Activate Another Lever and Still Lose to a Madrid Remontada - The Small Teams Thread

There's a somewhat uncomfortable parallel I've noticed in thinking about Bayern (not that something that happened 12 years ago has any bearing on what happens in 2024, just a parallel).

We faced Bayern in the semis in 2012. First leg away, second leg home, just like this year. Up until this season, 2012 is the last time Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga (they finished four points behind Dortmund). During the 2012 SF tie, we more-or-less clinched La Liga when winning the Clásico that took place between the legs; here in 2024 we're in strong position to win La Liga.

I know Man City was seen as the juggernaut, as the team that if we could overcome them then we can overcome anyone, and that's true, but Bayern is unequivocally not going to be an easy ride by any means. And given that the Bundesliga is out of reach for them by now, obviously they don't like that in terms of their goals for the season, but it does mean that they can put all their focus on the semifinal games, whereas were not quite in position to be able to do that (although we will be pretty close to that territory with a win tomorrow).

So we're favorites, we should like our chances, but the difficult part is far from done with. As it should be; there are no easy games in the Champions League semifinals, ever.

 

Yeah, the Tuchel factor weighs a lot here. We've had several battles with him in recent years and in particular he really out-leveraged Zidane in 2021. Not entirely Zizou's fault, we were battered by injuries at that time and I think part of it was simply running out of gas (we tried to fight a 2-front battle and we ended with nothing to show for it as a result; still really proud of that team when I reflect on them), and of course 2022 looked like good position after our fortuitous 3-1 away win in the first leg only to get dominated in the home leg and need Luka and Rodrygo to save us at the end. Which also touches on another thing - we have a sustained history of not holding onto good away 1st leg results very well in the second leg at home...we defeated Bayern away in the first leg 2-1 in both 2017 and 2018, and both times the home leg was a comparative fiasco (2018 against Juve, 2019 against Ajax, 2022 against Chelsea, 2024 against Leipzig...in every case, a better away result in the 1st leg than home result in the 2nd leg; that's six times it's happened since 2017, which is kinda crazy).

I rate us as favorites because I think we have the better team, straight up. You can call it 50/50, I'll probably say 55/45 us, obviously not overwhelming favorites in any scenario. And that can shift if we can't at least keep Barcelona at bay tomorrow and instead have to put forth a strong XI for the trip to Anoeta before the semis...after what figure to be two extremely difficult games, we really could use the chance to get some rotation before going back to the CL battles. Fede in particular needs a game where he doesn't play, a game where maybe the equipment staff "forgets" to pack his kit and he's not able to play.

 

Damn great posts.
Those who think we have already won should give them a read.

 

This is the semifinals of the CL. No easy matchup is possible

 

When all said and done..

We Are Real Madrid.

 

And we never give up

 

Never, ever.

 

In doubt

 

tough test for Leverkusen today going to Dortmund who needs to win to get up to 4th

although I guess it's moot if Germany gets the fifth spot

 

When will Xabi start rotating? They got the league title already

 

he might start today

although the undefeated streak has to be tempting

 

Apparently, the championship is one the best leagues in the world but Coventry being walked all over by United.

That PR is something else.

 

The gulf in quality between Premier league and Championship is a joke.

There is a reason why the three that came up last season are the three going down this season.

 

TAA is so good with his long balls, deadballs, crosses. Great FK

 

Coventry get two goals because United have stopped playing. Unbelievable what I’m seeing.

Can only think that United players had it won

 

I swear Onana is a master at making it out that there is nothing he can do to save a goal. So many times I see him, he adopts the wrong footed pose and just watches the ball roll past him.

 

Oh my God, penalty. Hope it stands!

 

Can’t believe what I am seeing with United.

Ten Hag must resign or be sacked.

Completely stopped playing at 70 minutes and Coventry were like having a kick about with themselves.

 

They are so weak. How could they give up a 3 goal lead against COVENTRY!

 

I can't blame Ten Hag for any of United's struggles. Just shit from the very top.

 

His in game management has been garbage.

Firstly take off Garnacho and trouble creeps in. Then Coventry score, United stop playing and he doesn’t react.

He’s a big part of the problem.

 

How can’t you? Why wouldn’t you? He is as much to blame as any single person that decides or plays in that team for their poor performances.

 

United are the Dallas Cowboys of this sport