European Football Discussion

UEFA Champions League

298 replies · 107,904 views
18 Mar 21:15

Going to be some big casualties with

Bayern v Real

Juve v Barca

11 Apr 21:51

Marc Bartra in surgery to remove shrapnel, fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

12 Apr 17:55

Class

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

19 Apr 00:20

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

19 Apr 00:47

In that 2nd one, the assistant ref is quite a bit behind the play - overall it sounds like the ARs and the ref had quite a few shockers all in favour of RM. 

19 Apr 00:49

Yeah I think the second one is slightly more excusable. The first one is just silly though

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

04 Jun 01:55

Well done CR and RM.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

06 Dec 21:55

Liverpool beat the meat.

11 Apr 02:42

So where's that Roma lad?



11 Apr 04:38

Fudge me. Despite it being manic at work (I mean, biggest week I've had in 3 years), I'm glowing! Really didn't see this one coming, especially after losing 2-0 to Fiorentina at home on the weekend. 

4-1 at Camp Nou was a harsh result given how well we played, but I didn't expect to win in this fashion. Amazing. Just so happy :)


VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

11 Apr 20:11 · edited 11 Apr 20:12 · History

Go JUVE! 3-3

11 Apr 20:49

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

11 Apr 21:10

I'm a fudgeing jynx :(

11 Apr 22:34

Haven't seen it but guess having lost Barcelona there was no way UEFA were going to allow Real to not be in the semi final either. Expect the draw will be made to ensure a Real-Bayern final.

11 Apr 23:10

20 Legend wrote:

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

yea i think its one of those tackles that anywhere else in the pitch it isn't a foul. But I think I'm more disappointed that a great game like that was decided by a refs call. rather than the players. 

Also, Gigi going off in the after match conference is something else. he is definitely going down swinging. 

Hard to see anyone beating RM now

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
11 Apr 23:54

kwlap wrote:

20 Legend wrote:

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

yea i think its one of those tackles that anywhere else in the pitch it isn't a foul. But I think I'm more disappointed that a great game like that was decided by a refs call. rather than the players. 

Also, Gigi going off in the after match conference is something else. he is definitely going down swinging. 

Hard to see anyone beating RM now

They got beaten 3 - 1 at home...they can draw anyone of 3 teams. One that hasn't been beaten in the CL at all, one that just demolished Barca in the second leg and then there's Bayern...apparently they aren't too bad either.

"...sure beats doin' stuff."

12 Apr 01:12

kwlap wrote:

20 Legend wrote:

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

yea i think its one of those tackles that anywhere else in the pitch it isn't a foul. But I think I'm more disappointed that a great game like that was decided by a refs call. rather than the players. 

Also, Gigi going off in the after match conference is something else. he is definitely going down swinging. 

Hard to see anyone beating RM now

That tackle anywhere else on the field is still a foul. Not only was the foot high but the RM player was pushed in the back. 

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

12 Apr 03:17

LeighboNZ wrote:

kwlap wrote:

20 Legend wrote:

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

yea i think its one of those tackles that anywhere else in the pitch it isn't a foul. But I think I'm more disappointed that a great game like that was decided by a refs call. rather than the players. 

Also, Gigi going off in the after match conference is something else. he is definitely going down swinging. 

Hard to see anyone beating RM now

They got beaten 3 - 1 at home...they can draw anyone of 3 teams. One that hasn't been beaten in the CL at all, one that just demolished Barca in the second leg and then there's Bayern...apparently they aren't too bad either.

Agree. Like I said, hard to see anyone beating them. Not that no one was going to beat them. 

Bayern weren't great this morning or in the first leg tie, barca capitulated,as did city(and liverpool played ok :)  Yes RM lost the match, but it ended on such a high for them, that's the momentum which will be carried through. 

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
12 Apr 03:21 · edited 12 Apr 03:24 · History

Leggy wrote:

kwlap wrote:

20 Legend wrote:

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

yea i think its one of those tackles that anywhere else in the pitch it isn't a foul. But I think I'm more disappointed that a great game like that was decided by a refs call. rather than the players. 

Also, Gigi going off in the after match conference is something else. he is definitely going down swinging. 

Hard to see anyone beating RM now

That tackle anywhere else on the field is still a foul. Not only was the foot high but the RM player was pushed in the back. 

yea I've had another few looks, still goes down easily, but there is a nudge in the back. Not sure about the high foot call. Only ever gets nipple height. 

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
12 Apr 03:26

I think that's an easy foul to give. Dumb challenge in the box. Penalty. See you in Russi.... oh.

Grumpy old bastard alert

12 Apr 04:16

ajc28 wrote:

Haven't seen it but guess having lost Barcelona there was no way UEFA were going to allow Real to not be in the semi final either. Expect the draw will be made to ensure a Real-Bayern final.

Quite scary that people actually think like this.

Three for me, and two for them.

12 Apr 04:23

More than what ajc28 said, I actually believe bigger teams are often (not always!) implicitly favored by referee decisions.  Not implying any foul play - just that decisions in key moments often go the way of the more important team.

Juve have had this time and time again going in their favor in Italy (when they weren't outright buying referees - go and read about Calciopoli and you'll know what I mean), but interestingly enough they often run into the same hurdle when playing in Europe.

