Champions League Last 16 games - Feb/Mar 2015

[Sarni]

Such a terrible feeling knowing that CL is back on and we're nowhere to be found in it, nonetheless it's still well worth watching.

Today we have PSG v Chelsea and Bayern v Shakhtar, tomorrow it's Basel v Porto and Schalke v Real Madrid. Next week City host Barcelona while Dortmund play Juventus, Monaco play Arsenal and Atletico Madrid play Leverkusen.

As for today's games I think Chelsea will end the tie in Paris winning 1-0 or 2-0 leaving little chance to Paris for the return leg, Bayern should cruise to a comfortable victory in Lviv - 2-0/3-0 I think. Tomorrow Basel v Porto will be an open game, I expect a low-scoring result and Real will probably destroy Schalke yet again. Not a particularly exciting week, PSG v Chelsea is probably the only game I look forward to but it will be nice to watch some European football even if we're not in it.

God, we really need to make CL next season.

 

[devil in me]

Its going to be a really difficult tie for Chelsea tonight. I've got a feeling that they will need to score as I fancy PSG to get a goal at Stamford Bridge. It will be interesting to see how Mourinho plays this tonight.

 

[adexkola]

Jesus Christ, could the OP be any more depressing?

Delighted the competition is back

 

[Lay]

PSG are pretty poor of late. I think Chelsea will win tonight and knock them out comfortably in the second leg. PSG are still 2-3 years away from seriously threatening to win the competition.

This week of CL games seem quite boring.

 

[Raw]

What a delightful OP!

As for the PSG - Chelsea game, Chelsea will probably win it. PSG have quite a few injuries right now, they had 4 in their last game which resulted in them ending the game with 9 men (and conceded 2 late goals to finish the game 2-2).

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I don't watch any Ligue 1 football so unsure if my opinion is something that'd be laughable to those who watch PSG often...but oh my their expected starting 11 (even taking injuries into consideration) looks extremely underwhelming. Looking forward to seeing how Rabiot plays though, heard good things.

 

[BigDunc9]

I don't watch any Ligue 1 football so unsure if my opinion is something that'd be laughable to those who watch PSG often...but oh my their expected starting 11 (even taking injuries into consideration) looks extremely underwhelming. Looking forward to seeing how Rabiot plays though, heard good things.

Be interesting to see how good this Chelsea side really is at the same time, they where disapointing against City recently.

 

[Barney]

I don't watch any Ligue 1 football so unsure if my opinion is something that'd be laughable to those who watch PSG often...but oh my their expected starting 11 (even taking injuries into consideration) looks extremely underwhelming. Looking forward to seeing how Rabiot plays though, heard good things.

Be interesting to see how good this Chelsea side really is at the same time, they where disapointing against City recently.

PSG aren't that good. They've been really underwhelming every time I've seen them in the league. They rely heavily on Lucas.

 

[Señor]

Well at least Liverpool are out too!

 

[Rooney in Paris]

Its going to be a really difficult tie for Chelsea tonight. I've got a feeling that they will need to score as I fancy PSG to get a goal at Stamford Bridge. It will be interesting to see how Mourinho plays this tonight.

Why do you think it's going to be difficult for Chelsea? As others have said above, PSG have been pretty wank recently and they've had a terrible weekend where a few of their nailed on starters injured themselves. Not a single PSG fan I know is confident about the match.

 

[RobinLFC]

Is there any word out who will start in goal for Chelsea?

 

[Crackers]

Is there any word out who will start in goal for Chelsea?

I ceched earlier, but nothing yet.

 

[NoPace]

Shaktar at home can be dangerous on the counter, so there's a slight chance of fireworks there if Bayern come out aggressive but ineffectual.

But yeah, PSG-Chelsea looks interesting. As strong as Chelsea have looked, they've need 65+ minutes to beat some average teams lately, so I think PSG can get at least a draw at home. Not that PSG has been strong lately.

 

[devil in me]

Why do you think it's going to be difficult for Chelsea? As others have said above, PSG have been pretty wank recently and they've had a terrible weekend where a few of their nailed on starters injured themselves. Not a single PSG fan I know is confident about the match.

Well they haven't lost at home in the competition for about 30 games, and Ibrahimovic will cause all sorts of problems. Having said that, didn't realise that they had so many injuries or poor form!!

 

[Flying_Heckfish]

Will watch the Chelsea game tonight. Expecting a much better result for them this year. PSG have some players injured, too.

 

[sizzling sausages]

Can see Mourinho setting up for the draw tonight. I'm going with 1-1 for that match. 2-1 to Bayern in the other match.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Be interesting to see how good this Chelsea side really is at the same time, they where disapointing against City recently.

Yeah that's true. I'm sure they'll be found out in Europe this season, they aren't as good as the points gap suggests.

