Champions League Thread 2013/14

[Özim]

I disagree, there can be possession football that does create chances ie it can be fast moving. Also you could say if perhaps Real Madrid were able to have a little bit more of the ball maybe they wouldn't only be having a 1-0 lead, that is to say, perhaps they'd have had more counter-attacking opportunities.

Also, Chelsea will concede possession whoever they came up against.

Barca had pretty much the same problem against teams like Chelsea in the past but they had an great team with players like Messi, I don't like possession football, it's slow, too intricate and relies on perfect pinpoint passing, Real should be 3-0 up, they just missed 2 very good chances...and this is with little possession.

Chelsea coped with possession football very well, they'll stifle Bayern.

Counter attacking is better to watch and much more effective when used well IMO, it's much easier to destroy teams using this.

[Power n Glory]

They're discussion possession football now. Too slow and too much ball to feet and coming to the ball instead of getting beyond defenders. These things work in cycles. I think counter attacking football is in the way back and we'll see more teams set up like this.

[Marc Overmars]

Real Madrid to make it #10?

[Özim]

They're discussion possession football now. Too slow and too much ball to feet and coming to the ball instead of getting beyond defenders. These things work in cycles. I think counter attacking football is in the way back and we'll see more teams set up like this.

Possession football requires a great understanding between players, it's also needs two to three really great players who can do something different because otherwise it's just so predictable and offers no width as an alternative.

Pace hurts teams and scares defenders, think we're now seeing that a lot of teams know how to play against possession teams.

[GP]

Hope not.

[Özim]

Real Madrid to make it #10?

I hope so, don't want Bayern or Chelsea to win it, can't see Athetico getting through either.

[Power n Glory]

Possession football requires a great understanding between players, it's also needs two to three really great players who can do something different because otherwise it's just so predictable and offers no width as an alternative.

Pace hurts teams and scares defenders, think we're now seeing that a lot of teams know how to play against possession teams.

It does and it may take Pep a while to get the machine fully oiled. But he may not get the chance. Beckenbauer has already been critical of the style of play and thinks Bayern will become boring like Barca.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I hate to be the one to say it, but AnyoneButChelsea.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Barca had pretty much the same problem against teams like Chelsea in the past but they had an great team with players like Messi, I don't like possession football, it's slow, too intricate and relies on perfect pinpoint passing, Real should be 3-0 up, they just missed 2 very good chances...and this is with little possession.

Chelsea coped with possession football very well, they'll stifle Bayern.

Counter attacking is better to watch and much more effective when used well IMO, it's much easier to destroy teams using this.

Just like counter attacking has failed against teams like Barcelona, which is pretty much every team they have to come up against! I know it's not for you but that means you're predisposed to only seeing the negative in it, there is no definite or absolutely reliable way of playing football.

Eventuallly every team has to change their style, no style keeps winning forever, hence why no team has retained the Champions League - I do reject the notion somehow that Bayern Munich are only possession based this season though that seems to be proliferated in the media; I am fairly sure in terms of average possession they were only second to Barcelona last season and possibly in the Champions League last season only against us and Barcelona were they outpossessed but the quickness of thepassing is the difference.

Barcelona at their best annihilated teams with quick passing and runners from out wide (including the fullbacks), plus they have Messi and Iniesta who primarily are dribblers which helps to create space but unlike say, Robben, they will always look for that incisive pass too.

Counter-attacking is only better to watch if that's what you think. Creating a blanket idea of what is great in football and what isn't is no different to the criticisms Wenger has got for criticising pub teams keeping everybody behind the ball in the past.

[Niall_Quinn]

I hate to be the one to say it, but AnyoneButChelsea.

I hate the fact you said that, because I wanted to be the one to say it.