Topic: Champions League draw

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

So then lads

Who do we want in the final? Providing we get there

Real > Chelsea > City for me

Don't really care as long as it's not a English side.

[drmick]

So then lads

Who do we want in the final? Providing we get there

Real > Chelsea > City for me

Hopefully not Benfica, Bayern or Villarreal....

[ScouserAtHeart]

Got a sneaky feeling we'll meet Villareal in the semis

[OkieRedman]

Holy shit are Real fans a special level of arrogance. "We don't play finals, we win them". It is madness. Really sick of them. Would love nothing more than to absolutely destroy them in the final. People talk about our luck. In everyone of their recent CL wins they have had generational luck. 

[CentenaryBoy]

About as good a draw as we could have hoped for. No guarantees of course, but we must be favourites against Benfica. Bayern would be tough if we both make the semis, but let's get there first. Whatever happens, I’m glad we've avoided the other English sides; I hate playing Premier League teams in Europe. If we get to the final and have to play an English side, so be it, but I’m much happier playing foreign opposition. That's the whole point of playing in Europe.

[Fromola]

Holy shit are Real fans a special level of arrogance. "We don't play finals, we win them". It is madness. Really sick of them. Would love nothing more than to absolutely destroy them in the final. People talk about our luck. In everyone of their recent CL wins they have had generational luck. 

I'd love to get Real in the final if we got there, but can't see them knocking out City and Chelsea. Chelsea maybe if they're distracted.

Their best players are all in their mid 30s. They can coast in Spain this season and had that good win against PSG but the PL sides left in are a different proposition to that joke of a PSG side. One of the PL teams will outrun them, especially over two legs. Chelsea beat them with ease in the semi last year and City the year before.

[OkieRedman]

I'd love to get Real in the final, but can't see them knocking out City and Chelsea. Chelsea maybe.

It does seem unlikely, but it seemed very unlikely they would get past PSG on 60 mins in the 2nd leg. They always get the rub of the green at key moments. In that PSG game it was their first goal with the clear foul in the build up.

I agree I can not see them beating City. They would need Atleti to do them a favor.

[darragh85]

i cant see chelsea beating real madrid 2 seasons in a row

[Fromola]

It does seem unlikely, but it seemed very unlikely they would get past PSG on 60 mins in the 2nd leg. They always get the rub of the green at key moments. In that PSG game it was their first goal with the clear foul in the build up.

I agree I can not see them beating City. They would need Atleti to do them a favor.

It did but PSG are serial bottlers in the CL, especially in the second half of second legs.

PSG are not a good side either. They were one of the runners up but I wouldn't have been bothered if we drew them. I think we'd have beat them comfortably (as long as we dealt with Mbappe well enough).

[Barrow Shaun]

In the draw today I just didn't want City or Bayern. I wasn't keen on Chelsea either, and if you'd have asked me to choose a 4th side I'd have probably chosen Real Madrid from what was left.

So, delighted. Never ever taking anything for granted, never will, never have done, but at this QF stage, I wanted to avoid those others, especially City.

[thaddeus]

I'm really late to the party - completely forgot about the draw - but very happy with both the quarter and potential semi-final opponents.

I don't know much about Benfica but they're third in the Portuguese league behind Porto and Sporting who we and City both tore to pieces.  AC and Inter Milan showed it's not always a great measure but it's a decent indicator.  They edged out Barca in the group stage but finished 10 points behind Bayern!

Once you get to the semi-finals of the CL you're inevitably going to draw a strong side so, if we do get there, then either Bayern or Villarreal is as good as we could hope for.

[Fromola]

I'm really late to the party - completely forgot about the draw - but very happy with both the quarter and potential semi-final opponents.

I don't know much about Benfica but they're third in the Portuguese league behind Porto and Sporting who we and City both tore to pieces.  AC and Inter Milan showed it's not always a great measure but it's a decent indicator.  They edged out Barca in the group stage but finished 10 points behind Bayern!

Once you get to the semi-finals of the CL you're inevitably going to draw a strong side so, if we do get there, then either Bayern or Villarreal is as good as we could hope for.

