Champions League/Europa League Knockout Stages 2018/19

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Champions League Last 16

Schalke v Manchester City
Atletico Madrid v Juventus
Manchester United v Paris St-Germain
Tottenham v Borussia Dortmund
Lyon v Barcelona
Roma v Porto
Ajax v Real Madrid
Liverpool v Bayern Munich

Europa League Last 32

Viktoria Plzen v Dinamo Zagreb
Club Brugge v Red Bull Salzburg
Rapid Vienna v Inter Milan
Slavia Prague v Genk
Krasnodar v Bayer Leverkusen
FC Zurich v Napoli
Malmo v Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk v Eintracht Frankfurt
Celtic v Valencia
Rennes v Real Betis
Olympiakos v Dinamo Kiev
Lazio v Sevilla
Fenerbache v Zenit St Petersburg
Sporting Lisbon v Villarreal
Bate Borisov v Arsenal
Galatasaray v Benfica

Unfortunately, that’s the way football is heading. VAR has already changed the face of football. In theory, it was a great concept, but in reality, it’s still a technology in it’s infancy, and bound to bring about further controversy. Problem is, the wide range of interpretations within the laws, and the way different refereeing bodies understand them. As Dermot Gallagher stated today, that penalty would not have been given in the PL, but in the CL it would.

At the minute, instead of being a refereeing background aid, it seems it’s the go-to toy. VAR is too powerful a tool right now, being incorrectly utilised, and is dictating how games are being ultimately decided, and too often. Unlike the successful introduction of goal-line technology, this concept needs plenty of tinkering, until it brings about definite change for the better.

theslosty wrote:I've nothing against United but I despair for the future of football if that sort of handball is considered a penalty. A shot going well over the bar that ricochets off Kimpembe's upper arm?

Accidental handballs should only be a foul if they've denied a clear goalscoring chance. Anyone who says otherwise should not be playing football

How does one attribute that as a ref? The fact it’s goig over the bar is hugely irrelevant, a foul is a foul

Refs already have to do that when considering last man challenges.

It's not a foul as it's completely unintentional. My point is unintentional handballs should only be penalised if they've denied the attacking team, this one clearly didn't. It's a penalty borne out of pure luck rather than a defensive error or attacking pressure. Use common sense

Duty281 wrote:

Beer wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Wow. Simply the greatest comeback I've ever seen in football. Better than Munich 99. Better than Istanbul. Better than Chelsea in the Camp Nou.

I wouldn't usually sh*t on somones parade, it's clearly a great result, but, that's an absurd claim.

It's nowhere near as good as the '99 Final. It's not as good as Barca vs PSG, and it's not even as good as Newcastle vs Arsenal.

Two goals in stoppage time is nice. Scoring six at home is wonderful. Scoring four in one half at home is exceptional.

But scoring three in a Paris fortress whilst missing half a dozen first-team players is out of this world.

Put the crack pipe down, pal.

Superfly is spot on.

Fun game in Turin breaking out. Referee letting most things go, cracking atmosphere, and Ronaldo's halved the deficit.

Ronaldo levels it up. Probably wouldn't have been given without goal line technology.

Ronaldo's hattrick seals a marvellous comeback for Juventus. One of his finest nights. Great all-round performance, in truth, from Juventus. Fantastic to see Simeone and his negativity dispatched.

Dortmund, PSG, Real, Atletico all out. Liverpool likely to go out tomorrow. Wide-open tournament.

Henderson injured after 15 minutes taking a bump from James. Sums up Henderson's career.

1-1 in Munich. Liverpool led after mane scored, Neuer with his brand of goalkeeper suicide. Munich level via a Matip OG

Barcelona 2-0 against Lyon. Messi and Coutinho

Liverpool through. Bayern were absolutely awful, nothing like the team currently rampaging through Bundesliga.

Four English Premier League clubs in the last eight.

Perfectly setup for a bit of UEFA draw rigging to setup a Barcelona vs Juventus final. None of the English teams have the X factor that Messi or Ronaldo offer

CL QF draw

Ajax v Juventus
Liverpool v Porto
Tottenham v Man City
Man U v Barcelona

Fairly dull QFs, then. Juve, Liverpool, Man City and Barcelona should all be confident of going through.

