For me it has less to do with the oil clubs and more with the fact that there is a handful of super teams who could win it.
One could argue the same is happening throughout the leagues as in, there are more and more one-team leagues.
Champions League - Round of 16 - 1st Legs 13/14/20/21 Feb
- Thread starter TheGame
- Start date
One could argue the same is happening throughout the leagues as in, there are more and more one-team leagues.
PSV players are very weak
Is asking for bookings not frowned upon internationally? Lozano being a proper cnut here...
To be fair your players are kicking and pulling him with no repercussions while he got a booking for his first foul.
Ryerson would have had a pretty good run at the box without his foul. He simply falls over anytime someone is near him. None of the challenges on him were worthy of a booking. Some like the free kick at the corner of the box not even of a free kick. The bookings Dortmund got were all fine.
Last time City faced either of these sides they barely eked out largely undeserved wins. Just saying
I was joking!I think we're just getting old. I was captivated by Deportivo vs Porto in 2004. I rewatched the match recently and couldnt believe the difference between my perception back then and my current assessment of the match (paint drying).
Valid regarding the decline of individualism, but does no one enjoy watching tactical battles and systems and the collective? I find that aspect fascinating; understanding how sides set up to attack, counter, press, maximize their talents and so on. I know it's not for everyone though.
Ryerson pulled him down several times where he would be free to run.
I don't mind a less strict referee but it makes players frustrated when the line is inconsistent.
Lozano is a gynormous shithouse.
Undeserved? City dominated ATM, that was a deserved win as was the final against Inter. You had your red tinted glasses on for those games
They struggled against Atletico and won 1-0 on aggregate, sure even if you think they deserved it. The final against inter though? They didn't deserve it, no. They were outthought, outcoached and outplayed. They won only because they had the individual talent, and Inter had Lukaku
Ya fair points, when I was younger games against Rapid Vienna, and Juventus were very 'exotic'. We're definitely oversaturated with football, over exposed to players, but I really do think the sport in general is just cheaper and more cynical than it ever was.
I think we're just getting old. I was captivated by Deportivo vs Porto in 2004. I rewatched the match recently and couldnt believe the difference between my perception back then and my current assessment of the match (paint drying).
Valid regarding the decline of individualism, but does no one enjoy watching tactical battles and systems and the collective? I find that aspect fascinating; understanding how sides set up to attack, counter, press, maximize their talents and so on. I know it's not for everyone though.
With regards to players again, look at the balon d'or list of rankings from a completely random year 2005. Then compare it to 2023. Now if we accept that messi wasnt quite at his best and certainly wont ever be there again, so just humour me and remove his name from 2023. The difference is staggering. I chose 2005 at random, but suspect you could do the same for plenty of other years. I do enjoy tactical battles for sure, and even sides like Simeone's can be good to watch in a way, but overall there's a magic or star quality that's been bled from the game a bit.
Everything I’ve seen him do so far in that first half was poor.
Maybe I missed that, totally possible. He was making the booking gesture after the first time he was fouled though. I fecking hate that.
VAR is a fecking joke...
That's not a penalty at all
Ridiculous pen decision
Like what 
I thought that was a pen, why is everyone so outraged?
He got the ball and barely touch Tillman after that.
That's a decision that I would expect to stick versus us.
Mikhi is really really bad. Guy has not had any positive impact on the game
How in the world did VAR not overturn that. He clearly won the ball
Hummels and VAR versus Dutch sides love story continues. Still remember that absolutely ridiculous call when he got a red from tackling Antony and it didn't get overturned
Hummels and VAR versus Dutch sides love story continues. Still remember that absolutely ridiculous call when he got a red from tackling Antony and it didn't get overturned
Yeah that gesture sucks. And that penalty was a joke.
Arnuatovic!!!
Inter and Atletico went from snoozefest to a western duel by they missing sitters
Watching Atleti vs Inter, feels like going back in a time machine 10 years. So many random players.
Just start penalties now between Inter and Atletico. Save the world going through another 90 minutes of this dreck in 2 weeks.
Sorry to ask, how'd Sancho play? Just curious. Thanks.
One of the worst players on the pitch imo
Pretty badly.
1-0 Inter
Inter score
Terrible
Second half Inter-atletico has been fun
Martinez is absolute wank. So unclinical
Inter with a lead that was coming.
There it is. My prediction is coming along nicely.
I'd usually agree but he's been one of the best strikers in Europe this year.
This is the match everyone expected given how these two teams have performed this season.