2014

[cgf]

Juve and Bayern really should win. The madrid derby is a toss up and PSG is the worst non-Bayern matchup for Barca (best CB duo, a midfield that can push barca's and they'll have ibra coming back in the second leg; Barca may contain cavani and co in the first leg, but I don't see them containing ibra nearly as well as Silva and co will contain Messi and the boys). I've got Real and PSG winning those match ups but they really could go either way without it being a shock.

They're a much better side than the last time you faced them as well and Thiago Silva plays Messi well. If you don't think this will be very close, you're going to be very surprised. Won't be shocked if Barca need away goals to pull it off, like last time.

I'm shocked at the number of people who think PSG can beat Barca. No disrespect to PSG but I'm thinking Barca wins 4-2 over the two legs. Msn will be too much for Psg to handle. Got beaten 3-1 by an out of form Barca not that long ago. Psg players themselves were saying Barca were one of the worst matchups for them.

Both teams are stronger than the last time you met, but PSGs strengths should still match up very well against ya. Last time both legs ended in draws, it should be no surprise if this tie also ends with a level scoreline that away goals need to decide.

[cgf]

I didn't rate Chelsea too highly even though I love Matic as a player (that was the worst I've seen him play against PSG) and Mourinho as a soccer personality. Thus being willing to bet that Bayern went further than they did despite disliking Bayern and have gripes about Pep's obsession with playing both Schweini and Xabi at the same time. I just have a ton of respect fro Thiago Silva and how great he allows David Luiz to be when they are together. Marquinho is a beast as well, and Silva's historically played Messi very well. So even with your improvements I think that their epic backline v your incredible forwards will be very close.

In the midfield I forgot Veratti would miss the first leg as he's been astounding this year, finally breaking out as one of the world's premier creative central mids and I think he has a strong case to be put over Pogba for the best young 8 this year. Without him they're going to lack some the orchestration unless Johan Kebab (if he recovers) or Rabiot step in and play the match of their lives; but I love Matuidi (who maybe the best box to boxer in the world with Yaya's age and Vidal's injuries; though I dunno how to classify Alaba anymore and Pogba is in this discussion as well); and Motta has had a great renaissance as their holder this season. He's even made some nifty passes that I didn't expect. Now I adore Rakitic as well, have a ton of respect for biscuits and xaviesta, and without Veratti in the first leg you should win the midfield battle, but I really htink that the PSG trio will make it very hard on you in that part of the pitch...in turn making it harder for your front 3 versus their back 4.

Then there's my concerns with your backline and how tough a time I see them having with Ibra once he comes back, and Cavani/Lucas/lavezzi should press them well in the first leg to keep you from putting it away before Ibra and Veratti return.

Barca are deserved favorites, and logically I do think they should progress, but I have a hard time not seeing it end up a very tight and tough battle that they very well may pull out. Now I think Athletico are more likely to pull the "upset" than PSG, but I do think PSG are more likely to do it than Porto or Monaco and my gut is uneasy picking Barca.

[EArl]

Im going to take a wait and see approach to this. We have played well our last couple of games. I even like how we have handled the adversary from Madrid when they were just not allowing us to pass the ball in the middle.
The first game we need to not take them lightly and play them as if their full squad was present. if we don't do this, the game could turn bad.

[cgf]

Yeah, I can't fault you for feeling confident in getting through, but I expect it to be one of the closest match ups in the next round alongside the Madrid-derby. I just can't see Juve **** the bed like Arsenal did in front of goal against monaco, and Bayern should take care of business against Porto (though they'll have to work for it and if Pep doesn't get over his obsession with playing Schweini and Xabi together they'll get burned).

[CalamityX12]

David Luiz out for a month.....

misses CL games vs Barca

[cgf]

That's big, but Silva-Marquinhos isn't exactly a partnership I'd be licking my lips at.

[CalamityX12]

Not only defensively but offensively as well... whether David is taking a free kick or setting up for a header... the guy is action Jackson out there lol

[magik9113]

I don't think PSG have a chance missing three of their best players for the first leg.

[SniperHawk10]

Is Veratti suspended or injured? I know he's missing the first leg

better take advantage of all those players missing

[cgf]

Veratti's suspended for accumulated yellows.

[Merc_Porto]

Bayern is going to play in Dragão without Alaba, Robben, Ribery and Schweinsteiger.

Big names, but Porto is also missing 2 big players, 2 Of the top 3 players.

Jackson and Tello.
Of course they are not Robben or Ribery, but is more dificult to replace the best players of Porto, than Bayern.

Even so, I am confident.
We need a good result wednesday. Hopefully without allowing goals to B.Munique.

[CalamityX12]

that's pretty big for BM... Porto could take advantage of this....

[cgf]

Bayern's form also hasn't been great with all of the injuries...that said they've already used a strong showing in the CL to get back on a roll this season, so I'm not sure how much to trust in that poorer form continuing.

Here's to hoping you pull it off. I'll root for any german team to get through their group in Europe; but once the knockouts arrive Bayern/Bayer/VFL can lose in the most painful way possible as far as I'm concerned.

[No_20]

Bayern will go through quite easily.

Germany owns Portugal, club and NT.

[DD12]

I'll root for any german team to get through their group in Europe;

Obviously since your team will never ever see bundesliga forget about european competition.

[cgf]

I'll root for any german team to get through their group in Europe;

Obviously since your team will never ever see bundesliga forget about european competition.

Eh. I plan to live past 100 so I think that some day we'll make it to the first league for a season. I'll have to quit real life for a year so I can move back to Berlin to be there for each match if/when it happens, but it'll be glorious.

[SniperHawk10]

Isco the one being left out the starting lineup today. Can't say I'm too surprised

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[J-Mezzy]

Isco the one being left out the starting lineup today. Can't say I'm too surprised

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Carlo loves his BBC

[EArl]

Vamos Atleti!

[magik9113]

Very poor so far from Juve. Jesus