Don't expect PSG to be the team to knock them out, but I can't see the tie being over after the first leg at least.

 

[Chaky_Best]

I predict a poor game tonight between Paris, that is not good enough this year, and Chelsea who will come to Paris to get a draw or best.

I see Mourinho playing it safe, knowing that they've the advantage, it's better for them to keep all the chances for the return leg in London.

As for Paris.... well, it's been a torid year. If you only look at the results, they have been good this season. They reached the final of the French League cup, are in quarter final of French Cup (receiving Monaco, the last big team), and are 2nd in the League....

But if you are talking about their game.... it's a pitty. They don't have a proper right back, the midfield three is not working anymore. Thiago Motta is not the player he was, Matuidi is showing his extreme limits, and Verratti is alone and too static... As for the attack, Lavezzi runs a lot but dosen't provide enough threat. Cavani is an absolute joke, and Zlatan is so so this year

Add this a lot of issue in the dressing room... Thiago Motta, Ibrahimovic, the French (crying because they don't play enough)...

So yes, I see this game ending with a draw... Pars will have the ball but without efficiency, Chelsea will be well organized and try to hurt them in counter...

We can see this team tonight for PSG

----------------------------Sirigu----------------------------
Van der Wiel---------Thiago----Luiz---------------Maxwell
----------------------------Verratti--------------------------
--------------------Matuidi-------Rabiot---------------------
Lavezzi----------------------Ibra----------------------Cavani

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

I think a lot depends on how well Veratti plays. I'm expecting a draw or a narrow 1-0 PSG win. Chelsea to go through over the two legs.

 

[Mogget]

I reckon Mourinho is gonna play for another 0-0. Think I'll give that game a miss and watch Bayern

 

[Sassy Colin]

Is this media love in for the English teams reflected by you guys, do you want the English teams to do well in Europe?

For my part, the last teams I want to see progressing are Shitty & Chavs, I would particularly like to see Shitty get humiliated by Barca. Arse not so much, but that's because we all know they will never get much further than the quarters anyway.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Is this media love in for the English teams reflected by you guys, do you want the English teams to do well in Europe?

For my part, the last teams I want to see progressing are Shitty & Chavs, I would particularly like to see Shitty get humiliated by Barca. Arse not so much, but that's because we all know they will never get much further than the quarters anyway.

I want them all to fail, and badly. But I will follow their games throughout the tournament.

 

[rcoobc]

Jesus Christ, could the OP be any more depressing?

Delighted the competition is back

This! Why even make a thread?!?!

I plan on getting the telly on, maybe even getting a monitor down to watch a second game next to the first one, and engorging myself with some football porn

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Is this media love in for the English teams reflected by you guys, do you want the English teams to do well in Europe?

For my part, the last teams I want to see progressing are Shitty & Chavs, I would particularly like to see Shitty get humiliated by Barca. Arse not so much, but that's because we all know they will never get much further than the quarters anyway.

Couldn't really care less about Arsenal or City but I don't actively want them to go through.

Sooner Chelsea (or Utd if you were in it) go out the better though.

 

[UweBein]

PSG are pretty poor of late. I think Chelsea will win tonight and knock them out comfortably in the second leg. PSG are still 2-3 years away from seriously threatening to win the competition.
...

Zlatan's club not progressing in the CL sounds all too familiar

 

[Flying_Heckfish]

Is this media love in for the English teams reflected by you guys, do you want the English teams to do well in Europe?

For my part, the last teams I want to see progressing are Shitty & Chavs, I would particularly like to see Shitty get humiliated by Barca. Arse not so much, but that's because we all know they will never get much further than the quarters anyway.

Prefer Chelsea than PSG to go through. Arsenal are impotent in Europe so can wish them well with no repercussions anyway. City will get soundly beaten by Barca, and I'm happy with that.

 

[theyneverlearn]

Last 16 predictions.

PSG v Chelsea
Bayern v Shakhtar
Basel v Porto
Schalke v Real Madrid
City v Barcelona
Dortmund v Juventus

 

[Orc]

Yeah that's true. I'm sure they'll be found out in Europe this season, they aren't as good as the points gap suggests.

Don't expect PSG to be the team to knock them out, but I can't see the tie being over after the first leg at least.

What do you mean "found out?" It's not like we're Arsenal who spank all the dross and get spanked themselves against the big boys. We haven't fluked our way to the top of table. Being found out would suggest that we've been extremely fortunate and are punching above our weight.

In regards to this tie, I do think it'll be tough. Especially at their place today with the revenge factor and home support in play. They may be ever so slightly weakened by injury but they're still likely to field Zlatan, Cavani, Matuidi, Thiago Silva, Verratti, and David Luiz who was almost always able to significantly raise his game and play very well in the biggest matches.

