2018-19 UEFA Champions League

ShamoBuc

FitzShane wrote: »

I hope City batter Spurs.....just so Spurs can get their revenge in the league game coming up!

A slender win at the most would be fine. Spurs badly need to win the league game because of Chelsea's position and I dont want a rubber stamped second leg either, allowing City to rest any players.

The Golden Miller

IncognitoMan wrote: »

It also poses the problem of big clubs being considered big because they have a history of success in their domestic leagues.

What happens in a super league if United, Bayern, Juve etc.. go years without any success. If its just a league dominated by Barca and Real.

Are they still considered big or do they just become the Fulham of the super league?

It's not in most of those clubs interest to leave their domestic leagues behind. It's very very risky.

The other big teams could compete with Barca and Real financially. You wouldn't have one or two dominating, which I guess would be the point of the league. All the big teams would win in cycles.

Fitz*

ShamoBuc wrote: »

A slender win at the most would be fine. Spurs badly need to win the league game because of Chelsea's position and I dont want a rubber stamped second leg either, allowing City to rest any players.

some good points there actually

yourdeadwright

The Golden Miller wrote: »

The other big teams could compete with Barca and Real financially. You wouldn't have one or two dominating, which I guess would be the point of the league. All the big teams would win in cycles.

What do you think the other big teams would compete ?
There is no way of knowing that at all,

Richard Hillman

Do RTE get second choice on games? Picking Liverpool v Porto over Spurs v City is ludicrous if they got to pick

dr.kenneth noisewater

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Do RTE get second choice on games? Picking Liverpool v Porto over Spurs v City is ludicrous if they got to pick

They'll still probably have more viewers on RTE

The Golden Miller

yourdeadwright wrote: »

What do you think the other big teams would compete ?
There is no way of knowing that at all,

Other big teams already compete with them. There isn't much in it. If there was a European super league, alot of the big club's finances would be brought closer in line, similar deals cut through TV revenue etc, all would have a similar fanbases worldwide etc.

Comparing Juve to Madrid, is not akin to comparing Liverpool/United to Fulham. The gulf in the latter scenario is huge compared to the former

NIMAN

The Golden Miller wrote: »

Other big teams already compete with them. There isn't much in it. If there was a European super league, alot of the big club's finances would be brought closer in line, similar deals cut through TV revenue etc, all would have a similar fanbases worldwide etc.

Comparing Juve to Madrid, is not akin to comparing Liverpool/United to Fulham. The gulf in the latter scenario is huge compared to the former

You haven't been watching Juve's spending of late.

They are splashing the cash these last few years.

The Golden Miller

NIMAN wrote: »

You haven't been watching Juve's spending of late.

They are splashing the cash these last few years.

That's my point. The other big teams would compete with Barca/Madrid, particularly in a European super league. It was in reply to a poster saying the likes of Juve would become the Fulham of a European super league, starved of success, small fish in a big pond. I disagreed, success would most likely go in cycles between the top clubs, they could all compete with one another. Throw money at the likes of Milan too, a sleeping giant would quickly re-awaken

.G.

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Do RTE get second choice on games? Picking Liverpool v Porto over Spurs v City is ludicrous if they got to pick

They have first pick and while I agree with you that Spurs v City is the more enticing game, Liverpool would have more fans over here than Spurs and City and therefore more viewers for RTE which is what its all about for them.

Although I'd imagine most "neutrals" would want to watch Spurs and City so that might level it out.

IncognitoMan

The Golden Miller wrote: »

Other big teams already compete with them. There isn't much in it. If there was a European super league, alot of the big club's finances would be brought closer in line, similar deals cut through TV revenue etc, all would have a similar fanbases worldwide etc.

I'm not as sure.

Since United last won the champions league there have been 10 finals played. Real or Barca have won 7 of those.

And that's knockout football where you are more likely to see an upset. The league structure really does lead to the best side winning almost 100% of the time.

It's a far better strategy for the likes of United to stick in England given the financial strength of the league over giving Real and Barca the opportunity to dominate a super league.

Maybe it would work out like the NFL but I'd guess it would be more like Real and Barca winning most of the time.

