925 replies to this topic

[Mashed Potatoes]

Tuchel has Pulisic on the bench. SMDH. I gotta think that Pulisic starting would have brought out the very best in him. First American to start a UCL final would have been a huge motivator. Now he is super off the bench and if they get behind I suspect he'll be there first sub.

Guardiola starts Sterling over Fernandinho. Which I get. He's going to provide more attack and force Chelsea to make mistakes. We'll see how this plays out.

Come on Blues get it done. Werner must finish his chances. There won't be many.

Your boy Timo whiffing in front of goal to start.

[Mashed Potatoes]

Your boy Timo whiffing in front of goal to start.

And blows another golden opportunity!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Your boy Timo whiffing in front of goal to start.

Werner is anything but "my boy." Two solid chances and he did crap on both. Man City had two good opportunities in the first half but good late recoveries kept the clean sheet. Rudiger and Silva both had good chases to close out Sterling and De Byrune's potential shots.

 

Then late in the half BOTH City center backs got caught a little up field (which is ok) AND too wide (which is ok). But both of those errors at the same time is a disaster and Havertz split them and got a great through ball for a break. If you get a chance look at that breakaway. The keeper actually gets a big hand on Havertz's first touch. Havertz' touch was a bit heavy but the keeper hitting it slowed it down a bunch. Had he not touched it the ball may have gone too deep for Havertz to be able to finish. But alas he did and its 1-0 for the Blues at the half.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Well alright then.

That was incredible.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Tactically a very very good game for Tuchel and Chelsea. Still think Pulisic should have started over Werner but its water under the bridge. No way I thought, even with their great D, that Chelsea could keep a clean slate. And for City losing De Bruyne was huge.

[BSLRoseKatz]

[Mashed Potatoes]

Landed the hardest group I think, but would be great to avenge last year's loss to Athletico.

[ivanbalt]

I had to look up the Sheriff team.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I had to look up the Sheriff team.

I was hoping nobody would do that until I got my article out. Its well on its way but wanted to wait until transfers are closed.....just in case!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Ok here's my UCL preview.  Just two weeks till its back.

 

https://baltimorespo...ague-2021-2022/

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Back in play tomorrow! Here's the expected lineups and latest on whose out.

 

https://www.uefa.com...m-news/?iv=true

[Russ]

Back in play tomorrow! Here's the expected lineups and latest on whose out.

https://www.uefa.com...m-news/?iv=true

If I were ole, I’d start Lindelof at DM and see how he does. Quality player who needs some games.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

If I were ole, I’d start Lindelof at DM and see how he does. Quality player who needs some games.

Likely

 

If I were ole, I’d start Lindelof at DM and see how he does. Quality player who needs some games.

He for sure needs some games. Not sure starting him on the road in a UCL match is the right place though. But it is also Young Boys so maybe.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

If I were ole, I’d start Lindelof at DM and see how he does. Quality player who needs some games.

Close Russ. He is starting at right center back.

[Mashed Potatoes]

Jordan Siebatcheu beats 10 man United on a gift from Jesse Lingard in stoppage time. You love to see it

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Jordan Siebatcheu beats 10 man United on a gift from Jesse Lingard in stoppage time. You love to see it

If Prefok wasn't a USMNT player I would have puked. Instead I just screamed at the TV. 

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Matchday One Results

 

Young Boys bested Man U 2-1 at home. Good result for YB but Man U played 3/4 of the game with 10 players.

Sevilla and Salzburg tied 1-1 at Sevilla. Good road result for Salzburg.

Dynamo Kiev and Benfica scoreless at Kiev. Not a good result for either but better for Benfica. Kiev not scoring at home is a bad result.

Barcelona goes down to Bayern 3-0 at home. Bayern keeps rolling and Barca are in trouble.

Villareal and Atalanta tied 2-2 at Villareal. Ok result for both but two away goals for Atalanta could be a difference maker in the end.

Lille tied Wolfsburg 0-0 at Lille. Meh result but better for Wolfsburg than Lille. Again not scoring at home is woeful.

Malmo spanked at home by Juventus 3-0. Not unexpected.

Chelsea wins at home 1-0 over Zenit. Would have liked to see Chelsea score more than one but keeping a clean sheet is good.

Besiktas loses at home to Dortmund 2-1. Good result for Dortmund.

Sheriff wins their FIRST ever UCL match 2-0 at home. Shakhtar was outclassed by the supposed minnow.

Club Brugge ties 1-1 at home with PSG. Not the result the star loaded PSG team was looking for and Brugge was the better team.

Man City stomps Leipzig at home 6-3. Very odd game. Leipzig is a good defensive side but allowing 6? But they did score 3 road goals. Crazy match.

Liverpool beats AC Milan at home 3-2. But Milan did get two away goals.

Sporting CP loses at home to Ajax 5-1. YIkes!

Inter Milan loses at home to Real Madrid 1-0. Great road win for Real.

 

Back in action next week.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

UCL back today and tomorrow!

[Mashed Potatoes]

Sad that PSG Man City is on same time as the reds!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Sad that PSG Man City is on same time as the reds!

Yeah and RB Leipzig (Tyler Adams).  If no US players get the star this afternoon I will probably have to go with Man C and PSG. Best game IMO.

 

Update: Lineups are out for the rest of the matches today. No US players starting, Adams is on the bench.