Champions League Thread 2013/14

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Really a style and it's effectiveness is dictated by the type of players you have. Barca at their best were able to weave intricate patterns and run rings around teams with their passing, even teams set up in the way Mourinho set them up (Real set up to defend against Barca in the semi finals in 2011 and it did them no good).
I think the best managers adapt their tactics depending on who they are playing, Ancelotti's Real Madrid aren't by necessity a counter punching side but they felt best served to set up that way against a side that they knew would see more of the ball than them, but at the same time didn't become as negative and cynical as a side set up by Jose Mourinho.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Possession football just doesn't do it for me though, it often takes too long to create anything, the excitement of quick attacks and being able to destroy teams in the space of 20-30 minutes is more stimulating IMO.

So the Argentina goal against Serbia in the 2006 world cup did nothing for you

[Kano]

strange how after nearly a whole season when bayern have scared the arse of teams in their own league and across europe that their style of football is being written off so quickly.

even stranger was pep's lack of tactical change after going a goal or two down. against dortmund earlier in the season they weren't having much success so they went long and ended up winning the game. here they just seemed resolved to winning or losing in one manner.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

The style of play Pep plays is very hit and miss and is dependent on the players at his disposal, when it works it's almost unstoppable and when it doesn't work it looks very turgid, boring and blunt.
The problem is i think the players at Bayern are more suited to the style Jupp Hynckes had them playing, absorb and counter thrust....and ultimately whilst Robben and Ribery are good players, they aren't wingers in the conventional sense and so they lacked width last night against Real Madrid.

[Kano]

they seem more than suited for the vast majority of the season to be fair. i think a combination of losing momentum (a lot of teams lose the plot for a while after such a long unbeaten run) combined with some players switching off a little after winning the title and believing their own hype, has led to this. it's no coincidence that they've lost a few games recently in the league too.

i think pep needed this. it's been easy street for him since he came into management and winning the champs league with this bayern team would've led to many saying how easy is was to follow on from last season. a good kick in the teeth every now and then is needed to improve.

[selassie]

The style of play Pep plays is very hit and miss and is dependent on the players at his disposal, when it works it's almost unstoppable and when it doesn't work it looks very turgid, boring and blunt.
The problem is i think the players at Bayern are more suited to the style Jupp Hynckes had them playing, absorb and counter thrust....and ultimately whilst Robben and Ribery are good players, they aren't wingers in the conventional sense and so they lacked width last night against Real Madrid.

I'd go as far as to say I saw that coming last night. Bayern haven't looked comfortable in CL this season, well in the knockout stages anyway.

With 11 on the pitch in both games I think we would have run them very close. Moreover they struggled against Man United too.

I do think Pep will slowly mould the team into his way, I get the impression he will buy more of "his" type players and slowly rid the team/squad of the more direct/less technical players.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

they seem more than suited for the vast majority of the season to be fair. i think a combination of losing momentum (a lot of teams lose the plot for a while after such a long unbeaten run) combined with some players switching off a little after winning the title and believing their own hype, has led to this. it's no coincidence that they've lost a few games recently in the league too.

i think pep needed this. it's been easy street for him since he came into management and winning the champs league with this bayern team would've led to many saying how easy is was to follow on from last season. a good kick in the teeth every now and then is needed to improve.

To be fair though, who have they come up that's been that great before the semi final against Real Madrid.

Arsenal had their number to an extent when we played them at the Emirates until we went down to ten men. They beat City at Eastlands by playing the counter punching method, and arguably they did the same to Dortmund as well when they beat them at the Westfalen Stadion in the Bundesliga.

You can tell how they have gradually evolved into Pep's style of play over the course of the season and how in many ways it has made them less penetrative, they dominated possession at both the Bernebau and Old Trafford and came out with a defeat and a draw.

[Munchies]

Atleti winning the league/CL double would probably be up there with the greatest football achievements.

[Marc Overmars]

It would. They're the only ones who can save football now.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I have heard a rumour that if Chelsea win the champions league we would not have to go through the qualifying rounds?

I'm inclined to believe that is nonsense

It doesn't matter as i'd go through the qualifying rounds for the satisfaction of knowing that Chelsea won't be European champions again.

Part of me wants Chelsea to win tonight though, i'd love for them to get beaten in the final by Real Madrid his former team, and Carlo Ancelotti a man who he has forever been dismissive of even though for me he is every bit Mourinho's equal.