2022-23 UEFA Champions League

Some great ties, and potential ties such as a Milan derby semi.

If bayern are to win it this year, they could end up with same route as Madrid last season, PSG, City, Chelsea.

They had no domestic pedigree too, yet won the league last year. Napoli and Inter on paper had far better teams, as I've said many times before, the weight of history carried Milan. There's been incidents of Milan fans going to the houses of players for underperforming, the players know who they are playing for, and the success the club has had. Those heightened expectations play a part in elevating a team, and to suggest otherwise is naive.

Napoli have little european pedigree by contrast, now or in the past. Most other clubs would fear them to an extent, the unknown, whereas Milan will be quitely confident. Milan doing them last year when the pressure was applied will put doubt in Napoli, even though Napoli were the far better side. Psychology is a funny thing.

Milan generally hold the indian sign over Inter too when it matters. Milan, once in position, rarely lose when they can see the trophy, last year was an example of that. They are expected to grind it when it matters, and that expectation elevates them. They'll be looking at the draw and feel they are coming up nicely on the outside. Would you really bet on Napoli or Inter beating them when it really matters? Napoli should still beat them, but if Milan can hang in, I'd fancy them to turn Napoli if it goes to the wire.

The expectation from the Milan fans is huge, was even on their private FB pages today and they expect to win, "Europe is are DNA" etc. Everyone has wrote Milan off which is a very dangerous thing, I wouldn't be surprised if they do a job on any team left.

Had they got City or Bayern, their confidence would be shot, they'd be out, players nearly down tools in a sense. But getting Napoli has suddenly given them real hope, where they can see a real possibility of a final. You'll see a mammoth effort from them one way or another, and history tends to repeat itself.

When Napoli step into the cauldron of the San Siro on a European night when it really matters, we'll see what they are made off. Stronger teams have wilted in the past! Its been often said, the hardest thing to do in football is to beat Milan in the San Siro on a European night (obviously referring to a genuinely competitive Milan).

You can't just dismiss the pre-eminent force of modern European football

Serie A finally realized it had a problem and has started to adjust to the new reality of being way way behind the top teams money wise.

What Maldini is doing at Milan for instance is incredible. Possibly the best director in football right now.

I love this stage of the season - all very interesting ties.

Benfica are some force this season - won 22 out of 25 in the league and topped a group with PSG and Juve losing no games. They will beat Inter.

I'd say it will be Napoli vs Benfica and Real vs City. I'd love the winner to come from the Napoli/ Benfica side

You must have put your money down, because Napoli are now the shortest priced team to reach the final!

6/5 Napoli, 6/4 Man City, 9/4 Bayern Munich, 4/1 Benfica and Real Madrid.

In the overall market, they have been backed from 7/1 to 4/1 second favourites behind the Erling Haaland powered Man City at 5/2.

Great price. You cover your stake on the night and you're laughing!

Great price. If they get to the final who knows. Feels like it would be Real or City from the other side. Think Bayern are just a bit off the pace this year.

Could be a chance for City to get some revenge for last season on Real. City will win it as some stage and maybe this is their best shot

Never rule out the Germans.

No but they might turn over Napoli. I'll be sticking 100 on it anyway

Women's Champions League rather than mens, but the quarter finals are on at the moment - 0-0 between Lyon and Chelsea right now, 15 minutes in. Well worth a watch - love the women's champions league!

Free on youtube (at least where i am - not sure about all territories).

Yep it's a good watch on YouTube via DAZN network

Good match tonight too

I'd have to say yes, but jez that was some result tonight, never seen that coming.

Could it knock Napolis confidence in the CL? Time will tell.

Milan were 20/1 on paddy power yesterday to win it, down to 17/1 today. Either way, huge odds for an each way bet, which in all probability, will come to pass.

50 euro each way, get to the final and you'll be up 300 or so, with a free shot of another grand if they win it. Napoli are rattled, you can see it in Spalletti's reaction when they lost. Panic and doubt setting in.

Napoli have continually collapsed under pressure, easy to win 5-0 when the pressure is off. I wouldn't be surprised if they completely collapse in the San Siro cauldron, and get a hiding. Huge odds for an obvious bet I would of thought.

Milan were quietly confident before the weekend, now with the confidence sky high, they're going to go all out after Napoli

I watch a lot of Benfica, and said many times they are a level above Porto. But Milan have that extra gear they forgot they had at the weekend.

"Small" teams always have heroic defeats, they'll always come out the wrong side when it matters generally, even when they're the better side imo

I don't mean to insult Benfica, they're a huge team with a huge history. But in modern times drifted a level back. I always find, in these scenarios, the smaller teams always get done, by bad calls, bad luck or general pressure. They always seem to come out the wrong side against the "bigger names".

And I'm someone who's talked Benfica up all season, and watch alot of them in the league. They should do Inter as you say.

Inter a joke as usual, actually have great individuals, but not a team. Always destined to live in Milans shadow.

From a neutrals point if view, hope Benfica win it. From a betting point of view Milan

Milan were always going to win it last year, hold the indian sign over both Inter and Napoli when it matters. Even when they dropped to 3rd on the run in, said they would win it. Milan players were playing for their lives, players getting death threats from ultras to level league titles with Inter, fear a great motivator. Inter and Napoli both generally cave under pressure, Milan traditionally rise to it.

I'd like to see a Real-Milan final. Real beating teams with a workmanlike efficient approach but are limited talent wise by their usual standards, Milan players, also limited, but work harder though.

Milan have a grievance with Real over who Europe's true top dog is. Would be a great match up though, Europe's top two teams historically going head to head in the final. Have they ever met in the final?

I think Milan have the bit between their teeth now. They're a hard working team, that will be extremely hard to break down, and very unorthodox going forward, which will cause problems for teams.

We'll have to wait and see, can see Milan bouyed on by the San Siro and years of underachievement, go for this. They'll raise it and can grind it. The draw has given them hope and can now genuinely see winning it. The level of expectation from the fans is huge and will raise them.

No one has their hunger for this. Their players got death threats from fans last year, and manger made them read the history of the club, to show what they've to live up to. There's a point of pride at play with Milan, seeing Madrid take their place as Europe's top club in many people eyes. Milan are playing for history, watch them elevate in the San Siro on a huge European night, they're coming for their crown back.

And a visibly rattled Napoli are in for a big wake up call

Manchester City: Ederson - Stones, Akanji, Ruben Dias, Aké - Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gündogan - Bernardo Silva, Haaland, Grealish

Bayern München: Sommer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka, Coman, Musiala, L. Sané - Gnabry

Both teams with their current top lineups probably. Mueller from the bench. Should be a cracker hopefully.

They had a 2 minute piece with the 2 James's and that was it, you'd think they'd be in the studio instead of Joe Cole and Steve McManaman, both talking like they know both teams well but have probably watched them a few times each all season.

I just walked in right as City scored unfortunately. Heard Bayern had just missed a glorious chance at the other end before that.

Bernardo Silva sticks the leg out on De Ligt with no eyes for the ball in that injury