Anyway, that was a penalty 100% so moot point imho.


VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

12 Apr 20:11

Semi-Finals - draw is about 11pm tonight correct?

At this stage, don't really care who we get. I'm going to guess...

Real vs Roma

Bayern vs Liverpool

"...sure beats doin' stuff."

13 Apr 03:38

With our luck I wouldn't be surprised...but then again I'd rather have Real than Bayern or Liverpool as they've not been their usual selves.


VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

13 Apr 16:15

Pewl vs Roma

Bayern Vs Rael

13 Apr 17:12

More than what ajc28 said, I actually believe bigger teams are often (not always!) implicitly favored by referee decisions.  Not implying any foul play - just that decisions in key moments often go the way of the more important team.

Juve have had this time and time again going in their favor in Italy (when they weren't outright buying referees - go and read about Calciopoli and you'll know what I mean), but interestingly enough they often run into the same hurdle when playing in Europe.

Anyway, that was a penalty 100% so moot point imho.

Isn't this established in studies? Dominant teams tend to get more 50/50s? Psychology or something. Fergie time. VAR



01 May 22:58

All right - Real vs Roma in the final...should be good to watch! :)


VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

27 May 02:59

kwlap wrote:

LeighboNZ wrote:

kwlap wrote:

20 Legend wrote:

Crazy game. Gutted it ended how it did.

Thought it was a penalty. Looked like a push and either way it was probably dangerous play for a high foot.

Buffon stupid for getting red carded.

yea i think its one of those tackles that anywhere else in the pitch it isn't a foul. But I think I'm more disappointed that a great game like that was decided by a refs call. rather than the players. 

Also, Gigi going off in the after match conference is something else. he is definitely going down swinging. 

Hard to see anyone beating RM now

They got beaten 3 - 1 at home...they can draw anyone of 3 teams. One that hasn't been beaten in the CL at all, one that just demolished Barca in the second leg and then there's Bayern...apparently they aren't too bad either.

Agree. Like I said, hard to see anyone beating them. Not that no one was going to beat them. 

Bayern weren't great this morning or in the first leg tie, barca capitulated,as did city(and liverpool played ok :)  Yes RM lost the match, but it ended on such a high for them, that's the momentum which will be carried through. 

called it!

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
08 Aug 00:33

There seem to be questions over whether the UEFA Champions League and Europa League will be broadcast in NZ this season.

Seems that Italian Serie A may be a possibility though.

I notice that beIN are no longer listing the Champions League or Europa League on their websites.

This from beIN to me in recent days:

Hi Peter,

Thank you for contacting beIN SPORTS.

We do apologize for the mistake, The rights to the Italian Serie A are yet to be awarded in this region same goes with UEFA League, but we hope to have an update for you soon.

Any update regarding this competition will be announced on our website https://www.beinsports.com/nz/ & https://connect-nz.beinsports.com/en.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

They had previously sent me this stock reply in regards to another query:

"beIN SPORTS brings you exclusive coverage of the EPL, La Liga, French League 1, Carabao Cup, Italian Serie A, EFL Championship, League 1 & League 2 competitions, from August 2018 to May 2019"

No mention of Champions League or Europa League.....

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

15 Aug 01:18

Sky TV announced this morning that they have purchased rights to the Champions League and Europa League for the next three seasons:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/football-soccer/news/ar...

"Sky Sport announced today the company has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for the next three years.

It comes a day after Spark revealed they have purchased the English Premier League rights for the next three years starting next season.

...The announcement today means Kiwi fans of top English teams, the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United, would need to buy subscriptions to both Sky and Spark to watch their favourite side playing both domestic and European football.

....From this season Sky will expand their coverage of the Champions League and broadcast 138 matches - at least doubling the fixtures compared to the 2017/18 season."

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

15 Aug 03:54

That's not going to please quite a few people I would think having CL and premier league with separate companies. The realities of modern day sport I guess though.

bling blang blah
08 Apr 07:13

Great article, but he left out Chris Killen at Celtic

12 Aug 21:49

Boo PSG. Atalanta were soo close!!! Robbed!!!

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
13 Dec 15:13

Can city actually pull it out this year?


Looks pretty bad against Man Utd. Haven't seen them play Rodri and Fernandinho in a while!

https://www.sportsbetting3.com/soccer/uefa-champio...

Bayern Munich seem too strong really. Juventus with Ronaldo having 1 more go at it with a mature team seems likely too.

17 Dec 10:30 · edited 09 Mar 23:00

I have Bayern Munich repeating as champions this year. They are just on a different level because of the combination of defence and offence with players like Sule and Neuer on the back line and the ever powerful Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski up front. However, I can't really count out the other teams like Real Madrid and PSG who are all in good form but have struggled with injuries to their star players like Eden Hazard and Neymar Jr.

09 Mar 23:00
itsyixing

I have Bayern Munich repeating as champions this year. They are just on a different level because of the combination of defence and offence with players like Sule and Neuer on the back line and the ever powerful Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski up front. However, I can't really count out the other teams like Real Madrid and PSG who are all in good form but have struggled with injuries to their star players like Eden Hazard and Neymar Jr.

I think Bayern are the strongest by far. Followed by the form that City are in. 
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.