Atletico can beat Bayern and City/Madrid is a tricky one. Could see a repeat of the final from two years ago but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see City advance.

 

Of course the papers will want Bayern/City in the final so they can talk up Pep's last game being against his future employers. Here's an interesting angle. If City finish outside of the top four and need to win to qualify next year, Pep could be the one to ensure he's not in it when he takes over.

 

Oh the conspiracy theories.

Liverpool draw Villareal. 

 

Touch-wood but I think that's them in the final.

Liverpool draw Villareal.

Touch-wood but I think that's them in the final.

Hope not.

Liverpool draw Villareal. 

 

Touch-wood but I think that's them in the final.

Villareal is the hardest draw they could have got. Liverpool play away first though so they got a bit lucky there.

Maybe it's not all bad that Liverpool and City are doing well in Europe. Next year with Leceister, Spurs, Arsenal and possibly United you have to think that the English coefficient will take a big hit. So it might be good to score some points this year.

Villareal is the hardest draw they could have got. Liverpool play away first though so they got a bit lucky there.

I don't really see how it's lucky tbh it is what it is. Anyone can get a home or away draw first.

Cmon Madrid!

Not fussed about Liverpool, they should reach the final but Sevilla would be favourites.

I want either Real vs Bayern or City vs Bayern final.

I really cannot stand when two teams from the same country play each other in Europe. Really takes away the European feel for me.

As for EL I hophave Sevilla win but would mind a Liverpool vs Sevilla final in all honesty.

I don't really see how it's lucky tbh it is what it is. Anyone can get a home or away draw first.

I know but regardless, playing away first is an advantage. 

I know but regardless, playing away first is an advantage.

Wish someone had told that to our lads.

I fancy Athleti to stun Bayern. I don't want City anywhere near that trophy. We were the last English club to win it, and I want it to stay that way!

I'd prefer city to go through the heart break we suffered down the years before they win it . This will be the club's first semi final which in fairness is pathetic for the money they have spent. If they win it good luck to them but personally don't think they deserve it

Atletico can beat Bayern and City/Madrid is a tricky one. Could see a repeat of the final from two years ago but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see City advance.

 

Of course the papers will want Bayern/City in the final so they can talk up Pep's last game being against his future employers. Here's an interesting angle. If City finish outside of the top four and need to win to qualify next year, Pep could be the one to ensure he's not in it when he takes over.

 

Oh the conspiracy theories.

Surely he would rather try to win a CL final than worry about his next team qualifying for the competition. He hasn't won the UEFA cup yet, that's a new trophy to add. Plus if he's going to dominate like most pundits seem to think he won't even have to play his A team to win that

What is this 'Athleti' bollocks, it's not like they're our friends or anything.

 

For a start they're called Atletico, with no H, the Spanish pronunciation which they're proud of.  The only English spelt Athletic is Bilbao which they're equally proud of being Basques and with their founded by Englishmen heritage use it to stick the finger up to the rest of Spain.

I fancy Athleti to stun Bayern. I don't want City anywhere near that trophy. We were the last English club to win it, and I want it to stay that way!

 

Add Europa League to this 

Despite what I said above out of those left in it I'd love to see Atlético win it.  Very Mourhino Chelsea like in the way they're set out, passionate manager and brilliant supporters although I didn't like them calling him nasty names at the Bridge the season before last.  Anyone but the other three evils.

Edited April 15, 201610 yr by Peckham Blue

Why is playing away first an advantage?

Why is playing away first an advantage?

It’s not really, just a myth.

An away goal counts is crucial regardless of what order the tie is played.

Would be weird if Man City won the league and Pep walks into yet another job where he is in charge of the European champions.

It’s not really, just a myth.

An away goal counts is crucial regardless of what order the tie is played.

Yeah was thinking the same, my view is the order doesn't matter, the better team will go through.

Yeah was thinking the same, my view is the order doesn't matter, the better team will go through.

 

Yes.

 

I will take it even further and say that there is absolutely ZERO difference whether you're playing home or away in football in general. Many will disagree with me I'm sure, but nothing annoys me more than when I hear a manager or pundit say something like "we're playing away next week at Old Trafford, that's a tough place to go". 

 

Bollox. Its 11 V 11 on a football pitch. Score more than the other team to win (thanks for that insight, Michael f**king Owen) , nothing else matters. 

Yeah was thinking the same, my view is the order doesn't matter, the better team will go through.

It does matter to how you set up a team which can be a big advantage. Its more of a preference than a literal advantage (I don't know if the stats back it up) but it is an advantage to know exactly what you have to do in the return leg. Madrid for example knew they had to win 3-0 if they wanted to avoid going out or leaving it up to penalties so they could tailor their game plan to that and throw caution to the wind. I'm sure Jose loved playing away first; grab an away goal, leave it at 1-0 or 1-1 and then park the bus at home.

Yes.

 

I will take it even further and say that there is absolutely ZERO difference whether you're playing home or away in football in general. Many will disagree with me I'm sure, but nothing annoys me more than when I hear a manager or pundit say something like "we're playing away next week at Old Trafford, that's a tough place to go". 

 

Bollox. Its 11 V 11 on a football pitch. Score more than the other team to win (thanks for that insight, Michael f**king Owen) , nothing else matters. 

Says someone who has never played a competitive match in a 60,000 seat stadium. I haven't either but if you think the place a match is held doesn't make a difference in the outcome you're kidding yourself. Even playing in front of 100 people would change things for me, I can only imagine how unsettling it would be playing in front of 50,000 hostile people. Think of how many people aren't even comfortable speaking in public never mind playing a football match

Edited April 15, 201610 yr by TheChelseaBlues

Says someone who has never played a competitive match in a 60,000 seat stadium. I haven't either but if you think the place a match is held doesn't make a difference in the outcome you're kidding yourself. Even playing in front of 100 people would change things for me, I can only imagine how unsettling it would be playing in front of 50,000 hostile people. Think of how many people aren't even comfortable speaking in public never mind playing a football match

 

How do you know I haven't played in front of 60,000 people ? 

Remember Galatasaray.

I'd hate to play in that arena against those fans, proper sh*t myself.

It's the same in Argentina at certain grounds like Boca and River Plate. Those are some fiery atmosphere's that I'd imagine would intimidate the opposition.