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UEFA Champions League 2018/19 | Discussion Thread

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You know I don’t like to mention Messi too often but he does play a game of which the rest of us are not familiar: <a href="https://t.co/56zQLv5Rgq">pic.twitter.com/56zQLv5Rgq</a></p>— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1067893470101164032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The fact that he does these things so often should not detract from how utterly incredible they are and he is. Messi, just unbelievable. Inconceivable. Unstoppable. Wonderful.</p>— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) <a href="https://twitter.com/bghayward/status/1067891867101143041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Liverpool struggling to make it to the knock out stages. We must defeat Napoli by two goals at home which will be a challenge. We are struggling to repeat last seasons performance of penetrating defences so easily. If knocked out of the CL our season will appear rather dismal. Klopp made a major blunder by not replacing Couts who'd so often score vital goals for us. I don't care about the rest for the time being being a die hard Liverpool fan.
 
What a night for Spurs 1-1 draw at Barcelona and through to the last 16.

Liverpool also through after a 1-0 win over Napoli.
 
Inter will be disappointed with themselves. But well done to Spurs for getting a draw away at Barcelona.

Liverpool and Napoli was an insanely entertaining game but that scoreline probably flatters Napoli to some extent.
 
f03848b3c5e429a6217f20b83f20920c.jpg



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Champions League last-16 draw at 11:00 GMT today
 
Schalke vs Man City
Atletico vs Juventus
Man United vs PSG
Spurs vs Dortmund
Lyon vs Barcelona
Roma vs Porto
Ajax vs Real Madrid
Liverpool vs Bayern
 
Liverpool will take on German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16, while Manchester United have been drawn against Paris St-Germain.

Premier League champions Manchester City and Tottenham also face Bundesliga sides, with City meeting Schalke and Spurs playing Borussia Dortmund.

The first legs will take place on 12-13 and 19-20 February, with the return fixtures on 5-6 and 12-13 March.

Group winners will be away from home in the first legs.

Teams could not be drawn against sides from the same country in the last 16, nor against teams who they played in the group stage.

Elsewhere, holders Real Madrid will face Dutch side Ajax, who have reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2005-06, while Serie A champions Juventus face Europa League winners Atletico Madrid.

Spanish champions Barcelona meet French side Lyon, while Italian club Roma face Portuguese champions Porto.

Return to Germany for Klopp
Liverpool, who lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in last season's final, avoided a rematch with the Spanish giants in Monday's draw when they were left in the pot of unseeded teams with Ajax - who played Bayern in the group stage.

The Reds have not played Bayern, who have reached at least the semi-finals in seven of the past nine seasons, in Europe's premier club competition since it became the Champions League.

The German champions have struggled under Niko Kovac in the Bundesliga this season and are third - nine points behind leaders Dortmund - in the table.

But they breezed through a group containing Ajax, Benfica and AEK Athens unbeaten.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be returning to his homeland to face the club who beat his Dortmund side in the 2013 Champions League final.

Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski's tweet saying how much he is looking forward to the Liverpool tie
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who tweeted shortly after the draw, is already looking forward to the tie
Ex-Reds winger Steve McManaman believes his former club have the quality to beat Bayern.

"Liverpool were always going to get a difficult draw," the former England international said on BT Sport.

"No disrespect to Porto, but they are probably the one team you wanted to draw.

"But Bayern Munich are the not the team they once were. This young, exuberant, quick Liverpool team should be too good for them.

"This squad is quicker, stronger and better for the experience after last year."

United face PSG for the first time
Three-time European champions Manchester United have never met PSG, who were the top scorers in the groups, in a competitive game.

The Ligue 1 champions advanced to the knockout stage despite defeat at Liverpool in their opening match.

Despite dominating the French domestic game in recent years, the Qatari-owned club have never progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Eins, zwei, drei...
On paper, Manchester City are the English club with the most favourable draw after being picked out against Schalke.

City have been free-scoring in the Premier League as they chase a second successive title, while Schalke are struggling in the bottom half of the Bundesliga after losing eight of their 15 matches.

Spurs, on the other hand, face a Dortmund side who are unbeaten domestically as they aim to end Bayern's six-year monopoly on the German top flight.

The tie should also see 18-year-old England winger Jadon Sancho face Premier League opposition for the first time in a competitive match.