Probably but then so were Real and PSG

Which leads to:

Man U/Barca vs Liverpool/Porto
City/Tottenham vs Juve/Ajax

Those quarters have set up an amazing semis and final.

City play Spurs on 9th, 16th and 20th. They also play United on 24th. Hell of an April.

Gives a possibility of Ronaldo vs Messi in the final or a Pep final.

Think Liverpool have it in them to take Barca, who there are still questions about. Depends how their energy levels are, but City vs Juve and Liverpool vs Barca would be an amazing pair of semi-finals.

First leg of Barca/Man U has been changed to Old Trafford:

Man. City & Manchester United are not able to play at home on the same night, nor on consecutive nights, following a decision made by the relevant local authorities. The first leg of Manchester United v Barcelona will therefore be at Old Trafford.

I think that is definitely the 4 strongest v the 4 weakest, but as GSC says, it doesn't always go to expectation.

Not in a million years would Liverpool have any hope against Barcelona. The delusions of the Scousers is getting comical. Beating a dreadful Bayern side is about Liverpool's level. Messi will make van Dijk look like the journeyman he actually is

That Barca team is not that great either. I would fancy Liverpool over Barca tbh, and I'm an Evertonian

If I had to pick the results from that draw, I'd have the semi's as City v Juve and Barca v Liverpool, and then City v Liverpool in the final

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Not in a million years would Liverpool have any hope against Barcelona. The delusions of the Scousers is getting comical. Beating a dreadful Bayern side is about Liverpool's level. Messi will make van Dijk look like the journeyman he actually is

I'm a West Ham fan, I have no interest in Liverpool succeeding, ever. Especially against the best player the sport has ever seen.

But their defence and midfield isn't what it was, they know it too.

Europa League quarter-final draw in full:

Napoli v Arsenal
Villarreal v Valencia
Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt
Slavia Prague v Chelsea

Duty281 wrote:

Beer wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Wow. Simply the greatest comeback I've ever seen in football. Better than Munich 99. Better than Istanbul. Better than Chelsea in the Camp Nou.

I wouldn't usually sh*t on somones parade, it's clearly a great result, but, that's an absurd claim.

It's nowhere near as good as the '99 Final. It's not as good as Barca vs PSG, and it's not even as good as Newcastle vs Arsenal.

Two goals in stoppage time is nice. Scoring six at home is wonderful. Scoring four in one half at home is exceptional.

But scoring three in a Paris fortress whilst missing half a dozen first-team players is out of this world.

Catching up, noticed this absurdity

1999, CL Semi Final, Man U were 2-0 down away to Juventus (3-1 on aggregate), came back to win 2-3 (3-4 on aggregate). That's already better than the PSG game.

Semi-final draw:

Napoli or Arsenal v Villarreal or Valencia
Benfica or Eintracht Frankfurt v Slavia Prague or Chelsea

I really want Santi Cazorla to get a chance to play at the Emirates again. One of my favourite players of the last ten years

Marky wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

Beer wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Wow. Simply the greatest comeback I've ever seen in football. Better than Munich 99. Better than Istanbul. Better than Chelsea in the Camp Nou.

I wouldn't usually sh*t on somones parade, it's clearly a great result, but, that's an absurd claim.

It's nowhere near as good as the '99 Final. It's not as good as Barca vs PSG, and it's not even as good as Newcastle vs Arsenal.

Two goals in stoppage time is nice. Scoring six at home is wonderful. Scoring four in one half at home is exceptional.

But scoring three in a Paris fortress whilst missing half a dozen first-team players is out of this world.

Catching up, noticed this absurdity

1999, CL Semi Final, Man U were 2-0 down away to Juventus (3-1 on aggregate), came back to win 2-3 (3-4 on aggregate). That's already better than the PSG game.

Nowhere near as good. Contrast Juventus' 98/99 season and home record against PSG's 18/19 season and home record. Contrast the strength of the United team that evening, both relatively and overall, versus the strength of the injury-ravaged United team that played PSG.