I think Liverpool, City and Chelsea are the best 3 teams in Europe and we've managed to avoid the others till the final which gives us a good chance.

Bayern and Real are no mugs but I think they're a fair way behind us and City. It's not the Bayern of 19/20 or under Guardiola/Heynckes and it's not the Real of 4 CL wins in 5 years (or the Mourinho side before it). Chelsea seem to fair very well in knockout football as well, even though they haven't been great in the league under Tuchel.

[Peabee]

I'm really late to the party - completely forgot about the draw - but very happy with both the quarter and potential semi-final opponents.

I don't know much about Benfica but they're third in the Portuguese league behind Porto and Sporting who we and City both tore to pieces.  AC and Inter Milan showed it's not always a great measure but it's a decent indicator.  They edged out Barca in the group stage but finished 10 points behind Bayern!

Once you get to the semi-finals of the CL you're inevitably going to draw a strong side so, if we do get there, then either Bayern or Villarreal is as good as we could hope for.

Inter didn’t really trouble us. The second leg was played in a low gear by us, with Inter only scoring via a pot shot (we don’t see as many long range shots in the era of xG et al, because they’re such low probability chances. But when a team is desperate for a goal, and not getting chances any other way, they’re more likely to start peppering the goal with shots).

Although the quarters and semis are a great draw, one of City/Chelsea/Real/Atletico in the final is a bit shit. I’d much rather play Bayern in the final.

[Peabee]

In the draw today I just didn't want City or Bayern. I wasn't keen on Chelsea either, and if you'd have asked me to choose a 4th side I'd have probably chosen Real Madrid from what was left.

So, delighted. Never ever taking anything for granted, never will, never have done, but at this QF stage, I wanted to avoid those others, especially City.

I think we’d beat City or Chelsea over two legs. Chelsea would probably try to close out the game and take it to penalties if we faced them in the final like the League Cup.

[kasperoff]

I hope Atletico take shithousery to the next level

Nothing is more certain. Apart from Real and Barca, I can't imagine a club Simone would like to shit on more.

When was the last time Man City played a proper bunch of twats like Atletico?

[RedG13]

Nothing is more certain. Apart from Real and Barca, I can't imagine a club Simone would like to shit on more.

When was the last time Man City played a proper bunch of twats like Atletico?

They are Playing Burnley the weekend before

[OkieRedman]

They are Playing Burnley the weekend before

Haha. Please let it be horrible. 

[CS111]

I think city will win at a canter against atletico. They looked bang average against a shite Utd side. Most of the time left never left their half . City will just pen them in over both legs. I see them no winning by at least 3ir 4 clear goals over the 2 legs.

[vivabobbygraham]

Wanted to avoid City and Chelsea at least until the final. Wasn't bothered other than that but would have preferred a home to first although it suits us better in terms of the tie.

City or Chelsea would have been easier over two legs

[MonsLibpool]

I think city will win at a canter against atletico. They looked bang average against a shite Utd side. Most of the time left never left their half . City will just pen them in over both legs. I see them no winning by at least 3ir 4 clear goals over the 2 legs.

Atletico tend to do just enough. They are a real threat on the counter and can hurt City with their pace.

[afc tukrish]

Nothing is more certain. Apart from Real and Barca, I can't imagine a club Simone would like to shit on more.

When was the last time Man City played a proper bunch of twats like Atletico?

Most recent training session...

[JasonF]

I think city will win at a canter against atletico. They looked bang average against a shite Utd side. Most of the time left never left their half . City will just pen them in over both legs. I see them no winning by at least 3ir 4 clear goals over the 2 legs.

Probably. But they're a better bus parking team than the likes of Crystal Palace and Wolves who've troubled them and Felix and Griezmann are better than they have up front too. When Atletico did come out against us in the away tie once we were 2-0 up they caused us a few problems.

To me City always look vulnerable when teams actually have a go at them (not often enough, sadly). I think as someone said earlier, there's about a 90% chance City win. But Atletico are the sort of team that can cause them problems so there's a chance.