People, including our own supporters, are underestimating PSG.

 

[NoLogo]

Looking forward to CL games tonight and tomorrow. Just a bit sad that we aren't playing. But I hope for a lot of good games that you can enjoy as a neutral.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

What do you mean "found out?" It's not like we're Arsenal who spank all the dross and get spanked themselves against the big boys. We haven't fluked our way to the top of table. Being found out would suggest that we've been extremely fortunate and are punching above our weight.

In regards to this tie, I do think it'll be tough. Especially at their place today with the revenge factor and home support in play. They may be ever so slightly weakened by injury but they're still likely to field Zlatan, Cavani, Matuidi, Thiago Silva, Verratti, and David Luiz who was almost always able to significantly raise his game and play very well in the biggest matches.

People, including our own supporters, are underestimating PSG.

I mean found out as in people will realise you aren't anywhere close to Bayern/Real Madrid/Barcelona like the media suggest. You've been the best in England this season but it's been as much to do with City's lack of performance as your own ability. You're a good side but not an elite one.

Maybe this will be the season you'll actually start going toe to toe with sides in Europe but I doubt it, you'll probably even play for a point against PSG.

 

[djembatheking]

Hard to call any games at this stage but with Jose in charge and the attacking options at Chelsea you have got to fancy them , like any team they have spells of poor form but when they are on song they play some great football . Hazard , Costa , Fabregas , Willian and Oscar have been the best attack in the league this season.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

Predicted results:
PSG vs Chelsea - 1:1
Shakhtar vs Bayern - 0:2

tomorrow:
Basel vs Porto - 1:2
Schalke vs Real Madrid - 1:2

 

[Orc]

I mean found out as in people will realise you aren't anywhere close to Bayern/Real Madrid/Barcelona like the media suggest. You've been the best in England this season but it's been as much to do with City's lack of performance as your own ability. You're a good side but not an elite one.

Maybe this will be the season you'll actually start going toe to toe with sides in Europe but I doubt it, you'll probably even play for a point against PSG.

I think it's pretty laughable to suggest we aren't anywhere near the sides you named. Don't think any of them would fancy playing us in the CL.

 

[united_99]

PSG are a "poor" uncoordinated side, I don't expect them to cause any problems today and I fully expect Cavani to miss the very few chances he'll get if he plays.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I think it's pretty laughable to suggest we aren't anywhere near the sides you named. Don't think any of them would fancy playing us in the CL.

They are two very different statements. Chelsea are a tricky side for any of them to face because you'll park the bus well against any of them. What on earth have you achieved lately to genuinely think you deserve to be in that tier of teams yourself? Nothing. You have it all to prove, don't get ahead of yourself.

 

[united_99]

I think it's pretty laughable to suggest we aren't anywhere near the sides you named. Don't think any of them would fancy playing us in the CL.

Do you ever have anything to say about Chelsea which isn't ridiculously positive / slightly negative? Anything at all? Ever?

 

[ThierryHenry]

I think PSG need a clean sheet tonight to go through. Chelsea have looked wobbly since christmas but I'll be surprised if they don't win the tie. Probably a bore draw tonight and then a fairly comfortable win at the Bridge.

Do you ever have anything to say about Chelsea which isn't ridiculously positive / slightly negative? Anything at all? Ever?

He's rivalling Cal and Glaston as the most annoying poster in the football forums at the moment.

 

[Orc]

They are two very different statements. Chelsea are a tricky side for any of them to face because you'll park the bus well against any of them. What on earth have you achieved lately to genuinely think you deserve to be in that tier of teams yourself? Nothing. You have it all to prove, don't get ahead of yourself.

What have we proven lately? Was our CL victory 15 years ago?

We advanced to the semifinal last season with a far inferior squad.

We have a world class player in every position other than one or two, we have the best manager in the game, we have tremendous European success and experience, and we're one of two sides in the competition who can properly defend. How are we not an elite side?

Real Madrid and Barca have been getting spanked by Atleti recently. I'd say we're a better side then they are. Bayern have shown that they aren't invincible.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

What have we proven lately? Was our CL victory 15 years ago?

We advanced to the semifinal last season with a far inferior squad.

We have a world class player in every position other than one or two, we have the best manager in the game, we have tremendous European success and experience, and we're one of two sides in the competition who can properly defend. How are we not an elite side?

Real Madrid and Barca have been getting spanked by Atleti recently. I'd say we're a better side then they are. Bayern have shown that they aren't invincible.

You're not a better side than Atlético are either. fecking hell, calm down and just watch the Champions League. You'll be put in your place soon enough, no need to make yourself look stupid too.

 

[Brown Toothpick]

PSG are underrated here. I would love to see them spank Chelsea, but it's unlikely.