UEFA Champions League 24/25 - Playoff Round - 11/02/25 - 12/02/25 and 18/02/25 - 19/02/25

[Pexbo]

Seedorf is such a wonderful pundit, he’s got a really lovely way with words and really insightful and when he talks everyone shuts up and listens.

And then you’ve got Rooney and fecking Sturridge next to him. What a contrast.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

He's not the main man this season tbh

Who is?

Vini Jr maybe? Either way. The media are guilty of overhyping young talent but not with Bellingham. He's the real deal.

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

City are stupid as well. Their high line was asking for trouble, even late on while 2-1 up!

Reminded me of their tie a couple years back when city were too proud to see the game out, so Madrid went up the other end and scored. As soon as that pen went in it should’ve been operation shutdown. But not pep.

Common denominator in those results too was Ederson being shite. If they had Alisson or Courtois they might have won 3 CLs.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Seedorf is such a wonderful pundit, he’s got a really lovely way with words and really insightful and when he talks everyone shuts up and listens.

And then you’ve got Rooney and fecking Sturridge next to him. What a contrast.

He did the World Cup a few years ago with the BBC and he was exceptional.

He spoke better English than most of the English pundits.

 

[kouroux]

Who is?

Vini Jr maybe? Either way. The media are guilty of overhyping young talent but not with Bellingham. He's the real deal.

Clearly now it's Mbappe and Vini ahead of him

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

Seedorf is such a wonderful pundit, he’s got a really lovely way with words and really insightful and when he talks everyone shuts up and listens.

And then you’ve got Rooney and fecking Sturridge next to him. What a contrast.

I think Rooney is a decent pundit, just isn't the most eloquent man, but definitely better than he used to be and makes an effort to, just not as natural for him.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Clearly now it's Mbappe and Vini ahead of him

Mbappe was having a dreadful season up until a few months ago. He's improved since but he still doesn't look quite right yet.

Be interesting who Madrid fans consider their main man. I'd guess it was between Bellingham and Vini Jr.

 

[RG77]

All in all thought the first half was competitive and we shaded it but still draw would have been fairer than us being one up.

2nd half after Akanji went off we were cooked and wouldn't have deserved to get out of it with a draw so fair results in the end.

Strange game. 3-2 final score plus Real and City both hitting the bar twice, could have been anything but better team won.
If Akanji and Ake aren't injured and Pep made those changes by choice, he has a lot to answer for. The fact we consistently throw away leads with Gundo, Lewis and Kovacic on the pitch and Pep brought all 3 on, better be injury related.

Fully expect Real to beat us by at least 2 in the return leg and go through 6-3 or so on aggregate, especially if they get a couple of defenders back. They're just better than us.

Bellingham does the defensive work of 2-3 players and still carries Reals biggest threat. I don't see how people can say he did nothing tonight. Best player on the pitch.

I haven’t been able to watch the game, but recall is agreeing whichever team sucked less would go through. Sounds like we got that right based on the reactions What a drop off in quality for both teams.

 

[RG77]

Mbappe was having a dreadful season up until a few months ago. He's improved since but he still doesn't look quite right yet.

Be interesting who Madrid fans consider their main man. I'd guess it was between Bellingham and Vini Jr.

At their best, Vini no question.

 

[hasanejaz88]

And I just realized that Guirassy is the top scorer in the CL... 10 goals already (and 4 assists). Best transfer they did in years?

He has been more inconsistent in the league though, would still say Kobel has been their best transfer, Ryerson as well as been a great utility player. Maatsen in that 6 month stretch was great too.

 

[padr81]

I haven’t been able to watch the game, but recall is agreeing whichever team sucked less would go through. Sounds like we got that right based on the reactions What a drop off in quality for both teams.

Its crazy like neither of us have a midfield and you go back a couple of years and they were probably the 2 best midfields on the planet. You guys are quite lucky you can run a bit at least. If you guys can get Fede in midfield 2nd leg and it'll be an absolute hiding.

 

[kouroux]

Mbappe was having a dreadful season up until a few months ago. He's improved since but he still doesn't look quite right yet.

Be interesting who Madrid fans consider their main man. I'd guess it was between Bellingham and Vini Jr.

I don't disagree but from a status, wages and marketing POV, Mbappe is the bigger superstar. His performances having improved also help

At their best, Vini no question.

I agree

 

[giggs-beckham]

How would you know?

Maybe that's why the universe is expanding, centrifugal force..OK we've just solved cosmology.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

I don't disagree but from a status, wages and marketing POV, Mbappe is the bigger superstar. His performances having improved also help

I agree

We were arguing different things then , if youre saying in terms of marketing and brand then yeah Mbappe is a bigger superstar I agree.

 

[kouroux]

Pen aside, what do you Real Madrid fans think of Ceballos' inclusion in the team ? Not quiete Kroos like but they definitely needed a CM of his profile to link things up better

 

[Pexbo]

I think Rooney is a decent pundit, just isn't the most eloquent man, but definitely better than he used to be and makes an effort to, just not as natural for him.

Nah he’s rubbish, it’s all tropes with him, there’s no genuine insight at all and it’s made ten times worse by his delivery.

