Will Barca be the First Team to Retain the CL?

Lance Uppercut · 29th May 2011, 12:17

Yes, in my opinion

Kaos · 29th May 2011, 12:19

If anyone could do it its them, so yes why not.

Though I think if they'd lose to Real Madrid if they were to cross paths with them again in the CL.

Richter · 29th May 2011, 12:22

Yes. Pep messed up the 2010 CL campaign by bringing in a static striker that didn't work for the team and that disrupted their fluid attacking movement. Pep fixed that this season though, can't see him changing formula next season this time around.

Maajid · 29th May 2011, 12:24

Ash clouds. Best hope etc.

Talking Vulture · 29th May 2011, 12:26

They'll dominate for a long time to come. Incredible side.

TheHorse'sMouth · 29th May 2011, 12:26

They've got a nucleus there that has the potential to become the most dominant in the history of the sport. Teams have to play the game of their lives (like Inter did last year) in order to beat them. They've got a fantastic chance of retaining the CL next year.

Cal? · 29th May 2011, 12:39

No, better teams have tried and failed.

Lance Uppercut · 29th May 2011, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

No, better teams have tried and failed.

Such as?

Collina · 29th May 2011, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

No, better teams have tried and failed.

I'm not sure better teams have tried and failed, but a lot of very good teams have tried and failed, that's for sure.

This Barcelona team is incredible, and they're favourites for next year. But of course, a lot of things can go wrong for them too. I think I'd rather meet them over two matches than in a final, actually (we're usually incredible at Old Trafford, so that might be our best chance).

United Fan 101 · 29th May 2011, 12:43

No. There's a reason it hasn't been done before, and although this side deserve all the credit they do get and then some, to count out a Real Madrid managed by Jose Mourinho or a Sir Alex Ferguson managed Manchester United is something to do at your peril.

Cal? · 29th May 2011, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Uppercut

Such as?

Juve in the Zidane days, Real in the Zidane (original Galaticos) days, United 08-09.

Cal? · 29th May 2011, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Collina

I'm not sure better teams have tried and failed, but a lot of very good teams have tried and failed, that's for sure.

This Barcelona team is incredible, and they're favourites for next year. But of course, a lot of things can go wrong for them too. I think I'd rather meet them over two matches than in a final, actually (we're usually incredible at Old Trafford, so that might be our best chance).

I'd rather not meet them at all, hopefully Real get their revenge and we beat Jose & Cristiano.

Neo_Mufc · 29th May 2011, 12:47

IMO no, as much as everyone showers praise on this Barca team I just think come next year one team will step up on the day and beat them over 2 legs. the same way Inter Milan did and we'll all be saying we should play like that to beat them.

Lance Uppercut · 29th May 2011, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

Juve in the Zidane days, Real in the Zidane (original Galaticos) days, United 08-09.

No, no, and no. But let's not fight about it.

Collina · 29th May 2011, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

I'd rather not meet them at all, hopefully Real get their revenge and we beat Jose & Cristiano.

Agreed, but the best thing would've been beating Barcelona in a final, that's for sure! (except beating City, Liverpool og Arsenal in the final, that is)

Moultz · 29th May 2011, 14:05

I hope we get them next season in the knock-outs. I wont admit they are head and shoulders above everyone until they play us over 2 legs again. I feel very confident in United over 2 legs (preferably where we are at home second)

United, Chelsea and Inter have shown they are not unstoppable over 2 legs but in a one-off game they are very difficult to beat and play against. When both teams have to go for it against each other and one team is Barcelona there is only one clear favourite.

I seriously think over 2 legs it would be a different story. I havent seen our side been matched as a force over 2 legs in the past 4 years. Bayern was a blip with a spectacular goal and some cnutish tactics by ze germans

B20 · 29th May 2011, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Uppercut

No, no, and no. But let's not fight about it.

that juve side was something else. And I admired them as a team moreso than this barca team, but they are better than juve was.

WireRed · 29th May 2011, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

No, better teams have tried and failed.

Fuck me, you are one bitter cnut.

I'm not a great lover of Barcelona myself but some of your opinions on them genuinely boggle the mind, this just takes the biscuit.

If there is a side better than this Barca since 92 and the inception of the CL format, I must have missed them.

kietotheworld · 29th May 2011, 15:14

Unlikely, they're the best team, but it's a cup competition and there will be at least 4 or 5 teams in it who are capable of knocking them out.

