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UEFA Champions League 2018/19 | Discussion Thread

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.

Lol Barcelona aren’t loosing against Manchester United.
 
My initial application for the Barca game was unsuccessful, but there's a 2nd ballot on Monday, let's see if I am successful!
 
A comfortable home win for Liverpool that should take them through. I expect us to score a few at Porto next week to make sure of a semi final place. Aguero missing a penalty could be so very crucial although I still expect Man City to comfortably win at home. Man Utd should be happy with a draw tomorrow against a rampant Barcelona.
 
My initial application for the Barca game was unsuccessful, but there's a 2nd ballot on Monday, let's see if I am successful!

I was unsuccessful guys, so will be watching on my laptop
 
I hope Ajax stunts against Juventus.

But I would not mind to see a Ronaldo masterclass by the GOAT.
 
"Unstoppable" Ronaldo will return to the Juventus team to face Ajax in the Champions League

The Portuguese scored in the 1-1 draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena last week, but was one of several players rested for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at SPAL.

"Cristiano has extraordinary quality," said boss Massimiliano Allegri.

"In certain moments he becomes an unstoppable player and you can see it on his face."

Fellow forward Mario Mandzukic will miss the game with a knee injury, with Allegri saying: "He has struggled to train at 100%. These games will be better suited to players who are in their best condition, because they have to give absolutely everything."

Ajax's biggest worry is about midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who hurt his hamstring in Saturday's 6-2 win over Excelsior. Coach Erik ten Hag said they were confident he would be able to play.

"Frenkie himself will have to decide if he is ready, and eventually I decide if he will play," said Ten Hag.

Ten Hag said he is optimistic his side can cause another upset, having beaten Real Madrid, European champions for the past three years, 4-1 at the Bernabeu in the last round.

"I'm confident because of the way we are playing and training. We are stronger and we are showing it game by game," he said. "Juventus are the favourites, especially after the Amsterdam result.

"If we play well, we can overcome any limit."

Allegri has called on the Italian giants - who are one point away from winning an eighth consecutive Serie A title - to repeat their own heroics of the previous round against Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo, the tournament's all-time top scorer, scored a hat-trick as they overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

"It's a one-off game and we need to play with the same attitude as we did against Atletico," said the Italian.

MATCH FACTS

Juventus are unbeaten in their past 10 meetings with Ajax, the joint longest run for one side against another in European matches (also Bayern Munich v Benfica).
After a run of seven defeats in eight games away against Italian opposition (D1), Ajax are unbeaten in their past four (W2 D2).
Juventus are looking to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in the past five seasons, also making the last four in 2014-15 and 2016-17.
Ajax are looking to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 1996-97, while they could become the first Dutch side to do so since PSV in 2004-05.
The reverse match was only the third time Juventus have drawn the first leg of a Champions League knockout match away from home - they progressed against Rosenborg in the 1996-97 quarter-final, and were eliminated by Manchester United in the 1998-99 semi-final.
Ajax have been eliminated on two of the three previous occasions they have drawn the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie at home, most recently in the 2005-06 last 16 against Inter Milan.
Juventus have lost two of their past five Champions League home games (W3), as many as they had in their previous 45 (W28 D15).
Ajax have won their past two Champions League away games, last winning more consecutively in the competition between November 1995 and March 1997 (seven).
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in his past five Champions League games against Ajax, netting eight goals in total. The Portuguese has also scored 51% of his total goals in the competition in the knockout stages (64/125).
Dusan Tadic has been directly involved in 53% of Ajax's 17 Champions League goals this season (six goals, three assists). The last player to score more than the Serb for Ajax in a Champions League campaign was Jari Litmanen in 1995-96 (nine).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47939282
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stunning result as Ajax down Juventus 2-1 to win 3-2 on aggregate and send Cristiano Ronaldo and co. out of the competition. Meanwhile, Barcelona defeated Manchester United 3-0 to end their European aspirations <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JUVAJA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JUVAJA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BARMUN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BARMUN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsLeague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/U9qfc5uebd">pic.twitter.com/U9qfc5uebd</a></p>— PakPassion Sport (@PakPassionSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassionSport/status/1118259178651435011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Brilliant by Ajax again. A shame they are going to lose de Jong and de Ligt, two world class players.

Hopefully they can get past City/Spurs and play Barca in the final.
 
