Champions League Knock-Out Stages

[SasaS]

Plus it was the tradition back then for the winner to go out in the round of 16 next year.

Now the tradition is back to back finals and title wins.

[Kevin D]

Great draw. Atletico are who I wanted, really looking forward to the clash of styles and the raucous atmosphere in both games.

[Daisy]

1 hour ago, SasaS said:

Actually, unlike domestic cups, they always seem to get tough draws in Europe. Had to play Barcelona a couple of times at early stages too, as far as I recall, and us and Spurs last couple of years in the QF.

Assuming you've missed their group draws since every year they've been in it? 

[SasaS]

3 minutes ago, Daisy said:

Assuming you've missed their group draws since every year they've been in it? 

Group draws hardly matter, groups are about money and a guaranteed number of CL games for the clubs, the real competition starts with the knock-out stage.

[dockers_strike]

Interesting draw. Pretty confident we'll take them over 2 legs. Have a nice 10 day break after the 2nd leg before we play our next league game after as well. Nice window to recouperate and the big push for the title.

 

I think city will be too strong for Real over 2 legs as well. The tactically inept (in my opinion) Lampard will be toast in his clash. Spurs will surely be too strong for Leipzig.

[an tha]

Good draw for us i think.

 

Shame citeh got Real Madrid as i really want revenge on those bastards for 2018, City will batter them, they are shite.

[Guest Pistonbroke]

1 hour ago, dockers_strike said:

Interesting draw. Pretty confident we'll take them over 2 legs. Have a nice 10 day break after the 2nd leg before we play our next league game after as well. Nice window to recouperate and the big push for the title.

 

I think city will be too strong for Real over 2 legs as well. The tactically inept (in my opinion) Lampard will be toast in his clash. Spurs will surely be too strong for Leipzig.

 

I wouldn't write Leipzig off mate, Spurs under Mourinho will be perfect for them. I'd actually have Leipzig as favourites, Spurs will get that title by many, but only due to their name and the fact Leipzig are new to the tournament. 

[Aventus]

1 hour ago, an tha said:

Good draw for us i think.

 

Shame citeh got Real Madrid as i really want revenge on those bastards for 2018, City will batter them, they are shite.

Nah I reckon Real will beat them, they might not be at their peak but they're still dangerous, Second in LaLiga on goal difference (important classico on Wednesday could put them top). And they've only lost 2 games all season, one was PSG away. 

And of course we might see some if the anti-City/Pro-Madrid UEFA refereeing bias we keep hearing so much about. 

 

My opinion could potentially change though, depending on which team spends the most money in January. 

[Guest Alex_K]

City will smash Madrid. That tie will be ugly for them. Cue De Bruyne to Madrid calls.

[moof]

I highly doubt they’ll smash them. Real Madrid are in good form, they’ve rediscovered a strong attitude, got goals in the team, talent everywhere and a better defence than city. Putting aside their obvious superior connection to the competition. Can see them going through. And then we’ll put them out in the next round 

[3 Stacks]

26 minutes ago, Alex_K said:

City will smash Madrid. That tie will be ugly for them. Cue De Bruyne to Madrid calls.

Real Madrid were sublime at the Bernabeu against PSG. Completely dominated them. They could easily dump City if they play in a similar way.

[Dr Nowt]

Much may well depend on whether Laporte is back by then and if one of Aguero’s hamstrings has pinged off again or not.

 

On paper City’s team could win a Champions League, but they can wait til they’ve done the hard part of obtaining some actual pedigree before I call them favourites over any of the european giants. Mentality, know-how and having been there before are still huge in these competitions, even where an oil state is involved.

 

Saw Barney Ronay the other day calling them the most likely English team to win it and one of the favourites. Are they fuck. Let’s not hold the door open for them.

[Guest Pistonbroke]

Teams that win the Cl can normally defend properly as well as having talent up front. That's why City and PSG will always struggle when the KO rounds start, unless they have an extremely lucky run to a final where anything can happen in a one off match. 

[Jimmy Hills Chin]

City are still a really good side and could quite easily prove too strong for Real Madrid. Too be honest I won’t lose much sleep either way as I can’t stand those Spanish twats but also really enjoy Pep going balder as citeh continue to fail in the CL. It’s a shame that both can’t lose but at least we’ll get our kicks out of one of them going out.

[TheHowieLama]

I plan on going to these matches at one of the Spanish pubs here in town and repeatedly referring to them in conversation as Athletico.

[Jairzinho]

9 hours ago, deiseach said:

Madrid will beat Man City.

Yep. 

[jonnyp]

Beat whomever you draw, lift the cup.

[VladimirIlyich]

A really tough draw,a similar style team to Napoli in Europe. Don't think it will be easy at all.