The Champions League is Back!
Hiya, boys! The Champions League is back with two big Round of 16 matches today. Juventus take on Lyon in one match, but I'll be watching Man City's big clash with Real Madrid at the Etihad. Citeh go into this second leg at home with a 2-1 advantage from their first leg back in March at the Bernabeu.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 2:02 PM
271 Comments:
The coverage has started, with what appears to be the Fox crew, including fake Becky Lowe, Roberto Martinez, and Peter Schmeichel in the studio.
The team news for tonight's clash:
Manchester City (possible 4-2-3-1) Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodrigo, Gundogan; Foden, De Bruyne, Sterling; Jesus.
Substitutes: Bravo, Stones, Zinchenko, Bernardo, Mahrez, Otamendi, Garcia, Doyle, Harwood-Bells, Palmer, Bernabe.
Real Madrid (4-1-2-3) Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Varane, Mendy; Casemiro; Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Hazard.
Substitutes: Areola, Altube, Nacho, Marcelo, Valverde, Lucas Vazquez, Jovic, Asensio, Brahim Diaz, Isco, Vinicus Junior, Javi
Referee Felix Brych (Germany)
The panel going through their brackets now - great coverage!
Good afternoon Bob.I'll be watching the match on CBSSN.
Afternoon, David - great to have you on board.
Kate Abdo along with Caradonna , Roberto, and one player I don't recognize in the studio
Big stakes for this one. Many of our PPP participants have picked Man City to win the whole thing, while Pink Kits, our iconoclast, has chosen Real Madrid. If the Spanish side can pull off an upset tonight, it would turn the PPP upside down.
Cheers Bob. How has your day been
I think the other person in the studio is Micah Richards
The announcer are Clive Tyldsley and Rib Green
Teams out on the pitch at the Etihad now. Lovely summer evening in Manchester.
The latest on the PPP.
Swansong wins if Barca win the Cl
Johnno wins if BOTH PSG win the CL and United win the EL. If only PSG wins then he finishes in a three way tie for first with you and MOT
If Johnno and Swansong fail then you and MOT finish tied for first.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Former Chelsea players Courtly and Hazard starting for Real
Lots of familiar faces in that Real line-up for watchers of the Premiership.
Are they for Real as Real do NOT look pretty in Pink.
That's a great analysis. So, there is no way that either MOT or I can beat each other?
They're off from the Etihad
That's quite a shocking away strip, isn't it mate?
Hiya chaps.
That's correct, mate because both you and MOT picked Citeh to win the CL and since Roma lost yesterday both of your EL picks have been eliminated
That was unusual - no recognition of Black Lives Matter. Raheem Sterling was startled by that. He kneeled for a moment but Real kicked off. Poor form from them.
Hiya, Steve - how's your day been?
Good afternoon, Steve. How are you today?
The big news from our neck of the woods is that Governor Cuomo announced that P-12 schools can reopen this month. I've enjoyed my vacation this week but I'm sure that I'll be dealing with the fall-out from that on Monday.
You're not on board with the traffic safety kit?
I read about Cuomo opening the schools on Yahoo this morning. Even though there are fewer cases I'm surprised by that decision
Oh - Benzema was nearly played in there but couldn't quite gather it. I'm still not convinced by him as a top striker.
It's been a quiet one. I picked up a library book and prepared chicken skewers to grill.
I'm watching Arsenal tear itself apart again because of the Kroenkes.
Not at all Steve. Safety first doesn't apply in this case
I tend not to like the crazy away kits that are mainly intended for the club shop traffic. I prefer kits that have a traditional connection to the club.
Quiet here as usual.
Yeah - I got a whiff of that on the Guardian site. What's going on?
KDB with a long range effort deflected for a corner on the break
Agreed about the kits. Unfortunately it's all bout money
I haven't read about the Gunners . Sounds like poor form from the Kroenkes yet again
Oh - what a calamity in the Real backfour!
Sterling profits and scores the opener.
1-0!
GOAL !!!! THAT WAS REAL HORRIBLE DEFENDING . VARANE . REAL WITH ONE TOUCH PASSING DEEP IN THEIR OWN BOX THEN JESUS TACKLED VARANE AND PASSED TO STERLING FOR AN EASY TAP IN
Citeh now 3-1 up on aggregate and in the driver's seat. That was woeful stuff from Courtois and his defender.
Citeh now 3-1 up on agg and the Not pretty in Pink side need two goals just to take this to extra time
Real under the cosh having to block two shots then finally clear
The players agreed to a 12% pay cut that was sold partly on the club's insistence that the savings would protect staff lay offs.