NJ1979 · 29th May 2011, 15:16

It's hard to predict otherwise if they carry on this season's form.

wr8_utd · 29th May 2011, 15:17

United 08-09 are not a patch on this Barca team. Not a patch.

WireRed · 29th May 2011, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by wr8_utd

United 08-09 are not a patch on this Barca team. Not a patch.

United 08-09 aren't even a patch on our current side to be honest, never mind Barca.

alastair · 29th May 2011, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

Juve in the Zidane days, Real in the Zidane (original Galaticos) days, United 08-09.

Do you genuinely believe this?

kietotheworld · 29th May 2011, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by WireRed

United 08-09 aren't even a patch on our current side to be honest, never mind Barca.

Utter tripe, the 08-09 side played across 7 competitions, won more matches, got more points, and won more trophies, principally because it had better players in nearly every position.

WireRed · 29th May 2011, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kietotheworld

Utter tripe, the 08-09 side played across 7 competitions, won more matches, got more points, and won more trophies, principally because it had better players in nearly every position.

Yeah, and the football was bland and our attack in debt to our defence for each and every title we won in that season. We scored a record low in goals in the PL, we won the CC after a dire 0-0 on pens, and we beat a team who've not been seen anywhere near such a stage since 1-0 after a dire game in the WCC. Hardly the stuff of legend is it?

As for the points argument, the league is stronger across the board now, the days of needing 90 points to finish 1st are gone.

wr8_utd · 29th May 2011, 15:31

Xavi bloody hell:

Barca will miss him more than anyone else when he's gone.

Cold_Boy · 29th May 2011, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

No, better teams have tried and failed.

Better?

Boss · 29th May 2011, 15:32

They got pretty close last season,

when Bojan had a goal wrongly dissalowed in the dying minuites.

For some reason I think Real will somehow feature in the final next season.

Snow · 29th May 2011, 15:35

First?

Real Madrid
55-56
56-57
57-58
58-59
59-60

Benfica
60-61
61-62

Inter
63-64
64-65

Ajax
70-71
71-72
72-73

Bayern Munchen
73-74
74-75
75-76

Liverpool
76-77
77-78

Nottingham Forest
78-79
79-80

Milan
88-89
89-90

Surely you mean 8th.

Lance Uppercut · 29th May 2011, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

First?

Real Madrid
55-56
56-57
57-58
58-59
59-60

Benfica
60-61
61-62

Inter
63-64
64-65

Ajax
70-71
71-72
72-73

Bayern Munchen
73-74
74-75
75-76

Liverpool
76-77
77-78

Nottingham Forest
78-79
79-80

Milan
88-89
89-90

Surely you mean 8th.

None of those teams have retained the Champion's League.

kietotheworld · 29th May 2011, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by WireRed

Yeah, and the football was bland and our attack in debt to our defence for each and every title we won in that season. We scored a record low in goals in the PL, we won the CC after a dire 0-0 on pens, and we beat a team who've not been seen anywhere near such a stage since 1-0 after a dire game in the WCC. Hardly the stuff of legend is it?

As for the points argument, the league is stronger across the board now, the days of needing 90 points to finish 1st are gone.

Our attacking wasn't as good but our defending, helped by the midfield, was exceptional. Surely the quality of the defence over and above this season's helps it when it comes to a comparison. You only have to look at the team now, who from the current team would make it into 2009's? Rooney would be the only one.

The League's not stronger now, that's a ridiculous argument, in 2009 there were 3 English clubs in the Semi Finals for the third consecutive year, in the two years since then there has been one. The top 2 teams in England in 2009 have sold their most important players to Spain since then, Chelsea didn't even improve and they won the League largely because we and Liverpool went downhill. Last summer we hardly improved and we won it by 9 points largely because Chelsea went downhill and nobody else improved enough. In the Europa League the English mid-table sides almost never achieve anything significant, the only reason they look better than their Spanish counterparts is that they don't have to face the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

WireRed · 29th May 2011, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by kietotheworld

Our attacking wasn't as good but our defending, helped by the midfield, was exceptional. Surely the quality of the defence over and above this season's helps it when it comes to a comparison. You only have to look at the team now, who from the current team would make it into 2009's? Rooney would be the only one.

