Semi finals (City v Real and A Madrid v Bayern)

[Manchester33]

Here's a question:

We play Munich in the final having fallen to sixth in the league. We have to win the CL to qualify for the following season. You are Pep, how do you go about preparing for the final against City?

He would approach the game in the most ruthlessly professional manner you could imagine. For him it's another Champions League trophy in the bag, I can't think of many managers that have won 3+ of them and in terms of his future marketability he'll be able to draw more attention from the top players/clubs (which he would lose instantly if he threw the game). He'll be classed as a success at Bayern having won 3 leagues and a CL in 3 years. He'll probably get a 7 figure bonus for winning it. He went into the Bayern job following Heynkes who won the lot the year before - he literally couldn't top it so he's been under that shadow and his critics have said 'well he inherited a great team'. If City won it under Pellegrini he'll get the same here. What better way to prove how good a manager he is than to take a team who've only finished 6th when he took over on to winning the champions league (for what would be his 4th time).

It'd be typical of the media if we did go on and win it, against Bayern in the final, to then turn round and say, Pep through the game, City didn't even win it properly and so on....

 

[SWP's back]

If he looses a game on purpose at a club he is paid by and with millions of supporters he is a poor man and not a true professional.

Back in the real world... You're missing the point. It's not a case of losing a game on purpose. It's neigh on impossible for a manager to do that.

But does he spend 100 hours watching every city March for the last 18 months and give every ounce of his knowledge to his players or take a more laissez fair attitude.

 

[SWP's back]

He would approach the game in the most ruthlessly professional manner you could imagine. For him it's another Champions League trophy in the bag, I can't think of many managers that have won 3+ of them and in terms of his future marketability he'll be able to draw more attention from the top players/clubs (which he would lose instantly if he threw the game). He'll be classed as a success at Bayern having won 3 leagues and a CL in 3 years. He'll probably get a 7 figure bonus for winning it. He went into the Bayern job following Heynkes who won the lot the year before - he literally couldn't top it so he's been under that shadow and his critics have said 'well he inherited a great team'. If City won it under Pellegrini he'll get the same here. What better way to prove how good a manager he is than to take a team who've only finished 6th when he took over on to winning the champions league (for what would be his 4th time).

It'd be typical of the media if we did go on and win it, against Bayern in the final, to then turn round and say, Pep through the game, City didn't even win it properly and so on....

You're most probably right.

 

[worsleyweb]

Back in the real world... You're missing the point. It's not a case of losing a game on purpose. It's neigh on impossible for a manager to do that.

But does he spend 100 hours watching every city March for the last 18 months and give every ounce of his knowledge to his players or take a more laissez fair attitude.

He will do the latter 100% - in the real world.

 

[Time will pass me by]

The 27th would clash with Youth cup final.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

It's not a case of losing a game on purpose. It's neigh on impossible for a manager to do that.

You weren't at Leicester at home this season then? :)

 

[Andouble]

I think Bayern could be pegged back tonight. Benfica were excellent in Munich and their atmosphere will be very hostile. If they get the first goal they could go through. Bayern have been wobbly under Pep in Europe.

Barca aren't through yet either. Atletico would have bitten your hand off if you'd have offered them 2-1 in Barcelona. A 1-0 win at home is their ideal result. Barca just don't sit back, it's not in their nature. They'll dominate possession and look to grind a resolute Atletico defence down. Atletico will counter and will create chances against Barca's defence with their full backs high up the pitch. It's the perfect scenario for Atleti to win so I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the semi.

Problem for Benfica is I think their top scorer (maybe even top 2) are injured/suspended.

But I think it's extremely possible one of Benfica or Atletico get through.

 

[Blue Mist]

It has to be us v Bayern in the Final so the semi is a done deal. It is fate and that is far more powerful than some ex footballer picking a hot ball out of a bag.

 

[Malty]

Less than 2 weeks until the semi-final lads. No time to rest.

Wall-to-wall football until the end of the season. And then the Euro's. AVE' IT !!!!!

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Back in the real world... You're missing the point. It's not a case of losing a game on purpose. It's neigh on impossible for a manager to do that.

But does he spend 100 hours watching every city March for the last 18 months and give every ounce of his knowledge to his players or take a more laissez fair attitude.

He'd expose and amplify every weakness and have his team pummel us.