Full draw
Schalke v Manchester City

Atletico Madrid v Juventus

Manchester United v Paris St-Germain

Tottenham v Borussia Dortmund

Lyon v Barcelona

Roma v Porto

Ajax v Real Madrid

Liverpool v Bayern Munich

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46589672
 
Liverpool versus Bayern should be 2 excellent games of football.

Atletico versus Juventus, another mouth-watering clash.

Man Utd face a huge task against PSG, with the French team clear favourites.
 
Dortmund look very exciting this season so I would back them to best Spurs.

Juve were one of the favourites but Atletico is one tough team. Very exciting.
 
Liverpool/Bayern will be a close contest. I expect Man City to go through comfortably. they've got the best draw out of all British sides. Dortmund and PSG both start as favourite against their English opponents. There are no easy ties at this stage of the competition.
 
Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Edinson Cavani will not face Manchester United due to a hip injury.

Fellow forward Neymar is already ruled out of Tuesday's first leg and the return game on 6 March through injury.

Tuchel says Cavani's absence is an additional blow.

He said: "Would Man Utd miss Pogba or Rashford? Of course. Neymar is one of our best players and one of the best players in Europe. We will miss him a lot. And now Cavani is out."

The 31-year-old injured a tendon in his hip after scoring a penalty in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Bordeaux.

Neymar is out for 10 weeks with a broken metatarsal suffered in a 2-0 French Cup victory over Strasbourg on 23 January.

That leaves World Cup-winning forward Kylian Mbappe - who replaced Cavani at the weekend - as the only fit member of their first-choice front three.

PSG's front three in 2018-19
Games Goals
Edinson Cavani 25 21
Kylian Mbappe 26 22
Neymar 23 20
Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier is also out of the first leg, with PSG confirming he suffered a concussion during Saturday's match against Bordeaux. Marco Verratti, played just under an hour of that game after three weeks out with an ankle problem and is fit to play.

Manchester United have almost a fully-fit squad for the match at Old Trafford, with Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian the only injury absentees.

Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard could be recalled after they were dropped to the bench for Saturday's win at Fulham.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47190655
 
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Manchester United versus PSG

and

Roma versus Porto
 
PSG missing a few stars but still teaching Man Utd a lesson so far tonight.
 
Owned without meunier cavani rabiot and neymar
At least we can hope down about given ogs the job full time now. Need to get into top 4 and get Poch in
 
lol, its alot worse to lose your two main players during a match at the same time then 3 weeks before the match even begins.

we missed the opportunitie in the first half after that there was no zing with mata and sanchez, then ref did everything he could to make us lose.
 
I had a big smile on my face watching Paris give Man Utd the runaround. It was embarrassing at times for United's perspective such was the Paris domination. Had it not been for De Gea Paris would have put at least four past United. It should be a comfortable win for the home team in the second leg especially if Neymar and Cavani are back. Here's hoping Chelsea dump Man Utd out of the FA Cup softening them up for our visit.
 
Was looking forward to the United game all day yesterday, hadn't been that excited for a football match for that long. My interest in football is really on the rise again. Was disappointing to lose the way we did :(
 
Manchester United and Paris St-Germain have been charged by Uefa following their Champions League last-16 tie at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

United have been charged with the throwing of objects by fans and blocking of stairways.

PSG have been charged with the setting off of fireworks, throwing of objects, acts of damages and crowd disturbance.

French champions PSG won the first leg 2-0 with second-half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe.

The case will be heard by Uefa's control, ethics and disciplinary body on 28 February.

Before kick-off, a number of PSG supporters set off flares in the away section at Old Trafford.

Former Manchester United forward Angel di Maria had a bottle of water thrown towards him during the second half.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47230737
 
Great win for Spurs 3-0
Meanwhile Real Madrid win 2-1 at Ajax.
 
Just watched Spurs take care of Borussia with a vintage second half display. The Germans were the impressive side in the first half creating the better chances without scoring what would have been a crucial away goal. In the second Son opened the scoring with a wonderful opener followed by two late goals for a convincing Spurs win. It's still not over I feel, Borussia will come back hard at them in the second leg.
 
Terrible display from Dortmund losing 3-0 to an average Spurs side.

Ajax were robbed imo, that was a goal VAR overturnted.
 
Jerome Boateng ruled out of Liverpool Champions League tie

Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng has been ruled out of Tuesday's match against Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 with "stomach flu".

