2024-2025 Champions League, Europa League and Conference League

Noa Lang didnot give much help to Dams by giving rightback Konoplia not much resistance steaming up.

 

8538


Remaining CL matches:

 

8716


Against a qualitative strong opponent (top striker Victor Osimhen, and experienced Belgians Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi) AZ maneged to score quick, but unfortunately wasted several opportunities to expand the lead (Ruben van Bommel and Mayckel Lahdo missed to up the score).
Unfortunately Galatasaray got a goal gifted just before the break, while they hardly created any chances.
In the second half, the visitors were much stronger, but the youthful AZ was able to withstand the pressure..

 

According to the 1st half stats FC Twente needs their mojo starting, or lose points:

 

First half stats:

 

That's an interesting defense of ManUnited vs Bodo

 

8756

 

VI ratings for Ajax:

 

VI ratings for FC Twente players:

 

Real Sociedad didn't produce a shot on goal in the first half, although former Ajax player Sheraldo Becker and Oyarzabal escaped the attention of Devyne Rensch and Youri Baas on the stroke of halftime. That ended well for Ajax. Ajax created more chances; especially when it played out under the first Basque pressure, there was plenty of space. For example, Chuba Akpom was launched via Berghuis and Jordan Henderson. Just like against Feyenoord and Twente, the British (wing) striker only missed in front of the keeper. Fitz-Jim shot too late after an interception, after which Brobbey hit the post from a difficult angle. Hato (header) didn't crown Ajax's dominance either.

It's the same old story ..don't you take your chances...you pay the price.
Such a pity.

 

9172


This new CL/EL/Conf.L format has for the top teams the unfortunate result, that they can't relax going into a match. Every goal counts. In the old groups set up it was like which of the two top teams comes out as nr 1 and which one as number two. Most of the times the last 2 matches didnot matter anymore, so you could throw in a reserve team.
Now you have to make sure you're one of the top 8 to qualify directly for the KO stage. Given at least 12, maybe even 14 to 16 are good enough to challenge for the 8 direct spots and probably several will end up with the same number of points, even every goal scored counts. If you don't make it in the direct 8, you come into the play off stage and have to battle it out with the other 15 clubs for the last 8 KO spots.
That means you get into serious trouble and alot of spent energy to make it or not.
So from the old system relaxing after 4 matches, you now even as a top team can't take a break in any of the 8 matches you have to play.
You have to perform, until you're points gathered can't be matched by a club below the 8th spot anymore.

 

9397


Ajax is warned about Lazio and Noslin.
Ajax can prepare for Lazio. Where the Amsterdam team lost in the top match with AZ, the upcoming opponent in the Europa League was too strong for Napoli – until this round leader of the Serie A. Tijjani Noslin was again of great value.
With three goals, Noslin was the executioner of Napoli last Thursday, who were eliminated by the hat-trick of the Dutchman. Nevertheless, Noslin started on the bench on Sunday evening and saw how the game was balanced for seventy minutes. And so the former Fortuna Sittard player was allowed to come in and again he hurt Napoli. This time not with a goal, but with a very nice assist. After he had first shot a chance far over the Napoli goal, he turned away in midfield more than ten minutes before time. With a wonderful pass, he sent Gustav Isaksen away. The Dane came in and shot just as beautifully into the far corner: 0-1.

 

https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/het-grote-belang-van-doelsaldo-in-de-champions-league
Forgot to mention goals are also important, as they can pay you millions, depending on the spot you then occupy.

 

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First half stats:

 

Crap

 

Well, former AZ goalie Bizot was unbeatable.

 

9655

 

9731

 

On Wednesday evening Feyenoord will play against Sparta Prague, the club of the wealthy businessman Daniel Křetínský. This 49-year-old Czech also plays an important role in the port of Rotterdam, where a conflict has arisen around a gas-fired power plant that he recently bought.
Sparta also is the former club of both Priske and Hancko.

 

I hope they don't pull a ManCity