[Red1976]

I do not agree with many comments on here about Real Madrid. They tend to be a different beast once they get to a European cup semi final or final. I would fancy them to beat Chelsea and Man City over 2 legs.  I hope they don't win it,  as I would hate Carlo Ancelotti to overtake Paisley as winner of the most EC as manager!

 The draw was nearly as good as it could have been IMO. I would have preferred to have drawn Villareal and then Man City in the semi's. IMO a slightly easier draw then Benfica and Bayern. Man City are no where near unbeatable this season as many have assumed.

[King Kenny 7]

Got a sneaky feeling we'll meet Villareal in the semis

Would love to play them in the Semi on many levels.


A team and supporters we can respect but still feel we owe their (likeable) manager another walloping or two for past results.

[MNAA]

I hope Atletico take shithousery to the next level

It’s the least that they could give to Guardiola and City. Drive him nuts and stressed him up. Get into his head

[Armand9]

Holy shit are Real fans a special level of arrogance. "We don't play finals, we win them". It is madness. Really sick of them. Would love nothing more than to absolutely destroy them in the final. People talk about our luck. In everyone of their recent CL wins they have had generational luck. 

my ideal scenario is meeting madrid in the final - of course both have to get there and there's no given at this stage, far from it but i'd love to reach the final with them as opponents

i want revenge on them

[kesey]

Guardiolas head will go

It's gone .

[ABJ]

Usually need to play with it a bit first

[kasperoff]

my ideal scenario is meeting madrid in the final - of course both have to get there and there's no given at this stage, far from it but i'd love to reach the final with them as opponents

i want revenge on them

Be very nice to get to the final and give them a pasting. That Karius final was a bad night.

[Sinyoro]

Simeone will see City as a fancy dan team who need a bit of roughing up. I can't see any other route to a victory for Atleti other than getting in City's faces.

It will be a bruising encounter for them, hopefully one that leads to a few dropped points in the league

[Sinyoro]

Just imagine if we get through, then play Bayern and Real. Absolute European royalty from start to finish of the campaign. We’d have to offer to play Ajax just to complete the set.

AC Milan

[MBL?]

In a way I wanted city over two legs. That would have fucked with their heads but meh, can’t complain with how it could play out.

[eAyeAddio]

In 1981 we won the League Cup and then went on to play Bayern in the European Cup semis followed by Real Madrid in the final which was held in Paris.......

The stars are lining up ............... :-)

[him_15]

Really looking forward to watch the other side of the semi final.

[Number 7]

Great draw.

Main thing was to avoid the big guns and not play an English team in the QF or SF if we got there.

[Crosby Nick]

AC Milan

Who remembers the group stages?!

[MrBooble]

I think the most likely final is LFC vs Chelsea. I think Chelsea will edge City in the semis, they are a team more effective in cup competitions. I think they will have mental edge. It’s the League Cup final again, but this time we won’t need extra time or penalties.

[Fromola]

I do not agree with many comments on here about Real Madrid. They tend to be a different beast once they get to a European cup semi final or final. I would fancy them to beat Chelsea and Man City over 2 legs.  I hope they don't win it,  as I would hate Carlo Ancelotti to overtake Paisley as winner of the most EC as manager!

 The draw was nearly as good as it could have been IMO. I would have preferred to have drawn Villareal and then Man City in the semi's. IMO a slightly easier draw then Benfica and Bayern. Man City are no where near unbeatable this season as many have assumed.

They were well beaten by Chelsea last year. They only beat us because of all our injuries, an empty Anfield and a wretched first leg performance at their training ground of all places.

They could beat Chelsea this year but CHelsea are more likely to beat City.

[ScouserAtHeart]

So we could end up playing City in both the FA Cup final, the Champions League final, and go down to the final day in the league against them as well

[kaesarsosei]

All the talk of European Royalty etc on the previous pages, wind your fucking necks in - that sounds like those Ajax/Barcelona idiots from 2020 who wanted to embrace in the final and have a cry about Cryuff.

I want to beat Sporting Benfica  , get Villareal and then Atletico in the final. Easiest possible route please.

I would never in a million years write off Real Madrid in a final after Kiev. I was more confident going into that game than any other final since the Cardiff City League cup win, and we nearly fucked that one up too.