Winger Franck Ribery was also absent as the German champions boarded their flight to the UK on Monday morning after becoming a father on Sunday night, but he will join the squad ahead of Tuesday's game.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...g-ruled-out-of-liverpool-champions-league-tie
 
Liverpool missed some good chances to score. Bayern although didn't create much defended very well with a high back line that we didn't take advantage off. Normally we score a few when the opposition defends the way Bayern did, today for some reason Salah seemed off colour and Firmino didn't appear totally fit. A 0-0 draw at home is rather good...with a fitter Firmino we can create a lot more in attack when visiting. They will also be under great pressure of not conceding at home. VVD's return to the centre of defence will be another boost for us in the second leg so it's nicely balanced.
 
I reckon Man City and Spurs are both through to the next round. Liverpool have a decent chance where as Man Utd are more or less out, good riddance:maqsood Don't hit the door on the way out:uakmal
 
A special peformance by Ajax! Congratulations for reaching the last 8 after so many years.

Well done to Spurs too but Dortmund were really unluckly in the first 25 mins not to score.

Barcelona have to be strong favourites now.
 
Madrid’s luck in the Champions League finally runs out. Ajax were brilliant - it is a shame that they will not be able to keep their best players as usual.
 
Even as a Liverpool, 100% credit to Man Utd on a brilliant win.

PSG had their chances but failed to hit the net more than once.
 
What. A. Win.

I was in the library all day doing coursework so had to miss the match, was following it though. In the library decided to start watching from about 60-70th minute. I didn't think we'd get that 3rd goal tbh, I went to the toilet then I came back and saw the VAR thing was happening, couldn't believe it. I screamed so loud when Rashford scored it, got lots of looks, was so delighted when we won that it just turned my mood around. I was honestly so stressed about my assignment as it was an unproductive day but since then I've been in an amazing mood. Almost feels like I'm drunk. It's 3am here in UK and the last couple hours I've just been watching highlights and reading analysis/reactions etc of this victory. Greatest feeling in the world. Sport is beautiful - can impact your mood so much. Will go to a sleep a happy man despite still being very behind in my coursework that is due tomorrow :/


GGMU
 
Marcus Rashford scored a nerveless injury-time penalty as Manchester United staged an incredible comeback to beat Paris St-Germain on away goals and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Rashford thumped home the VAR-awarded spot-kick in the 94th minute after Diogo Dalot's speculative shot struck Presnel Kimpembe on the arm.

The odds were stacked against United in Paris, but they became the first team in Champions League and European Cup history, at the 107th time of asking, to overcome a 2-0 or greater home first-leg deficit.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's visitors got the perfect start thanks to Romelu Lukaku's opportunist strike after two minutes, the Belgium striker latching on to Thilo Kehrer's blind backpass and finding the net.

PSG went 3-1 ahead on aggregate when Kylian Mbappe fed a pass to the unmarked Juan Bernat, who slotted home at the back post.

The hosts then had a succession of chances, with makeshift right-back Eric Bailly enduring a torrid time in his 35 minutes on the pitch, before injury saw him replaced by Dalot.

Unable to capitalise, PSG were punished when veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon spilled Rashford's long-range shot and Lukaku converted United's second.

The game appeared to be petering out to its conclusion before Dalot fired the ball against the arm of the unfortunate Kimpembe, and after a long delay while the referee consulted his pitch-side monitor, Rashford's ice-cool penalty sealed a remarkable win.

The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on Friday, 15 March.

Incredible late drama in Paris
United were heading out at the last-16 stage for the second consecutive season when France defender Kimpembe's block from Dalot's shot deflected away for a corner.

But before it could be taken Slovenian referee Damir Skomina consulted with the VAR before coming to the side of the pitch to review the incident on the monitor.

Players waited anxiously on the pitch and Kimpembe slumped to the ground when the penalty was finally awarded, before Rashford stepped up to smash the ball high beyond the reach of Buffon.

United had to survive until the game's 100th minute before joyously celebrating a famous Champions League victory in front of their boisterous travelling support at the final whistle.

The result came 20 years on from United's most memorable triumph when they claimed the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, the latter after Solskjaer's own injury-time winner in the final against Bayern Munich.

The Norwegian has overseen a remarkable turnaround which has seen the side collect 14 victories from 17 games in all competitions, including away wins at Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and now PSG.

The former United striker has not only brought back the smiles to a side that was so abject before Christmas, but done so with outstanding tactical awareness and without the services of 10 first-team players.

Paul Pogba's red card in the first leg meant he sat out the game alongside the nine injured players, so Bailly was given a start at right-back. However, the Ivorian turned in a wretched performance and was caught out of position time and time again.

