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Doesnt get any bigger than this! But sadly only one of these sides can make it through to the semis - which side will it be?
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Which of Man United or Barcelona will go through to the semi-final of the Champions League?
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KingKhanWC
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Barcelona's attack is too good for Utd's defence. However Barca have a weak defence themselves. But I dont think Utd can outscore Barca.
5-2 Barca on Agg.
5-2 Barca on Agg.
Kianig89
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I hope this goes to penalties
Barcelona massive favs
Barcelona massive favs
Bilal Ahmad15
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My predictions:
Barca vs Man U - Barca
Man C vs Spurs - Man City
Juventus vs Ajax - Juventus
Liverpool vs Porto - Liverpool
Barca vs Man U - Barca
Man C vs Spurs - Man City
Juventus vs Ajax - Juventus
Liverpool vs Porto - Liverpool
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[MENTION=147163]Bilal Ahmad15[/MENTION] check your pm
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So can Manchester United do it?
Abdullah719
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">�������� <a href="https://t.co/0UY08ctz3n">pic.twitter.com/0UY08ctz3n</a></p>— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1115277971479248897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mueez
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Man U.
Gut says Barca will bottle it.
Gut says Barca will bottle it.
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hadi123
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Wish it would be United but it's gonna be Barca unfortunately
Ronaldo7
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Man U all the way. No one was expecting them to win against psg but they won 3-1 so...
KingKhanWC
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I worry for Utd tonight, Messi and Co will be licking their lips against such a midfield and defence.
MosheD
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ManU done and dusted. Expect total carnage at camp nou - they will play straight into Barca's trap by chasing that away goal in camp nou
Manchester United must produce another unlikely Champions League comeback to keep their hopes alive after Barcelona left Old Trafford with a slender advantage following the quarter-final first leg.
Barcelona, with superstar Lionel Messi quiet by his standards, were nowhere near their best but secured the win after Luis Suarez's far post header from the Argentine's pass deflected in off Luke Shaw in the 12th minute and was confirmed by the video assistant referee after initially being given offside.
New Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can take heart from his team's great endeavour but opportunities were at a premium, the best being a first-half header from Diogo Dalot that he directed off target. In fact United did not muster a single shot on target.
Barcelona still posed a threat, with David de Gea saving from Philippe Coutinho and Messi - and United must now repeat their last-16 heroics against Paris St-Germain in France when they travel to the Nou Camp chasing a semi-final spot against Liverpool or Porto.
Man Utd all sweat, no threat
Manchester United's players took the applause of Old Trafford - but it was acknowledgment of a plucky effort rather than praise for any serious quality.
United had excellent performers, with youngster Scott McTominay delivering a performance of real maturity, but the bottom line was that they barely laid a glove on Barcelona all night.
And the frustration for the Premier League side will be that this should be regarded as a missed opportunity because Barcelona were light years away from their flowing best here.
This was the first time United have failed to have a shot on target in a Champions League game since March 2005, when they lost away to AC Milan.
Solskjaer and his side are left hoping for the same sort of miracle that saw them overcome a 2-0 home defeat to come through the last 16 against PSG - but lightning does not usually strike twice, Barcelona are a superior side and the Red Devils have won only once in the Nou Camp, when they beat Bayern Munich there in the 1999 Champions League final.
United will summon up those spirits but this is very much odds against once more.
Barcelona grind out crucial win
Barcelona have glittered in the Champions League for years. This was a night for the grind and they got the job done. It was undistinguished, unspectacular, but done all the same.
Suarez got his goal but was only an intermittent threat while Messi occasionally flashed but was often on the margins, not helped by sustaining a facial injury in a first-half challenge by Chris Smalling.
Coutinho showed glimpses of the brilliance that made him such a precious commodity but this was a night when Barcelona played well within themselves.
There was little in the way of celebration from their players at the final whistle as they knew their performance was poor but it was still a giant stride towards the semi-final, and they will be satisfied by how they totally nullified United.
Man of the match - Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
'We are still in this tie' - what they said
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "There were pluses and negatives. We started sloppy and a bit nervous. After their goal we settled and played well.
"We had very good individual performances in midfield. At times it felt like a proper United team - the crowd were behind us, we got out wide and got crosses in.
"We didn't start great, but it was a great goal and movement from Messi and Suarez but they're fortunate it comes off Luke Shaw. It's a blow but we settled well. We're still in this tie."