And then, the Kroenke's announce the loss of 55 staff, gutting the scouting department. Now the players, the bolshie ones are using social media to voice their grave disappointment. Bellerin's been very vocal.
The Kroenke's are vile.
Citeh playing like motivated side and Real playing as if they've conceded the tie
They sure are. That's really horrible by the Kroenkes. No way the Gunners will progress till the Kroenkes leave. A bunch of vile greedy people
Someone should start tallying up how many times teams playing it from the back result in tap-ins. I hate it.
My good - Militao nearly pushed the self-destruct button again there allowing Sterling to nearly nick it off him.
D Pi gives Lyon the lead at Juve with a spot kick to put Lyon two up on agg. Juve need to score three goals
Sterling with a shot that clips the top of the bar, beating Courtly
Dress shoes that have a white sneaker out-sole should be banned too Zizou.
If I had a nickle for every time teams gifted goals from passing at the back, well...
Yeah - it was cuts in the scouting staff that the Guardian had reported on. Poor form from the Kroenkes.
Those shoes seem to be trendy nowadays.They don't match with suits
You can imagine that Dave would be tearing his hair out at this playing out of the back nonsense by Real today if he were watching.
At least it's not Mike Ashley at Arsenal. The Kroenkes are mini-Mikes comparatively.
Great last ditch tackle by Casemiro on Sterling , who was through with just Courtly to beat
Sterling looked to the ref for something after taking a tumble there. Nothing doing from the German bloke.
Agreed, Bopb. Dave would have had plenty to say about that Citeh goal
Good point , Steve . Mike Cashley is not exactly an angel.
The scouting dept cut could mean that we've climbed into bed with a few super agents that Sanheli has close contact with. It's not good.
Ederson does well to turn around a shot from Benzema off a turn
Shouldn't the Kroenke's know how vital the scouting network was for you lot during the Wenger years? It's a bit like West Ham deciding to close their academy.
That was a lovely take from the extortionist BEnzema
Rodrigo wins another Real corner
Decent near post save by Ederson Hazard from just outside the box
Oh - Ederson brought into action again by Hazard. Good take.
Wonder if Aubama and/or Arteta will stay after this debacle.
It means that Sanheli has convinced Josh Kroenke that super-agents are the way forward. It means that he's convinced Stan that the scouting network is superfluous and too expensive in an era with no match-day revenue.
Basically the Gunners are scrapping their youth system. Horrible.
Surely the television cash is enough to make up for the loss of money through the turnstile, no?
It would appear to be the case, but the Kroenkes are that greedy
It depends if it leads to squad unhappiness. I think if we get Auba's 3-year signature, successfully pick up Willian, and shed the Ozil contract, it'll blow over.
GOAL !!!BENZEMA TIES IT UP ON THE NIGHT AND PULLS IT BACK TO 3-2 ON AGG
GOAL! Benzema levels it on the night. Good header!
That TV revenue has fallen off precipitously. So much so that the Prem owes the broadcasters a rebate. That means reduced payout to the clubs as well.
It was a nice passing possession that culminated in Rodrygo going on a run down the right then his cross was headed in by Benzama with a free header
Good header from Benzama. He found space where he really shouldn't have.
What club this time around isn't looking to upgrade their centre-halves? It makes what L'pool paid for Virgil very, very good business.
Agreed. Van Dijck was the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle for Liverpool and one of the best signings in years.
Long range effort from Kyle Walker lands in Row H
Agreed, Steve - the central defenders are about the only weakness on either of these teams.
Hey Boys,
I didn't have the use of last top but was watching the match on my phone
MY HAIR IS OUT BOB....so ridiculous by Real!
They spent the first two minutes of the game doing it!!
Welcome, Dave! I had a feeling you'd have something to say about that attempt to play out of the back by the Real guys.
Good afternoon, Dave. Had a feeling you would disapprove of that joke defending for the Citeh goal as we all did
Oh - long effort there by Cancelo was just parried out by Courtois.
It was Real bad defending
It just stuns me
SNOBBERY!!
are we able to watch?
I'm watching on the telly
It wasn't defending.... it was possessing...it was 'attacking"
What do you mean the telly?
David's got CBS Sports on his system, so you should be able to hop on the CBS All Access.
I am on with you CBS Access
That's great David...Lucky you
I'm watching on CBSSN.
Thanks, Dave. I wasn't aware that I got it, but it's part of our current package
Ronaldo just ties it up from the spot!
Courtly at it again . Instead of clearing he passed to KDB , who passed to Phil Foden , who shot just wide
Oh - Courtois hasn't learned his lesson - clears it straight to KDB who tees up Foden for a raking drive just wide.