An apparent injury to Bailly allowed Solskjaer to rectify this by bringing on Dalot and United looked much more solid thereafter.

Chris Smalling was superb at the back, contributing seven clearances and three interceptions alongside the unflappable Victor Lindelof, while midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred stood up magnificently against opposite numbers Marco Verratti and Marquinhos.

And up front, the often maligned Lukaku worked tirelessly and took his tally to 15 for the season with two well-taken finishes.

United have now won nine straight away games under Solskjaer and reached the last eight for the first time since 2014.

It now seems a case of when, not if, Solskjaer is named permanent manager.

It was a familiar feeling for French powerhouses PSG, who may be 17 points clear at the top of their domestic league but once again demonstrated a lack of mental fortitude to see out a tie in which they were heavy favourites.

Only two seasons ago, they beat Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg at this same stage only to crumble to a 6-1 defeat in the second leg at the Nou Camp.

Wednesday's result represents a first home defeat of the season for Thomas Tuchel's side and ends their eight-game winning streak in all competitions.

At 3-2 up on aggregate, PSG laid siege to David de Gea's goal but crucially spurned gilt-edged to kill the tie off. Dani Alves smashed over, Mbappe hit a shot into the side-netting, Bernat fired straight at De Gea and Angel di Maria drive flashed agonisingly wide, all before half-time.

United held their shape in the second half, having just 27.6% possession, and rode their luck when Bernat struck the foot of the post on 83 minutes.

Needing a goal, youth team player Tahith Chong was sent on for his first Champions League appearance and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood for his first-team debut, but it was another academy product in Rashford who stepped up to send them through, courtesy of VAR's dramatic late intervention.

Super Solskjaer - the stats

  • PSG conceded with three of the four shots on target they faced in this game and have been eliminated at the last 16 stage in each of the last three Champions League seasons.
  • Romelu Lukaku's first goal after 111 seconds was Man Utd's fastest in a Champions League knockout match since Wayne Rooney scored after 63 seconds against Bayern Munich in March 2010.
  • Since the start of last season, the only Premier League players to score more goals in all competitions than Man Utd's Romelu Lukaku (42) are Mo Salah (64), Harry Kane (64) and Sergio Aguero (55).
  • Marcus Rashford's winning penalty was the first he has ever taken in a competitive match for Manchester United.
  • PSG have lost seven of their last 12 Champions League knockout matches (W4 D1), including each of their last two at the Parc des Princes.
  • Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first match in charge on 22 December, only Manchester City (15) have won more matches in all competitions than Man Utd (14) among teams in the top five European leagues.
  • Manchester United have now scored in 21 consecutive away matches in all competitions, equalling the club record set between November 1956 and September 1957 under Sir Matt Busby.
  • Mason Greenwood became the youngest player to appear for Manchester United in the Champions League, aged 17 years and 156 days, breaking the record held by Gerard Pique (17y 310d).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47461886
 
Two gifted goals and a dodgy penalty. Classic Manchester United.

Their fans heads are in the clouds again, and it would be wonderful to see them get smashed by Barcelona or City in the QF.

Hoping to see them humiliated to an extent where they would probably wish that the Paris fluke never happened.

A very annoying and unnecessary result. PSG are massive bottlers in the Champions League.

They are to this competition what Liverpool is to the Premier League.
 
The decision to award Manchester United a penalty in the 94th minute of their win over Paris St-Germain in the Champions League was a "disgrace", says the French club's forward Neymar.

The 27-year-old raged about the call, made after using VAR, on social media as United reached the quarter-finals.

Marcus Rashford's goal earned a 3-1 win and United went through on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

But Brazilian striker Neymar said the penalty "doesn't exist".

He added: "It's a disgrace. Four guys who know nothing about football watch a slow-motion replay in front of the television.

"What can [Kimpembe] do with his hand while his back is turned?" asked the former Barcelona player, who missed both legs through injury.

The penalty was awarded after referee Damir Skomina had initially awarded a corner after Diogo Dalot's shot struck Presnel Kimpembe and went over the crossbar.

Skomina received a signal to check the incident again for a possible handball in the box and after watching a pitchside monitor, changed his decision.

Romelu Lukaku's strike after two minutes gave Manchester United an early lead but the French champions restored their two-goal advantage in the tie when Kylian Mbappe fed a pass to the unmarked Juan Bernat, who slotted home at the back post.

