Champions league & Europa leagues 2023-24

[andy]

Fantastic performance from the mighty irons tonight!!! Wasn't expecting 5-0 but played superbly with intent and destroyed Freiburg!!

Hammers must fancy another European trophy now...

Sadly USG end with a victory in Istanbul, but go out over two legs....the dream of a short trip to Ajax is over

We did...until that draw haha! I really don't think we are going to beat leverkusen over two legs sadly

[sussexpob]

We did...until that draw haha! I really don't think we are going to beat leverkusen over two legs sadly

Having travelled to Union Berlin and Leverkusen in the Europa League last year, and having gone to the Frankfurt game last month, it very much appears to me that the Bundesliga must be at a real low point, because none of the teams were that impressive, and USG didn't lose away to either of them (including the group stage against Union Berlin, so we played them 4 times while they were in the top 4 of the German league, and at no stage did they look as good as us).

We should have beaten Leverkusen at their gaff, but in Brussels we gifted them a couple of goals then proceeded to batter them for 45 minutes, hitting the bar, the post a few times, missing 4 1 v 1s..... left the game with an impression that, aside from a lesson in finishing when your opponent makes a mistake, they were quite a cumbersome and slow side that really struggled against our midfield energy, and were pretty vulnerable at the back. On another day if we took all our chances, we'd have wont he game 7-3 after the half.

Moussa Diaby was also MILES their best player, and he went Villa..... Florian Wirtz looked good, and Frimpong also will be at a massive club soon.... other than that, I dont think West Ham need to be scared.

It took a 97th minute goal against the mighty Qarabag of Azerbaijan to get through...

[Durhamfootman]

Bayer Leverkusen have a nickname, if I recall correctly..... Bayer Neverkusen or Bayer Loserkusen, or something like that

[sussexpob]

Bayer Leverkusen have a nickname, if I recall correctly..... Bayer Neverkusen or Bayer Loserkusen, or something like that

I had this conversation while I was there with some of their fans (as they had it on their banners), but I cannot remember what it was. It meant "second place" in German.... but then it wasn't Zweite Platz-Kusen... it was something else. German isn't my speciality....

They embrace the term as a self-mocking joke and refer to themselves by it....

[Durhamfootman]

I always like a bit of self-deprecation

[mikesiva]

Arsenal 2-2 Munich
Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Dortmund
Paris 2-3 Barcelona

[Durhamfootman]

bad night for Liverpool and WH in the Europa Lge. Better night for Villa in the Europa Conf

Not sure how important all this is for the extra European places, but I imagine if Arsenal lose to Bayern and WH lose to Bayer L. then Germany would be favourites to gain the extra spot alongside Italy (who appear to be nailed on)

[Durhamfootman]

PSG make it through to the CL semi's

just shows what one shocking VAR decision can achieve. Without that, they would have finished bottom of the group

[sussexpob]

PSG make it through to the CL semi's

just shows what one shocking VAR decision can achieve. Without that, they would have finished bottom of the group

Maybe didnt help that Barcelona fans attacked their own bus going into the ground, thinking it was PSGs

[mikesiva]

Barcelona 1-4 (4-6) PSG
Dortmund 4-2 (5-4) Atletico

Good comeback from Dortmund....

[Durhamfootman]

PSG make it through to the CL semi's

just shows what one shocking VAR decision can achieve. Without that, they would have finished bottom of the group

Maybe didnt help that Barcelona fans attacked their own bus going into the ground, thinking it was PSGs

really?

I hadn't heard that

[sussexpob]

Yes. According to the highlights here, the players were split on two buses following each other. One passed, then some fans started throwing stones at the other as it approached thinking it was PSGs bus.

Shame there are always idiots. The greeting the fans gave Barca last night was everything good about football. Incredible scenes

[bigfluffylemon]

Real Madrid mug City. Again. Something ridiculous like 30 shots on goal and City still contrive to lose on penalties.

Real just find a way to win European ties.

[Durhamfootman]

without knowing, I imagine that puts paid to any hope of one of next season's two extra European places being awarded to the PL

[mikesiva]

Arsenal also lost to Munich.

The coefficient now heavily favours Italy and Germany for the two extra champions league places.