More snobbery/ stupidity in the Real box
What's the aggregate score in that other match, Dave?
It doesn't work. Forwards and Midfielders have seen defenders playing it from the back now for a couple of years. They just wait for defenders to start playing it out of the back, and can isolate them too easily. If Watford can nearly escape promotion poaching goal after goal off hapless mistakes, it's time to give it up
I have GALAVISION...it is showing the Juve game
Both goals in the other match have been spot kicks and both by former United players
Oh - Benzema was in again - but the flag was raised. Citeh are dicing with death leaving him free. One more goal for Real and this one's going to extra time.
Lyon 2-1 ahead on agg, but Juve need two more goals since Lyon has that away goal
Cancelo wins a Citeh corner
Juve down 1-2... need to win 3-2... Lyon have an away goal. Juve didn't
A minute of stoppage time as the corner from kDB nearly went in . Forced Courtly to punch away
Oh - KDB almost found the angle there from the corner. Courtois had to punch away.
It's 1-1 at the half with Citeh leading 3-2 on agg. This one is in the balance
Wow - that would be quite a turn up for Lyon!
Ht at the Eti.... still driving me nuts!
I'm very happy that we can watch the EL and CL because of Bob's free trial. When he gets notice of it ending, another one of us should get a free trial and share it.
But really, I'm fed up with the current rights-holders for the international European cups. First they round up the worst studio teams possible, and then stick it behind a paywall.
Why aren't the media lambasting the playing out of the back
Totally agree
Everyone on the panel should be ranting about playing it around at the back and conceding like that.....they just say it is the way the game is played.....MADNESS....and not the band!
Carra doesn't lambaste it...he says all the top teams want to play that way... SAY IT IS WRONG!!!
That is crazy about the penalty for Lyon....and the Juve one.... VAR GAVE BOTH OF THOSE!!!
Both of those penalties in the Juve-Lyon match were shocking decisions.
Bayern Chelsea is on Gala....I guess that is TUD
Neither of those were penalties. What's the point of VAR
Gala is a different channel and network from TUDN. TUDN and UNIMAS owned by Univision, which is part of the NBC family. Not sure what network owns GALA
The Gala is not TUD... I have that channel.....but upgrade needed
I hate all this crap!
Steve is so right. I used to love NBC.... we had games on two or three channels...then we had all the other games available free
NOW EVERY GAME COST... except a few
The second half is underway from the Etihad
Back on for the second half now - Citeh get us underway.
We are off at the Etihad
I agree with you and Steve. They're taking advantage of us for being footie fans . It's really horrible
Sterling put through and forces a save from Courtly for a corner
Oh - Sterling was nearly in there from a pass by KDB. Courtois did well.
Corner from KDB headed out by Militao for another
KDB nearly catches out Courtly at the near post, who punches away the curling corner
It's one thing if they were giving us improved coverage but we've all seen the Kate Abdo show for free for years. They're not fooling anyone.
Real are doing it again!!!!
IT'S BLOODY PEP
I can sign up for the free trial once Bob's runs out.Just let me know the date and I will sign up
Kate Abdo must free lance. She's been with FOX, TNT, and now CBS. Aren't broadcasters usually under contract to one network?
Someone must have done an analysis that shows that the possession that teams gain from avoiding the traditional goal kick clearance approach is worth more than losing the occasional goal. I'm not saying that I agree with it, but I'm sure that it's a deliberate policy based on analysis.
It reminds me of that book and movie Moneyball about the way that the Oakland A's turned baseball upside down with analysis.
As you said, Clive Tyldsley is on the mic.... he was the main man for the CL for years and years....he was on the mic for the 1999 ECF... Can Manchester United score? They always score!
Winner the Champions League, winner of the Premier League, winner of the FA Cup.... EVERYTHING THEIR HEARTS DESIRED!
Anyway, he was canned and didn't find out until he heard it thru the media!
Sam Matterface(talksport bloke) is taking his place
I'm wondering if all of those channels aren't owned by the parent company Viacom at this point.
GRRRRRR
It's the same with crossing!
Losing possesion from a cross is frowned upon...who cares if it makes a goal
BLOODY PEP
Again....EVERYONE DOES IT
Another giveaway by Real!!
I like Clyde Tyldsley, but not any of the other broadcasters
Oh - Gundogan had a chance to shoot but tried to lay off for Sterling. Wrong choice.
Rob Green, and everyone else, is giving City credit for this!!
