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UEFA Champions League


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#721 Don Quixote

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Posted 26 December 2020 - 01:06 AM

I think I disagree about Maguire/Lindelof but they do need more depth there.

 

They're not bad players, but when they're together they seem to be less than the sum of their parts. The pairing isn't complementary enough. They're involved in too many concessions, which is an overall defensive issue for United currently. Each would be better in a partnership where they're paired with someone with more pace since neither of them have a great amount of it. Also, Maguire seems to be sorely misused on corners quite often, and I'm not sure who that's down to. United's set piece defense frightens me much of the time. 

 

When they had Maguire and Bailly paired up for the League Cup QF the flow was nice; the FBs weren't tucking in and were bombing on more like they're supposed to. The two CBs were pretty much on their own; how often does that happen for United lately? They've tended to take too much of a protective stance with Maguire/Lindelof this season especially; the FBs end up tucked in too often and too often there are two CDMs, which is inhibitive to the attack. The coaching staff really need to get the situation at the back sorted, as it was a big contribution to their Champions League exit.



#722 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 14 February 2021 - 08:59 AM

Here's an update to the Round of 16. Some changes from the December predictions based upon players, injuries, and form.

 

https://baltimorespo...d-of-16-update/

 

Today I think Man City and Bayern. The draw for the last rounds is Friday March 16th. Interesting to note that there are no seedings or country protections so any matchups are possible.


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#723 Mashed Potatoes

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Posted 16 February 2021 - 04:18 PM

2-0 Liverpool!!!!!!!

 

Steve, have you read anything on where the 2nd leg will be played? Heard they don't wanna do Anfield to keep it fair since Leipzig couldn't play at home. Also wondering if away goals will still be used as a tiebreaker given that no home field games may be played.


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#724 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 16 February 2021 - 06:05 PM

CBS Sports: Barcelona vs. PSG score: Kylian Mbappe hat trick carries Paris Saint-Germain to stunning Champions League win

https://www.cbssport...eague-win/live/



#725 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 16 February 2021 - 07:08 PM

2-0 Liverpool!!!!!!!

 

Steve, have you read anything on where the 2nd leg will be played? Heard they don't wanna do Anfield to keep it fair since Leipzig couldn't play at home. Also wondering if away goals will still be used as a tiebreaker given that no home field games may be played.

As of now the second ties are still showing as being played at the normally scheduled locations. However, I believe they will end up moving them to neutral sites.

1. As you mentioned its a bit unfair to the teams that lost their home leg through the fault of the other country.

2. I highly doubt the powers that be are going to change the travel restrictions surrounding England before then anyway. The rules for the Round of 16 says that teams must inform UEFA of any travel restrictions by March 1st.

 

As for "away goals" yes that is still the second tiebreaker. Goal differential being first. There are no rule differences established due to Covid. The normally used rules apply here.



#726 Mashed Potatoes

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 01:50 AM

As of now the second ties are still showing as being played at the normally scheduled locations. However, I believe they will end up moving them to neutral sites.
1. As you mentioned its a bit unfair to the teams that lost their home leg through the fault of the other country.
2. I highly doubt the powers that be are going to change the travel restrictions surrounding England before then anyway. The rules for the Round of 16 says that teams must inform UEFA of any travel restrictions by March 1st.

As for "away goals" yes that is still the second tiebreaker. Goal differential being first. There are no rule differences established due to Covid. The normally used rules apply here.


Makes the 2-0 "away" win with two goals even better!


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#727 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 09:04 AM

ESPN: 22 things to know about Kylian Mbappe, the world's best young player



#728 Mashed Potatoes

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 01:16 PM

ESPN: 22 things to know about Kylian Mbappe, the world's best young player

 

This one is crazy (definitely not true but...)

 

"Take this with a generous pinch of salt, but it has been claimed that Mbappe -- famed for his blistering counter-attacks -- is actually quicker across the ground than 100m and 200m sprinter Usain Bolt, the fastest man on the planet.

In 2019, Mbappe was clocked sprinting at 23.61 mph during a Ligue 1 game against Monaco.

To put that in perspective, Bolt's top speed during his famous world record 100m sprint at the 2009 Athletic World Championship in Berlin was "only" clocked at 23.35 mph."


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#729 BSLRoseKatz

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 01:35 PM

Mbappe already has the WC that Messi/Ronaldo will presumably retire without getting, throw in a couple UCLs and domestic trophies outside France and he might have a real chance at having a more decorated career than both of them 



#730 Mashed Potatoes

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 03:12 PM

Mbappe already has the WC that Messi/Ronaldo will presumably retire without getting, throw in a couple UCLs and domestic trophies outside France and he might have a real chance at having a more decorated career than both of them


Certainly possible though I think highly unlikely. He's a great player all around but his cheat code is his speed so I don't see him being as productive for as long as Messi/Ronaldo.
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#731 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 17 February 2021 - 07:55 PM

Mbappe has solid skills but it is his freakish speed that puts him on another level. The problem is speed is the first thing to go. But lets revisit this say in about 8 to 10 years.

 

Dortmund came up big today. 3 away goals is huge so they could now lose at home 1-0 and advance.

 

The late goal by Juve was also huge. Win at home 1-0 or by 2 or more goals. If they win 2-1 it gets messy. If they win 3-2 or anything up from there they would be out.



#732 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 22 February 2021 - 03:40 PM

Good news for Chelsea and USMNT fans. Pulisic is healthy and in the game day roster for Chelsea's UCL match tomorrow. I doubt he starts but hopefully he'll get at least 25 or 30 minutes.



#733 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 22 February 2021 - 09:15 PM

CBS Sports: UEFA Champions League Power Rankings: Chelsea ahead of Atletico Madrid before showdown; Barcelona plummet
https://www.cbssport...celona-plummet/



#734 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 24 February 2021 - 08:13 AM

CBS Sports: Atalanta-Real Madrid, Monchengladbach-Manchester City odds, expert picks for UEFA Champions League matchups
https://www.cbssport...eague-matchups/



#735 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 02 March 2021 - 02:46 PM

UEFA has confirmed that the second leg of Monchengladbach and Man City will be held in Manchester.



#736 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 08 March 2021 - 02:12 PM

Round of 16 second legs start tomorrow!

 

https://baltimorespo...16-second-legs/


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#737 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 09 March 2021 - 07:37 PM

Dortmund and Porto through. The Porto - Juventus games was an incredible match.


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#738 BSLRoseKatz

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Posted 09 March 2021 - 10:17 PM

Juve's performance in the UCL since getting Ronaldo has been no bueno 


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#739 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 10 March 2021 - 08:17 AM

Forgot to mention about the Dortmund game yesterday. Erling Haaland set a UCL record by scoring multiple goals in 4 straight matches. Watch his transfer this summer. The $$$ signs are sky rocketing for this guy.



#740 You Play to Win the Game

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Posted 10 March 2021 - 08:25 AM

Go get him, Everton!




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