But Belgium striker Lukaku pounced on goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's error when he spilled Rashford's long-range strike to put United 2-1 ahead on the night and 3-2 down on aggregate and Rashford completed the victory deep into injury time.

PSG manager Thomas Tuchel said the penalty should not have been given because Dalot's shot was not on target.

"From my point of view I watched Dalot take the shot. I saw the ball flying straight from his foot and for me it was clear it was going way over the bar," said Tuchel.

"There are many things to discuss before taking the decision and I think it's a 50-50 decision. What makes it super hard is I had the clear feeling the shot was not on target, and to get rewarded with a penalty, there is no logic."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47478398
 
Two gifted goals and a dodgy penalty. Classic Manchester United.

Their fans heads are in the clouds again, and it would be wonderful to see them get smashed by Barcelona or City in the QF.

Hoping to see them humiliated to an extent where they would probably wish that the Paris fluke never happened.

A very annoying and unnecessary result. PSG are massive bottlers in the Champions League.

They are to this competition what Liverpool is to the Premier League.

Come on mate. United deserve credit. Yes the goals were mistakes by PSG and the penalty was dodgy but this was still absolutely incredible from Man United. This will be remembered for years to come.
 
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47495707

Uefa has backed the video assistant referee system's decision to award Manchester United an injury-time penalty that knocked Paris St-Germain out of the Champions League.

Diogo Dalot's shot hit Presnel Kimpembe's arm but was only deemed a spot-kick after the VAR intervention.

Injured PSG forward Neymar called the decision a "disgrace".

But Uefa said the distance the ball covered was "not short" and Kimpembe's arm was "not close" to his body.

Based on this, it added that "the impact could therefore not be unexpected" and "the defender's body [was made] bigger thus resulting in the ball being stopped from travelling in the direction of the goal.

"The referee, therefore, awarded a penalty kick.

"Given that the referee did not recognise the incident clearly during live play [referred to as serious missed incident in the VAR protocol] an on-field review was conducted."

After a lengthy delay where Slovenian referee Damir Skomina conducted the review on a pitch-side monitor, Marcus Rashford scored the penalty to earn United a 3-1 win on the night and send them through on away goals.

It was the 21-year-old's first competitive spot-kick for his club and ensured that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team became the first in Champions League history to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the home leg in a knockout tie.
 
City in superb form again, 3-0 up.

The Juve versus A Madrid match nicely posied with Juve 1-0 up, but Madrid 2-1 ahead over the 2 legs.
 
CR7 night it was. He does it when it is most needed.
Man City, Juventus and Barcelona the strongest contenders of winning the CL
 
Neymar faces Uefa investigation for Champions League VAR penalty comments

Paris St-Germain forward Neymar is under investigation by Uefa for comments the Brazilian made after his side's Champions League defeat by Manchester United last week.

He described referee Damir Skomina's late penalty decision, made after using the video assistant referee system, as a "disgrace" on social media.

Neymar was watching injured as United overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

He said the penalty, which was scored by Marcus Rashford, "doesn't exist".

He added: "It's a disgrace. Four guys who know nothing about football watch a slow-motion replay in front of the television."

The referee reviewed footage of the ball striking the hand of PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe before awarding the visitors an injury-time penalty that gave them a 3-1 win on the night, and saw them progress on the away goals rule.

"What can he do with his hand while his back is turned?" asked Neymar, who missed both legs through injury.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47556425
 
What a performance by the Reds brushing Bayern aside on their own ground. A 0-0 home draw is never a bad result these days for a team like Liverpool. The first goal by Mane was a brilliant finish controlling it superbly then looping it over the keeper. I was fearing the worst after they equalised thinking we'd be bombarded by them in the second half testing our defence to the core. VVD's excellent header meant they had to score two in about 20 minutes or something..."they've still a chance" I was thinking until Mane headed in number three. We're almost guaranteed to get at least one all England quarter final. As for Liverpool it would be great if we got Porto and Man Utd draw Barcalona or Man City:moha
 
Excellent result result to sweep aside the powerhouse of German football.
 
