Champions League semi-final first leg: Bayern Munich v Lyon 19.45

Spiritoftheseventies

Champions League semi-final first leg
Venue: Allianz Arena Date: Wednesday 21 April Kick-off: 1945 BST

After a terrific display from Inter last night looking forward to this game which sees Bayern Munich, conquerors of Manchester United in last round, take on Lyon.
Lyon overcame a Bordeaux aside which included Arsenal bound Chamakh in their side borrowed in the words of BBC website Lyon, "10 mini vans to make the trip via Stuttgart, are without Jean Makoun (groin), Mathieu Bodmer (thigh) and Jean-Alain Boumsong (calf)."

Promises to be a good game which is live on Network two

speedboatchase

I have zero hype for this game but will most likely tune in to what the hype is about Lloris and watch Arjen work his usual magic

Ush1

Both are poor defensively and good attack wise.
Ribery always tore us apart when he was in France, don't think he played against us in the groups though last year for Bayern.

I fancy Licha to score, been fantastic in the CL again this year. I also fancy Bayern to score so a high scoring roll of the dice for me, Robben particularly was in great form against a woeful Hoffeinheim side.

Spiritoftheseventies

Ush1 wrote: »

Both are poor defensively and good attack wise.
Ribery always tore us apart when he was in France, don't think he played against us in the groups though last year for Bayern.

I fancy Licha to score, been fantastic in the CL again this year. I also fancy Bayern to score so a high scoring roll of the dice for me, Robben particularly was in great form against a woeful Hoffeinheim side.

Yes we could have a situation were two managers are chasing a second champions league title with a different club ie Jose and Van Gaal. Has it been done before?

Ush1

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Yes we could have a situation were two managers are chasing a second champions league title with a different club ie Jose and Van Gaal. Has it been done before?

Fairly certain it hasn't.
Doesn't matter the result of this game, Ribery and Govou will still be having a good night out!

killwill

Fancy Bayern to score at least twice tonight and eventually go through to the final

Scorpion Sting

I think Bayern will win tonight. My guess is 2-1 to the Germans.

Spiritoftheseventies

Olic will be the key player i think

Dont be at yourself

I reckon both sides will score, and can see Lisandro getting a couple against that dodgy Bayern defense.

L'prof

Bayern by two I reckon. Lyon are good but, I think Bayern have the edge and an 800km bus trip wont have helped their cause. An away goal would make this an interesting tie.

Spiritoftheseventies

jasonorr wrote: »

Bayern by two I reckon. Lyon are good but, I think Bayern have the edge and an 800km bus trip wont have helped their cause. An away goal would make this an interesting tie.

Is it all by bus?

L'prof

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Is it all by bus?

Not sure, I think so though!

Claude Puel wrote:

seven hours on a bus is not easy. For a long time I haven’t travelled like that, not since I was small.

Ush1

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

I reckon both sides will score, and can see Lisandro getting a couple against that dodgy Bayern defense.

2nd top scorer in the CL this season.

peabutler

My opinion is Bayern to win tonight and overall. Lyon are a good side and won't be a pushover and have some good talent upfront, having watched their defence against Bordeaux they escaped on a few occasions thanks to Lloris, Bayern need to get wide and whip the ball in as Lloris doesn't seem 100% coming of the line and the defenders can ball watch a bit, I'd fancy Gomez or Klose in that department over Muller tonight but can't see that happening.

Lyon should look to take advantage of Contento if he plays, he isn't number one left backand is a bit blinkered out there, I expect Bastian Schweinsteiger to give him some support though leaving the other Centre mid (Altintop/Tymoshuck?) to sit central and deal with the Lyon attacking Midfielder (Pjanic/Kallstrom I think). Lyon have a good attacking trio in Govou, Delgado and Lopez which can do some damage, one crucial aspect is that Lopez can work with the ball even if it’s not in the best position he has a great work rate and good tekkers aswell as some speed to try drag the dodgy Bayern Defence apart. The game will greatly depend on how Jeremy Toulalan plays at centre back, if Olic can get at him and hurry him when he’s in possession he might begin to get uncomfortable and this is when Olic can seize the chance and do damage as seen against United.

Key Players

Ribery: I haven’t mentioned Ribery yet but I’m sure he’ll be feeling the nerves before the match, he is up against old foes and on the back of a sex scandal rocking France (as is Govou but he is single). Franck has amazing ability and can turn a game on its head I personally rate him above Robben. If he can get running at the defence his close control can cause major issues, for some reason I see him winning a penalty tonight or at least having a good shout.

Lloris : An outstanding shot stopper Lloris has produced some amazing saves in the last season to make him a well known keeper outside France, can looks unsure coming of his line but when it come’s to shot stopping he is surely one of if not the world’s number one, can keep Lyon in the tie away from home and give them major belief going to the home leg.

L'prof

Ush1 wrote: »

2nd top scorer in the CL this season.

Who, Ronaldo?

EDIT: That's strange, Lisandro has 7 too

Ush1

jasonorr wrote: »

Who, Ronaldo?

EDIT: That's strange, Lisandro has 7 too

Well 4 was in qualifying rounds so doesn't really count!:p

peabutler

Yup Qualifying does not officially count.