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said: "It's a good feeling because it's a decent result. We know it's still tight and there is a second game to come. We know they can react away from home and they did well against PSG. It was a very tough game and what we expected. There were moments where we suffered but we are happy."
Former United and current Barcelona defender Gerard Pique: "After seeing the PSG game, you do not have to trust the result - they came in Paris with a better result and look what happened. Big clubs can do these things, you have to work it out.
"It was special to come here after so many years. We are defensively at the best moment of the season. I feel comfortable because of my age and experience."
United struggle at Old Trafford again - the stats
Manchester United have lost three consecutive home Champions League knockout stage games for the first time.
This was Barcelona's fourth Champions League victory against Manchester United, with each one coming in a different stadium (Nou Camp, Stadio Olimpico, Wembley and Old Trafford).
Manchester United have lost four of their past six Champions League home games, as many as they had in their previous 71 at Old Trafford in the competition (W51 D16 L4).
Manchester United failed to have a single shot on target in a Champions League game for the first time since March 2005, in a 1-0 loss at AC Milan.
Barcelona have won five of their past seven away games against English opponents in the Champions League (D1 L1), as many as they had in their first 17 such games in the competition (W5 D5 L7).
36% of Manchester United's total home defeats in the Champions League have been against Spanish opponents (5/14).
Luke Shaw's own goal was the eighth Manchester United have scored in the Champions League - no side has conceded more in the history of the competition.
Luis Suarez has had more shots without finding the net than any other player in the Champions League this season (33).
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47871681
Barcelona, with superstar Lionel Messi quiet by his standards, were nowhere near their best but secured the win after Luis Suarez's far post header from the Argentine's pass deflected in off Luke Shaw in the 12th minute and was confirmed by the video assistant referee after initially being given offside.
New Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can take heart from his team's great endeavour but opportunities were at a premium, the best being a first-half header from Diogo Dalot that he directed off target. In fact United did not muster a single shot on target.
Barcelona still posed a threat, with David de Gea saving from Philippe Coutinho and Messi - and United must now repeat their last-16 heroics against Paris St-Germain in France when they travel to the Nou Camp chasing a semi-final spot against Liverpool or Porto.
Man Utd all sweat, no threat
Manchester United's players took the applause of Old Trafford - but it was acknowledgment of a plucky effort rather than praise for any serious quality.
United had excellent performers, with youngster Scott McTominay delivering a performance of real maturity, but the bottom line was that they barely laid a glove on Barcelona all night.
And the frustration for the Premier League side will be that this should be regarded as a missed opportunity because Barcelona were light years away from their flowing best here.
This was the first time United have failed to have a shot on target in a Champions League game since March 2005, when they lost away to AC Milan.
Solskjaer and his side are left hoping for the same sort of miracle that saw them overcome a 2-0 home defeat to come through the last 16 against PSG - but lightning does not usually strike twice, Barcelona are a superior side and the Red Devils have won only once in the Nou Camp, when they beat Bayern Munich there in the 1999 Champions League final.
United will summon up those spirits but this is very much odds against once more.
Barcelona grind out crucial win
Barcelona have glittered in the Champions League for years. This was a night for the grind and they got the job done. It was undistinguished, unspectacular, but done all the same.
Suarez got his goal but was only an intermittent threat while Messi occasionally flashed but was often on the margins, not helped by sustaining a facial injury in a first-half challenge by Chris Smalling.
Coutinho showed glimpses of the brilliance that made him such a precious commodity but this was a night when Barcelona played well within themselves.
There was little in the way of celebration from their players at the final whistle as they knew their performance was poor but it was still a giant stride towards the semi-final, and they will be satisfied by how they totally nullified United.
Man of the match - Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
'We are still in this tie' - what they said
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "There were pluses and negatives. We started sloppy and a bit nervous. After their goal we settled and played well.
"We had very good individual performances in midfield. At times it felt like a proper United team - the crowd were behind us, we got out wide and got crosses in.
"We didn't start great, but it was a great goal and movement from Messi and Suarez but they're fortunate it comes off Luke Shaw. It's a blow but we settled well. We're still in this tie."
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said: "It's a good feeling because it's a decent result. We know it's still tight and there is a second game to come. We know they can react away from home and they did well against PSG. It was a very tough game and what we expected. There were moments where we suffered but we are happy."
Former United and current Barcelona defender Gerard Pique: "After seeing the PSG game, you do not have to trust the result - they came in Paris with a better result and look what happened. Big clubs can do these things, you have to work it out.
"It was special to come here after so many years. We are defensively at the best moment of the season. I feel comfortable because of my age and experience."
