2024-25 UEFA Champions League

I hate to say it, but I find it hard to look past Inter winning the CL, and 16/1 is very generous odds. For years didn't want to accept it, but they are closer to the Milan of old than Milan themselves. Staying in denial won't achieve anything. They should of won it 2 years ago, and Atleti were extremely lucky to beat them on peno's last year in a very dogged match.

They also have some of the best players in the world we rarely talk about. Lautaro Martinez is possibly the best player in the world at the minute. Barella and Calhanoglu are arguable the two best and most consistent midfielders in the world, pulling the strings and setting the tempo. Running the midfield like clockwork. Thats a serious spine. And a whole supporting cast of top players.

They can mix it up, play football, but also very physically strong. Only for that donkey Lukaku two years ago, had Citys number, and missed a few other easy chances. Don't see City, or anyone infact, beating them this year. They're one of the best teams in the world in quality, those 3 mentioned up there with the best in the world, but just so physically strong and solid. I think they'd be better again with a better manager.

16/1 serious odds for them though

Don't think Real woul beat them. Real a workmanlike team, as are Inter, but Inter stronger and cuter, and more physical. Madrid often beat teams on that basis, but they'd meet their match with Inter.

Barella and Calhanoglu equal to the best City would have to offer football wise tbh, in terms of dominating in the centre with playmakers. With Frattesi, DiMarco etc, they could hold their own, but could also bully City physically. No one talking about them, but going under the radar. Won Serie A and should of won the Champions League two years ago.

Have the players, the strenght, structure, discipline, skill and physicality few others do tbh. They are the most well balanced team imo.

Barca a very soft underbelly. Inter would do a well drilled defensive job on them comfortably. Liverpool an unknown quantity, but Inter have stronger ball playing midfielders and would be good at breaking up their quick counters.

They also have Martinez. Seria A MVP last year, won the Copa America by himself, and generally unplayable, yet little ever heard about him. If he hits form in Europe, can beat teams by himself. No other team has a player at his level when he's on it imo. Lightning in his boots. People talk about Haaland and Mbappe, Martinez is better and more gifted tbh

You know theres truth to it though ha

Do you not think though, with Barella, Calhanoglu, DiMarco, Fratessi and even Mkhitaryan and Augusto, they actually have the most underrated, but strongest, ball playing midfielders in the world? Like who else really has that level of quality and dept? You've Dumfries and Zielinski in there aswell amongst others. And in time, possibly the best of them all, the reason for Albanias upward trajectory, Asllani. It's actually a more stacked ball playing midfield than City. It's outrageous even.

That midfield, and they have a great defense, and Martinez up front, is a match for anyone!

Fair enough, as I said, with a better manager they'd actually be far better. Like two years ago when they played Milan, were in an awful run of form, but raised it, had that quality. Inconsistent, like Martinez, but when the chips were down, actually got better and could grind it. Were doing it to Atleti last year, but were robbed tbh.

The problem the better teams you say face against them though is, they bring a level of old school physicality on top of their ability to play ball. Teams aren't often used to it. They'd have a field day bulling Liverpool or Barca when they try and break imo, along with their bus parking. Then can go on the offenseive as well as anyone. They're extremly well balanced, strong and well drilled in every area, when they need to be.

I don't think I overestimate them, possibly in a sense, but on the other hand, they're underrated too, Calhanoglu and Barella are two of the best ballers in the world, yet you'll never hear their name mentioned like De Bruyne. They're as good as it gets tbh. Calhanoglu a puppet master tbh. Barella picking up everything and controlling and pulling the strings a bit deeper. They may sit back against the like of City if they are the tactics, but if Calhanoglu and Barella decide to get on the ball and dictate play, they'll put it up to the likes of Rodri, De Bruyne etc.

And then you've Frattesi getting in on the act, DiMarco, Zielinski etc. These are all world class ball players. Like when in the media here, do you hear Frattesi mentioned? He's possibly the best of the lot. Name me one all round midfielder, that can play both as a holding and attacking midfielder, and is both physical yet skillful, as Frattesi? I won't hold my breath. If Frattesi was in the Premier League, he'd be touted as being better than Yaya Toure! That's the reality. Hopefully the British media find out all about him this year!

I dunno, think they've just been assembling a very strong team in the last 2-3 years, going very much under the radar

Liverpool incredible tonight

#contenders

You'd wonder if the club have a wiff of any incoming punishment from the 115 charges and it's effecting them mentally. Something definitely wrong there anyway and it's more than one injured player.