Champions League Semi-Finals

[SebastianBlue]

There's only 3 teams in La Liga though. Their top 3 are better than the Premiership top 3 but the strongest League has to have depth.

Well that's obviously not true. All we have to do is just take a look at the Europa League to see how the Spanish teams have done. Valencia, Sevilla and Betis all did very well there. It's just a stronger league at the minute, though I expect things will change next season.

I disagree, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton and Southampton are better than those three teams. Spanish teams are just more organised.

I predict that the meaning of "better" shall be debated next.

 

[ManCitizens.]

Well that's obviously not true. All we have to do is just take a look at the Europa League to see how the Spanish teams have done. Valencia, Sevilla and Betis all did very well there. It's just a stronger league at the minute, though I expect things will change next season.

I disagree, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton and Southampton are better than those three teams. Spanish teams are just more organised.

I predict that the meaning of "better" shall be debated next.

I'd also expect the ability to play a second string in the league to concentrate on Europe to be discussed, a luxury sides in the Premier League don't have.

 

[supercrystal7]

I disagree, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton and Southampton are better than those three teams. Spanish teams are just more organised.

I predict that the meaning of "better" shall be debated next.

I'd also expect the ability to play a second string in the league to concentrate on Europe to be discussed, a luxury sides in the Premier League don't have.

Why is that? Benfica comfortably outclassed Tottenham. Bilboa for instance crushed United a couple of seasons ago. Spanish teams have 38 games too and manage to dominate in Europe. I don't watch much of them, but their results are there for all to see.

Though I find it funny that you said Spanish teams are just more organised. Organisation and tactics are part of being a strong team.

 

[jimharri]

Apparently Jose is the first manager to be defeated in 4 straight CL semi finals. Leo Beenhakker lost 3 in a row with Real Madrid.

Time to put down the notepad and biro, take off the anorak and get off to bed!

 

[Marvin]

Unlike yesterday Mourinho got his tactics spot on, but sadly so did Simeone. I thought Chelsea would go through, but in hindsight all the evidence pointed to Atletico being the better team and they showed it.

The killer goal for me was not the 2nd, but the equaliser. Chelsea switched off and as soon as that happened they were in real trouble. Better attacking teams than Chelsea like Barca and Madrid had failed to break them down. Chelsea on the other hand have failed to break down the likes of West Ham, Villa and us.

I think this result also confirms without any doubt that La Liga is the strongest league in the world. If Simeone manages to win the double, then this has to go down as one of the greatest achievements in recent years.

There's only 3 teams in La Liga though. Their top 3 are better than the Premiership top 3 but the strongest League has to have depth.

Well that's obviously not true. All we have to do is just take a look at the Europa League to see how the Spanish teams have done. Valencia, Sevilla and Betis all did very well there. It's just a stronger league at the minute, though I expect things will change next season.

The Europa League is the measure of nothing. No one takes it seriously until the Quarter Final stages. There is absolutely no comparison between the intensity you see in Champions League games and Europa League games

Technically all the teams in Spain are very good. But the top 2 get all the TV money, and there's a bigger gap between the teams in Spain than there is in the Premiership. Practically the only time the top teams in Spain get beat is when they play each other, whereas in the Premiership Sunderland, Cardiff and Villa have beaten City for example.

You can't take a breather in any game, whereas in Spain they can.

That's just my impression from watching La Liga games on TV. I only ever watch the games with Barca, Real Madrid and occasionally Atletico and they are usually no contest

 

[Citysmith]

Apparently Jose is the first manager to be defeated in 4 straight CL semi finals. Leo Beenhakker lost 3 in a row with Real Madrid.

Time to put down the notepad and biro, take off the anorak and get off to bed!

I heard he's lost more semis than your average Viagra patient

 

[supercrystal7]

There's only 3 teams in La Liga though. Their top 3 are better than the Premiership top 3 but the strongest League has to have depth.

Well that's obviously not true. All we have to do is just take a look at the Europa League to see how the Spanish teams have done. Valencia, Sevilla and Betis all did very well there. It's just a stronger league at the minute, though I expect things will change next season.

The Europa League is the measure of nothing. No one takes it seriously until the Quarter Final stages. There is absolutely no comparison between the intensity you see in Champions League games and Europa League games

Technically all the teams in Spain are very good. But the top 2 get all the TV money, and there's a bigger gap between the teams in Spain than there is in the Premiership. Practically the only time the top teams in Spain get beat is when they play each other, whereas in the Premiership Sunderland, Cardiff and Villa have beaten City for example.

You can't take a breather in any game, whereas in Spain they can.

That's just my impression from watching La Liga games on TV. I only ever watch the games with Barca, Real Madrid and occasionally Atletico and they are usually no contest

Wrong a lot of teams take it seriously. Tottenham and Chelsea have taken it seriously in recent times from the Premiership. The problem is lack of quality.

Money is not everything. The top teams get all the money, but Spain produces a higher quality of talent than England. So the clubs don't have to spend as much to be strong.

How many games do City lose at home in the last few years? What was the score when you played Norwich of West Ham in the cup?

I cannot comment fully on the strength of individual teams, because I only watch Barca and Madrid. I don't even watch Atletico, but results speak for themselves.

 

[SebastianBlue]

Apparently Jose is the first manager to be defeated in 4 straight CL semi finals. Leo Beenhakker lost 3 in a row with Real Madrid.

Time to put down the notepad and biro, take off the anorak and get off to bed!

I heard he's lost more semis than your average Viagra patient

If you're on Viagra and losing semis, that is indeed as horrific as Chelsea's performance tonight.

 

[Len Rum]

The media will now rip into Chelsea as spectacular under achievers, and give Mourinho a hard time, won't they?

Definitely, definitely.

All cleared up on SSN by 'Jose this Jose that' reporter Andy - Chelsea were not in contention for the Premiership this time last season and they were not in the semis of the CL so they have OVERACHIEVED this season.
That leaves us as the underachievers guys, because even if we win it , we should be clear by 12 points now with our squad.
YCNMIU

 

[Mrmcfc]

The media will now rip into Chelsea as spectacular under achievers, and give Mourinho a hard time, won't they?

Definitely, definitely.

All cleared up on SSN by 'Jose this Jose that' reporter Andy - Chelsea were not in contention for the Premiership this time last season and they were not in the semis of the CL so they have OVERACHIEVED this season.
That leaves us as the underachievers guys, because even if we win it , we should be clear by 12 points now with our squad.
YCNMIU

It's true though.
#PellegriniOut




;)