United struggle at Old Trafford again - the stats
Manchester United have lost three consecutive home Champions League knockout stage games for the first time.
This was Barcelona's fourth Champions League victory against Manchester United, with each one coming in a different stadium (Nou Camp, Stadio Olimpico, Wembley and Old Trafford).
Manchester United have lost four of their past six Champions League home games, as many as they had in their previous 71 at Old Trafford in the competition (W51 D16 L4).
Manchester United failed to have a single shot on target in a Champions League game for the first time since March 2005, in a 1-0 loss at AC Milan.
Barcelona have won five of their past seven away games against English opponents in the Champions League (D1 L1), as many as they had in their first 17 such games in the competition (W5 D5 L7).
36% of Manchester United's total home defeats in the Champions League have been against Spanish opponents (5/14).
Luke Shaw's own goal was the eighth Manchester United have scored in the Champions League - no side has conceded more in the history of the competition.
Luis Suarez has had more shots without finding the net than any other player in the Champions League this season (33).
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47871681
Kianig89
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Fair result to Man U 1-0 down gives them a false hope they never looked like scoring Barca were below par
This Barca team showed that they are nothing special - heavily rely on Messi to conjure something up. As a team, they are beatable.
But yesterday also showed the limitations of Solskjaer and United. Tactically, United have reverted to what the media look upon as the 'Man United way'. This involves any proactive play being to get the ball wide and crossing it in. Unfortunately, football has evolved.
Pumping crosses in are easy to deal with for defenders, and even forward players are not really accustomed to running into the box to head a cross in. It won't work.
You have to spend a lot more time in coaching attacking patterns, which enable you to break down a defence through movement and passing as a team - not simply getting it wide, or relying on one 'playmaker' who is allowed to make forward passes in the middle of the pitch. The best coaches, i.e. Pep, Klopp, and even Pochettino have drilled their players to pass and move together.
United rely on counter attacks, where they can attack with pace, and the opposition defence is ragged, in order to play through the middle. Barca did not play to this script - i.e. they did not push up and dominate the ball, leaving space in behind. Instead, United had a lot more of the ball then they probably anticipated, but were simply unable to do anything creative with it.
That is partly down to the players, but also down to the coaching. You can argue that Solskjaer may need more time to coach his players, but from the limited information we have on Solskjaer as a coach, both at United and before, I don't think he is capable of this, nor do I think he even sees the need for it. For him, the 'Man United way', is fine.
Another thing, people need to start looking at the elephant in the room that is Marcus Rashford. He was poor yesterday, but has been held up as someone who did well, in the UK press, unable to see past its 'British bias'. Its the same press which will praise McTominany through the roof, but ignore Fred, who was in my eyes, the more impressive midfield player of the two yesterday. Solskajer need to be brave and drop Rashford - but he was unable to even sub him until the end yesterday.
Lukaku was doing a semi-decent job of holding the ball up, if not much else. Rashord had offered next to nothing, apart from wasting free kicks. The logical sub would have been to take Rashford off, and bring on Martial. At least leave Lukaku up there for crosses and knock downs if all United were going to do was cross the ball anyway. Instead Lukaku was taken off, reducing United to having two players who like to run in behind, but no service to them.
Ashley Young was also poor. If you are going to attack down the right, then probably would have been better off having Dalot go down that side - at least one of his crosses may have beaten the first man.
United are in all probability out of this tie, as I can't see them suddenly changing their approach in time for the Nou Camp. On last night's evidence, Liverpool too having nothing to fear from either of these teams - they will outclass United, and are a better team than Barcelona. The only thing that can stop them is if Messi decides to have one of those games.
But yesterday also showed the limitations of Solskjaer and United. Tactically, United have reverted to what the media look upon as the 'Man United way'. This involves any proactive play being to get the ball wide and crossing it in. Unfortunately, football has evolved.
Pumping crosses in are easy to deal with for defenders, and even forward players are not really accustomed to running into the box to head a cross in. It won't work.
You have to spend a lot more time in coaching attacking patterns, which enable you to break down a defence through movement and passing as a team - not simply getting it wide, or relying on one 'playmaker' who is allowed to make forward passes in the middle of the pitch. The best coaches, i.e. Pep, Klopp, and even Pochettino have drilled their players to pass and move together.
United rely on counter attacks, where they can attack with pace, and the opposition defence is ragged, in order to play through the middle. Barca did not play to this script - i.e. they did not push up and dominate the ball, leaving space in behind. Instead, United had a lot more of the ball then they probably anticipated, but were simply unable to do anything creative with it.