Can't believe that our Ajax did it! Whole of Holland is proud today!

Is this even real? After 22 years!

Ajax won the CL last time in 1995 under Van Gaal's tutelage.
 
Brilliant by Ajax again. A shame they are going to lose de Jong and de Ligt, two world class players.

Hopefully they can get past City/Spurs and play Barca in the final.

They said Dutch football was done and that they didn't have the money to compete with Premier League or La Liga.

They said Cruyff's football vision wasn't practical anymore and they had to adopt to the more standard type of football.

A team that just cost the club under 30 millions with 6/7 youth players.

Here we are!!!
 
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They said Dutch football was done and that they didn't have the money to compete with Premier League or La Liga.

They said Cruyff's football vision wasn't practical anymore and they had to adopt to the more standard type of football.

A team that just cost the club under 30 millions with 6/7 youth players.

Here we are!!!

Ajax has a tremendous heritage and they will continue to produce top footballers, but unfortunately, Eredivisie is simply not a lucrative league to play in which is why Ajax will remain a feeder club.
 
Sheikh Mansoor needs to take out his Cheque Book again - may be a billion should keep Pep at genius level next year. But yes, he'll win the EPL - it's a 38 game marathon, and he has 2 squads at Mansoor's credit to alter between weeks. With that squad, an ELF Cup & a FA Cup is too ordinary for a a genius ... even big Sam Alerdyce can do that at lesser cost.

Head 2 heads are actually a bit tactical battle for managers - money can't buy that..............
 
Have really been impressed by Ajax though my team in Holland is PSV Eindhoven.

Average age of Ajax team yesterday was under 25 and their attacking fotball was a treat to watch. Keep it up!
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="fi" dir="ltr">wfiuhefijvbeojefvnojegfnvepgfjevgpinbgw</p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1118618236629786625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION], I never got an explanation as to why you thought Manchester United would get through against Barcelona.
 
What an amazing achievement by Ajax to get through. I thought they would lose both times but they have showed unbelievable technical quality and pure hard work to get through.

Spurs getting through was very lucky. It was a handball from Llorente. Also on another day that Sterling goal would have stood.

Barcelona vs Liverpool will be a great tie. I think with the form Messi is on , Barcelona will get through.
 
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION], I never got an explanation as to why you thought Manchester United would get through against Barcelona.

I wanted them in SF :). There is absolutely no reason for a LFC Fan to back MU, unless there is some fringe benefits. There is fun in winning CL SF, but more fun is knocking MU out......

On football reasons, there is very little to explain, but I feel this MU squad is far better than their collective output. For such teams what sometimes happen is that top players click together and they out do most teams. One such game was beating Juve at Turin - it didn't happen against Barca, which is the toughest team to play soccer on grass. I was expecting MU to edge past Barca 1-0 or hold 0-0 at Trafford, then may be ugly English game & DDG could have taken it to extra time, may be shoot-outs; but once they were heading to Camp Nu 0-1 down, 3-0 is actually not that poor result.
 
I wanted them in SF :). There is absolutely no reason for a LFC Fan to back MU, unless there is some fringe benefits. There is fun in winning CL SF, but more fun is knocking MU out......

On football reasons, there is very little to explain, but I feel this MU squad is far better than their collective output. For such teams what sometimes happen is that top players click together and they out do most teams. One such game was beating Juve at Turin - it didn't happen against Barca, which is the toughest team to play soccer on grass. I was expecting MU to edge past Barca 1-0 or hold 0-0 at Trafford, then may be ugly English game & DDG could have taken it to extra time, may be shoot-outs; but once they were heading to Camp Nu 0-1 down, 3-0 is actually not that poor result.


This United team has good individual players but lacks the team chemistry and team cohesion. I actually don't think this squad barring a couple of players is poor and isn't United standard.

United home form has been crap in the champions league. I really didn't understand your optimism. Barcelona are far superior.
 
Sheikh Mansoor needs to take out his Cheque Book again - may be a billion should keep Pep at genius level next year. But yes, he'll win the EPL - it's a 38 game marathon, and he has 2 squads at Mansoor's credit to alter between weeks. With that squad, an ELF Cup & a FA Cup is too ordinary for a a genius ... even big Sam Alerdyce can do that at lesser cost.