 

[RedRocket9908]

I was impressed with Real Madrid tonight overall, I thought they looked lightyears better than the Real Madrid side that lost 4-0 at the Etihad a couple of years ago when they couldnt string 2 passes together.

 

[AfonsoAlves]

Does anyone find Camavinga's dribbling/running style incredibly unique and bizarre?

He's really tall but incredibly upright when he is on the ball and when he is running?

 

[BorisManUtd]

City with xG below 1 if you don't count the penalty. People amazed again with Madrid's comeback but this season it's not that impressive - City are having a poor season.

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

I haven’t been able to watch the game, but recall is agreeing whichever team sucked less would go through. Sounds like we got that right based on the reactions What a drop off in quality for both teams.

Real Madrid actually played pretty well there, far better than a lot of other times they had more 'quality'.

 

[The Firestarter]

City with xG below 1 if you don't count the penalty. People amazed again with Madrid's comeback but this season it's not that impressive - City are having a poor season.

This is a realistic xg indeed. Real had too many sitters .

 

[GlasgowCeltic]

Madrid looked the obviously better team, not as much as PSG did against City but the better team definitely won

 

[Oranges038]

Seedorf is such a wonderful pundit, he’s got a really lovely way with words and really insightful and when he talks everyone shuts up and listens.

And then you’ve got Rooney and fecking Sturridge next to him. What a contrast.

Seedorf is quality and a very good speaker.

Had it on Premier Sports. Martin O'Neill, Kenny Cunnigham and Shay Given. O'Neill had a good laugh at Kenny for saying good defending and defensive structure was entertaining.

Martin O'Neill is very good guy to have on TV.

It was also interesting to see Given say about the 2nd Madrid goal, that Ederson is coached to have that stance with his hands down by his side at City, that he's been there and seen them working on it.

 

[kouroux]

Does anyone find Camavinga's dribbling/running style incredibly unique and bizarre?

He's really tall but incredibly upright when he is on the ball and when he is running?

He's very atypical for sure

 

[Berbaclass]

Exactly

The people calling it top shithousery earlier...

 

[giorno]

Pen aside, what do you Real Madrid fans think of Ceballos' inclusion in the team ? Not quiete Kroos like but they definitely needed a CM of his profile to link things up better

We are much better with him than without

He's still not good enough to start for a team like ours, though he has the right profile(inclusing physically). The dream is Vitinha but he's destined to remain a dream

 

[Pexbo]

Seedorf is quality and a very good speaker.

Had it on Premier Sports. Martin O'Neill, Kenny Cunnigham and Shay Given. O'Neill had a good laugh at Kenny for saying good defending and defensive structure was entertaining.

Martin O'Neill is very good guy to have on TV.

It was also interesting to see Given say about the 2nd Madrid goal, that Ederson is coached to have that stance with his hands down by his side at City, that he's been there and seen them working on it.

MO’N is a great pundit. He’s a bit awkward with the way he has his head down when he talks but if you can get past that he’s excellent.

 

[Pexbo]

Peps wearing a swimming cap

 

[Marvin look out]

I was impressed with Real Madrid tonight overall, I thought they looked lightyears better than the Real Madrid side that lost 4-0 at the Etihad a couple of years ago when they couldnt string 2 passes together.

It's all relative, as City back then were also lightyears above where they are now.

 

[Irwin99]

Does anyone find Camavinga's dribbling/running style incredibly unique and bizarre?

He's really tall but incredibly upright when he is on the ball and when he is running?

I can't say I noticed but I thought he did really well tonight and will probably go under the radar a bit.

 

[RedfromIreland]

Should be called out by manager and also the media. Ive heard better atmospheres in GPs waiting rooms.

How do you manage to get that far?

 

[Oranges038]

MO’N is a great pundit. He’s a bit awkward with the way he has his head down when he talks but if you can get past that he’s excellent.

Yeah, he has odd kind of a manner, but he knows his stuff and comes across very well.

Fecker doesn't look 72 either.

 

[ManBitesDog]

Sturridge is absolutely hopeless. I've heard better analysis when I've drove my boy and his mates home from 5 a side listening to them talk how the opposition striker had a crap haircut so therefore they deserved to lose. Who hires these guys?

 

[Berbaclass]

 

[SER19]

How do you manage to get that far?

I didnt say they see me.

 

[SER19]

MO’N is a great pundit. He’s a bit awkward with the way he has his head down when he talks but if you can get past that he’s excellent.

Always has been. Used to make the world cups and euros as a pundit, for itv or bbc whichever he was on.

 

[RedfromIreland]

I didnt say they see me.

 

[Morty_]

I was impressed with Real Madrid tonight overall, I thought they looked lightyears better than the Real Madrid side that lost 4-0 at the Etihad a couple of years ago when they couldnt string 2 passes together.

Actually, we have regressed as a team from last season, and if this side is better than two seasons ago, i'd say it isn't by much.

Worst City side we have met, I'm pretty sure.

 

[2 man midfield]

Exactly

The people calling it top shithousery earlier...

Also, there’s a fair bit of arrogance to assume Madrid fans would get an oasis reference…

They probably saw that and were like ‘…eh?’

 

[Bepi]

It is fair to say that a front 4 made of Bellingham, Vini, Mbappe and Rodrygo is still unmatched out there.