The League's not stronger now, that's a ridiculous argument, in 2009 there were 3 English clubs in the Semi Finals for the third consecutive year, in the two years since then there has been one. The top 2 teams in England in 2009 have sold their most important players to Spain since then, Chelsea didn't even improve and they won the League largely because we and Liverpool went downhill. Last summer we hardly improved and we won it by 9 points largely because Chelsea went downhill and nobody else improved enough. In the Europa League the English mid-table sides almost never achieve anything significant, the only reason they look better than their Spanish counterparts is that they don't have to face the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The game ain't played on paper or decided by names sunshine. We are much better unit now than we were then, without a shadow of a doubt in my mind.

As for the league, I'm referring to the bottom and middle tiers of the league when I say it's better now. Back in 2009, the top 4 was a closed shop and 35 points was enough to stay up. Points are a lot harder to come by at the moment in the PL because of the increase in quality of those club's.

Snow · 29th May 2011, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Uppercut

None of those teams have retained the Champion's League.

You're talking about the name and format change then. Meaningless stat then.

Peasplease · 29th May 2011, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

Juve in the Zidane days, Real in the Zidane (original Galaticos) days, United 08-09.

I don't even know where to start...

B20 · 29th May 2011, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

First?

Real Madrid
55-56
56-57
57-58
58-59
59-60

Benfica
60-61
61-62

Inter
63-64
64-65

Ajax
70-71
71-72
72-73

Bayern Munchen
73-74
74-75
75-76

Liverpool
76-77
77-78

Nottingham Forest
78-79
79-80

Milan
88-89
89-90

Surely you mean 8th.

Looking at that, retaining the title seems to be almost more the norm than only getting a single win prior to 1980.

Basically, the in the 31 years since forest did it only Milan, a team with a good claim to being the best ever side, has broken the trend. At a time when English teams were banned.

What can explain this rather drastic u-turn in pattern? It was not until the second half of the 90s that non-champions were allowed into the tournament. The 3 foreigners rule was abolished around the same time, yet this pattern goes back 15 years before that.

Lance Uppercut · 29th May 2011, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

You're talking about the name and format change then. Meaningless stat then.

I am talking about the Champion's League. You are talking about the European Cup.

You were trying to be a smartass. You fucked up.

Spoony Kobayashi · 29th May 2011, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

You're talking about the name and format change then. Meaningless stat then.

No, not really, the European Cup under the CL format has never been retained. That's not a meaningless stat... it means it's fucking difficult to retain.

Snow · 29th May 2011, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Uppercut

I am talking about the Champion's League. You are talking about the European Cup.

You were trying to be a smartass. You fucked up.

It's the same competition smartass.

Snow · 29th May 2011, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoony Youngblood

No, not really, the European Cup under the CL format has never been retained. That's not a meaningless stat... it means it's fucking difficult to retain.

Well, football didn't use to have offside and the goalkeepers didn't wear gloves once. It was still the same game.

Wherever I look up the Champions League it says that it was founded in 1954. Ergo the same competition.

I know it's not the same format. There are group stages now and non-champions compete as well but that doesn't mean that prior competitions mean fuck all.

Golden boot doesn't mean a whole lot to many people. I don't differ between years. Therefor the stat is meaningless. You might find it interesting.
I'm just not a fan of always writing, In my opinion, since it's clearly my opinion unless I say otherwise. Not the other way around. Just one of the annoyances of the internet IMO.

FranklyVulgar · 29th May 2011, 16:00

It's very difficult. Since it became the Champions League no team has managed it. To be fair Barca were the best team last season too but were unfortunate to lose to Inter, the offside goals, the penalty, the dissallowed goal.

Saying that you need that bit of luck and sometimes it goes against you. Most teams dont get luck two years in a row. YOu need the breaks sometimes, even if you are as good as Barcelona are.

29th May 2011, 12:17	#1 (permalink)
Lance Uppercut First Team Regular Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NOBODY, calls Dugan a turd. Posts: 19,808	Will Barca be the First Team to Retain the CL? Yes, in my opinion

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29th May 2011, 12:19	#2 (permalink)
Kaos First Team Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lost Posts: 14,506	If anyone could do it its them, so yes why not. Though I think if they'd lose to Real Madrid if they were to cross paths with them again in the CL.

