2023-24 UEFA Champions League Discussion Thread

Post #1 » by **Baphomet** » Fri Aug 25, 2023 6:59 pm

Here we go again. Discuss the Champions League (and qualifiers/playoff games) in here.

Current holders are Manchester City.

Post #2 » by **Baphomet** » Fri Aug 25, 2023 7:00 pm

Group stage draw is on August 31st.

wco81 · Post #3 » by **wco81** » Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:16 pm

Last year the first group stage games were on 6 September 2022.

So presumably we will have the start of play in about 2 weeks.

Foye · Post #4 » by **Foye** » Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:44 am

wco81 wrote:Last year the first group stage games were on 6 September 2022.

So presumably we will have the start of play in about 2 weeks.

No, we will have national team break in two weeks.

MetalFingaz · Post #5 » by **MetalFingaz** » Sat Aug 26, 2023 1:30 pm

Games start September 19.

Post #6 » by **Baphomet** » Thu Aug 31, 2023 5:08 pm

Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Copenhagen, Galatasaray

Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV, Lens

Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin

Group D; Benfica, Inter, Salzburg, Real Sociedad

Group E: Feyenoord, Atlético Madrid, Lazio, Celtic

Group F: PSG, Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle

Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Crevna Zvezda, Young Boys

Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp

HIF · Post #7 » by **HIF** » Thu Aug 31, 2023 6:46 pm

The dark side of football has returned.

Hellcrooner · Post #8 » by **Hellcrooner** » Thu Aug 31, 2023 11:42 pm

Baphomet wrote:Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, , Galatasaray

Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, Lens

Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Union Berlin

Group D; Benfica, Salzburg, Real Sociedad

Group E: Feyenoord, Atlético Madrid, Lazio,

Group F: PSG, Dortmund, Newcastle

Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Young Boys

Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk,

The_Brecht · Post #9 » by **The_Brecht** » Fri Sep 1, 2023 10:14 am

Antwerp getting nice games with Barcelona and Porto.
Maybe they can battle for third with Shakhtar.

The_Brecht · Post #10 » by **The_Brecht** » Fri Sep 1, 2023 10:16 am

I'll have my say at a prono:

Group A: Bayern Munich, Man Utd, Gala, Copenhagen

Group B: Arsenal, Sevilla, PSV, Lens

Group C: Real, Napoli, Union Berlin, Braga

Group D; Benfica, Inter, Salzburg, Real Sociedad

Group E: Atletico, Lazio, Feyenoord, Celtic

Group F: PSG, Newcastle, Dortmund, Milan

Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Crevna Zvezda, Young Boys

Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Antwerp, Shakhtar

LDNMagic90 · Post #11 » by **LDNMagic90** » Fri Sep 1, 2023 10:42 am

Newcastle given the group of death, but weirdly I think they’ll qualify to the next stage. That St.James Park atmosphere will play a huge factor in their home games, plus their midfield run and press all game long.

Post #12 » by **magik9113** » Fri Sep 1, 2023 1:35 pm

Yea group F definitely strongest while group E is weakest. And City get a cake walk to the next round.

MetalFingaz · Post #13 » by **MetalFingaz** » Fri Sep 1, 2023 2:24 pm

Personally feel Milan is stronger than Newcastle. Also don't feel certain PSG will top that group.

Most of the other groups seem a bit more clear cut.

Post #14 » by **magik9113** » Tue Sep 19, 2023 5:46 pm

MetalFingaz wrote:Personally feel Milan is stronger than Newcastle. Also don't feel certain PSG will top that group.

Most of the other groups seem a bit more clear cut.

Yea Milan getting shafted in a lot of people’s predictions here and elsewhere. I have them topping the group.

Newcastle are a fantastic squad and I find myself rooting for them and Brighton every weekend…but this season will be useful in gaining CL experience and that’s probably it.

Milan-Newcastle stalemate at the half. Need Pulisic to come in and make some noise second half

Post #15 » by **magik9113** » Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:45 pm

Milan dominated all game but Newcastle defended hard and forced a good save out of Milan backup gk in the last seconds. Milan will have regrets especially if loftus-cheek and maignon injuries are serious ones.
People starting to get on Leao for his lack of goal scoring…

my favorite part of this goalless game was the Milan fans warm welcome and standing ovation for Tonali

Post #16 » by **magik9113** » Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:23 pm

Lazio goalie with the last second equalizer. Love to see it

wco81 · Post #17 » by **wco81** » Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:49 pm

Dortmund getting getting blanked in Paris is unexpected or do they not have a strong squad this year?

-Luke- · Post #18 » by **-Luke-** » Wed Sep 20, 2023 8:07 am

wco81 wrote:Dortmund getting getting blanked in Paris is unexpected or do they not have a strong squad this year?

Not a particularly strong squad. The transfer policy didn't seem too creative in the last few years and the roster doesn't seem to be really balanced. In the German Bundesliga I see Bayern, Leverkusen and Leipzig ahead of them. They will compete for the 4th place in my opinion.

Post #19 » by **magik9113** » Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:28 am

I don’t think dortmund losing 2-0 to PSG in Paris can be considered surprising by any means. Psg are still elite without Messi and Neymar

Foye · Post #20 » by **Foye** » Wed Sep 20, 2023 1:08 pm

-Luke- wrote:
wco81 wrote:Dortmund getting getting blanked in Paris is unexpected or do they not have a strong squad this year?

Not a particularly strong squad. The transfer policy didn't seem too creative in the last few years and the roster doesn't seem to be really balanced. In the German Bundesliga I see Bayern, Leverkusen and Leipzig ahead of them. They will compete for the 4th place in my opinion.

Yeah, the transfers haven't been particularly convincing.

I think that they are going to finish behind Bayern, Leverkusen and Leipzig this season, too.