Maldeika said:
If Bayern play like last Tuesday it will look like the match against City in Manchester - maybe even better as they were a lot more fluid in the forward actions against Hertha. The German zonalmarking - Spielverlagerung - called it playing with 3 false Nines (Robben, Müller, Götze) that often dropped deep into midfield and played playmakers, too. It will not be fully played like it - I expect Ribery to start - and then they certainly will not leave the flanks only to the fullbacks.
I do not know if Guardiola has the guts to start with Götze behind Müller and with Lahm at rightback - I like the partnership Müller and Götze formed in a couple of matches. It was not the formation Pep usually fields in the Bundesliga - because the teams have a very high workrate and that level of play you only can hold when you work with full concentration and energy - that's why you need to work with a striker like Mandzukic there who is physically strong and able to get through with a lot headers. And additionally with crosses.
Usually they should win comfortably - but it is knockout ties. You never know with them. The goal can be jinxed and with an error or two (and it is just humans) you can catch goals of the opponent easily.
Agree with most of that, but if Lahm is going to start playing right back (which I think he needs to when he faces better teams than United) then he needs the practice in the league games. Lahm has been the few times he has played right back this this season, because he has not played there enough. He needs to get into a rhythm there.
I agree with your ideal team selection and hope it's the team he plays. I know it's always bad to lose a player to injury, but losing Thiago might force Guardiola to play the side you suggested.
In a one off game there is a chance however, slim of anything happening, but over two legs you really have to mess up to not go through. With the level of this United team and the players they have missing it would be a disaster for Bayern to go out.
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Else - I think Chelsea has more chances against PSG than you give them. I even think that Chelsea will make it. They are a team that is experienced in this knockout tournaments.
Chelsea's new team is actually not as experienced as you think. The old guard are, but they are now relying on the newer younger generation which is not quite at the level of the old. Mourinho basically called them cowards on the weekend after they lost to my team and said they lacked balls. PSG are also more experienced than you are giving them credit for. Thiago Silva, Zlatan, Motta, Alex and Maxwell are very experienced players. PSG have more quality for me.
Barca should make it. And Real. At the tie between Real and Dortmund I am not really sure what I want. I really cannot stand CR7 - for me he just is the antifootballer. And yes - I like some of the Dortmund players - but not the officials, not some of the players and not the club at all. Let Real win and we will throw them out in the semi finals... ;)
I want Dortmund to win, but barring Reus pulling off a miracle don't think they have much chance. They really need Hummels and Reus to step up.
Lastly I completely disagree with you about Ronaldo. I remember seeing Messi make his debut and right from the first game it was apparent (except for injury or going wild) he would be the best player in the world. I actually saw Ronaldo when he was 17 too and was impressed, I thought he had world class potential, but never imagined he could become one of the all time greats. Through hard work, dedicated and the unyielding desire to be the best he has pushed himself into competing with Messi. He has his faults (which Messi has the exact same ones too), but he is model footballer and is an example to all young players.