Head 2 heads are actually a bit tactical battle for managers - money can't buy that..............

Many managers have tried and failed with big budgets, think about the merry-go round at City before Pep and the constant merry-go round at Chelsea. But few of them are able to repeat the success because the sport is ever evolving.

I'm a WBA fan so I can say this as a neutral, I wish a rich Arab owner took over our club and did the things at the Hawthorns that have been done at Chelsea and City. People who moan about City's finances wouldn't be moaning if that money was put into their club.

Btw he's done a lot of good for the local community, they have one of the best academies and they produce lots of top class talent.

You talk about H2H, H2H in a team sport is a joke. I laugh at people who bring up that nonsense.
 
This United team has good individual players but lacks the team chemistry and team cohesion. I actually don't think this squad barring a couple of players is poor and isn't United standard.

United home form has been crap in the champions league. I really didn't understand your optimism. Barcelona are far superior.

Optimism is the best word to explain here😜
 
Many managers have tried and failed with big budgets, think about the merry-go round at City before Pep and the constant merry-go round at Chelsea. But few of them are able to repeat the success because the sport is ever evolving.

I'm a WBA fan so I can say this as a neutral, I wish a rich Arab owner took over our club and did the things at the Hawthorns that have been done at Chelsea and City. People who moan about City's finances wouldn't be moaning if that money was put into their club.

Btw he's done a lot of good for the local community, they have one of the best academies and they produce lots of top class talent.

You talk about H2H, H2H in a team sport is a joke. I laugh at people who bring up that nonsense.

There is a difference between Big Budget & Billion Dollar budget. Money is definitely needed - none more than Liverpool fans know this. But, no manager is pampered as the genius or best in world for dominating domestic leagues with Bayern or ManCity, that too after spending quarter billion on a squad that won EPL 2 years back.

You laugh at H2H because of your ignorance - went above your head. Knock out games are designed Home & Away for a reason and for some nonsense every manager wants to play the 2nd leg at home - you must be laughing at them, what a joker those are.
 
Spurs to beat Barca in the finals, please don't get spursy and eff up against Ajax.
 
I was reacting to you whole Holland is proud today.

The club from Rotterdam is still the 1st and last Dutch club from Holland to win a Euro title.

2nd biggest club in NL, so yes they do MEAN something.

Used to be.

Now it's all about Ajax and PSV.

Feyenoord at times winning is an anomaly since 2000.
 
Big botch mania from Messi he chokes again in a pressure situation, not a fan of Liverpool but this has to be one of the greatest comebacks ever and credit to them
 
Ajax/Spurs might actually have a chance purely because it's not at Anfield. Chelsea went 86 games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool have very much the same level of a fortress in Europe.
 
Many managers have tried and failed with big budgets, think about the merry-go round at City before Pep and the constant merry-go round at Chelsea. But few of them are able to repeat the success because the sport is ever evolving.

I'm a WBA fan so I can say this as a neutral, I wish a rich Arab owner took over our club and did the things at the Hawthorns that have been done at Chelsea and City. People who moan about City's finances wouldn't be moaning if that money was put into their club.

Btw he's done a lot of good for the local community, they have one of the best academies and they produce lots of top class talent.

You talk about H2H, H2H in a team sport is a joke. I laugh at people who bring up that nonsense.

I guess, you had a nonsense laugh today ...... facing the mirror. And, in a team sports obviously, otherwise such things don't happen with your No. 9 & No. 11 out.
 
Ajax/Spurs might actually have a chance purely because it's not at Anfield. Chelsea went 86 games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool have very much the same level of a fortress in Europe.

Almost certainly Spurs will score, but probably will need 2 goals (2-1 win takes them). This could be an unique year with 4 EPL clubs in 2 European finals!!!!!
 
Liverpool to face Ajax in the final. Spurs can not do what we have today coz it is not in their culture. Additionally, the second leg being away for them greatly favours Ajax as well. The Europa League diesn't really matter with Man Utd fans calling it "gross":ht
 
Arrogant Barca got a remontada themselves! Liverpool was magnificent and Messi and co nowhere to be found.

Liverpool- Ajax would be beautiful. Two former giants of europe (greatest in the 70's 80's and 90's).

If Ajax manages it I'll go mad like really mad. Still haven't forgot the final against United a few years back. So Liverpool will be massive favourites.
 
