Could this years final 8 teams be the strongest 8 teams we've ever seen at this stage of the CL/European cup?
Bayern Munich (not overrated despite what some people think)
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Dortmund
Atletico Madrid
PSG
Chelsea?
United?
Even without the 2 English clubs maybe getting through, I feel that the other 6 are all capable of beating each other and I can't remember a year where so many teams could win the cup.
I expect Chelsea to go through and while not the best Chelsea side ever, they still are capable of beating a big team on their day. If United make it through I can't see us making the semi final but surely this United team must be the best '8th best' option (if we make it through) in European cup/CL history?
This is a golden age of European football IMO and with so many teams this good all competing in a knock out round I can only see a superleague coming along one day soon.
Strongest last 8 of European Cup ever?
posted on 13/3/14
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 34 seconds ago
He's made mistakes but i'd hope he learns from them.
..............
The trouble is Robb we have had very little evidence that he is learning from them.
You would think that Kagawa would be a cert for Olympiakos.
I bet Young and Valencia play.
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I don't think they'll play - certainly not both of them anyway.
The only reason they played in the first leg (not to say I agree with their selection, which I don't) was because Moyes was looking to go out there and come back with a respectable result. I think it's commonly accepted that was a poor plan from Moyes but there's no doubting that's what he did.
In the second leg he goes in knowing we'll need at least 2 goals, if not 3 or 4. For that reason he knows he has to go attacking so will not start with Valencia and Young.
If he does start them it's not his tactical nous I will question, but his IQ and sanity.
posted on 13/3/14
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 3 minutes ago
He's made mistakes but i'd hope he learns from them.
..............
The trouble is Robb we have had very little evidence that he is learning from them.
You would think that Kagawa would be a cert for Olympiakos.
I bet Young and Valencia play.
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You may be right. I'd say it was a fair bet at least one will play. We battered Leverkusen with a front 6 of Fellaini, Carrick, Kagawa, Valencia, RVP and Rooney.
If Nani isn't fit i'd like to see that again. If Moyes goes with the same front 6 from 3 weeks back even I couldn't find excuses for Moyes.
posted on 13/3/14
I imagine one of Young and Valencia will start, preferably Young, who carries a goal threat.
As much as everyone dreams of the likes of Januzaj, Rooney, RVP and Kagawa playing this interchanging, narrow football.... It can be very, very easy to defend against, if the opposition don't need to attack.
We need to stretch the pitch a bit and try to find some space in what will be a Greek wall. I'd play Young on the right and Januzaj left.
posted on 13/3/14
--------------------De Gea-----------------
Rafa----------Smalling--Jones---Evra
-------------Carrick---Fellaini------------
----------januzaj-----Rooney---Kagawa----
--------------------RVP---------------------
posted on 13/3/14
^ well... that landed on deaf ears
posted on 13/3/14
In an ideal world, we would have Kagawa playing centrally to unlock the bus... But Rooney and RVP will start
posted on 13/3/14
Perhaps Giggs is the key…
But then again, perhaps I need to up my medication.
posted on 13/3/14
Fairly similar to last year.
Bar Malaga and Galatassaray, last year had five of those teams with Juventus as the 6th.
Nothing particularly revelatory there, old chap.
posted on 13/3/14
last season was the first time in a long while i can remember the semi finals actually contained the 4 best teams in europe hopefully this year can be the same, provided they all avoid each other
Real
Barca
Bayern
PSG
would be an awesome last 4
posted on 14/3/14
I'd expect us to beat PSG and Atletico over two legs. Possibly Chelsea too.