This is correct IMO. I totally agree. For example if LPB ran into us the last 3 years in the CL, we would knock them out.
I can understand the difference in mentality between the domestic and cup season/knockout rounds. I agree that it's two different beasts. I just think this debate about prioritizing CL and/or Domestic is more fascinating because I'm just so accustomed to the American sports particularly the NBA. Like with the Warriors a few seasons ago, they kept saying '73-9 don't mean a thing without a ring.' I'm like, 'really?' As a big Chicago Bulls fan (family from there) growing up and following their 72-win season, I remember being nervous until they won that game 6 and clinched campeonato cuatro con este Miguel Yordan. I'm not saying CL is more important, but I'm just saying the world of sports from peewee league to professional that I came up on (and likely a lot of younger posters might've come up on) has kinda emphasized "playoffs" and "championships" in a way that has completely disregarded the efforts of the regular seasons. I actually like this emphasis on the domestic season. But yeah, growing up in America has kinda hardwired me towards craving shiny beautiful trophies. I want our Barcelona to show endurance throughout the season, but also be the best on those certain days when its time to play, too.
In fairness Benz is 4th highest scorer in Champions League history with 60 goals. He may even surpass Raúl before hanging up his boots. During this season, Benzema has scored 4 CL-goals in 7 games. For comparison, Suárez has scored 4 CL-goals in 25 games since 16/17.
I agree. Styles make fights and that's more pronounced in Cups. Could be. But there was definitely a really cool atmosphere in those games. We have the Cup nowadays but it's just different. One year Santos (with Robinho just breaking out) qualified as 8th seed into the KO rounds and they ended up being champions ... that's the downside. Made for a great story though.
To be fair, in terms of goal ratio , Benzema and Raul aint in same league as Messi, CR , Stefano and Nistelrooy. They just happen to play so many matches there, thus giving them many chances to score. The same with Ibra.