IT IS REAL'S USELESSNESS
it must be some sort of analysis . I haven't noticed a gain by not crossing and by playing from deep at the back
Sure. I remember when I started seeing clubs like Barca start to just put the ball back in play from free kicks that were too far out for Messi to try a pop instead of chipping it into the box for the big men.
Juve better get a move on...they need two without reply!
GRRRRR
Rob Green agrees with us about Courtois playing long instead of playing about stupidly at the back
Oh - KDB streaked through from a long ball by Gundogan - defenders did well to get back.
Bloody Pep is better dressed than he was for the FA Cup semi at Wembley
The Serie A and La Liga Champions on their way out
I know you want City to win... Pep can't be knocked out early enough
When is the tide going to turn....things go in cycles, right?
I still think that someone with Pep's money could be wearing a nice, sharp suit and tie like Zizou is wearing.
Juve take the lead....they are still behind in the tie.
Ronaldo with a decent shot
Wouldn't that be a turn-up! And the Premier League Champions are already out!
MArco Asencio on for Rodrygo, who assisted the Real goal. Surprised he was replaced
Pep used to be casually fashionable but he's decided that he can get away with the railway tramp look now. He was wearing torn up jeans at one point.
Benzema with a shot b locked by the Door
Juve wearing their new shirts.....stripes are back!
Ronaldo took the pop with his left!
He can shoot with any foot!
Oh...what number title in a row would United be on? 15?
Oh - Benzema tried to jink through but he was blocked off by Laporte.
Correct Dave. Lyon ahead on the away goals rule
Citeh's centre-backs and their inability to deal with the threat of Benza may be the story today.
Benzema with a shot straight to Ederson
It just stuns me that the bosses allow the playing at the back...when losing is disastrous and they could lose their jobs!
Benzene again now - has a go at a curler but Ederson is behind it.
Over and over again, Real have been creating opportunities because Citeh are pants at the back.
I want City to lose but I hate Real too!
Juve vs Lyon being replayed this evening on CBSSN . Will that be worth watching?
I agree, Steve. Citeh should be strolling this one but the defense is looking really shaky. And Bernardo Silva isn't going to help that effort.
Bernardo Silva coming on. He's class.
Gabi Jesus with a hell of a shot!
Nice turn by Jesus and his shot is tipped over by Courtly. Benzema clears the low corner from KDB
Modern day corner by KDB
I could be convinced to watch if Juve bring on the Welsh Messi.
Weekend at Bernie's on for Phil Foden as the weekend is beginning
Foden being replace by Silva....NO PUNS NEEDED GOLDY!!
There it is
Phil Foden comes off after a decent outing. I'm liking that he's starting to creep into the starting eleven.
The Welsh Messi wouldn't happen to be a former Gunner would he?
GOAL !!! JESUS PUTS CITHE AHEAD 4-2 ON AGG AND 2-1 ON THE NIGHT
Pep says Foden is the best he's every coached....but he hardly ever plays him
REAL HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!!
UNBELIEVABLE!
Cultured defender....no...he sucks!
Another gift from Varane off a long ball that was horribly back headed and a great finish by Jesus
Keep the puns coming, David!
Oh my! Real have reverted to their crack suicide squad mode again. Varane with another terrible moment.
Jesus pounces. 2-1 Citeh!
Real need two to win....just like they did before!
Ramsey went on at the 60th minute for Panic. I'll be watching.
Varane is not one of the most cultured defenders in Europe. He's a naughty, naughty boy. Real hit the self destruct button.
Isn't Varane a World Cup winner? You wouldn't think so there.
Good close range block by Gundogan in front of Ederson
Take a shot REAL!!
Modric finally does....saved
If Real didn't concede and scored one...they could only win with another one or pens
Varane a World Cup Winner, but naughty in a rather snobbish snooty way
Real need to throw caution to the wind now.
Citeh's defensive weaknesses that were mentioned are why Liverpool won the title and they didn't the same next season?
Pogba is a World Cup winner...and he sucks
Sterling down again. He should get a booking for that. It's his second offense.
Ramsey coming on because Juve are in a Pjanic? Will their manager be Sarri ?
I'd have Pogba off you, Dave. Who do you want in return - Stu Dallas or Jamie Shackleton?
Thanks Bob.. How's this latest one?
I'll take a bag of Salt n Vinegar crisps and bottle of Salad Cream
Another risky backpass! Courtois had to hack it away.
LOL! I'll toss that in as well. And some pork scratchings!
Be careful what you wish for at ER. He may be toxic to the Leeds dressing room.
No teams have any urgency!!!
Interesting combo on the crisps
Oh - I love a good Pjanic pun, mate. Well in!
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