Champions League 25/26

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lots of people is a massive exaggeration and you know it.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I also don’t recall Liverpool being so vulnerable at the back, in their first six games in all competitions they have conceded eight goals. Last season it was two (and they scored 13 then compared to 14 then)

Liverpool’s current form is more akin to the run City was on last season before things went off the rails big time. I don’t necessarily think Liverpool are going to go into a tail spin like that. But i think they will be forced into a rethink if they face a team that soaks up the pressure and breaks heavily on them.

They could retain the title but like last season it will be a result of our coach being a control freak imbecile

[IBK]

Not at all, up to a couple of seasons ago, people were saying with some justification that every team that faced Citeh basically did so believing they'd probably lose and either half-heartedly tried to play a bit at the beginning then shut up shop when conceding the first goal, or simply parked the bus to begin with - whereas every team tried to beat us - it gave Citeh an advantage

We need that same aura and it doesn't come from playing 3 DMs at Anfield

3 different points here, though. The first (admittedly facetious) point I was making is that no team plays with the intent of doing anyone else a favour. This is what I found curious.

The second issue is whether teams will roll over for Liverpool. My hope is that managers of teams with aspirations of finishing as high as they can will take the game to them. Particularly as trying to shut up shop is likely to be unsuccessful. I take the point that we didn't really do this when playing at Anfield, and I agree with you that other teams will be cautious going there. I still hold out hope however that in a league where there are a number of very good managers and stronger teams generally than when Citeh ruled the roost Liverpool won't simply win games by turning up. I think that their performances this season have shown that Liverpool are not invulnerable. Their late wins could be encouragement for others as well as for them.

The third is our own aura. I think that we are now also a feared team. Liverpool gave us a lot of respect a couple of weeks ago, and for a while now other teams have been cautious in their set ups against us. What we need to do to hold the psychological edge that you think will be Liverpool's advantage is to show that we too can deal with the low block.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tuesday, 30th September 2025
Atalanta v Club Brugge, 17:45 TNT Sports 3
Kairat v Real Madrid, 17:45 TNT Sports 2/TNT Sports 10
Atletico Madrid v Eintracht Frankfurt, 20:00 TNT Sports 5
Bodo/Glimt v Tottenham Hotspur, 20:00 TNT Sports 2/TNT Sports 6
Chelsea v Benfica, 20:00 TNT Sports 1
Galatasaray v Liverpool, 20:00 Amazon Prime Video
Inter Milan v Slavia Prague, 20:00 TNT Sports 8
Marseille v Ajax, 20:00 TNT Sports 6
Pafos v Bayern Munich, 20:00 TNT Sports 7

[HCZ_Reborn]

none of these seem like remotely interesting fixtures

Although interesting that even though Bodo’s stadium is poor by even championship standards is still going to be a venue for the Champions League. Would have thought they’d play their home matches at Ulevaal. Then again it is about 700 miles south to Oslo, so might be asking a bit much of the home fans

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mourinho going back to Stamford Bridge could be funny.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kairat 0-5 Real Madrid, Mbappe hat-trick, Camavinga and Brahim Diaz.

Atalanta beat Club Brugge 2-1 also.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chelsea's front four is awful.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Eintracht Frankfurt, Raspadori.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Marseille 1-0 Ajax, Paixao.