experience or confidence enough to finish off Chelsea. Atlético is the same, because 2nd leg is in London, it will be very easy for Chelsea to win, even if the Madrid match is a loss. They are still scared, this is their biggest match in many many years. Last time Chelsea are scared of Champions League match is 2004, when Monaco are defeating Chelsea.

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I absolutely agree with iseah10 that the importance of experience is often overstated and exaggerated. To my mind the 3 biggest factors in winning a competition like the champions league, in order of importance are

1) Luck: with injuries and suspension, referring decision going your way and the opponent not converting the chances they create and vice versa.

2)Quality and depth of the team

3) Manager/tactical superiority.

Those 3 factors are far more important than experience imo.

LOL. Look at PSG, Napoli two years ago. Do not have experience of playing games with high stakes. Came to Chelsea with 3-1 lead and capitulated. Cinderella stories happen ofcourse. Experience is not a certainty but at the top level in last 10 years you see the same clubs coming to the end of Champions League stages - Barca ManU Chelsea to name three

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Don't underestimate Atleti. In 2012 we knocked out Barca because it was our destiny. The football God's shined down on us to repay our club for all the times we were robbed in Europe. I believe in destiny. If we knock them out, I'm almost certain we'll win the final.

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Experience, and the mental strength, this is more important than anything. Think of Chelsea, in past 5 years, we have had a very poor team in Premier League, but always doing very very well in Europe. This is because many players have played Champions League semi final, final, so many times, it is just everyday thing now for them. They are not worried. Look at Real Madrid, much better team than Chelsea past 5 years, never getting to the final.

This is why we are beating Napoli and PSG after losing heavily first leg, they do not have experience or confidence enough to finish off Chelsea. Atlético is the same, because 2nd leg is in London, it will be very easy for Chelsea to win, even if the Madrid match is a loss. They are still scared, this is their biggest match in many many years. Last time Chelsea are scared of Champions League match is 2004, when Monaco are defeating Chelsea.

Exacty. Being in semis this year isnt just important for this season, but also very important for playrs mentality. They will gain experience and even if we lose this time, Hazard, Oscar, Willian and co will know how it is to play there, it will be much easier in next years.

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Meeting Atletico without Courtois and Costa would give us a huge advantage. Everything's already been said about the Courtois situation and I think that the contract clause should be respected but hope Costa will be fit, never nice to see players missing such big games with an injury.

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Diego Costa missed his 4th pen of the season, if he comes here and want to take it from Hazard that would be funny. Also wouldn't mind 2 0-0 draw and we win on pen either

But still managed to score a goal.

Are we going to buy a striker after an injury once again?

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