That is partly down to the players, but also down to the coaching. You can argue that Solskjaer may need more time to coach his players, but from the limited information we have on Solskjaer as a coach, both at United and before, I don't think he is capable of this, nor do I think he even sees the need for it. For him, the 'Man United way', is fine.
Another thing, people need to start looking at the elephant in the room that is Marcus Rashford. He was poor yesterday, but has been held up as someone who did well, in the UK press, unable to see past its 'British bias'. Its the same press which will praise McTominany through the roof, but ignore Fred, who was in my eyes, the more impressive midfield player of the two yesterday. Solskajer need to be brave and drop Rashford - but he was unable to even sub him until the end yesterday.
Lukaku was doing a semi-decent job of holding the ball up, if not much else. Rashord had offered next to nothing, apart from wasting free kicks. The logical sub would have been to take Rashford off, and bring on Martial. At least leave Lukaku up there for crosses and knock downs if all United were going to do was cross the ball anyway. Instead Lukaku was taken off, reducing United to having two players who like to run in behind, but no service to them.
Ashley Young was also poor. If you are going to attack down the right, then probably would have been better off having Dalot go down that side - at least one of his crosses may have beaten the first man.
United are in all probability out of this tie, as I can't see them suddenly changing their approach in time for the Nou Camp. On last night's evidence, Liverpool too having nothing to fear from either of these teams - they will outclass United, and are a better team than Barcelona. The only thing that can stop them is if Messi decides to have one of those games.
Barca will cruise past Man Utd who are so very lucky to be in the quarter finals in the first place. To make it even sweeter a former Liverpool man scored yesterday leaving then on the verge of elimination. Man Utd hardly created anything despite dominating the second half. After the honeymoon period Ole is now being exposed as being the very average manager he is.
I have a feeling United will go through.
Key is not chasing a goal too early and just keeping it tight and the odd break out by pogba then trying to play in martial or rashford on the counter. There will be plenty of space out there.
Lukaku should start so he can hold the ball up and take pressure of the defence and then if it's 0-0 put martial on.
Similar template to PSG
Key is not chasing a goal too early and just keeping it tight and the odd break out by pogba then trying to play in martial or rashford on the counter. There will be plenty of space out there.
Lukaku should start so he can hold the ball up and take pressure of the defence and then if it's 0-0 put martial on.
Similar template to PSG
Romelu Lukaku has told his *Manchester United team-mates they can only beat Barcelona by showing “more b*****ks”.
The Red Devils lost their Champions League quarter-final first leg 1-0.
Asked what United need in the Nou Camp return next Tuesday, Lukaku said: “Taking our chances, not conceding a goal and play with more heart and b*****ks.”
And while others clutched at straws, hunted for positives or remembered the miracle of Paris as they looked ahead to next Tuesday’s return, Lukaku reckons he and his teammates simply were not arrogant enough at Old Trafford.
So the Belgian wants some United swagger when they walk out at the Nou Camp.
He said: “I don’t think we played with the same arrogance and confidence on the ball.
“Second half we tried and the first 20 minutes of the second half we were there.
“But it’s something we have to do for the whole 90 minutes over there.
“Don’t concede a goal and score early. Play with more heart and b*****ks.
“We have to believe, have the desire and more quality than in this game.”
United failed to get a shot on target on Wednesday — the first time that has happened to them since 2005 in Europe’s premier competition.
They have also only scored once at home in five Champions League ties — Marouane Fellaini’s winner against Young Boys.
On Wednesday, United switched off at the back, too, for the crucial goal on 12 minutes.
Lionel Messi’s clever chip found Luis Suarez whose header was deflected in by Luke Shaw.
Lukaku added: “There was a lack of concentration and they scored a goal.
“From that moment on we tried to control. But I think over there we have to do a better job and stay focused a bit more.”
For all their Old Trafford Euro trauma this season, United have performed well away from home.
They beat group rivals Juventus 2-1 in Turin and secured a famous 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
Barcelona have not lost a Champions League game at the Nou Camp in six years. But if United can get an early goal, that Paris result will certainly be on Barca’s minds.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insisted this tie was far from dead.
And United midfielder Paul Pogba added: “We believe, we still believe and we have to believe.
“We know we can hurt them. They can hurt us but we know we can hurt them as well.
“One leg has gone, so now we think about the next one.