L'prof

Ush1 wrote: »

Well 4 was in qualifying rounds so doesn't really count!:p

Ah right, nice ninja edit though

Spiritoftheseventies

Neither of them are top scorer. Messi is.

L'prof

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Neither of them are top scorer. Messi is.

That wasn't being debated

Catenaccio!

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Neither of them are top scorer. Messi is.

Ha, what?

Spiritoftheseventies

Catenaccio! wrote: »

Ha, what?

Messi has scored eight off ten games, Ronaldo has seven from six.

Catenaccio!

Yes, we know. No one said different in here. But yeah, thanks.

Spiritoftheseventies

Catenaccio! wrote: »

Yes, we know. No one said different in here. But yeah, thanks.

Okay

Frisbee

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Messi has scored eight off ten games, Ronaldo has seven from six.

Good thing they're debating the second top scorer then....

peabutler

When our the teams announced I'm going to give something a try tonight.

L'prof

peabutler wrote: »

When our the teams announced I'm going to give something a try tonight.

About 7pm I think. What you gonna try, you do realise you cant just say that without telling us

mike65

I see a modern day low rating for this one on ITV!

peabutler

Jus somehting I read nothing interesting really just rating the players during the match rather than trying to remember how they played afterwards. See what I come up with.

Spiritoftheseventies

There is a interactive game in circulation where you can chose three players in a sort of fantasy league programme run every ten minutes. Basically each person puts his three players up against the others. Assists, passes goals come into the equation

this is the link for anyone interested
http://pickliveltd.cmail1.com/t/y/l/okhudr/uudjstjk/r

Nemanja91

Really hope Lyon win, on another note Ronnie Whelan go Home!

L'prof

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

There is a interactive game in circulation where you can chose three players in a sort of fantasy league programme run every ten minutes. Basically each person puts his three players up against the others. Assists, passes goals come into the equation

this is the link for anyone interested
http://pickliveltd.cmail1.com/t/y/l/okhudr/uudjstjk/r

Looks good but, too much effort for me at the moment

Spiritoftheseventies

jasonorr wrote: »

Looks good but, too much effort for me at the moment

Yeah quite handy to see how players perform over a ten minute spell. Worth checking out for anyone interested in pitting their wits against other players

Soby

Nemanja91 wrote: »

Really hope Lyon win, on another note Ronnie Whelan go Home!

Wish they all would

Ush1

lol Dunphy and Ronnie Whealan.
The old Barca can't defend...

mewso

I get the feeling something has been said during a break between the boys on RTE. Dunphy seems to making some digs about analysis and "Ron" looks a bit unhappy with him.

Headshot

Dunphy talking alot of sense as usual

CorkMan

Johnny Giles being paid 1-2 grand to say "Gardiola" :rolleyes:

Bodhisopha

mewso wrote: »

I get the feeling something has been said during a break between the boys on RTE. Dunphy seems to making some digs about analysis and "Ron" looks a bit unhappy with him.

Yeah, found it a bit odd that Ron was at pains to show Dunphy he agreed with him there at one point. They should all fight to the death; and lose.

Ush1

mewso wrote: »

I get the feeling something has been said during a break between the boys on RTE. Dunphy seems to making some digs about analysis and "Ron" looks a bit unhappy with him.

He started off angry at Bill then at Ronnie, he is usually like that when he's wrong. Then he cuddles Giles to back him up.:pac:

Ush1

Oop, Bill asked Giles about Lyon players.
Mulled over it nicely, obviously doesn't know any players.

Frisbee

Ush1 wrote: »

Oop, Bill asked Giles about Lyon players.
Mulled over it nicely, obviously doesn't know any players.

Sure they're not English, Barca, Real or from Milan.

Why would he even need to know about them?

Spiritoftheseventies

anyone know the story about Bayern munich scarves. Had you'll never walk alone on them.

kinaldo

Incredible pre-match spectacle. I can't overstate how much I love that stadium. German fans are incredible.

Anyone know why Lyon don't have a shirt sponsor?

Iang87

that stadium was one of the most intimidating sights i've ever seen. absolutely amazing

Ush1

kinaldo wrote: »

Incredible pre-match spectacle. I can't overstate how much I love that stadium. German fans are incredible.

Anyone know why Lyon don't have a shirt sponsor?

Illegality since it's a casino so I believe. German thang.

Nuri Sahin

Good start by Lyon... using their physical advantage well and not giving Bayern any space at all when they attack. 2 players on Robben and Ribery whenever they get the ball, which is smart because Bayern lack creativity apart from those two.

and then Lloris goes missing from a corner.

Headshot

Lloris is human after all

Spiritoftheseventies

what a chance for schweinsteiger

cson

Whoa Lloris, don't make not want you to come to Arsenal any more :eek:

Frisbee

Headshot wrote: »

Lloris is human after all

cson wrote: »

Whoa Lloris, don't make not want you to come to Arsenal any more :eek:

This is why I don't understand the jizzfest over Lloris.

He has the potential to be one of the very best alright. But his decision making is pretty poor.

£20M+ for someone who could turn out to be great? No thanks.

You'd get a perfectly competent keeper for 10M.