The Golden Miller wrote: »

Comparing Juve to Madrid, is not akin to comparing Liverpool/United to Fulham. The gulf in the latter scenario is huge compared to the former

Fulham is probably a bad club example. More like Everton, hanging around but a level below those at the top. After a decade of that how do you still call yourself one of the power houses? It gets tricky real fast.

Also most of the appeal of the CL is that you are seeing England's best take on Spain's best or Germany's take on Italy's. You need domestic competition to make that possible.

The Golden Miller

IncognitoMan wrote: »

I'm not as sure.

Since United last won the champions league there have been 10 finals played. Real or Barca have won 7 of those.

And that's knockout football where you are more likely to see an upset. The league structure really does lead to the best side winning almost 100% of the time.

It's a far better strategy for the likes of United to stick in England given the financial strength of the league over giving Real and Barca the opportunity to dominate a super league.

Maybe it would work out like the NFL but I'd guess it would be more like Real and Barca winning most of the time.



Fulham is probably a bad club example. More like Everton, hanging around but a level below those at the top. After a decade of that how do you still call yourself one of the power houses? It gets tricky real fast.

Also most of the appeal of the CL is that you are seeing England's best take on Spain's best or Germany's take on Italy's. You need domestic competition to make that possible.

If it was a European super league I believe things would be far more even. Madrid have won 4 or 5 European cups of late, but were weak domestically. Getting over Bayern in the fashion they did one year, would be cancelled out in a league format. They would be found out on the whole and struggled.

Just as Barca have been weak for quite a while. Madrid were no good in the 00's like Bayern, and it's recently Bayern and Juve have picked it up again. United were strong and are now struggling. Point is, all the top team have a similar financial standing and worldwide fanbase, they would be trading spots at the top and it would go in cycles. I see no reason why there would be a tier between Barca/Madrid and the other top teams.

There may be a tier between the top 6/7 and the rest, but over time and with money being a leveler in the European super league, the likes of Milan and Dortmund would make ground on the top teams imo, as opposed to the gap widening

TitianGerm

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Do RTE get second choice on games? Picking Liverpool v Porto over Spurs v City is ludicrous if they got to pick

Why is it ludicrous? You show the game that will get the biggest viewer numbers. United and Liverpool have the biggest following in Ireland and as such RTE will nearly always show one if those two teams games.

Porthallian

5star02707 wrote: »

Good article from BBC regarding qualifications in Europe

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47806720

1st Man City
2nd Liverpool
3rd Chelsea
4th Spurs

United win the Champions league
Arsenal win the Europa league
Both qualify for 2019/20 champions league

Spurs miss out yet again

ahnowbrowncow

The Golden Miller wrote: »

Just as Barca have been weak for quite a while.

Do you mean recently?

Just checking cause they've won, including this year which they should do, La Liga 4 out of the last 5 years and the Spanish Cup the last 4 years in a row, competing against the team that has won the champions league 4 times in the last 5 years.

Loafing Oaf

TitianGerm wrote: »

Why is it ludicrous? You show the game that will get the biggest viewer numbers. United and Liverpool have the biggest following in Ireland and as such RTE will nearly always show one if those two teams games.

Presumably viewer numbers over the two legs. I wonder would the Liverpool tie still have the largest numbers overall if they win 5-0 tonight and the other tie is still in the balance after the first leg.

Harry Palmr

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Do RTE get second choice on games? Picking Liverpool v Porto over Spurs v City is ludicrous if they got to pick

RTE are showing Barca V Utd next Tuesday. A match that could be rather academic.

8-10

Berserker wrote: »

You need to play your front three and I'd wouldn't play Lovren. Last thing you need tonight is Porto getting something to hold on to early doors due to a gaff at the back. Play your strongest XI tonight, win the tie and you can rest them next week.

Lovren starts mate

Harry Palmr

https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1115673192700497926

Mr.Nice Guy

Looks a ballsy selection from Porto. Seems they're looking for the away goal unlike Bayern. Mane vs Pereira looks a mismatch though. If Porto lose by more than two goals the tie is surely over. Even 2-0 would be tough to overturn. I'll say 2-1 Liverpool.