PSG now aren't as good as Juve were then, especially without Neymar and with Marquinhos in midfield

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Not in a million years would Liverpool have any hope against Barcelona. The delusions of the Scousers is getting comical. Beating a dreadful Bayern side is about Liverpool's level. Messi will make van Dijk look like the journeyman he actually is

I'm a West Ham fan, I have no interest in Liverpool succeeding, ever. Especially against the best player the sport has ever seen.

But their defence and midfield isn't what it was, they know it too.

Samuel Umtiti recently returned from knee surgery, should he return to his best he’s an incredible CB. One player somewhat slipping under the radar is Clement Lenglet. This boy will go on to become one of the CB of his generation.

As for their midfield I wouldn’t exactly say players like Rakitic, Busquets and Coutinho are below par. Arthur is also a brilliant player. They don’t have the genius of Iniesta anymore but they’d options in central midfield are vast.

The one side I wanted to avoid Napoli and we get them...

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:PSG now aren't as good as Juve were then, especially without Neymar and with Marquinhos in midfield

Juventus in 98/99 weren't all that. They finished 7th in Serie A, not even qualifying for the CL the season after. It was their worst domestic showing for a number of years. They played ten Champions League games overall in 98/99 and only won two - at home to Rosenborg and Olympiakos.

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Not in a million years would Liverpool have any hope against Barcelona. The delusions of the Scousers is getting comical. Beating a dreadful Bayern side is about Liverpool's level. Messi will make van Dijk look like the journeyman he actually is

I'm a West Ham fan, I have no interest in Liverpool succeeding, ever. Especially against the best player the sport has ever seen.

But their defence and midfield isn't what it was, they know it too.

Samuel Umtiti recently returned from knee surgery, should he return to his best he’s an incredible CB. One player somewhat slipping under the radar is Clement Lenglet. This boy will go on to become one of the CB of his generation.

As for their midfield I wouldn’t exactly say players like Rakitic, Busquets and Coutinho are below par. Arthur is also a brilliant player. They don’t have the genius of Iniesta anymore but they’d options in central midfield are vast.

I don't think they're done, I think it would be tight, I suggest Liverpool could, rather than some definitive will. But I think Barca live a little off reputation, yet they've gone out in three consecutive quarter finals.

Suarez, whilst looking like he's recovering form, has been questioned a lot this season, Dembele isn't there yet, Coutinho is constantly talked about as a disappointment. If they went with a three of Coutinho, Rakitic and Busquets, Liverpool could outrun and outpower them. I like Arthur, but he's not on the level of what they are heralded as at Barca (yet).

I like Umtiti, but I think Mane, Salah and Firmino will scare a backline that isn't amazing. You may not rate Van Dijk, I think he's beyond anything Barca have. I also think Liverpool work exceptionally as a team, whereas Barca still do have individualism.

Duty281 wrote:

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:PSG now aren't as good as Juve were then, especially without Neymar and with Marquinhos in midfield

Juventus in 98/99 weren't all that. They finished 7th in Serie A, not even qualifying for the CL the season after. It was their worst domestic showing for a number of years. They played ten Champions League games overall in 98/99 and only won two - at home to Rosenborg and Olympiakos.

As a team to go play at the San Siro though, I would definitely rather be going to Paris with their record than Juve of then. Especially a PSG with the problems they had coming into both legs.

Some Spurs fans bemoaning getting Man City. OK, City are firm favourites but few expected them to lose to Liverpool in last year's Champs League.

Depending on how Brighton get on in the FA Cup Spurs might have to play a league match at 4.30pm on Sunday Apr 7 and then their first leg against Man City at 8pm on Tues Apr 9.

Of all the teams left in the competition, Liverpool are probably Barcelona's worst nightmare. Solid enough at the back and in midfield and capable of fast transitions into attack.

Busquets doesn't cover the same amount of ground as he used to and with the fullback's still bombing on, they're vulnerable to the counterattack.

But for Messi, Liverpool would be clear favourites.

Interesting first ties.

Barcelona in the driving seat, but definitely showed weaknesses and I wonder if Solskjaer will regret getting Martial/Lingard on so late. Dalot was there for his running but didn’t produce, Young was also awful in delivery. McTominay is getting plaudits, but gotta say Fred was outstanding.