29th May 2011, 12:22	#3 (permalink)
Richter Hairy big footed Swede Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 29,495	Yes. Pep messed up the 2010 CL campaign by bringing in a static striker that didn't work for the team and that disrupted their fluid attacking movement. Pep fixed that this season though, can't see him changing formula next season this time around.

29th May 2011, 12:24	#4 (permalink)
Maajid Formerly Mad Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 6,354	Ash clouds. Best hope etc.

29th May 2011, 12:26	#5 (permalink)
Talking Vulture He's shit, move on. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In with the Leeds scum Posts: 3,749	They'll dominate for a long time to come. Incredible side.

29th May 2011, 12:26	#6 (permalink)
TheHorse'sMouth First Team Sub Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,169	They've got a nucleus there that has the potential to become the most dominant in the history of the sport. Teams have to play the game of their lives (like Inter did last year) in order to beat them. They've got a fantastic chance of retaining the CL next year.

29th May 2011, 12:39	#7 (permalink)
Cal? from Redcafe (matchfixing department) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: It's our perch now... Posts: 20,091	No, better teams have tried and failed.

29th May 2011, 12:43	#10 (permalink)
United Fan 101 Holds a Ph.D. in Football Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wembley 1968 Posts: 1,560	No. There's a reason it hasn't been done before, and although this side deserve all the credit they do get and then some, to count out a Real Madrid managed by Jose Mourinho or a Sir Alex Ferguson managed Manchester United is something to do at your peril.

29th May 2011, 12:47	#13 (permalink)
Neo_Mufc First Team Sub Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6,676	IMO no, as much as everyone showers praise on this Barca team I just think come next year one team will step up on the day and beat them over 2 legs. the same way Inter Milan did and we'll all be saying we should play like that to beat them.

29th May 2011, 14:05	#16 (permalink)
Moultz Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Block:N1413. Row:HH. Seat:10 Posts: 3,045	I hope we get them next season in the knock-outs. I wont admit they are head and shoulders above everyone until they play us over 2 legs again. I feel very confident in United over 2 legs (preferably where we are at home second) United, Chelsea and Inter have shown they are not unstoppable over 2 legs but in a one-off game they are very difficult to beat and play against. When both teams have to go for it against each other and one team is Barcelona there is only one clear favourite. I seriously think over 2 legs it would be a different story. I havent seen our side been matched as a force over 2 legs in the past 4 years. Bayern was a blip with a spectacular goal and some cnutish tactics by ze germans

29th May 2011, 15:14	#19 (permalink)
kietotheworld Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 12,656	Unlikely, they're the best team, but it's a cup competition and there will be at least 4 or 5 teams in it who are capable of knocking them out.

29th May 2011, 15:16	#20 (permalink)
NJ1979 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Stupid Birmingham via super North Wales. Posts: 1,783	It's hard to predict otherwise if they carry on this season's form.

29th May 2011, 15:17	#21 (permalink)
wr8_utd :'( Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 28,306	United 08-09 are not a patch on this Barca team. Not a patch.

29th May 2011, 15:31	#26 (permalink)
wr8_utd :'( Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 28,306	Xavi bloody hell: Barca will miss him more than anyone else when he's gone.

29th May 2011, 15:32	#28 (permalink)
Boss Melodramatic, attention seeking space-attacker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I left you with enough memories to resurrect me with Posts: 24,076	They got pretty close last season, when Bojan had a goal wrongly dissalowed in the dying minuites. For some reason I think Real will somehow feature in the final next season.

29th May 2011, 15:35	#29 (permalink)
Snow First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: I like turtles Posts: 16,853	First? Real Madrid 55-56 56-57 57-58 58-59 59-60 Benfica 60-61 61-62 Inter 63-64 64-65 Ajax 70-71 71-72 72-73 Bayern Munchen 73-74 74-75 75-76 Liverpool 76-77 77-78 Nottingham Forest 78-79 79-80 Milan 88-89 89-90 Surely you mean 8th.

29th May 2011, 16:00	#40 (permalink)
FranklyVulgar First Team Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: I've got a pretty little mouth underneath all the foaming Posts: 10,276	It's very difficult. Since it became the Champions League no team has managed it. To be fair Barca were the best team last season too but were unfortunate to lose to Inter, the offside goals, the penalty, the dissallowed goal. Saying that you need that bit of luck and sometimes it goes against you. Most teams dont get luck two years in a row. YOu need the breaks sometimes, even if you are as good as Barcelona are.