TheCitizen

LOL RTE showing Liverpool when the other match is the tie of the night

Mr.Crinklewood

Gary Lineker ;-)

citytillidie

TheCitizen wrote: »

LOL RTE showing Liverpool when the other match is the tie of the night

Commercial TV showing a game that benefits them shocker.

The Spurs V Man City game is on Virgin Media One

greenfield21

It seems like a very dark picture on virgin media.

Strumms

Porto made to rue that relative sitter 2 mins later. First foray by Liverpool into the opposition box. Clinical !

the whole year inn

Strumms wrote: »

Porto made to rue that relative sitter 2 mins later. First foray by Liverpool into the opposition box. Clinical !

Clinical, it was a deflection.

Quazzie

VAR being checked for a handball :O

Certainly looks like it

Kiith

**** sake.

Yes!!

alchemist33

Harry Palmr wrote: »

RTE are showing Barca V Utd next Tuesday. A match that could be rather academic.

Nah, Barca could well score a few at home in the return leg

TheCitizen

Correct decision

the whole year inn

Poor by Aguero standard's

The Talking Bread

Kane, you, ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh, knob

The Talking Bread

Unbelievable atmospheric sound in that new stadium,

Strumms

Porto just don’t look to have the quality in the final third going by what’s been seen so far. And as I type !

Strumms

Salah goes down there and Porto down to 10.

Quazzie

Surely Kane realizes that going down holding his face when there was zero contact, and throwing himself to the ground looking for a penalty only makes himself look like a dick, especially with VAR.

If the ref goes to VAR to check, and sees it's a dive can he book for simulation.

Poor miss there from Spurs.

Strumms

After a slow enough start Liverpool are purring now, looks like a case of only how many. As good as Liverpool have been Porto can’t defend and almost in again .

Kiith

Quazzie wrote: »

Surely Kane realizes that going down holding his face when there was zero contact, and throwing himself to the ground looking for a penalty only makes himself look like a dick, especially with VAR.

If the ref goes to VAR to check, and sees it's a dive can he book for simulation.

It'll only get cut out when they start giving cards/bans after the game. The sooner the better imo.

NIMAN

Quazzie wrote: »

Surely Kane realizes that going down holding his face when there was zero contact, and throwing himself to the ground looking for a penalty only makes himself look like a dick, especially with VAR.

If the ref goes to VAR to check, and sees it's a dive can he book for simulation.

Poor miss there from Spurs.

Funny how the Irish commentators didn't pull him up on what was an obvious case of cheating.

Had it been Ronaldo or Ramos they would have been calling them cheating gits.

Strumms

Jesus how many chances has their 11 missed now

Mr.Nice Guy

Porto screwed out of a deserved pen there.

NIMAN

Formality at Anfield.

A Dub in Glasgo

I would not have given it

Edit
What a miss from the Porto player

NIMAN

Is my TV screen in the wrong aspect ratio or has Kane just got a wil' long face?

Strumms

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Porto screwed out of a deserved pen there.

Quite probably deliberate. I’d say not 100% conclusive due to the arm being close to the body which is what might have saved them. Porto back four/five look very dodge.

Strumms

Play going on and the Porto player trying to help Mane up

TitianGerm

Strumms wrote: »

Quite probably deliberate. I’d say not 100% conclusive due to the arm being close to the body which is what might have saved them. Porto back four/five look very dodge.

He had his eyes closed so I doubt it was deliberate anyway but that doesn't matter because as far as I'm aware there's no mention of deliberate in the rules.

To me it looked like the ball was over the end line when it hit his hand though.

lawred2

Were RTE blocked from showing City Spurs?

Hope so because I've no idea why they would choose to show Liverpool Porto.

Quazzie

lawred2 wrote: »

Were RTE blocked from showing City Spurs?

Hope so because I've no idea why they would choose to show Liverpool Porto.

I think it means they have the return leg, which they must have decided was the better one to show

ArielAtom

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Porto screwed out of a deserved pen there.

Surely that was a joke, yea?