It's not an issue in La Liga, as we will, 9 times out of 10, outscore the opposition. But I can see this being our achiles heel in the CL, if we come up against a decent side they will punish us for defensive errors over 2 legs. Personally the league is the most important title to win and we can only throw that away now. Anything on top of that would be a nice bonus.
There are decent sides in Liga as well. Besides, the two-legged format favours us, I think. I mean I agree, gotta improve the defence. But I don't see too many teams in CL who have the whole package together much better than we do, even if we were mediocre in defence. Tough to win that title, but I like our chances. Also agreed that Liga obviously is the priority every season.
As I said before (sorry to bore you all) the CL this season is a tougher than ever imho. So many teams are capable of winning that I don't think there is an obvious favourite. As we all know, (Chelsea), a huge slice of luck helps as well.
Well, sure, but all teams have their weaknesses and strong points. All put together, few have better package than Barca. Doesn't mean we're gonna win, but at this point if favourites and odds would have to be given, I'd go as far as saying no one's more likely to win it than us (but we're obviously way more likely to not win it than win it).
Barca, LPB (I think they will beat Man Utd), Bayern, Dortmund are all capable of winning it and the "dark horses", Juve, PSG can do so as well. Just a very tough competition this season with a lot of very good sides. Not sure if this is the correct thread to post this in, but a very good article about Depor and Valencia and the sad state they are both currently in: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/jan/28/depor-valencia-once-were-warriors
Never disagreed that there are many teams who seem capable of winning it. But can one say there is a team who is more likely than Barca to win it? I don't think so. Besides I don't think this season differs that radically from one's normal CL: there are always lots of tough teams capable of going very deep.
I agree with you, but after last season I don't think you can underestimate how much a part "luck" can play and of course a couple of favourable decisions here and there. I'm not expecting us to win it, but I would be jolly happy if we did.
I'm not saying we're definitely gonna win it. Just saying that we look perhaps the strongest candidate to win it, but the difference between us and the rest of the best is very small, and even if we were the strongest, it doesn't mean things are gonna go our way. But if all the teams got equal odds, I'd say the smart bet would be for Barca.
Well, I'm not a gambling man, but as Barca are the favourites I guess you won't get very good odds by betting on them. Better to put a fiver on Dortmund or PSG.
Last season was more clear-cut IMO. ie fewer good teams. Partially explains why Chelsea won (as mediocre as they were, they were still favorites to reach the semis). Meanwhile Bayern and LPB weren't even tested until the semis. This year, not only will nobody reach the semis without getting a solid test, I don't think anyone can reach the quarters without a solid test. Man Utd, Porto and Juventus are back in the fold. PSG instead of Marseille is an upgrade.
I dunno. I mean I agree that it's tough this year, but I don't think it ever was that easy before. If we just look at the last year, LPB only drew their first match in the round of 16, we only drew our first match in quarters, and Bayern lost their first match in the quarters. Of course in the second match the difference was made, but it's too far said "not even tested". PSG over Marseille might be an upgrade, but then again Marseille was a solid team. Anyway they threw Inter out, and Inter wasn't that weak then. Etc, etc. Besides, if a team like ManU is now "back", it's not because they were on a break last season - they just couldn't make it then. As for "fewer good teams" I also dunno. There were 16 of the best that the group stage dictated, same this year. Surely some big name teams lacked then that are still alive now, but it's not like there are too many bad teams in the round of 16 ever. As for winner candidates, I guess it depends how you define it. Any team can win four battles in a row if it clicks, and anyone can lose one battle if it doesn't click, so I guess 16 candidates by default. But I'd be very surprised if someone other than Barca, LPB, ManU, Bayern, Juve or Dortmund ends up winning the whole thing (not saying it definitely won't happen, but it's more or less a surprise winner then).
It was never easy, but I just think this time it is tougher than ever, that's all. This time even the teams who would probably be classified as rank outsiders, PSG/Juve are not exactly mugs.
But that's just it. Last season you couldn't list 7 teams like you just did (adding PSG). It was really just Bayern, LPB and Barca. 3. And two out of those 3 are playing better this season (guess who isn't? ) Anyone else would be considered a big surprise.** ** Personally I don't think Milan winning is ever a "big surprise" but I excluded them since you also excluded them from your list.
Well, tbh, you could sort of make a smaller list this year as well. Depends where you draw the line. Only three tough? I dunno how is LPB a candidate and ManU (and also Dortmund) not. Last season, if we draw the line like we do this year, surely more teams should belong to the list. Chelsea for one, Inter probably as well. Milan? I agree they are always a candidate thanks to their history and not too distant heroics, but all the way to the podium? Would definitely be a surprise to me (especially since they have a tough-ish round of 16 draw).
Milan have agreed a fee with Man City to sign Balotelli. They are a pale shadow of the team they used to be, hope I don't regret typing that.
Messi is on 17 goals against RM during his career. He needs just one goal to tie the top scorer in Clasicos which is Di Stefano.
Not that there's any need to overestimate Balotelli or underestimate Milan, but Balotelli is anyway cup tied in CL no? Not that I'd mind him playing.
Oh no, I'm not bothered by Balotelli, and besides he is cup tied. I've seen a lot of Balotelli, and whilst his "look at me, look at me" antics were entertaining whilst he was producing the goods on the pitch, this season they have just become tiresome and the behaviour of a spoilt brat. He has scored 1 goal for Man City this season and none in the league, he's beginning to believe his own hype and thinks that walking round with a surly face makes him great. Getting back to Milan, they are such a poor side, although they have improved in the league of late, I don't think Barca could have hand picked an easier draw for themselves in the CL. OK, I'll shut up now.
Surely Chelsea's CL win qualifies as a "big surprise". More so than if, say, Juve, PSG or Man United win this season.
Maybe, but if they favourites to reach semis, then they aren't too far from being at least some sort of candidate for the whole thing.
Maybe we agree to disagree - I just don't think it was too weak of a field last year. Europe's finest anyway.
Not really. Real Madrid was the only league champion from a top league involved in the CL knockout stage last season! But yeah, it wasn't weak. Just weaker than usual.