Liverpool gave up chances but also could have scored more. They’re through.

Spurs beating City probably the result of the round, but at what cost for their top four hopes? Kane’s injury could be costly, although Son has stepped up before.

Ronaldo got the away goal in a 1-1 draw at Ajax, leaving that in Juve’s favour, but nice and balanced.

Barcelona were poor, by their standards, but they still had enough to hold off United with ease. Don't think the home side managed a shot on target all game. Amusing to see Suarez jeered by some moronic fans, only for the referee to award the goal after a speedy VAR check.

City were unusually passive, but 1-0 isn't a massive deficit with the home leg still to come. Kane could be out for a while, but the last time that happened, Spurs went on a good winning run.

Pretty dull ties, in truth.

Think City vs Spurs is really the only one that's is particularly well poised.

Liverpool should see off Porto without too much fuss
Barca handled United without any real issues while nowhere near their best away from home.
Would expect Juve at home will be too much for Ajax, though would've said the same last round I guess

I enjoyed both the United and City games, much more so the City game but I still enjoyed United, especially the way they grew into it. It was also interesting to watch and just see evidence of the deficiencies they need to beat out of that squad

Duty281 wrote:Barcelona were poor, by their standards, but they still had enough to hold off United with ease. Don't think the home side managed a shot on target all game. Amusing to see Suarez jeered by some moronic fans, only for the referee to award the goal after a speedy VAR check.

City were unusually passive, but 1-0 isn't a massive deficit with the home leg still to come. Kane could be out for a while, but the last time that happened, Spurs went on a good winning run.

Pretty dull ties, in truth.

Nothing moronic about booing someone who received a ban for racial abuse.

Man Utd getting absolutely bent over by Messi & co.

Juventus 1-2 Ajax

David de Gea being exposed as a massive hype job. He looked the real deal when Manchester United’s level was very low. Since he’s become Spain #1 he’s been shown up.

Jan Oblak is twice as good as de Gea

Been on the slide under OGS for a while, so no surprise with last nights exit. Puzzling as to why they needed to announce OGS as permanent manager. Could miss out on top 4 too, and you sense nothing much has actually changed behind the scenes either, given the clowns at the club decided to extend Jones, Young, and Smalling’s contracts. Same old, same old.

Said this elsewhere but will paste my thoughts

Its not even his fault

The board should have been smart enough not to act rashly and give him the job before the end of the season. He may well have proved to be the right and available man for the job, but what was the need to confirm it in March?

Just smacks of Woodward not wanting to pay to get Poch (or not being able to get him), so taking the easy option off the back of a big win

Don't think last night reflects too badly on OGS - Barcelona are miles ahead of United in terms of quality. United need a proper clearout of deadwood over the summer - Jones, Smalling, Young, Sanchez to name a few - and rebuild. Though this appears unlikely to happen.

Big result last night was Ajax upsetting Juve. The Dutch club are genuine contenders now.

Not sure its last night as much as United seem to have regressed back to the Mourinho form lately. Big summer ahead.

Neither City or Tottenham can defend.

1-2 Tottenham after ten minutes. One outstanding finish from Sterling, one exquisite finish from Son.

2-2. This is silly.

Game of forever

Not entirely sure how but Spurs found a way. Spurs or Ajax in the final

Fantastic game. Just fantastic. Everything you could ask for as a neutral. Five goals in twenty minutes. VAR ruling out a late winner. Total drama. Peter Walton identifying the thigh as the knee. Amazing stuff.

Tottenham have had a bizarre Champions League run, nearly going out on multiple occasions only to get reprieved at every turn. Now only Ajax are in their way of getting to the final.

Feel for City. They were much the better team tonight. Sterling/Aguero/B Silva/De Bruyne were all immense.

When does Guardiola’s hype finally fade away? He won two champions league title because of Lionel Messi.

Since he left Barcelona he’s never reached the final despite having open cheque books at Bayern and City.

Mourinho gets torn to shreds in the media yet he won the champions league with Porto, something that Guardiola would never be capable of doing.

Nathaniel just continually pounding those horrific tales across the board