What a performance by the Reds brushing Bayern aside on their own ground. A 0-0 home draw is never a bad result these days for a team like Liverpool. The first goal by Mane was a brilliant finish controlling it superbly then looping it over the keeper. I was fearing the worst after they equalised thinking we'd be bombarded by them in the second half testing our defence to the core. VVD's excellent header meant they had to score two in about 20 minutes or something..."they've still a chance" I was thinking until Mane headed in number three. We're almost guaranteed to get at least one all England quarter final. As for Liverpool it would be great if we got Porto and Man Utd draw Barcalona or Man City:moha

I want Man UTD
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 goals 2 assists for Messi. Ridiculous. 👏👏</p>— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1105949544242655237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ohhh Lionel Messi! 😍<br><br>His second of the night, and it's yet more magic!<br><br>Some say the Lyon defenders are still sliding... 👀 <a href="https://t.co/999Ft8rjd0">pic.twitter.com/999Ft8rjd0</a></p>— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1105950849812041730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trying to stop Messi continues to prove frustrating for opposing managers 😩 <a href="https://t.co/kPU932OFfm">pic.twitter.com/kPU932OFfm</a></p>— Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1106021691359154176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
This is my power rating for QF

1. Juve
2. Barca
3. MCity
4. Liverpool
5. MU
6. Ajax
7. Porto
8. Spurs

Really tight between 5-6-7-8, but Ajax has passed Real while MU is a different team now than at the start. Also, Spurs are now struggling with a thin squad depth at the 4th quarter of the season, that makes me think that Porto will be tougher team than Spurs.

And, there is no country or group protection, it’s an open draw (?) - teams from same country or same preliminary group can be drawn against each other’s. So, best QF match could be

1. Juve - Spurs
2. Barca - Porto
3. MCity - Ajax
4. LFC - MU

It almost certain that there will be 2 English teams in SF, could be even 3, if LFC, MC & MU don’t cut each other’s path (& better if Barca are drawn with Juve). Add to the prospect of Chelsea meeting Arsenal (they’ll smoke past Renes at Emirates) in Europa Cup Final; English league is truly at it's zenith. Out side top 4-5 teams, many La Liga teams between 6-17, will get relegated at EPL.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lyon captain Nabil Fekir with an accurate description of what it's like to face Lionel Messi 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/jaOhfTy0h7">pic.twitter.com/jaOhfTy0h7</a></p>— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1106250373327716353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
This is my power rating for QF

1. Juve
2. Barca
3. MCity
4. Liverpool
5. MU
6. Ajax
7. Porto
8. Spurs

Really tight between 5-6-7-8, but Ajax has passed Real while MU is a different team now than at the start. Also, Spurs are now struggling with a thin squad depth at the 4th quarter of the season, that makes me think that Porto will be tougher team than Spurs.

And, there is no country or group protection, it’s an open draw (?) - teams from same country or same preliminary group can be drawn against each other’s. So, best QF match could be

1. Juve - Spurs
2. Barca - Porto
3. MCity - Ajax
4. LFC - MU

It almost certain that there will be 2 English teams in SF, could be even 3, if LFC, MC & MU don’t cut each other’s path (& better if Barca are drawn with Juve). Add to the prospect of Chelsea meeting Arsenal (they’ll smoke past Renes at Emirates) in Europa Cup Final; English league is truly at it's zenith. Out side top 4-5 teams, many La Liga teams between 6-17, will get relegated at EPL.

I would put Liverpool ahead of City because of reaching the final last year and we beat them in the CL too.

Porto or Spurs would be a good draw but I would also take City or Utd.
 
Tottenham will play Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Manchester United have been drawn against Barcelona.

Last year's beaten finalists Liverpool will play Porto and Ajax will face Juventus in the other ties.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47580448
 
It’s good that the team I really, really wanted to avoid is at other half. Most likely, we’ll take on MU in SF (provided Klopp can lineup 14 fit men against Porto by April😩). It’s Juve V MCity in other half and I think, it’ll be Juve to make the final.
 
Champions League: Neymar charged for comments after loss to Man Utd

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been charged with making "insulting acts against a match official" following his comments on social media about the Champions League tie with Manchester United.

The 27-year-old called the decision to award United a 94th-minute penalty in the match on 7 March "a disgrace".

Marcus Rashford scored to ensure a 3-1 win and the Premier League side went through to the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

The penalty was awarded through VAR after referee Damir Skomina had initially given United a corner when Diogo Dalot's shot struck Presnel Kimpembe and went over the crossbar.

Skomina received a signal to check for a possible handball in the box and subsequently changed his decision.

Neymar missed both legs of the tie through injury but wrote in an Instagram post that the penalty "doesn't exist".

He added: "Four guys who know nothing about football watch a slow-motion replay in front of the television."

A hearing date is yet to be confirmed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47672436
 
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