News: You’ll NeVAR Whinge Alone - The OTT Thread [R]

On paper, Atalanta v Real was always the better game, even if the complexion of it has been changed now with Atalanta's red.

City are clearly superior to Gladbach and it's probably a matter of time before they score. Gladbach are clearly counting on being able to hit them on the counter and get something there.
And there is, Cancelo for Silva, 0-1. It was coming...

Definitely a harsh red.

17 minutes in and Atalanta are down to 10. 😳 pic.twitter.com/jKtBecBkVY

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 24, 2021

 

Zakaria is another player who is on the last year of his contract apparently? Interesting....
You can clearly see shades of Vieira in his game, especially now that Gladbach are looking more adventurous and forward thinking this period.

GJ makes it 0-2. That's the tie over with those big away goals for City.

 

I'm going to have to root for PSG in the CL aren't I? I hate them but see them or Bayern as the teams (other than Liverpool or Chelsea) most able to block City's potential route to a treble (or quad).

 

It's crazy how City and Pep bounced back this season after the disappointment from last season (both in the league and in Europe), plus their poor start this season.
They've shown in the past that anyone on the day can get the best of them in Europe but as things look now, don't see anyone except Bayern who can stop them. On paper, they'd probably be too much for PSG also right now (like Pool and Chelsea, they're outsiders at best for me at this time)...
They look inevitable right now, playing some good, efficient football on both sides of the ball. And if that wasn't enough, they have the depth to compete on all fronts the rest of the way, with KdB and Aguero back.

 

That was a break for City, as if they need it to begin with... Should have been a pk.

Meanwhile, Real finally get their goal: nice from Mendy.

 

Yeah, I fear that the return to 2 legs in the knockout phase makes them the favorite. This is why I wrote what I did - I only see the English teams as potential upsets because they at least know City but, on talent now, they can't do it (nor do I want them to). Mbappe and Neymar could see PSG through in a one-off vs. City but I don't seem them winning over two legs. It probably is Bayern or a shock.

Honestly, I'd give them a better chance of winning the UCL right now than even the FA Cup given the single game nature of that competition (and you have to like their chances in the FA Cup as well).

 

Just looking forward to what things will look like after this round, since we should get a map to the final then. There always seem to be some kind of surprise team that manages to sneak into the final (or the semis at minimum).
We'll see but I definitely expect for things to get pretty exciting going forward.

 

Clearly does not hurt: that much is certain...

 

Arsenal are breathing a major sigh of relief right now. Came very close, a header off the post close from Benfica deep in added time, to going out.

 

He was flagged offside (and I think it would have held up under VAR if it got to that) but yes they have to realize just how close they were to having their season be effectively over.

 

Leicester are well on their way out vs Prague. Not necessarily what we wanted to see from United's perspective since it means they can fully concentrate on the league going forward.

 

Maybe not.

In the same breath though, this team, the players and Ole specifically need to learn how to compete deep on multiple fronts.

Maybe we can harness that pressure and adrenaline.

 

Competing on multiple fronts is not the problem. The obvious one when it comes to the EL is in regard to the Thursday-Sunday games. Especially when travel is involved, it's just not optimal in terms of recovery and freshness. And it stands to reason that the deeper we go in that competition, the more likely it will be it could represent an impediment on the league and our run in there.
We can hope that we'll be able handle both, but it definitely going to require some smart squad managing on Ole's part and remain pretty fortunate on the injury front.

 

Of course I want us to be in the CL, but damn do I love the Europa League. Much more entertaining. Love matchups like Ajax v Lille, Young Boys v Leverkusen, Rangers v Antwerp. Interested to see how far Stevie G can take this Glasgow side.

 

Our possible opponents for the next round: AC Milan, Rangers, Tottenham, Arsenal, Villarreal, Molde FK, Shakhtar Donetsk, BSC Young Boys, Granada, AS Roma, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Dinamo Zagreb, Dynamo Kyiv, Ajax.

Pretty much whatever at this point since the competition is getting fiercer at this point but preferred oppo in the coming draw for me would be: Rangers, Arsenal, Molde, Young Boys and probably Granada.
The rest all have their drawbacks in one way or another, whether it's because of their inherent quality or bc of potentially long travel to deal with (unless some games were still to be moved).

 

Ole returning to Molde would be a nice story leading up to the match.

 

The #UEL Round of 16 draw is complete:

🇳🇱 Ajax vs. BSC Young Boys 🇨🇭
🇺🇦 Dynamo Kyiv vs. Villarreal 🇪🇸
🇮🇹 Roma vs. Shakhtar 🇺🇦
🇬🇷 Olympiacos vs. Arsenal 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
🇭🇷 Dinamo Zagreb vs. Spurs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man Utd vs. AC Milan 🇮🇹
🇨🇿 Slavia Prague vs. Rangers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
🇪🇸 Granada vs. Molde 🇳🇴

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 26, 2021

 

Jordan Henderson: Liverpool captain out until April after undergoing surgery on groin injury | Football News | Sky Sports

Another serious loss for Pool (Jota is on his way back though).

 

Great to see: he's already back in training with Wolves.

 

I also think that this year and maybe the next, those games (I'd hope we don't crash out of the CL early next year) are valuable opportunities for young players to develop.

 

This is an interesting watch.

TLDR in terms of return time etc. is "it depends". Like many sports injuries the bone repair is the predictable part, the soft-tissue (brain in this case) and psychological issues will vary considerably by injury and by player and are far more important in the rehab.

 

This ought to be an interesting match: if he still has some of his old mojo and can be successful, Marseille fans will absolutely love him. Still a gamble though considering how his career has gone off the boil of late.

📝 DEAL DONE: Jorge Sampaoli has been appointed the new manager of Marseille on a contract until June 2023. (Source: @OM_Officiel) pic.twitter.com/fSyuOc1Ieq

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 26, 2021

 

Zlatan is cancelled. I hope we end his career.