Big botch mania from Messi he chokes again in a pressure situation, not a fan of Liverpool but this has to be one of the greatest comebacks ever and credit to them

Nothing new Messi collapses on the biggest stage of them all, Ronaldo winning the CL 3 years in a row was an INSANE achievement. GOAT.
 
Big botch mania from Messi he chokes again in a pressure situation, not a fan of Liverpool but this has to be one of the greatest comebacks ever and credit to them

This wasn’t about Messi last night, it was about Liverpool. You could have had Ronaldo, Zidane, Maradona and Pele on the pitch, but Anfield would have devoured them.

At times, you just have to applaud the winners and not scrutinize the losers. Messi and co. should hold their heads high.
 
Almost certainly Spurs will score, but probably will need 2 goals (2-1 win takes them). This could be an unique year with 4 EPL clubs in 2 European finals!!!!!

I really hope not. I don't think I could bare seeing Spurs win the UCL and Arsenal beating us in the UEL final. :))
 
This wasn’t about Messi last night, it was about Liverpool. You could have had Ronaldo, Zidane, Maradona and Pele on the pitch, but Anfield would have devoured them.

At times, you just have to applaud the winners and not scrutinize the losers. Messi and co. should hold their heads high.

Well it was indeed Liverpool's night. But when it mattered the most in a football competition. Messi more than often dosen't show up. Ronaldo won 3 UCLs and carried Portugal to Euro Cup Final. On the other hand Messi collapsed when he was 1 step away from the title.

Messi is a GOAT but you can't deny the fact that he has collapsed many a times now on the big stage.
 
What a match yesterday. NGL, I was so sure that Barca had it wrapped up that I wasn't even sure if I was gonna watch the game, but I had nothing better to do so watched it anyway. I can't believe Liverpool actually pulled it off. I guess fair play to them, as they were good in the 1st leg as well and a 3-0 scoreline was flattering for Barcelona. I hope Spurs beat Ajax tonight
 
This wasn’t about Messi last night, it was about Liverpool. You could have had Ronaldo, Zidane, Maradona and Pele on the pitch, but Anfield would have devoured them.

At times, you just have to applaud the winners and not scrutinize the losers. Messi and co. should hold their heads high.

That's an excuse for his mental weakness which tends to repeat itself very often in these situations
 
Zavvi gets red card from customers over football blunder

Online retailer Zavvi has apologised after telling customers they had won a VIP trip to the Champions League football final in Madrid.

Joyous winners took to social media to announce their news - and dismay on learning of the error.

What Zavvi called "technical issues" meant its entire subscriber list may have been told they were winners.

Zavvi, which emerged out of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, sell music, DVDs, clothing and homeware.

A competition, in partnership with Mastercard, was offering two adults an all-expenses two-night trip to the much-anticipated Champions League final between Liverpool and Spurs.

Supposed winners received an email addressed to them personally using their first name. It read: "We here at Zavvi would like to wish you a huge congratulations as you have been chosen as the winner of our Mastercard competition, winning a VIP trip for two adults to attend the UEFA Champions League Final Madrid 2019."

The sister of one recipient tweeted: "Oh my God, my brother has just won this amazing prize!! We're going to the Champions League final!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH @zavvi!!!!!".

It is unclear how many people were emailed. The Liverpool Echo newspaper reported that among people getting the Zavvi emails were hundreds of Liverpool fans.

But after news seeped out on social media of multiple winners, Zavvi tweeted: "Apologies, we're aware of the problem regarding the recent Mastercard Competition. We seem to have had some technical issues and we're currently looking into this."

However, it appears that this tweet has now been taken down from Zavvi's twitter feed.

News of the "winners" came soon after Spurs reached the final on Wednesday after one of football's most amazing semi-final comebacks, against Ajax. That followed Liverpool's equally sensational comeback against Barcelona the night before.

The two remarkable games and an all-English club final has sparked soaring demand for tickets.

Social media lit up with people expressing their immediate delight, followed by disappointment.

One tweet said: "I received this email from the actual @zavvi email address and lost my mind shaking buzzing... Devastated isn't the word I'm actually distraught."

Another said: "This is horrible. Me and my brother have already sent in our holiday requests to work and I've cancelled a weekend in Edinburgh when this arrived. I thought at first it would be a scam but checked the email address was genuine."

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48215665
 
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