UEFA Champion's League 2013/14

[budgetmeansbudget]

I keep hearing Dortmund aren't that good. Must admit, I haven't seen them play since last season, but they were ok then.

The German league is in noway as strong as people make outhe team who has spent most of the year second (Leverkusen) has conceded more than 6 in the champions league twice, and since Dortmund lost Gotze they have not had the same attacking consistency.

Bayern obviously are having a immense season, but the lack of real competition could kill them in the champions league, as they aren't use to teams of quality playing them.....

Utd thrashed Leverkusen so you might be right, sussex.

Madrid look the best team for me. Plenty of pace, and goals. Nice to see an British player do well abroad as well.

I would tend to agree with Madrid being marginally the best of the bunch right now especially having sorted out their leaky defence in recent times. And Bale and Ronaldo in full flow on either flank spearheading the most potent attack in world football at the minute.

[sussexpob]

Real Madrid is the obvious choice, they looked immense in that Leverkusen tie, could have scored 9 in each game had they really tried. Leverkusen set up with 5 de facto defenders, and still couldn't close the space down due to the movement and pace of Bale and Ronaldo.

Bayern are second favourites, but I have a feeling that playing Martinez in the defence with Dante, a player I am still not convinced by, will cost them against the top teams. They work hard to keep the ball from you, but a team like Real Madrid would be quite happy to counter them all day.

I think Chelsea might win it though. They are the most solid team in the competition now, and they can score goals against you. I think when you look at the Spanish/German teams that none of them look like sides that could close out games under pressure, they out score you or they lose, and that's that. Chelsea have the extra dimension, and away from home that could make the difference

[budgetmeansbudget]

I know its extremely unlikely but Man U are as fancied a team as Chelsea were two years ago at this stage, and look what they achieved.

[dan08]

I would say Bayern have to be favourites.

If they were to come up against Real Madrid then i'd fancy Bayern. I can see Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba stopping Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale but i don't see Real's defence of Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa coping with Ribery, Gotze, Mandzukic, Robben...

[sussexpob]

I would say Bayern have to be favourites.

If they were to come up against Real Madrid then i'd fancy Bayern. I can see Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba stopping Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale but i don't see Real's defence of Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa coping with Ribery, Gotze, Mandzukic, Robben...

Not sure if Bayern set up like that recently, they have played Van Buyten(who is dodgy and slow) and Javi Martinez as CB's as Boateng is not rated highly at all in the Bayern setup. Martinez has made mistakes out of position recently, and Pep has history of turning DM's in CB's with Mascerano at Barcelona, and has stated that he sees Martinez as continuing in the CB role. Alaba is a very good prospect going forward, as good as any attacking fullback, and Lahm is the world's best Full back, but at times Alaba leaves his post empty and the whole team rely on taking the ball away and defending by attacking, rather than focusing on the quality of their own defence.

Dante isn't great, Martinez is out of position, Alaba spends most of the time in the opposition half creating space for Robben.... they also leave space behind the CB's....

That to me sounds like a defensive system that will sexually arouse Ronaldo and Bale.... both make deep runs while Isco/Xavi Alonso knock the ball into zones behind the defence.

Unlike anyother team in the world right now, Madrid play without large possession better than anyone... they arguably have the best counter attacking setup in the history of football, and will allow Bayern to control the ball and hit them hard and fast.

[st_brendy]

I can't confess to being an expert, but I thought Lahm features in more of a central defensive midfield this season, rather than at FB.

Madrid are my favourites, followed by Bayern and then PSG. Then again, I have never seen Athletico play this season, so I might be doing them an injustice.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Then again, I have never seen Athletico play this season, so I might be doing them an injustice.

No real stars apart from Diego Costa but a fabulously cohesive team with a very good up and coming manager in Simeone. Top of La Liga a few weeks ago and not alot between them Barcelona and Madrid this season. May fade in the final weeks of the season but perfectly capable of matching and beating any team on their day. May slip under the radar and reach the final.

[sussexpob]

I can't confess to being an expert, but I thought Lahm features in more of a central defensive midfield this season, rather than at FB

Bastian Schweinsteiger played the link man in the defensive role, but he has been struggling with a serious ankle problem for the last year or so, and in order to save his career he had to take time out for surgery after the first few games, and I dont think he was fit to start a match until the Arsenal home leg. Now he is back Lahm is back to his original position

[mikesiva]

United get Bayern, while Chelsea go up against PSG...well, that's the end of the road for Man Utd, but Chelsea have a chance.

[sussexpob]

Chelsea will be happy they missed out on the Spanish Giants and Bayern, Man United will just want to compete in the tie.

[Red Devil]

lucky draw for Chelsea

disaster for Moyes - Man city coming ap (and maybe Chelsea too i think) and then we draw Bayern. That could finish him off - we'll struggle to give Bayern a decent game.

[The Waugh Twins]

bAYERN WILL BE DREADING NOT ONLY THE DRAW AGAINST uNIYESD, BUT MY GRAMMA ALSO. Oopscaps on there. United untouchable at the moment. Moyes has figured it out.

yes its late here and I have had a few sav blancs. New Zealand of course.


United 7-3 on aggregate.

[Aidan11]

Bayern will win on penalties. Not after extra time but due to Robben falling over every time he gets in the box.

[sussexpob]

bAYERN WILL BE DREADING NOT ONLY THE DRAW AGAINST uNIYESD, BUT MY GRAMMA ALSO. Oopscaps on there. United untouchable at the moment. Moyes has figured it out.

yes its late here and I have had a few sav blancs. New Zealand of course.


United 7-3 on aggregate.

A few glasses of Sav Blancs, or a few crates?

[andy]

Bayern could potentially humitlaite Man.U big time!