“They will have seen what happened against PSG but obviously they will be careful.”
United do need an X-Factor that they did not have on Wednesday and Lukaku believes it could be lurking within their ranks.
Alexis Sanchez undoubtedly has the ability, even if United fans have rarely seen it.
The former Barcelona star is back training after a month out with a knee injury and will be available for the return leg.
Lukaku said: “He is a very positive person and with the qualities that he has, he can be one of the best players in the league.
“The way he trains every day, he shows us his *quality and I hope he can help us finish in the top four and go on in the Champion League.”
Or perhaps that really is clutching at straws.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...s/news-story/eebb2121f1da5296cc55a48508ea11ce
The Red Devils lost their Champions League quarter-final first leg 1-0.
Asked what United need in the Nou Camp return next Tuesday, Lukaku said: “Taking our chances, not conceding a goal and play with more heart and b*****ks.”
And while others clutched at straws, hunted for positives or remembered the miracle of Paris as they looked ahead to next Tuesday’s return, Lukaku reckons he and his teammates simply were not arrogant enough at Old Trafford.
So the Belgian wants some United swagger when they walk out at the Nou Camp.
He said: “I don’t think we played with the same arrogance and confidence on the ball.
“Second half we tried and the first 20 minutes of the second half we were there.
“But it’s something we have to do for the whole 90 minutes over there.
“Don’t concede a goal and score early. Play with more heart and b*****ks.
“We have to believe, have the desire and more quality than in this game.”
United failed to get a shot on target on Wednesday — the first time that has happened to them since 2005 in Europe’s premier competition.
They have also only scored once at home in five Champions League ties — Marouane Fellaini’s winner against Young Boys.
On Wednesday, United switched off at the back, too, for the crucial goal on 12 minutes.
Lionel Messi’s clever chip found Luis Suarez whose header was deflected in by Luke Shaw.
Lukaku added: “There was a lack of concentration and they scored a goal.
“From that moment on we tried to control. But I think over there we have to do a better job and stay focused a bit more.”
For all their Old Trafford Euro trauma this season, United have performed well away from home.
They beat group rivals Juventus 2-1 in Turin and secured a famous 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
Barcelona have not lost a Champions League game at the Nou Camp in six years. But if United can get an early goal, that Paris result will certainly be on Barca’s minds.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insisted this tie was far from dead.
And United midfielder Paul Pogba added: “We believe, we still believe and we have to believe.
“We know we can hurt them. They can hurt us but we know we can hurt them as well.
“One leg has gone, so now we think about the next one.
“They will have seen what happened against PSG but obviously they will be careful.”
United do need an X-Factor that they did not have on Wednesday and Lukaku believes it could be lurking within their ranks.
Alexis Sanchez undoubtedly has the ability, even if United fans have rarely seen it.
The former Barcelona star is back training after a month out with a knee injury and will be available for the return leg.
Lukaku said: “He is a very positive person and with the qualities that he has, he can be one of the best players in the league.
“The way he trains every day, he shows us his *quality and I hope he can help us finish in the top four and go on in the Champion League.”
Or perhaps that really is clutching at straws.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...s/news-story/eebb2121f1da5296cc55a48508ea11ce
Darkrai
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Barca was horrible in the first leg, reminded me of that Roma match. Valverde has not learned his lesson it seems. Barca was extremely lucky to come away with a win. This defensive style is not Barcelona, when will Valverde realize that? Valverde and the team has been carried by Messi. Barca needs to wake up.
shaaik
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So who is it gonna be ?? wish Man U to win but have voted for Barcelona.
We not gonna be chasing anything until 70th minute.
We can not open up. Just need to sit deep and soak it up, with about 3 to 4 break out opportunities using a long pass from pogba into rashford.
Need to play 3-5-2 and hope dembele doesn't play as a good wide player will ruin the system
KingKhanWC
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Utd are done as expected.
Ajax take the lead against Juve! Big moment but can they hold on. With Ronaldo Juve still in this but need to score 2 in less than 20 mins!
Ajax take the lead against Juve! Big moment but can they hold on. With Ronaldo Juve still in this but need to score 2 in less than 20 mins!
It was men against boys with Barca not getting out of first gear! Ole's bubble is now burst exposing him for the average manager he is. The good thing for a Liverpool fan like me is Man Utd can't afford losing v Man City in the derby if they are to finish in the top four this season. To add some icing on the cake Coutinho scored a worldy to finish off the contest. After Man Utd very lucky win in the last round they didn't deserve to go through.
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